File:Wooster Republican, Dec 7, 1882 p2 part 1.jpg

Newspaper article

Date	1882/12/07
Organization name	Wayne County Public Library Wooster Free Library Association
Industry Sector	Information > Libraries and Archives
Year	1882
Newspaper title	Wooster Republican
Page number	2
Article title	Wooster City Library Association

Wooster Republican December 7, 1882 Page 2, column 2

Wooster City Library Association.

To the Citizens of Wooster and Wayne Co.:

At a recent meeting of the Board of Managers and Auxiliary Committee of the above named Association, on motion of Mr. J.G. Sanborn, it was “Resolved, That Rev. Dallas Tucker and Judge J.P. Jeffries be constituted a committee to prepare for publication in our city papers and address to the citizens of Wooster and Wayne county, presenting therin the character and object of the above named Association, with such other suggestions as the committee may deem advisable.”

In pursuance of the duty thus imposed, the undersigned would make the following statements:--

A public circulating library, wherever established, is a recognized public good. In this respect Wooster has been long far behind many of her sister cities and it is our pleasure to state that many of our citizens, ladies and gentlemen, who have long felt the need, have at last succeeded in effecting the organization of a Library Association, and are now actively at work in its behalf. Although it would seem quite unnecessary to state the purpose of such and association, it may be well, nevertheless, to say, that the object of the present one is identical with that of other such associations, namely, the dissemination of useful knowledge, and to place within the reach of all a line of well selected books, on all subjects of general literature. Many of our people, indeed have libraries of their own, and sufficient for their ordinary needs, but by far the largest number of our citizens have no such luxury, and are consequently often unable to indulge their literary taste and improve their minds from their inability to secure proper books for doing so. The Association, by the establishment of a good circulating library, hope not only to create a taste for reading where none naturally exists, but also furnish reading matter to those who, though they may desire to read, have no the means for purchasing the necessary books. The benefits of the youth of our city and county is an especial motive in this effort. These young people must, in their near future, take the places in business, politics, and official life, now occupied by the adult population, and it is of paramount importance that they should not only be stimulated to study by every proper means, but have ready at hand such a library as will provide facilities for such. If a public circulating library is found to be, to say the least, a good supplement to the finest private one, what an incalculable boon must such always be to the young man and lady, indeed to anyone, who has no library at all! To keep abreast with the age, to disseminate knowledge, to encourage the habit of reading, to furnish all with needful and proper books, to supply and long-felt need in our community—these constitute the objects for which the Wooster City Library Association has been established.

An Association with so good an object and so inexpensive and simple, should, and will we feel certain, commend itself to our citizens of all classes and ages. It would be a listing shame to our city and county were such a praiseworthy organization already auspiciously begun, be allowed to fail for want of support, and we may safely say that should this be the fate of this effort, it will be a long time before Wooster will be able to boast of anything like a Public Circulating Library. But failure is out of the question. We do not and will not for a moment believe that our intelligent and well-to-do people will withhold that generous support which the full success of the Association requires. It is a public need. When fully established it will prove a lasting public benefit. Every one who joins the Association will be benefitting his city, his county and himself. Think of it. By subscribing one dollar to this effort you get volumes. Nay, you virtually purchase for yourself a library. Can any hesitate? Surely, none should do so. Every man Every woman, yes, and every child in this city and county owe it to their patriotism to future generations, and to themselves to become at once members of this Association. Let all become such immediately. Le the man who has a private library feel that this public library we be a good supplement to his private one. Let those who have no library –those in Wooster and Wayne county alike feel that this is an opportunity which they cannot afford to let pass for securing access for themselves and children to a well selected library. Let the man who for some insanely stupid reason does not care himself to be a member, make one of his family or some one unable to pay even the small sum of one dollar. Let all help this work, if for no other reason for this at any rate, that by doing so they will be assisting to suppy a felt need in this community will be helping others in the attainment of knowledge; will be contributing to make our already beautiful city still more attractive, and establishing what will prove a blessing, a great fountain of knowledge to our children and children’s children. We have the University; we are to have a new railroad. Come one and all and let us have a grand and great Public Circulating Library.

It only remains for us to say that a committee of ladies and gentlemen have been appointed to canvas the city for membership to the Association, and we bespeak most earnestly for them your practical encouragement in this praiseworthy undertaking.

Dallas Tucker, John P. Jeffries.

• A note on the transcription.

Spelling, capitalization, words in italics, and punctuation have been preserved as in the original printed article.