Hamilton Library Association: Annual Report for 1902

The first business at the annual meeting of the Association, has according to custom, been the reading of the reports of the officers of the Association,

As president I beg to report as follows on behalf of the board of directors. In view of the, unusual number of new members that have been enrolled during the past year, it seems not out of place to recall very briefly, some of the leading facts in the history of the association.

It originated in a bequest of James Hamilton, Esq., a prominent citizen of the borough for the establishment of a public library in the borough of Carlisle. The carrying out of his intentions was entrusted by him to a number of his well known personal friends, prominent citizens of the borough, intimately acquainted with his character, and most competent to interpret and carry out his benevolent intentions. In their application for a charter, as granted by the court in 1874, among the objects set forth in connection with the public library was “the elucidation and preservation of the history of Cumberland County.” The bequest was not a large one, at least for this day. It consisted of the lot 60 by 60 feet on Pitt street, on which the building is erected, and $2000 in money, received out of his estate in 1875. The incorporators realizing the possibilities for public good, even in so small a beginning, set earnestly about carrying out the wishes of the testator, and to their careful and judicious, and I might add conscientious use of the bequest and thoughtful initiative, much of the present efficiency, if not the existence of, the Association is due. After unavoidable delay, due largely to the financial condition of the country, they saw their way clear to contract for the erection of the present building in 1881, which was completed and occupied in the year following, free from debt. The bequest was barely sufficient to meet this expense. In addition to contributions from members and others, more than $200.00 was received as the result of a musical entertainment given by home talent for the benefit of the Association, and the building was suitably furnished. The collection of a library, commenced before the erection of the building, was continued with special attention to matter of local historical interest. The room in which we are now met, not being needed by the association, was rented for a number of years, and proceeds applied to necessary expenses and the increase of the library. According to their records there was hardly a line along which a public library could be conducted that was not carefully considered in the final adoption of their plans. It is fortunate that the enterprise fell into hands as competent, as earnest and progressive, and at the same time as conservative and realizing as fully the conditions and possibilities of the case. The organization was hampered from the start by too great expectations on the part of the public upon so little a foundation, and by effort to cover all field" of a public library. But, a few years ago, whilst considering plans for increasing its efficiency, and rendering its accumlations more accessible to the public, the gratifying announcement was made of the proposed establishment of the J. Herman Bosler Memorial Library which permitted and indicated, as its line of greatest usefulness to the public, a still closer adherence to local historical work. There was even a proposition to change the name by incorporating the word “Historical’’ in it. After full consideration, however, this was not deemed advisable or necessary to enable it to fully cover the held exclusively its own in the county.

The past year has been one of encouraging progress in many directions.

MEMBERSHIP.

It was thought that the usefulness and efficiency of the Association in all directions would be greatly increased by bringing it into closer touch with a greater number of individuals. Accordingly the requirement for membership was somewhat modified, and the number of elected and accepting members enrolled, each of whom has paid the entrance fee of $2.00, has been increased to 120, not limited to residents of the borough. The entrance fee was fixed at $2.00, because, according to the opinion of those learned in the law, it brings the association within the requirements of the law recently enacted, which permits the commissioners of the several counties to appropriate aid to the amount of $200.00 in carrying out the work in which this Association is engaged.

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