davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12
BOOKS IN SOME OF
THE TOWNS UP NORTH
Written for the Standards Library

Written for the Standards Library
Edition.
The public library In Great Falls had
Its origin In the Valera Library as
sociation. an organisation which owed
its birth to . few books donated by
Mrs. Paris Gibson. Mrs. J. J. Hill and
Mrs. 8. e. Chowen. These books con-
stituted the nucleus of the library
of the association on its FIRST meet
ing on June %, 1883. That meeting. AZ
which were present H. &. Cnowen.
Jesse s. Ladd. A. e. Dickerman, Theo-
dore Gibson. J. p. Leslie and Z. IA.
Webster. did nothing save to ran
for the further solicitation Of ooks.
This was done through the summer
and quite a lumber had been obtained
by the time the association had Its
second meeting on Nov. Is of the same
year. Then 1t was decided to incorpor-
ate the society. This was done with
a capital stock of l 1000 with a share
value of IS. A large number Of out
siders were secured and a board of
directors consisting Of n. o. Chowen,
Mrs. A. G. Ladd. H. p. Rolfe. e. @.
Maclay, Theodore Gibson, w. M. Cock
rill and d. L. Tracy was elected. Rob-
ert williams was also elected to be
librarian.
About the same time the townsite
company generously donated q lot on
Third street north for the use OF the
association. A building of brick wal
started on the lot In the latter part
of the year and art exhibitions and
other entertainments were given for
the purpose Of bolstering up the wan
ing of the association. In
spite of all these efforts the enterprise
was far from self-supporting, and on
q NoA0 49, IA -,ns AaxAA 90 AkA
1t from the hands of the association.
This was done. the city pledging itself
to expend the sum of $1,000 annually.
During the past two years the library
has set aside the sum Of $500 annually
out Of it's appropriation, to be used as
a building fund. the present building
becoming too small for the accommo-
dalton of the library's patrons. As now
arranged the building containing the
library is a one-story brick structure
divided into two rooms one being used
as a stack room and the other as a
reading room. In the latter all OF the
leading periodicals Of the country are
kept on file and also the state papers.
The patronage of the reading room is
extensive, particularly through the
winter evenings.
In the distribution Of books q librar-
ian and an assistant are kept busy.
The former Is Miss Belle Browne. now
serving her fourth year., and Miss N.
M. Ladd is her assistant. At he pres
ent time the stacks contain 400 vol
umes, to which constant additions are
being made. The number Of those
holding cards emitting them to draw
books is 1921. Under recent munich
pal administrations the plan has been
formed of setting aside each year out
of the $1,000 annually appropriated by
the city for library purposes the sum
of $500, which is carried in a building
fund. As the city becomes larger and
the patronage of the library n the
needs and demands of the public in
crease, ii Is intended to add to the
present building and II possible pur-
chase additional ground
j. G. G. T.
Great Falls, June 6, 1898.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12

the following clubs have me there
regularly:
Atlas club. Ladies).
Homer club. Uadies).
Unity club. ladies and gentle
mem.
Students OF Nature. (Boys).
Besides the clubs. W classes from
the Washington school have met In the
room weekly and under the supervis-
ion of a teacher have studied the col
lection of books In the library in con-
nection with their course in United
States history.
During the time the library has been
open to the public. which Is a little
over four years. something like a half
a million volumes have been issued
either for home use for consultation In
the library. The percentage of fiction
has averaged about 721a, which indi-
Gates a healthy literary taste in the
community. The percentage of histor-
ical and technical books issued has
been gratifying. The library Ia abso-
lutely free to every resident OF Silver
Bow county, which contains 900 square
miles. though the great bulk of the
patronage is confined to the W
square miles which are included in the
corporate limits OF Butte. Besides
books, a number of copies OF current
magazines are issued for home use for
a short period.
The capacity of the present book
stack is between 10000 and $4,000 vol
umes. and would now be pretty well
exhausted except for the large number
OF volumes ION April / of this yea 1t
VAS nearly 2,000) which are in constant
circulation. The stacks are Of steel.
japanned and trimmed with copper, of
a plan designed specially for the IL
brary. and add greatly to the attract
iveness of the room.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12
HON THE BUTTE LIBRARY STARTED
Mt. Davies Tells the Story Of the Times When the Move.
ment in That City Took Its Start, and He
Rectes the Gratifying Results.

