Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-04-29
"why Not a Rest Room p.


To THE EDITOR OF THE ENTERPRISE
have noted the article in the Enter
prise Of April 22d. entitled. "Why Not
Rest Room?" and while averse to an un-
signed article. the misstatemsnts are
SO glaring that as secretary Of the library
board feel they should be answered.
The library building was erected pri-
marily for use as free public library
and reading room. and eventually the
whole building will be put to that use.
The lower room. however. is not needed
at present for library purposes. and the
board desided to furnish it and allow the
various non-profit clubs and. societies in
the city to hold their meetings there. pro-
vidinR they were not Of such nature as to
disturb those reading or studying above.
They fixed nominal charge of SO
cents per day meeting and 81 per night
meeting to pay the expense Of light. heat
and janitor. This charge has been ad-
hered to with each club or society hold
ing meetings in the room.
The reading matter in the library is
furnished free to the public. but 1t must
be remembered that books, magazines
and maintenance Of the building cost
money. and all these expenses must be
met from sore source.
A portion Of our citizens donated liber-
ally toward the purchase Of the present
supply Of books. and the city council,
under state statute. set aside a one mill
tax levy for maintenance. Maintenance
means paying the expense Of running the
library and the purchase Of the future
supply Of books and magazines.
The one mill tax this year amounts to
sz66.24. or a fraction over 6ec per
annum to each person paying as much
as $50 tax in the city. Surely not a
great amount 20 maintain public library
and supply It with books. In fact. if the
library board did not have the benefit Of
the accumulation Of several years tax.
unless means were acquired from some
other source. the doors would have been
closed before this.
1t IS the hope Of the library board and
the city council. that before the present
supply Of money Is exhausted. the IN
creased valuation within the city limits
will give sufficient amount for maintsn-
anee.
Now. when Il is taken into eonsidsra-
ton that every so cents used for some
other purpose deprves the public Of a
servieeable book. the board feels that the
society or club using the room should pay
for the expense Of heating. lighting and
caring for It. which the amount men,
toned above will hardly cover.
We have refused the use Of the room
to two church organizations. because we
feared that the music would disturb those
IN the main building. When our reason
for refusal was given them. they agreed
with US and withdrew their requests.
Now As to the proposition to turn this
room into Rest Room" for the benefit
Of the wives and children Of farmers.
while waiting for the husbands and
fathers. ! believe the rest room 4 good
idea. and will ehssrfully support il. bit =
rest room in the library building would
bs entirely out Of place and nuisance.
Il would bs impossible for the librarian
to keep order. and It would defeat the
object Of the building quiet place to
exchange books. read and study.
The members OF the library board have
given their time and energy to the up
building and maintenance Of the library
and the purchase Of books. and probably
know more about what is beng done in
and about the building. than any one not
connected with the management.
Our books and records are open to any
one who wishes to look at them. and any
member Of the board. am sure. will
ehserfully give any possible information
asked.
II the writer Of the above mentioned
article had consulted the board. instead
Of drawing on his or her imagination,
thera would have been no need Of the
article. Very respectfully yours.
WILLIAM c. STEELE.
NEWDAI.E