Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-08-16
Anniy Of thc abnsesPors
1.sbrnry As4ocfaiion.


The members and friends Of the Daven>
port Library Association celebrated theis
seventh anniversary st their rooms in Far |
'and's Block. last evening, by social gath |
ssing. The rooms we're well filed BY the |
youth, beauty and slits Of the city from
seven clock until late 10 the evening. The
rooms were brilliantly lighted and the tables
were we'll covered with rcffeshments, con.
sis.ing of lemonade, fruit and such peaches
we forbear 20 comment At an early hour
the Davenport Silver Cornet Band discourse
ed some most excellent music in front ct the
to the satisfaction OF large num>
Der of citizens who we're pleased to stop and
listen until they had finished. During the
evening Miss Lucy Clark favored the ss.
semblage with several well-rendered solos
with piano forte accompaniment; also Misses
Belle Hart, Maggie Rowse. Mary Reed and
Mr.. Ma.eson,-all quite popular in musical
circles, were pleased to give appropriate sea
leotions. Mr.. L. Z. Cook, President Of the
Association made few very appropriate and
remarks from which We make
the following extracts.
We now have over 1000 volumes in our
library, and although this is not one>third
the number that there should be in public
library in q town OF this size, yet it is a
good beginning, and our constant efforts
sbo oN ID a an ts |,
what it ought TO be.
Here, in your midst, is body Of young
men, iustigated by the very best motives,
who are striving 10 sustain public library
and reading room, which shall grow with
the city and become pride and ornament
thereof You boast Of the wealth Of the
place and lts fine public and private builds
ngs The wealthieg and more beautiful
the city, the greater the shame that it
should be without good public library.
Who can estimate the benefits Of prop
erly conducted institution Of this kind! 1t
aifoeis resort for young men 10 their leis-
ure hours, and introduces then 90 profitable
companions. Ii gives to the poor man an
opportunity 20 read the choicest works OF
literature. To your families II gives the
latest publications. aud encourages q taste
for reading. The leading magazines and
ale found here. A system is established
by which the best lectusers in the country
are brought here. But it 10 idle to enumef.
ate the advantagss-yos oil acknowledge
them. Each one 10 interested, for each may
derive direct, tangible benefit from the
institution. How email . contribution 10
required from each. Three dollars per year
ess than one cert per day. entities one to
draw books for himself and family. Five
dollars per year gives the same privilege,
and the additional right Of membership,
with q voice in the management Of the As.
sociation.
lfin this town Of 90 600 We can sell 500
tickets yearly. we have sure income that
would Of itself, without the revenue from
citizens, enable VI in five years 10 have .
most respectable library; but at present the
sale Of tickets is hardly enough to defray
incidental expenses. Then there are cer.if
icates Of membership for five, ten and ht-
teen years, and certificates Of life member
ship for 300.
Some OF our citizens may die and leave
large sums - some literary or religious or
ganiz,tior, TO De enjoyed after the donors
can no longer use il themselves. Now, il
they want 30 get more real salts faction. just
let them give US 800 now, (taking . life
membership then they can enjoy their
own good deeds. La the former instance
they can only have the melancholy satisfac
ton, during life, Of knowing that their be>
reaved relstives can reflect with mournful
pride or the post nserfem generosity Of the
deceased.
The "Swits donation Of books to the val>
us Of $500. presented BY John L. Swits
within the past year, is noble example
that ght be initiated by a. least fifty men
in this city, without Inconvenience to them
selves; but we hardly expect many such
exhibitions Of generosity.
All We ask is the hearty support Of the
citizens generally. Why If one bali OF the
people who have taken enough interest 10
literature 20 read the magazines, end who
have money enough to enable them TO smoke
three or four cigars a day, would buy s.
,;cket here, we should be able to rival the
"Astor Litrary" in six months.
We ask no .far0r.-we propose to give
YOU your moneys worth.
All we want is a library, we don't care
VINO MANAGES y, II the citizens are dissat
.tied with the management. the remedy is
IN their own hands.
This Institution is a-oad.y d,mocratic.
and tie lusjoriiy rule. Ny friends. the sue
cess OF tbs socie'r concerns yourselves
equally with us cone and help Us, and so
help yourselves. let e.ch one do lttlr,
anl in i've years You vi 30 astonsLed 10
see tha iine library W. shall have
But il = not .air. after inviting you to
our reception, 10 do ali The taking our.
selves.
We wanted to have quiet talk with our
friends, and present the claims of the Li>
br,ry Associat on and We believe i will re
suit in good Again We thank you most
heartily for your presence
As the years roll srouni, We hope that
each succeeding anniversary may find you
with Us; and that the progress Of our As.
seciation shall keep pace with your expect.
atoms, ami present the fsttering evidence
that Jour approval and generous encous-
agement have crowned our endeavoss with .
success which We shall have msrited, and Of
which you shalt be proud.
After the close Of Mr.. Cooks remarks the
exercises were social rather than formal
Everybody did their best to have . good
time, and. - near - We can judge. succeed
ed. The occasion Vas one 10 bs rsmsm>
bersd, and its repetition looked; forward 70
with pleasure. May success eves attend
this and similar institutions.
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