The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-06-03


pleasant reading rooms. and yet in its
short Ave years Of history, in spite OF
the strong grip 1t has taken on public
popularity, those who have the insti-
tuition and it's policy in hand feel that
the work has only begun, and that, If
favorable opportunity is given, another
Ave years will see remarkable growth
in it's present activities, and probable
new phases OF usefulness launched and
under way.
For Home Reading
Nearly 100000 books have been
borrowed for home reading since the
library opened five years ago. Some of
these books have been purely enter
tanning, some have been instructive,
we hope, as well as entertaining. many
have been along lines Of serious study
and research, and have been a very
present help to the borrower
ION the first day that the library
was open 202 persons joined and reg
istered for borrowers cards. For the
entire five years, over 1880 citizens
have availed themselves of this free
privilege. or. considerably over 25 per
cent of the white population and a few
colored people in the colored depart
ment.
1.-The circulation Of books five years
ago was started with 5000 volumes on
the shelves. Now there are over $1,000,
and q pretty good selection, but the
building will hold 10000, and Jackson
willie would probably use that many if
the library had them, so 1t will keep
on growing. The superintendent is
always glad to have readers suggest
desirable books for purchase. and if
they are within their means, they are
generally secured.
Between 500 and 600 persons a day
visit the library, week in and week
out, month in and month out. Some
stop just long enough to look up a
fact in an encyclopedia, others just re-
turn book and get another, others
sit down to read the Century Maya
zine or the Electrical Age, others
spend a half day writing a paper for
the 5woman's club, or compiling data
on the phosphate industry in Florida,
others come in to browse and remain
to read. and some come because they
haven't anything else to do or any
where else to go.
This latter class is mentioned be-
cause it is believed, here, the library
does indirectly valuable service to
man. with no particular literary bent,
will wander in of an evening, and
spend his time with the Saturday Ev-
ening Post or with Huckleberry Finn,
when, were it not for the library he
wodld be spending his money and his
health elsewhere.
"Of the total number of books loaned
over 100000 volumes have been taken
by the children. Nothing offers such
dividends work with children. The
first childrens room was the small
room on the first floor now used as a
Notion room This was soon outgrown.
In less than year it was moved to
the second floor. to a larger room, and
at the this time put in nearly 1000
new and attractive juvenile books
which the library was able to buy thru
the generosity of a number of citizens.
the largest donor being the children's
good friend, Mr.. W. W. GUNNER. Last
spring this room was outgrown and
had to move again, this time across the
hall on the second floor, where they
now have two rooms. one for larger
children and one for primary grades
The library has cost in these years
to Jacksonville s11.666.24. 1t has the
services Of some of the most unselfish
and honored men Of the city in its
management. We reproduce so much
OF the above article, because the pub
lie library question is on in Ocala
There Is a desire on the part of a
number of our people to have Ocala
accept Mr.. Carnegie's offer Of $4,000
to create free library in this city and
with that object in view. desire the
Lev, fov 90
half or three-quarters Of mill to sus-
tain the library when built.
There has been opposition to this
effort and some Of the minds of the
aldermen have been poisoned or pref
udiced by statements that if you
create a free public library in Ocala
negroes will have the same privileges
Of the building as the white people
and all one has to do to create a feel
ing Of prejudice that floods cannot
wash away is to raise the cry Of social
equality. We repeat the cause Of this
prejudice because it was insinuate ed
that social equality did exist in the
free public library in Jacksonville
that white and colored people met side
by side at the secretary's desk and
around the reading tables and would
do likewise here, if such an institution
was founded.
Now there is not a word of truth In
that insinuation. The races have sep.
arate entrances and rooms and neither
is aware of the presence of the other
in the building. The same conditions
would exist here. 1t was only las
week that in discussing a free public
library for Ocala the same question
OF social equality came up and Jack
sonville was named as the place, wher
several ladies in the group remarked
that they had visited the Jacksonville
free library to inspect the same AND
found none Of the conditions as stated
existing, and the Jacksonville public
library received no more knocks.
We are a people Of many minds an6
purposes; most Of them are cherished
and promulgated for the benefit Of tn.
city Some insist that paved street:
and sidewalks are the thing. Other:
think that soft water will put US into
the $4,000 class. Again you heal
sounded the beauty and attractions o.
parks; others that the Identification
and sanitation of your homes is the
proper thing, and again others insis