The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-04-24
EDITOR OF THE P1Lor:-The announce

EDITOR OF The PILoT:-The announce
ment in your last issue that several north
side ladies have taken steps to secure
free public library is somewhat prema-
| ture.
The ladies have not taken steps as
they cannot properly do so. since the
matter must come under the control OF
the voters of the city.
What has really been done is this: at
reception recently given by the Ladies
Literary and Historical Glasses at the
Windiate House, a paper was read advo-
eating the establishment of free public
library, not in behalf of those ladies, but
in behalf of all citizens who take pride IN
our city and who are ambitious for Its
good standing and repute and of all who
are engaged in any effort, however slight,
for intellectual improvement.
The paper was followed by short add
dresses from several gentlemen present
They all endorsed the project heartily,
and represented the citizens generally,
the school, and the Calumet Club which
latter organization is unanimously in
favor of the enterprise.
There is great difference between the
work and influence of a free library and
a library supported by public subscrlp-
tons such as Jones Library. The for
mer is essentially a democratic, and the
latter an aristocratic institution. In free
library, every family no matter how poor
has exactly the same rights and privileges
as the wealthiest citizen or family.
A reading room is necessary adjunct
to public library. In other cities these
ing and some hours every day so that
every one, whatever his working hours
may be, can have access to the library.
These reading rooms are supplied with
reference books, daily papers and with
as many periodicals as can be afforded.
Free libraries have already been estab-
ished in many Wisconsin cities. Only
last week a citizen of Beaver Dam gave
$4,000 to that city for this purpose; this
gift was at once supplemented by $4,000
voted by the city. In Madison there is
city library of 10000 volumes and there
were loaned during March last 1901
books of which 766 or % per cent. were
juvenile books. A Manitowoc gentle
man living in Madison told the writer
that the library there saved him great
many dollars every year which he would
otherwise have been obliged to spend for
books for his children.
The city of Superior loaned from its
free library, during March, 97S volumes
and had COZ registered patrons of its
reading room. This would make an annual
loan of II, 1856 volumes and patronage OF
over 1000 visitors at the reading. Can
any one doubt that such libraries are
doing a good work and a popular work
for their cities?
1 select these examples from many more
of similar import. The general opinion
of every city from which reports have
been received is expressed in letter
from Fond du Lac. "NNe did not know
how much we wanted the library until we
got it and now we do not know how we
ever got along without it."
There is a state law providing for the
government and maintenance OF free
libraries. This law limits the rate o.
taxation for this purpose to one mill in d
dollar. This surely could be burdensome
to no small property holder, and our
wealthy men have always been liberal in
educational matters.
The Jones Library trustees are ready
to make over their library to properly
equipped municipal board which makes
good beginning.
The ladies who first advanced this pro-
ject are north side ladies'" but they dis
claim any desire to establish a north
side" library. Their municipal patriotism
is not bounded on the south side by the
Manitowoc river.
The 'steps" which must be taken to
bring the affair to an issue are to have
the Council authorize a vote upon the
question and then to have it voted upon
at a general election.
This article does not by any means ex-
haust the arguments in favor of a free
public library, but I fear it already ex-
ceeds the space I ought to ask of The
Pilot. 1t is hoped that the facts already
adduced may commend themselves to
their readers and others can be given if
called for. E. M. A.