The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-06-01
village Libraries.

a correspondent OF the n. Y. IFi-
btine gives the plan adopted in o certain
place where she once lived by which o
library OF between 700 and 800 volumes
was accumulated. Each person inter
ested gave 81 year or more as he was
able, and as the community was scat.
tered over many miles the books pur-
chased were changed on Sundays when
tho members OF the association came TO
church. One afternoon during the
week q young lady was ut the library to
lend TO such as were not members who,
for the trihing sum OF si1 cents o vol
ume, were allowed the privilege Of keep
ing q book for one week.
In q town not far from New York
City there is q library well selected and
comprising several hundred volumes,
the nucleus OF which was procured by
the profits OF very successful fair.
Members pay S1.50 annually and with
the income from this source the library
Is kept in fair condition. Within the
last ten years, however, the liquor sa-
looms in the place alluded TO have in
creased very rapidly, and the library
has lost Its power in proportion. 1t
stands to reason that in q town Of 5000
inhabitants liquors cannot be sold in
10 different places and love OF litera-
ture remain In the ascendant. In view OF
that fact we recommend that in front
OF the village library be placed a fount-
min, II possible OF ice water, so that
souls thirsty in double sense may
not find themselves divided in inclina-
tion between, hadnts OF inspiration and
OF degradation. A very fourishing
Western town in Illinois has charming
and ample library, the result Of the Ia,
bors Of its prominent women. Every
spring and fall the members present
flowers and fruit in their season or con.
tribute the results Of their industry in
paintings, drawings, articles Of needle.
work, plain and iancy-all OF which are
sold, and the moneys received go 10
swell the library fund. The frequent.
ers Of this delightful retreat from caro-
find on the table all the magazines and
newspapers OF the day, and on the we'll
filled shelves whatever their literary
tastes may call for.
Those who are about to move in this
matter will be glad to know that pub
fishers make liberal discounts from
their regular prices when books sold are
TO be placed In public libraries. The
Harpers deduct % per cent. and other
publishers are probably not less liber-
al. The best course Of proceeding
would be for committee OF purchase
10 procure the catalogues Of the promi-
nent publishing.houses in our large
cities, and make out such q list Of books
as will meet their wants or consume
their funds, and either order the whole
from some large iobbing house, as APP
pleton's Of New York or LippincotEs
Of Philadelphia or II they order di.
rectly from the publishers, have all the
different orders expressed from ono job.
bing house TO save expense. ~ F
Magazines and newspapers can be
procured OF q reduction from the regu.
lar prices by arrangements made with
the publishers thereof. We shall be
glad 10 lay before our readers any sug-
gestions derived from the observation
and experience Of those who have had
part in organizing and conducting
these fountains Of intelligence and vir.
tue. In the multitude Of counselors
there is wisdom.