Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-06
MAINE LIBRARIES.
Encouraging Advancement in Facilities
for Education of the Public.
Interesting Features Advanced at The MEETING
Of New England Librarians at Boston.


present at the meeting OF the Massachu
setts Library Association, as the Maine
State representative. He reports that the
meeting WAS most successful In every
way, and thoroughly enjoyable PAPERS
were read from the different representa-
tives, and discussed by those present, and
by the Interchange of ideas many most
valuable suggestions We're made Where
one State library system would excel,
another might be weak, and the general
benefit derived from the meeting cannot
but reflect an inestimable amount of good
upon the New England section.
The meeting was held in Jacob Sleeper
hall, Of Boston university, and
was largely attended by librarians
from the different states. The re-
ports and papers read We're most inter
esting and instructive, and the subse-
quent visits made by the visitors under
the hospitable attention from the mem
bers of Massachusetts Library Associa-
ton, did much to add to the pleasure of
the occasion.
OF course the new library in Copley
square was visited, besides many of the
branches, the Cambridge library speci-
ally being of great interest.
Mr. Emery spoke in most flattering
manner TO a journal reporter, regarding
the condition Of the Maine State library
system as compared with that of Massa
chusetts. While the latter" he said,
is more advanced than that in Maine,
considering the fact that it has been in
existence SO much longer we have every
reason to feel proud of our libraries here
OF course, all OF US learn something from
the other, and the benefit Of this meeting
will certainly be great to all who were
fortunate enough to be present
The following paper, representing the
Maine State library, was read before the
meeting by Mr.. Emery:
I'm 1854 law was enacted authoriz
ing any town to raise and appropriate a
sum not exceeding one dollar per ratabe
poll for the founding Of a public library
| therein, and Il yearly sum not exceeding
% cents per poll for the subsequent main
tenance Of the same.
This law remaned unchanged for more
than 80 years and there is no evidence
that any municipality acted under its
provisions.
In 1864 the Legislature authorized
towns toreceive gifts and requests dedi
Gated to the establishment and mainte
nance OF public libraries within their
respective limits. Under the provisions
of this Law, many valuable libraries were
established within the State thro' the in
tclligent generosity of her citizens
| ''In 1887 towns We're empowered II re
ceive and hold lands, buildings, maps,
charts ant works of art by donation or
bequest Tor the establishment and use
of public libraries. AT the same time
law was enacted giving to each county
| law library 10 per cent of the fines derived
from the enforcement of the Maine
Law Subsequently this provision was
enlarged 10 20 per cent, of such fines, but
limiting the amount so received by any
county Law library to $500 per year
cit was not until 1898 that any practical
encouragement was given for the cstab
lishmcnt Of free public libraries. The
Legislature of that year enacted law
designed 10 encourage the founding and
maintenance of free libraries in each city
and town within the limits of Maine.
BY provisions of this last law every free
public library is entitled to receive from
the State yearly sum equal to 10 per
cent, Of The amount appropriate by the
municipality where it is established BY
another section, any municipality is
authorized to appropriate a sum yearly
not exceeding $1,000 to secure from any
corporation or association owning or con
trolling library within its limits, the
free use O such library for the inhabitants
thereof, aid such towns may receive from
| the Statel0 per cent of the amount so
raised.
"Anothr section of this law provides for
a donation OF books not to exceed 800 in
value to every library established in
town of lot more than 1900 inhabitants.
All the apartment reports, laws and de-
clsions of the courts, published by the
state, AMI distributed to the towns are
placed by law in these free libraries for
the free Use and reference of the people.
Such is, Substantially, the library law in
Maine totay.
''At tn, present time, various forces are
operating along independent lines, which
tend to poduce an Imperative demand
for the FREE library in every town and city
OF Maine Not the least among these
forces an the Unity Clubs and other
literary, artistic and benevolent associa
tons inalgurated and maintained by the
women If Maine. Numerous calls are
made upsn the State library for the loan
of books, by members of these aSsocia
tions. In rural districts, the oranges,
where I'd and young and men and
women, meet and become equally inter
ested in the mental and moral improve
ment of their respective neighborhoods,
the demand tor books of reference as well
as thoscof lighter character is far greater
than thesupply. The lectures Of univer-
sity extension courses and similar associa-
tons for the general education of all the
people arc rapidly creating the need of
large collections of books in every con
siderable community. The changes of
methods of study in public schools of
tie Stae render the reference library
necessary to the proper education Of our
children hove all the wants and needs