The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-03-30
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Number who patronize
that Institution.
The Popular Books and other In
teresting Information.

The Rock Island Public Library is one
the few institutions of this city that all
classes acknowledge to be q great benefit.
It's utility is every day proved by the in-
creasing demand made upon the volumes
which fill its shelves, while the attendance
of seekers after knowledge in the Reading
Room of the library is sufficient proof of
the appreciation in which it is held by the
reading public. The pride of citizens of
Rock Island in possessing such public
institution is augmented by the fact that 1t
was the FIRST public library in the State OF
Illinois. organized under the general law
of the State. approved aud in force,
March 7th 1872.
THE FIRST LIBRARY.
This city had an association library as
early as 1855. and it was from this associ-
alton that the public library received its
assistance. which rendered its success SO
striking. even from its creation. The asso-
c;at;on generously devoted its entire IL
hrsrv. consisting of 1000 volumes to the
publio. The present library was opened
IN the 25th of November 1872. aud from
that day to the present time. has continu-
co to supply large class of reading ma
terial to an equally large class of citizens.
THE PRESENT MANAGERS
The present Board of Directors consist
of the following gentlemen:
e. D. Sweeney.
FL. G. Connolly.
Henry Curtis.
| DR., @. Truesdae.
Dr. Barnbardi.
j. r. Warner.
Alex. Steel.
j. B, Danforth.
Mr.. Sweeney is the president and Il. c.
Connolly secretary. The position of
| librarian il ac,eptably filed by Miss E..
G ale who has served in that capacity for
| several yearc.
FACTS AND FIGURES.
The library at the present time consists
of 1000 volumes. besides numerous daily.
weekly and monthly papers. These
include miscellaneous collection of books
of fiction. travel. memoirs, and reference.
The present location of the rooms are in
post Office block, and although moderately
convenient and accessible. yet the growing
needs of the library will soon necessitate
an enlargement of present quarters, or a
m eve to a new and more modern building
POPULAR BOOKS.
The most popular books are those OF
1 h.. L. l.
are moro calls fer this class of books than
any other within the library. Among the
| favorite authors of this class Dickens.
Thackary, George Elliot and William
Black are the most prominent. Their rel
alive popularity among the patrons OF the
| library are in the order Of their names
| above given. George Eilios's works. how
ever. were in great demand soon after the
death of that gifted author. At the pres
emit time there are numerous inxuiries con-
csrning Carlysls 'sworks. showing that the
work of any master becomes more sought
after when death or other accident brings
them before the public. Books on Ireland
are also eagerly demanded. since the recent
troubIs in the Emerald Isle" The same
may be stated of.books on Russia. as pub
lie attention has OF late been directed to
that country by the assassination of the
late Gear.
BOOKS TAKEN.
| The number of books taken by the pub
lie will aggregate over 1000 q month,
| IL g
The yearly number of books taken foot up
I2hO69. The total number removed from
the library since its first opening in 1872
up to the present year will exceed 200, 900
These figures testify the amount of bust
ness that is transacted by the public
library, in supplying the general public
with substantial reading material.
| THE ATTENDANCE
has even been in excess of the numbers
given in relation to the books During the
past year there were 500 names register
ed on the books. while the total attendance
footed up 1858. The monthly average
being 1879 and the daily average some
thing over 100.
The two months in the year in which
tho attendance is especially large are
February and March. The dullest month.
are July and August. The busiest por-
ton the day. as might naturally be expect
ed is from to o'clock.
IMPROVING.
The library is constantly increasing It'll
usefulness by the purchase of new books
and this fully expected that it's future will
be as bright and successful as has marked
ita nrnrrnas In the mat