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FREE PUBLIC LIBRARYOPENS SATURDAY — IMPROV ED AND ENLARGED— HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY A ND SOME INTERESTING FACTS REGARDING ITS GROWTH.With its opening tomorrow morn mg at nine o’clock, the Elyria I Library begins a newhistory. As the result of the arrangement made by the Board of Trustees with the School Board is now a free public library in a true*, sei^se than that which has hitherto subsisted. As a result of jthe tax-levy made by the School Board the resources of the library rill be augmented a net sum of ;2,ooo per year, in consideration of [which the library trustees throw op-free to the public the facilities [oi the library under a more liberal arrangement of hours and prospec-j lively, a closer response to the de-/mand for new books. The trustees anxious to have the people real* their privileges and avail them-|selves of the same to the fullest extent. It cannot too insistently be repeated that the library is now a free [public one, as well for the circulation of books as for purposes of reference.A Little History.The re-opening of the library under the new auspices marks such an [epoch in local history that a short [sketch of the history of the library [cannot fail to be of interest to our reader*. The Elyria Library was established in 1867 under the provisions of the will of Charles Arthur Ely, who left $5,000 to start the library and ,$10,000 for a permanent endowment. The testator’s brother,[trustee, together Townsend, M. D.Harwood M. Redington and Prof James Monroe, of Oberlin. who rethewill named Heman Ely, as vith Norton S. George Olmsted,' feignedto Rio de Janeiro a9consul, and who still later was sent to Congress from this district. The Board was made self-perpetuating and the successive trustees were among Elyria’s most distinguished citizens. They were, in the order of their several elections, John C. Hale, o succeeded Prof. Monroe and I who later practiced law in Cleveland 1 and now occupies a seat on the circuit court bench; H. M. Parker, for many years Superintendent of the Elyria schools, who succeeded H. M, Redington; P. H. Boynton, onetime mayor, who succeeded Judge Hale; J. M. Vincent, now Professor of History in Johns Hopkins University. in succession to Dr. Townsend; Wm. A. Ely, son of the founder, in succession to George Olm-[ stead; D. C. Baldwin at one time Representative in the Assembly, who succeeded the eider Ely, and who in turn was shortly succeeded by A L. Garford: H. \Y. Ingersoll, who succeeded Prof. Vincent; and \V G. Sharp, who after an interval of several years, succeeded the ^rounger Ely.The library was handicapped in its very beginning by the heavy succession-lax occasioned by the war ^revenue measures. This caused a delay. as the trustees decided on paying the tax out of the $5,000 fund and allowing interest to accrue on **he remainder until the original amount was restored before actually starting the library. This plan left the endowment intact which later, however, under the board as formerly constituted, became seriously impaired by unfortunate Kansas investments. The constant problem since then has been to restore the endowment to its original amount which is being gradually accomplished.In 1873 the library building and contents were destroyed by fire. While covered by insurance, it resulted in a total physical loss, except, it is said, records which were hastily rescued by Miss Wheeler, the librarian at that time. On July 1st, 1874, the was let forthe library building as it at present stands.There have been but three librari ans in the more than thirty-five years’ history of the library. Miss Nettie Wheeler was the first appointee and served until about 1880, being succeeded by Miss Charlotte D. Leavitt. Since September, 1898, Miss Mary Parker has presided at the librarian's desk.The Library and Its Patrons,The library at present contain* about 15,500 volumes. The accessions in the past ten years have been 5149 volumes. It is classified by the Decimal system, originated by Mel-vil Dewey, librarian of the New York State Library. There is a classed card catalog kept in drawers.There has hitherto been no account kept of the number pf books in each class in the library. Record has been kept, however, of the accessions by classes since 1887. For the ten years from 1893 to 1903, inclusive, we give the following table which will appeal to those interested in library administration and will give some idea of the scope of the library: Classes No. of Vols. Pr’ct.Gen'l WorksPhilosophy Religion Sociology Philology Natural Science Useful Arts Fine Arts Literature History3346.651052091282-5429157826-522254481272.521693.36283456.4178715 655029100 00In the above table “Literature** in-1 eludes fiction and juvenile matter which * amounts to fifty per cent of the whole; “History” includes geography, travel and biography. In addition to the 5029 volumes should be | added 120 volumes not classified, in order to give the total accessions for the ten years.We have said that no record had been kept of the book classes. It is to be recorded, how ever, that the present efficient li brarian. Miss Parker, during the fitted up flt; renovation going on the past week or SO' has made a census of all the quarte books on the shelves. The result gives a atotal number of volumes *5477* divided into classes as ! lows; ^the property on Middle avenue, between the Brewer-Endly block and the alley between Second and Third streets, which he and his fellowmembers practically put at the disposal of the citizens of Elyria, having agreed among themselves to hold it for one year for possible purchase by the library. The property advantageously situated, and suitable for library purposes, can be secured for its cost, something less than $8,000. The School Board can, in its discretion, increase the tax-levy to one mill, fetching about $4,-000, thus enabling the city to guarantee that amount annually. By the usual