The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-10-28
sum OF $3.50
IS NEEDED
To Purchase Books For The
Public Library
One Mt. Vernon Citizen Will.
Give Sum Of $50
. If $3.50 Is Raised By The
People Of This City
An Appeal TO Every Citizen
In Mt. Vernon
To Assist In EnIafging The
Library's Capacity
To Assist In EnlafgiDg The
Library's Capacity
(ey Ethel NJ. Knapp

1t was a great disappointment to
all interested In the public library to
have such rainy night for the benefit
recital given by Miss Chain. Indeed
so very unfavorable was the weather
that only few dollars beyond expens-
es was taken in. The little will be
divided equally between fiction and
children's books.
At least the recital called attention
to the fact that the library is in great
need of books. The amount received
from the city for library expenses for
the last year was less than half what
was granted the year previous, so that
money had to be borrowed to even
keep open. The council expect, how
ever, to be able to give us larger ap-
preparation next year.
In spite Of the small funds and the
consequent fact that we have been un-
able to purchase new books except a
very few with the fine money, We are
very busy with reference work and
are trying to use our old books to
their greatest capacity. We need new
reference books very much. We also
need new books for the children's
room. We are losing the older chill
dren from the grades because we can
not supply their wants. That means
that many of them will lose the Ii
brary habit and in later years it may
be hard to win them back
The children's collection is not only
not increasing: it is diminishing, be-
cause books must be discarded from
time to time. We now have on the
shelves many books too soiled and
worn for circulation and which ought
to be discarded but we hold on to them
as long as possible because of our
lack of new copies to take their plac-
es.
Now comes the chance to help. A
certain gentleman of Mt. Vernon has
offered fifty dollars for new books pro-
vided four hundred and fifty more be
ciate this opportunity and be ready to
help. This will make possible for you
and your children larger opportunities
for knowledge and efficiency. The Ii
brary is, or should be, the supplement
and the continuation of the public
school. Have you only an hour week
for self-culture? In the library you will
find the thoughts, examples or expert
ments of others which are most help
full to you and so you may make the
most of your limited time. We have
your attention, books treating of So
cial problems, of useful arts, books
of history, biography and literature as
well as fiction for your lighter read
ing, and we are anxious to help you
find as nearly what you want as our
shelves can supply. But we want to
enlarge the librarys capacity for help
fulness. If everyone, who is interest
ed in having available good working
collection of books, free for the use
of every citizen, will do his share just
now, we can make a valuable addition
to the library. Be ready to respond
when one of the library board comes
to you. But do not wait for that, for
the board members can not see every
one. Go to them or to the library and
offer your contribution or your pledge
toward the five hundred dollars Re-
member that the last fifty is already
promised Possibly some clubs as well
as individuals will be glad to help with
this fund
We hope for as generous a response
10 this as to our request in the sum
mer for books and magazines We
name below those who helped US very
much with their gifts.
II the five hundred dollars is raised