St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-17
TWO YEARS YESTERDAY.
What the Minneapolis Public Lib
rary Has Done in That Time,

rary Has Done in That Time,
The Minneapolis public library is
now two years old. Last night was the
second anniversary of its formal OPEN
ing. There have been many changes
and advancements in the institution
since that eventful night, and today the
Minneapolis public library ranks with
the first in the country, both as to cir
cnlation and excellence. The issuing
Of membership cards did not begin un-
til the second day after the opening.
hence they will all expire on Dec. 10.
Up to the present time there have been
1880 cards issued. and it is anticipated
that at the end of the third year the
number will have reached over $4,000
Beginning with Dec. 10. the cards
will be issued for a term of
three years, but new guarantors
will have to be furnished. The
circulation of the library. including, of
course, the three branch libraries, was
100000 volumnS this year. and 1892 will
see this greatly increased. When the
library opened in 1889, there were %
GAG books in the building. At the close
Of 1890 this number had been increased
to 1928, and at present there are within
a few of $4,000. This vast number of
books includes the choicest literature of
the world, for the former librarian,
Herbert Putnam, made his selections
with great care. During the past year
a great many Scandinavian books have
been purchased, and the majority OF
them placed In the South side branch.
The three branches are doing eXceD-
tonally well, and the infant, just start
ed in the Masonic block on the East
side, gives promise of becoming a
Justly and prolific youngster. and al
though changes have been made in the
library itself during the two years
its existence. the employees are much
the same. Those who started in when
the Institution was born are still there.
the librarian, Herbert Putnam, how
ever, as everyone knows, has departed.
and the all absorbing question is, ''Wl
will be his SUCCESSOR" 1t is very likely
that it will he settled at tomorrow's
meeting of the board OF directors.
Aside from the books, museum, art
department and school. the library has
been found to be decidedly useful and
convenient for societies OF various
kinds. Ten of these have their meeting
rooms in the building. three of which
are OF somewhat recent origin. at
least as far as the library is con-
cerned. These are the AgassiZ society.
which has lecture course of ten num-
berS, and meets every other Saturday
night: the Minneapolis Homeopathic
society, which meets twice month, and
the Sketchng club. which cOngregates
once a week. A number of curiosifieS
have also been added to the museum.
Among the more important are 5. G.
Gales gift of mammoth stuffed ali
gator and porcupine fish. The first
consignment of curiOsities received
from the Menage expedition 10 the
PHILIPPINE islands has been received,
but not distributed as yet. In the art
gallery the most important additi ons
are the three pictures of Napoleon and
his wives, Josephine and Marie Louise,
owner by L. b. Walker. The pictu res
are famous ones. and the library may
| consider itself highly fortunate to Sc
cure the loan of them.