proportion of annual expenditure to cost of building, Elyria ought to have a $40,000 library. The endowunent left by the founder of the library is not sufficient for a new site, a new building, and for present day needs. The library has outgrown its $w*add!ing clothes. The people have been cultivating the library spirit. The trustees recognize the crying needs of the community, but are powerless to afford relief unless more aid is forthcoming. What shall be done about it? The above facts and figures have been set forth that each might have the material to judge for himself.AMERICAN HOUSE SOLOj Mr A*. U Jackson bought Thf according to 1 American House property Wednesday froson ft Wurst. The part M um ft Gale will be| a bar, which makes necessary for them to find other and move.General Works1728Philosophy265Religion728Sociology1049Philology59Natural Science595Useftil Arts841Fine Arts397Literature1386Fiction3900JuvenileMS*Travel, etc.10(1Biography1166History901FUNERAL OF CHAS. BAKER, The funeral of Charles Baker, whlt;| died at the hospital Wednesday, be ing literally cooked alive from es raping steam from his engine, cans j ed by an explosion was belt I from the home of Henry Schultz,! ! corner of Columbus and Glen wood j | streets, Friday morning, at 10:30,! j the services being conducted by | Rev. Lehmann of this city; burial! j here.Mrs. Baker did not get here Wed i nesday until just a few’ minutes after I bandaged all over to prevent the I tiesh from dropping off. He talked j i intelligently, but kept asking let/I his wife and two children, beg I ging for them. He w as a son of j Henry Baker, who lived on the Abbey road, and was thirty-seven s years old. His children are six and eleven.Mrs. Baker did not get here yes j terday until just a fe w minutes after [ her husband died, and not before as I i w as stated yesterday. She has not I vet seen the body, her friends bc-} lieving that it is best for her not to She is staving with Mr IOn the basis of the monthly reports of the librarian w e find that the average number of patrons a month during the present year has been about five hundred. Previous to 1898 it averaged less than three hundred and fifty. The high-water mark attained during March, 1899, when the number of patrons reached)565. The average daily circulation during the present year has ranged from 90 volumes in January, to 51 olumes in May. During 1902, it ranged from 95 in February to 57 in December. The highest recorded daily average circulation for a month is 100 volumes during Febru-1898; the next highest 98 volumes in February, 1900;erage daily circulatioi years was 47 in July, 1901 Tit greatest number drawn in one day was 191tain day in January. 1809: the lowest I The Ladie«, society of St Peters’ |German church, of North Amherstgeneral tendency during the last five had a jo|,y Ume at the home of MrJ years has been increased aver-1 Gco Dellatie,d- oll the town ,in;. Jage circulation with many more road Wednesday. They thought itspasmodic fluctuations than former-1 W(ia)d ho nice to go on hav wagonsIn the number of patrons there, so they dld Th,rc bcing rtftysome, jrequired two wagons.LADIES TAKE A HAY RIDE.has been a decided increase. Duringthe latter part of 1898 and the first, Tbey went out jn the mon,inghalf of 1899. there was a rather *ud-. tnok their dinners abmg and, for a den swing in the number of patrons | change. ate undcr the shade trcei per month to a considerable higher level that has by no means altogeth j er declined.Considered an Investment.The total value of the libraryplant, including building. investments, and books is estimated at jin the lawn. Their pasto demeyer, went with thenin the whole day, and whets, the sun neared horizon.Rev. Lin ! They put jere sorrv |35 thousand dollars. The j FUNERAL OFGEORGE HEWITT.from 30running expenses are something less) than $2,000 per annum. By rigid economy in other directions the i tees, are enabled to expend $1200 per year for books. This is not equal to the demand. The library quarters too, are woefully restricted both for the storage of books and for the accommodation of patrons. The new* source of revenue furnished by the School Board will, it is expected. suffice for the current demand for books. But there still remains the question of adequate quarters. A modern library building is imperatively needed as much for an evidence of civic pride as for the pressing needs of library patrons. Tw*o practicable plans are suggested. One is that the building be provided by the public-spirited citizens of Elyria; the other that appeal be made to outside sources. It up to” the well-to-do men of our community to say which it shall be. In either case it wfill still be necessary to provide a site. The first steps in this direction have already been taken through the initiative of H. \V\ Ingersoll. The trustees, through Mr. Ingersoll, acting in their private capacity, have securedThe body of George L, Hewitt w?as brought from Cleveland Wednesday afternoon. He went to Cleveland Monday, and on Tuesday was operated upon for cancer, from which he died.The funeral was held from late residence on East Sixth street, Friday afternoon at two o’clock, standard. In the absence of Rev. Withy com be, the rector of the Episcopal church, in Lorain, will probably conduct the services. Inter-ment in Ridgelawn cemetery.POWERS’ NEW TRIAL.Georgetown, Ky.. Aug. 3.—“The commonwealth is ready to give Caleb Powers a third trial for his life, for the assassination of Gov. Goebel,’* said commonwealth’s attorney Franklin, when he arrived here from Frankfort this morning, “and I will insist that it be gone into at this special term.”Powers has been tried twice the charge of complicity in the assassination of Goebel and was twi sentenced to life imprisonment.
Newspaper Details
Elyria Weekly Chronicle
Elyria, Ohio, US
Fri, Aug 07, 1903
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Elyria P.
OH, USA 15 May 2024
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