Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-21

THE BANG LIBRARY.
Movement Started for the Erection
of New Library Building by Luz
ther College Alumni.

A movement has been started by
the Luther college alumni for the
erection of library building on the
college campus. 1t is the acquisition
by the college of the Bang library
that especially has shown the need
of such building at the present
time. With this addition to the col
lege library it now contains nearly
$4,000 volumes, a collection so val
liable that fireproof building which
will give it adequate protection and
where it can be made easy of access
is entirely indispensable.
The need for a building of this
kind has been felt for a long time
and at different times during the last
ten or twelve years, the Synod has
passed resolutions relative to the
matter, but until now no definite
plans have been outlined whereby
these resolutions might be carried
into effect. These resolutions all lay
stress on the great need for a library
building and call the attention of
the loyal supporters of Luther col
lege to the opportunity here offered
for donations.
On the strength of these resolu-
tions the Alumsi association at their
regular annual meeting on June II,
1912, elected j. c. NJ. Hanson as the
first member of committee of three,
whose duty should be to provide
ways and means for the erection of
a building of this kind Mr.. Hanson
appointed Prof. c. X. Preus and DR..
Ludwig Hektoen as the other mem
bers of the committee. This commit
tee last winter made an attempt to
interest Mr.. Andrew Carnegie. This
effort failed, owing to the fact that
Mr.. Carnegie has decided to exclude
from his donations institutions
whose boards of trustees of govern
ing bodies are made up of members
of only one religious denomination.
The committee has now formulated
a statement which has been sent in
form of a circular letter to all Luth-
er college clubs, urging immediate
action, and suggesting appointment
of committees to collect funds. One
plan suggested by the committee is
that each club subscribe a certain
sum which they will guarantee and
collect. AS an encouragement to
those interested it may be stated that
one alumnus has already subscribed
$500, payable 500 per year for five
years, with the provision that nine
other Luther college boys. not nee
essarily alumni, do the same.
]. c. NJ Hanson, the president of
the committee, in the course of an
article in the last issue of College
Chips says:
I'VE trust that all former as well
as present students may be aroused
to action. What is needed is concert
ed and sustained efforts all along the
line. The acquisition of the Bang
library as it becomes known, also the
fact that so much has already been
done at Decorah for the collection
and preservation of material needed
by the students of Norwegian and
Norwegi;1n-American history and
literature, is sure to arouse an inter
est in learned and cultured circles
lfar and wide. Luther college anC
Decorah will become recognized a!
one of the chief, if not the chief cen
ter for source material on certain i'm
portant historical and literary line:
of investigation. This places on th'
college, it's alumni, students, anC
, friends a responsibility WHICH can
; not be shirked, viz, to provide ade
Continued on page six.)