YOUNG GENTLEMEN'S SEMINARY. N. E. Cor. May Street and Cumberland Avenue, The first term of this Institution will commence in the building formerly occupied by J. H. Luther, the first Monday in September, and continue Payment one-half in advance and the balance at the end of the term. Pupils will be charged from the date of their entrance, and no deduction will be made for absentees, except in cases of protracted illness. The chief aim of the teachers, in all departments of the Seminary, will be to drill the learner in the elementary principles, and to teach him to think and think independently. The facilities offered for getting a good classical and accomplished education in this Institution will be found, we hope, to be equal to any in the West. We confidently appeal to all friends of education, and especially to all who feel an interest in building up permanent schools in our young and growing city, to co-operate with us in establishing a good Seminary of learning. R. S. SYMINGTON, Principal. CHAPTER XVI. THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. The first official action for the purpose of establishing a public library in Kansas City was taken in November, 1873, when the Board of Education, composed of the following: Henry A. White, president; James Craig, secretary; J. V. C. Karnes, treasurer; C. A. Chace, T. K. Hanna and Henry R. Seeger, made arrangements for a course of six popular lectures to raise a fund for the purchase of books. The following resolutions were offered by J. V. C. Karnes, and adopted: "Resolved, That there be established in connection with our schools a library for the use of the officers, teachers and scholars of the public schools of this district, to be known as the Public Library of Kansas City. Resolved, That an annual appropriation be made, of such sums as the Board of Education may deem expedient, to be used exclusively as a library fund, and that all money received from any other source in aid of the library be added thereto, and the treasurer be required to keep a separate account with such library fund, and that all orders drawn upon such fund, designate that they were given for such library purposes. "Resolved, That there be a standing committee on the library who shall be charged with the management and control thereof, subject to the supervision of this board. " A book case which is now (1908) used in the children's room for reference books, was bought for $8.00 from W. E. Sheffield and placed in a room in the old high school building at Eleventh and Locust streets. In this case was placed the beginning of the present public library, the result of the lectures that netted about $100. In December, 1874, the Board of Education moved its offices to Eighth and Main streets, in the Sage building. But little was accomplished until early in 1876, when a new impetus was given to the project. A Ladies' Centennial association was organized in 1875 to represent Kansas City at Philadelphia. By some means the enterprise was abandoned, and one-half of the centennial fund amounting to $490, after some discussion, was given to the public library fund. The other half was used toward a Children's Home now located at Twenty-second street and Tracy avenue. The ladies of the Centennial association were: Mrs. L. R. Moore, president; Mrs. St. Clair, treasurer; Mrs. Kersey Coates, Mrs. H. M. Holden, Mrs. Millette Anderson Mumford, Mrs. Henry N. Ess, Mrs. J. K. Cravens, Mrs. D. S. Twitchell and Mrs. R. E. Wilson. In May, 1876, Hon. J. V. C. Karnes, then president of the Board of Education made a financial statement that was approved by the board. The report showed a balance of $129, with outstanding orders for books to cost about $100, and a subscription list of periodicals billed at $39.60. Mr. Karnes said the fund would be exhausted, but the library was on a firm basis and was ready for use. He recommended the adoption of suitable rules and regulations governing the library, and these, among others were adopted. "The Board of Education of the city of Kansas shall constitute a board of managers who shall have general charge of the library; appoint a suitable person to act as librarian, and also an assistant librarian. The librarian shall at the annual organization of the Board of Education, make a report to the board respecting the number of volumes and their conditions. "The librarian shall be responsible to the Board of Education for all matters connected with the library, and upon accepting the office he shall give the secretary of the board a receipt containing the number and condition of the volumes in the library, and upon surrendering his trust he shall give a satisfactory account of the volumes entrusted to him. If new books are added, he shall give an additional receipt containing the number and condition of the same. For their services, the librarian and his assistant shall receive such compensation as the board may decide to be sufficient. The librarian shall keep an account of all money received by him, and report, quarterly, the same to the Board of Education.” Books that were in popular demand were carefully selected, and subjects were chosen with due regard to the trend of thought. This plan of buying books has been followed since the library was established. Several bookcases were placed in the office of the board, and James Craig, agent of the Board of Education, and J. M. Greenwood, superintendent of schools, cared for the books. Many books were given by public spirited citizens and thus the growth of the library was assured. When W. E. Benson was appointed business agent of the Board of Education in August, 1880, the supervision of the library was divided between him and Superintendent Greenwood. J. V. C. Karnes, president of the Board, offered these resolutions in November, 1879: Whereas, There exists a necessity for a reading room and library in the city, and "Whereas, The rooms of the Board of Education, and the Public School library there situated, offer the best accommodations that can be afforded at present, therefore, be it "Resolved, That said rooms, lighted and warmed, with the library, be tendered to the public as a reading room from December 1 to April 1, to be kept open for such purposes from 7 to 10 p. m. of each day, Sunday excepted. In his annual report for 1881, President Karnes of the Board of Education makes a clear statement of the condition of the library: "We are pleased to announce that during the year there have been many valuable accessions made to the library, and that it steadily grows in public favor. This important auxiliary to our school system has so far been supported entirely from private sources. The effort was made last winter to have the law so amended as to allow a liberal appropriation for this purpose, but, strange to say, the measure failed. Since then an appeal has been made to our liberal people for gifts of money and books, and in this way several thousand volumes will be added to the library. The importance of this enterprise cannot be overestimated. Our city is rapidly assuming metropolitan proportions. We need a circulating library, with reading room, art galleries and the like a fountain of intelligence and refinement, whose pure waters shall flow into the palace of the rich and the cottage of the poor, bringing |