The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-12-11
A LIBRAR MEETING
Held for Purpose of Considering Con-
solidation of Public and
School Libraries.
Merging of the Two Libraries Would
Mean a Great Saving and a
Much Better Library.

On Thursday of last week Joint
meeting Of the library board, the
school board and the village council
was held at the high school building.
This meeting was for the purpose Of
discussing the advisability Of COM
bining the public library and the
school library. Miss Clara Baldwin.
state director Of libraries, came up
from st. Paul to be present at the
meeting.
No definite arrangements could be
made as there is uncertainty as to
when the library room in the high
school building will be available, that
being dependent upon the completion
of the new grade building. IL the
libraries are combined it is the inten-.
ton to move the library into the high
school building. This would be saw
ing on rent, fuel and janitor service.
Every high school is required by law
to have library, and as our school
library was destroyed by fire it will
be necessary to build one from the
bottom up.
The merging of the libraries would
be a saving to the community and
would at the same time be the means
of our being able to build up much
finer library than could otherwise be
secured. A big saving would be eff.
fected by the purchasing Of diction-
aries, encyclopedias and similar vol
umes. These are necessary in every
library and always require large out-
lay of money. Il
It is not the intention, however, of
those who have the library affairs in
hand to endeaver to make the funds
appropriated for the upkeep of one
library do for the maintenance of
both libraries although they are COM
bined into one This would indeed be
short-sighted piece Of economy, as.
in that case the general public could
not be we'll served or else the school
would suffer. -r-- --
A school library necessarily has to
be we'll stocked with reference books.
which are of little use for general
circulation. There will be required for
these alone good sum Of money u It
would scarcely be a fair deal to use
the money appropriated for the gen-
eral public almost wholly for the pur-
chase of such volumes. But the school
library is also supposed to have large
assortment of standard fiction. These
volumes of fiction are of equal va1he
to the general public and the school.
Here is another opportunity to econo-
mize. But it is surely apparent to the
most casual observer that in fairness
to the public and in order that the
library may be of the greatest efficien-
cy possible for school work all the
money available from all sources must
be forthcoming.
This fact is fully realized by the
members of both the school board and
the council. The school board is ham
pered by having big building pro-
gram on it's hands, but knows that to
maintain the right standard for the
school the library must have proper
attention and support
The members Of the village council
are also in sympathy with the library
movement, but if they felt that the
public was solidly back Of them they
could do much more for the support
of the library.
Have you personally ever taken the
proper interest in the library, and if
so have you ever expressed yourself
to those who have the appropriating
of the money?
Anyone who doubts the popularity
Of the library and therefore its need
should pay it a visit during any Of
the library hours and especially on
a Saturday. Also the fact that there
are now 400 cards issued to borrowers
should be proof sufficient that our
library is well patronized and there
fore should be well kept up.