brary committee of the city council
was appointed to attend to the ar
rangements and H.. NJ. Patterson was
selected as architect and superintend-
ent. But Unforeseen delays occurred
in the construction of the building and
IT was not till February. 1894, that the
main room was finally ready for occu-
pancy.
The building as completed consists
OF two stories and a basement. and Is
situated at the southwest corner of
Broadway and Academy street. a
short block from ark street and a
long block from Main street. the two
principal business streets of Butte.
The full cost was about 500. 900.
The basement is used as an armory
by the Silver Bow companies of the
Montana National Guard. The upper
floor consists of an auditorium and is
granted or rented for public purposes
and entertainments by the city coun-
ell.
The main noor il devoted to the IL
brary proper. This fool contains
something less than 5000 u feet.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12

Of unselnsh interest n the advance
nent and welfare of the human race
have endeared themselves to the tUs-
t~ice-loving hearts Of the laboring peo-
Pile. Among them are TO b found he
pictures Of Abraham Lincoln. W. j.
Bryan, Eugene v. Debs. several past
presfdepts Of the local union and last.
but not least, that OF John X. Cast
ner. b father Of the greatest coal
ramp in the great Northwest.
These portraits are especially valued
by the Belt Greek Miners union be-
cause they were all executed by James
Miner. . m.mber Of the union. now
employed in the mines At this place.
The officers Of h library are elected
semi-annually. with the exception of
the librarian, who. on the first Of jan
uary of each year. IL elected to serve
for II months. The present Officers
are DR.. F. c. Lawyer. president; Mrs.
j. b. McDermott. vice president: J. B.
McDermott. secretary: T. q. Healey.
treasurer: w. r. 0lasscock.- John
Sweeney and Mrs. Fred Hill. trustees;
Mrs. Eta Clingan, librarian. II. n.
Belt, June 5. 1893.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12

Written for the Standards Library
Edition.
The public library OF Bozeman Is not
a very old one. 1t had Its inception
about the year 1883, its foundation be-
ing constructed with books which had
made up a small library Of the Young
Mems Christian association which an
attempt had been made to establish.
but which lasted but a short while.
The books thus obtained were added
to by the help of voluntary subscrip-
tions from time to time until a goodly
number had been gathered together.
Certain ladies undertook to look after
these books and issue them to the pub
lie. and the library itself was kept in
several years.
After some futile attempts had been
made to keep the library together and
in working order IL was abandoned.
and the books boxed up in a back
room in a mall house on Main street.
but while there the building was
burned and some OF the books de-
stroyed. Then the good work was
again taken up by some Of the ladies
of the city and with the aid of volun-
tary subscriptions quite a substantial
library was obtained after a ear or
two. the same plan being followed as
i'm the nrst place. viz: Certain ladies
and gentlemen would take turn and
turn about to give out the books and
arrange them. Quarters were given
some years g in the city hall for
this library. and in 1891 an ordinance
was passed by the city council impos-
ing a tax of one-half a mill for the
support of a public library. The Ii
brary was then turned over to the city
and directors We're appointed. the first
OF whom were Mesdames Walter Coop
er. Il. T.. Davidson. Miss Belle Girls
man. Messrs. Peter Koch. r. j. Mes
bit and Rev. +. Il. Lewis. The same
directors are In Office now with the ex-
ception of +. J. Nesbit and Miss Girls
man, and i'm their place Mrs. Lester s.
Wilson and DIR. Higgins have been
elected. Miss Belle X Crisman has
been the Official librarian since Janu-
airy. 1896. and her sister. Miss Bette
Crisman. Is her assistant.
For the fiscal year ending with April.
isss, the number OF volumes loaned
amounted TO about 1900. n there
are about $50 cards In constant use.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12
EN- OVER IN BOHEMIAN THEY HAVE MADE GOOD START

