The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-05
CLARK LIBRARY FUND
WILL BE SET ASIDE
.
Bequest Will Be Invested to
Await Purchase of :
Site

The bequest of $25,000 made by the
late Judge Greenleaf Clark to the St.
Paul public library will not be ex-
pended for the current needs of the
library, but will be invested as the
nucleus of fund with which may be
eventually secured site and suit
able" library building.
This was the resolution adopted
unanimously last night by the library
board on motion of Director w. b.
Dean.
Mr.. Dean explained that many in
quiries had been made as to the boards
intention in reference to the Clark be-
quest. 1t would be unwise to permit
members of the city council to remain
under the false impression that the
board would use the bequest for cur
rent expenses. More especially the
resolution of the board to establish a
building fund with the money would,
no doubt, stimulate other public spirit
ed citizens to increase such a fund; but
If the bequest from Judge Clark were
used for buying books, or for any other
temporary need, generous men would
hereafter hesitate to aid the library
with substantial contributions.
Passes Resolution
The board resolved:
That in accepting the bequest of the late
Judge Greenleaf Clark, the directors of the
st. Paul library board desire to place upon
its records their most sincere appreciation
of Judge Clark's noble public benefaction,
and with the purpose of declaring the pol
icy of the library board concerning the
use of this gift, as Of all others Of like
character that may be received In the
future, 1t is further
Resolved, That upon the receipt of the
bequest of Judge Clark it be Safely in
vested and with all interest that may be
received therefrom shall be held iflviolate,
together with all other like gifts here
after received, for the purpose of accu-
mulating a fund to purchase site and
erect suitable building for the 1ibrary
whenever the funds so accumulated shall
be sufficient for such purposes.
Copies of the resolutions were or
dered sent to Judge Clark's nearest
relatives.
of the library's proposed finding list.
1t will cost $4,000. but will not be COM
pleted until next year. The bidders
were the Pioneer Press company, the
st. Paul Review, the McGill-Warner
company and the Randall Printing
company. The bids were referred to
the library committee, which will
schedule the items in order to ascer-
tain the lowest bidders for the various
sorts of work.
According to the report Of the IL
brarian, Mrs. Helen ]. McCaine, there
are now 72,81S books in the library, a
total that indicates a gain Of 6,355
volumes during 1904. The proportion
of English prose fictionY iSs small
10,057 volumes, although many people
would define a public library as COL
lection Of novels.
More Books Read
The circulation department distrib-
uted on 1925 cards 217,42S books in
1904, or 22,529 more than last year.
In the reference department, which
visitors for reference work" was
21,122.
Commenting upon the report after
the meeting director said: Most
of the public doesn't know, think
that in the opinion of library experts
elsewhere st. Paul has one of the best
selected lot of books there is to be
found.
1--WE are particularly strong in the
reference department. We think that
this is the real study department, the
department that confers the most
practical benefit upon our patrons
Whatever anyone wants, in the way of
reference books, to help him in his
work can, with few exceptions, be
found in our library. We have author
tiles on everything from fine arts to
the tinker's trade. And If anybody
doesn't find the book he needs, we'll
get it for him, provided his choice is
not unreasonable"
Announcement was made informally
that the books for the Merriam Park
station would be taken out today and
the station opened some time this
week. 1t is in the Y. M. c.. A. rooms,
at University and Prior avenues.
The station on Payne avenue, which
has been established in a drug store,
will also be opened as soon as the
books can be provided.