Andrew Carnegie and the Gates and many other wealthy people are great people. Very successful in their own fields, they are giving back to society.
Another benefit of Carnegie's giving is that he helped in a little way to stimulate the economy in the small towns in which he built libraries. He provided an influx of capital to pay for the labor and construction of the libraries. Especially during the depression, this was a big thing. Helping people to earn a living.
For today's economy, I would love to see some of the very successful companies raise the pay of their employees rather than just amassing more money for themselves. Share some of the wealth with those people who have helped them earn it.
Good point. Those libraries were positioned at the center of civic life and learning. It's hard to fathom how much they must have stimulated local economies during that period. Local governments and communities still had to raise the funds for operating expenses (Carnegie only funded the buildings), so that must have brought people together in some new ways and encouraged more fundraising.
You are so right. Libraries back then, were a central point for the communities.