The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-02-21

STATE LIBRARIAN II. Z. DUNNACK
nor Curtis had called him, very few
had but slight knowledge. AT that
time this institution had barely pass
ed it's embryonic state. Although
such was never the intention of any
state officials. it had actually become,
In a way, localized. 1t was little
more than good circulating library
for the citizens, scholars and teachers
of the capital city, and other large
towns and cities along the kennebec
river. or course it had always been
used more or less by history writer's,
research workers, lawyers and people
of culture, who desired to consult
its books, for its doors were ever
open to the public But these few
individuals who sometimes made use
of it were but small fraction OF all
the people of Maine. AS state
wide institution 1t had no particular
significance to the average Maine per-
son. The inhabitants in our wilder
ness townships, the scholars attend
ing the schools of Mr.. Gordon, in
Names "unincorporated places" did
not understand it, for no one. had
ever told them.
ITO be sure we have had travel
ing library" law ever since former
Congressman Guernsey, who was it's
father served in the State Senate. But
its light had been as carefully Sc
cluded as was ever any hidden light
in apostolic times. This condition
,Dt tuh aH
by any one. 1t was only the result
of spirit Of laxity and indifference
/ which had crept into and benumbed
things connected with our State Lib
rary.
"This man Dunnack Is a dynamic
human force, if there ever was one.
He has the spirit of the Crusader and
can be an agitator of the true age
old type If the occasion and his own
convictions demand it of him. When
he was installed into this Office he
made a careful survey of everything
pertaining to the library and its every
condition. A great broad vision Of
what a state library should really
mean to the people of the state dawn
ed upon him and absorbed his soul.
In the light of this new conception
he sized up his job. He at once be-
gan to tell the people of Maine from
the most obscure seacoast island to
the remotest wilderness township,
what they had and how to use It, Like
Jim Bludsoe, "He seen his duty
dead sure thing, and he went for il
thar and then" And he has ever
since been proclaIming his message
from the house-tops and the hill-tops
of Maine. He has repeated it In
every country side grange hall, be-
fore all literary clubs and cultured
and patriotic associations. He had
told 1t to all of our people, from the
Rotarians to the sewing circles
"a wonderful awakening among the
intellectual and cultured forces in
Maine has followed.
Through his indefatigablc efforts,
and likewise those of Names great
Commissioner of Education, DR.. A. o,
Thomas, who had trodden the same
path in directing the work Of the
schools OF Maine, as has Mr.. Dunnack,
Maine people are giving birth to a new
and deeper love for the history of
FMdiHe Coiohldl udyS anu vi ITO
formative period as statey its TRACE
dies, it's buried traditions, romance
and achievements.
THE Public Library is, undoubted
ly, aside from the press, the greatest
educational force in America today
for the average citizen or what Is
known as the common people"
AT last we have real State Lib
ry, under the direction of real lib
rarian who measures up to the high
est standards. 1t should receive UNI
animous support from the people OF
Maine in the way of approval, SYM
pathy, encouragement and the pay
ment of. taxes"
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Card OF Thanks