The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-05-17


first part of this report was listened tC
with calmness, lat the latter the business
manager tainted.
We regret exceedingly to learn of the
several criticisms made on the books
now contained in the library and in
directly on the buying committee. Nc
one but the members of this committee
can realize the effort that is made to buy
with limited means the best and most
suitable books. In the first place it is
taken for granted that the public desires
to read the books OF the day, the books
that are now being read from one end OF
the world to the other. Such books are
selected, and if they are disliked, con-
denim not the committee but the liter
arv taste and the authors of the
present age. Hitherto it has not been
thought best to add the older and more
familiar works, as we have long had in
mind an effort similar to the present
one for the accumulation of a special
sum for this purpose, and if out of our
two-hundred and thirty volumes, fiction
is predominantly represented it is be-
cause fiction is more demanded, but it
has been our earnest effort to supply
only fiction of the highest order. But
tastes differ. One glance
over the titles and with the cOndemna-
tory word ''trash' passes out, yet GER
lainly there are many books on our
shelves worthy any persons reading,
however particular, but whose pages
are spotless, bearing no thumb marks
Indicative of careful perusal. Another
ooks carefully, eagerly and then disap-
and in wailing accents de-
nands MARY j. Holiness" and Bertha
VI. Clay" while the librarian listens
surely the next mentioned
will be 'Nick Carter, but happily so far
las been saved from nervous prostrat-
on. What is buying committee to do?
They can only be governed by their best
and despite the often re-
)eated plea that eve want books only
or amusement reading,' yet it is the
Judgement of the present committee
hat they have no right to buy books
which possess no literary merit, which
end to lower literary taste and which
cultivate in our young readers a liking
or light and utterly valueless reading.
Such a taste once developed is hard
o overcome and it is useless afterwards
o place within reach books which ele-
7ate and refine. We realize that the ben
,fits which must necessarily result from
| library such as we hope to make ours,
will not accrue to us in any very great
measure, but to the rising generation, so
t behooves us to be careful what we
olace within their reach.
The work of every successful author is
written for a purpose, contains one CEN
raj thought, one theme, endeavors to
each lesson that is good and whole
some. The careful reader will grasp
his theme, the cursory reader will
Miss it and if as is often the case in pres
mt day books it is clothed in light Ian
,uage, is apt to condemn the book.
Books should not only be read but
studied.
The object of our library is to supply
| long felt want, to give the opportunity
o those who wish higher educational
advantages, chance to crafty their
astes, to those who wish to keep step
With the literary progress of the age, an
'asy way of so doing, to pass time rem
lering ngamusementcombi withculture,
md to juvenile readers training school
or the mind, valuable aid and sup
BORT in the pursuance of their studies.
We wish our library to be used for
general reference by our scholars and
.itizens. Yesterday this object seemed
futile hope, a dream soon to fade,
oday it is a proud realization. For
what we have accomplished this year
We have determined to do next
ear and the year afterward and soon
Until the contribution of a few dollars