The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-06-05
The City library.

iTOH tue NeUS- tNpTces uiSttuCtls Tue
10Th century library spirit. From the
time when the knowledge of how to
read was confined to few who were
supposed to have made a trade with the
devil for his mysteries in black and
white, up to the present time when there
is still vestige Of the feeling that
books must be handed to the many by
the few, that the many cannot with
safety be allowed to make their own Sc
lections from the shelves. In some Of
the largest libraries of this country the
principle that the books are the peoples
has been put into practice. The people
60 to the shelves, look up the book they
wish. being directed thereto by atten-
dants who replace the books on the
shelves after closing hours. Reports from
these libraries show that very few books
are stolen in comparison with the in
creased number loaned. As Mr.. Pentzer
says tho idea OF a public library is not
60 much TO assist the research of the
learned, there are special libraries for
them. but to get the poor and ignorant
into the reading habit, to accustom
them to the sight of books, to the
handling of them, till they are as init
mate with books as those who have
libraries OF their own. The city
library is a public one, the people are
taxed to support it. and the library
board should see to it that the people
have free access to the books and extra
work would re recompensed by the
interest in books, which is the only
important and final reason for the
library's existence.
As Mr.. Pentzer was about to retire
from the board he made brief address
OF leave taking, in substance as follows:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN-On retiring from
this board l wish to express my appre-
citation Of the many courtesies shown
me by fellow members and for that
spirit of fairness that has accorded to
me the right of opinion on questions
on which / have not agreed with the
majority. l wish also to give my tribute
of praise to our librarian. have found
her at all times patient. kind and faith
full, anxious to make the library help
full to the greatest number Of persons.
NV work on the board has made it
necessary for me to become acquainted
with the past history OF this library and
have noted with pleasure the changes
that have been made from year to year
ir the line Of improvement. Even in
the short space OF three years great
progress has been made. Our rooms are
we'll adapted and easy of access and our
oppol tunities for good have been greatly
increased Frsm the small beginning
OF few volumes donated by philan-
thropic citizens, from the little library
supported by voluntary contributions,
our library has grown into field Of
usefulness, where it may become one Of
the great public libraries OF the vest.
These who supported it in its struggles
for existence in a frontier town twenty
years ago, deserve great praise. They
did noble work. IL they have kept
pace with the progress Of events and are
in touch with the new conditions that
the library must meet now their re-
tention ON this board is wise and jus.
and proper re recognition Of past service.
II they have not kept informed Of what
is being done in the library world and
are content with the achievements Of
the past, their reappointment on the
board is very unfortunate.