Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1908-02-21
Tree Public Library

Our citizens generally are much in
terested in the subject of free public
library, as discussed at the last regu-
lar meeting of our city council The
majority of those expressing them
selves, are in favor of the proposition,
and are steadfast in declaring the free
public library becomes the center of
the educational life of the community.
In the silence of it's reference room,
the student looks up the difficult points
in his lessons, learning what other
authors beside his text book writer,
have said Oh the given subject.
From it's shelves the young student
in Engineering or Electricity secures
the books with which to prosecute his
studies. The student of music or art,
finds there his supplementary reading.
Even the members of the legal pro-
fession find use for it's, endless volumes
Of reports. The minister secures fresh
inspiration for his weekly discourse.
1t is even whispered that the news
paper man goes there sometimes to
look over his own files
More than all this, the busy working
people find there the secreation-the
mental relaxation which enables them
n f0run% fh~ h,,~1 - L.
least a time. p
But these general considerations are
not all that touch the citizens: of
Devils Lake when debating the ques-
lions of public library.
We have here a large number of
young men and boys, employed in the
shops or on the railroads who are
boarding. There is no place for them
to spend quiet hour in the evening.
Most especially there is no place
where they can go to read, or study.
They must take their relaxation on
the streets
1t has been said by some of the rail-
road officials that it is hard to- get
first class men to come here because
there Is nothing for them but the shop
and the streets, What boon and a
safeguard the reading room of a Ii
brary Will be for these men.
Let rs review education. There is
here in our town library of upwards
thousand volumes which has been
collected and cared for: by the Women's
clubs of the town. These books, the
club proposes to turn over to the city
If they will accept them and maintain
here a free public library. T:
- Under the laws of North Dakota
municipalities may tax for library Dur.
poses to- the limit of four mills II
the city accepts this library there
must be a tax levied for its support
Now comes the question OF a rnplic
building Tor storing the books. The
Ls"e. is most simple. T., Carnegie
a's"'"'s. H,~a,s ra'., .,:asrs,--z :sA
sne IN ah.'sEa ws.esIs ME. sC:4s.ss, sg!e
"s;. tea4'e> . ,.,''aF are; na,,s, .stms'e
AS well as most sbusinessrslike.., II "a
m l1ll desires p Carnegie library
building 1t. must furnish q site for it
and It must agree. TO donate Annually INN
ten percent so !I q the sit to maintainance
/ of the library, - - ~ 80 -
For example, If this town should lie
sire that Mr. Carnegie donate d library
building costing sIs,goo,aa site for hid,
building must bes, furnished, and thar
each year $4,000 fof the ss1,nalnfe,anf;.s
of the a1lbfafry st - 4sss4ffassess sIsESzs ]
70 very t plhrsabeeatiscai. thig s s15O &
.taay be raised by q tax 81 niais
lonE CITY tag is4nevr Il IL suaalls
/ T. Real Mras stoE osyea knpwF,r1ns,
4 .any EbesfaE of obtainings appthe,
me P public tlliHa Tor ease ttpwna u
. 55$ q. tEasa tigeass