New Britain herald., 1914-04-14

Hart, David N. Camp, Edward H. Davison.
 Library Committee--David x. Camp. chairman, Marcus White, John H. Kirkham, Charles F. Smith, Will liam F. Brooks.
 Membership Committee-Stanley J. Sloper, Edward N. Stanley, F. c. Platt.
 Proposition Tabled.
 It was proposed at last nights meeting that the city mayor and Su- perintendent s. H. Holmes be made members of the board of managera. but the matter was tabled until q future meeting.
 Was Sixtieth Report.
 This year marks the sixtieth an- niversary of the New Britain Insti- tute and in making his report Pres- dent David N. Camp read as follows:
 Tn presenting the sixtieth annual report of the New Britain Institute, we may wisely recognize the changes which have taken place during those three score years, not only in ths population and condition of this town and city, but in the methods adopted to diffuse information and contribute to the lnIeIlgeHce or the community
 Organized in 1853.
 When the institute was organized in 1853, it included in it's methods. not only maintaining a library and reading room, but providing for lec- lures, discussions, and conference. for .the mutual improvement of the community Distinguished lecturers of this country and Europe drew audiences which filled churches and halls, to listen to scientific and his- torical addresses. The institute had the character of lyceum. The privileges of taking books from the, library were enjoyed by only those who paid the annual fee. The aim was primarily to provide for adults, the workmen in factories and shops Few newspapers were taken in the town and large num- Der was received by the institute. While a fee was required for the privilege of taking books from the ! library, for home reading, the read- ing rooms were opened to the public | free, and were visited by many from | the shops as we'll as from families
 Conditions Have Changed.
  means of entertainment than lyceum lectures have been provided. During | the last half century great changes have taken placA in methods of li- brary work in the diffusion of | knowledge, and in the education of and youth. In the last few years there has been great advance In some states in esta blishing systems of travelling libraries, taking books from central libraries to manufactur- ing villages and mining districts, and in a few states, books are taken by authority to secluded homes in the to families that would otherwise have little opportunity of seeing good books.
 Favors Branch Libraries.
 ''1n some large cities, branch H. braries have been required because the main library had not room and facilities for meeting the demands of 3 great population, and in smaller cities of large territorial extent, the existence of some hamlet, or manu- 'acturing, district, at considerable dis ance from the main library has jus- flied the expense of maintaining q branch library. Neither of these conditions exists in New Britain. The small territory occupied by the city and town leaves no part from the center, and the location of it's business around the center has eft no hamlet, or village separated rom the main population. When ever sufficient funds are provided for he establishment of the branch li- orary, that portion of the city trib- ltary to the East street school and he Smith school would be entitled 70 consideration in the location, not only on account of the distance, but because railway tracks must be crossed at grade in passing from this part of the city to and from the H. orary. There is opportunity to ma-