The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-22
INDIANA's FIRST LIBRARY.
Many Of the Original Collection of
Books SIN Preserved.

Very early in the history OF Indiana
while IL was yet n territory and its set
tiers were absorbed by Their preservation
or life problems. appear the records OF
our library beginnings VIII Oh. from 1906
were made at Vincennes. Among the
territorial laws we may scan AN act
to incorporate the Vincennes Library
Company signed by Gov. W. II.
Harrison, September II. 1907. under
which was established the first circulate
ing library In Indiana.
Possibly one-third OF the original 1908
collection of some 1000 books are now
in the vlncennes University library, says
the indianapolis NcUs. Fortunately the
list OF the first 210 vorumes acquired by
the original company has been pre-
served. The Nincennes Historical and
Antiquarian Society established its col
lection in 1S0S. When Vincennes Uni
rersity was opened in 1910. Its library
was also started, which later included
the first two collections mentioned above.
This Nincennes University has come to
he the library keeper of the first three
collections of books large enough to con-
stltute the first Libraries on Indiana Ter
ritory. Possibly the Roman Catholic
Church gathered some ecclesiastical lit
erature as early as 1894. but no accumu-
lat'on Is recorded until 1894, when price,
less books printed in 1896 and 1862 were
found in the 81. Francis Xavier Church
library at Vincennes. These books in
the university and church library we
fiewed and handled with deep reverence.
In historic old Nincennes. on July 20.
1906. at the home Of William Hav. n
rotable ~assemblage OF men gathered TO
promote the formation of a circulating
library. The central figure Of the group
was General william Henry Harrison,
whose race. bronZed by exposure in the
performance OF his duties as superin-
tefdent OF indian affairs, was now aRlov
with this patriotic plan to disseminate
good literature among the settlers OF
indiana Territory. Gov. Harrison was
made chairman and BENJAMIN Parke
secretary of the meeting. To formulate
the constitution the following commit
Tee VAS appointed: John Badalett.
chairman; John Johnson. David Mckee
ana John X. Jones. At he second
meeting. held August .. the constitution
was 'varfously" amended and adop,edS
Shares of stock were issued. and ON
august 20 the original book shower
IN Indiana was held. when w. Buntin
contributed n number OF books, the first
Gift made for circulating library pur-
poses In Indiana. The first libra Ran
appointed was Peter Jones. the auditor
W pupllc accounts and a tavern keeper.
The annual meetings as announced in the
western Sun we're held at Jones's Inn.
The preamble OF the act of charter OBJ
tanned from the General Assembly states
that "sundry citizens OF Vincennes have
associated themselves together for the
purpose OF establishing a circulating
library. and in order to establish said
institution more permanently they prav
that a more suitable charter NAV be
granted. organizing said institution"
To govern IL, AT the annual meeting of
the library shareholders. to be held the
hrst sunday in February. a president
ana seven directors were to be appo nted
Tor the ensuing yea to constitute "a
body corporate, In deed. fact and name
The president and directors were en-
powered to make such bylaws. ordi-
nances and regulations in writing. not
inconsistent with the laws of the United
states or OF this Territory. as may he
necessary for the government OF such
institution The concluding section of
the law stated that mo determlnate
number OF shareholders shall be neces-
sary TO form n quorum to do business
From time 10 time notices of the annual
meetings of shareholders were given and
reminders of money due the association.