The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-04-03
FREDERICKSBURG, Va, THURSDAY APRIL g. 1902
TIE FREDERICKSBURG LIBRARY.
Twenry.Fihh Anniversary 10 be Celebrated
Next Week.


Next Week
The fredericksburg Library will ccle-
bra,e its 18th anniversary on the 18Th of
the month by Silver Tea TO be held at
the home of Mrs Y VI. Fleming In 1876
n library wave swept over the country
and fredericksburg felt its influence aud
led by such men AZ lion. John L. Marye,
DR.. James f. Smith, Dr. r. ) runaway,
the Messrs. Hall W-.cll--s--sAxpr T.. "
-..a~ ~7,naCe, MAJ sn "a.
BraxrO1, etc. a library ana lyceum n
sociation was organized early in 1877
and library and reading room started
in the Courthouse building, where two
rooms were donated for the use of theas
sociation. Hon.Johp l.. Marye was presi
dent IIewas succeeded by Dr. r. S.Duna-
way For several years there was great ia
terest shown, then subscribers fell off and
finally the rooms were closed altogether
In 1887 the books were turned over To
the young men Of the city, and the libra
ry took fresh lease on life in the FOODS
Of the y. NJ. C.. A. But a. time went on.
the means were not sufficient TO provide
both librarian and new books and
iinally after varying experiences the
booss were boxed up and returned TO
the three remaining trustees OF the origi-
nal library and lyceum association, viz
Capt J. y. Barney, Dr. Marshall Hail
and MIR T. Y. y. Conway.
In the latter part OF 1874 eight ladies,
viz: Mrs. v N Fleming, Mrs Marshall
Hall, Mrs. J. Fred Bro vn. Misses Gra-
watt, Myer Schroeder, Carson and Bar
ney, made an appeal to these Trustees,
asking that the books, about 900 vol
umes, be turned over to them. pr0miz-
ing to try to organize n library on
popular and economical basis and en-
gaging TO return the books in good or
der should their effort prove failure
Again they secured the use Of the two
Courthouse rooms, and on the 10Th Of
January, lS9J, the library was opened
for the third time A Book Committee
was added to the original Executive
Committee of which Miss Anna Braxton
is chairman, the other ladies being Misses
Lacy, Carmichael, Little, Schooler and
Thompson. The subscription price was
placed at one dollar per year. An enter
tainment was given, which realized more
than one hundred dollars, and a number
Of new books added to the shelves.
For some years the services OF an ei-
ficient librarian were employed, but the
funds proving inadequate the paid libra
rian was dispensed with and the ladies
undertook all the work themselves The
Executive and Book Committees, assist
ed by many of the subscribers, serve in .
turn az temporary librarians, and so far
this has been very satisfactory, and all
the money received made available for
purchase OF books In the past year / % .
new books were added II is the aim Of
the Executive Committee TO hold the H.
brary up to the high standard set by the
original association. and it has been fire.
quently said by visitors to be the best
selected library for its size in the State OF
Virginia. There are now some 5000 vol .
umes on it's shelves; there are 9S sub .
scribers, and the circulation last yeor
was 800.
Three of the ladies of the Executive .
Committee having resigned, their places
have been filed by Mrs. P.Y. D. Conway,
Mrs Chas Tackett and Miss Shepherd.
Mrs. V. NJ. Fleming is chairman and Miss
Gravatt secretary and treasurer.
The ladies are greatly hampered in their
efforts for lack of means. They need
books OF reference for the College and
school girls and boys who come for re-
search-notably, Century Dictionary.
Their room is absolutely bare OF every
thing except book-shelves, tables and
chairs. They would like to make it more
attractive. They are satisfied that their
work has been fruitful along educational
and literary lines, and their efforts de-
serve the encouragement and support of
the community
The Silver Anniversary is to be a social
affair, with music, refreshments, etc. A
silver contribution will be asked at the
ioor, and lei hoped that the occasion
will call forth large assembly OF friends !
)f the library and yield a substantial
addition to its funds.