The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-06-25
LIBRARY OPENING.
Public Exercises, With a Large
Audience, Good Speeches
and Good Music Mark
the Occasion.
An Auspicious Beginning.


draped with the national colors and
potted plants, was we'll filled last
Thursday evening, when the public
exercises in connection with the
opening Of the Bloomsbury Free
Library were held. A reception
was held at the Library during the
day, and it was largely attended.
Col. J. G.. Freeze presided, and
on the platform with him were the
speakers of the evening The men,
bers of the Board of Directors occu-
pied the front row of seats back OF
the rail. The Normal School Or.
chestra played three selections and
Miss Hettie Cope sang solo, all of
which were done in the Normal
way of doing things, which is OF
the best. and helped to round out a
most enjoyable program. In open-
ing, Col. Freeze congratulated the
ladies who have worked so earnestly
and successfully, upon the result
of their labors. He also congratu-
lated the public upon being the
owner Of a free library that is a
credit to the town and bespoke for
the library the earnest and hearty
support that it so richly deserves.
The presentation speech trans
ferring the management of the Ii
brary from the Civic Club to the
Board of Directors, was made by
Rev. D. N. Kirkby. He said it
was peculiarly fitting that one Of
his calling should be permitted to
perform the duty that had fallen to
him, because the church had ever
been found on the side of progress
and education, and all that tended to
advance and enlighten the people.
He referred to the time when books
were so scarce that they were
chained to the desk to prevent their
being stolen, and drew comparison
between those days and the present
time, and closed by formally trans
ferring the library to the new hands
who are to carry on the work so
we'll begun by the ladies.
Col. Freeze accepted the trust on
behalf of the Board of Directors,
and impressed upon the minds Of
his hearers the necessity for concert
of action on the part Of everybody
in order to make the library what
it should be. 1t will take money to
support it, and this must come
mostly from voluntary contribu.
tions.
H. A. McKillip Esq. was then
introduced and made the speech of
the evening. 1t was scholarly,
eloquent, and showed a familiarity
with books which mark him as a
profound student. His pleasing
voice and manner of delivery en-
abled him to present his subject
matter in way that showed that
he is not only a student but an
orator as we'll. While he has long
enjoyed the reputation of being a
coed public speaker, his efforts have
heretofore been confined to the po-
liticai arena. He captivated his
audience, and many were the COM
pliments that were paid to his mas
terly oration,
Excellent addresses were also
made by Prof. G. Z. Martin, Ii
brarian of Buclnell University,
Rev. w. E. Tinker, and by Thomas
Montgomery, State Librarian at
Harrisburg. All OF them were
thoughtful and helpful. and all paid
high tributes to the results accom-
plished by the ladies of the Civic
Club who have so unselfishly de-
voted themselves to the establish
ment of the library. Miss Rening-
er, the librarian, also received
much praise for the work she has
done.
AT the close of the meeting re-
ception was held at the library
room, to which were invited the
Directors, the clergy, and all who
have been action in the work. Light
refreshments were served, and a
most enjoyable and anspicious day
was ended in a very delightful
manner.
The piano used at the court house
was kindly loaned by Mr.. J. Salt
zer. The court house arrangements
were in charge of Mayor Townsend
and Louis Cohen, and the tasteful
decorations were the work of H. B.
Clark and II, w. Sloan.