The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-19
FOR A PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Auburn Bound to Have the Means
for Public Education.
WHAT WAS DONE LAST NIGHT,
The Association Was Formally Organ
ized. and It's Prospects for Good Work
Seem to be Bright-Exercises Last
Night and Officers.

Last evening meeting of those inter-
ested in the establishment of the Auburn
Public Library was held at the High
School building, the lower west room of
which has been given for the use of the
library by the Town School Committee.
The meeting was called to order by
Arthur Reeve, and Herbert A. Potter was
made secretary pro tenn. AS prelimi-
nary to the work of organization Mr..
Reeve read a short history of the former
struggles OF the movement. He spoke of
its establishment as q circulating library
in 1888. and its short prosperity as such
lie recounted the various vicissitudes
tn rough which II has passed, the tagging
in terest, the apparent death OF the move-
ment, the various attempts at resusita-
tion, during the course Of which it added
enough books to its number to draw
money from the state and also became a
free library; and the late successful at
tempts of the remnant OF the old execu-
tive committee to clear the organization
from debt and place it on a firm basis.
To this end the Town School Committee
granted the use of the lower west
room in the High School build
ing for the use OF the library
and the Town Council gave $500 toward
fitting up the room. Through the efforts
raised by subscription for the purpose of
clearing the Indebtedness of the associa-
lion. and placing il on firm basis.
The treasurer's report followed which
showed how the funds have been dis
bursed in payments of all liens on the old
building and, supplemented by labor
given free Of charge by the friends of the
movement, in fitting the library itself for
its new home aud in thoroughly renovat-
ing aud furnishing the room for occu-
pancy. Tue report showed the property
Of the association to be the old building
worth about $50 and renting for 81 per
month, books valued at 81, 500, and fur
nishings to the amount OF nearly 500
more, amounting in all to over 81, 500.
Mr.. Reeve then read proposed consti-
tuition for the new association, modelled
after that of the Providence Public Lii
brary. After little discussion and the
amendment OF a few sections this was
unanimously adopted. A motion was
then made that nominating committee
be appointed by the chair TO nominate
officers for the ensuing year. Ezra
Read, H.; A. Potter. and Dr.. Fred
retired. During their absence the Hon.
Thomas Is. Stockv ell, state commits
sioner of public schools, addressed the
meeting. He spoke OF the advantages OF
the free library in a growing place like
Auburn, and Of its educating influences
on the young as next to, and supple
menting, the public schools.
The report OF the nominating commit
tee was read and adopted. BY its adop-
tion the officers for the ensuing year
stand as follows: President, Capt. Geo.
A. Spink; vice president, Joseph L. San
ders; secretary. Miss 4. II. Bowen; treas
urer, Arthur Reeve. These, with three
other members. constitute the executive
board to which is intrusted the manage
ment of the business of the association.
The three other members are Frank L.
Budlong. Dan q. Ding and Mrs. Waite
Gardner.
Prof. Austin III. Reyes, principal of the
High school, delivered short and STIR
ring address. ..t....,