St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-02-14
TOWN LIBRA RES.

missoners have issued circular Civ.
ing the result OF their educational
campaign in getting towns to start
libraries, and urging all other towns
to take some action on this matter
at the March meeting. OF the 40
towns that took advantage of this
benehcent law our county furnished
seven, Groton, Hardwick, Kirby,
Lyndon, Ryegate, Sutton and Wal
den. The other towns IN the county
should follow SUIT, and at the com.
ing town meeting take favorable
action on the matter. For the bene-
fit of those who do not know how
to proceed to start a library, we
publish the full text Of the circular.
At the session OF 1894 the general
assembly passed "An Act to Promote
the establishment OF Free Public Libra
ries."
At the town meeting in March, 1895
over 'orty towns, representing every
county i'll the state, took favorable
action upon this matter, made the re-
guired appropriation, and nearly all
have received through the commissioners
the hooks provided by the state
The lists OF books furnished the differ
ent towns were not duplicates but each
list was made up b. the commissioners,
with careful reference TO the situation
and needs OF that individual town. the
books already available for its use and
the expressed wishes OF its trustees For
this reason the number Of books was not
the same Tor all OF the towns, but varied
from 80 to 143.
In these towns, with the state appro-
priation as a nucleus. very creditable
libraries have been established and are in
successful operation, and the earncstness
and enthusiasm in the matter every
where manifested give great promise of
their future usefulness. Many of these
town libraries have been increased by
gifts of books from individuals and
organizations of various kinds, and in
some instances liberal donations in
money have been made by those who
saw in the public library most useful
and far reaching channel for their bencvo-
lence.
The operation of the law during the
first year of its existence, so far as can be
now Judged, has been eminently success
full, by setting in motion influences most
potent for the social, intellectual and
moral advancement OF the people.
This circular is intended to direct the
attention Of citizens 10 the act referred
10, that those interested in such matters
may be prepared to take advantage of
its provisions whenever the general
interest in the establishment of a free
public library in any town seems to war
rant such action.
1t should be understood that the
amount appropriated by the state is
intendt d to serve only as a simulous 10
the formation of free public libraries, and
will in itself accomplish very little ifnot
supplemented by contributions from
other sources, and the Jealous interest
and attention OF those, who, like Ben
Franklin, propose TO render the benefit
from books more common" The com.
missioners therefore appeal to you to
bring the matter of the establishment oil
free public library in your town before
the citizens by informal or public meet
ings and to stimulate them to secur,
funds for The purpose by entertainment,
and social gatherings, or by soliciting
subscriptions OF money and donation o
books from persons who are interested
in the intellectual welfare or materia
prosperity OF the town
To take advantage of the act the fol
lowing articles should be inserted in tn
warning for the coming town meeting
/. To see il the town will elect a boar
of library trustees and instruct sue
board to make an application to tn
State board Of library commissioner
under act No. 81, Acts Of 1894.
2 To see what sum, If any, the tow