Omaha daily bee., 1883-01-04
FREE FOR ALL,
The History and Condition Of
the Public Library.
Tho Plans For the Future.

Among the enterprises inauguratec
during the past year is the public Ii
brsry, the board of trustees for which
was organized on the 9th day of Jan
uary last, by the election of Horace
Everett, president; ID. G. Boomer
vice president; j. H.. Keatley, secre'
tary, and A. w. Street, treasurer
The rooms at No. 10 Pearl street
we're leased for two years at 5000 per
year, and the Library association do
mated to the city all of Its books,
cases, furniture and fixtures, which
we're placed in the rooms early in the
spring, and the library thrown open
to the public on the oath day of last
April, and has been kept open since,
each afternoon and evening, except
Sundays and holidays.
The trustees made their first annual
eport to the council last night, and
in it they state that the number Of
persons who have visited 1t dur
Ing this period has been eminently
satisfactory, and fully justiief
the expectation Of those who
labored for its establishment,
The report states that the reading
room Is not as large as is desired
though 1t will accommodate from twenty
to thirty persons very comfortably,
and large accommodations, IL Is hoped,
will be secured for 1t. The trustees
express many obligations to tho pub.
liahers of THE BEE, The Nonpsreil
and Globe for copies of their papers
furnished gratuitously, as well Of for
other donations.
The whole number of books on the
catalogue received from the Council
Bluffs association was 2, 898, the num-
Der of books since purchased, POS,
and the number donated, 50, making
a total of 3,164, The number of pub.
lie documents received from the
library association was 1.127 and
number since added being 40, making
the whole number of books and docu
ments now on hand, 4,24l, exclusive
of magazines and pamphlets unbound
No books have been lost from tn,
library, and none damaged, not full,
settled for, beyond natural use ant
wear.
The receipts have been 81, 5S4. 81
and the expenditures 81 1923 OF, vhicl
includes printing Of catalogues, fit
ing up rooms, ETC., which will not b
necessary expenses the coming year
The salaIies and bills for Decembe
will reduce the cash on hand to SIZE
with which to commence tho new veal
No funds have yet been received fror
the library tax of 1882.
The number of persons who hav
filed regular applications for book
accompanied by a satisfactory qua
antee for their return Is $50.
The number of books taken frol
the library are classified as follows:
Philosophy Id, Theology 1853. Ma
ural Science ard Fine Arts 242, Fl
ton 5,345, Poetry and Essays l, ~;
History and Biography 1856, Trave
475. making a total Of $500.
The number of visitors to the
brary and reading room has been IL
1873.
: One Of the most pleasing fsatur
connected with the practical work
the institution is furnished In Il
large number of pupils from our pu
lie schools who resort to 1t for Il
purpose of consulting the books
reference with which it Is supple
1t thus becomes an important auxilial
in the work of public instruction, b
r sides fostering q salutary love f
reading in the whole community.
The monthly reports of the librarif
show a gratifying improvement In IL
proportion of works drawn other tha
: those of fiction. The demand {,
more valuable and useful books Is d,
cidedly on the increase, and both IL
Librarians are recommending books f,
perusal, and the book committee, |
the purchase of new books, wi
steadily strive to cultivate the inorea
Ing tendency towards a higher and
more instructive class of literature
the whole community.
The trustees suggest that 1t will |
very fortunate indeed, If the oil
could furnish the library In a publ
building with more commodious qua
, ters free of expense, where the dang,
from fire would be greatly reduce,
!. and larger facilities secured to Il
public for the enjoyment of these O
portunitiea for intellectual improv
, mont which this institution present
The present tax of one.half M
leaves to the trustees, after payil
necessary expenses, about $500 D
year for the purchase of new book
and for supplying the reading roor
The trustees suggeat that an increa
: of one-fourth of one per cent won
: : add about $500 to this fund, al
could be used to great public advan
/; age for these purposes.
The terms of office of Horace Eve
EFT, j. p. Cassidy and Thomas Ofic
expire tomorrow, and the coun,
will have to take action In regard
filling the vacancies.
When you feel out of sorts, ha
, In blnee malapchoIy atc -,