The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-11
READING ROOMS
INSTEAD OF BARS
MISS GRATIA CoUNTRYMAN sue
aEsTs SALOON SUBSTITUTE.
Increased Patronage Of Public Library
on Sunday Since Saloons Were
Closed, Is Significant Public Might
Contribute Toward Establishment Of
Additional Reading Rooms in Central

Location.

Between 1900 and 1900 persons
availed themselves Of the privileges af-
forded by the different public library
branches yesterday. This was not quite
as heavy as the attendance of Sunday
week ago, and it is thought that the
opening Of the skating season was re-
sponsible for the decrease.
made use Of the newspaper reading room
in the central library, 100 men and wo-
men enjoyed the art gallery, half a
hundred, pursued different lines Of in
vestigation in the art book room and
$50 were reading in each Of the two
other reading rooms, the open-shelf
room and the reference room. At the
branches the attendance was also large.
1t is estimated that fully $50 persons
the north branch and l25 Of the Pills
bury library Miss Gratia M. Country
man, the librarian, says that since the
closing Of the saloons on Sunday sthe
number of persons making use Of the
library on that day has been far greater
than ever before and she brings for
ward an idea for the further enlarge
ment Of the library accommo dations.
- While projects and plans for coffee
houses, men clubs and other places
of Sunday recreation are under discus
sion and citizens are wondering what
the best plan may be, here in,the mean
time is public institution, supported
by the people for all Of the people, and
with the machinery all in place to carry
on some useful work on Sunday said
Miss Countryman today. 1t is the
reasonable place to begin.
elm this city there are about 5000
NTH msa nv Reme e he sund spa
is for them vital one. Yesterday the
various theaters, missions, ETC., were
attended by about $4,000 men and about
$4,000 women and young people, in
Guided. But the number Of working
people and homeless people who are I'M
provided for has not been estimated.
eff it were possible to open 1mme-
diately several public reading rooms,
many others would find an attractive
Sunday rendezvous The following
would be desirable points: Washington
avenue, between Hennepin and Second
avenue s.; Seven Corners; the vicinity
of Washington and Plymouth avenues
N; the vicinity Of Main street and
Broadway NE; Camden Place, and the
vicinity Of Lake and Minnehaha ave-
nues, near the carshops.
"These are all strategic points, places
where young people might be led to
form reading habits rather than the sa-
loon habit-places where results would
be even more apparent in a few years
than during the first year.
CHOW, it is likely that the library
board will not have funds out Of this
years appropriation to carry on much
more extension work than it is already
doing, but it could very well be made
the channel thru which gifts could be
utilized advantageously during the com.
ing year. The public library has never
attracted any gifts Of money or be.
quests, as have many Of the eastern
Libraries, and At 10 Aims could such
gifts be better Applied than now for the
purposes mentioned above. The read
ing room suggested would require a
rented place, the salary of an attend
ant and the necessary equipment.
81 do not wish to involve the board
in any. way, but I !, believe that the
board is in thoro sympathy with any
steps that would increase the useful
ness of the library, and would welcome
any suggestions or assistance which
would allow them to reach more people
at this particular crisis in the city IS
history