Die afskrif van die oorspronklike korrespondensiemateriaal met betrekking tot die stigting van die Carnegie-biblioteek op Moorreesburg, en Andrew Carnegie se aandeel, kan hier afgelaai word. (teen 55 megagreep.) Vir die gerief van die leser is gepoog om die meeste tekste te transkribeer, aangesien die dokument geen kopiereg het nie. Die meeste ondertekenaars se name is vir eers uitgelaat, behalwe waar die naam onmiskenbaar en duidelik is.

Volgorde Die volgorde in die Carnegie-dokument is nie chronologies van aard nie. Dit moet wees:

16 Mei 1904 - bl. 8 tot 9 17 April 1907 - bl. 5 19 April 1907 - bl. 2 tot 3 20 April 1907 - bl. 4 4 Julie 1911 - bl. 10 tot 11 10 Julie 1911 - bl. 12 11 Julie 1911 - bl. 7 3 Augustus 1911 - bl. 6 21 Augustus 1911 - bl. 15 19 September 1911 - bl. 17 tot 8 21 September 1911 - die chronologiese volgorde: bls. 21, 22, 23, 20, 19. 23 Oktober 1911 - bl. 16 20 November 1911 - bl. 24 20 Januarie 1912 - bl. 25 22 Januarie 1912 - bl. 26 tot 28 20 Februarie 1912 - bl. 28 5 Maart 1912 - bl. 28 5 Maart 1912 - bl. 1 24 Julie 1913 - bl. 29 tot 30

Opmerkings Party dele van die briewe eindig met 'n woord waarmee die volgende begin. Dit is 'n gebruik uit die Middeleeue, pleks daarvan om die bladsye te nommer. Deurgaans word die 'stoel' as "Dear Sir" aangespreek; dit maak dus nie saak of die sekretaresse die brief geskryf en onderteken het nie.

Korrespondensie 16 Mei 1904 (Afskrif van Wetgewing 508 van 1904) Government Notice № 508 Dated 16th May 1904

Colonial Secretary Office Cape Town. Cape of Good Hope 16th May, 1904

It is hereby notified that the subjoined amended regulation for the management of the Public Libraries in the smaller towns of the Colony, having been approved by the Hon. the House of Assembly and the Hon. the Legislative Council, during the Session of 1903, takes effect throughout the Colony from the 1st January, 1903, from which date it supersedes and cancels regulation No. 1. promulgated by the Government Notice № 878 of 1899, which has hitherto been observed by the Government in subsidising the funds of the institutions in question.

(Sgd.) C.P. Crewe Colonial Secretary. [Public]

Public Libraries amended Regulation

That the Government annual Grant shall not exceed the annual average amount raised by subscriptions and donations during the three preceding years or in the case of new Libraries, shall not exceed the amount of subscriptions and donations received for the first year or average for two years, but in no case to be more than £150 per annum, provided that these grants shall be made out of the money voted annually by Parliament for the purpose.

17 April 1907 (Siviele kommissaris verklaar aansoek as eg en opreg) Office of the Civil Commissioner

Malmesbury 17 April 1907

This is to certify that I am aware that the fact disclosed in the accompanying letter are accurately stated. I believe the application to be a bona fide one.

19 April 1907 (Eerste aansoek aan Carnegie) Moorreesburg Cape Colony South Africa 19th April, 1907

Andrew Carnegie Esqr Skibo Castle Dornoch Scotland.

Sir,

The undersigned represent and act for a number of young people from the village of Moorreesburg and neighbourhood who for the last two years have been trying to raise funds for establishing a public library. The method adopted so far has been to give entertainments the proceeds of which now amount to thirty pounds stg. The resources upon which we can draw locally are very limited as the majority of the population consists of the poorer classes, peasants, trademen and artisans. A further drawback is that the community is very conservative having until recently been isolated from important and enlightened centres. Naturally they have been debarred from acquiring anything beyond a very elementary education. For reasons state above our appeals to them have not been productive of much monetary value.

The absence of the customary sources of innocent diversion and the better local provision that has recently been made for the education of our youth are factors that are well calculated to assure the popularity and utility of the contemplated library.

Andrew Carnegie Esqr

Skibo Castle, Dornoch, Scotland.

The promotors of the library have had to contend with much trouble and disheartening incidents but a spirit of indefatigable perseverance has kept them from swaying from their purpose.

It is felt however that in spite of the strenuous efforts of those engaged in the work a very long time will elapse before a building of even modest dimensions can be secured and furnished and supplied with the nucleus of a library.

In devising plans which will in the shortest time give us what we desire it has been decided to approach you on the matter and ask you as we hereby most respectfully do to give us a donation.

We hope that neither the distance nor the obscurity of the place will influence you to withhold that philantrophic generosity for which your name is so justly held in esteem.

We do not wish further to impose upon your valuable time but should you require any other information we shall at any time most willingly supply the same.

We are, dear sir Your obedient servants

M. M. Walters [...] J. J. H. Vlok M. D. Koch

20 April 1907 (Dorpsraad ondersteun aansoek) Andrew Carnegie Esq

Skibo Castle Dornoch Scotland.

Sir,

We, the undersigned, members of the Village Management Board of Moorreesburg, herewith certify that the application entwined in the accompanying letter is a bona fide one, and it will merit your Kind consideration

4 Julie 1911 (Munisipaliteit steun onderhoudskoste van biblioteek) Extract of Minutes of Meet[ing] of Moorreesburg Municipality July, 4 " 1911

Mr. E. Starke moved seconded by Dr. J.B. Garvie that the Municipality guarantees the annual sum of Fifty pounds (£50) for the upkeep of a Library here; whenever the same takes a practical form - carried.

