The Cairo bulletin., 1904-08-08
CAIRO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Was Founded by Woman'c Club and
Library Association in
1877.

Tho August number Of The Club
Woman, published in New York, con
tains short history CT the Cairo Wo-
mans club from the pen Of the club
! president, Mrs Andrew Lohr. The
article is illustrated with haftones
cf Mrs Isabella Lanning Candee, Mrs.
Andrew Lohr, Mrs. J. W. Wenger and
the Cairo public library. The article
Is as follows:
The Womans Club and Library AS
sociati0n, or as it has been known for
some years, the Cairo Woman's Club,
was organized in March, 1876. It Is
one of the Oldest clubs in the state
Of Illinois.
One of the objects OF its organiza-
| ton was the foundation Of a public
library. This library was opened on
the second anniversary of the clubs
existence and at that time the Caisc
| Woman's Club became a chartered or
ganization, a recognized public insti.
lntion of much honor to the city.
| The history of the Woman's Club
for some years is the story Of the
growth Of the public library. In 1881
the library was presented to the city
and it has, since then, received the
generous support of the municipality.
| In 1888, Mrs. Anna Il. Stafford a
| charter member of the club, and now
the President emeritus, gave to the
Lefty of Cairo the beautiful A. B. SAT
| ford Memorial Library, In memory of
her husband, Alfred B. Stafford. Mr.
| Stafford had been one of the first and
most liberal patrons of the club and
one most genuinely Interested in its
welfare
Through her wise foresight the
| Woman's Club was given in this
building a beautiful assembly hall and
club room. From time to time the
club has added many works Of art to
/ its finely furnished rooms and thus
has, through the Kindness Of one Of
its members, a beautiful and artistic
home.
The present membership. Is about
zone hundred. with an additional list
of fifty honorary members.
For Sonle years the work of the
club has been divided into the fol
lowing departments: literature. art.
education, philanthropy home and
music, each having a chairman and
secretary. The yearbook, published
in July, outlines the work to be stud
led during the following winter, and
the programs prepared by the heads
Of tho departments are along their
special lines,
Since the public library has out
grown the need Of material exist
cnce from the organization as club,
the work that has been literary is led
by the literature department, The
art department was instrumental in
introducing artistic photographs into
the schools, purchased many colIec-
tons of pictures of gifts, for the
school buildings of the CITY They
also bring for exhibition in their hall
art exhibits and collections
The educational department has co
operated with the superintendent and |
teachers of the public schools in Joint
meetings along educational lines. The
philanthropy department has for
many years been a factor in the char
liable work in the city, and their
efforts have been of practical and
helpful nature personal investlga-
ton and aid in worthy cases Of need.
The home department has the sup
ervision of the club rooms has
brought cooking teachers and lectur
ers to the club and is aiding in the
introduction of domestic science into
the schools. The music department
furnishes delightful programs for the