Oshkosh High School - Index Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

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APRIL INDEX FOR NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN The Oshkosh Public Library IT may be of interest to those High School students who are patrons of the Oshkosh Public Library to learn something of its origin and his- tory. In 1868 the Y. M. C. A. donated some books as a beginning for a subscription library. These books were kept in Judge Cleveland ' s office until a little later, when the Oshkosh Library Association was formed. Then they were moved to the City Hall and Miss Olcott was put in charge. In 1895 Abby Harris, the widow of Marshall Harris, died and left almost her entire property for the founding of a Free Public Library, pro- vided that within three years an equal sum be raised by private or public donation. The matter was then taken up with the city authorities and an election was held in the fall of 1895, at which time it was voted that there should be a free Public Library. The library was organized under the state laws in the same year and the 1,200 books received from the Library Association were established in a basement room of the City Hall until a building could be erected. Miss Olcott was again appointed librarian and kept this position until the library was moved. Then a great effort was made to raise the money specified in the Harris will, but it was not very successful. Towards the end of the third year, the Hon. Philetus Sawyer, seeing that the money could not be raised, offered to give one-third of the amount if the city would raise the remaining two- thirds. The Mayor and Council, feeling that the people were very much in favor of a library, agreed to issue bonds for this amount. This was done and the money raised. Meanwhile a homestead east of the Harris house was purchased by the city. This gave the library the entire two hundred and forty feet of front on Washington Street from Mt. Vernon Street to Jefferson Avenue, with a depth of one hundred and twenty feet. The building was begun in the fall of 1898 and was finished September 3, 1900. The records of the first year show the circulation to be 94,945. In the year 1905, one of the reading rooms was converted into a chil- dren ' s room, which soon became a very important part of the library. This room has, indeed, come to be very popular, as may be seen if one visits the library after school hours. The children come in large numbers, not alone to draw books, but to read. Another more recent development of the children ' s work is the story hour. Stories are told every Saturday morning during the winter months to an average of sixty children. Also in Novem- ber, 1905, the museum on the second floor of the library building was opened to the public. Since that time it has received many valuable pres- ents, among which are an interesting collection of Indian relics and one of coins. Page fifteen

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APRIL INDEX FOR NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN Spring ROWENA LODWICK Spring comes, though winter ' s snows still lie On frozen slopes ' neath sullen sky. For now the winter ' s winds are stilled, With strange new life the air is filled. Pussywillows in March appear On edge of streams in meadow sere. The heralds of the coming spring, A message of new life they bring. I{, vers loosed from icy chains .And flooded by the warm spring rains, Rush swiftly to the distant sea As though o ' erjoyed at being free. Jn April op ' ning buds are seen. The woods seem wrapped in mists of green. Returning birds from the Southland come. We hear the first bee ' s drowsy hum. ' Neath withered leaves in a sheltered nook. Beside a softly murmuring brook. Blooms the first violet, modest and shy, A bright reflection of the sky. Qay spring is here with joy and cheer! Forgotten is winter, cold and drear! The world is a riot of color and song And happiness reigns the whole day long. Page fourteen

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APRIL INDEX FOR NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN From 1895 to 1900 the library proper received many gifts, which were mostly in money or books. Since that time the gifts have been mostly of a different kind, such as paintings, portraits and statuary, and the large clock. The Hon. John Hicks has given many statues and also the bronze lions at the front of the building. All of these gifts have helped to make the library the attractive and imposing building which it now is. The report of June 30, 1916, gives a record of 31,794 books, and a cir- culation of 170,651. This shows the increase since 1901, the circulation now being almost twice as much as that of fifteen years ago. Besides the main library building, there are two branch libraries, one on the south side on Oregon Street, containing 3,000 books, and another in West Algoma of 500 books, which was established a year ago. These cen- ters are well patronized and reach those who are far distant from the main library. There are also twelve special collections of books, comprising about 1,000 volumes, which are sent about to different places, such as the hospitals, Girls ' Club, Old Ladies ' Home, schools, and engine houses. Last Sunday ' s Tribune mentioned a conference which will be held on April 25, the aim of which will be to start a campaign to bring books to the people and people to the books. This has already been done to a great extent in our city. The article further says that the library is not merely a place where we may get books without buying them, but it thinks for us, suggests wider fields of education, and in time of need marshals for us the forces of knowledge without which our community could not be efficient. Our library, it will be seen, has had a gradual growth through the years until now, under the present efficient management, it is an important influence in the community life for culture and uplift. R. L., June, ' 17. Books We Like Under the Mulberry Tree — for originality. Mary Gary — for humor. Toma — for the hero ' s kindness and self-negation. Anne of Green Gables — for Anne ' s unusual ability to entertain the reader. Personality Plus — for youthfulness. Miss 318 and Mr. 37 — for its probability. The Harvester — for the dreams of its hero. Freckles — for the strife between Black Jack and Freckles. Laddie — for the hero ' s stubborness. Page sixteen