Morning journal and courier., 1883-08-22
The Public Library.

General Discussion Before the Commit
 tee-Remarks by Several Citizens.
 The special committee on public library held meeting in room 10, City Hall, last evening. Only two members of the com nittee were present, Alderman Barker, pre- siding, and Alderman Farnsworth. MT. Bar ker stated that the committee had at previ ous meetings heard expressions of opinion from several gentlemen and would like to hear further. Seven gentlemen were present. Dr. Phillips said his opinion was that the best plan would be to have the city appro- priate $5, 900 year to the Young Mems In stitute, provided they reduce their member ship fee to $1 year. He did not believe in perfectly free library. He thought that the newspaper room should be free as there would be a would like to have the advantages of the pa- pers. He thought that no building should be built. He did not favor the plan of de- voting the old State House to that purpose. That eye sore should not be perpetuated. In regard to the memorial building, he said that ment. If the soldiers were to have monu- ment, he would favor something useful in the way of building. He thought that in all respects union with the Institute would be the best plan.
 MT. Joel A. Sperry thought that building monument would be the most useful thing that the $50, GOO could be used for. He fav- ored 8 memorial building connected with which there should be free public library
 MT. Dutton, superintendent of the pub lie schools, said he was a member of the Institute and appreciated the advan tages of it. But he did not think that, how ever low in price membership in the Insti- k,,ko demand which seemed to exist for perfectly free library. He thought the library should be so situated and equipped that all classes, rich and poor, could go there and derive it's advantages In relation to the school system he thought the free library should be so equipped as to teach the young how to read and also what to read, to crowd out the trash, and put in books that would supple. ment the knowledge that the children get in the schools,-books of travel, biography and history, which should be supplied in dupli. cates. The library should be so furnished that teachers in the High schools would be able to send scholars for books upon special subjects.
 Mir Parish, formerly superintendent of the public schools was called upon. He said he was glad to see such interest in the sub ject of fine public library. He spoke of the history of the Institute. It is now on foot ing where it can live and can continue an in- stitution of great utility. New Haven ought to be ashamed of having no better library than that of the Institute. When Bos- ton can maintain such a free library as it does without any trouble about losing books, certainly New Haven could keep up one. It should have books such that graduates of the public schools could continue their edu- cation by their use. He spoke of the Insti- tute in Springfield, it's growth and useful ness, and the assistance given by the city government. The institute charged only dollar year for using books. He thought that the Institute should be jointly controlled by it's present government and committee appoint ed by the Mayor, and the city appropriate success of such library would depend large ly on the character of the men who got hold of it. He thought that if there was ever place that would kill library the old State House would. The library should be located right in the center of the town. The success of the Institute was largely due to it's location.
 Mr. Barker stated that the committee had correspended with many other towns which have free public libraries and in almost every case there had been library like the Insti- tute of this city which formed 8 nucleus for the public library.
 MT. Milius Frank thought that there was nothing in the way of merging the Institute into a free library. He thought that many public-spirited citizens would give money for the library. The building is there, there is room for I9O 900 more books and the city has power to appropriate money There are would be enough to supply the public needs. He thought the only way to get library is to get one The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the chairman.