Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-08
BOARD AT HOME"
Library Trustees Hold a Reception
In the Rooms, at Which Coun-
cilmen Are Guests.
A Social Gathering to Mark the
Close of the First Year of the
Public Library.

1t is just a year since the board of
directors appointed by Mayor Pierce as
sumed control of the library which at
the election preceding had been ac-
cepted by the city as a gift from the
library association. 1t was deemed fit
ting that some showing of the work
which had been done should be made to
the city council at the end of the year.
When this had been done, it was hoped
to tell something of what was desired.
for next year. These objects were ac-
complished Monday evening when in
the library rooms the board of directors
received the mayor and the city
council No attempt had been.
made. as is so often done in country
schools, to show off" when it is
known that visitors will be present, but
in honor of the guests the rooms had.
been lavishly decorated with garden
flowers. rich-hued nasturtiums FREEDOM
mating. One member of the council was
out of the city and only one other was
absent. and when the evening was over
each and every one expressed his opin-
Ion that it was we'll to have been there.
Besides the board. the librarian, Mrs.
NJ. NJ. Rattis, and her assistant, Miss
Marion Parker, We're present and took
pleasure In showing not only the books
but the system of bookkeeping charg-
ing and cataloging. When some little
time had beeen spent in this way the
guests We're led to a hower-decked ta-
Bile where ices, cakes and waters were
served by Misses Florence Kelley and
Louise Ely, of Chicago. The talk on
the subject of paramount interest con-
tinued and then Mrs. II. j. Howe, who
lis vice president of the board and act
ing as president during DR.. McBride's
absence, talked u few minutes ON what
had been done and what should be done.
When the libarry was organized seven
years ago Mrs. Howe was one of the
first workers and ever since she has
been on the board. so she is we'll quail
fled to talk on this subject. She briefly
reviewed the library's history and the
hard work that had made it possible
and spoke In a general way of the bene-
fits 1t could bestow il properly main
tanned. With words of praise as to her
deficiency and conservation she then in
PRODUCED Mrs. BATHS. There had been
some question as to the amount which
would be required to keep the library in
Its present condition. without adding to
| the number of books, and she dwelt on
this subject when che told of the con-
| slant repairing done. On an average, a
book after 1t has been given out twelve
times will need an hours repairing in
the library. After being issued another
dozen times 1t is beyond the librarians
skill and is sent TO the bindery, the cost
being 40 cents. 1t is then practically as
lgood as new, but when IL has been out
orty-eight times 1t is beyond redemp-
| ton. Mrs. BATHS also told of the l,S02
cards that are now held and nearly
every one in active ure and this num-
| Der increases at the rate of four day.
! In this the heated season of the year
but few books comparatively are read,
Iyet on an average eighty go out each
day and sometimes $50. The best thing
about the library is the fact that 1t con-
ltains no trash. Mr.. Balch, who has just
been reelected treasurer or the board,
was then called for and he told some
thing of the finances. The levy Of a
/ 1-mill tax last year would not
support the library and the balance
would have been on the wrong side of
the ledger had it not been that sub
stantial gift was received from the
iWoman's Club and the former associa-
lions. When Mayor Pierce was called
on for speech he voiced his satisfac-
tion and that Of the council In thework-
ings of the library and hoped 1t might
at some time have better support
After leaving the tables, more time was
spent in Discussing the library's affairs
and all in all the evening was most
profitable one to entertained and enter
tanners alike.