Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-06-22
[Sccond Article.]
Our Free Public Library.

Our library needs, first of all, larger
book list. Marvels are being accom-
plished with the books we have, and
more is possible, as we shall see; but
what are 200 books, over 300 of which
are public documents and reference
books, among 400 borrowers? The
fire swept away all but 145 books of the
old library The Board of Directors
saw that in making new selections,
small amount of money must be made
to go as far as possible toward satisfy
ing the wants Of large number of peo-
pie. 1t has acted upon this principle in
making up it's book lists, with such sue
cess that one-half the circulating books
of the library are constantly in the
hands of patrons
The average popular appetite never
Graves the highest mental pabulum, and
for this reason, works Of fiction cOnsti
tute large proportion Of all the books
in every public library. 1t is easy
enough to regret this fact; failure to
recognize it would have left our library
sadly out in the cold. This is no refec-
ton upon the literary taste of this par
ticular people, for it is universal ex-
perience. Nor is novel reading always
an unmixed evil; that depends largely
upon the character OF the novel. The
Board has exercised great caution in
this respect, endeavoring always to Sc
iect such works of fiction as the best
Judgment of the literary world has APP
proved for purity OF style and treat
ment. Extreme prudery might possibly
discover in some of the older novels
some word or expression not exactly in
accord with the refined sense OF delica-
CIV now happily prevalent in society,
but the Board has not seemed inclined
to throw out Shakespeare and the older
classics on that account, and 1 presume
q nurer selection of readable fiction
could not we'll be made than that now
upon our catalogue. we,
1t is the usual experience in old libra
ries that young people begin their read
ing with fiction: a few end it there, but
the great majority gravitate upward
from fiction to travels, from travels to
biography, from biography to history,
from that to poetry, and thence onward
to philosophy and metaphysics. Many
works of fiction do a great service In
awakening profound interest III bog
raphy. history and general literature.
The fiction list of our library, however,
does not need to be greatly augmented
lust at present, except to supply cur
rent issues The deficiencies are much
greater in other departments, especially
in biography, history, poetry and gener-
al literature. Many of the best works
in these departments are quite expen-
ve,-entirely beyond our purchasing
means at present We have had to con-
tent ourselves with few volumes in
these departments such as it seemed
probable would be in the greatest de,
mand. STILL even these are not used
proportionately with fiction, and L will
hereafter call the attention OF those
who are becoming somewhat surtelted
with ideal-and idealess-literature, to
some of the more attractive works which
they NAV have overlooked, and which
would probably interest, and would GER
tainly prove profitable to them;
Another want is suitable glass case
for the cabinet shelves We already
have respectable collection OF geolog
ical and neurological specimens, which
were at one time in part displayed upon
the shelves, but the accumulation OF
dust, and the mysterious disappearance
of some of the rarer specimens. render
ed their removal necessity. a yal4a-
BILE archaeological collection, principally
from the mounds of Ohio, has been pre-
scented to the library, but cannot be safe
ly displayed on open shelves, 1t may
be question with some whether 1t IS
desirable to maintain a cabinet OF natu-
raj history in connection with the libra
nv, This would have been serious
question with the Directors had such
maintenance involved expense; but
since donations and exchanges are the
potent elements of it's growth, and since
we have in our midst the talent compe-
tent to properly classify and arrange
such collection, it would seem not on
Nv very desirable to connect 1t with the |
library customary and proper associ-
ation.but decidedly narrow to deny
this boon to the future educational in
terests of our city. 1t should not be
forgotten that our library is an educa-
tional institution; that we are building
for the future as well as for the present,
and that while our means are limited,
our plan of 6esnization should be com
prehensive, keeping in view the posslbll-
tiles of growth in our community, not
only in population and wealth, but tar
more in intellectual culture. The study
of the natural sciences is the delightful
tendency in the education OF to-day:
We may hope for the broadening and
enlargement of the educational facilities
of our city, 50 that the presence in our
midst of such collection as that con
templated will not be merely fattering
to local pride, but practically useful to
our scholars, as well as interesting and
suggestive to the public at large. Els
pecially will this be the case should it,
aside from the general collection, ultlo
mately present complete exhibit OF
the geology, mineralogy, botany and fau
ma of Buchanan county. The subject
ought to inspire a genuine local pride;
and enthusiasm, SO that the small
amount of $75, necessary to encase the
shelving and give our museum start,
but which the Directors do not feel war
ranted in appropriating from the limit
ed funds in hand should be forthcom-
ing by contribution. :,
Other necessities will be referred to
newt week J. i. LOOMS.