payment of a fee of $5.00, and the Library must be open at least three hours each day. The town was thoroughly canvassed, and the people urged through the daily papers to show their good citizenship by becoming members of the Association. One hundred and thirty-three responded to the appeal. After this a meeting was called, and from these associate members, fifteen trustees were elected, and Mr. Harly Barnes was unanimously chosen president, but as he declined to act, Mr. George P. Steele was appointed, and under his efficient leadership the work has gone rapidly on. Mr. Barnes rented the old Temperance Rooms to the association for a nominal sum, and busy hands soon transformed it into a thoroughly comfortable place, by taking down partitions and redecorating. The libraries of the W. C. T. U., Y. M. C. A. and one thousand books the gift of Mr. C. H. Moore, of Clinton, Illinois, were soon transferred to the new association. Gifts of books came pouring in; the Vocal Society gave $70.00 for this purpose, the proceeds of a concert in Memorial Hall, so that soon we had three thousand volumes. A competent librarian was found in Mr. Ashley, who was induced to bring order out. of chaos in cataloguing and putting the books in place. The great need of a library building had been in the minds of a few citizens for several years. It seemed that some one of the ten or twelve wealthy men, formerly residents here, might be induced to build such a memorial. A letter was written and sent to several, and one gentleman. was consulted on the subjject, with the result, that on the opening night, Mayor Reynolds announced that a friend had been found generous enough to buy a lot and build for the village a library, the plan of which was exhibited. Mr. Morley's reason and purpose for giving it were fully explained in his address at the dedication. The building was promised for the next Christmas, but owing to difficulty in securing a title to the lot, it was delayed until spring, and then again until October. The Council were induced to grant a levy of tax for the support of the Public Library, which by a new law they are privileged to do. In New Hampshire, in 1895, a law was passed compelling the support of Public Libraries, the same as of schools, these being considered necessary to supplement the school work, for they realized that a Public Library is not only a means of education, but a conservatory of Public Morals. At the library opening all the town and school officials were invited and Mr. Morley's friends here and in Cleveland. Mr. George P. Steele, the president of the association, presided and first introduced Mr. Morley who was received with great applause. His address, which was replete with reminiscence, was heard with the closest attention. In conclusion he said: "For a number of years after leaving Painesville for Cleveland in 1847, I retained business interest in Painesville, and until the death of my parents, made quite frequent visits to your city, and kept in touch with your life and growth. I have always been interested in whatever concerned the welfare of your city. The members of our family have a strong personal regard and affection for Painesville. This library building is erected in memory of my parents, and I feel that no act of mine would be more pleasing to them than to contribute to the education and culture of your people. I hand you, Mr. President, a deed for this library building.." After the dedication the books were brought and put in place, and in three days the Library was ready for use, in its beautiful new home, with Mrs. Julia Irwin in charge, who, by her intelligent and kindly service of two years has made herself a pleasant part of the institution. There are now on the shelves five thousand volumes. That the public appreciate the gift is evidenced by the fact that on an average one hundred persons come to the building every day to draw books, or to enjoy the pleasant reading room, the newspapers and magazines always on file. PIQUA. SCHMIDLAPP FREE SCHOOL LIBRARY. The building and grounds for this library were donated by Mr. J. G. Schmidlapp, of Cincinnati, and named in memory of his mother. The library problem was worked out by the Superintendent of Schools, C. W. Bennett, and the Board of Education. The library equipments were put in by the Board of Education at public expense. It is called a free school library to bring it under the common school library law of Ohio, which permits a levy, makes the Board of Education custodian, and the superintendent of schools chairman of the library committee. The library was opened in 1890 and has had a liberal patronage. The board pays all expenses out of the general fund. The plan is highly satisfactory and the library is very popular. POMEROY. THE POMEROY PUBLIC LIBRARY. The first movement towards the establishment of a public library in Pomeroy was made at a Chautauqua meeting held October 1, 1895, when a temporary organization was effected and a book reception planned. The books donated in this way formed the nucleus of the present library. A permanent library association was formed November 5, 1895. The library existed for several years as a subscription library. Various entertainments were given as library benefits; contributions of books were .received from time to time and the work progressed steadily though slowly. On December 1, 1898, the Pomeroy Library Association was duly incorporated with eight charter members as follows: Thomas Tumbull, J. H. Lochany, Edw. L. Keiser, Caddy Whaley, Louise W. R. Ohl, Mary L. Hysell, Wyatt G. Plautz and H. J. Ewing. The Board of Education under the Ohio law passed February 16, 1898, caused to be levied three-tenths of a mill for free public and school library purposes. They also turned over to the board of trustees of the public library the high school library consisting of about six hundred volumes. New books were purchased, the volumes carefully catalogued according to the Dewey system (under the personal direction of Miss Boardman, the assistant state librarian), a librarian employed, and the library formally opened as a free public library September 15, 1900. It is well patronized and highly appreciated by a grateful public. CADDY WHALEY, Secretary Pomeroy Public Library Ass'n. SALEM. SALEM PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Salem Library Association was organized in November, 1895, and articles of incorporation taken out. Shares of stock at $25 each were sold, and the proceeds, $1,700, invested in books. The library was opened in March, 1896, in a rented room. Stockholders had the use of the library free, others for two dollars per year. All services rendered, including that of the librarians, were gratuitous. During the first year 1,452 volumes were accumulated; the second year, 261 volumes; the third, 633 volumes; the fourth, 773 volumes; the fifth, 556 volumes; total, 3,675 volumes. In June, 1898, the library was declared a free library, thus obtaining for its support, by taxation, under the state law of that year, about $1,000 per year. A friend of the library gave $300. These are the only sources of income the association has had. During the first year, III persons were taking books from the library, the second, 144; the third, 654; the fourth, 1,078; the fifth, 1,360. The population of the city is about 8,000. No record of circulation was kept previous to 1898, but is was very small. For the year 1898-9 it was 15,855; the present year, 20,500. The library is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 5:30 p. m., on Saturdays from 2 to 8 p. m. It is the intention to have it open every day in the near future, if possible. The circulation has grown entirely beyond the proper handling within the present limits of library hours, and nothing but a lack of funds prevents an immediate extension. HELEN S. CAREY, Librarian. SANDUSKY. SANDUSKY PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Sandusky library was founded by the Sandusky Young Men's Christian and Lecture Association, the exact date of which is not now known, the early records having been lost. At the suggestion of Mrs. Wm. H. Mills, Mrs. Geo. Thornton and Mrs. L. S. Hubbard a meeting was held March 3, 1870, at the home of Mrs. Hubbard to consider the formation of a Library Association by Sandusky women and on March 16 of the same year the Library Association of Sandusky was organized in the high school building. Its first officers were: President, Mrs. A. H. Moss; Vice President, Mrs. James E. Marshall; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Geo. Thornton; Board of Managers, Mrs. L. S. Hubbard, Mrs. Julius Erckener, Mrs. Geo. March, Mrs. Geo. J. Anderson, Mrs. James Woolworth, Mrs. H. G. Robinson, Mrs. J. O. Moss, Mrs. Chas. E. Cooke. The books, comprising all told but a few hundred volumes, with the other property were turned over to the new association. From that date the library was managed and maintained by ladies. An annual fee of two dollars with an occasional gift of money furnished the means for its support. The library gradually grew but for years its growth was small. A room in the high school building set apart by the board of education was its home until the year 1896, when it was removed to a room in the Masonic Temple and the city council appropriated one-tenth |