Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-09
OPENING OF THE
LIBRARY SUNDAY
City of Rock IsIa I'd is Behind Hell
Neighbors in This
Respect.
OTHER TOWNS HEARD FROM
An Accommodation Enjoyed in For
mer Years-Directors Ex-
press Opposition.
Should the Rock Island public library

Should the Rock Island public library
be open Sunday afternoons?
Should such provision be applicable
purely TO the reading rooms. between
certain hours. or should the same rules
that govern the taking out and return
Of books that prevail during the week
days be in effect?
These are questions which, while
they have not been agitated. Will doubt
less command attention and discus
sion, and should the proposition be
submitted to the reading public of the
city would likely receive favorable re-
Spouse from large percentage of the
people interested in the matter. especi-
ally in view Of the fact that in many
cities. not only the size of Rock Island,
but cities in this vicinity have Sunday
rules. but because it is believed there
are many who would like to visit and
enjoy the privilege of the rooms Sun
day who are unable 10 do so during
tie other days OF the week.
Miss Ellen Gale librarian at the
Argus that some years ago the rooms
of the library were thrown open to the
public Sunday afternoons. but so few
people awaited themselves of the privi-
lege that the practice was eventually
discontinued.
With a view 10 aScertaining the Gus
tOu prevailing in other cities. The
Argus recently addressed cOmmuni-
cation To- 4 number of librarians. the
query which was made being append
cd:
will You kindly inform The Argus
if il is the custom of the library board
in your city to- have the rooms open
Sunday. and if 50. what are the rules
governing the same"
Here are the responses received in
response to the query thus made:
I'm the Cities Nearby.
Davenport. Editor Argus: In
reply to your question as 10 Sunday
opening. would state that we keep
open only the reading room. and that
from to ) p. III. No books are eX-
changed. and in this way the presence
OF only one attendant is sufficient. Elk
ira pay is given the staff for this time.
and each takes her turn in serving.
Very truly yours.
MARILLA w. FREEMAN.
Librarian.
Moline. Iil-F,ditOr Argus: The Mo
line public library and reading rooms
are open on Sundays from , TO .
o'clock in the afternoon. Books may
be returned or taken from the shelves
All the reading rooms, including the
smoking room. are largely patronized
on Sundays. The librarian or the as
sistant is on duty during those hours.
Respectfully yours.
NJ. J. M'ENIRY, Secretary.
Peoria. nI.-Editor Argus: The
rooms of the Peoria library are open
from > to p. m. except during the
summer months.
L. S. WILCOX. Librarian.
Aurora. Ill.-Editor Argus: In reply
70 your inquiry. would say that our
library has not hitherto been open on
Sunday. We have just moved into
new building, however. and in more in
viting quarters, and hope TO take a
step forward If our revenues for the
coming year will warrant it. l think
the library will be opened on Sunday
afternoons at least.
. Yours truly.
JAMES SHAW. Librarian.
Joliet. IlI.-Editor Argus: The Joliet
public library has never yet been open
on Sunday. but by a rule of the board
passed in June. the reading and refer
ence rooms will be open on Sunday
from ! p. M. to p. m. from October
to May. Ii is the opinion Of the board
that few people would make use of the
rooms from May 10 October. All de-
tails are left To the librarian.
, Very truly.
KATE \. HENDERSON.
Librarian.
Quincy. Hl-Editor Argus: Our l.
brary board has the reading room open
Sunday from a M. To 9 p. m, but the
reference room and circulating depart
ments are closed on Sunday.
Yours truly.
LOUISA NJ. ROBBINS. Librarian.
Freeport. Ill.-Editor Argus: In re
ply 10 your letter would say that the
Freeport public library is open on sun
day afternoons. for reading only. from
. to o'clock. We used 10 have the
circulating department open. too. but
found that We were overrun with boys
and girls, who came to exchange the
books that they had taken ont the day
before. so we decided to close that de,
partment. Very sincerely.
HARRIET LANE. Librarian.
East St Louis. Ill.-Editor Argus:
Replying to your inquiry of recent date
our reading room is open on Sunday
from . TO p. m. No books are issued
ON that day. Yours very truly.
J.LYON WOODRUFF, Librarian.
Rockford. Ill-Editor Argus: Reply.
ing TO your inquiry. l will say that our
circulating department is closed al dag
Sunday, and no books are received or
delivered for home use; but the read
ing and reference rooms are open and