The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-10

constantly grown.
Mr. Foster spoke briefly as follows:
In 1873 the Providence public library
first opened it's doors. During the last
II years the number of volumes in the
Providence public library has increased
from 10000 TO more than so 600 volumes.
Never has an institution received such
generous support of its constituents
and never has an institution received
any more consideration by the press.
\ reason for the failure To realize
highest ideals is the lack OF means 10
develop as we would like. And Tor the
last IL years the lack of suficient quar-
ters i'm which to carry on the WORK mas
affected the library in all its depart
ments Few years have passed, now
ever without "a remembrance by the
public being made to the public library.
Much is due to the aid of Mr.. John
Nicholas Brown, who lives 10 see the
benefits his munificenCe is anording Tor
the institution. The new building VIII
have a capacity for about 20O.OOo vol
umes and this can be expanded on the
present site. We shall also look atter
the needs of the reader VINO VIII Nlslt
the building during the day and wish
To work uninterruptedly. More than
two-ffths of the volumes VIII De ac-
cessiLie To readers on open shelves in
various rooms.
Tho child OF today is ,hc adult reader
of the future. In the now building We
make specific provision for the children.
We set apart "a room where the children
shall receive the benefit OF the guidance
Of one qualified go care for the wants
of the child reader. There VIII be pro"
vided a teacher TO conduct classes I'm
reading among the children. If there
is any one institution which may be set
apart from others as having univcr-
salty Of scope. il is a public library. IL
is not for he unlearned. .norfor the learn
ed. for the rich nor for the poor, exact
Iy. The public library ia not a charity.
but Is the community itself.
President shaw thyn introduced
George II. Winship. who stated that ne
perhaps. represents the private liprafN
Providence has always had "a great
many private Libraries which represent
the quality OF personal culture. Thor'
l. not only the library where he is
which represents the accumulation oi
! four generations OF family. But there
| rs In this town one of the me shake
| spcrian collections Ia the world. What
We want now is the combination. W,
want the people who have private IL
braries that there are books in th'
| puhiit library Win Nil'h w oHlli'
! ment their reading.
| Charles W. Jenclts. who with his
! brother was librarian ~ tho Mcchan-
| icg library 81 Providence for The II
| wears ending With 1858. read an inter
! esung letter from Dr Reuben Guild
J who was unable to be- present TIL,
4 Mechanics library was organized "
! January. 1921 ,S years ago by mem
! hers Of the Mechanic association and
/ their apprentices. II was commenced
/ by voluntary donations and IN the fol
| lowing April 900 volumes had been col
| iacted when n code of rules for SIS gov
! errnent was adopted AND steps were
| taken for putting h into immediate use
| I'm the autumn - lS4i. reading room
! was established i'm the library. Con
| tirded additions were made until SOM
| 1000 volumes were accumulated and tn
| issue OF books amounted 10 10000
| year II was opened first on SATURDAY
evenings. then "wednesday and Satur
Hay evening. and later on every wc-l
! day cNcuing.