The Private Library 1868-1876 The Public Library 1876-1926 HISTORY of the CHAMPAIGN PUBLIC LIBRARY and READING ROOM by EDWIN A. KRATZ \ SiJ It \ >.^ .5 1X$I2^0I8 M VET X K" ■ / The Private Library 1868-1876 The Public Library 1876-1926 HISTORY of the CHAMPAIGN PUBLIC LIBRARY and READING ROOM bv EDWIN A. KRATZ TO HENRY TREVETT Friend and companinn; Enterprising, Coneientious and public sjiirited (-itizen, wlin was not only a charter raeinber of the Champaign Library Association, but as Mayor of the City, he had the honor of naming the first Board of Directors of the Champaign Public Library, and for three subsequent years he maintained the high standard of the Board by Acts of Appointment. Dk. E, a. Kratz Foreword IFTY years ago (February 14. 1867) a visitor arrived in the City of ('hainj)ai«rn, with no intention of remaining long, direct fi'oni a little village in Pennsylvania of less than 'JOO inhabitants, which was su])i)()rting a fine library of which he was a iii(Mul)ei', and here keenly felt tiie want of a Ijibrary and reading room in this thriving western city of some 4000 iidiabitants. This matti'r was spoken of to an Uncle, Mr. Beidler, and several other "old residents" with whom he came in contact, but notiiing developed fi-om the suggestion until a year later. On his return from Ann Ai-bor, JMich. the jjroject was put on foot and the Champaign Library Association was duly organized on May 7, 1868, the first of its kind in the city. At the last ainiual meeting of the Association held May 11, 1876, a new secretary was elected, E. T. Whitcomb, a hail-fellow- well-met, who left not the scratch of a i)en, either of said epochal meeting or subsequent one surrendering its ])roperty. Even the record book is goiu'. But, for the private notes of the author him- self, all official data leading up to the transfer is lost. As it is not expected that this document will reach the public, at least without severe censoring, a few personalities will be in- dulged, in which I take considerable pride. 1 was a charter mem- ber of the Library Association in 1868; Custodian of the few books on hand in 1869; Secretary when the Library was rejuvenated in 1871 ; Librarian when it was given to the City in 1876 ; Director and Secretary of the first Board under City domiiuition ; Secretary wdien the Library was moved into the City Building in 1889; again Secretary of the Board when it took possession of the Burnham Athenaeum in 1896; President of the Board in 1900 when the Chil- dren's department was opened up; also in 1901 when the experi- mental branch was established with a voluntary assistant ; and Acting Secretary in 1914 when the first re])()rt was publisheil, which constituted my last service for the Library, and am now the self ai)poi?ite(l historian (at my daughter's suggestion). When the Librarian (lOtliel G. Kratz), in December 1916 asked mc to write a forty yeai" history of the Lil)rary, I was inclined to considei- it a good joke. Not having had the advantages of an aca- demic education, I felt that others more capable in a literary sense could do the subject better justice, but she {persisted in my doing it — that it could l)e typewritten for pi'eservation. So it was com- menced, and as most of the data is in my private memorandum, 1 soon became interested and have stiMing the thing out moi'e fully than at first contemj)lated, giving facts without embellishment as a basis for some futui-e liistorian to polish up in literary style. Ten years later, on the tiftietli anniversary of the establishing of the Chamj)aign Libiary, at the recpiest of the Library Board of Trustees, 1 liav(> endeavored to bring the survey down to date, as well as my advanced age (82 years) and physical condition will permit. E. A. Kratz, M. D. June, 1926. THE PRIVATE LIBRARY HE Champaign Library Association was the forerunner, tlie advance guard of the Public Library and Reading room located in the Burnham Athenaeum, in which our j)eople liave a just pride. It had its inception Tuesday evening April 28, 1868, when T. B. Sweet. Henry Beardsley, J. S. Lothrop, A. D. Eads. and Geo. M. Noble, self appointed committee held a conference in Mr. Sweet's otSce in Barrett Block (Swannell) No. 1, Main Street. They re- solved "That a Library Association be organized for the purpose of opening and maintaining a Library and Reading room for the bene- fit of the memliers thereof, as nothing of the kind existed in this city with a population of about 4000." They agreed to formulate a Constitution to present at a meeting to be called by public notice embodying said resolution. Thursday, May 7, 1868, the first meeting of the Champaign Library Association was held in Barrett Hall, pursuant to said notice. Mr. Sweet was chosen temporary Chairman and Mr. Noble, Secretary. A Constitution and Bylaws (now lost) was presented by Mr. Lothrop and adopted, and the following persons there sub- scribed their names to said Constitution as members of the Asso- ciation and paid the