National Register of Historic Places, Carnegie Library, Oregon City brochure

A four-page brochure on the Oregon City's Carnegie Library one in a series of three brochures on the city's National Register sites. From the brochure: "BY 1911, SEVERAL LIBRARIES IN OREGON HAD BEEN BUILT using funds from steel king, Andrew Carnegie, and the ‘Carnegie Formula’, which stipulated that the city must provide a site and annual funds in the amount of at least 10% of the cost of the building. Oregon City submitted an application for a sum of $12,500, the estimated cost of the building plus furniture. The lot at 7th and John Adams, set aside by Dr. John McLoughlin as a public space, was selected as the site of the new library. The application was approved on the condition that Mr. Carnegie authorize final building plans. In 1912 work began on the new Carnegie Library in the Seventh Street Park using a design by E. E. McClaran of Portland, which was approved by Mr. Carnegie. Robert Shelley of Portland was retained as the builder. After many changes to the plans and slowdowns which caused the need for the library to temporarily relocate to the basement of the Masonic Building, the building was finally completed. On June 21, 1913, the library was officially opened for business. For the event, fine music was provided by Mrs. DesLarzes, a piano solo was played by Miss Grace, and singing was provided by Oscar Woodfin. Speakers included Joseph E. Hedges, President of the Library Board, Miss Marvin, State Librarian from Salem, and B. T. McBain. Over the years, the library underwent several renovations. In 1963 the city installed a large, modern addition on the primary façade, enclosing a new entrance with stairs to the basement. But in 2002, a restoration removed the incompatible addition, removed the added stair and the original entry was restored to its original design. The restoration also exposed and restored existing materials, changed interior configurations to improve traffic flow between the main floor and the basement, and updated systems including public bathrooms. They enlarged the basement entry on the south elevation to accommodate two swinging doors. This alteration, along with a new concrete ramp, helped the building meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This restoration also included shifting the interior stairs. The original stairs were oriented east to west and they are now oriented north to south. Though this change slightly alters historic traffic patterns, the stair is located in the same portion of the building and retains its historic use. With restored porch, columns, and pathways, the building once again expressed integrity of design, materials, workmanship, site, location, feeling and association." Project funding was provided in part by a 2014 Historic Preservation Fund grant to City of Oregon City (project number OR-14-13) administered by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (grant number P14AF00096) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Oregon City, Oregon is a Certified Local Government.

National Register of Historic Places, Carnegie Library, Oregon City brochure

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