Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-01-10

WILMINGTON IIpRART.-A special meeting OF
the members of the Wilmington Library was held
last cvcning,-Geo. Bates, President, presiding,
and Jos A. Richardson, Secretary, for the pqr-
pose of considering tue report OF the committee
appointed 70 consider measures tor increasing
the membership and enhancing It's usefulness.s-
The committee rep 'rted the plan which was
adopted with success by the Mercantile Library,
of Philadelphia, which is substantially as follows;
The value of the Institute property, clear Of all
membranes, is about $4,000. This divided
into shares among the present membership, which
Is about 800, would give each share value of
500, or $4,000 in all.
The next matter to be considered in view of
such change is, what promise of improvement
may be held out No such Institution Is COM
plete without Library, q Reading Room, and q
Newspaper Room. If the Stores and Directors
Room, at the corner of Eighth street, could be
used as Newspaper Room; the premises unoe-
cppied on Shipley street, be added as q Reading
Room, and the present Reading Room be devoted
TO the purposes mainly of n Library all reasona-
BILE wants might then be supplied.
The question arises, can the necessary outlay
for this change be ventured upon, and at the same
time sufficient means be applied toward the pur-
chase of books, periodicals, binding, &C.? We
have shown that there is really an undivided
amount of $4,000, thus giving value OF $50 to
each of the present members By an issue of O
shares of stock to each of these at par pric of
$40 per share, there would be 5000 shares repre-
share would give $1,000 income.
Now, If by gift or SALE these shares can be dis
posed of during.t the coming year, they would take
the place Of subscriptions be the only means of
membership, and a sum of $1,000, less the rent
now received from the stores, could thus be ap-
piled to the contemplated improvements.
The question therefore really is, can such as
surances he given to the public of increased ad-
vnntages as will secure the disposal OF the shares
thus issued
The outlay for books, periodicals, and binding
was, last year, about Sl,000.00. Deduct 81, 100000
of the rent lost by the change, there would he an
excess still of $4,000 90
A glance at the subscription list of the members
Of the Institute, leads TO the belief that good de-
gree OF the lberality and alacrity with which the
same plan was adopted by by the Mercantile Lii
brary Company, of Philadelphia, might be relied
on. In that institution the membership has n-
creased from 300 TO about II 1000, with an income
reaching nearly 100000, per annum.
In city like Wilmington, there is surely read
ing public of 3000 if the proper facilities are af.
forded. The workshops alone could, without
doubt, supply two-thirds Of this number; and if
this So the duty of the managers OF the Institute
is clear and manifest"
No essential change in the mode of conducting
the affairs of the Institute has suggested itself to
your Committee as worthy of attention at the pre-
sent time, other than the one now proposed. To
it, therefore, they have given exclusive considera-
tion.
The plan was fully discussed by the members
present. and generally approved.
On motion, 1t was adopted, to 20 into effect as
soon as practicable, which will not be until July
next.