Morning journal and courier., 1891-05-05
A BUSY NIGHT

A BUSY NIGHT
 With the Aldermen Last Evening" Report From the Library Directory The Aldermen VIII Stand by Their | Original PositiOn-Opinio ms From | the Corporation CoHnsel-The Con- nor Bros. Contract-Other Business. The report which the board of library directors agreed upon at their last meeting for presentation before the board of alder men relating to the Historical society con- tract was presented at the meeting of the aldermen last night. The document in full is as follows: ,
 To the Honorable the Court of Common
 Council of the City of New Haven:
 The Board of Directors of the Free Pub lie Library of New Haven, respectfully represent:
 That on the 2nd day of April, after careful consideration in committee and in open board, for aperiod of several months, contract was made and entered into by them with the directors of the New Haven Colony Historical society Ca copy of which contract is hereto annexed), where by the books, pamphlets and other property of the said society are to be placed in our Library building, there to remain under the management and con trol of the library directors.
 Inasmuch as there exists to some extent in this city feeling that the placing of the property of said society in said build ing is foreign to the uses and purposes of said building, that said contractis, in re- ality, for the benefit of said society, it's managers and incorporators, rather than for the advantage of the people of New Haven, and thatsin the execution1of said contract the directors of the library |ex ceeded the scope of the authority vested ill them by the charter of the city of New Haven and by the ordinances and bylaws of said city, establishing, regulating and maintaining said public library, we desire in this communication to explain to your honorable body the reasons which have led ] the board of directors of said. public library to enter into the contract aforesaid. Ever since the present location was se- cured the directors of the library have hoped that some portion of the library building might be used for such purpose. So strong was this hope that the flooring over of the new building from gallery to | gallery, to make room for the society, was at one time seriously entertained; and but | for the bad effect such plan would have | had upon the interior architecture it would | undoubtedly have eliminated.
 The New Haven Colony Historical so- ciety is an incorporated association (mostly of citizens of New Haven, and has, as it's name implies, for it's object and purpose, | the collection and preservation of books, pamphlets and other works, memorials and objects of popular interest relating to, or connected with the history of the estab- colony of New Haven, and to collateral and kindred subjects. It has been in ex- istence many years, and has with care and diligence, and at no small expense, applied l itself to the work contemplated in it's organization. It has collect ed library numbering about three thousand (3,00O volumes, besides four thousand (4 ,000) pamphlets, largely devoted to the history of New Haven colony, the town and city of New Haven and the state of Connecticut. Most of these works are of profound interest and great value to the public at large and especially to students of the history of our city, town and state. A considerable number of the volumes and pamphlets are rare, out of print and not to be found elsewhere except possibly in libraries to which access is not easily to be had. They are indispensable te our public library if we would make ii complete and attractive in it's department of local history. To purchase them fol the library, d purchase we should be glad to make were it possible to find duplicates of them, and if the means so to do were al l hand, would require the outlay of many contract in question these valuable books and pamphlets are to be placed in ou1 library building and used in the same manner as if owned by the city, without charge or compensation. The only Iimita tion upon their use is, that they (beine books and pamphlets for reference mostly shall not be removed from the library buildings restriction adopted by all libraries under like circumstances.
 The books and pamphlets, as we'll as all other property of the Historical society, while in the Public Library build ing, are under the control and manage ment of the directors of the public library who alone have authority to indicate where, in said building, the same shall be placed, and to change them from place te place at will.
 The only supervision which the Histori cal society retains over any of the proper ty, while located in the public library, is to employ at their own expense-a suitable person to care for the same, that it may not be injured, nor carried away hy un. authorized persons.
 In addition to the books and pamphlets of the Historical society there are man, rare and valuable historical memorials curiosities, paintings portraits, etc. ,whicl are of much interest to the public. They serve to illustrate and to perpetuate- the memory of many historical scenes, events and personages They are, in effect, ob ject lessons in history, which impress up on the mind, especially of children and young persons, important historical occur rences and individuals. In the opinian ul our board of directors this department should and undoubtedly will attract many persons to our public library and become source of much popular interest.
 In thus giving place to the property ot the Historical society, we have desired only to subserve the welfare and best in terests of the library and of the people o1 New Haven. We have not in the slightest degree sought to benefit or advance the in terests of the Historical society or our selves. Our only desire and purpose has been and is to enlarge the usefulness anG add to the interest and attractiveness ot the public library. We have believed and still believe that adding these valuable features to the library upon such excep tionally favorable terms, we have rendered the public of New Haven a service, the i'm portance and value of which time will fully demonstrate. .....r
 We know of several public libraries ir which such societies have their collections and hold their meetings as, for example, Portland, Me-; Hartford and Bridgeport, Conn.,, and Buffalo, N Y.
 1 Under the contract referred to permis- sion is given the Historical society to hold their regular monthly meetings in the hall of the library. These meetings are to be open to the public without charge. They are educational in character. At them valuable papers are contributed and read, having relation generally to some feature of interest regarding the past history of New Haven or it's surroundings Per mission may be given the Historical society by the mayor, or by the president of the board of directors of the library, to hold special meetings, if occasion demand, in the hall-such meetings not to interfere in any way with the uses of the hall for other purposes. This hall having been fitted up for scientific literary and eduea- tional lectures and purposes, in harmony with the design and work of the library, and devoted to public uses, there would seem to be nothing inconsistent with these purposes and uses in the method proposed.
 But we would draw the especial attention of your honorable body to the provision in the contract in question, by which it is agreed that if for any reason the contract should prove burdensome or unsatisfactory the board of directors of the library pos sess the right and authority upon one years notice to require the historical so-