Our land = La Nostra terra. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 191?-1913, 1913-02-08
HURLEY'S FREE LIBRARY OPENED

Mr.. R. Paul, Chairman of the Library
Board, Mr.. Murphy presided In his
opening remarks. Mr.. Murphy spoke of
the good the library would do to the
young people in intellectual and moral
betterment He referred to the degrad-
ing influence of dime novels and bad Ii
terature upon the minds and ideals of
boys and expressed his pleasure over
the establishment of the right sort of
a resort for boys where they could read
good magazines and books.
The Rev Father Klopp was the next
speaker. In his talk on The Library
and the Church, Father Klopp showed
how the church had been the originator
and preserver of books and manu-
scripts. He stated that the monks
made books by hand before the inven-
tion of printing. Father Klopp congra-
tulated the people of Hurley upon the
establishment of the new library and
reading room and urged that only good
books be placed upon the library shell
yes. Upon the conclusion of Father
Klopps address, Mr. Murphy announc-
ed the unavoidable absence of the Rev.
MIR. Austin who was to have been the
next speaker but who had been unex-
pectedIy called out of the city. Mr.,
Vickers. then spoke en- THE Library
and the Press. He quoted from Dean
Birge of the University of Wisconsin
as to the value of good books and also
gave the view of William Jennings
Bryan on the wisdom of the establish
mont of a library.
Miss Lutte E, Stearns of the State
Library Commission at Madison was
next introduced by Mr.. Murphy who
stated that since the arrival at Hurley
of Miss Stearns and Miss N organ the
day before, the library room, had been
transformed into place of beauty and
home likeness. In opening Miss Streams
extended greetings to Hurley from the
State Library commission and the 175
public Libraries of the States upon the
completion of the educational triangle
of church, school and public library.
Miss Stearns stated that she had per
sonal reasons for rejoicing over the
establishment of library and reading
room, as she had been trying to bring
it about for Is years past, having visit
ed Hurley again and again for the pur-
pose Of interesting successive Town
Boards in the enterprise. The speaker
insisted that there had been nothing in
Hurley for which the citizens could
work unitedly. The church sentiment
is divided, there are public and paro-
chial schools which also breed dlsunion
there are various nationaltles and rae
es which in turn have their societie;
and lodges; there are various politlca
parties all Of which tend to Sc
parate people The public library il
the first agency which is non-sectariaI
and non political and for which every
one can work and to which all can con
tribute. Miss Stearns told of poo
washer woman, the mother Of thre
sons who scrubbed the library floor fiv,
times in a town where a library wa
established as her donation to tn
cause Donations of books current ma
gazines and daily papers were solicited
by Miss Stearns, in addition to none.
with which to buy them all Of whicI
are to be sent to Mrs. P. Lennihan th'
librarian. Miss Stearns said that So
English and 100 foreign books had bee
sent by the state which after beinl
read would be exchanged for other col
lections. Mr. Murphy then presente
Mr. A. Castigliano. consular agent q
Duluth, who had remained in the cit
to attend the meeting. Mr.. Castighan
expressed his interest in the new under
taking and stated that be would secur
} some Italian books from the Dante A
ighieri Society. This offer was receiy
ed with applause The talks were ir
terspersed with music By the Hig
School Orchestra and the Boy S Gle
!. Club under the direction Of Miss Rutt
Upon the conclusion Of the exercises
. the audience adjourned to the ibrar
room in the Town Hall where tn
books were inspected. The room ha
been newly painted and furnished ar
decorated with picturs and flowers. tt
gift If Miss Stearns. No books wei
p. issued until Wednesday when nearly 2
= books were given out The local teacl
ers assisted in advising with the chi
dren as 70 the books to be drawn.
= number Of the older people drew book
Th.e reading room was crowded IN t!
: evening with young and old. many
= whom expressed their appreciation
the efforts o. the Town Boars IN sul
plying a form Of social. centre for Hu
ley.
The people Of this comm9nity are il
- dehtad 20 Miss Stearns for tct gre
wolk done by her here. in arousing Il
public 10 the necessity Of a public
brary and also for the untiring effor
NM forth h, her in sfrch a causa