Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-21

ScdiS hS A'ipiioSidpHy VI Mdlue
by Hon. Joseph Williamson of Belfast
and 1.-THE Debates Of the Constitution
al Convention Of Maine, 1S19-1s2O, with
Historical Sketches" by Hon. Charles
Z. Nash of Augusta.
While nearly every State in the I'm
ion has completed or has now in pro-
gress a geological and typographical
survey Of it's domains, Maine has moth
ing of this nature, in any convenient
form, if, indeed, it exists in any form.
1t has been the purpose of this de-
partment to procure as rapidly as
means would permit the original re-
ports of the decisions of the leading
courts of every English speaking peo-
pie on the globe.
In entering upon this line of policy
it became important to secure the re-
ports of the courts of Great Britain
in preference to those of the colonial
courts, for this reason large portion
of the special appropriation for the
library has been expended in the pur-
chase of the law reports of England.
1t is estimated that the sum of $1,000
will be required to purchase the re-
naming volumes of these reports.
The library now has about one half
Of the law reports of the Canadian
provinces but these are comparatively
useless without the remaining vol
umes. The Irish and Scotch reports
will be needed in the near future to
and make complete the re-
ports of England.
during the past year to obtain ex-
change with Canada and Australia in
this class of books, as a consequence
of these efforts the library is now re-
ceiving the reports of the supreme court
Of the Dominion of Canada in ex-
change for our own supreme court re-
ports. but there are still several pro-
lincial courts whose reports can be OBJ
tanned in no other way than by pur-
chase. The laws and decisions of the
provinces of Great Britain
ire coming to be regarded as of the
first Importance and value from the
act that the most noted and radical
'eforms in government and law during
he last decade have originated in that
The donations to the library have
been less numerous than heretofore, |
'ut have been of a marked improve
nent in, character The establishment |
If free public libraries serves to div
rt these donations from the State to
ocal collections.
Since Jan. LIST, 1895. twelve free public
ibraries have been established in
faine, and thus $4,000 volumes of care
ully selected books have been offered
rec to the reading public. While the
reater number of these libraries have
imply changed from corporate asso-
iations, charging a yearly fee for the
Use off their books, to free libraries.
he effect upon the patronage of the
ublic has exceeded the expectations
f the most ardent advocate of these
opular institutions of learning.
To inquiries concerning the effect of
MS change upon the circulation of the
brary, the invariable answer has been
hat the use of books and the number
f patrons are from three to five times
rcater than under the fee system.
There are in Maine so free libraries
aving a total of IA, 900 volumes, while
n the associate libraries, numbering
I, are found a total of 10000 volumes,
nd it will not be unwarranted by the
acts, to hazard the assertion, that
hree times as many persons are ac-
and served with good
aading by the free libraries as receive
lstruction in the fee taking libraries.
[ere is a distinct saving of money and
me and a corresponding increase in
he intellectual interest of each COM
lunity where a free library exists.
Another great object and end at
aimed by the establishment of a free
brary is, that through it's influence
re reading of the community can. in
great measure, be directed to a high
r class of literature, and habits of
Judy inculcated and revived in the
,inds of those who have long since
1T schools. Even the novel reading
abits of a community may be. in
;me degree eradicated or changed by
he cultivation of taste for higher
lass of literature, and a healthier
lass Of fiction may be substituted for
ne five and ten cent novels of the cir