annual dues of $2.00 each. To wit: G. W. Atherton, principal of the High School; Aaron Beidler, lumber; J. S. Jones, attorney; T. B. Sweet, insurance; J. S. Lothrop, attorney; J. S. Wright, retired ; Henry Beardsley, real estate ; E. A. McAllis- ter, postmaster; A. C. Burnham, banker; C. G. Larned, tinner; A. D. Eads, surveyor; G. M. Noble, student; B. D. Harbison, retired; B. C. Beach, elevator; C. E. Baker, grain buyer; C. Hesse, planing mill ; Henry Trevett, hardware ; Peter Lockrie, editor ; L. C. Gar- wood, jewler; W. H. Kratz, lumber; E. A. Kratz, medical student: Theodore Johnson, medical student ; D. Rodoker, photographer ; D. T. Martin, medical student; C. S. Morehouse, dry-goods; John Faulds, supt. Mt. Hope — total 26 members. Of the above pioneers the author is the only one left, the others having all passed into the great unknown. As this was not a corporate body, three Trustees were elected, A. C. Burnham, C. G. Larned, and J. S. Wright. The management of the Association was vested in a Board of seven Directors, consisting of the officers and two members, and the following were duly elected : President, G. W. Atherton ; Vice- president, J. S. Jones; Secretary, J. S. Lothrop; Treasurer, Aaron Beidler ; Librarian, T. B. Sweet ; and Henry Beardsley and E. N. McAllister, constituted the Board of Directors. The meeting ex- hibited considerable enthusiasm throughout, satisfied that.it had blazed the way for something tangible to follow, and adjourned. The first act of the Directors was to open a reading room ; 5 t aeeorcling:ly the rear room on the second floor at No. 7 ^Maiii Street Mas secured from A. C. Biirnham at a nominal rental. Two tables and a few cliairs constituted the furniture. The leadinj: periodicals and several metropolitan dailies and weeklies were placed there regularly. By the end of the calendar year, the mem- bership roll numbered 40 residents of the city and the "Library"' consisted of nearly 300 vols. Right here is where it struck a snag which came well nigh wrecking the young A.ssociation. The Reading room proved a comjilete failure, subscriptions were not renewed, the room was abandoned and the books placed in Dr. Kratz"s office, No. 15 Main Street. This experience proved so discouraging that no further effort Avas made in tlie Reading room line, and for two years the Associa- tion and its Library was in a state of innocuous desuetude, so to speak, but the Directors kept its object and ultimate purpose of the Association before the public, by giving lectures and enter- tainments in tlie name of the Association for the benefit of the Library, during the winter months, by engaging speakers of Na- tional repute — John B. Gough. Anna Dickinson, Wendell Phillips, Robert Collyer. and others equally well known, to full houses, dur- ing this interim wliicli netted some four hundred dollars towards a fresh start for a library. Incorporation papers were filed in the Secretary of State's office August 7. 1871, and late in September 1S71 new life was injected into tlie moi-ibund Association. The above fund was in- ve.sted in books, the membership began to increase, a new catalog was made and the Library moved into the Gazette Counting room on the second floor of No. 26 Main Street, the editor. Geo. Scroggs, agreeing to act as librarian, where it liad a home for four years, during which time the membershij) roll increased to 160 and the shelves bulged out with 750 volumes of good, clean reading matter. An incident connected with the first ]nircha.se of books shows liow it was proposed to make a little go a long Avay. Three bids were received ; a local firm, a C'liicago house, and a New York house, made estimates on the $400 invoice. Our directors proceeded to separate the low items of each, expecting of course there would be no comi)laint. but it is needless to say the contract was not filled that way. Thus far in the life of tiie Association there was no operating expense in maintaining the institution. The librarian's services were given free and also there was no charge for shelf room. The patronage justified a paid librarian, which the income was not able to meet. It became very aj)parent tliat a ditferent policy must be adopted for the future usefulness of the Library. Hence when the Association met in animal assembly on ^May 11. 1876. a majority of th<' members attending, the matter re- ceived most careful and eonscientious attention. A complete shift G Avas made in the offices and trustees. This meetin": and siil)seqnent affairs of the Association the Secretary failed to record, hut from private memorandum, an estimate of the hoklings of the Associa- tion and the patronage of the Library, was substantially 700 volumes valued at $900.00, boolc cases, tables, furniture and cash $423.46. making a total of $1323.46 : and that 2135 volumes were loaned to members the past year of which 40% were fiction, humor, drama. 209r were history, biography, travel. 30*^ r were juveniles. 