Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-11-25
COUNTY LIBRARIES.
REPORT OF THE STATE LIBRARY CON-
MISSION is OUT.

Leads in Number of Free Libraries.
The second biennial report of the Ii
brary commissioners Of Vermont just has
been issued. 1t is very interesting
document for the bibliophile, containing
as it does history of all the libraries
of the state, together with tabulated
statistics of each county. Fine half-tone
pictures of library buildings also are
given. 1t appears that at the time of
the closing of the report the 243 towns
of the state contained 90 free public IL
braries and 30 charging an annual fee or
used by stockholders only. This leaves
l44 towns in the state without free
public library facilities. Addison county
contains nine libraries, of which four are
free. They are located in eight towns,
Middlebury having two. Fifteen towns
remain without libraries. Windsor
county has nearly twice as many free
libraries as any other county in the
state, her record being II towns with
such libraries and only six without.
In the history of the various libraries
we find the following concerning those
in Addison county:
The Middlebury Ladies Library asso-
citation organized March, 1866. Const-
tuition drawn up by the late Dugald
Stewart, Esq, at the residence of
Madame Wainwright. First year, the
books were kept in two drawers at
Beckwith & Co.'s store, Mr.. Chas. Pin
ney having the care of them. Second
year, moved to Mr.. Parker's bookstore,
Miss Parker, librarian. Third and
fourth years, moved to the rear end of
n, P. Barbour's shoe store, Miss Julia
Beckwith and Miss Mary Seymour, Ii
brarians. In 1870 rented a small room
in Buttolph Block, $40; in 1874, room
enlarged, rent increased; spring of 1887
moved to the bank building. Miss Hig-
lev has been librarian since 1873, with
three assistants. Mrs. Oscar Cushman
has been librarian since 1856, assuming
half the duties. For a few years the
library has been open on Wednesdays.
The membership fee wasIS2 until 1887,
since it has been 81. One year ago the
association had small amount left it by
Mr.. Cotton of Weybrdge. The sum is
not yet known. In April of the present
year $4,000 was willed1 the association by
Miss Starr. In both cases only the in
come is to be used.
The library of Middlebury college,
while first of all collegiate and one of
the centers OF the academic life, is never
theless public in many of its features.
No restrictions are placed on its use as a
reference library by any who may wish
to so employ it, and large numbers of its
books are loaned, without charge, to
residents of Middlebury and vicinity.
In this regard the policy of the authori-
ties is most liberal. The library contains
between II, 900 and $4,000 volumes, eX-
elusive of government publications, of
which it is a depository. In its older
elements, dating back for more than
ninety years, its makeup is similar to
that of many another-it is an aggrega-
tion of bequests, of the books Of local
societies since dead and of the scanty
purchases of time when finances were
far from easy. OF the student societies
whose books went finally to swell the
collegiate collection, the chief were the
Philadelphia (religious) and the Phil
Omatherian Citerary). In its later and
more important growth, the accessIons
have been directed not only to the en-
larging of general lists, but to the en-
riching of the various departmental
collection. 1t is hoped that the college
will be able to celebrate its centennial
in 1900 by the dedication of a new library
building. For this the plans have al
ready been prepared; if carried out they
will result in beautiful structure cost
ing some $50, 900 and admirably adapted
to making possible the most approved
library methods. Librarian, c. B.
Wright.
The Bristol Library association con-
tains about 1000 volumes. The books
are rented for any length of time, within
year. Librarian, Mrs. John R. Kill
born.
AT Cornwall Mr.. Gilbert Cook Lane,
by his will, left a legacy of 500 to aid
in establishing library, provided that
the town, or individuals, would by sub
scription or otherwise, increase the sum
to $500. Availing themselves of this
stimulus several gentlemen organized a
Joint stock company. By the llberality
of several subscribers in taking five
shares each, more than the requisite
amount was secured. An association
was formed near the close of 1859 called
the LANE Library Association of Corn
wall" The association now owns 1026
volumes. The librarian, Mrs. E. O..
Porter, gives her services.
The Granville Free library, established
in 1895, by vote of the town, contains
POS volumes. 1t received the state grant
of books, and depends for its support on
the Sl5 appropriated annually by the
town. Librarian, Bessie Hubbard.
The Orwell Free library was estab-
lished in 1896 under No. 81 of the acts
of 1894. 1t received the state aid of
800 worth of books, and is supported
by an annual tax of $50. The librarian,
Mrs. Rodney d. Hall, serves without
compensation.
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