The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-09-27
HOB0KHN'S LIBRARY.
1t Has Proven a Great Sue
cess and Does Much
Good.
COST $1,000 LAST YEAR.
The Present Quarters Are Over
crowded and a New Build
ing is Wanted.

1t may justly feel proud. That institu-
ton is the Free Public Library. From
the very day that the institutions doors
were opened to the public, it has been
well patronized and Il the projectors Of
tine library had any doubt as to its sue
cess their doubts would be instantly set
aside by visit to the cosy rooms on any
fine afternoon.
To AssembIyman Marsh is due the
credit for the organization OF the library
in Hoboken. as we'll as In other cities Of
the State. 1t was he VINO secured the
necessary legislation that empowered the
voters to decide for or against public
library in their cities. By an overwhelm-
ing vote the citizens of Hoboken at the
April, 1890, election decided for public
library. August Grassmann, who
was Mayor ar that time, APP
pointed the following gentlemen trus-
tees:-Louis Ettinger. Henry Hodges,
Colonel r. A. Stevens, James +. Minturu
K. w Bender, William Utz and T. q.
Hatfield. Mayor tSrassmann and SuDerfn-
tending Principal Rice, by virtue of their
positions, were ex-officio members Of the
Board The oflicers OF the library were
August 6fassrnan, President; F. W. Ben
der, Treasurer, and Thomas f. Hatfield,
Secretary
At an adjourned meeting Of the Board
of Trustees Mr.. Hatfield was unani-
mously appointed librarian. His appoint
ment gave general satisfaction
tie is young man, very energetic. and
was well up in educational matters. hav-
lug at one time been president Of the
Board of Education. Mr. Hatfield with
his characteristic energy ar once set
about getting the library in order. A
portion OF the ground floor in the Second
National Bank building was hired and
an expert cataloguer engaged Besides
the cataloguer the Misses Nina Roster
and Riehl were appointed assistants In
the library. FoHr thousand volumes
were stored away on the shelves.
THE OPENING.
Everything being liz readiness on Oc-
tober the library Was opened to the pub
he. The event was marked by imposing
ceremonies. Governor Albeit made a
speech at the City Hall and ia the even
ing banquet WIS given ut one of the
leading hotels From the moment that
the library was opened its success was
assured Besides the many works of his
tory and Hction all of the daily and
evening newspapers and magazines are
kept on file. and the reading room Is al
ways well patronized. As the patronage
of the library Increased more books
were added, and 1T recent meeting OF
school library was abolished, aud the
1890 volumes of that library
were transferred to the Free
Library Miss Johanna C. Lange,
a graduate of the High School, was ap-
pointed m assistant, and later Miss
Lizzie Riordan Was also appointed.
visited the library yesterday after
noon, and seated around the long table in
the reading room were many young men
deeply engaged in their books.
a happy lot of school girls entered
laughing and chatting Each Of them
carefully scanned list which they held
in their hands. One of the girls. a pretty
creature vita mischleyouS eyes. asked
one OF the assistants in sort Of under
tone:-
Have you Mrs. Southworth'ssn
One of her companions, a handsome
brunette, uttered an exclamation of hor-
ror.
"OhI don't see how you car read such
silly stuff" she eiaculated. LET me
have David Copperfield." And the
obliging assistant complies with the
wishes of both.
ALL WERE SUITED.
The other young ladies in the group
selected some historical works and then
the group departed, chatting and laugh
ing more merriiy To an ever.
Although the librarian, Mr.. Hatfield,
was very DuSg, ne round time TO explain
TO me the workings and rules OF the
library. Any resident of Hoboken, four
teen years OLD, can obtain books at the
library. New books are not allowed out
over one week. Books that have been in
use some time may be kept out two
weeks. If the books are kept out any
longer there is line of two cents per day
imposed.
I'VE have an average circulation of
1928 books a week, said Mr. Hatfield
'When the library was instituted the
hours during which il was open were
from 0 a. m. until 9p. IN. After being
in operation fer few months. however.
Mayor Stanton thought it would be a
good move 10 open it at seven o'clock ia
The morning instead of nine. This was
done and a great many poor people bene-
fitted thereby"
The expense of maintaining the library
for the twelve months just passed was
a little oyer 1000. The city never ex-
pended the same amount more judicious-
ly. The only drawback at present is the
overcrowdeu condition of the library. A
new building is wanted. There is Il law
which allows the trustees to expend
$4,000 for new building An effort
will be made to have Colonel Stevens
donate a site. 1t he does, as handsome a
building as can be had for $50, 900 will be
erected thereon. Since the Organization of
Board of Trustees there have been some
changes caused by designations. The
Board at present consists OF Louis Et-
finger, Frederick w Bender, Edward
Meagher, Charles b. Rudolphy and VIII
liam S. O'Toole, with Mayor Stanton and
President Russ of the Board of Education
as ex-of1icio members.