Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-12-27
THE LIBRARY ROOMS.


Ono of the Literaray Forces OF tho City.
We have on more than one occasion allu-
ded in commendatory terms to this institu- |
ton. We have always, as we do now, re-
garded it as one of the literary forces of this
city and as entitled to the confidence respect
and support of our entire population. 1t is
an honor and credit to us, and those who
we're mainly instrumental in giving it form
and vitality, as well as those who have sub
sequently built up and sustained its fortunes,
should have large place in the hearts of
our citizens. They deserve their gratitude.
From its incipiency, through all its vacis-
situdes-its ups and downs and its hopes and
fears, to the present good hour, they have
stood by it with zeal, enthusiasm and
intelligence rarely e1emplifed in any cause
or undertaking.
Its founders had no easy task on their
hands in pushing it to the front, in attract
| ing attention to its claims, in popularizing
| its purposes and in placing it upon sure
foundation. The community was not then
ripe for it and therefore there were discour-
agements in the way, which require pluck,
energy and good sense to overcome. New
ertheless the hour of triumph came and was
realized in signal manner.
Among the earlier officers we take pleas
ure in making honorable mention of Hon.
o. P. Temple and Mr.. A. j. Albers, than
whom it never had truer and more efficient
friends. They nursed it, fostered it and
rallied around it, magnifying its importance
and strengthening its claims in public esti-
nation. Both were its presiding officers
and both pursued policy calculated tc
build it up and to make it a success, which
they did.
| The present incumbent, Samuel g. Heis-
kell, Esq, young and promising lawyer Of
the, city, and useful and efficient member
of the City Council, has not only carried
forward the plans of his predecessors, bu
it is due him to say that he has taken boll
and decisive stride somewhat in advance o.
preceding efforts. He has injected into thu
institution large degree of vitality. HI
has kept its machinery in effective working
order. Fitted by nature and education fo
the performance of the duties involved, ant
thoroughly alive to the importance Of tn,
diffusion of intelligence among all classes
he has sought to make the library room
the focal power and influence of such re
suits. The common verdict is that he ha.
succeeded.
During his administration there has beer
an increase, since March last, of abou
fourteen hundred volumes. There has beer
an average attendance, daily, Of one hun
dred and fifty visitors consisting of ladies
gentlemen and children Besides this Their
, have been daily attendance, of thirty o
forty boys to read the new collection of juv
emile books. An average Of seventy-fv
, books taken out and returned daily. Thi
will give some definite conception of tn
value of the work performed by Mr.. Heis
> kell, and Of the profound and intelligent il
terest he is taking in this work.
This institution, let it be borne in MIND
!: is the school of the masses. All classes al
welcome to it-indeed, importuned to 9,
d ter it. 1t affords splendid opportunity
acquire extensive information on all topic
q It is a potent engine of education.