American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-03-29

feet. Through solicitations there we're
about 100 books either loaned or do
mated and a large number of maya
lines. The reading room was kept
open every evening, the ladies taking
turns as attendants. A few juvenile
books and a hearty greeting soon pop
ularized the reading room with the
'hildren, and the floor space had to
'e doubled. The sale of library tick
els to adults. and Entertainments, pro
vided funds for rent, light and heat,
and the few magazines that could not
ne secured except by purchase. Soon
the library was kept open Saturday
afternoons as well as evenings, to
accommodate the children.
Within two years the reading room
had grown to such an extent as to be-
come a tax upon the energies and time
of its founders, and they sought to
turn it over to the village for opera
ton. The trustees suggested the Dr.
ganization and incorporation of a Ii
hrary association, and on August l,
1910, the American falls Public Lii
brary- association took possession.
Two years later the demand for more
became so imperative that a IL
brary building was decided upon, and
its building was made possible by Mrs.
S. c. Winters. one of the library trus-
tees. loaning the entire amount neces-
sary for its construction. AS a result
the library has a well lighted and well
appointed building 25x60 feet, with
ample shelving, and separate reading
rooms for juveniles and adults. While
the building is not yet clear, the debt
is being discharged at a rate which
Will make it so in about four years.
The library contains about $500
well selected volumes, many of them
valuable reference works which are
almost daily used by the children of
he public schools, as compared to 30S
books in 1910. The monthly circula-
ton of books has increased from 141
in 1910 to about seven hundred in
1917. and the monthly attendance from
397 to about 1400.
The first book was taken from the
library by Grover Evans on March, 8,
1909. 1t was a loaned volume belong
ing to Mrs. r. F. Moth.
The first librarian was Miss Mary
Ellsberry, who served for about a
year with great efficiency. She was
succeeded by Mrs. Della Reed, the
present librarian, who was one of the
members of the Syringa clubs which
founded the reading room. The other
members were Mrs. r. F. Moth, Mrs.
II. r. Hager, Mrs. r. L. Tucker, Mrs.
r. r. Greenwood, Mrs. ]. r. Chapman,
Mrs. Geo. p. McBurney, Mrs. Duncan
MacInnis, Mrs. d. ". Davis and Mrs.
o. II. Barber.
The library is now supported by a
one mill village tax, but this does lot
supply revenue sufficient to discharge
the Indebtedness ana pay operating
expenses. In order to meet this in
debtedness the library association is
sues and sells membership cards an
nually. which cards entitle the holders
to a voice in the management of the
institution and the election Of its Of
fioers. Tag days, entertainments, etc,
in addition to the membership cards,
are the mean adopted to raise money
to pay off the debt on the building.
The library is as good an example
OF the public spiritedness of the peo-
pie Of American Falls and vicinity as
can be found. 1t was started when
the population was very small, and
the needs Of the community not pres
sing, there being very few children to
avail themselves Of its privileges. In