The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-13
THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY.
Its Removal into New Quarters.
A Sketch of the Association-Its Early
Progress and Later Development
Facts and Figures-The
New Building on Tenth
Street.



Tenth street finished, and now holding its thousands
of books-the Mercantile Library will again throw
open its DOORS During the many months the place
has been in course Of preparation the public, and
especially the patrons Of the library, impatently
have awaited this day, for It's coming, all knew,
would signalize the opening Of library building
surpassed on this side the Atlantic Everything has
gone well and prosperousy, and now the work is
done. on Friday the library will formally resume
its functions Thursday being designated as the time
for its inspection 10y certain persons to whom invita-
tons have been issued. In this connection we pre-
sent the following brief history Of the association
and recall the movement which led to the procure
ment Of the new building.
The seed is Planted.
At the Masonic Hall, on the 10th day Of November,
tablishment OF the Mercantile Library Its result
was the issuance OF call TO merchants, clerks and
others friendly to the formation Of a "Mercantile
Library Association" to assemble IN the Mayors
ourt Room on the 18th Of the same month. This
meeting was numerousy attended. committee to
prepare constitution for the association TO be sub
scquently reported, was appointed. II consisted OF
the following gentlemen Robert VAIN, Robert
Raston, Joseph p Norris, Iaccheus Collins, Bernard
Dahlgren, John Roberts, Joseph II. Dulles, William
H. Jones, and William +. Bowen.
The character of the members OF this committee
in small degree contributed to that success which
Immediately smiled upon the project, for they in-
spired public respect, and a confidence that the
| scheme was worthy OF support
The original draft of the constitution prepared by
them with their signatures attached, is still pre-
served in the archives OF the library In addition
TO the draft OF constitution presented, this commit
| tee recommended the appointment OF a committee
Of fifteen, TO whom should he assigned the task OF
| obtaining subscriptions, and of determining the
time and place Of holding an election for officers of
the association soon one hundred subscribers
| should be secured. On the 1st 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 few
days. an election OF officers was held on the 10th OF
! January, 1922, at the Me chants Coffee House, on
Second street, near Walnut, with the following re-
| suit
Bernard DohlTen, Thomas Biddie William ChaloneT
| William /; Hodge, Caleb Newbod, Jr, William II
T6ouron, and william NJ. waimsley Tfeas%er- Joseph
Mr. Robert Vain was chosen the first President
| and served two years. when he succeeded by
! Mr. Thomas P. Cope, who remained in Office from
Directors effected on the l4th of January 1922
| The TwiR Appears.
The library now fairly upon its feet. The pro
curement of suitable room was the next thing to
| be attended to- and to this matter the board gave
| immediate attention.
| On the 10th Of January they engaged at an an.
nua rent Of s1OO, the rooms on the second floor OF
the house No. 100 Chestnut street. and appointed D.
Culver librarian, with an annual salary OF 800.
On the 5th Of March, 1922, the Library was ready
for use, and was kept open every evening in the
week except. Sunday committee, consisting o.
Messrs. Atwood, Dulles, aud Walmsley, had beeI
previously appointed to select and purchase books
these three gentlemen continuing to discharge THU
efforts in this line met with such success that
within year they We're able able to publish very re-
| Catalogue,
necessary to issue a supplement.
And EIOurishes.
When, in 1924, the association numbered on ii
rolls three hundred and eighty members, new cata
loguc was published, showing that the Library thel
contained 1900 volumes.
At the annual meeting held January l2 1925, /
was deemed eXpedient to add newspaper reading
room to the Library. Three OF the city dailies, an
two of those published in New York, constitute
the moderate beginning in this department. Tn
supply Of periodicals of all kinds has been increase
from timeto time until it has reached at the pre-
sent time, the following proportions:-
Philadelphia Tri-weekltes, Semi-weeklies, and
Dailes from other cities in the United States ....
Weeklies from other cities in the United States
American MOnJnnes
" Quarteres.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
g Periodicals Of other classes. ...........
Foreign Dailies.
Fortnlghtlles.. s................,..........
- MOntnues. Observation-Disclosures,
IuarterlleS. ....,..,,, ..,',,..'..,.......
IOIal %
Several of these duplicated, and orders haN
likewise been issued for "a number of other period
calls, which will considerably increase the numbt
. given above
A JOint-stOclI Concern.