New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-13

5000. and orsen and shadows fade into the pale at
rosnhcre But II Is not of the beauty of this lake,
nor of its quiet surroundings and peaceful pleasures
that the writer now wishes to speak. IL Is ABOUT
something less material, but not less charTn-some-
thing that is in way unique, and that may be a
result of those conditions which make the lake and
the village what they 1t is library II was
built by the citizens of the place. II Is owned by
Them and 1t Is used by them. Perhaps those people
of other villages who wish to possess but have not the
good fortune TO own library may ma nero sug-
gestion of some little merit.
The people of skaneateles when they began TO talk
Of library had no land for the building, no endow
ment fund, and no promise of one. Now they own
one of the handsomest structures In that part of the
State together with the land upon which ii stands,
and upon their property In there is practically
no debt This Is the way it all DONE Some pub
Hc-splrited men and subscribed $4,000 for the
purchase of site. They subscribed more than was
needed for this purpose for there was surplus Of
81, 900.
Our assets at that time" said one Of the men who
most active in the project consisted Of the SITE
$1,000 and lots of goodwill"
1t the investment In "good will' which yielded
handsome returns, for within short while to the
former assets had been added Ss,O 900. SO the work
Of construction began and herein again shown the
spirit Of the promoters OF the library. Men who were
extremely busy not only contributed of their money
but Of their time, skill and knowledge. They took
of their coats and went to work 10 get as good "a
building as they could get and to money for those
who were aiding the work financially. The result will
be seen shortly in the statement Of the cost of the
building.
Well, the librtry erected, and then there was
debt on it of 1851 a. S1O,744 72 having been ex-
pended. 1t was then an open question whether the
amount due could be raised whether the debt should
be secured by mortgage. Meanwhile the money had
been secured from the village bank security with
dof4
or, If that plan failed, mortgage Oe $4,000 should
be placed on the building.
The Building COMMITTEES could not be discouraged.
1t promptly circulated conditional pledge and secured
In money or unpaid subscriptions about $1,000. As
this left only $1,000 due all those who had signed the
conditional pledge agreed to consider the conditions
satisfied. This great aid to the final settlement.
Now the did their share They had already
been liberal subscribers, but they organized bazaar
association which in last November yielded
81, 100. Another bazar in last August brought
into the treasurer's hands 800 more. But this
MAS not all. Another source OF revenue
was the Monday Evening Nickel Readings which
with all that had been done before reduced the debt
to only 81. 900. To pay this, 100 so "inaDayment
tickets have been issued and these being promptly
taken UP by the friends of the library, that there
is practically at the present moment debt at all
resting upon the Skaneateles Library Association.
a few words about the Library Hall itself. 1t is
a handsome brick and stone building. From arcade
entrance steps into the library proper where there
is valuable collection of books, given by those who
have striven for this successfully achieved end The
room is finished in oak is light, airy and cheerful.
The volumes are carefully indeXed and easy Of ac
cess. and are in the of bright and courteous
young woman, who makes it pleasure TO show 70
visitors the attractions Of her charge.
Back of the library hall, and separated from it by
a glass partition is a cosey readng groom. The
angements for light and ventilation excellent and
the furnishing should make members Of more pre-
tentious associations blush. There are waiting aud
dressing rooms, and covered carriageway at side
entrance on the second floor is handsome lecture
hail. with seats strange 10 say in which may be
comfortable There is also interesting collection
of minerals. etc.
Here is The statement Of the building committee to
tho subscribers upon the completion Of the buildng
s95 70