In about 1914, Tekamah filled out this form:

Application for a Free Public Library

1. Name of Town

2. Population

3. Has it a Library at present?

4. Number of books (excluding government reports)?

5. Circulation for the last year?

6. How is Library housed?

7. Number of rooms, their measurements and uses?

8. Finances according to the last annual report:

	Receipts		Expenditures
	From Taxes		Rent
	Other income		Other costs
	Total

9. a) Rate at which municipality will pledge annual support (with a tax levy) if building is obtained___________________
b) What is the highest rate of tax levy allowed by law?_________________________
c) How much income would this rate have yielded for the last five years?_________________________
10. Is the requisite site available?_______________
11. Amount, if any, already collected toward building______________

To facilitate Mr. Carnegie’s consideration of your appeal, will you oblige by filling in the above, and return with a statement of any particulars likely to assist in making a decision. It is necessary to give explicit answers to each question, as in the absence of such, there is no basis for action, and the matter will be delayed pending further communication.

– Mr. James Bertram, personal secretary to Mr. Carnegie

When Tekamah’s application was accepted, this form was used by Carnegie officials to show that the community accepted Mr. Carnegie’s library grant as well as the specified responsibilities:

A Resolution to Accept the Donation of Andrew Carnegie

Whereas, Andrew Carnegie has agreed to furnish_______________ Dollars to the _______________ (name of community) to erect a Free Public Library Building, on condition that the said community shall pledge itself by a Resolution of Council, to support a Free Public Library, at a cost of not less than _______________ Dollars a year, and provide a suitable site for the said building. Now therefore be it resolved by Council of _________ (name of community) that said community accept said donation, and it does hereby pledge itself to the requirements of Andrew Carnegie. Resolved that it will furnish a suitable site for said building when erected, at a cost of not less than ____________ Dollars. Resolved that an annual levy shall hereafter be made upon the taxable property of said community sufficient in amount to comply with the above requirements.

____________________________________________, Mayor
____________________________________________, City Clerk

Then Tekamah picked a floor plan:

Design: Hardy Communications Development | Development: iGroup Studios
Special Thanks: American Broadband

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