Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-28
HAS GUIDED THREE GENERATIONS OF
AUGUSTA FOLKS IN THEIR SELECTION OF
READING IN Al YEARS AS LIBRARIAN

was at the library. ready ana will
ing.
The simple rules of the establish
ment were explained and readily I'M
derstood By the new assistant. Then
began a long career of love and SER
vice. Business men of Augusta to-
day, now members of the Lithgow
Board Of Directors, can recall. when
as mere wouths. they clambered up
the stairs of the Water street lib
rary and proudly placed on Miss
Clapp's desk. the first bupch of
Mayfiowers of the season. True the
stems might have been cut short.
but the admiration and the devo-
ton, accompanying the gift, bespoke
much for the place which Miss Clapp
early won for herself among the
book users.
In due course. the one room be-
came too small for all the books and
all the folks who wanted TO use
them. So another room. in the rear
of the building, on the same door.
was annexed.
II can close my eyes nov and see
that library. l can see how the cases
were arranged: where the tables
were placed and I know [ can name
almost every book In that old lib
rary," and the still young. still rosy
checked librarian half closed her
eyes, in a reminiscent mood.
Books Carefully Selected
Even IN those early days, there
was popular fiction desirable and
fiction not found on the library
shelves. 1t is interesting to note that
none of the works of Mrs. Emma
Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
were found there. THAT was too
light fiction" was the Information
which Miss Clapp offered. when
queried about the omission. The
book selecters of those days took
their problems seriously and debated
long. before they finally decided upon
books. Maybe they did not have the
book reviews of today, which while
in some cases are misleading, yet in
other cases give considerable insight
into the calibre OF book. And per-
haps in those days. as well, the
critics were not SO numerous.
1t was in 1882, the bequest of Mr..
Lithgow made possible the splendid
edifice at the corner of State and
Winthrop streets. So when the build
ing was ready all the books from the
old library We're carefully carted to
their new home. There they were
reinforced by many new books. Many
of the original books of that dear old
Water street library. still may be
found on the Lithgoy library shelves.
True they have. many of them, out
worn their original covers and been
rebound many times. Then again,
some of the original books are still
there, and have been used very little,
in fact some not at all.
Shuns Photographers So.
1t sisn't nice to tell secrets. but
here is one that the reporter dis
covered, Miss Clapp has never had
her picture taken and she declares
that she never intends to. But here
is a picture of her: Bright blue,
sparkling eyes; pink cheeks; quick in
manner and speech and ready
sense of humor. But so many do not
need the picture because everybody
knows Miss Clapp.
Now at her delightful home on Oak
street, Miss Clapp will have more
time to entertain her friends. And
she is planning to go out more and
visit. II thought if I was ever going
to resign, that / had better do it.
now" was her reply, when asked
why she happened to tender her res
ignation, three years this side of the
half century mark of service.
Miss Clapp's home is a treasure
trove of antiques. In her front room,
may be found mahogany furniture
which was made many years ago for
her ancestors. Two tables. OF diff
ferent dimensions, but similar pat
tern, of this priceless wood. have
huge hand carved bases and thick,
substantial leaves. These tables
were made especially for Miss Clapp's
grandfather.
Until 4 short time ago, she had an
original Paul Revere pitcher and an
original Paul Revere spoon, which
were obtained by her ancestors from
Paul Revere in person. The pitcher
bears the full name of the maker and
the spoon bears the initials 'P. r."
Browsing among books. reading
books as they came, delving into the
plots of the printed pages, has kept
Miss Clapp young, has kept her Wis
ion clear and has placed to her cred
1t, long service of much benefit and
high quality. t"
A reporter writes on n slate, be-
cause at the end of the edition, all is
wiped clean and he starts again, to
fill it up. But n dispenser of books
deals in something more permanent.
more lasting. And here's a good book
quotation. that ought to make a
graceful ending:
dreams, books. are each world;
and books, we know.
"Are a substantial world, both pure
and good.
Round these. with tendrls strong
as flesh and blood.
"Our pastime and our happiness will
grow. '-Wadsworth.