WORLD LIBRARY CHALLENGE

WORLD LIBRARY CHALLENGE

 

     The Longview Border Crossers are offering a World Library Challenge.  Any library

in the world counts toward completion.  A patch depicting the Longview, Washington

library and a certificate await any who complete the challenge.  The challenge has five

categories of readers/aficionados – beginner, intermediate, advanced, book scout, and

bibliophile.  Any sanctioned IVV event worldwide that passes a library may be entered in

the book.  It may be a main library, a branch library, or a Carnegie library that no longer

functions as a library.  Many Carnegie libraries were turned into public use buildings

such as City Hall or police stations. 

 

     Many Americans first entered the world of information and imagination offered by

reading when they walked through the front doors of a Carnegie Library.  One of the

19th century industrialists, Andrew Carnegie’s many philanthropies, these libraries

entertained and educated millions.  Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie’s donations of

more than $40 million paid for 1679 new library buildings in communities across

America.  Many still serve as civic centers, continuing in their original roles or

fulfilling new ones as museums, offices, or restaurants.

 

     The patch depicts the Longview library which was the first of lumber baron R. A.

Long’s  (Long-Bell Lumber Co) gifts to the city of Longview.   The library was

dedicated in 1926.  The original building was designed by architect Arch Torbitt in

the Georgian style to match the grand design for the Civic Center.  In 1953, the library

was extensively remodeled to make use of the lower floor for library collections.  In

1967-1968 and expansion was completed which tripled the floor space of the original

building.

 

     The Longview Year Round Event passes this historic building.  The challenge

began on October 1, 2008 and will run until December 31, 2012.

 Books may be purchased for $10 from the Longview Border Crossers, 74890 Palm Creek Rd, Clatskanie, OR  97016.  For more information you may either send email to

korffs@wildblue.net  or call 503-728-0400. 

Clatskanie, OR  97016.