The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-02
Brief Sketch of East Barre W. c. T. U.
Library.

The Loyal Banner w. C. I, U. was
organized in East Barre Sept. Is, 1900,
and before the close of the year III mem
bers were enrolled. Since then the mem
bership has increased and again de-
creased, as its members have moved away
or grown weary in well doing" until at
| present there are only 10 members in
good standing, but there are new ones to
come and those already members are not
discouraged.
The work, while never aggressive, has
been one of progress, with the intention
of being help to someone by the way.
The union has for many years past en-
deavored to supply many of the quarries
at Websterville with emergency boxes
and has tried to keep them in the stone
sheds here. It's members have used their
influence on the side of temperance in
the issues of the day as far as possible by
the distribution of literature, posters and
by having lectures when speakers could
be procured.
Funds have been raised for the work,
aside from the regular dues, in the va
rious ways known to all who are brought
to face like necessities, viz, suppers,
sales, socials, etc.
In May, 1910, the little company of
members took under consideration that
which seemed to them TO be need in
East Barre, namely, the procuring of a
nucleus of a library, so they started by
accepting some books which had been
used as Baptist Sunday school library
and few from literary circle, which
had been organized here, but had dis
banded. and also q small contribution of
money from the same source. Later the
proceeds of a play given by the dramatic
company was given and a gift of so
books was made by d. NJ. Frye of Som
eryille, Mass. At the same time use was
being had of books from the travelling Ii.
brary of Vermont.
A subscription paper was circulated to |
procure bookcase for use, but the fire |
district OF East Barre, who had kindly |
painted the inside of the upper part OF
their hose house and given the use of the
same again came TO the assistance OF
the union by building two fine bookcases
in the room. Here the books have been
kept and the room has been open to the .
public between the hours of 8 and near 4
ly every Saturday night for over six
years. The only fee has been charge OF
five cents per week for books kept out 4
more than two weeks.
In September. 1916, there was opened
to the w. c. T. u. an opportunity to
procure a home for the future by the
purchase OF building centrally located.
To do this it was necessary again to re-
sort to public subscription and papers
we're circulated, which were very gener-
,usly signed both here and in Barre City,
in Barre Town and Washington, with the
result that in two weeks the deed was
aiken in trust, with the expectation that
n the not very distant future library
association may be formed, which shall
1e of lasting benefit 20 the place and the
people, long after the original promoters
ave passed on.
The organization is still working and
las lately made an addition OF % new
,ooks. There are now between $50 and
100 books, with about 40 and so, and
sometimes up to 65, loaned each open
light. One hundred and twenty-five
names are on the list as readers, and !
With the coming of winter more are ex-
'ected.
Nov. "a chicken.pie supper was
erved for the firemen's annual dance,
which netted $23, and on the evening of
Sec. a banquet was served for the dis
riot meeting of the /. o. r. NJ, from 4
which the ladies received little over S44.
Is is customary at these meetings.
election was taken at the tables for the
actresses, which in this instance was
etween Sl2 and Sl4. This was very
anarouslv dopa4ad nv the voiInp Deonle
0 the fund for the reading room.
There is great need of more interest
nd help, as there always is in any good
,ork. Many thanks are extended by
he members of the union to all who
ave helped the library to become so well
with prospects of lasting