In the May, 1901, Forum, Mr. Ernest I. Antrim gives an interesting account of the Brumback Free County Library. In regard to the plan of book distribution he says:

"The method adopted by the Brumback Library to bring its books to all parts of Van Wert county is easily explained. The library itself-which represents a value of $50,000, receives an annual income of fully $6,500, and has a stack room capacity, when all the available room shall be used, of 100,000 volumes-is located in the city of Van Wert, the county seat of Van Wert county. Fortunately, this city is located in the center of the county, which contains in round numbers 275,000 acres and has a population of nearly 35,000. Besides the central library there are ten branch libraries, which are so situated that every resident of the county is within easy access of the library itself or one of its branches. The ten branches have a unique feature in the form of what may be called a traveling library system, and are also in direct communication with the central library. The ten branch libraries are placed in the more important stores or offices of the villages of the county, where they are excellently managed, by virtue of the fact that those having charge of them are given nominal salaries."

WARREN.

LIBRARIES IN GENERAL, AND THE PRESENT WARREN LIBRARY IN PARTICULAR.

The American public library is two hundred years old. The importance of this "storehouse of medicine for the mind," as the ancient Egyptian library was called, as a factor in the development of an intelligent and patriotic citizenship, was early recognized by the founders of the Republic.

"A country like ours," said Dr. Windsor, librarian of Harvard, receiving a constant influx of ill-educated aliens, has a conspicuous duty in making good citizens of them." He called attention to the fact that the public library plays an important part in this great work. And what is true of the country in this respect is relatively true of the community in which we live.

To enlist the interest of those who can in various ways aid in this good work, growing in importance with the growth of our city, is the primary object of these prefatory remarks. Though the early history of libraries in Warren is a study not calculated to inspire confidence, it is nevertheless of sufficient public interest to justify its narration in this connection.

The early settlers of the Old Capitol of the Western Reserve were a sturdy but intelligent people, of refined tastes, and withal given to "books and larnin'." It is not surprising therefore that library sentiment developed very early in the history of the place; indeed while the town was yet in its "teens." Time and time again, attempts have been made. to establish a permanent library. Each of the plants in turn flourished for a season, proved a blessing in its day, but public interest and support fail

ing, their decadence and final extinction were natural consequences. All honor and praise to the progressive and philanthropic spirits who projected them; for, though disappointing and discouraging in their results, they kept alive a sentiment and an ambition that some day would be rewarded with success.

The old "Trumbull Library," which according to the most reliable information was organized in 1814 or 1815, was the first effort made to establish an institution of this kind in the town. It was a library of considerable importance and contained probably a thousand volumes, consisting almost entirely of standard histories and biographies. During the last years of its existence it was located in the cabinet shop of Chas. White, on Mahoning avenue. Mr. White was the first librarian and is said to have served in that capacity during the continuance of the library, a period of more than thirty years. In the year 1848, through the efforts of the late Jacob Perkins, Dr. J. Harmon, Hon. Geo. M. Tuttle, the late Orlando Morgan, and others, the second library project was launched, and gave promise of a long career of usefulness. It bore the more appropriate name of "Warren Library Association." On the completion of this organization, the books and property of the old Trumbull Library were transferred to it. An attempt was made to sustain a reading room in connection with this library, which for a time was successful. The rooms were on the second floor of the Van Gorder block, on Market street. The building was afterwards destroyed by fire. Mr. George Van Gorder was the efficient librarian until the spring of 1851. It was sustained by private subscriptions, and the receipts from an occasional lecture. At times members of the association were called upon to deliver a lecture for the benefit of the library. The late Jacob Perkins, Judge Milton Sutliff, Judge George M. Tuttle, Dr. D. B. Woods, and Dr. Julian Harmon, rendered very acceptable service in this line. However, it was soon demonstrated that the times were not ripe for a free library, and this one was suspended in 1854. The books, nearly 2,000 volumes, were sold at public auction to private individuals.

Daunted not by the discouraging experiences of the past, some of the promoters of the '48 and '54 library, in 1877, gathered together, by donation and purchase, a case of books and set the library scheme in motion again. In a short time a second case of books was added. This library was kept in the office of Dr. Julian Harmon, who was no doubt the principal mover in its establishment, as he had been actively identified with all the library projects excepting the first. The financial support of this library was derived in the main from a fee of one dollar a year, which was collected from those who desired to avail themselves of its privileges. Prof. E. F. Moulton was president, and Dr. J. D. Harmon the secretary. This organization was continued up to 1888.

