In detail, Daniel Marvin determined some years ago that in his will he would bequeath a sum of $5,000 to found a public library in Shelby. The purpose never changed in its object but was hastened by the fact that the old Dr. Bricker property, as he knew it best, was being deserted by the family, and that it must soon pass into strange hands. From a sentimental motive, known only to himself and a few of his friends, he preferred this spot as the site for his donation, and a few days ago offered it. Mr. B. J. Williams and City Attorney Mansfield were consulted in regard to the matter and in a conference with the city council learned that the city would take upon itself the obligation of maintaining the

SHELBY PUBLIC LIBRARY - NEW HOME PRESENTED BY DANIEL MARVIN.

same and also securing the payment of that part not covered by the present gift of Mr. Marvin, but which will be paid out his estate after his death. All that remained was to purchase the same from the owners, and this was done Monday night by Mr. Mansfield and Mr. Williams. The deed was signed yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. Currie and being delivered to-day made the property that of the village of Shelby for public library purposes.

SOMETHING ABOUT THE SHELBY LIBRARY.

The Public Library, as it is known to-day, was the outgrowth of the "Reading Room Association," which in turn found its parent in the Non-Partisan W. C. T. U., formed in Shleby in the early days of 1897. The Non-Partisan W. C. T. U. had organized a reading room in con

nection with its other work, but a meeting was held on June 4, 1897, and the "Reading Room and Library Association" was founded as a separate and distinct institution. Of this, Mrs. W. S. Miller was the President, Mrs. A. W. Gump, Vice President, Mrs. D. M. Strock, Secretary, and Miss Nerva Fagaines, Treasurer. Rooms were opened in the present location, only not so large, and in the charge of John Boyce, a few books, worn out magazines and papers found their way into the hands of those who cared to go there and read them. In September, 1897, Miss Carrie Marvin, a prominent worker in the W. C. T. U. of Mansfield, was secured to come to Shelby and act as Librarian.

Those were dark days for the infant institution, as Miss Marvin says at the time of her taking charge there were only a set of Dickens' works, Cooper's works and several other books on the shelves of the secretary which occupied the room. With the earnest endeavor, however, which characterizes the women of America, many of whom we have right here in Shelby, the ladies interested set about not only raising funds to pay the expenses of the institution, but also of adding to the few books which were regretfully called a library. The first real help came when Mr. Jeffrey, of the Ideal Bicycle Manufacturing Company, presented them with a check for $100. Several of the ladies went to Cleveland and found that the smallest selection they could possibly make would cost $235. They bought the books, nevertheless, and on the opening night, when these were presented to the public as the real, first circulating library of any proportions in the city, only 25 remained on the shelves, showing to what a great demand the association was catering. Tickets were sold at $5.00 per year to families, and for $2.00 per year to individuals for the use of books, and to those who did not wish to purchase tickets, books were rented at one cent per day. These sources of revenue, with the socials and entertainments given, kept the organization on a frail kind of footing for three years, although for one long year at the cost of reducing the Librarian's salary to $15.00 per month. Her labor was one of love, however, as was demonstrated by the manner in which she stuck to it, and it is not overstating the truth to say that one year ago when the city council took up the matter of making a levy for the maintenance of the institution, and making it in fact as well as in name, a public library, no one of the score of ladies who had labored so hard for its success was more pleased than she.

At one time, after the library had been in operation for eighteen months, it was shown that although there were only 300 volumes in the place, over 6,000 books had been circulated, a remarkable record, and snowing what Shelby is as a reading town.

The levy of one-fourth mill for library purposes, made by the city, turnishes about $550 per year, a sum hardly adequate for the operating expenses, such as rent and librarian's salary. The purchase of books is made out of donations, or from the proceeds of socials which are given

by the ladies, who still have their interest centered in it to a great extent, and who have succeeded in getting together some 1,300 good books of all kinds.