During the year 4Ss new books were
purchased. the ordinance requiring
one-half of the amount of the tax as
sessed each year, which brings in an
income of about 81, 900, to be used in
the acquisition of new books, but so
far about two-thirds of the whole
amount is used annually. The library
has some 400 books on it's shelves.
among which are found most of the
later works in literature. history,
science and art by the best known au-
thors. as well as the usual assemblage
of fiction and standard works. The Ii
brary Is growing rapidly and in a
short while, from a small beginning.
will be a collection formed of which
the city car we'll feel proud. and espe-
cially those citizens who worked so
hard for IL in It's inception.
The library of the state college Of
agriculture and mechanic arts was
started upon the establishment of the
college In 1898. and has e in opera
ton for five years. The library has
been supported entirely from the Nor
rill fund of 1890. The system is as fol-
lows: The executive board appro-
PIRATES yearly from 81, 900 to 81. 500 for
the support of the library and reading
room. Then the appropriation Is divid-
ed among the different departments,
and the heads OF departments prepare
lists of books and magazines needed
In each of these departments from
time to time. There are in the library
at the present time about 5000 vol
umes and some 5000 pamphlets and
bulletins: the whole library being cat
alogued on the Dewey system. The IL
brary is for the special benefit of the
students and faculty, inc yet out
siders may borrow upon the same
terms as the students. The object is
To make the library as far as possible
a means OF culture and encouragement
To the students to consult II freely.
IL has been carefully selected and is
in that the standard works
in the literature. history and the vari-
Gus sciences are found in Ii. In the
reading room may be found the lead
ing dailies OF the state and many of
the weekly papers. About 20 journals
and magazines are also taken. The IL
orary he situated In the southwest COR
ner OF the nrst floor in the main COL
lege building. The apartment is 5
feet long by % feet in width. and a
Well lighted apartment. The library is
in charge of a LIBRARIAN who Is ap-
pointed by the executive.
Boxeman, June 6, 1888
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12
WHAT MSSOULHS LIBRARY EXPERIENCE has BEEN

Written for the Standards Library
Edition.
The need of q public library in Mis-
soula has been realized for many
years. and numerous attempts have
been made to establish such an insti-
tuition which should be free or of
which the membership fees should be
n small as possible.
The earliest attempt In this direc-
tion dates as far back as 1882. when a
Ladies' Reading Circle was formed.
This circle accumulated a few books.
which were not distributed when the
circle disbanded. but were kept intact
~ith the understanding that when a
public library should be organized the
entire collection should be donated
20 Il.
In lsss the Chautauqua wave reached
Missouls and the reading circle was
succeeded by . local circle OF the
league. Entertainments were given to
raise funds and books were purchased
with which to form h nucleus of a
public library. This circle was main
aained for four years and then was
discontinued.
In January, 1890, a movement was
inaugurated which resulted in the or
ganisstio n and equipment Of a small
circulating library of about 800 vol
umes- This was supported by the fees
OF members IND by donations from
business men. This was continued
with varying success until the passage
Of the Montana law authorizing cities
90 levy Q library tar.
Missoula awaited herself of the OPP
portunity afforded by this Law and in
1ass the question OF a free public H.
brary was agitated-
In the spring OF 1884 an ordinance
establishing q free public library and
levying q tax OF one-half miR was
submitted to the people and carried by
. vote OF $40 for the library to lis
against IL. The mayor appointed a
board Of ak directors and the work OF
organising the library began.
The books that were left from the
collection Of the reading circle and
Subscription libraries were recata-
l0gued and added to h fresh pur-
chasee. n ON Nov. -. 1894. the IL
brary Vas opened to the public.
The patronage of b library soon far
excoe1ed that anticipated by he direc-
torA and efforts were made 10 secure
lnrr6r and better quarters. but with
cat success, until last fan. when quar-
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12

