The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-13

Public Libraries,

The late report of the executive COM
mittee OF the Wisconsin historical society
has some facts and suggestions worthy of
consideration. That society has Just come
of age, completing its twenty first year last
month. It's library contains about thirty
thousand bound volumes and a like num-
Der of documents and pamphlets the in
crease during last year having been in round
numbers two thousand bound volumes and
twelve hundred pamphlets. This is GER
tainly very creditablc record, for so
young an organization to be able to show
such a large collection.
We notice that the society aims to pre-
serve not only the former history of the
state, so far as it can be obtained, but also
makes especial efforts to save, as each year
goes by, all newspapers, pamphlets, and
other publications of the present that may
be obtained. Aiding the society in this, the
| newspaper publishers of the state send the
society their papers regularly thing that
might be done with advantage TO our own
| historical society.
But it was not OF the progress of this
western library, particularly, that we in
tended to speak. Its report calls to mind
the fact that only few years ago the vol
umes in all the public libraries of the
country counted up but two or three hun
dred thousand volumes, and that now in
almost every state and city, there is an
earnest effort to make large collections of
books and that yet our largest libraries
do not contain full line of such books as
are called for. The committee say that
they have thousands of calls for works
that are not included in their sixty thou
sand volumes also that even the great
New York libraries are tar from what nay
be called complete.
The law providing that all copyright
books shall be represented in the library OF
congress is fast making that objection
large one, and is greatly enhancing us
value, although it receives great deal OF
quite worthless stuff. So fast are the ac-
cumulations pilipg up that the librarian is
calling for more room, and the only ques-
tion Is as to what plan of enlargement
shall be adopted. Mr.. Morrill,, of our own
state. advocates the building of projec-
ton on the front of the capitol or the cree.
ton of re-proof building near the capt.
toll, in opposition to the plan OF Senator
Howe who proposes to have building
erected at such distance that there woulc
be little convenience in referring to Its col
lections. i.
In our own state we are glad to see tina
st. Johnsbury and Burlington are moving
in this matter. BY the generosity OF Hor'
ace Fairbanks, the Atheneum in st. Johns
bury has been established and is doing an
excellent educational work there. Th'
Fletcher library in Burlington, just start
ing, we doubt not, will prove great ben
eft to the pleasant city in which it is 10
Gated. These libraries are for the use o
the pubhc-and in sense more trul,
worthy of the name of public librarie
than those OF states, historical societies AM
colleges, which are confined to specia
/, classes and not open to the people at large
There are still other classes of librarie
, that may come under the head of public
, ones. For instance there was during tn
late session of the legislature an effor
made by New York gentleman to have
system of town libraries established by thu
: state. There was considerable merit i
the plan-that is, the money used woul
have done no doubt great deal of good
8 but after all it is doubtful whether that
i the best way of making town librar
I priced aud used by the people within reac
of it. Things that come too easily receiv
too little care and thought. When tow
; will take hold-seeing itself the good theI
y would be in it-and OF its own motion AM
r strength founda library which shall grow
e year by year, that library VIII be made us
y of-and that is the only mark of usefu
ness. In fact, a few towns could Join if s
. disposed, and while each should own an
keep certain standard works for refereno
a large portion of that part'of the worl
/ which were for ''reading' could be c,
d changed from time to time-something O
| the plan used In the ordinary book clubs.