New Ulm review., 1909-01-20
Plea For a Public Library.
Contributed by A. =. ].

which has been asked me by many
people, some interested in such IL
brary, others perhaps not. After /
had inquired further into this matter:
found that some time ago there was
an agitation in favor of such a pro-
ject. But this agitation died away and
nothing more seems to be said or done
about it, I do not know why the agi-
tation formerly commenced failed to
bear any fruit, nor does it make much
difference to know what prompted that
failure. The question however, wheth-
er New Ulm needs public library to-
day, can perhaps be answered. Before
any definite reply can be had, however,
it must be known of what value is such
library.
A public library is the most value
able asset that an enlig htened people
may possess. It is this, not in a pecu-
mary sense, but in that broader sense
which the world recognizes as valu-
able "a sense in which the world
places the nations in a category of
enlightenment proportional to their
libraries, schools and system of edu-
cation. But value is power and a
library is a power because of the many
wholesome influence which it promotes.
1t brings the people together in the
pursuit of common end. We may
differ in every respect politically, So
cially and spiritually, but there is one
common ground upon which we can
all stand and that is the ground of
education. If public library has
this element in it, and who will. deny
that it has, it is highly valuable
asset.
1t is moral force in community.
There are few people who relish being
classed among those that spend their
hours in any but an honorable way.
Nor are there many people who will
say that spending a few hours time in
a public library is less honorable than
spending those same hours in the sat-
isfaction of a physical desire. The
truth is that premium is set upon the
character of him who in the leisure
hours of the day reads in some quiet
place the best literature obtainable.
Everyone who would spend some time
in such library would at once per-
Iooivo no. irforoct ic a
tacbed to him by the people.
I It offers a quiet and valuable retreat
i for the laboring man. For after hav-
ing labored through the long day and
often through the night there is little
opportunity for the laboring man to
obtain any valuable information. The
daily papers which are the most ac'
cessible are usually filled with much
sens ational news, and the principles
advocated by such papers are usually
hostile to the interests of the labOrer
; 1t is not enough to say that a person s
education consists in the work done
while at school. It is more nearly
proper to say that the whole life of 6
man is an educational process. The
world moves on with constant &C
celeration and he who would not bt
left behind must read, study and think
And where is the opportunity for an!
man, be he laboring man, a busines:
man, or professional, SO we'll pre-
sented as in library containing tht
best periodicals, papers and books
Finally and most valuable of all i:
the influence upon the young people
Every where, and even in our yer,
midst, do we find the juvenile classe!
grouping, as it were, in the dark fol
something of an elevating nature tt
which they can attach themselves. 4
sense of the beautiful charms them
, A sense of the chlvalrous ennoble!
them. A sense of the great inspires
them. And a sense Of the mysteriou
prompts their curiosity to Investigate
r the truths hidden from them by tn
3 haze of inexperience. For them |
public library would be at once ;
splendid monument and a resourcefu
l fountain-a a monument whose loft,
; purpose would inspire them to a high
: er activity; fountain from whic]
+. they could draw all the refreshin!
t drinks of truth.
] Now, is there any need for a publ
S library? Ask yourselves the question
: and the asking implies itssown answer
D For who would say that New Ulm
y not entitled to all these things? Their
!, is no one who can deny the positiv
: utility of library to enlightened pee
d pie. And who would maintain tha
e the people OF New Ulm are not able t
appreciate such an institute on?
9 Pointers for Creamerymen.