Evening Times Republican

Clubs and Citizens Unite in Swelling Fund for Furnishing Carnegie Library
DONATIONS NOW
OVER
$1,200

Monthly Meeting of Board of Trustees of Library Hold List of Donations for Furnishing the New Building Has Grown Rapidly-Citizens Give Liberally-Librarian Battis' Report.

The monthly meeting of the trustees of the public library was held Monday night and considerable business of importance was transacted. One of the most pleasing features to the board is the liberal manner in which not only the various clubs of the city but citizens have contributed money to be used in furnishing the new Carnegie building. Over $1,200 has already been donated, and although this will not be sufficient to purchase all the furniture required it will go a considerable distance toward that end.

The salary of Librarian M. Battis was increased from $50 to $55 a month effective on April 1. Miss Lillian Arnold, who was secured by the board as an assistant for four months during the period of moving and getting settled in the new building, will more than likely be employed permanently in case Miss Marion Parker does not return. Miss Galloway, who has been serving as an apprentice, was employed as an assistant. This gives the librarian four assistants in her work.

Isaac L. Brown was employed by the board as janitor for the new building, to begin work on Feb. 1. His salary was fixed at $25 a month.

One of the very gratifying features in connection with the construction of the building, both to the board and Contractor Atkinson, is the fact that his work finished will cost within just 50 cents of the contract price. While there have been a few changes made in the contract, that have called for an additional expenditure of money, other features have been done away with, which reduced the cost. This is considered extremely close figuring.

The Donations for Furnishing.

Below is given a full list of the donations received or promised, which shall go toward the purchase of furniture of the new building:

Twentieth Century Club... $500
Hawthorne Club, children's room... $120
Ladies' Reading Circle... $10
Entre Nous Club... $10
Calisophian Club... $10
Beethoven Club... $10
City Federation of Women's Clubs... $50
Witenagemote Club... $10
Chapter BB, of P. E. O... $10
Lotus Club... $5
Women's Club, for gas fixtures... $300
Literary Clan... $15
Mr. Frank Brennecke... $10
Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Patterson... $10
Marshall Printing Company... $10
Mrs. P. A. Stern... $2
Mr. W. G. Benedict... $25
Mrs. Joseph Holmes... $25
Mr. W. L. Place
Mrs. F. W. Hargrave $5
Mrs. Archie Parker... $10
Dr. W. S. McBride... $10
Mr. Henry Pappe... $15
Mr. Merritt Greene... $25
Mrs. James Hall... $5
Total $1,207

Mrs. C. H. Conover has also kindly consented to donate the furnishing of the museum, the cost of which is not known. As members of the board of trustees both Mrs. H. J. Howe and Mr. P. S. Balch have made donations, the former of $30 and the latter of $25. but these amounts are included, however, in the donation of the Twentieth Century Club, as both are members of that organization.

The January Report

Librarian Battis' report for the month of January showed the following statistics:

New books added... 27
New borrowers' cards issued... 64
Magazines donated... 104
Pictures loaned... 80
Branch libraries loaned... 15
Books loaned from main library, 3,956; books loaned from branch libraries, 353; total... 4,309
Books withdrawn... 19
Postals written for overdue books... 61
Guarantors notified... 0
Officers sent after books... 0
Books repaired at library... 750
Books repaired at bindery... 58
Visitors for reading and reference 2,028
Cash for injury, rental, fines, etc... $14.23
Deposited with city treasurer... $14.23

Embodied in the report was a reference to Miss Lillian Arnold, the trained assistant secured for the heavy months work, who began her work on Jan. 6. Mrs. Battis speaks highly of her, both as to her capability and willingness and interest in the work.

An inventory, taken on Jan. 1, resulted in finding six books to have been stolen from the adult section during the year.

Thanks are expressed by the librarian to Mesdames A. B. Conaway, M. S. Battis, H. J. Howe and Archie Parker, and Mrs. Delos Arnold, of Pasadena, Cal., for favors received.