ters were secured on the second hosr
of a building that was being erected.
The plans were changed to suit IL
brary purposes, with the result that Ii
now has what is said to be n of the
best reading rooms in the state, with
ample space to accommodate the books
that may be purchased during the next
ten years.
The tax of one-half mill. producing
an income of about si.l00, was too
small TO meet the demands of the read
ing public and the requirements OF
the library. In the spring of 1897 the
directors e~ndeavored to have the tax
increased. blu met with failure. In
March this year they tried II again,
and persuaded the city council to pass
an ordinance submitting the question
of an increase of tax to one mill. This
Mas voted upon at the annual spring
election, and out of a very light vote
received a majority of ia. After Dec.
I, 1888. the library will nav an income
Of from 81. 200 to s2.4oo per year.
The library liz governed by a board
OF six directors. who serve for the term
Of two years each. two directors being
appointed by the mayor each year. The
city treasurer acts as treasurer OF the
library, paying out money upon war
rants signed by the president N sec
rotary of the board of directors.
The library contains about $500 vol
umes. exclusive OF government publi-
cations, OF which there are about 1900.
the library being n of the govern
ment repositories and receiving copies
of all books and pamphlets issued from
the government printing Office at
Washington.
One thousand four hundred and
twenty-three borrowers cards have
been issued to date: 80 of these have
been Cancelled. leaving l.2l3 in very ac-
tive use. an average OF 1.6lS books
having been issued each month dur
ing the past year. During the same
period an average of l.S23 persons have
visited the library each month.
The magazine and periodical list is
comprised of some 50 publications. II
is expected that this list VIII be large
~ increased next year.
The library a proved OF inesti-
mable advantage TO the public schools
and university students. and IL Is In
tended, when the increased income be-
comes available. 10 add largely TO the
library such books and works of ref
erence as will meet the wants of the
students and other patrons of the Ii
brary. j. w. b.
Missoula, June 4, 1885.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12

written for the Standards Library
Edition.
Since the Belt free public library
was opened and formally turned over
to the public, that institution has en-
joyed a very healthy growth, both In
the matter Of patronage and financial
support. Belt 10 indebted to the Min
ers' union for this most creditable IL
brary and reading room. When the
Miners union building was nrst talked
Of II was the expressed intention OF
b union to provide . reading room
for members OF the union only. Later
on. when the building was nearing
completion. 1t was decided to turn the
library 6ver to the public. 30 that all
persons might enjoy the reading room
privileges.
The Miners union on Jan. 1 formally
turned over to the public the use Ind
management Of the library. On Feb.
10 Mrs. Eta Clingan. after q spirited
contest, was elected librarian. and she
has fully demonstrated that her
friends knew what they were about
when they worked so hard and 10y
ally for her election.
The reading room and library il on
the FIRST floor of the Miners union
building and II . pleasant. o and
well Lighted room. The union furnishes
the room. light and fuel to the library
association. free Of charge, and as q
part Of the public share whatever 9TH
err expenses may become neces-
sary. They nave now about 600 bound
volumes in the English language, 80
Scandinavian and 100 Ffnlander books.
making in all $50 bound volumes.
These books make up h circulating
library and have all been contributed
by friends of the institution. They
embrace the most popular books of the
day, including history. science, ntera-
ture and art. The library 10 open from
1 to 5 d. m. and from Z to 10 p. m.
every day. The library enjoys q mem
bership of over 400, who a as month";
ly dues the sum of Is cents. This, to-
gether with the sums realised from oc-
casional entertainments. pays all run
ming expenses and permits h of1cers
10 make an occasional valuable add
ton to the reading matter.
Persons desiring to draw books from
the library for home perusal are asked
to deposit $500 as a guarantee for the
safe return of the book. This money
il refunded upon the withdrawal Of
the person from the library or upon
the return of the book II 30 requested.
The regular meetings Of the library
association occur on the second Satur-
day of each month. At the next reg
ular meeting a proposition will be pre-
scented providing that all those who
have contributed books to the value
of $500 or more will not be required to
make the deposit of 500. In addition
to the circulating library is the public
reading room, which is open from 8 a..
m. to 10 p. m. 1866 days in the year,
and is free for every n This read
ing room is supplied with all of the
magazines, leading newspapers, etc.,
very nearly all the prominent daily and
weekly newspapers of the state having
contributed a complimentary subscrip-
ton or named a greatly reduced rate.
Around the walls of the reading room
are grouped India nj portraits OF vari-
Gus prominent persona who have be-
come identified with. the interests OF
organized labor or who by their acts
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12

