The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-12-14
Total expense for the first year.

Total Xpense for the first year. Sl760
One-half of a mill tax on dollar of the present
assessed valuation of the city as given by the
city assessor would raise the required amount
II the books Of the Ladies' Library we're placed
In the public library 1t would only be necessary
to raise 81, 200 for the first year.
She expenses for the first year would be
reduced the second year to $40, as there would
be no expense for furniture. catalogues, and only
5000 for books, these items making total reduc-
ton of $50 from 1,750, leaving $40 as above
stated. This sum is a trife less than one-fourth
of mill on the assessed valuation OF the city.
Assessed valuation of the city Is $377s,905
And finally your committee now believes that
all the foregoing report they have fully answered
In the inquiries made and have performed all
luton, and further after a full and careful in
vestigation of this whole matter your committee
finds that there is need for free public library
In OwossO not a library for any one class of
readers alone but for all of the people.
Therefore we recon mend that a free public
library and reading room be established s In the
make a consolidation of library interests, the
terms of the consolidation to be left open for
future consideration without recommendations
from this committee which might hamper fur
Their negotiations.
1t was the original idea of the founders of the
Ladies' Library Association, that the library
was to be the nucleus of city library In time.
The Ladies' Library now contains 5000
volumes OF we'll selected books for reading and
general reference purposes, and we think that
IL would be the choice of the association to see
the books placed on more general basis of cir
cuatiOn II the change could be made satiSfac-
tory. The terms of the change would involve
more consideration than could be handled in
this report, nor indeed DO we understand that
the resolution calls for such details.
In order that we may come to a clear under
standing of this important matter from the
librarians standpoint let us also take notice of
what good may come to us from it. If "a public
library was established In OwOsSo it would in
time draw all readers unto 1t whether they be-
instructors or students. the learned professional
as we'll as the general reading public The pub
lie library of today is modern educational
organization fully equipped not only with books
representing all the departments of literature
but with Il system of classification and cata
Logging that has been adopted by public
libraries throughout the United States. It is a
library with board OF directors assisted by a
librarian that are not only able but willing to
select books according to a standard that has
been adopted by the better school and public
libraries OF this country. And last but not least
the librarian of Il modern public library possess
es system of giving out books to the public
that enables the librarian to have knowledge
of the character of the books that are being read
by this or that person, and II It is found that a
book Is injurious to the boy or girl or to the
grown up boy or girl, as well, then the book i'm
some cases is withheld, but at times the librarian
uses tact, culture and knowledge of the books In
the library to keep the reader from the undesir-
able hook 'unbeknonst'' to himself as Lincoln
would say. through the narrow wicket gate that
leads to the richer fields of the worlds best
literature.
All OF which is respectfully submitted.
LUCIUs e GOULD,
f. 4. AUSTIN.
JANE A. CHURCH.
Dated at OwoSso this 5th day of December. 1900
AID Pierpont presented following resolution
which was adopted ayes 8. naysO.
Resolved, that the report OF the library com
mittee be received and printed, and the matter
OF the formation of free pubic library be now
referred to "a committee of three of the council
to be chosen 10y the mayor, who together with
the mayor shall form "a library committee to
confer with the old members OF the library in
VeStigatiOn committee and the Ladies' Library
Association and formulate plan for the estab-
lshment of free public library for the city o5
OwossO to be presented to the council for adOp.
ton.
twas moved and supported that vote of
thanks be extended to Lucius Gould, Prof Aus.
tin and Mrs. Church Tor the efficient work done
in assisting the common council regarding the
establishing of public library and free reading
room In the city of Owosso which was carried;
ayes 8, nays o.
Aid. Plerpont presented following report
which was upon motion adopted; ayes 8, nays 0,
Owosso, Mich Dec 4, 1900.
To the Honorable Mayor and Common Council
of the City Of Ow0sso,
Gentlemen-Your auditing committee begs
leave to report that we have examined the books
of the city clerk for the month of November and
find the same to be correct.
Committed y Ma =; sf'f Pis4pou.,
Ira q. Curry. '''
Aid, PierpOnt presented following report
which was upon motion adopted ayes 8, nays 0.
OwOsso. Mich. Dec. |, 1900
To the Honorable Mayor and Common Council
of the City of Ow0ssO:
Gentlemen Following is statement of the
receipts and expenditures of the city of OwoSso
for the month of November, 1900.
Receipts-Water rents. %
service permits 30 90
Licehses"...,.,.....". 30 90 1884 l3
Expenditures
Contingent fund....$ll36 SO
Police ........ 21S 46