The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-07
Mr., BATTLES STATEMENT
The Appropriation Asked Was Cut
Down Nearly Half by the Board.
WORK BEING DONE BY THE LIBRARY
Over Five Thousand Books Have Been Taken
Out Since its Opening and About Two
Hundred People Now Visit il
Every Day.

The board of aldermen was last night
requested to appropriate 800 a month to
supplement the present income for the
maintenance of the Olivia Raney Library.
This request was made through Mr.. r.
II. Battle president of the board of lib
rary trustees The other trustees present
were S. F. Mordecai, H. w. jackson, W.
B. Grimes, ]. G. Brown and F. P. Hay
wood.
In asking the appropriation, Mr. Battle
referred to the generosity of Mr.. Raney
in devoting his fortune to the erection of
memorial to his wife and then donating
it to the people of Raleigh. 1t was d
gift to the whole people, he said, for it
had been given absolutely and without
reservation.
"Mr. Raney now has no more property
interest in it than any other citizen.
Though he is a member of the board Of
trustees, he is very modest one.
THE library he has given cost him
over $4,000 and is as near complete, it
seems to me, as it could have been made.
1t is the most attractive thing in Raleigh.
He gave not only the grounds and build
ing, but also the books.
so far he has paid every item of cost,
but of course he cannot keep this up al
ways. He owes something to himself.
Realizing this, we secured from the last
Legislature an amendment to the charter
allowing an appropriation to this worthy
institution. In pursuance of the plan then
proposed we now come to ask this appro-
priation.'
Mr.. Battle then gave some interesting
figures, showing the work the library is
doing for the city:
1t was opened on January oath, 1901.
Since that time 5,125 books have been
taken out. The attendance has averaged
200 people a day and about $50 books are
daily taken out OF course some of the
more popular books rapidly become worn
and must be rebound or replaced anew
This is now costing about IS to SO a
month. The librarian and her assistant
together get $35 a month. The other ex-
penses are janitor, SIS month; lights,
So; new books, $14 incidentals, SIS; fuel
and a fireman, $12-all amounting to $109
a month
From rents the library has an income
of 500 month, but its expenses will
soon be much heavier than now. The
carpets will wear out and other repairs
be necessary. New books must be bought
mere frequently and in larger quantities
than when the library is new.
Under these circumstances" added Mr..
Battle, 1--WE shall ask you for 500 a
month. This, together with our present
income. will give us a living sum and only
that. We have not made this request be-
fore because we did not want to ask the
appropriation till it was needed. 1t is
now needed and as the citys income will
be considerably increased by the in
creased value of taxable property, it can
now afford to make the appropriation.
After Mr.. Battle had made these state
ments, he, with the other trustees, re-
tired and the board referred his request
to the Finance committee and the city at
torney--the course required by the char
ter for all appropriations.
The appropriation will be made at the
next meeting of the board-frst Friday
night in October.