The Portland daily press., 1866-06-29
Hieh School Girls. Library.

The committee of young ladies, appointed
to prepare a catalogue of this Library, have
completed their labors; and the catalogue,
which is now in press, will be ready in few
days. The work has been very faithfully and
thoroughly done. The handsome collection
of books, consisting of some 1900 volumes,
has been carefully arranged, systematized and
put in order, the books new-covered, worn
ones rebound, and everything done to secare
the greatest amount of benefit from whatever
the collection contains. The LibrarF.a n liz
now stands, is noble monument 10 the IN
dustry, perseverance, and generous public
spirit of the young ladies Of the High School
who have labored so long to make it what it
is. 1t is now fifteen years since, at the in
stance of Mr.. Woolson, then Principal Ct
the school, the project of forming, by volun-
tary contributions, collection which should
serve as the nucleus of Library, was first
started. A High School girl of that day
writes thus pleasantly of the occasion:
On Monday morning, the first contributions
appeared upon the stage, somewhat more than
half filling one settee. Hume's History OF
England, the only new-bought volume, led the
way, followed by motley company of varied
value, but all alike welcome as a good begin
nirg. Some matronly eyes that read this
page will light up at the memory of the
amusement with which the "Mother's Assist
ant" was greeted, and as some of us read
"Puss in Boots" to our daughters, we remem-
Der how volume of "Fairy Tales" was prot.
tered with hesitating suggestion that it
might be OF use to younger sisters. Mr.. Wool
son then and afterwards, added no small share
of his own library, and rendered vital aid by
exciting and deepening permanent interest
in the minds of all his pupils, and stimulate
ing them by his own personal efforts, to the
enthusiasm, the perseverance and the devo-
ton, which, in fifteen years, scarcely half the
lifetime of any of its graduates, have led to
SO noble result.
1t is, indeed, noble result, and one of
which its authors have every reason to be
proud. The selection of books is admirable.
Histories, Biographies and Travels constitute
nearly half the collection; and there are about
400 volumes of interesting and valuable Mis-
cellanies, comprising works of some of the |
best essayists, and the most distinguished phi |
losophers and men of science. There is also
modest sprinkling of works of fiction from |
the pens OF the best writers, and poetry and |
the drama are represented in due proportion, |
The effort has been to secure the best in each |
department., and very slight examination of |
The catalogue will show that the selections |
have been presided over by fine taste and q
discriminating judgment.
The library is under the direction and con-
rol of an organization known as "The Girls
Library Association of the Portland High
school," and all past graduates and present
members of the school are entitled to its ben
fits on the payment of trfling annual fee.
t is an institution entitled to the high coz
liberation and warm encouragement of all
ur citizens, since in its modest and unpre-
ending way it is effectively ministering to the
Improvement and culture of the future wives.
lothers and teachers of our city.