History:
From the 1899-1903 Announcements: The school is now supplied with a well-organized and well selected
library of about 2,000 volumes. This acquisition is due to the efforts of the students and to the
generosity of local friends who responded to appeals for aid. In addition to donations in cash and in
books already received, the further contributions constantly being made promise well for the future growth
of the library. Valuable literary and scientific reference-books have been acquired, and departments
established in fiction, history, biography, travel, philosophy, and natural science.
The library is in charge of a competent and thoroughly-trained librarian. All books and pamphlets so soon
as received are classified and catalogued in accordance with the most approved card system.
One of Matheson's strong interests and of great importance to the School in its quest to be an academic
institution of merit was the development of a good library. While Chairman of the English Department,
Matheson had begun a library first housed in his office and then on the third floor of the Academic
Building. The Annual Announcement of 1902-1903 described the library on the third floor of the Academic
Building as a well-organized and well-selected library of nearly 2,000 volumes. In addition, the
Announcement noted that a handsomely-furnished and well-equipped reading room equipped with some forty of
the leading papers and periodicals had been established in connection with the library.
Matheson wrote to Andrew Carnegie and persuaded him to fund a library at the Georgia School of Technology.
Carnegie donated $20,000 to build the library, provided the school agreed to furnish $2,000 a year to
sustain the library and employ trained help. The library pictured in this photograph was replaced by the
Carnegie Library in September 1907.
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