Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-08
A Free Public library In Augusta.

wish could hope that the time for putting
in operation in this city, the scheme for a free
public library, to which called the attention
of our citizens through your columns some
time since, was not far in the future. 1t has
looked to me great ways, for l receive d but
very little encouragement. Two or three
gentlemen interested in the matter did write
me a few letters about it, but that was ALL I
see now that an association Of gentlemen has
been formed here called the Library and Lit
| erary Association" l believe, and under
stand it is one of the plans of this association
to form library-to be limited l suppose to
those who are able to pay five or ten dollars
year for theuse of it. This would be all very
well, provided everybody in Augusta was able
to become members-but unfortunately they
are not. Now don't see the advantage of a
public library founded upon this plan. If
were able to pay fifty dollars a year to help
support such library, am sure l should
much rather take the money and purchase
such books as chose for my own collection,
and enjoy it myself. If could spend only
and purchase for myself, each year, few
books upon some subject in which 1 was par
ticularly interested. .rhe class of citizens
who are able to become life members of this
proposed association, can every one of them
presume have access to the State Library;
but what advantage will it be to that large as
well as intelligent c ass of our citizens, unable
to pay even the small annual membership fee,
and yet who dearly love reading, and who if
they could have books to reSd would stay at
home evenings, instead of seeking so me kind
of amusement abroad? would like to see this
class of citizens have the advantages which
free public library would afford them l be-
licve we should see less beer guzzling, less bill
lard playing, less loafng at drinking saloons
and in its place more intelligent, better
hammered and more moral citizens. There
are in our community large numbers of me-
chanics, operatives and laborers of various
kinds, who are in absolute need of information
furnished by books. Have we not in our
midst sufficient number of public spirited,
philanthropic gentlemen, willing to benefit
their fellow men and get honor and reputa
ton for themselves, by putting such library
in operation2 l believe we have.
l have heard gentlemen deplore the lack of
culture among the people Of our community,
and feel ashamed that we have no public Ii
brary in our city-a city Of ten thousand in
habitants, and city that from its very posi-
ton as capital of our State should take high
rank as literary community. But who is to
blame for it? Is not place what its inhabi
tants make it? And could not these men who
deplore the lack of a public library here,
have started one long ago if they had set out
for it?
presume it is too late for this newly or
ganiZed society TO start upon this plan. But
| am confident more and larger contributions
could be obtained for free library than for
one whose books were to be read only by a
few. And l feel sure that l could, single
handed and alone. establish free library here
had but half the advantages which these
gentlemen have, SO far as influence and posi-
ton are concerned.
Let this free library be started if possible.
Let a thorough canvass of the city be made
and subscriptions in money from one cent to
ten thousand dollars, or from one volume to
five thousand be accepted. Pile these books
in one corner of some room, the rent
of which some of our wealthy men will give,
and let them out to any citizen, free of cost,
upon pledge to return the same in two weeks,
uninjured except from necessary wear in
reading. Such a library will grow. 1t will
receive donstions in money and books from
residents Of Augusta and natives of the place
who have moved to other places. There are
men ready TO become benefactors of our city,
when they have the opportunity, and when they
see that our own residents have the Welfare
and credit of the city at heart. And this work
must be done by the educated young men OF
our city, men who have an interest not only
in its present but its future.
hope much from this new library and lit
erary association. l hope it may ere long
feel inclined to try this free library plan, and
when i, is ready to try it, hope it will ask
our city to appropriate such a sum. from its
treasury as it can by law appropriate for main
tanning FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
v Y