- nis boon of a building of their own comes to the ladies most especially, as a reward for their untiring efforts, and it is needless to state that they are all elated beyond measure.

NOTE.- Mr. Marvin is a veteran of the Civil War. He participated in the battles of Shiloh and Stone River, and at the latter place was wounded so severely as to unfit him for further service. His gift to the city constitutes the greater part of the accumulations of a lifetime. He is seventy-six years old, and although still suffering from the effects of his military service, retains unimpaired his vigor of intellect and goodness of heart.

SIDNEY.

SIDNEY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The Sidney Public Library was first organized as a stock company, being incorporated December 5, 1869.

It had a fund of about $1,500 with which to purchase books and magazines, and was opened to the public during the year 1870.

It continued to be operated as a stock company until February, 1879, when its books, property and franchise were turned over to the Trustees of the Monumental Building, under a contract whereby the latter agreed to place the books in the Monumental Building, and thereafter, as soon as the debt of the building should be paid, to maintain the same as a public library out of the rents derived from the building, devoting what was commonly known as Memorial Hall to the purposes of a public library and reading room forever.

From 1879 to 1886 the books were stored in a part of Memoria! Hall, but the Trustees having no funds available, they were not accessible to the public. During the latter year the village council made a small levy for library purposes, and with the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Monumental Building took the necessary steps to maintain the library open to the public, until such time as the Trustees might be in condition to take charge of the same and carry out their contract with the original Library Association.

Under this arrangement the immediate management was in the Lands of a committee appointed by the village council, which also elected the Librarian. In the latter part of the year 1897 it was found that the bonded indebtedness of the Monumental Building had been paid off, and that a surplus derived from rents of the business rooms in the building had accumulated to the amount of about $2,500, which sum was available for library purposes.

The Sidney Public Library as an efficient educational agency may be said to date from the beginning of the year 1898, when the Board of Trustees of the Monumental Building organized as a library association. At that time there were supposed to be about 1,500 volumes belonging to the institution, aside from public documents (which heretofore had been regarded as worthless); but after deducting from the catalogue those that were "lost, strayed or stolen," and those worn out, the actual number of volumes available did not exceed 1,200.

The Board of Monumental Trustees, upon organizing as a Library Association, adopted a plan of government whereby the immediate control and management of the library is placed in the hands of a committee of three appointed by the Board of Trustees, which also elects the Librarian and Assistant Librarian. The managing committee is composed of one member of the Board of Trustees, one member of the City School Board and one unofficial citizen of the city.

The first step taken by the new management was to paper, paint and carpet the room, and supply it with a 'sufficiency of modern book cases, appropriate tables and desks, and comfortable chairs. They also put in the required fixtures for lighting by electricity. They then adopted the Dewey system of classification, together with a new and modern charging system, at the same time taking the preliminary steps toward making a complete card catalogue of the library.

During the two years that have intervened there have been accomplished the following results: The library has grown from a collection of 1,200 volumes to 4,050 volumes, all of which have been classified according to the Dewey system; and the card system of charging has been in successful operation for nearly two years, while the card catalogue is about half completed. This work has all been done by the present Librarian, with the aid of her assistant and a little local help, and without the assistance of any foreign expert. Meanwhile the work of the library, as distinguished from the work in the library, has wonderfully increased.

During the year 1897 the monthly average of books taken from the library was 343; during March 1898 (that being the first month the library was open under the new management), there was a circulation of 681 volumes. The average circulation for the year 1898 was 1,094 volumes per month; the average monthly circulation for 1899 was 1,729 volumes per month, while during the month of March, 1900, there were taken out 2,635 volumes.

These figures show a remarkable increase of interest in, and patronage of the library; but a much better test of the value of the work done by a library is found in the character of its circulation. In 1897 at least 85 per cent. of the books issued were fiction; for the year 1898 about 81 per cent. were fiction, while the records for the year 1899 show that less than 72 per cent. of the books taken out were fiction.