Municipal office July 8 " 1911.

10 Julie 1911 (J.P. du Toit & Koch aan Carnegie: heraansoek) Moorreesburg Cape Colony South Africa July 10th, 1911

Andrew Carnegie Esq. -

Dear Sir.

On behalf of the Public of Moorreesburg and district - in Cape Colony - representing a population of over 3,000, we would respectfully enlist your sympathy to start a Public Library.

During the last six years concerts have been held and subscriptions collected with this object in view, but the sums raised where quite inadequate, amoun- ting in all to only £73.

We feel now that only by an appeal to your generosity, - that generosity which you have extended to other towns in South Africa placed under similar disabilities - can we expect to have our hopes realized.

The following conditions which we have ascertained are essential before Philanthropic Bequests to Public Libraries are granted by

you, can and will be fulfilled:

I. £100 per annum to be guaranteed for the upkeep of the Library. II. A free site upon which to build. III. The Library to be free.

The enclosed papers show that the Municipality guarantee £50 per annum, and the Government the remaining £50 on the £ for £ principle, i.e. £100 per annum; and that a free site has been granted by the Dutch Reformed Church.

We would further respectfully request that your donation provide not only for the building but also for the furnishings of same with books.

The absence of the customary sources of innocent diversion, and the better local provision that has of late years been made for the education of our youth - with regard to improved schools, - are factors that are well calculated to assure the popularity and utility of the contemplated Library.

We may also add that Moorreesburg is situate in the centre of the graingrowing district of this Colony, and a large Oatmeal Factory [here]

here has many employées both South African and British, who are looking forward to the establishment of the anticipated Library.

Apologising for encroaching upon your valuable time and trusting that you will consider our appeal favourably.

We are, dear Sir, Your's respectfully

J.P. du Toit Chairman M. D. Koch Secretary

Library Committee

Andrew Carnegie Esq. Skibo Castle Dornich Scotland.

11 Julie 1911 (J.D. Retief, eerste predikant op Moorreesburg, beskryf goedkeuring) The undersigned, Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church Moorreesburg, hereby certifies that the Churchwardens of the said Church at the request of a Deputation, consented to grant, free of charge, a piece of ground for the erection of a library, the ground to be transferred to certain trustees; and the building to be used only for a library.

J.D. Retief V.D.M. Chairman

Moorreesburg, 11 July 1911.

3 Augustus 1911 (Minister van Opvoeding doen goeie woordjie vir Koch) Telegraphic Address: "Instructor" Union of South Africa

Department of Education

Pretoria, 3rd. AUGUST. 1911.

ANDREW CARNEGIE, Esqre., Skibo Castle. Dornich. SCOTLAND.

Dear Sir,

Miss. Maria D. Koch of Moorreesburg in the Province of the Cape of Good Hope informs me that she has had correspondence with you in connection with a grant to a Public Library for the village of Moorreesburg, and she has asked me to write a word to you in support of her request.

I may say that Miss. Koch is a most enthusiastic worker for the Proposed Public Library. She has had to contend with a number of difficulties which have, however, all been successfully overcome, and I feel confident that any assistance which you might be willing to give will have far-reaching and beneficent results.

I trust that you will excuse this further demand made on your well known generosity.

Yours sincerely, F. S. Malan MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Union of South Africa.

21 Augustus 1911 (Carnegie aan J.P. du Toit: Aansoek goedgekeur) August 21st, 1911.

Dear Sir,

Yours of July 10th receivd. Mr. Carnegie will be glad to supply £1500 to cover the cost of erecting a Free Public Library Bilding for Moorreesburg and district, representing a population of over 3,000, as you state, provided Moorreesburg guarantees a contribution of £100 annually for the support of this Library from taxation, of which, it is understood, £50 is to come from the Government. A site must also be given for the bilding, the cost ofwhich shall not be a charge against said revenue.

It is to be noted that the £1500 is to cover the cost of the bilding complete and redy to occupy and the plan must be such as Mr. Carnagie can approve, to obtain such approval pleas send the plans as soon as you hav them ready.

The Library must be entirely free, [bonhas → both as] to reading in the bilding and borrowing books for home use.

Respectfully yours,

P. Secretary

J. P. du Toit, Esq., Chairman, Library Committee, Moorreesburg, Cape Colony.

19 September 1911 (Koch aan Carnegie: Dankbetuiging, twee planne word opgetrek) Moorreesburg Cape Province South Africa Sept 19th, '11.

Andrew Carnegie Esq. 2 East 91st Street New York.

Dear Sir,

I am directed by the Chairman and members of the Library Committee to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo and to thank you most heartily for the very generous help you are willing to extend to us. We feel that words are inadequate to convey to you our deep gratitude for such greathearted

magnanimity. As mentioned in our letter dated July 10th, we unfortunately have no Books, nor the means of obtaining some beyond the amount stated therein with which to stock our Library.

We are therefore having two plans prepared, one for £1500 and the other for £1200 for submission to you.

Should the latter meet with your approval and you allow us to appropriate the balance of £300 for the purchase of Books

your kind generosity will also enable us to over- come this very great difficulty viz: the furnishing of the Library with the necessary books.

If however you risk the whole amount of £1500 put into the Building, we shall very gratefully carry out your decision.

Assuring you again