, 1907-01-08
GREETING BY
THE BOARD
LIBRARY TRUSTEES ADDRESS
PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY
CONCERNING LIBRARY.
Plan to Greatly Add to Effectiveness
of Institution, Now Hampered by
Lack of Funds, One Citizen Agree
ing to Give one-fourth of Thou
sand Dollar Fund.

sand Dollar Fund.
The limited income of the Albany
county free library, from the county
library fund, has ever made it neces-
sary for the library trustees to select
only such books and periodicals as
has seemed absolutely indispensable,
as a starting point to extend a better
equipped library from.
The patronage of the library, only
partially supplied with books, has been
a continuous and pleasant surprise to
the board of trustees, from the time
of the opening of the Carnegie library
building.
Number of Library Patrons.
There are 1,249 persons now receiv-
ing books from the library. This is a
larger number han the whole attend
ance at the public schools in Laramie.
The advantage that the library read
ing rooms offer in the matter of study
is appreciated by a constantly increas-
ing number.
The extremely limited opportunity
for research work possible with the
present supply of the necessary books
checks to quite al extent the benefit
that would otherwise accrue from
such work. AS it is. research along
certain lines is attracting the atten-
ton of persons who are past school
age, or cannot attend regularly any
other educational institution. Thus it
will be seen what a factor the free IL
brary may become in the diffusion of
knowledge.
Saving to the Book Lovers.
1t seems unnecessary to refer to the
benefit and pleasure that the several
hundred readers now have, who al
preciate the opportunity that the Ii
brary offers. When it is understood
by those who, as yet, are not patrons
of the library that each person over 10
years of age may have the pleasure
and profit from the use of fifty or
more books each year, the saving in
money TO families who desire to keep
abreast of the times will be more fully
appreciated.
Oevising New Plans.
The trustees are considering meth
DDS for strengthening the library more
rapidly than the fund received from
the county will permit. The first &C
ton will be the appointment of com
mittees, each committee to have a
specific duty in the matter of the Sc
lection of books, each and all of the
committees to consult with the trus-
tees, at such times as it may be con-
venient, on any point that seems i'm
portant to increase the usefulness of
the library as a part of our local edu-
c%ational system, system being as nee
essary in securing to the public the
greatest benefits from the library as
it is in keeping the public schools at
the best standard.
Contributions Solicited.
The library fund not being sufficient,
it is the hope of the trustees that each
citizen who enjoys the advantages of
the library will constitute himself or
herself a committee of one to contrib
ute or secure contributions to be APP
piled to the purchase of books, each
contributor having the privilege of de-
termining the purchase of the book or
books his contribution shall be ap-
piled to.
1t is believed that by united effort
for the next three years the Albany
county public library may be made a
model library for a community of 12,-
900 to $4,000 people.
A Generous Offer.
There has already been an offer by
n person to contribute $3.50 If the
general reading public will raise $3.50
additional, all for the purchase of
books.
When it is considered that each of
the 1900 persons who now have the
privilege of all the books that may be
obtained under the rules of the Ii
brary, it would not seem difficult to
get contributions of from so cents to
81 from each person having the well
fare of the library at heart. and thus
secure a fund of at least 81 900 an
nually, in addition to the money from
the county library fund.
Happiness in Good Work.
On the theory that there is happi-
ness in contributing to the support of
institutions that one believes to be in
~dispensable to progressive civilization,
we respectfully submit the foregoing
for the consideration of the citizens of
Albany county.
w. H. HOLIDAY.
President of the Library Board.