Page:The Library, volume 5, series 3.djvu/442

428 THE NEEDS OF western metropolis in obtaining the classical equivalent of ' ninepence for fourpence.' Before the Acts were adopted in 1866, the Town Council feued a central site for the purpose of an Albert Memorial, on the condition that space would be allotted in the proposed building for a Free Library, Consequently, the Dundee Free Library was opened in 1869 without a single penny of the rate having been absorbed in buildings. In 1872, an extension of the original building was made for a Museum and Picture Gallery, and in 1892, the debt of 10,000 on this building was defrayed by a gift from .the late Mr. J. M. Keiller. When it was deemed expedient to found Branch Libraries in Dundee the first of these was established at Lochee, by the Trustees of the late Mr. Thomas Cox, who built the Library and gave 500 towards supply- ing books ; and the Branch Library was ready for occupancy without costing the ratepayers a single penny. The gift of 37,000 by Mr. Carnegie enabled the Free Library Committee to establish five Branch Libraries in various parts of the city ; but before these could be erected sites had to be found by local donors, and these cost the Town Council and local donors no less a sum than 12,000, spread over ten years. This was ex- clusive entirely of the cost of site and building of the Lochee Library. Hence there had only to be provided, out of the penny rate, and later the two- penny rate made conditional by Mr. Carnegie, such sums as were necessary for the purchase of books and periodicals, and for the working expenses of the central lending and reference libraries,