Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-23
MEMPHIS APPEAL
A LIBRARY FOR THE CITY.

We are glad 10 see, IN the columns OF one
OF the city papers, that the need Of good
library accessible TO the people Of Memphis
is becoming felt more and more. The pro-
fesslonalIst wants a library, if only for its
value as place where reference can be made
to sources of information. The merchant
and the mechanic want library, that they
may have a pleasant recreation at their
evening iresides for themselves and their
families. where they can revel in the beau
ties Of literature, enrich their minds with the
facts Of science, and draw wisdom from tie
lessons Of history. There is another class,
whose claims ought 10 be considered impera-
tive, aAd not 10 be denied. This class Is the
youth just leaving school. At considerable
expenditure of the best spent money that
we contribute for public purposes, we edu
cate our children in the public schools-we
teach them how to think and how to search;
we awaken their faculties, calling their It
tention to the nature that is around us aud
the society in which we dwell-this done, we
fail to give them material on which to
exercise the faculties we have cuitl
waited in the public school. Youth
on leaving school wants access TO the
library that his education may be completed,
his literary taste formed, MS knowledge Of
facts incre sed, aud bis acquaintance with
public affairs begun with the intelligent
guides atbtnd that the library affords. Tne
ladies also require library, where they can
obtain the means Of exploring the treasures
Of fancy and tasting The delights of poetry.
The divine wants a library where he can
have access to what the best minds have
uttered on the grand themes which he lays
before his hearers. Every man and woman
that has q soul above thu shackles Of igEo
rance, that wishes to know what the world is
doing, what discoveries are making, what IS
explored, discovered, invented, and what IS
written by men Of eminence, wants a librfry.
A library Is a necessity that it is degrading
to be without. Our cotemporary's columns
have been pleading tor a library for Mem
phis, aud we are glad to see that somebody Is
awakening to the Importance OF the subject.
We wish to inform those interested that
we have already, at the Odd Felows
hall, the nucleus and commencement
of what may be made an excellent library.
The situation is central, the lbrary-room is a
good one with readipR-room separate for
the ladies' The Librarian is untiriDg in bis
attention to his duties, and is never more
grahied than when strangers come in and
look over the library. A large number OF
books are already en- the shelves; the works
OF many of the best authors are to be found
there, and only good membership is re-
qulred to make this library all that is wanted.
The greatest defect at present Is the absence
of the prominent American and English
magazines, without which a reading-room Is
a telescope with the glasses LETT out. 1t
would be suicidal to set up q rival to this IN
stituton-Memphia can support only one
library, but it could make that library good
one. Let those who, through the pages Of
our cotemporary, are advocating the estab- !
lishment OF a library, visit the one at Odd |
Fellows hall; they VIII be most cordially re-
ceived Let them observe its capabilities, |
aud they will learn that it can be made all |
that can be desired. Plenty Of members ia
what is now wanted The room is ready, |
the books are ready, the directors and
librarian are ready; let members register
themselves and give the benefits Of their |
knowledge and experience, and devote some |
energy to build up the institution, and Mem |
phis will have a library 10 be proud OF, |
library that will inform The ignorant, CRAFTY |
the inquirer, arouse latent talent, store the |
mind with intellectual riches, and term Our
young people 10 be coed business men and |
intelligent members Of society. Rally round /
the library.