The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-14
BUTTE News.
ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES
An Interesting Paper Read by
Mrs. P. A. Wiseman
BEFORE THE WOMAN'S CLUB
The Early History of Public Libraries
Lost in the Mist OF Antiquity-The
Pleasure of Reading Lasts When
All Other Pleasures Fail.

The following very instructive paper
was read by Mrs. Philip a. Wiseman at
the meeting of the Woman's club on
Wednesday:
The date of the first establishment of
public libraries is lost in the mists of an
tiuuity The inscribed bricks found in
rows and tiers of shelves buried under
the sands of the Assyrian desert are The
remains of an extensive royal or public
library and many of these are copies or
compilations of similar books existing in
other collections centuries earlier. Proba-
bly, this kind of library came into exist
ence with the art of writing. for soon
there Were written records of nation
they would be preserved much tho
state Jewels were.
AT seats of learning they likewise grew
up, as the famous one at Alexandra.
Their value, even at that time, may he
estimated by the wide gap between the
learning of the ancient and modern
worlds. that is supposed to have been
made by the destruction of the Alexan-
drian library.
During the middle ages Of Europe the
monasteries and the universities were the
custodians of learning. There were pre-
served the precious manuscripts. con-
suited then by the scholar only but we
cannot estimate the service 10 the mod
ern world that these libraries rendered in
thus preserving the treasures of classic
lore. But il remained for the 18th cen
tury to usher in the circulating library
movement, and it is with pride and sat
isfaction that we can say it had its in
cepton in America. 1t was in 1872 that
through the efforts of that famous printer
and philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, was
established what he himself said was to
be 1.-The mother of all the North American
subscription libraries" He and several
of his friends hroIIpbf thgjr hoplss IN
room of one of the members Here "A IL
brarian was in attendance one hour on
Wednesdays and two hours Saturdays.
and the records state that the librarian
was to permit any civil gentleman TO
peruse the books of the library, in the IL
brary room. but not to lend, or suffer to
be taken out of the library by any person
who Is not subscribing member. any
OF the said books. Many cities and
towns followed Franklins example.
The next step toward supplying books
TO the people was taken by New York i'm
1885, when IL passed law which allowed
the voters of any school district To tax
themselves for the foundation and main
fenance of library. Similar laws were
adopted by other states. On account of
administrative difficulties these laws have
not proved satisfactory and have in most
states been superseded by statutes pro-
viding for the establishment and support
of free town libraries
Our English cousins followed our ex-
ample in 1850 in the passage of the public
library act which allows the rate PAYERS
of any borough to levy tax not exceed
ing one penny in the pound, that Is four
mills to the dollar.
France followed later i'm the 70s
Among the first libraries founded in
America under these laws was the Boston
public library, opened in 1854 There is a |
far cry from Ffankln's library with its |
handful of books. to our great libraries |
OF to-day. Three that are most in the pub. |
lie eye al this time are the Boston public |
library she Chicago public library and /
the Congressional library at Washinctc. |
which nave recently been moved into |
their new homes. Buildings upon which /
architect and painter and sculptor have |
wrought their cunning skill till they stand |
peerless monuments OF Americas liberal |
ity and culture. The Congressional library |
has some advantages over every other,
under the copyright laws. which stiruiate
mat Two copies Of every work copyrighted /
must be sent to the Congressional library |
from this source alone. therefore
there is an enormous yearly in
crease In the year 1896 it was 55 SOC publi-
cations of all kinds. As this is, FOR the
general public. reference library emily.
II is of incalculahle value as a storehouse
of American literature.
A recent development of the library idea
is the free travelling library" which is
for the benefit of country districts These
had their origin in New York. and have
been adopted in several states. Thirty or
forty books are put up in a strong box
or case, which has a shelf. double doors
with lock and key, a record book for
loans, printed copies of the few simple
rules, borrowers blanks. and so complete
a hhe OF equipments that 1t could be set
up anywhere on table. box or
counter, and managed as an independent
library This is sent into a country dis
trict with these conditions: The residents
of the districts must form local library
associations of responsible people. elect
secretary and a librarian. They must
agree TO have the books well cared for