Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-03

Vergennes, Oct 1.-The Bixby Free
Memorial library was dedicated yester-
day afternoon with appropriate services
held in the opera house which was filled
with an appreciative audience. Judge
Frank L. Fish presided as chairman
Among those seated on the stage beside
those taking part in the services were
Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick Frost and Mr.
and Mrs. W. Shelton Swallow of New
York city. the trustees and their Wives
the Rev. Richard @. Woodbridge and the
Rev. $ 9. Cobb.
The services were opened by prayer by
the Rev. George r. Brush. Judge Frank
l.. Fish In a short address told Of the
great gift to the city by Mr.. Bixby. the
work that had been done and descrip-
tion OF the building, and introduced as
the first speaker Congressman Frank l.
Greene OF st. Adams, who made a short
address The speaker deplored the fact
| that the State possessed no History Of
Vermont" and outlined a plan by which
through organization and a labor Of
| love such a work could be written. He
was warmly applauded at the close Of
his address.
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT THOMAS.
Judge Fish then introduced President
John Thomas Of Middlebury College as
the principal speaker. President Thomas
| In opening his address congratulated the
city on the gift of such a library. He
said he was interested in It as the open
ing of opportunities Of what such a
library can do for a Vermont town in
stimulating It along all lines Of spiritual.
mental and physical life. and said that
he firmly believed that a library Is a
necessity in every community
The speaker proceeded to prove his as
sertion and held his audience closely in
q scholarly, convincing address In which
he told Of the things that a library
rightly managed would do for a COM
munity. His advice to the trustees was
particularly good. In speaking Of the
library he said that the personal mag
net of the library is Is per cent. building
and Is per cent. books. The librarian 8
Of the people. President Thomas at
| applause.
EXERCISES AT BUILDING.
At the close of the address Judge Fish
extended an invitation to the audience
to visit the library and inspect It, Al
| the building dedicatory prayer was
offered by the Rev Richard G. Wood
bridge, the Rev. 8. s. Cobb pronouncing
the benediction Excellent music for the
occasion was furnished by Vittum's or
chestra.
Among those present from away were
i
Fair Haven, Miss Minnie Wright Of the
Castleton Free library. Miss Rebecca
Wright OF Montpelier secretary Of the
State library commission. Miss Kate
Stewart. librarian Of the Lawrence Me-
mortal library. Bristol, the Misses Etts
Clark and Edith Chamberlain Of the
Middlebury College library. II. r. Hunt
ting publisher. of Springfield, Mass
Frederick Frost. architect, and Mrs
Frost of New York city. Ex-Governor E
j. Ormsby and F. II. harrington OF
Brandon. George Smith. librarian OF the
Mary Fletcher library. Burlington. Mr.
ard Mrs 8. W. Hindes and Mr.. and
Mrs .. II. Sherman and Mr.. and Mrs
Lawrence BARLEY OF Burlington. the
Rev. and Mrs. w. F. Weeks OF Shell
burne and the Misses Ada and Jennie
Bristol Of Middlebury.
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING
The library is the gift of William
Cove Bixby n resident OF this city, who
died In 1907. The library building Is 10.
Gated on Main street in the center OF
the city on a high bluff commanding a
fine view of Otter creek and the Adiron
dack mountains. The grounds on which
the library building stands formerly be.
| longed and was the site OF the residence
| of chief Justice John Pierpoint From
| the balcony on the west side n view Is
afforded of the basin below the falls
made famous as the place where. under
| the supervision Of Commodore Mcdon
Ough In the winter of 1914. the feet was
| Quilt. with which he won the memOra bic
naval battle near Plattsburgh. N. Y.
| rhe building is built of yellow tapestry
brick. with Indiana limestone pillars and
trimmings in white. There arc cement
walks In front and driveways at the
rear. In front are Ave large maple trees
and later shrubs and vines will bs
planted.
FINE VIEW FROM PORCH.
Running the whole length of the wes
| side of the building Is large porch
from which a remarkably fine view car
be obtained of the foot hills of the Ad
irOndacks and the high peaks OF Noun
Marcy and White Face. From here too
al certain seasons OF the year, as tn,
sun sinks behind the distant peaks OF tn,
Adlrondacks. are to be seen sunsets tina
rival in beauty. and travellers who hav,
seen both say surpass. the famed ono
OF Italy. This porch Is accessible onl,
through the reading room on the frs
floor and the assembly room on the sec
ond floor.
The first floor contains a vestibule,
rotunda under stained glass DOME will
mosaic floor, a large light reading room
with fireplace and glass door on tn,
porch. we'll lighted circular children's
room at tho back. reference room. llbrar
ian's room, cataloguing room With lava
tory. public lavatory for women, an.
stack room with capacity for 5000 books
There Is also second floor Of stack
over this. The stacks are of sma--.l
steel with glass floors and small stat
case running from the basement to tn,
upper floor. 4 book INT also runs from