Having as briefly as possible reviewed the earlier history of our libraries, presenting a checkered career, we come now to the origin of our

present institution known as the Public Library of Warren. Persuant to a call made by President Moulton, of the former association, a few persons "interested in maintaining the nucleus of a good library for the public," met in the office of Dr. Harmon on the 10th day of July, 1888, to consider the question. That meeting was adjourned to the 17th of July, at which time a dozen or fifteen persons met in the office of Mr. P. L. Webb to deliberate and take final action. Hon. G. T. Townsend was chosen chairman, and P. L. Webb, secretary. A committee on organization reported a constitution which was adopted. On motion Marshall Woodford was elected president, and P. L. Webb secretary and treasurer. Dr. T. M. Sabin, Judge D. R. Gilbert and Mrs. S. W. Park were elected an executive committee. Some of the ladies present at this meeting were: Miss Mary Iddings, Mrs. S. W. Park, Miss Estabrook, Mrs. M. Woodford, Miss Maria Heaton, Miss Fannie Hall, Miss Helen Bierce, and Mrs. W. T. Brown. Under the reorganization the old name of "Warren Library Association" was retained. We have noticed the proceedings of the foregoing meeting at considerable length for the reason that it was the one that gave rise to the present Library Association. A transfer of the books of the Harmon Library, consisting of two cases, was made to the new management, removed to the Opera House block, and placed in the office of Mr. Webb, who served as librarian for two years. Seventy-five new books were added to the old list, and on the 22d day of September, 1888, the library was opened to the public for the first time, with a list of 294 volumes. The first serious question that confronted the new management was the adoption of a plan for raising funds for the purchase of new books, upon which depended the stability of the library. It was apparent that the membership fee of one dollar a year would not more than meet the running expenses, such as rent, the purchase of necessary supplies, etc., the services of the officers being gratuitous. The lecture course plan was adopted, a committee having first secured the signatures of a considerable number of responsible persons to a paper which insured the association against any loss in case the lectures did not prove a financial success, and who agreed to donate all profits that might accrue for the purchase of new books. The initial course was given in 1888-89, and a course each succeeding season for five years. The library of today is a monument to the wisdom and successful management of the plan adopted. By it the association realized a net profit of $800, which placed the library on a substantial basis. In August, 1890, the association became an incorporated body under the laws of Ohio, and so continues to the present day. The purpose of the corporation as named in the articles is: "the formation, establishment and maintenance of a public library and reading room." An organization under the new regime was effected the same year, rules and regulations adopted, and the following board of trustees was elected: H. B. Perkins, M. Woodford, B. J. Taylor, P. L. Webb, S. W. Park, W. C. Stiles, and W. S. Kernohan. The officers elected (first election) were:

Marshall Woodford, President; B. J. Taylor, Vice-President; O. L. Wolcott, Treasurer; T. D. Oviatt, Secretary and Librarian.

Here we may appropriately pause to pay a just and merited tribute. to the former President of the Association, the late Marshall Woodford. Actuated by a conviction that a public library in our city was a public necessity, and comprehending the advantages that would accrue therefrom, he was the leading spirit in the movement to establish such an institution. Mr. Woodford gave unsparingly of his time and thought to the undertaking, and no one knows so well as those who were intimately associated with him in the worthy enterprise, that the prosperous library of to-day is mainly the result of his thought, wise planning and untiring labors.

The citizens of Warren are to be congratulated that they have in their midst a public library that has passed the stage of experiment. The ways and means provided for its maintenance for a period of five years are a sure guarantee for its permanency. As well might we entertain the vain imagination that the public schools of our city will die out from lack of interest and support, as to predict for this "true university" of learning a transitory existence. At the present time the sources of revenue are the following: A membership fee of one dollar a year; an annual dividend of one hundred and forty dollars from thirty-five shares as preferred opera house stock, the par value of which is thirty-five hundred dollars, donated to the association; a citizens' subscription fund of five hundred dollars payable annually for five years from September, 1895. Thus it will be seen that no citizen need have any misgivings as to the stability of the library for the coming four years at least. During that period, if the citizens continue to support it as generously as they have in the past, it will have attained such proportions as will demand more commodious quarters, and occupy a larger field of usefulness; possibly it may be the time to convert duties of the community to the library. They are, briefly: visitations, the purchase of membership tickets, loans and donations of books and magazines, financial contributions, and bequests.Address of B. J. Taylor, Esq., President Board of Trustees, 1896.

It is very gratifying to observe the steady and healthy growth of the library, the large increase in its use, and the fact that the people are more and more appreciating its public utility. An institution established for the sole purpose of cultivating a studious reading habit among the masses, of teaching "the science and art of reading for a purpose," of placing within the reach of the laboring classes refreshing, elevating and educating literature, of affording wider studies to the pupils of the schools, and that exerts a silent but all pervading influence in the community on the side of morality and intelligence — an institution of this character will no more fail to receive due recognition and generous support than will our schools and churches.