The Helena independent., 1894-12-24
INCREISED LIBRARY no URS
There Is Some Thought OF Keeping the IL.
brary Open Later.

The trustees OF the public library have
for some time had in mind the matter
of keeping the library open until
later hour upon both week days and
Sundays. At present the library Is
open until . y. M, and no later, on
week days and through the afternoon
until o'clock on Sundays. The trus-
tees would like TO perfect arrangements
whereby the library could be kept open
at least an hour later on week days
and through Sunday evening. Owing
10 the limited revenues for the library
IL has been thought impossible 10 make
the desired changes owing 10 the in
creased expense involved. The cost of
lights, for extra help and other eX-
penses made necessary by the proposed
changes would amount TO a consider
able sum each month.
However. the trustees hope before
long TO perfect arrangements so that
the usefulness Of the library may be
extended. One OF the plans being con-
sidered Is TO secure volunteer assist
ants to care for the library and the in
stitution's patrons during the hours
kept open In excess of the present time.
There certainly is great demand for
longer library hours. There are scores
of people, particularly among the young
men, whose evenings are taken up until
s 80 or 3 o'clock by every day duties,
who would be glad 10 spend an hour or
even longer at the library each even
ing in studying or reading. Under
present arrangements these young men
are barred from the privileges of the
library, as they cannot get time TO visit
IL during the hours II is ordinarily kept
open. There are many railroad men
and others living at considerable dis
tance from the library whose work
keeps them until 6 y. m. or later who
would like 10 spend their evenings at
the library. These people cannot get
to the library until quite late, aud for
that reason many of them never go
there at all.
There is great need for longer hours
on Sunday, as very many people are
too busy through the week To visit the
library or read books taken from II.
Sunday is the only time these people
have OF their own. OF the great crowd
that can be seen at the library every
Sunday afternoon pouring over maga-
zines, papers or books, a large per
cent is very noticeably workingmen.
Many. In fact, most OF these would be
very glad to resume their reading after
supper, but on Sunday the room Is
cleared at p. m. and the doors closed
| Tor the day.
There are many young men, and men
who are not young, for that matter, in
Helena, who have no real home and con-
sequently no pleasant place to spend the
day They don't care to go TO their
rooms for they have nothing 10 do
there, and consequently many of them
loiter around the streets visiting the
various resorts about town. These
young men would be much better on
at the library. There they could be
well entertained, and the time spent
would not be time wasted.
The library Is doing splendid work
in Helena. If the amount for its sup
port was greater its usefulness could
undoubtedly be Increased. II Is ham
pered somewhat by lack OF funds but
| il is believed that the trustees will even
tually be able TO effect their wishes in
relation to an extension of It's useful
| ness