The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
TEXAS woMnN's CLUBS.
Their Effort 10 Establish Free Pub
lie libraries In Tcxns.


lie libraries I'm Tcxns.
The following self explanatory circular has
been Issued by committee from the Texas
Federation OF womens Literary Clubs;
TO the Federated Clubs of Texas.
At tho first regular convention of our State
Federation. held in TYLER last April. n roso-
luton was adopted picdsing the federated
clubs OF Texas to the work OF The Estab-
lslmept OF Free Public Libraries In Texas
and the undersigned were appointed MS COM
initteo on the same,
IL Is with IA deep sense OF the responsibility
OF rightly inanyurating an enterprise OF sucn
inheritance ana Of snch iar"reaching lnnuence
THAI your coinliiuoo submits the followng
pans aud suggostons;
1he existing conditons OF communities 80
diner that no one plan VIII apply 10 Al; hence
1t rs recommended that local conditions be
first thoroughly studied, SO to utilize all
possible material IN outlining plan that wili
meet the requirements OF your especial COM
mnnlty Tho nrst and most important Work
OF the clubs Is TO agitate the question OF ioe,l
libraries thus fostering and educating public
sentiment In this direction until the radiatlng
influence shall compass the state competing
moro favorable Legislation. AZ powerful
factor 70 this end. oni president. Mrs. Rotan,
has secured assurances OF the most cardn
Endorsement and cooperation from tho Texas
Press association also as co-wofkers we haya
the army OF teachers IN our schools, both pti-
waite and public; the clergy we may ccrtainiy
count with us. Thus our arrayed forces pre-
sent solid phalanN for seli-culture and intel
lectuRl progress In Texas. We recommend IN
each community the organization OF literary
associations, outside Of but operating with tho
clubs that All may be enlisted, Especially
we emphasize the necessity OF intereslins
men. for we need the broad scope Of thought
the accurate business methoos ana me ma,
tcrial aid of our men This association should
be organized with board Of directors, mar
being club members, and q LIBERAL pfogfos-
Sye practical man for president Local con-
ditions should be studied, and, II practicable,
the municipal aid allowed under the present
nat. l.taF vol
organized their work. tho mention OF some
plans adopted may be suggestive. Tho idea az
PUBLIC library building and club honie COM
hincd Is very attractive RDd has been adopted
In some OF the towns.
The XXI Club OF Denisou. through the lib-
crafty Of friends and It's own energy, has
operated on the circulating subscription basis.
thus securing revenue; In time THIS WIZ
doubtless be merged Into a free public IL
brary. Loekhart. by bequest of former cit
izen, IL 10 have public library under the
auspices OF tho Irving club, Waco, has a
library association co-operating with tho
clubs. whose aim ia a public library for that
city. The Woman's Club OF Waco. through
the generous phllsspthropy Of It's member. ous
tinguished honor OF inangurating the nrst
travelling library In the. state. Fort Worth
also has n. chartered library association IN
estcd: the object being, a library building
and club chambers combined; site and q
good nucleus for a building fund has been
ries have been established. but are crippled
as to revenue and they should be fostered In
many, places small but growing Libraries are
gaining ground with the people. In thesi
cases tho most tangible plan followed has
to boes sy
entertainments. etc.; have the IL
brary open two afternoons Ia the week. ap-
week. and follow the stricteat business meth.
DDS This Is inexpensive. and though a small
beginning, 10 perhaps sufest. 10 that II gives
library, and once this ~ experienced It will
grow. md community will no more 90
without its free library than It's public
Our federation has wisely called 10 the aid
Of your committee an advisory COMMITTEES o.
a x. s'ats g
lntendent Of Public Instruction Prof. Carlisle.
Judge Rufus Hardy OF Corsicana, Mr.. G:
q bess snS NJ have sxsassS
Of their hearty corporation. DR.. Winston has
proffered 10 take up the library In connection
Which wi1 n, he contemporaries making tour q the
state this winter. and most -gensrousiy pro-
poses TO address the public wherever the clnbs
mend that the clubs avail Themselves Of this
valuable assistance and suRxest early CORE
.pondence with Or. winston that dates may
We " , Your i; COMMITTEES. respectfully submit
these Suggestions 20 the earnest constdesation
. our club women Surely Sc ,'. = .s re a%s
good so 70 our State. Lea v bring Y this vsrk I
! noble resolve 70 succeed. rememnsrex -Ws
are pot measure e. S " 49, - ~ - nor =
W -'''' ~ M. ). 3. Tssrsii, a. -. 4 ]
Ms. Els.pas pr.e5 :: e. ~, !. .,8'
MrA wiisis p. ileuss. ",
Ars C. 9 Hspna.9{Il ,,.,..