The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-22
CRANSTON.
A Public Library Opened at Airing
ton.

A Public Library Opened at Airing
ton.
Last evening Arlington celebrated the
opening of a, grand edu cational factor,
public library. Through the efforts OF
few OF Arlington's progressive citizens
the use of the room over the district hall
was granted for library purposes. With
untiring efforts the library promoters
have worked in this room and last nights
inspection, from TO 8, revealed the fact
that enthusiasm must have prompted the
workers.
In this well illuminated, bright-walled,
room were tables with periodicals and
newspapers, and shelves containing 549
books.
Promptly al o O'Clock the chairman OF
the library committee, Hollis M. Coombs,
introduced Miss Mabel q. Spencer, who
played piano solo. The Audience was
next entertained by Mrs. Walter 4.
Humes, Miss Clara NJ. Willard and Messrs.
Walter Blake and w. II. Spalding in a
much %1ss .pP5essi'sda sna yGH1i kep tS. fh
musical prelude Chairman Hollis M.
Coombs gave TO the audience, in con-
else aud Interesting way, the history of
the origin and growth of the library idea
aud the final realizat ion OF the hopes SO
long cherished
Hon. Thomas B. stockwsll followed in
all ADle HuuItss Ou tuo hlH0S Vi llttIdtuEt
TO be allowed in library and on readers
who patronize Libraries. Mr.. Stockwell
said: There are books and there are
books, and likewise there are readers
and there are readers.o nice conclu-
sion was drawn on the utter fruitlessness
of careless reading. Strong and enthusi-
astic was the applause when Mr.. Stock
well retired. -
Chairman Coombs, in a complimentary
manner, introduced Mr.. Lester A. Free
man, a member of the Cranston school
committe.
Mr. Freeman, in a scholarly address,
said: "Books TO be interesting and
profitable should be within the compre-
hension of the readers. Books for
ala them In their studies, children and
adults should read for amusement and
information.
"Imagine a concrete example OF parent
telling the child OF some of the novel in
,idents IN the life OF Marco Polo. The
| child will undoubtedly be inter ested and
being told that book containing the
life of the interesting man is in the pub.
| lie library, he will read Ii. When a per.
son reads with the understand ing that
| they must reproduce some OF what they
| have read, they will read with closer at
tentionNand consequently remember more
| Hence parents should question children
OH lDt tOuttuls vi boohs Icaus
Mr.. Freeman's speech called forth long
| and appreciative applause.
Chairman Coombs said that library
openings came only occasionally snc
he felt that the audienc would be salts
fled 10 listen TO few more speakers III,
called upon Mr.. Sphinx, chairman OF the
| Auburn Library Association, but Mr.
| Sphinx begged leave TO have Mr.. Reev,
speak in his stead. Mr.. Reeve spoke o
the organization OF the Auburn library
The quartet, with a piano accompaDi
ment by Mrs III. A. Fenner, closed th'
evening with a song.
Arlington library looks forward TO
brilliant future and W ell Ii may with thu
present men at the helm. Messrs. vii
| liam +. Kenison, Henry o. Trip, III. Nj
Coombs, j. Ernest Hammond, ana Mrs
Mary A. Davis are identified as prominen
! workers
In the selection of a librarian the com
mttee have exercised an intelligent choic'
in appointing Miss Fannie Arnold. Mis-
Arnold's obliging ways and pleasan
bearing together with her acquaintance
ship with books make her parti cularl,
| adapted.