The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-08

in p1acine the connected series in history,
natural science, politics sociology, bellies
lettres the more choice long sets of re-
views indexed in Poole, the bulky trans
actions, memoirs, collections of learned
societies of various kinds, all our solid
possessions in foreign languages-these all
have been procured with the funds of the
Athenaeum, the city doing nothing but
house, bind when necessary, and SUPER
wise therzlse by the public.
Ifdesire to express my high appreciation
Of the services of my associate, in no way
my subordinate, Miss Jessie Macmillan,
Athenaeum librarian during my term as
city. librarian. In conjunction with her
board, she has conducted the growth OF
the Minneapolis Public Library in all note
worthy respects. during the past decade
and to her. andsher aboard belongs what
ever credit is dug fqb the accomplishment.
The city librarian b.3d staff have had no
part in selecting or purchasing the mater
ialaof chief intere{s their work not be-
ginning until the Eooks have been%del1v-
;ered in the building, and the time comes to
dispose them on the shelves. Probably the
most responsible function performed in
the library, has been that discharged by
Miss Macmillan, that calling for the broad
est culture and accomplishments, the best
judgment, the most extended experience,
and take pleasure in expressing my sense
Of the faithfulness and capacity with
which she has scoped with the REQUIRE
nlents of her position.
The Library Staff.
From my staff, one and all, part with
! the kindest feelings, assuring them OF my
appreciation. of their good help and con-
slant friendship. To the heads OF de-
partments it is proper for me to make
special acknowledgment. To Lewis A.
Runge, superintendent Of building, l ex-
press my thanks, as to one always &C
commodating, courteous KIND. 10 Il.
Heiberg, who has charge of one OF our
most embarrassing departments, the care
Of the Patent and Public Document collec-
i ton; also keeping track of and making
available on our racks our 500 and more
periodicals., preparing them at length 1o1
binding and permanent arrangement on
! our shelves, express my respect for his
accomplishments, his fidelity, and good
will. To Miss Miriam M. Davis, reference
librarian, I express my warm admiration
for the scholarship, the good Judgment, the
unfailing AVAILABILITY, with which she
opens way for young and old, for cursory
readers, as well as for diligent students
to the information stored away in our col
lections. Nor to Miss Josephine Cloud
superintendent Of circulation, can I ex-
press in terms too strong my appreciation
Of the tact, strength, and unerring sense
of Justice, with which standing at oul
chief point of contact with the public
called upon constantly to settle nice points
to encounter i'll nature, to parry unreason
she has so mastered the inevitable friction
that from first to last there has scarcely
been, disagreeable jar-half million
books year going and coming under mel
supervision, while all the time the dlfflcul
line has been carefully kept, the discipline
of the library being on the one hanc
strictly enforced, the most sensitive OF
the other hand, suffering no aRront. As
regards my chief assistant, Miss Cratic
A. Countryman, will only say this: Al
my coming Herbert Putnam, the most EN-.
inent Of American librarians, committed
her to me with comm endation quite un'
qualified To this commedation, I his sue
cessor, after an experience Of twelve years
give unqualified Endorsement. The board
has shown it's sense of Miss Countryman':
deserts by committing to her the guidance
of the institution, well endowed by nature
thoroly equipped by education, special.
trained and vouched for by the mos
skillful master%of our profession. minutel.
familiar with this institution, which in
deed her care and COUNSEL have done yer.
much to shape-what can be expected TO
her but the best success.
T lay down my office with best wishe
for all with whom have been associated
, I believe that under a different organiza
, ton whatever qualifications l may per
, haps possess for the place. would have ha
, a better opportunity. For what hay
been able to do, however, I have receive
d cordial response. These have bee
twelve happy years and I close my tern
, with gratitude toward my fellow-workers
; toward the board, and toward the fair cit
, whose highest interests we have all triet
! to serve james K. Hosmer.