The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-22
ORIGIN OF THE LIBRARY
SKETCH OF THE FOUNDING OF THE
INSTITUTION IN ST.
PAUL
WAS BEGUN IN THE FIFTIEs
First Organization Was the Mercan-
tile Library Association, Which
Started With Very Linn
ited Resources. G.

he d. raul PUBIC library Is model
Institution, a world-book in itself and
quite impossible to thoroughly describe
in language, much less do justice in a
brief article. 1t must be seen and the
contents of the volumes examined before
II can be appreciated.
This great collection of $4,000 books lives
and breathes. and sends forth inspiration
just the same as any living human be-
ing. 1t is nucleus from which the great
est amount Of general knowledge of an
established character must emanate. And
in business sense it is one of the very
essential institutions Of the city 1t is
impossible to comprehend the large
amount of intellectual worth that can be
obtained from such a library, any more
than it would be to figure on the tiny
particles of the sands which lie along
oceans waters.
The prOverb says: life without litera-
ture IS death" Then possibly reasoning
from that standpoint, life with literature
means the true life itself Anyhow in this
library one might satisfy his rage for
reading, basking to his hearts content
either in the realms of charming prose or
verse. The examples and Illustrations
found IN books are mirrows and magnify
ing glasses, which reveal comparisons be-
tween the ordinary individuals and those
VINO have swayed the rod of empires, or
were emblems and insignia of the highest
authority. And from the portfolio pres
ented one chooses his models and selects
his beau ideals Side by side in the Ii
brary are the thoughts of master minds
with those having the most fascinating
ana beautiful word pictures in all Ian
guages, and all these books, in their
moral and intellectual teachings, leave no
tone Of evil influence, but give impress
sions that are pure and elevating in char
acTer
From the Pierian springs of poetry to
the fountains Of dramatic inspiration, or
to healthful everyday knowledge, all are
alike illustrated by the camera, painted
in colors. or polished and CLOSED in rare
effects and ideas that make books actual
real living companions.
Prone as is modern man, In his onward
rush to progress, to eschew the past. yet
there are few persons who do not really
d~sire to have some acquaintance with
The BOnapartes, the Caesars, the suItans
and the kings and queens and moguls Of
past history. Likewise he may want to
Know of Its Cinderellas, it's Jean d'Arcs as
well as Of its Cleopatras. The serfs. the
lGeTcenaries, and the puppet figures Of
historical prominence are alike Of i'm
mcuse interest to the reader
'he new quarters Of the library on the
south part of the second floor in the old
market block, corner of Seventh and St,
Peter streets, have been entirely remod-
ei3d' and, with a new finish of birch and
ie2alnting, present very handsome ap-
pearance. The rooms are large and airy
ne hat
i"iS ana the former location Is very APP
parent 1t Is a model of neatness well
worth any ones while to pay a visit, and
the city can be congratulated on the taste
ami management shown in the arrange
InentS and details Considerable new fur
niJure in the way of shelves etc, has
been added to the library since its re-
InoFal TO this location, and it may be said
now to be complete, except books maya
zines and newspapers that are daily being
added to the vast collection. The last
lot OF the new furniture arrived Friday.
The active working force of the library
consists of nine clerks, including the
heads Of the departments, and there ara
four necessary boys
Mrs. Helen ]. McCaine is the librarian.
assisted by Miss J. S. Brown, in the ref
erence department; Miss L. w CIute. in
charge of the circulating department:
Miss Julia Hess catalogues and Miss
II,
Nenile department-one of the most inter
esting features of the institution.
Ihere Is very happy surprise in store
LOT the young patrons, as we'll as for
older ones. Over the door of the en-
trance on the interior side there is this
motto; This room IS under the pro-
tfction OF the boys and girls of st. Paul"
70 Is a good sized room, stretching across
nearly the whole south side Of the build
ing. are about three thousand volumes
ui books. all devoted to the use of bows
and girls The collection includes books
ON travels, history, biography, litera-
lure poetry, science, fairy tales with
quite a large amount of story books of
various kinds. In addition the room is
adorned with pictures, In one corner of
which appears the latest views Of China
arranged on the blackboard The furni
ture in this department is neat and appro-
PIRATE. On the walls are MANY picti1res
ana paintings, one Of the latter, coDv
from Guido Rene's Aurora" was pre-
$"nted by Mr.. Richelt, is exceptionally at
1ractive, and doubtless the collection of
scrap books and picture books in this
room are sufficient to give the children
endless entertainment More books. how
ever, could be placed in this room to ad
vantage.
Magazines are given a special denar+-
Ment, and there are hooks and corners
where one can consult books that pertain
70 some certain subject. and read awav
without fear of any disturbance. The ref
erenca room alone in the library contains
i290J volumes, and the balance excent
those In the Juvenile department. belong
to the circulation
A very interesting sketch of the origin
ana early history Of the library is given
by AR T. D. Simonton who particfnated
III the flrst movement for the establish
ment of a public library in the CITY.
One Of the last acts of the late Mr.
William H. Kelley. for so many years sec
rotary of the St Paul Library associa
ton. of St Paul. was to call at nv Of
ice, having in his hand some extracts
from the early records of the Mercantile
Library association, Of St Paul These
ne presented to me- with the request that
as one of the original founders of that
association, ] should complete the his
tory of the increment which gave ORIGIN
later to the present St Paul Public H.
brary, Of which we are all so Justly
proud
There is with me pathetic interest IN
the attempt TO carry out this last wish
OF MI Kelley, whose interest and devo-
ton to the cause have had so much IN
do with giving us the reading facilities
we possess.
By whom the Idea of a library for orr
city was first suggested I cannot now re-
cail, but we'll remember the term "Mer-
camille as part Of its name came from
Mr. ID. G. Jones. who had been familiar
with such an institution in the citv of
Baltimore. After casual mention ,