Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1921-02-17
I. B. SCOTT
LIBRARY
OF THE T. 3. SCOTT IL
BRARY WRITTEN BY MRS.
JOHN E. DAILY AND READ AT
A WOMAN'S CLUB MEETING.

JOHN E. DAILY AND READ AT
A WOMAN'S CLUB MEETING.
Who was it who went once too often
20 the we'll, and her pitcher was brok-
N? Rebecca! Well, | begin to feel
ike Rebecca, I am so often bringing
this library question to someone.
Years ago-in 1914 to be exact
wrote a financial report of the I. B.
Scott library, and read it before the
Women's Federation. If you will par
don the REPETITION, I'll read it here, as
it is an early history of the library.
will ask you for your attention just
a few moments while | give you some
facts and a very few figures in refer
ance to the financial standing Of the T.
3. Scott library.
First let me say that the rumor is
current that our library is wealthy
institution. Back in 1914 during the
lifetime of Andrew Carnegie this
,umor reached the ears Of Carnegie's
secretary, and all efforts on our part
80 get any aid at all for our struggling
library failed) In the year 1889
Thomas B. Scott, pioneer of our city,
but at the time of his death a resident
# Merrill, left to this city fve-thous-
Jo11 +c Io l
Under the terms of the will our city
must provide proper housing for
he books in two years time or the
money would revert to the Scott
estate. The building opposite the
Hotel Witter occupying the space
between the old First National Bank
and what was then the Central Hotel,
was built by Mr.. J. D. Witter and the
upper floors rented to the city for
library purposes
These rooms were opened to the
public March %, 1890, and occupied
for about two years. The young
ladies Of the city held a paper car
nival,' right gorgeous affair, and
raised money to buy the furnishings
FOR our modest library. These rooms
were accepted by the trustees of the
Scott estate as temporary quarters
only. The city hall was being built
at that time, and four rooms were
planned for, and when completed were
given to the library.
After the cities consolidated, and
the West Side building became the
city hall the entire upper floor was
given to us for the library
| have often noticed that when a
man tells of events or happenings
twenty-five years past, people listen
and say, t'How interesting!" or Don't
you love to hear an old settler talk ?"
But when a woman begins to talk
twenty-five years back" they look at
each other and say, Heavens! How
old is she ?"
Nevertheless, taking my years in
my hands, am going to tell you that
[ was the first Librarian and SO know
the many things am telling you about
our library. Also having been mem
Der of the Board of Directors for many
years | am telling you about our IL
brary because | am interested and
want you to be.
A library is no longer a luxury but
a necessity in the community. Libr
airy work in the past ten years has be-
come profession, and it is SO truly
fascinating that the more you get of
it the deeper your interest becomes. /
wish that everyone would endeavor to
visit the library within the next few
weeks. | mean yoE who never go.
Just a half an hour, say from four
o'clock on, and | am certain that you
will be surprised at the number of peo-
pie who visit the library.
Talk to the librarian, and she will |
tell you Of the work done with the |
schools, for the high school students. |
and for the clubs. You will see all |
,OIbS anu COliufLiOi1S OI Gfi1IdItIl IOIlilIlS
for reading matter, older people to
read the newspapers and magazines.
little boys with soiled faces but clean
always-little girls with /
oobbed hair and shining eyes, and big
Boys with an Indifferent air-to get
oook-but really to see if their par
ocular girls are there. But does it
natter SO long as they come Teach
he children to read, to love good books
md we have solved one big problem
or the future. And now for the fig
lres:
In February, 1892, Mr.. ]. D. Witter
rave to the Board of Directors of the