The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-04-03
SUNDAY 0RENINo 81 LIaRARIEs
Results Attained in Vermont During
the Past Few Months.

The March bulletin of the Vermont
library commission contains the follow
ms relative to the sunday opening of
libraFiess
burlington. The Fletcher free libra
~ opened its doors iii November from
z 70 in the afternoon on sundays Tor
reading only. The Grst Sunday, As
came, now there are more than loo in
one day. Some reInain all the after.
noon. most read an hour or two to be
succeeded by others Many come who
are not seen here on other days, bust.
ness men, clerks, etc. Many boys and
girls are here who probably could come
on other days ii they chose Very few
q the poorer working class find their
way here yet, but Il Is expected that
they Will after more advertisement.
Only the lighter magazines and news.
papers are read generally, but the first
book asked for was a Commentary Oh
Romans, next Cruden's Concordance.
then 4 boy wanted DDnhey and Son,
read II all the afternoon and came the
next day 10 take II horne. Some have
come with Bible class questions to look
for the answers Cyclopedias are con
suited by those who could not take the
time for such study on other days
Many speak gratefully Of the privilege
Of reading at the library on Sunday.
st. Adams. Owing 70 the desire to
keep the youth of St. Adams from run
ming the streets and eongregating on
corners Sunday afternoons, the trustees
OF the st Adams public library decided
60 open the reading rooms Of the library
AZ place Of resort for the young men
and boys Of the city. On Sunday after.
noon, December ~, 1907, the reading
room was opened for the hrst time. II
being somewhat of novelty. the library
was well patronized, there being ever
forty visitors, mostly men and boys
Since the opening the number of visi-
tors has settled down to d fairly con-
slant figure, twenty being about the
average number. The majority are boys
between the ages Of ten and eighteen,
who come to pass the afternoon in read
ing magazines and Juvenile fiction. Now
aud then some older person comes to
look up a question or examine a book
Of reference, but that Is the exception.
In view Of the fact that the library
room was opened as reading room for
the boys Of the city, and az a means of
keeping them ok the street, am Of the
opinion that the experiment can be pro
n0unced success. Whether Or not ii III
tu continue, Am unable TIL state. When
the matter was ilrst brought sip. II was
decided to give khe scheme good trial
before ii was accepted ~ Il permanent
thing oE rejected Books ate taken from
the stack for use iii the room. but no
books are exchanged during the after.
noon. These are mostly works of he.
ton The reading room is open from Z,
until p. M, under the care OF Mr.. S. s.
Cushing
ss.Brattleboro The free library began
to open Sundays early ii january and
has been a pronounced success. the nuns
her Of readers increasing each Sunday.
Montpelier The Kellogg Hubbard
library was opened nine SUNDAYS on
trial with an attendance of ASH During
this time the jaHitor and one of the
trustees were in charge. AT the annnal
meeting THE trustees voted To continue
tx keep open, and Mr.. English. the
ianit0r, VA engaged To IN iii attend
anee during the hours from ! Till 6 TIT
the afternoon Not merely the reading
room, but the whole library i kept
open"