Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-26
Saturday, May rs. 1906.
The Lithsow Library and Its Needs.


satisfaction to the people Of Augusta.
Built as it was by private contributions
IL came ready made to the uses Of our
municipality without the expenditure
of a dollar Of public money. Under
such circumstances it would certainly
seem as II the city We're under
peculiarly strong obligations to keep
this beautiful structure in creditable
repair and to properly sustain it in the
noble work it is doing for the com
nlunity by affording it adequate finan-
cial support. For some reason, now
ever. the city from the start has seemed
disposed TO deal with this noble IN
stitution in narrow and nigsardiy
spirit As a condition to its being q
free library an appropriation OF Slpc
year is made for its support rms
appropriation in all fairness should De
al least 81 500 a year. Such an APP
preparation would simply provide the
maintenance fund of which the library
one that would be heartily endorsed
by every intelligent taxpayer In the
community At the present time the
total annual income of the library from
all sources is between $1,000 and $500
a year. Out Of this must be paid the
expenses OF fuel and lights, the salaries
it.yss. m.
and janitor. the purchase Of new
books and the rebinding Of old ones.
Is it surprising that this sum is in
adequate for the purpose? Does not
necessity of maintaining this institu-
ton in creditable state Of repair
equipment and efficiency, demand a
more progressive. broader, more
liberal policy on the part Of the city?
We are most enphatically Of the
opinion that it does, and in this view
Of the matter We are confident that We
voice the honest sentiments Of a large
majority of the voters Of Augusta.
Today the total pay roIl Of the
$50 4 year. The mere statement OF
this fact is all the commentary that is
necessary and yet with this excts. iingiy
small outlay for the labor employed, it
is IN obvious fact. palpabl, enough to
every visitor to the library. that TIL.
fund available for maintaining th,.
nh,<.r &c inc ffif.;.-
carrying on it's work and Keeping ii in
even decent repair.
We spoke in the beginning Of the
pride whi.h our citizens have felt il
this noble institution. If. however
present conditions arr. allowed To con-
tintl- much longer. all this will b-roinr
a thing Of the past. 1t is a fact patent
enough to every visitor to the library
that this noble building is rapidly
falling into a state of d,lapidation that
is growing shame to our people, and
discreiit TO our city. Already the
paint and plastering Is off from the
walls Of the stack room in large
come 4 public eye-s0re, and people who
once delighted in taking their friends
there, now hesitate To do so. The same
conditions exist in the once beautiful
little hall above the library in which
the kennebec historical society has its
valuable collections, and on the side OF
ha ls.t. i..,xr.
Does any citizen or member of the City
Government doubt this statement? If
so let him personally visit the library
and see for himself the conditions as
they exist there today. Indeed We
regard 1t as duty which every man
who represents the people of Augusta
IN the city Council owes to himself
and to his constituents to personally
visit the library building. and make n
thorough inspection of it. Having dome
so, he will be in position to decide for
himself and for the voters he renre
sents, whether or not such q condition
OF afalrs Is creditable to the Cap,tal
City of Maine. We understand that an
estimlte has been made of the EXPENSE
that viii be necessary to put this build
ing in proper repair. and that it can be
done for about 1880. Surely there
shouid lie no hesitation in providing
& 'h's sum where it is so imperativel,
"eeoeo' and where it means SO much I,
credit of the city. Such an ey
Pehui'ure for 50 worthy a purpose
"'u''. we are sure. meet with tn
''ro'si approval of all good citizens
"hat n tragic romance of the sen
lies IN that brief dispatch telling Of III
diScnNnrv of ., nit. II -