American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1913-03-20
new HOME FOR
LIBRARY ASSURED
DIRECTORS DECIDE TO COM
MENCE OPERATIONS
AT ONCE.
PLANS AND LOT SELECTED
New Structure Will Be Opposite
Present Site, Will Be 25x5O,
Built of Frame with Sheet Met
al Siding.

After approving the architect s
plans for the new library building,
for the American Falls public IL
brary, the board of directors, at
their meeting Tuesday, instructed
their chairman to advertise for bids
for the building of the library and
announced that they had selected
the third lot south of the Press
building. on Chestnut avenue for
the location of the new home
This lot was owned by Miss Ma
comber, of Boston, Mass, a sis
ter of Mrs r. B. Greenwood, and
she, by cutting 5000 off the price
of the lot, virtually made dona-
ton of that amount toward the new
library
The new building is to be 25x50
feet, with ten foot ceiling, will be
of frame with metal sheeting, and
will be divided into three rooms, in
addition to book closets and other
necessary subdivisions. There will
be one main room in front, where
the librarians desk will be locat-
ed, and where book shelves, maga-
zine racks, tables, etc will be
placed. Two smaller rooms, one to
be used as reading room for
adults, and the other to be used in
like capacity by the children, will
be put in the rear. In these rooms
tables and writing material may
also later be provided for the use
of those who may have letters to
write.
The place will be lighted by cleo
tricity, and. if satisfactory arrange
.ments can be made with the power
company, it will also be heated by
electricity
The price of the lot upon which
the library is to be built was $500,
and this, together with the archi-
tect's approximation of the cost OF
construction, will bring the total ex
pense up to about S1.500. This
estimate may vary one way or an
oeher. This money will be avail /
aDle in the form of loan to the as
sociation. philanthropie local people
having generously offered to ad-
vance the money necessary.
Work will be commenced imme-
diately upon the letting of the con-
tract. and the building will be ready
for occupancy about the first of
May, or shortly thereafter.
History.
Commencing as a free reading
room with a total of about rs books
at the disposalc of it's patrons, the
local library has grown to its pres
ent state where it requires new
and larger building to properly care
for the new equipment and accom-
modate the increased patronage
On January 20, 1908, the Syringa
club, recognizing the urgent need
Of greater advantages in the way of
good reading for the young people
IF the town decided to equip a free
for the purpose of sup
,lying this want. The rooms in the
ear of the Falls Pharmacy were I
.ented, equipped, and opened with a {
public reception, and refreshments I
erved afternoon and evening, the
;yringa club having in the mean. 4
ime secured by subscription money 7
o pay the rent, buy furniture, etc. p
.bout 10 books, all gifts and good
y number OF magazines were avail e
BILE. L
The reading room was kept open p
a the evenings, the club ladies act b
az as librarians in turn. Later, n
arious gentlemen of the town vol n
nteered their services for the Il
venings D.
At first the children of the town b.
ere slow to take advantage OF
leir educational opportunity, and b.
i order to stimulate interest. lee st
Tres, made more attractive by re- in
were given for the boys ,bt
nd girls separately. This plan sue re
,eded splendidly, for what girl be
lnnot be reached by cookies, tea. it
Id ice cream, and where, where
deed, can you find a boy upon ar
hom pie has no influence? lie,
In February. 1909, Mr.. Caldwell. G,
rs hired to take charge of the sill
aiding room and act as librarian. ad
May, of the same year, Miss lit