Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-20
Ehfntng Ghat

Twenty-eight questions, each one
requiring search of books to answer
were received in one afternoon at tho
Harrisburg Public Library a few days
ago. These questions all came in ove'
the telephone and there were in addi-
tion number answered for persons
who applied at the question desk.
Ihis is a form of library work which
the average person who goes to draw
out novel or some other book does
not realize. The library is circulating
about $500 books every week and
helping teachers and students keep up
with their work And 1t is also being
done I'm addition to answering ques-
tions. The reference desk is a .ature
or library activity which has come to
the front immensely and has to a GER
tain extent taken the place of the al
manac. There are not so many al
manacs published as in years gone by
and the development of She telephone
mas enabled people to get into prompt
touch with the places where informa-
tion is to be had on short notice. Very
rev or the questions which are asked
of the library are of the freak order.
Most OF them are from people who
want to know and to know quickly.
one inquiry few days ago was as to
the best way to get hired girl, while
another person, evidently a student
wanted the year of Napoleons birth.
The library was also asked to settle
the question whether Meade could
have captured Lee after Gettysburg
In connection with the library, it
| may be stated that one of the most in
teresting exhibitions given in a long
/ time in Harrisburg was of things
made by youngsters who had been
reading the arts and crafts collection
| of books in the school children's cor
ner. There were eleven prize winners
each one having made some article
from the information given in the text
books. Electrical contrivances, boats
| successful was the exhibition that it
| is proposed to hold another later on in
| the winter.
Two old invitations found among
/ the collections of retired passenger
/ engineer have been attracting much
| attention among some of the older
residents of the city. The one was for
the annual ball of the Washington
! Library, held in Brant's Hall, Mon
| day night, February 23, 1868. The
managers of this event were S. II.
Colestock, NJ B. Black, William S.
Buch. j. c. Leady, ]. M. CoIestock.
b. F'risch. James Crawford and ]. w.
Walter. None are living. They were
numbered among Harrisburg's active
| citizens for many years and every
event in which they were interested
was big success. The other invita-
ton was for the annual picnic of the
mans Woods, Saturday, August II,
a., 1856. There were thirteen members
| on the committee. one of whom is still
| living. His name is John NJ. Reese
| and he resides at 1419 North Third
street. Other members of the commit
tee were ]. A. Stahl, ]. A. Krause, c.
Sheiner. e. Finney, +. Kinnard, NJ.
Cash, T. Maloney. d. Krause, h.
| Frisch. j. Crawford, S. Pool and E.
| Reese. These picnics were also big
| social events and were attended by
State. county and city officials and
visitors from other cities.
The Washington Library was an
unique organization. 1t was a social
organization with club privileges
There was library. all right, and the
latest magazines, books and peri
odicals were always on the shelves and
tables; but there were other things.
| solid and liquid. The expenses We're
paid by dues, assessments and from
funds raised by holding balls and other
entertainments No member paid for
drinks or luncheon. Members of the
club were all Harrisburgers. No resi-
dent of the city except member was
| peIllllIlSu III JHe rooms OF the organ
ization. Nonresidents were admitted
as guests of a member. When guests
entered, a list of rules was shown, and
every one was instructed to follow
them closely. One rule provided that
all guests must serve members when
called upon. There was no renigging
on this rule. If the Governor of the
State was q guest and a member said.
Governor bring me a drink and some
luncheon" he would have to do II.
The same rule applied to all members.
Often one member was singled out to
do all the serving.
Representative "Bill Adams, of Lu-
Zerne county. who was here YESTERDAY,
has pronounced ideas on preparedness.
The legislator says that people ought
| to go out into the country and hike
and keep themselves in good shape be-
cause a good, active. healthy man soon
makes an excellent soldier. The Lu-
zernel legislator served in China, the
| Philippines and other foreign wars.