The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-10-31
FREE READING ROOM.
a Worthy Institution De-
handing the A ana En-
couragement of All.
A Few Facts and Figures Show
ing What Has Been Accom-
plished and What is
Needed.

NoeQeQ.
One OF the most worthy institutions in
the city, and enc deserving the substantial
aid and encouragement of the citizens is the
Free Reading room.
This enterprise was inaugurated some
time ago by a few philanthropic christian
ladies of the city, and ever since that time
they have struggled against many dis
couragements and with very little assist
snce from the public to maintain the most
charitable and deserving enterprise.
The objects sought to be attained are to
provide q pleasant resort for ladies and
gentlemen, both old and young, who are
not blessed with the comforts, moral re-
strzints and elevsting influences of hone !;
alsO to cultivate a literary taste among
the young people, by providing them with
choice literature at a merely nominal Cost
The library at present contains many
choice works of standard authors, in his
tory, poetry and fiction. Among the lat
ter class are the works of Dickens, the
Waverly novels, and many of
Cooper's novels. In the higher
range of literature, many Of the most noted
authors are represented. In addition t.
this the principal daily papers and stand
ard periodicals are kept on file. There are
at present about six. hundred volumes on
the catalogue of the institution, but Few
books are badly needed, and in their efforts
to increase the sphere of usefulness OF this
truly meritOrious enterprise, the unselfsh
ladies, who have thus far worked so faith
fully for the success eli the project. should
be warmly seconded by all good citizens.
The slightest amount contributed by the
many christian and charitably disposed
people in eur city, would soon stock the
reading room and library with choice lit
erature, and make il ussaining.
About the only source OF revenue which
the institution now has, consists of . few
donations BY those who appreciate and
take an interest in such enterprises, and
the small amount received for the rent of
books. Books are loaned on the weekly
plan, ten cents per week being charged for
new books and FIVE cents per week for
old ones. A BAzOo reporter, yesterday,
dropped into the reading room, which has
been recently removed TO the new building
over Nesserly & Meuschke's store on Ohio
street, between Thru and Fourth, and had
. pleasant chat with Mrs. A. A. Slack, the
lady in charge.
In answer to the inquiry of the reporter.
if the reading room was we'll pstrcnized,
Mrs. Slack replied that it was, and that
the visitors were of both sex, and of the
most geuteel and orderly class. "An idea
has gained ground in some quarters" re-
marked Mrs. Slack, "that this is . place
for loafers. There never was greater mis-
take. The surroundings are not congenial
to the average loafer, and even if they
we're, no improper character would be tol-
Grated for moment" The manageress says
that the library is extensively patronized
BY children of the public schools.
The present quarters of the reading room
are very comfortable and cosy. but many
are contemplated as soon
Is there are sufficient funds
On hand to meet the expense.
This institution is under the manage
menl of board OF laiies, the most active
among whom, and the one, to when the
is largely indebted for the sue
cess achieved and the good already accom-
plisbed are, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Demuth and
Mrs. Ross. These noble ladies, assisted by
4 number of others, have contributed large
" of their time and means. In an effort to
y
which shall accomp ish the desirable ends,
which from the inception of the enters
prise have been sought to be attained 1t
is earnestly hoped, that a generous public
will appreciate their efforts and lend them
~ h encouragement that hey willnOt falter.
but be strengthened to 60 forward in their
noble work. 1t is not necessary to point
put to the thinking man or woman, the
great good, which can be accomplished by
an institution OF this kind, where young
men and young women can be
to spend IN evening not only
pleasantly but profitably, in elevating their
tastes, and storing their minds with useful
instead Of seeking recreation
and amusement and place to spend the
time which hangs heavily on their hands,
among the vicious and depraved, as is too
often the case. In addition to this, the
presence of an institution of this kind in
city makes a most favorable impression
upon the stranger within her gates, and
thus assists in heralding The enterprise snd
fair fame Of the city abroad. By all
means lei the Free Reading Room be en-
literally aided and sustained.
Mrs. Slack complains that there ale .
number of books out, which should have
long since been returned, and she requests
that all who have books out will return
Them at the earliest possible moment.
the courtesy Of this lady the
BAzoO is enabled to lay before its readers
the acknowledgements OF the affairs Of the
Reading room for the past month. From
this general idea of the institution and
the work it is doing may be obtained.
The reading room was moved into the
present quarters on the 3rd inst. Since
hat time the register Of visitors to the
room shows the names Of about one num-
dred and eighty. Seventy-six books have
been loaned out The amount of fees for
The loan of books has amounted to $3.50.
Donations to the contribution box, lbs.
During that time an entertainment
has been givenfor the benefit of the instl-
tuition, which Detted small amount. From
The foregoing figures it will be observed
hat the revenue derived from all sources
il yery Insignificant, not sufficient to meet