Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-06-14
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Committees Report.

The WatertOwn Public Library COM
mjttee has issued the following address:
eve would respectfully call your at
tentiOn to movement in our city that
deserves your support. 1t is to establish
Free Public Library. At a general
mass meeting recently held In Turner
opera house the unanimous sentiment
seemed to be that steps should be taken
in that direction. In accordance with
the vote Of the meeting, the chairman
and the mayor of the city appointed q
committee of twelve to devise ways, and
solicit means for such a library.
This committee after consulting with
of procedure.
It is proposed to raise by subscriptions
at least $1,000 with which to buy the
first supply of books, fit up and furnish
the rooms, and provide other essentials
for starting the library. The payment
Of the subscriptions will be made sub
ject to two conditions: THAT the total
amount subscribed shall be at least
5000; 2.-That the city will agree to
take charge of the library when it is
ready to be started, and pay for it's run
ming expenses. The subscriptions will
lions are fulfilled.
When the city takes charge, the func-
lions of the committee will end. The
organization and management of pub
lie libraries is subject to state law. The
mayor will appoint board of trustees
who will appoint librarian, purchase
books and exercise general control. In
this they will have the advice and asSls-
lance Of the Wisconsin Library Com
mission.
The running expenses of the library
will be for rent, light and fuel. librari-
ans salary, janitor's services and minor
expenses. The total expense to the CITY
will be from $1,000 to $1,000 annually.
The taxpayer whose taxes amount to
$40 will contribute from Is to 20 cents.
Until larger means are at our COM
mand, it is not proposed to buy or erect
a library building, but to rent few
good rooms convenient in location and
adapted to the purpose.
The foregoing statements are made to
show that when tie library is once
started it will be on secure basis. The
all-impOrtant thing now is to get the
subscriptions sufficient for starting it.
In a few days citizens be asked to
subscribe, each according to his means.
The following are some of the ways
briefly stated, in which public library
will benefit us.
1. 1t will give good and instructive
and recreatiye reading for young and
old, and thus become means for gen
eral intellectual and moral uplifting OF
the people.
2. It will be place where any one
can get information on any subject in
which he may be specially interested.
3. 1t will offer the best means for
self-education after school years are
past, and especially to those whose
school opportunities were scant.
4. 1t will be a great help to all
schools, public and private, by supple
menting the instructions in the regular
studies.
S. 1t will form bond OF interest be-
tween all classes of our people.
6. 1t will be another very important
attraction to our city.
Z. 1t will help to equalize the life-op-
portunities of our young people.
There are 105 public libraries in the
state. WatertOwn is the only city of its
size that is without one.
Va invite all citizens to cooperate
with us to establish the library.
WatertOwn, Wis.,, June 9, 1902.
THE COMMITTEE,