The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-24
Three owosso Libraries.

well equipped, free, public library one
omen TO all the citizens and even to chill
dren under proper rules of use and return
of books. Next In usefulness, to the free
public library is one supported by the pay
ment of fees. Owosso has no free library
supported by taxation and under the care OF
paid librarian, but 1t has three libraries
which cover the field quite well.
What would become the nucleus of pub
lie library. should the city found one, Is
contained In two cases, of 800 books each, In
the library room of the central school build
ing. These books are used by the pupils of
the eighth grade and the high school, and
all the teachers. There are special libraries
of forty books In each eighth grade room,
and from fifteen to thirty books In each of
the fifth, sixth and seventh grades. The
books in the school library cover the fields
of history and literature. Among the his
tOrical works are, Comte de Paris on the
Civil War; Prescott's Conquest OF Mexico;
Parkman's Historical Essays; Capes' Early
Roman Empire; Rambaud's History of Rus
STA; Guizot's History of Civilization; D'Au-
bigne's History of the Reformation in the
10th century; Memoirs of Sherman, Grant
and Franklin; Rawlinson's Ancient Egypt
and Motley's United Netherlands. A few
of the books in the literary division are the
writings of Beecher, Hawthorne, Carlyle,
Lowell, Holmes, Mathews, Irving, Scott,
Dickens, Bryant, Bunyan, Smiles, Gold
smith, Tennyson, Macauley and Hudson,
including also English Men of Letters.
Every Monday afternoon after half past
three O'Clock the pupils may be seen by the
dozen drawing books from this library
and overwhelming the obliging librarian,
William Lovett. with the request for a
"gOOd book"
The Ladies' Library is doing and has
done cOmmendable work in this city. If
we mistake not, this society was organized
| Nov. 10, 1870, at the home of Mrs. G. w.
Clapp, and has for Its purpose the promotion
of literary pursuits. This aim could hardly
be realized in better way than in the main
tenance of library. This society began at
the time when the ladies' library movement
was popular throughout the United States.
Their first room was over the Osburn store.
then in the parlors of the First National
Bank, at the corner of Mason and Washing
ton streets, then they returned to the first
quarters and thence removed to their pres.
ent quarters in the postoffice block.
The ladies gave socials in those early days
when Owosso contained only fifteen hun
dred inhabitants, and these socials were
very popular. The society maintains itself
by an OCCASIONAL supper and by the member
ship fee of dollar for adults and fifty
cents for children, and by regular dues of
25 cents paid quarterly by all members.
This society has circulating library prin-
ciple also, by which anyone in the city can
secure books for five cents week. This
fact should be more widely known than it
seems to be.
In 1878 the number of books reached the
1900 mark, and the number of books is
now $500. The books, all covered and
labelled by members of the association, are
returnable In two weeks, the library being
open Saturdays from o'clock to 8 o'clock,
o. m, from April to October, and from to
p. M, from October to April and every
Saturday evening from to $50.
The officers of this association are: Pres
ident, Mrs, j. A. Church, who has been az
active and sacrificing worker for nearly
twenty-six years; Vice Pres, Mrs. l.. M.
Beckwith; Recording Secy., Miss Georgia
Colt; Cor. Secy., Mrs. A. M. Hume; Treas,
Mrs. Walter Osburn. Mrs. K. A. Todd,
the librarian was charter member; Mrs.
V. Grahame is first assistant librarian, the
other assistants being Mrs. A. K. Stever,
Miss Gracia Stewart, Miss Edith Freseke,
Mrs. William Smith, Miss johnson and
Mrs. o. +. Webster, who Is also director.
Mesdames Graham, Williame Smith and q.
T. Campbell are directors. The society has
expenses of 500 per year for rent, $24 per
year for electric lighting and expenses for
fuel and covers for books. If they were re-
lieved of these expenses in some way the
usefulness of the library could be extended
materially. The library caters to the real
needs of all classes 1t has deep history
and science for the student, the best of cur
rent literature for those who like it and an
excellent line of juvenile works. Indeed
some of the most regular readers are young
people. The ladies are careful in the selec-
ton of books to get none that would be
hurtful. They deserve great praise and
financial announcement for their work.
The third library, of which we wish to
speak Is that of the Y. M. @. A. To
lover of books this library of about seven
hundred books is gratifying sight. 1t had
its beginning In book reception held
Thanksgiving day, 1899, at which 100 books
were given by various persons, and Loring
& Son gave their circulating library of 400
The real usefulness of the
library, however, began with the addition
OF fifty volumes from the Michigan State
Travelling library, a rather new departure. |
p,,hlic act No % annroved Morob On