Written for the Standards Library
Edition.
The employees of the Sand Coulee
Coal company met on Jan. 70, 1891,
and formally organized the Sand Cou-
lee Library association for the purpose
town Of Sand Coulee q library and
reading room. At the meeting the sum
Of $325 was Immediately pubscrIbed,
Officers were appointed md rules and
regulations drawn up ana adopted.
Practically nothing further was done
until the following August, when
rooms in the bank building were rent.
ed by h association. n a modest
start made. with a reading room and q
small circulating library. This nucleus
was gradually added to until in the
spring Of 1895 the present two story
frame building was erected by the So
ciety. The ground was generously do
mated by the Sand Coulee company
and the cost Of the building, $500. was
betrayed by the society.
In the meantime the society had been
steadily growing. Articles of incor-
poration were filed on April ~. 1892.
and the number Of members and the
patronage OF the library grew apace.
An initiation fee of 81 II charged and
each member pays monthly dues of
rs cents. the evenu received from
his source amounting to sums varying
from SS5 to $40 monthly. The society
at the present time is In q very -four
ishing condition. The lower floor of
the new building is used as a library.
reading room and gymnasium, while
the second floor Is made into a hall
which is rented for dances and public
gatherings and constitutes another
source Of revenue. The association
owns 1000 volumes and according to
the records kept by h librarian $50
Of these are drawn each week. The
reading room IL supplied with all of
the leading magazines and state pa
pers. including the Standard. In adj
dition to papers printed in English.
there are a number of German and
Slav papers. y
The present officers of the %associa-
ton are: President, John Fisher: vice
president, j. F.. Hughes; treasurer, j.
f. S%tockett: secretary and librarian,
James Martin; trustees, d. NJ. Wood.
John O'Hare, John Vernon, William
Dick and Ernest Downing. In addi-
ton to the above there are also semi
private libraries belonging to the Finn
and Scandinavian societies OF Sand
Coulee. r. M.
Sand Coulee, June s. 1898.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12

s. The printed catalogue. This gives
author. title. serial and individual BIZ
ographical subject entries OF the full
contents OF the library, July Is, 1894.
This is available for reference in the
library rooms or issued for home use
for a period of four days.
Z. Typewriter lists of additions to
the library from July Is, 1894. to Sept.
1. 1897. These are available for refer
ence in the library rooms or Issued for
home use for a period of four days.
8. A library bulletin containing the
additions to the library from Jan. /
to Feb. IS, 1896. and several important
subject lists.
9. Typewriter lists of books on
subjects of interest or for important
occasions.
Besides the above. catalogues of 9TH
err libraries. and many photographers,
indexes and other books OF reference
furnish valuable aid to those who wish
to ascertain the of the libra
nv, and the library force are ready to
assist in any direction where the facili-
ties fail to give satisfaction.
The library has fortunately been
controlled by trustees who have been
warmly interested in it's success. VAL
liable time n conscientious U
have been cheerfully given.
The efforts of the trustees to make
the library not only a popular resort
but an aggressive educational force
have ever been encouraged by the
mayor n city council, the business
men. the labor unions, the professional
men of the city. the clerks and the
men in the mines n smeIters.
With such helpers in a community OF
the exceptional intelligence that here
prevails, the work could not be other
wise thar successful. But the success
has been greatly increased by the cor
dial and continuous cooperation or
the live newspapers of the city. Edl-
torially and otherwise every effort has
been made to a%cquaint the people with
the opportunities presented and to en-
phasize the Importance of the library.
Besides the writings of the editorial
force of the city, m on add
tions to the library and numerous ref
erence lists nav been prepared by the
librarian and printed in the local pa
pers. Following are some OF the sub
jects of the lists: American Literature.
Engineering and Mechanical Physics,
Historical Novels. Labor and Capital,
| Lincoln's Birthday. Mexico and Cen
trail America. Cuba. Mining Subjects.
including Chemistry. Geology and
I Mineralogy; Money and Finance. Po-
IiticaI Economy, South America,
Thanksgiving. W~ashington's Birthday,
West Indies.
The extent Of the patronage is shown
by the fact that during the four years
which the library has been open 10000
book borrowers cards have been is
sued. that the library Is visited on an
average by from 500 to 1000 persons a
day, and that on April 1, 1898. there
were 1.795 books charged to members.
The trustees of the library for the
year 1883 are Fred l.. Melcher. r. j.
Macarthur. Marco j. Medin. Clinton
ii. Moore and Thomas F. Courtney.
JOHN F. DAVIES, Librarian.
Butte, Tune Z, 1898.