New Britain herald., 1915-10-21
HINT AT INCREASE
 IN LIBRARY FUNDS
Directors Deplore Failure of Voters to Raise Appropriation
REV. GRANT NEW CHAIRMAN
Library Board Organizes For The Year-Has But Small Sum For Use In Buying Books-Uohnson Wants To Be Shown-Bricfs.

Electing Rev. F. L. Grant as chair man to succeed Harry A. Fisher and naming Rev. R. H. Burton to con- tinue as secretary and treasurer the board of library directors has or ganized for the ensuing year. In connection with the formation of the committee, the members decided to issue a statement to acquaint the vot- CTS with conditions relating to the library, incidentally deploring the failure of the town to give the proper financial assistance.
 Out of a $200 appropriation made annually by the town for the library. the board spends over $100 for a H. brarian, nearly $20 to insure books and a small amount for repairing the old volumes. The balance remaining is consequently very small and the difficulties which the directors work under in their efforts to get new novels or non-fiction publications on the shelves is apparent.
 The statement given out today by the directors follows:
 That the efforts of the board of directors to- maintain first t-class pub lie. library in PlainviIle are appreciat- ed by many is shown by the large patronage of the library, and words of ommendation that are often ut- tered on the selection of books. On the testimony of competent judges we have as good small public H. brary as can be found in most any Connecticut town. But few realize the difficulties under, which the di- rectors labor in maintaining the li- brary on proper basis. With the exception of small number of books from the state and an occasional gift our only resource is the town appro- priation of two hundred dollars per year. Out of this we must pay the librarians salary, yearly insurance, and the cost of repairing books. It will be seen that this leaves but a. small amount for actual purchases Yet a few years ago when a slight increase was asked for at an annual town meeting the motion was prompt ly tabled without discussion. The directors feel that the reading public should be acquainted with the situa- tion, and while they have no plans on foot for raising additional funds. nor are directly asking for contribu- tions, they feel the citizens of the
 
 scanty resources at their command It is a worthy and important task to maintain good public library, and we are taking this opportunity to set forth the present difficulties of the situation. trusting that the facts may somehow be appreciated in practical fashion by the thoughtful members of the community who realize the educational and social advantages of the directors york;
 People interested in the library, who realize it's importance in the community, are in favor of having the selectmen include in the call for the special town meeting to be held in December a clause concerning the increasing of the appropriation. They believe the town can we'll afford to contribute at least $500 a year towards the expense of the institution The resolution tabled at the meet ing some time ago may be brought up at the coming session and if the situation is properly explained 1t is likely that favorable action will be taken by the voters.
 Elaborate Decorations.
 Judging from the plans of the com mittee of arrangements, the Town hall will be transformed into veritable fairyland for next Wednesday and Thursday, the dates set for the Mother Goose fair to be conducted under the auspices of the Woman's club for the benefit of, the library fund. It is the intention to have the hall decorated on more lavish scale than ever this year and the place will present an ap- pearance that will be both novel and attractive.
 Members of the club are greatly en- couraged over the prospects because of the interest taken in the fair by the townspeople. There is considerable interest in the efforts of the women