Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-25
ARE GETTING BUSY
Waterville Man Has Something
 toSay About New Library.
To the Editor of the Democrat,

ASC"A S1A '-<NANy uSN yUuk lNOuA- gence and little space in your col- umns to explain a few things rcla- tive to the proposed branch of the Bronson library, in Waterville?
 Assuming in advance that your public spirit and desire to help along a good cause will prompt you to grant my request, I will endeavor to give such enlightment as is at my command on the. situation. Many things have been said and written and many people have been quoted (some authoritatively, some not) pro- phesying the failure of the proposed branch library. Let me assure you that from the beginning not the shad- ow of doubt has existed in my mind but that Waterville would avail itself of this golden opportunity to establish within it's limits an insti- tuition of so much value as this pro- posed branch library.
 Many are asking what benefits will Waterville derive from having a branch established here that We may not now enjoy by patronizing the main library in the city? will ans- wer for people who have ample time at their disposal and means at their command, nothing is to be gained. But Waterville is made up almost ex- clusively of busy, hard-working peo- pie who have to rise early in the morning, eat their breakfast in a hur- ry and hurry to the factories, lest they be late. At noon 1t Is hurry home to dinner or else hurry down a cold dinner at the factory and for those who can indulge in the luxury of warm home dinner, it is hurry to be at your post of duty on time to begin the afternoons work. When night comes we have acquired the habit, so that whether we have any. thing to hurry for or not we hurry home and hurry down our supper and if We have anything to do afterwards We hurry to do it.
 What service will the proposed branch be able to give Waterville? The sum of one thousand dollars has been set apart exclusively for Water vile by the board of agents of the li- brary and if Waterville does not ac- cept it other sections of the city are clamoring for the same. and they will get it if Waterville does not accept it. It is proposed to purchase from three to four hundred volumes, of bright, clean new books right from the presses of the best publisher and the list chosen will cover as wide range of subjects of fiction, literature and works of reference, including a good selection of high class maga- zines as in the wisdom of the lihra- rian will fit the needs of Waterville. Miss Helen Sperry is wise and care ful b0Okbuyer, as all who patronize the main library will attest and she can be trusted to purchase an 0utdt that will do credit to Waterville.
 The population of Waterville at present is estimated (and I think con- servatively estimated) to be two thousand people There are ninety six residents of Waterville or less than i've per cent of its population who are at present holders of cards at the main library and are therefore considered patrons. With a branch centrally located here its patrons ought to remember one thousand or fifty per cent of our population.
 X delivery system Is to be estab- llshed in connection with the main H. brary which will enable Waterville patrons to have any book that circu- lates in the main library delivered to the branch library free of expense 10 the person drawing the book. These deliveries will probably be made twice each week.
 The question is asked what hours would 1t be kept open? This ques- ton can only be answered when the work Is inaugurated and the hours will most surely be regulated to fit the required needs of the patrons of the branch.
 The local librarian will be paid for services out of the thousand dollars appropriated for the library and not by the Waterville subscriptions. This one hundred fifty dollars to be sub scribed in Waterville is to be used for paying the rental of the room and providing the necessary tables, chairs and shelves for the books All other expenses of the institution will be paid out of the one thousand dollars appropriation and tho entire amount will be expended on the Waterville branch for the period of twelve months succeeding the date of open ing the Waterville branch. It might be well to add in this connection that