Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1911-02-24
LADIES' LIBRARY.
Continued from Page IL

work of all the librarians has always
been. There are eight regular libra
rians and two substitutes. One libra
rian has served thirty years, others
more than twenty, another nearly
twenty and others for shorter periods
and in no case has one been paid.
1t has always been a matter of regret
to the library association that the IL
brary has not been used more by people
in Middlebury who really wish to read
good books. Sometimes such people
have gone to the college library for a
book and have there been referred to
the Ladies' library as probably having
the book when the college did not own
it. 1t is obvious that however DESTROYS
the college management may be to
supply the general public with books
they cannot do it. When books are
bought for the use of college students
such books cannot be generally used by
people through the town.
Again sometimes person wishing to
read some works on sociology, philos
ophy or religion has assumed, without
consulting the public library, that the
books could not be obtained in Middle
bury and has sent to New York for
books which he has learned later were
in the Ladies' library. The use of the
library has always been given to the
ministers of the village and they have
expressed their appreciation of this
privilege and have also been gratified
to find so desirable collection of books.
Some of the college faculty have also
found just the books they wanted on
the shelves of this library.
The reason some of the departments
are so small is because there is so little
demand for books in those sections.
The library board is always glad to re-
ceive suggestions about desirable books
and is eager to supply any demand for
books wanted for study by any of the
clubs in town or by individuals.
The library has always been governed
by democratic spirit. A few years
ago thorough canvas of the village
was made. Some one commissioned by
the library visited every home in the
village and explained that the library
was for everybody. They were obliged
to add that there was fee of one
dollar and this may have deferred some
from taking books.
The proposition which was approved
by the Ladies Library association at
special meeting held in the library Sat
urday February Is, and which will be
submitted to the voters of Middlebury
at the town meeting was as follows:
Provided, the town will cooperate
with the Ladies' Library association
for the purpose of establishing free
public library in Middlebury, the said
association will give to this end the use
of its present collection of 1000 volumes
and its annual income of about $500 to
be expended as the board of the
Ladies' Library association shall author
ize for the purchase of new books and
for other necessary expenses.
The association voted to do as stated
above, if the town will make annually
an appropriation of two and one-half
per cent of the grand list.
This money to be used (D to provide
for keeping the town library open as
many hours as possible each week and
for paying the salary of competent
librarian, (2) to assist East Middlebury
in maintaining it's branch library and to
provide travelling libraries" for su Oh
school districts as will assume the care
of the same, (3) to pay for rent, fuel
light, janitor and other incidental ex-
penses.