Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-06


WORCESTER, Nov. %, 1859.
Hon. A. II. Bullock, Mayor Of the City Of
Worcester Dear Sir-I am instructed by the
Directors of the Worcester Lyceum and Lii
brary Association to communicate to you the
following resolutions, passed at a meeting of
the Board on the 18th inst
Respectfully yours,
5. FOSTER HAVEN, JR, Sec'y pro tenn.
Whereas, DIR. John Green has indicated to a
committee of the Directors of the Worcester
Lyceum and Library Association desire to
give his library to the city upon such liberal
conditions That the Directors believe it best that
the public should secure the gift.
Resolved, That the Directors recommend
that the library OF the Association be also trans
ferred to the city, provided suitable appropria-
tons and arrangements are made for their re-
ception.
Resolved, Unanimously, that copy of the
above be transmitted to the Mayor.
Copied from the record.
5. FOSTER HAVEN, JR., Sec'y pro TEN.
Phe library which DIR. Green thus proposes
to present to the city, contains seven thousand
volumes and the collection, which has been
made by him with great care, bears the proofs
of his known culture, taste, and liberality. l
may without Improperly state, that it has
cost not far from twelve thousand dollars.
The library of the Lyceum and Library Asso-
citation contains four thousand five hundred
volumes, the approved value of which is well
understood by the large number of persons
who have enjoyed the benefits of its use The
two combined constitute therefore a library of
nearly twelve thousand volumes.
cannot doubt that it will be to the inhabi-
tants of Worcester matter of grateful con-
gratulation,-m own estimate of it would not
be overstated if | were to say, of universal ex-
ultation,-that by the proposed munifcence of
DIR. Green, reinforced by the public spirit and
generosity OF the Lyccum and Library ASCOT
alton, our city has now for the first time the
easy and inviting opportunity for the estab-
lishment of a FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. The
want of such an institution has long been felt,
and nothing more than the formidable expend-
lture which its creation would cast upon the
treasury, If unalded by private gift, has re-
pressed an earlier movement for the accom-
plishment of the object. With the exception
of the library of the Association whose libcr-
atty has already been announced, and the
more limited one which belongs to the Me
chanics' Association, we have no bibliothecal
collection, popular or general in its character,
and accessible to any considerable portion of
the public. And these even if they were
HiNSiA Aei 81 ShNu tiSg tISJ WOulu ldll 10 HlcGl
the public exigency, so long as their privileges
were not open to all. 1t is in vain to expect
that any library, however large and excellent
it may be, will not after all be private in more
senses than one, so long as its use is limited
by terms of membership, and by a charge
however small the same may be- for access to
Its volumes. The paramount want can only
be supplied by library which shall be public
and free to all,-of which every citizen shall
be inevitably one of the proprietors,-t whose
shelves he who can command his thousands
may resort with no more than the same right
that belongs to him who can command only
the affections Of his chidren,-as accessible to
all for study and recreation as the public
grounds OF the city are open to all for light, or
air, or music. This is the want of Worcester
today.
Such an institution, as soon as it shall be
provided and dedicated to the public, will at
once take place among those other and dear
objects OF local interest and attachment our
free schools; and from year to year the city
will endow this in the same spirit of careful
liberality with which it guards and sustains
those. A free library is indeed an important
feature of our system of public education, and
perhaps it is the only one which yet remains to
be developed by our municipal policy. He is
not a wise parent, in the larger relations of his
duty,who having supplied his children with the
means and lessons of industry and study up to
the age OF twenty-one,-a period which has
been for convenience adopted by law and Gus
tom to define the duration of filial dependence
and parental responsibility precisely at that
point wlthdraws from them his vigilance and
assistance, and abandons them to their chance
or lot. Neither in any good sense, whether of
craftsmanship or humanity, is that wise or
provldent community, which furnishes for its
| youth the means of rudimental education, but
neglects to supply such other means and in
! tiuences as are within its control for continu-
ing and completing the work begun in the
schools. portion of the address delivered
by MIR. Everett, less than two years ago, upon
the occasion of the dedication of the public
library of Boston, is so appropriate in this con-
nection, that l beg leave to repeat them in
your presence.
"And now" said Mr.. Everett, ''the enIight-
ened counsels of the City Government are
about to give new strength to those ties of
| gratitude and affection which bind the hearts
OF the children of Boston to their beloved city
Hitherto the system of public education, ex-
cellent as it is, and wisely supported by a
princely expenditure, does but commence the
work Of instruction, and carry it to a certain
point; well advanced, indeed, but far short Of
| the goal 1t prepares our young men for col
| iehe, IoI lIe couHllnB-rOOnl, Tor the ONCE OF
the engineer, the studio of the artist, the shop
OF the artizan, the laboratory of the chemist
or whatever field Of employment they may be
destined to enter but there it leaves them
without further provision for the culture of the
mind. 1t discipines the faculties and forms 8
taste for the acquisition of knowledge, on the
part OF young men and women but it pro
vides no means for their exercise and gratifi
cation. 1t gives them the elementary educa
ton requisite for their future callings, bu
withholds all facilities of access to those bound
less stores of recorded knowledge in every de
partment, by which alone that elementary ed
ucation can be completed and made effectua
for the active duties of life.
But to day our honored city carries on and
perfect her work. Its objects THAT of the Pub
lie Library is to give to the entire population
not merely to the curious student, but to tn,
inquisitve member of either of the professions
to the intelligent merchant mechanic, machin
list, engineer, artist, artisan, in short, to al
all OF every age and of either sex, who desire
to Investigate any subject either of utility OF
taste--those advantages which, without sucl
an ample public collection, must necessarily
be monopolized by the proprictors of large pri
yate Libraries, or those who by courtesy have
inc use OF them nay, TO put within the reacl
81 the entire community advantages of thi,
KIND, TAR beyond those which can be afforded
by tlie largest and best provided private libra
ries"
ANA SUCH sentiments as these have recent,
been ndODted AS n mart of tho ,,ar,,,a.s,,. ~: