Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-19
PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEPTION.
"tu Things Come to Those WHO Wait
President Webber's Theme Remarks
by other Wei Known Citizens.

JvitlN lHNA IlEuhs - &c
Der of prominent citizens were in at
tendance. Interesting speeches were
made and good music redered. The
decorations were appropriate aud beau-
tiful. President wobber was the first
and principal speaker. lie said:
There is a familiar adage to the eff
feet that "all things come to those who
wait" The citizens OF salt Lake have
waited, and their waiting is now re-
warded by the possession of "a free pub
lie library, and you have been invited
10 join with us in defeating 1t under
what / believe to be peculiarly happy
circumstances. Each one of you has
the good fortune to be his own host
as well as his own guest. so there can
be no question as to the pleasure of the
occnsion--no doubt as to its complete
success. This library IL the joint prop
erty of every man, woman and child in
Salt Lake, and the gather ing here Is an
Assembly Of stockholders, meeting to
further the welfare OF their own enter
prise
About 20 years ago the Ladies' Lit
erary club had "a collection of some 200
volumes, which they turned over to
the Masonic fraternity of this city.
These. with the books they then pos
sessed, formed the nucleus of the Ma
We're made, until the library became
quite large. 1t was then transferred
to an Incorporated organization known
as the Pioneer Library association.
Again the Ladies' Literary society rem
dered valuable aid to the new associa-
tion. contributing something over 81, 900
worth of new books. The Cleofan the
Woman's club and perhaps other ladies'
clubs also gave substantial aid. How
much the Masonic and Pioneer libraries
did for cultivation and education Is so
well known that 1t needs no elaboration
on my part It's books have stimu-
lated and entertained hundreds of
Poop lie who would otherwise have had
but little resource in n literary way.
IT In not the intention to weary you
with the obstacles 1t encountered or
the circumstances that have delayed
until now the establishment of IA Ii
brary by the people for the free use
of all, old and young, rich and poor
alike.
"The directors of the library, although
confirmed on Nov. G, found themselves
occupied at the outset with negotia-
lions for the possession OF the Pioneer
books. which of necessity were pro-
longed until Dec. 23 of last year. On
that date, In consideration of 81 400. OBJ
legations incurred by the old associa-
ton, the city became trustee of the
books you now see about you. There
were in all some 10000 volumes, repre-
senting, with the fixtures. an outlay of
s2S.OOO. and an actual cash value today
of at least $4,000. For this liberal gift
the city is indebted to the generosity
of the Masons of Utah and those mem
bers and officials OF the Pioneer ASSOC
citation who promoted the negotiations.
The only condition of the transfer was
that the collection of books should be
maintained as free public library
condition which was gladly accepted
and which we all feel sure will be full
filled.
ION Dec 2s the farmer council granted
the directors the free use of these
rooms. and on New Years morning the
books We're removed from the board
of trade building to this room. The
confusion incident to change of adj
ministration resulted In further delay,
but on Jan. Is the new co ici confirm
ed the action of it's predecessors, and
the work of installation was begun i'm
mediately. The council committees on
control and library. his honor, the may
or, and the members of the council
collectively, have provided for the H.
brary with a liberality that leaves
nothing to be desired They have de-
voted the best rooms to be had. the
heat, light and janitor service, all free,
and with generosity and good will
that has made their bounty doubly APP
preciated. Even the city recorder, Mr.
G.. III. Backman, who was crowded out
to make room for the books, paved the
way for his own Inconvenience and will
ingly sacrificed his own comfort to the
general good.
with such encouragement at the out
set 1t was an easy matter TO do the
rest. AS you know, the library was
opened for business Mt 10 o'clock last
Monday morning. The Developments
"a hA haA Ht=f 10. TT !
gratl1ed the most sanguine friends OF
the library. on the opening day over
200 people visited the rooms During the
three days 23S borrowers cards were
issued, and nearly 800 blank applica-
tons for cards were taken away for
the necessary grantors' signature. II
Is not unusual to see the reading rooms
so crowded that the seating capacity Is
exhausted, and readers are compelled
to use the window lodges for accom-
mediation. In those three days 1876 books
have been taken out and the record
shows constantly increasing demand.
The record also shows that of these
l95 books ~ have been Juvenile works,
sure index OF the book hunger pos
sessing the rising generation. A glance
Mt the vacancies in the Juvenile will
show You that the board has responded
to an urgent demand in placing its first
order of about 500 volumes. most of
NhiNt hit lpl tilt school rn1idren eS-
pecially. / may add that the call for
hooks Ia so pressing that the boards
first business, after the completion of
matters now in hand. will he to secure
the books for which there is an imme-
dlate demand.
For the first year of the library's ex-
istence the available funds for the pur-
chase of new books latter providing for
necessary expenses such ms salaries OF
librarian and assistants cataloging, re-
binding, ETC., etc.,) will be limited T.
therefore, suggest TO those Of YOU who
have books which you feel can be spar-
ed. that you may be sure the library
VIII accept them gladly, and give them
the widest possible field Of Usefulness.
with the record before you it would
he useless TO debate the question as To
whether the library iustifos It's own
existence. The eager delight with
which the children avail themselves Of
Its educational advantages. the crowds
of studious people Of mature age; the
character OF books most in demand
declare with unorrlng certainty the
wisdom of the legislators who passed
the library law. Of the governor who
signed the bin and the council which
provided the means with which 10
establish this institution. As a meas
ure of civic progress and an indIcn
ton of the public intelligence, the
library and It's ponulp r'4-- are subjects
of pride for every thinking citizen. May
we hope that its future viii record an
advance In all that goes to make good
citizenship, in public spirit and intel
lectual growth"
Brief remarks were made Inv Coun-