The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-07
Tho AbbsytIie Library.

Last February the Civic Club OF Able,
vile, in order to extend its sphere or use
fulness and add interest to the Civic Club
work; decided to introduce u new feature
| for a three months trial, namely q culture
meeting with refreshments to alternate
with the business meetings. And l may
! add here that these meetings fuliliIea all
expectations, and the idea IS stlll coll
tinlled.
The first committee on culture programs
consisted of Mrs. j. Il. Blake chairman,
! Mrs. Claude Gambrell, Mrs. Frank Gary
and Mrs. j. L. Miller. Several OF these
ladies had previously conceived the ldea
! of establishing q public library, and reallZ-
ing that through these meetings tnere was
given to them an opportunity 10 htrouu
plans such an organization, the programs
we're arranged with this n III '!ew:
When the suggestion OF a library was
finally brought before the Club, it was en-
Enthusiastically endorsed and al committee
was appointed at once to canvas the own
and see what encouragement 1t would re-
ceive from the citizens of the city. Inc
enterprise met with the most favorable
consideration.
After much discussion it was decided at
the May business meeting that the Library
Association and the Civic Club should con-
stitute two separate organizations, because
the library work could only remain IN Lne
Civic Club as the work of q committee, re-
! ceiying equal appropriations with the
other committees, which would necessarily
be inadequate for the success OF SO lWpof-
tant and far reaching an enterprise, How
ever, all of the ladies Of the AbDeYllle
Library are still enthusiastic Civic CluD
members; working through both avenues
for the up building Of u city. -.
The executive board OF the AboeVllle
Library consists Of Mrs. J.F. Miller Pres,
Mrs. J.C. Klugh Vice-Pres., Mrs. Frank
Gary Rec. Sec Mrs. j. r. Blake Cor. Sec,
Mrs. Richard Sondley Treas. An advisory
board is composed Of Dr.. Claude Gambrell,
Judge Eugene Gary, DR.. f. E. Harrison
and Mr.. II. G. Smith. A charter has been
secured.
Three rooms on the second floor above
n. ID. Meros fruit store have been leased
for a number of years. They were opened
to the public September LIST. The plant
embraces a library, r~eading-room ana a
restroom. The rooms are open every DAY
except Sunday from 10 A. NJ. till 2 r. NJ.
and from 5 P. NJ. for an hour or two; the
a~fternoon-time varying with the seasons.
Miss Jennie Allen Is the librarian, aad we
can all agree that a more capable and
pleasing one could not be fonud.
There are over five hundred BOOKS
already on the shelves, many OF which are
the latest ones published, including the
works of our fav0rite poets, besides clas-
sizes, histories and members OF the newest
novels; these will be continually added to.
On the reading-room tables are numerous
news papers Of this and the n~eighbOring
states, as well as many of the best maya
zines. The rooms are equipped to render
comfort and pleasure to the puplic. Their
central location will be o great convenience
to all. The library is indebted to the
Commercial Club for its elegant furniture.
A number Of other presents have been
made already to the library by its friends.
The Library starts with over one num-
bred CHI :rter members. Any one can be-
come a member Of the library association
by paying one dollar annually, and be en-
titled to use the books in their homes.
Any one desiring to use the books only
certain months In the year, can do so by
paving ten cents a month The reading
room, with it's papers and magazines Is
free to every white man, woman n cnllo
in Abbeville and Abbeville county. Not
only these, but the Knight OF the Grip
land visiting friends will always lind a
hearty welcome.
The object of the library is not only for
the benefit and pleasure Of the grown peo-
pie, but is designed especially for the cul-
ture and entertainment OF the young. AS
has been aptly said, If you do not wish
your children to eat green fruit, you must
put ripe fruit In their hands" So 1t be-
comes our privilege and duty to give to
the library the hearty support which 1t de-
serves.
Blanche Ammen Blake.