The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-24
HOW TO BUILD A LIBRARY
People Who Did Not Make an En-
dowment, But Went
to Work.
Suggestions OF Merit for Commu-
mites That May Desire
a Local Library.
Tie Easy Manner In Which the Expense
WA Met hy the People OF
SkaneAteles.

Whore the northern end OF a bsautifr
little lake in central New York shoals in
sweeping curve is a quiet village OF prett
and picturesque homes, says the New 40
Tribune. Skaneatsles the lake is called
and those who named tho town wisely chcs
for it that of tho placid sheet OF waite
which stretches down and away unit
wooded hills and rising uplands wavin
with grain close in tho clear blu of III
waser. Circlins with the lake runs a roa
(it is a pity to use the word street in such
place) along whose sides are graceful trecs
From, this roadway to the waters edg
stretch the lawns and orchards and field
of the attractive homes of skaneateles
Standing ON the veranaa OF any OF thes
houses, one may see the lake in its Who'll
the foliage on the sloping land on on
side, the shrubs and treea and stetchs:
Of wheat on the other, the hills down
below, and the hazy blue who're the SIX,
dips, and water and green and shadows
n into the pale atmosphere. But it il
not OF the beauty of this lake, nor of it,
quiet surroundings and peaceful pleasures
that the writer now wishes to speak. 1t is
about something less material, but no less
a eharm-somcthing that ia in u way
unique, and that may be a result OF those
conditions which make the lake and the
village what they are. IL il 4 library. Il
vas built by tbs citizens of the place. 1t
is owned by them. and it is used by them.
Perhaps those people Of other villages who
wish to possess, but have not the good fort
une to own Library. may lind here a sugges'
ton Of some little merit.
The people of Skaneatelss whom they be-
gan to talk of a library had no land for the
building, no endowment fund, and no
promise of one. Now they own one of the
handsomest structures in that part of tho
state, together with the land upon which it
stands, and upon their property in common
there is practically nc debt. This is the
way il was done. Some public-spiritea
men and women subscribed $1,000 for the
purchase of a ate. They subscribed more
than was needed for this purpose for there
was q surplus of $4,000.
'Our assets at that time," said one of tie
men who was most active in the project,
CONSISTED of the site, $4,000 and lots of
good will"
. It was the investment In ''good wilr'
which yielded handsome returns, for with,
in a short while to the former assets had
been added $4,000. So the work of con-
struction began and herein was again shown
the spirit of the promoters of the library.
Men who were extremely busy not only con-
tributsd of their money but of their time,
skill and knowledge. They took off their
coats and went to work to get as good g
building as they could get and to save
money for those WHIT were aiding the work
financially. The result will be seen shortly
in the statement of the cost of the build
ing.
Well, the library was erected, and then
there was a debt on it Of $6,651.34. $1O,-
ZAP. 72 having been expended. 1t WAS then
an open question whether the amount due
could be raised or whether the debt should
be secured by a mortgage. Meanwhile the
money had been secured from the village
bank upon security, with the understanding
that the debt should be shaved off; or, if
should be placed on the building.
The building committee could not be dis
~couraeed. It promptly circulated a condi-
tional pledge and secured in money or un-
paid subscriptions about $500. AS this
left only $1,000 due, all those who had
consider the conditions satisfied. This
was a great aid to the final settlement.
Now the women did their share. They had
already been liberal subscribers, but they
organized a bazaar association which in last
November yielded over $1.10o. Another
trsasurer's hands 800 more. But this was
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 $1,000. To pay this, LOO
$40 "inal payment tickets" have been is
sued, and these are being promptly taken
up by the friends Of the library, so that
there is practically at the present moment
no debt at al resting upon the Skaneatelss
Library association.
A few words about the library hall itself.
1t ia a handsome brick and stone building.
From an arcade entrance one steps into the
library proper, whore thore is a valuable
collection Of books, given by those who
have striven for this successfully achieved
snd. The room ia finished in oak, is light,
airy and cheerful. Ths volumes are care
fully indexed and easy of access, and are in
the care of a bright and courteous young
woman, who makes it a pleasure to show to
visitors the attractions of her charge.
Back of the library hall, and separated
from it by a glass partition, il q COSY read
ing room. The arrangements for light and
ventilation are excellent, and the furnish
ing should make members of more preten-
tious associations blush. There are waiting
and dressing rooms, and a covered carriage
way at a side entrance. On the second
floor is q handsome lecture hall, with seats,
strange to say, in which one may b. com
Portable. There is also an interesting col
lection of minerals, etc.
Here is the statement Of the building
committee to the subscribers upon the COM
pletion of the building:
Excavating. $685.
building stone ............. $751;
Footing one............... 2ii.a5
Dimension stone. ......... 1928
$1,616. 30
Less sales. ........... ilb. %
- 1900. os
Sand, including gravel ....... In. 90
IlIDe. loG,0O
Brick S4 80
Less sales ..g........... III 80
- 1858. 10
Lumber .....-..... ............ 1,Os6. O6
Painters materials. ............. 226. "A
Iron and steel girders, l~intels. truss
rods, anchors. etc....,.... ....... $40. n
Hardware, (bronze trimmings, sash
chains, etc. 211 "a
Roof, as by contract. :. ....,....... TAB. 81
Plumbing (material End labor)........ 49,. 55
Miscellaneous, external leash. glass,
drains. etc. ...:."... - 52s. ss
Miscellaneous internal (safe, hearths.
adsmant, etc. ,............. 6G7. rs
lntariur finish hardwood floors. oak