History of Linn County Iowa Part 49

The library, for years housed at Muscatine, later in the Burtis Opera House at Davenport, was removed to Iowa City in the year 1867, where it remained in rooms rented for that purpose until 1883 when it had so far outgrown its quarters that a new and more permanent home was needed. At the annual session of 1883, the Grand Lodge set aside $20,000.00 for a fireproof building, and, the citizens of Cedar Rapids having offered to donate a lot and $10,000.00, it was decided to build in that city. The site selected was ideal, fronting on one of the most beautiful avenues, in the residence district, yet within a few blocks of the business portion of the city. The front of the building, which is of red pressed brick trimmed with sandstone, consists of two stories and an attic, while the rear part is two stories, and under all is a bas.e.m.e.nt, well lighted and ventilated by a wide area-way. Surrounded by a well kept lawn and beautiful shade trees, it presents a very attractive appearance.

So rapidly did the library grow that in 1901 the trustees were authorized to purchase the adjoining corner lot on which was a fine brick residence. This has since been used as a general reference library and reading room, known as the Annex. Both buildings have recently been improved and re-decorated until today one entering either one finds "a place of quiet and beauty, where sightseeing is a delight, and study an absolute pleasure." On the right of the main entrance is the Grand Master's room, furnished in dark and ma.s.sive oak, thoroughly in keeping with the dignity of the fraternity. On the left, a lighter treatment in decoration and the mahogany furniture make the reception room a delightful apartment in which the friends gather and are made welcome. The fireproof doors at the end of the entrance hall open into the library proper, filled with book cases on every side, and in the center of the room are large gla.s.s cases containing thousands of rare and interesting curios. The upper floor of this hall is a gallery guarded by an iron railing and lighted by the skylight above. This, too, is filled to overflowing with books and display cases. On the walls of both rooms hang pictures of the long line of Grand Masters who have ruled the craft in Iowa from 1844 to the present time.

[Ill.u.s.tration: T. S. PARVIN Long Grand Secretary Iowa Masons]

The leading feature of this library is naturally the Masonic department. Here in cases adorned with meaning symbols are to be found all the standard works of the fraternity and those which later scholars.h.i.+p has contributed to the history, philosophy and ceremonial of Masonry, together with the proceedings of all Grand Lodges, Chapters, Commanderies, Councils, Shrines, Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, and all Masonic organizations of the world. This department also contains the const.i.tutions, by-laws, monitors, and rituals of all Masonic bodies, both American and foreign. Masonic periodicals and magazines from all parts of the globe are on the shelves in perhaps more complete sets than can be found in any other library. Many rare and costly works have been added, some few of which are unique, no other copy being known to exist.

The early history of Freemasonry shows traces of the influence of other secret societies, and it in turn has influenced almost every other secret organization. A Masonic library would therefore be incomplete without the history, literature and ceremonies of these a.s.sociations.

This semi-Masonic department includes all works bearing upon the secret societies of the American revolution, the early secret societies of the middle ages and France, works pertaining to the history of the Nestorians, Dervishes, Thugs, Druids, Rosicrucians, the Guilds, etc.

As Masonry is closely linked with art, archaeology, mythology, and religion, a large collection of this cla.s.s of material finds place in the general reference library, now housed in the Annex. The French and German books, comprising some four thousand volumes, the government publications, and a large number of proceedings have been removed to the bas.e.m.e.nt, while the attic is crowded with duplicate proceedings, magazines, and pamphlets without number.

Another interesting feature is the Iowa department containing works by Iowa authors, as well as all works pertaining to the history of the state.

In order to make this collection of the greatest possible benefit to its patrons, it has been cla.s.sified and a card catalog of the books has been made in accordance with approved library methods.

For the casual visitor the princ.i.p.al attraction is the museum, which contains archaeological, mineralogical, and geological specimens from all parts of the country. Here the relics of ancient American races and tribes give evidence of prehistoric culture, while the ruder implements, weapons and pottery of the aborigines make a notable collection. One large case contains only weapons of warfare; another is filled with Iowa birds. An unusual collection is the one of shoes from China, j.a.pan, India, Burma, Siam, and several other foreign lands. The case of colonial relics is especially interesting to older visitors.

