Hi friend,

We often measure success by what we accumulate: our titles, our networks, or our financial milestones. But the true measure of a life well-lived is often found in the "ladders" we leave behind for others to climb long after we are gone.

This week, I’ve been reflecting on the legacy of Andrew Carnegie. His journey from a "bobbin boy" in a cotton factory earning $1.20 a week to becoming the richest man in the world is a masterclass in ambition. However, it’s his second act as an intentional philanthropist that offers the most profound life lesson.

Carnegie famously believed that "the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced." He didn't just give money away; he invested it in institutions that provided the same access to knowledge that had allowed him to succeed as a young immigrant.

In 1903, Toronto’s library system was at a breaking point. The city had only one central library (cramped and leaky) and a few small, rented branches. Carnegie’s initial gift of $350,000 was the largest grant he gave anywhere in Canada.

To put his impact in perspective:

• His funding didn't just add to the system; it essentially built the modern infrastructure. He funded a new Central Library and three major branches (Yorkville, Queen & Lisgar, and Riverdale), as well as other branches.
• Carnegie was a pioneer of "open-shelf" access. Before him, libraries were "closed-stack," meaning you had to ask a librarian to retrieve a book for you. Carnegie insisted on designs that let people touch and browse books freely, creating a "republic of letters" where everyone was equal.
• He believed library buildings should be prominent. His grants helped instigate the use of elevated entrances (symbolizing the "elevation" of the reader) and classical, dignified architecture that made knowledge feel like a civic treasure.

By 1916, ten libraries in the Toronto area had been built with Carnegie funds, creating a network of learning that still anchors our neighborhoods today.

Three Suggested Actions

If you’re looking to connect with our city's history and reflect on your own legacy, here are three ways to take action this week:

1. Visit a Carnegie library: Seven of the original ten branches are still in use by the Toronto Public Library. I encourage you to visit one, such as Yorkville (the oldest), Beaches, or High Park, and explore its archive section. Seeing the original 100-year-old architecture is a powerful reminder of how a single gift can span generations. Plan your visit here.​
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2. Join the #ExperienceTO Riverdale Historical Tour: Our next walking tour will start directly in front of the Riverdale branch (370 Broadview Ave). Opened in 1910, it was one of the first in Canada to use "radial stacks" (a design that allowed librarians to see every corner of the room). Come explore how this "ladder" has served Riverdale for over a century.
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3. Reflect on your impact: Take 10 minutes today to consider one way (small or major) that you can positively impact the city you live in. Carnegie’s legacy wasn't just about the funds he gave away; it started with a single decision to be a library founder for the next generation. What "ladder" can you help build today for others?

Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect.

Until next time,
​Alex Rășcanu​

P.S. If you'd like to read the past life lessons-focused e-newsletters, you can find them here.

P.P.S. See you at one of the upcoming monthly #ExperienceTO historical tours.