Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-04-24
Bellefonte Library Association.

The semi-ccntcnniAl celebration, inaugu-
rated by the Bcli"ipute Academy in honor
of Alfred Armstrong, Esq, who was elect
cd aud took his place NJ Principal in Mo-
vonbcr, 1874, brought together In the
Court House on the evening Of November
--, 1874, "a large number Of the friends of
education and literature 10 hear from Mr.
Armstrong OF the friends of education In
times past W" cannoi help but say just
here, though foreign 30 the subject tha,
those friends were friends indeed Many
clune close to the Bellcfonte Academy and
were ever vigiInnt in sll things per.
tanning to It's Interests. Iiow i IL with
their successors7 Ii was at this meeting
iha; Gov. Curtin expressed his surprise
that Bellefont" was without public libra
~, and in his usual forcib,e manner i'm.
pressed his audience with the necessity and
importance Of firm foundation from
which our children, our young men and
old, could drink in safety and be inyigora-
ted, and urging an immediate effort In
that direction.
The subject was renewed alta "SOciAble"
Of the 7. VI. G. A, 20 which quite a mum
bcr of non-memhcrs were invited and wcre
present The results uf this meeting was
the appointment Of committee which re-
ported to a meeting called by them Decrm-
Der IL, 1874. that fifteen public spirited aud
liberal minded gentlemen had contributed
one person $500, nine persons each 500,
and I've persons SJO-Si ,4jO. which
would b. invested In furniture and library
and the same placed in the hands Of an or
ganization that would carry out their pur.
poses by renting suitable rooms and keep
ing up tho expenses, which IL done for f. yc
years the furniture aud library would bc
transferred to said organization. 4 commit
tee was Immediately appointed and report
ed 70 meeting held shortly after, recon.
mcnding that canyasscrs for each ward
be appointed to take subscriptions of not
less than five dollArs 1t vas donc--re-
suit, 81, ,ll0 This was below tho estimate
Of annual cKpcnsos-Si, ,, and was in-
creased by few persons increasing their
subscriptions. Although not siill reaching
the amount, when reported TO the origi-
nal contributors was deemed satisfactory.
a committee was appointed to prepare
and report Consultation and By-Laws.
Tho committee corresponded with the
officers Of number Of Library Associa-
tions as to their plans for making them =
success, "a TO free Libraries, etc, and re-
ported . Constitution and Bylaws, the
financial article being based on the fac,
that subscriptions Of not less than $500
would cntitlc person to full membership.
The question of "purely free library" 2"
was entertained and discussed with spirit
"pro and con-" The experience Of quite
a number Of "frec libraries, - resulting dis
asirously, was given and the report was
sustained, Constitution adopted and mana
gers elected
\
3, 1875. 4 beautifully furnished suit uf
rooms in iIumes' New Block, secon' floor,
we're thrown open. pailics, weeklies and
monthlies of all shades Of opinion from
all parts of the U. s., found their place
upon the tables, fine library of choice
literature in its place, the walls adorned
with very fine views taken from battle
fields and from the scenery Of our own and
other climes
Liberal provisions have been made to
induce NIL 10 join us, so liberal as 10 be al.
most free, yet so much ne to impress the fact
upon them, that they pay for the finding
Of the room and viii strive 10 enjoy them.
$500 paid TO the Secretary will entiile the
person to full privileges Of tho room.
Members have the right 60 invite their
friends TO the rooms, Strangers soiourning
with us can enjoy our rooms for thirty
days free, and that time can be extended.
The children of members have always
been welcome--thcir wives are 'alternates.'
The expenses of the library since its In
tdition are a. follows; The fret two years
the rooms we're run OF an expense of 81.
64i.06, leaving library In debt s152.65.
Third year, $G36.06; Sl5285 old debt.
Fourth year $j9l 90, aud debt of S6S. rs.
A subscription OF S295 is unpaid. $lO2 20
Is assured win be paid. Sl92.5O, doubtful,
An experiences of four years has convinc.
cd those interested In the enterprise, be.
yond question, that II is practicable, and
whilst organizations In other localities In
augurated for similar purpose and with
the same object In view have failed for va.
rious reasons, mainly In consequence Of
mismanagement on the part Of those hav-