The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-06-18
THE MORRLSSON,S REEVES Ii.
BRARY

THE MORRISSON,S REEVES IL
BRARY
The fifth biennial report OF the Pub
lie Library Commission OF Indiana
contains some things of interest to
Richmond. We are all Of us aware
that we have library here, over half
the people OF Richmond use it, and
having used 1t for generation, have
forgotten that it Is not to be taken
altogether for granted.
According to this report the Norris
son-Reeves Library is the second larg-
est in size in the state. The Indian
apolis public library alone being
larger. Furthermore, according to the
table OF statistics, with the exception
OF the library at New Harmony this
was the first library to be organized
on an effective public library scale.
The New Harmony library. which was
begun under the inspiration OF Mcclure
who is so Identified with the early in
tellectual life OF Indiana, was founded
In 1888. Although Richmond had some
sort OF library from it's very begin
ming, 1t was not until 1864 that Nor
risson-Reeves library was founded and
part Of the present structure erected.
The indianapolis library did not start
until 1873.
AS the table Of data is scanned it is
q decided relief to notice that the IL
brary was built by the public spirited
gifts OF two OF Richmond's citizens
and maintained by the people. All
the rest of the column is gray with
the name of Carnegie with few ex-
ceptions of which Richmond is one.
1t should be matter of pride to Rich
mond that this library was fiourishing
long before Andrew Carnegie COM
nenced to persuade the people that
they needed a library with his name
on it.
It has been remarked that the Car
negie Libraries have spent more money
on the cost of building and mainten-
ance than on the buying of books. And
q glance at the statistics gathered IN
by the library commission shows that
there is much truth in the remark.
The measure Of library Is not in
the number OF books on Its shelves,
but in the proportionate number OF
borrowers The great libraries OF the
continent which are the storage places
Of costly and priceless books are mac
cessible even to those students who
need to use them for historical re-
search. Although this report does not
include the present year I'm which
there Is undoubtedly gain in the
circulation and number ct borrowers)
It appears that the library reaches
1900 borrowers In the town with q
total circulation OF about $4,000 vol
umes year. Compared with the
showing OF other libraries or rather Of
other towns. the library seems to be
doing extremely effective work.
One Of the most important reasons
for having q public library after GER
tain stages in its development have
been reached is the aspect of buying
books which are not accessible in any
other way to the reader. This is the
value Of large library In reference
work. From the point of view OF bene-
at to the community it is probably Of
more value than the dissemination of
light fiction, though that has purpose
too. The Morrisson- Reeves library IS
In the reference department, because
Of the length Of time that it has been
Ia existence. valuable store house
from the point OF view OF research
work. In view OF the number Of peo-
pie who use the library. 1t is scarcely
worth while to say anything about the
value Of the library 10 the town inas-
much a. most Of the people Ii Rich
uiond already know It and use It.
vigwag- Good evening. Mrs Gux-
1ler. u Mr.. Guxxler In?
Mrs. Guxxler~-H He haA mt gone down
to the corner. as be wanted q little ex-
erc1ee. n
WIgwag-I think III Join him. n.
which corner does hs take his ex-
sreissi fhiladslphi. 1ecerd