The book lover finds the case devoted to rare and beautifully bound books the supreme attraction, while the small boy enjoys the stamp collection, the post card display, the birds, and the "freaks" of nature exhibited here. Masonic badges, medals, coins, old diplomas, charters, ma.n.u.scripts, ap.r.o.ns, and other old lodge paraphernalia are artistically displayed in the various gla.s.s cases. Scattered throughout both buildings are many pictures, fine art pieces in bronze, bisque, and marble, antique vases, jars, pitchers, and various pieces of modern pottery, all donated by friends of the library.

In the autograph letter department are three large double cases each having one hundred and forty gla.s.s covered drawers devoted exclusively to this material. Here may be found the signatures of noted literary men, the presidents of the United States, governors of Iowa, and others prominently identified with the history of the state as well as noted men of the fraternity.

In 1901, upon the death of T. S. Parvin, the founder of the inst.i.tution, his son, Newton R. Parvin, was elected Grand Secretary and librarian. He is peculiarly fitted for this responsible position, having served as deputy to his father for twenty-five years, and, like his father, is giving to the building up of this splendid library the "enthusiasm and energy of a single-purposed life."

N. R. Parvin being Grand Secretary as well as librarian, the headquarters of the Grand Lodge are in the library building, and in the three splendidly equipped vaults are stored many valuable papers and records. A card index giving the record of every member in the state has recently been completed and placed in one of the vaults.

The entire expense of maintaining the library is met by an annual tax of ten cents for each member in the state. All expenditures are under the supervision of a board of three trustees appointed by the Grand Master for a term of six years. Those composing the present board are W. S. Gardner of Clinton, W. L. Eaton of Osage, and Crom Bowen of Des Moines.

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CEDAR RAPIDS

BY JOANNA HAGEY

The people of Cedar Rapids had felt the need of a public library. In the seventies a subscription library was founded but it was forced to discontinue from lack of funds and the books were given to the Y. M. C.

A. The City Federation of Ladies' Literary Clubs, and especially the president, Mrs. C. D. Van Vechten, should be given the credit for creating a sentiment that resulted in a vote of the people on March 2, 1896, to establish a library.

The council appointed a library board in June. In October the first tax levy was made, and they began the formation and organization of the new library which was opened to the public January 15, 1897, in rooms in the Granby block.

The work prospered and the patronage increased so that additional s.p.a.ce was needed, and in 1900 the library was moved to the Dows Auditorium.

Again larger quarters were demanded and it was deemed best for the city to own the library building. Mr. Andrew Carnegie generously gave $75,000, which was used for the erection of the beautiful and commodious building on the corner of Fifth street and Third avenue. The new building was dedicated June 23, 1905.

Some idea of the growth of the library can be gained from the following comparisons: When the library was opened there were 1,325 volumes on the shelves. December 31, 1909, there were 19,505 volumes; 29,730 books were circulated the first year, and 94,078 books last year; the receipts the first year were $4,471.52; last year they amounted to $11,049.14.

Mrs. C D. Van Vechten, Mrs. Charles A. Clark, Mrs. N. M. Hubbard, Sr., Miss Emma J. Fordyce, F. F. Dawley, A. T. Cooper, V. A. Jung, L. W.

Anderson, and Luther A. Brewer const.i.tuted the first board of trustees.

The following are the present board: Mrs. Mary Ziek Andre, Mrs. Kate Terry Loomis, Miss Emma J. Fordyce, Miss Elizabeth c.o.c.k, B. L. Wick, L.

W. Anderson, Frank Filip, C. M. Doan, and Sandford Kerr. Others who have served as trustees are: Miss Meta Aussieker, Mrs. Ida M. Ballheim, Mrs. Channie J. Redmond, H. H. Troy, Joseph Mekota, John Vosmek, J. M.

Terry, J. T. Hamilton, W. I. Endicott, Jomes A. Molony, Robert Palmer, John W. Barry, and Theodore Schauwecker.

Miss Virginia Dodge was librarian from 1896-1899, Miss Harriet L.

McCrory from 1899-1903, and Miss Harriet A. Wood from 1903-1910. The present librarian is Miss E. Joanna Hagey.

