Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-03-23
State Historical Society
PU BLIC LIBRARY
Mineral Point Commercial Club
Recommeds that it Be Taken
Over by the City.
VISIT OF NJ. S. DUDGEON
Secretary OF the Wisconsin Free
Library Commission.

Library COMMISSION.
AS a result of recent official visit OF
Miss Helen T. Kennedy, Of the Wis
consin Library Commission, to the Min
eral Point Public Library, the question
of the city taking over the Library was
brought before the Commercial Club
for discussion at the regular meeting OF
the Club held on Monday night.
After talking with members of the
Mineral Point Library Association, the
suggestestion was made by Miss Ken
nedy, that Mr.. M. S. Dudgeon, secre-
tary of the Wisconsin Free Library
Commission, present his views as to the
advisability of the city taking over the
library The suggestion was made
because of Mr.. Dudgeon's knowledge Of
the library work of the state. In con
sequence Mr.. Dudgeon, was by invita-
ton, present at the Club meeting.
Miss Kennedy's letter was first read
wherein it was stated that either the
Library must be closed and the books
given away, or else it must be taker
over by the city.
The following letter was then read
Mineral Point, Wis, Mar, 16, 1911.
DR.. c.. J. Fawkes, President CONNER,
cial Club:
Dear Sir-In handing you these sta
tistics of the Public Library, we, the
undersigned, wish to say, that after fif
teen years of work and the accumula
ton of over 5000 books, including an
especially good collection of reference
books, we feel that the library is on q
very precarious footing, and always
will be until taken over by the city.
AS it stands, it is at the mercy of con
stantly changing councils, and it's in
come depends upon the good will Of the
council. Statistics show that no library
has had permanency, (unless endOwed)
that has not been under city govern
ment.
The women were enabled to start the
library through the kindness Of the
Hutchisons, who placed room at thei1
disposal, and they have worked for it
over sixteen years, and feel that the
time has come when it should be placed
upon a firm and lasting foundation.
They have therefore decided at the
end of the official year, June 30, 1911
to sever their connection with the libra
ry, and feel that the city should be ap-
prised of this, as it's appropriations have
been given to the present management
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE M. CHASE, Pres,
MARY r. GUNDRY, Sec. Treas,
Library Association.
Mr.. Dudgeon was then called upon
by the president of the Club to give his
views on the question Of the city taking
over the Library. He said that the law
requires that there be set apart yearly
for school library purposes in each city
an amonnt equal to 10 cents per capita
on the children therein of school age );
but that where a public library is main
tanned the city may be relieved of such
requirement He showed what cities
similar in size to Mineral Point are
doing towards maintaining libraries
aud the great benefits derived from
public libraries. He presented figures
to show that it would be no great bur
den to taken over and maintain the
Library. To do so would not amount
to more than 16 cents on every 81 1,00C
of taxable property in the city. He
regarded the public library as a nee
essary adjunct to the school, and of in
estimable benefit to those deprived OF
school privileges.
The president of the Club, at the
CLOSE of Mr. Dudgeon' remarks, called
upon members for an expression OF
views on the question, and all who re-
sponded expressed themselves heartily
in favor of the city taking over the
Library.
w. A. Jones then introduced the fol
lowing, which was unanimously adopt
ed, by rising vote:
Whereas, The ladies composing the
Library Association have decided tC
give up their efforts to maintain pub
lie library in the city, owing to lack
of funds for that purpose; and
Whereas, They have generously offer
ed to to turn the Library over with al
of its property to the city free of cost
Belt Resolved by the Commercial club
of this city, that in the opinion of its
members, expressed at meeting held
at its club rooms on this date, the city
ought to accept this offer, and respect
fully petition the Mayor and Common