Cañon City record., 1901-04-11
THE FREE LIBRARY.
Annual Report Shows Library to be
In Flourishing condition--New
Building Next.

The report given by the librarian
at the annual meeting of the Ladies'
Library Association was very encour-
aging. The library is rapidly out
growing its present quarters. The
people of Canon are justly proud of
the library as being one of the best
institutions in town for the benefit of
the public. Strangers who visit the
library say it is the best in the state
for town the size of Canon, and they
think the people of Canon are re-
fined and enterprising class.
The library has just been turned
over to the city and while the man
agement of it is still in the hands of
the ladies (the city directors all being
ladies of the association excepting
the mayor the burden of expense has
been taken off their hands and they
can now turn their attention to build
ing new library. 1t is asked, why
don't you write to Carnegie? We
have, and are still living in hopes of
receiving a favorable answer; how
ever we have not received the ans
wer that Denver had: TOO many
millionaires; let them build library
While hoping to hear favorably from
Carnegie the ladies are working to-
wards new library.
At their annual meeting it was
voted to place 500 more to the build
ing fund, which amounts how to about
500, which is drawing interest. The
association owns the property used
for the library, and it is planned now
to either sell for enough to put up a
fine library on cheaper location, or
borrow money and build on the pres
ent site Library Block" which could
be used as a means of income besides
having plenty of room for library
purposes.
A comparison between the last year
and the year before shows an increase
of 3739 more books taken out. The
increase two years ago was nearly
100 per cent. over the year before,
so we may well feel encouraged. The
amount taken in for cards and fines,
and the number of visitors has in
creased in proportion to the other in
crease. On account OF the additional
work the city directors raised the sal
airy of the librarian. They also voted
to keep the library open from 9 a. m.
to 8 p. m. without closing at noon and
in the evening as heretofore. The
library was kept open all holidays last
year.
A partial invoice shows less than
5000 volumes; the circulation aver
ages 1860 volumes per month. An
other library in the state in town
the size of Canon numbers 1888 vol
umes with circulation of about
l400 volumes.
Many friends have presented pic
lures, furniture and books. The
Dramatic Club raised the building
fund $75. Harry Ellard's Ranch
Tales of the Rockies has recently been
presented by the author. The addi-
tion the last two years of $50 worth
each year of scientific works given
by devoted friend of the library
has been greatly appreciated, the
works on geology and minerals are
especially useful.
The children's books placed in the
Helen Raynolds' Memorial library are
hailed with delight by the children.
They feel kind Of ownership in the
bookcase from which the sweet face
of Helen" looks down at them, and
her birthday anniversary in May with
its installment of new books is en-
joyed by hundreds of children.
A visit to the library and reading
room will show how well patronized
it is. Health-seekers and tourists
spend many pleasant hour in the
coy, if crowded, reading room. The
cabinet of specimens contains many
interesting minerals and curios. The
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