The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-11-27
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times so limited that necessarily .
very small salary has been paid the
Librarian.
The community was indeed fortunate
in having someone who has willingly
devoted the time and energy required
and who put her whole heart into the
work regardless of the small stipend
attached thereto. Only those who are
familiar with library work know how
much time has to be given to it aside
from the hours when the library is
open for the circulation of books. New
books have to be catalogued and other
wise prepared for circulation. Old
books have to be constantly cleaned
and mended and culled out. Reports
and correspondence and numberless
other things have to be attended to.
Also aside from all this regular
library work, Mrs. Lynch did much of
her own janitor work. This is some
thing that should never be required Of
any Librarian.
To the casual visitor our library
might seem of very little consequence
but to those who have watched its
steady growth it is a source Of pride
and it holds out good hopes for the
future. In two and hclf years it
has grown from rs volumes to almost
1900, not counting those which from
time to time have had to be discarded
on account of wear and tear.
True it is that, for progressive
town the size of Princeton, 1000 vol
umes is a comparatively small num-
Der, but now that interest is awakened
in this matter which for SO many
years was so sadly neglected, the fu-
ture of the public library seems as
sured. Also it seems very promising
that this interest was awakened dur
ing the period of the war-a time when
most of the strictly community affairs
had of necessity to lie dormant.
To those who have not been particu-
larly interested in the library it may
be surprising to learn that there are
400 cards issued to borrowers and that
the circulation of books for the library,
year which ended last July was 1000.
Besides the books there are about.
twenty of the current magazines, both
weekly and monthly, which are placed
in circulation soon after receipt OF
same because the accommodations Tor
a reading room in the present library
are not very commodious.
That the number of books has grown
so steadily is due largely to the fact
that there are so many public spirited
citizens who .have repeatedly given
from their own collections. Contrary
to what might be expected, these gifts
are not culls but consist mostly OF
books which are of real value to the
library. When list of books needed
for the English work at the high school
was presented the library board, not
having sufficient money for the pur-
chase of all on the list, had it printed
in the Union with the request for as
many gifts as possible. The response
was generous. During the last two
months SO volumes have been received
in gifts.
The village appropriation for the
year is $500. BY the time rent, fuel,
libroria salary and other necessary
expenses are deducted, not any great
amount remains for the purchase of
books and magazines.
There is about to be reorganiza-
ton of the library and it is hoped that
much interest will be shown, as a
good library is of vital Importance to
our schools.
The public library has been serving
as the school library since the old high
school building was destroyed by fire,
but it is not adequate to the de-
mands.
The school board has provided in the
new high school building room for
the library, which will be available as
soon as the new grade building is
completed. But before making this
move the library board is trying to
raise as high as possible the standard
of the library.
Miss Baldwin, state director Of Ii
braries will be here next week to
superintend this reorganization.
:: Part of Kellogg's Statement.
Following are some Of the points