The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-03-13
has the right to read such books as are

has the right to read such books as ar
upon the shelves.
But such an institution cannot accom-
plish its mission unless it receives tn
cordial support of the community, and i
is deplorable fact that there is it'll
public interest manifested in it. Tht
Library Trustees realize this fully, anC
| have determined to work change if it bG
possible. Much is needed. We should
have a larger endowment, much larger
income for the purchase of books and to
enable US to keep the rooms open the en-
! tire day and in the evening, building OF
our own with space to display the collec-
tons to better advantage, and a hall for
meetings, ETC., but the first and most inn
portant object of attention is the library.
Two important steps have been taken for
the improvement of the library, the first
Of which was the systematic arrangement
Of the books and the preparation of cat
alogue. Any one who has searched the
library for particular volume, or who
has asked in vain what books we had on
a special subject, will readily understood
the importance of this. If book were
lost or stolen we had nothing except our
memories to rely on for information re-
speeding it, and no available records to
show that we had ever owned it, John
Thomson, librarian Of the new Free Pub
lie Library of Philadelphia, who has had
long experience, was engaged to classify
and catalogue the books, and the work is
nearing its completion under his careful
supervision. The system of classification
is that of the Boston Public Library, which
is now in general use throughout the
country, and the card system, also in gen
eral use, was adopted for the catalogue.
The cost of the work will be about $3.50,
and after deducting a special sum of about
fifty dollars applicable to this purpose,
there will still be required at least two
hundred dollars to complete the payments
The terms of Nathan Dunn's will are
such that the income of the fund left by
him should be chiefly applied to the pur-
chase of standard works and books of ref
erence which have permanent value.
But successful library must also be sup
piled with current fiction and other light
literature which has but little value after
having been once read. To supply this
need we have made an arrangement with
the Wilson Library, of Philadelphia, and
the first insfalment of books has been al
ready received. These can be taken out
in the same manner as our own new
books, and will be regularly replaced by
new publications. Mr.. Wilson will also
procure for us any work that may be
asked for by our subscribers, and his
printed catalogue can be obtained from
the librarian. We hope in this way to
give the library a popularity and useful
ness which has not before been possible.
The library is supported almost entirely
from the income of the Dunn trust, the
amount received from subscribers being
very small. The average receipts are:
income from Dunn trust, $780, dues from
$70 subscriptions. fines, etc,
$50; total, $3.50. The average expendi-
lures are: rent, $3.50; assistant librarians
salary, $3.50; periodicals. $40; fuel, gas, in
stationery, $50; total, $3.50. The
balance for the purchase of books is but
$3.50.
1t needs no suggestion from us to show
how little can be done with such limited
means. We should have several times
that amount to make the institution what
it ought to be. But we ask now only two
things as an evidence of interest in the
Lyceum and Its library, and as an en-
to further efforts on our part.
First-A subscription as large or as small
as each can afford, few dollars or a few
cents, to make up the sum of 5000, re-
luired to complete the catalogue. Sec
name of one person from every
family upon our books either as a mem
Der or subscriber ANY one can become
a member by paying fee of SIS, and an
annual subscription of one dollar which
will carry with it all the privileges of the
library. The annual subscription to the
library for those not members is So.
1t may be that the former lack of in
terest on the part of the public was due
10 lack of information. IF so, this state
ment should have the desired effect The
Institution has already attained such pro-
portions that the community may justly
AXE pride in it. but it needs more general
support and assistance if it is to keep pace
with the times. Subscriptions or appli-
cations for membership can DE made to
Joseph G. Cowgirl, or to any of the I'M
lersigned trustees.
Respectfully Yours,
CHARLES EVAN MERRITT, HENRY l. BUDD,
CLIFFORD STANLEY SIMS, JOHN r. HOWELL,
B. F. HAYWOOD SHREvE, WIN. T. HARDING,
ISAAC r. PENNYPACKER, FRANKLIN B. LEWIS.
JOSEPH G. CowGILL.
Trustees of the Library