COE COLLEGE LIBRARY

Coe College at an early date owned a well selected text-book library.

It was generally conducted by one of the students. Many donations have been made, mostly by men connected with the Presbyterian ministry. The large library of Rev. James Knox was one of the early additions made.

Later the Rev. George R. Carroll presented his valuable collection of books to the college. Many valuable books have been donated from time to time by members of the faculty, by students, and persons interested in the growth of the college.

Miss Ida Dodd and Miss Cornelia Sh.e.l.ley served as librarians for some years. Miss Mary Irene Amidon, by the a.s.sistance of several helpers, has placed the library on a sound basis by a system of cataloguing which before had been neglected.

COLLEGE AND PUBLIC LIBRARY, MOUNT VERNON

No definite data can be given for the beginning of the library at Mount Vernon, though in the catalogue of the Iowa Conference Seminary for 1855 the statement is made that "a small but good selection of books has been procured to which students will have access." There seems to have been a hesitancy about giving any number of volumes, till in the catalogue of 1864-5 we read that "the college library has about 600 volumes."

From this early beginning the library very gradually grew in strength and helpfulness under the direction of various members of the college faculty. The professors who served as librarians were: S. N. Fellows, 1857-60, A. Collin, 1860-70, H. H. Freer, 1870-73, S. N. Williams, 1873-91, W. C. Webster, 1891-93.

In 1891 Miss May L. Fairbanks was appointed a.s.sistant librarian, and in 1893 she was elected librarian, which position she still holds.

A gift of $50,000 was obtained from Andrew Carnegie for a library building for the town and college. In June, 1904, the corner stone of the new building was laid, and in August, 1905, the college library, consisting of 25,548 volumes, was moved into the new building.

December 1, 1905, the library board of trustees was formally organized with Dr. James E. Harlan as president. Prof. W. H. Norton, Col. H. H.

Rood, E. B. Willix, W. E. Platner, Prof. H. M. Kelly, Dr. A. Crawford, A. A. Bauman, J. B. Leigh.

There has been no change in the library board. The annual income is $5,000.

The library now consists of 33,900 volumes and many hundred pamphlets that have not been numbered. The administration of the library resembles that of a college more than a public library, and no list of borrowers is kept.

MARION FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Marion free public library dates from 1903. Miss Adaliza Daniels first began her work as early as 1902, to agitate for a Carnegie library. She and Mrs. C. N. Owen then began to solicit funds for a building site and collected $3,775 for that purpose. The first board consisted of the following: Messrs. Alderman, Alexander, Bowman, Treat, Mrs. Dobson, Mrs. Busby, Mrs. Owen, Miss Tyler, and Miss Daniels. The present board consists of J. W. Bowman, president, Dr. J. Morehead, vice-president, Mrs. C. N. Owen, secretary, Mr. Wood, Miss Marshall, Mrs. B. C. Busby, Mrs. Millen, and Mrs. Parkhurst.

The income of the library has varied from $1,100 to $1,350. There are 800 card holders and more than 3,550 volumes in the library. The librarians have been Miss Mary Parkhurst and Miss Mabel Alexander.

THE BOHEMIAN READING SOCIETY

The Bohemian Reading Society was organized November 22, 1868, at Cedar Rapids, and some of the charter members who are still living are: Anthony Soukup, Frank Soukup, John Pichner, and John Safranek.

Many of the pioneer settlers contributed from time to time largely of their means for the purchase of Bohemian books and tried to inculcate in their children a desire for the reading of books printed in their own tongue. Many foreign newspapers and magazines were also taken in order to keep up with the times and to create in the minds of the young a love of the land of their fathers.

The average number of books loaned has been about 3,000 volumes a year.

The library being open to the members at stated times, much reading is done in the library building, where a librarian is in charge. The number of bound books for circulation has been from 2,000 to 2,500 volumes. The expense of running the library outside of room rent, heat, etc., has been from $200 to $300. Many donations of books and magazines are constantly being made.

A few of the librarians have been the following named persons: Mrs.

Kabasa, Neibert and s...o...b.., Frank Kurka. The present librarian has served continuously for the past sixteen years.