Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-03-11
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Presidsnt's Report 40 the stockhoto'
ers OF the Public Library
Of Knoxville.


Ihave the honor to report that since
our last regular meeting, we have pur-
chased two hundred and eight volumes
of new books, at a cost OF $277.ll. we
have also purchased one more book
case. Mr.. r. P. Gettys, one of the
owners of this building, has had our
room freshly painted and repaired;
and has agreed to put blinds over the
windows at the western end of our
hall. / have also secured from Mr..
Gettys lease for this room for five
VI ars, on very favorable terms.
We are indebted to the liberality OF
Mr.. r. r. Swepson for the handsome
gas burners with the fixtures, which
hang over our front entrance, for
which he deserves and should receive
the thanks of the association. We
are also under obligations TO DR.. b. b.
Boyd for some very beautiful shells
and for q number of alcoholic speci-
meme, now on exhibition in our room,
for which lie should also receive the
cordial thanks of this association.
In addition to the valuable contri-
buttons of books, by divers persons,
heretofore acknowledged, we have re =
ceived twenty. five volumes from Miss
Mary A. Richardson, and ten from
DR.. J. H. Carriger. We have also re-
ceived books from L. A. Gratz, Or. J.
d. Carter, Mai. J. f. O'Brien, Miss NJ.
E. Getg, VIM. Rule, Rev. w. a.
Bates, Hon. H. II. Ingersoll and M.
III. Dickson. We are also under obli'
cations to the Hon. l.. G. Houk fol
valuable public documents.
During the last fourteen months Az
volumes of books have been contrib.
uted to the library. These, added tc
number purchased, make the total o.
additions to our library, during thai
period, 636 volumes.
) About one year ago, 1t will be re-
membered that we converted our vol
untary association into chartered cor
poration. To each of the old mem
bers, who had paid up his dues, or who
was willing to do 30, was issued GER
tificate of stock for three dollars
Each share of stock represents that
sum, but in reality it Is intrinsically
worth several times that sum. These
certificates of stock are transferable
assignable and transmittible. When
therefore, a person becomes member
of this association, he gets in return
, stock which Ia saleable and transmits
BILE; in other words, he gets an interes
, in valuable property.
Thus far we have issued 246 share
Of stock. These shares represent abou
> So. 600 worth of property, making eacl
share worth about $1,000. One of tn
chief advantages OF this change is
that it secures, as 1t was supposed /
would do, much greater permanency
OF membership. But few persons viii
purchase stock, and then forfeit it, BY
falling to pay the monthly dues, wheI
, it has an intrinsic value, and can b
, sold aud assigned in the market
While we are able to present to
night somewhat gratifying exhibi
of our success during the last fourteen
months; yet candor compels me to sa,
that it is far below my hopes aud an
ticipstions. had hoped that w
T should have by this time four hundred
q members. We have only about on
hundred and sixty.si six. This town |
large enough for four hundred. TIL
public library of Atlanta has abou
9 seven hundred members. Man
!, prominent men in this city have neve
y become members, or aided US in an
way. They surely have not realize
) the good the library and free readin
. room are uOlnS' Ihlo 10 q o<al O
we'll as an educating institution. ]
affords safe as well as a profitabl
refuge from temptation. A taste TO
reading is one of the surest safeguard
against the vice of drinking.
1t is curious fact that bat few o
our young ladies, but few of our me
chanics aud laboring men and not one
{ half of our young men take any inter
est in this library and reajing-room
The very persons for whose benefi
they are chiefly designed seem to b
+, largely Indifferent as to their success
: Perhaps one reason why they are so
: because the old people are so indiffei
ent. We support ttOenty one license
drinking saloons in Knoxville. 1t re
= mains to be seen whether we can sur
port one library and reading room.
II we could only Interest ten youn
g ladies in the success OF the library, an
& place them in charge OF it, it woul
d bound forward with surprising pros
!, perity. Whatever they desire to dc
they can do Our difficulty ia in get
Z ting sufficient number Of member
0 who are willing to pay their MONTH.
dues. We need more paying mem
bers, We must have more in order t
succeed. Respectfully submitted.
: o. p. TEMPLE, President.