The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-06
EtO,, Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc. Etc.

ita presept location at the corner OF Fltth ana
Library streets, to the new and oommoulous
huildinp OH Tenth street. between Market ana
Ohesnut. is an epoch IN the history OF that ln-
atstution; and we therefore call the attention OF
the publlc TO it at this time by presenting the
following sketch of its foundation In the year
1921. and its progress from that time to the
present,
The Origin of the Library
On the 10th of November, 1921, the first meet
Rna with reference to the establishment OF the
library was held at the Masonic Hall. This
meeting was merely preliminary, and resulted
in the publication of u notice, inviting the mer-
chants clerks, and Others who were friendly
TO the formation of a Mercantile Library A5so-
ciation,n to assemble at the Mayors Court
Room on the 18th of the same month. At this
meeting which was largely attended, the propo-
yition met with the most encouraging reception.
~ resulted in the appointment OF the following
gentlemen as q committee to prepare ConSu-
luton to be subsequently reported;-RobPrt
VAIN Robert RaistOn, Joseph =. Norris,
Zaccheus Collins, Bernard Dahlgren, John
Roberts 10 eph Ii. Dulles, William IL. Jones,
and William II. Bowen.
tutlon was in no small degree, owing to the
character of the gentlemen to whom was com
mitted this task and the time and energy which
posed upon them. The original draft OF the
constitution prepared by them, with their sig
natures attached, IS still preserved in the
archives OF the Library. lu addition to the draft
of a constitution presented, this committee re-
commended the appointment OF a committee )f
fifteen, to whom snould be assigned the task of
obtaining subscriptions, and OF determining The
time and place OF holding an election for otfi-
GERS of the Association, as soon as one hundred
subscribers should be secured. On the lst OF
December 1921, at an adjourned meeting, the
proposed constitution was adopted, and the
names of more than three hundred members
having been enrolled within a few days, an
elt ctIon for officers was held on the l0tn OF
January, 1922 ut the Merchants Coffee House,
on Second street, near Walnut, with the follow
ing RESULT
Cheyes, Bernard Dahlgren Thomas BddIe. William
Ghaoner William L; Hodge, Caleb New6old Jr.
ley. TieasHer-Joseph H. Dulles.
Mr. Robert VAIN was chosen the first Pres-
dent, and served two years, when he was sue
ceeded by Mr.. Thomas p. Cope who re-
mained in office from 1924 TO 1854. The organi-
zation of the first Board OF Directors was effected
on the l4th OF January, 1922 and the gentlemen
composing it proceeded without delay to the
Establishment of the Library.
On the 10th of January, the Board engaged, at
an annual rent of $l00, the rooms on the second
floor of the house at No. 100 Chesnut street, and
appointed D. Culver Librarian, with an annual
salary OF $l0O.
On the 5th of March, 1922, the Library was
ready for use, aud was kept open every evening
in the week, except Sunday. COMMITTEES.
consisting of Messrs. Atwood, Dulles, and
Walmsley, had been previously appointed to
select and purchase books; these three gentle
men continuing to discharge this important
duty ior period of sixteen years. Their efforts
liz this line met with such success, that within a
year they we're able to publish very respecta-
bic catalogue, to which it was soon found
necessary to Issue supplement.
The Early Progress of the Library.
In 1924, at which time the Association num-
bered $50 members, new catalogue was pub
hshed, showing that the Library then contained
1900 volumes.
At the annual meeting held January IL, 1926.
IL was deemed eXpedient 60 add news pal per
readiDg-room to the Library, for the accom- mo-
dation of the large number of persons who daily
frequented it. Three OF the city dailies. AMI
two of those published in New York, consti.
tuted the moderate beginning in this depart-
ment. The supply OF periodicals OF all kinds
has been increased from time to time, until il
has reached, at the present time, the follow ing
proporlions:-
Philadelphia Dailies 10
Philadelphia Tri-weeklies, SemLweekiies
Dailies from other cities in the u S..',,, a
Weeklies from other cities in the II. S......,, IS
American Monthlies ................ 81
(Juarterlles. .....,,.. Ii
Periodicals Of other classes..,,. ?
Foreign pailtes... 8
WeeklteS "a
FoTJnighuies......... ..........,,... .
q, 27
Nu"AteIlAes'''' ..,.............. II
ToJal 275
Several of these are duplicated and orders
lave likewise been issued for 8. number of other
-. i