10/( were science, art, miscellany. The future usefulness of tlie Library to the general public was carefully considered, and the members being in a generous mood it was unanimously resolved "That the Champaign Library Association give to the city of Champaign such of its property, books, furniture and money, on consideration that the said city would establish and maintain a free Public Library and Reading room, in accordance with the Statutes of the State, by an annual appropriation of at least $1000.00 which was then considered a liberal amount." The Association then adjourned awaiting the action of the City. It appears from the deed of gift that another meeting of the Association was held on August 25, 1876, for the purpose evidently of authorizing the Trustees to make the necessarj' transfer. The deed of conveyance was duly executed, signed and sealed and delivered on September 18, 1876 by which act the Champaign Library Association passed into history. The text of said deed is given in the next chapter :■ The Public Library, The following persons were duly elected as trustees at the several annual meetings : A. C. Burnham — three years. J. S. Wright — three years. C. G. Larned — four years. L. W. Walker — one year. E. V. Peterson — four years. G. F. Beardsley — one year. J. W. Langley — one year. Chas. Glover — one year. L H, Hess — three years. J. T. Pearman — one year, J. Bacon — three years. John Thomas — one year. W. A. Moore — one year. The last three being in office at the finale, duly signed and executed the Deed of Gift to the City. 7 Mem hers 1868 G. W. Atherton L. S. Bullard Aaron Beidler J. Bacon Henry Beardsley J. E. Conklin A. C. Biiruham K. B. Conditt G. F. Beardsley Rev. A. L. Farr B. C. Beach 0. H. Hollister C. E. Baker J. M. Healv T. :\I. Berry B. W. Hamlin Ben Burroughs H. C. Howard Geo. Brown G E. Hessell C. W. Byer B. F. Harris D. P. Beach 1. H. Hess A. D. Eads Mrs. A. Hall John Faulds G. AV. Hawk B. F. Fillmore J J. IngersoU L. C. Garwood B. F. Johnson B. D. Harbison G. W. Kennard C. Hesse ]M. E. Lapham M. S. Hall J. W. Langley T. H. Hurlick Ezekiel Miller Mrs. J. C. Hall S M. Marble J. S. Jones J. S. Oliver Theo. Johnson P. W. Plank A. L. Jones J. T. Pearman W. H. Kratz E. V. Peterson E. A. Kratz Thos. E. Price J. S. Lotrop J. B. Russell C. G. Earned E. C. Richards Peter Lockrie Daniel Rugg E. N. McAllister Geo. Scroggs D. T. Martin C. :M. Sherfy ('. S. Morehouse C. AV. Spear J. B. McKinlev H. D. Stoltey G. M. Noble C. J. Sabin I). Rodoker H. Swannell T. B. Sweet T. J. Smith E. L. Sweet L. W. Tulleys Henry Trevett Jolin Thomas J. S. Wright Frank Wilcox J. J. Bogardus L. W. Walker David Bailey C. B. Whitmore Seelv Brown 1872 H. T. Aspern John Bradley B. F. Barrett A. IT. Barnnard Chas. Brandt Mark Carley W. N. Coler H. M. Dnnlap H. M. Douglas Clias. Glover J. A. Hossack T. G. Lansden J. C. Miller Chas. Riggs Dr. Geo. Schott Chas. Strahle Miss Thayer J. R. Trevett J. J. Tuthill •Tolin Weldon Chas. Weston J, A. Arnold Grant Arnold C. 0. Butterfield H. F. Crease D. A. Cheever Dan Gardner C. W. Gere Geo. F. Hedges J. W. Keys Ross Mattis Rev. Noble Thos. Naughton H. L. Nicolett J. B. Phinnev A. M. Scott ' C. B. Smith E. T. Whitcomb 1874 Anna Arnold I. B. Arnold Jacob Bach W. F. Bishop O. F. Britton A. Campbell A. J. Gardner Edward Lynch W. S. Maxwell W. A. Moore Chas. Stewart W. Schweizer W. K. D. Townsend 1875 Mrs. Bardwell S. F. Balcom Frank Cook Maggie Dunlap Carrie Ells B. F. Harris, Jr. Frank Haltby Robt. ^laxwell John L. Price G. W. M. Pittman Walter Stewart W. F. Smith S. L. Wilcox Jesse Wright Frank Worden Aaron Brown John Babb Florence Barrett 1876 J. S. Grindley H. A. Johnston G. W. Johnston .2 o a; o o o; a: — cc ^ .^ ■!-> -^J >i — .- — . . . . rt rt . d >, r- ~ 5" _ o c3 ^ .J -! -= * < < O ^ "^ ai oi CO § S <■ p2 f^ ,r, f. -r. -s. -s. a^ o "^ M ** ** ** *>* M 2 mi^< .2 :n <1> a. > -i H^ -^ a cd ffi c -i HH- c 2 ca I, >, X- " •*^ ■-'iS~cccsa) •M o 00<55O^I>4CC'^lft« a> ec50t~i^c^t^t^t^t^ U OOOOOOOOtXJOOOOOOOO 10 Chapter II THE PUBLIC LIBRARY [HE Cliampaign Public Library and Reading room dates back fifty years to July 21, 1876, at which time the City Council of Champaign voted to accept the generous gift of tlie Champaign Library Association, upon the condition named in their resolution of ]May 11, 1S7G. Friday September 8, 1876 the Mayor, Henry Trevett, ap- pointed nine citizens, the Council approving the same, to consti- tute the first Board of Directors to administer the affairs of the Library in behalf of the city in the interest of the general public, in accordance witli the Statute of the State, as follows: Geo. W. Gere E. A. Kratz Wm. Bowen F. Dollinger S. L. Wilcox H. Swannell I. B. Arnold D. A. Cheever B. C. Beach At the same time a Library account was opened with the City Treasurer for the said Board of Directors to draw upon. This'Board represented all shades of political, religious, busi- ness and sectional interests of the city, East and West sides. American, Irish, English, German, Swiss. Republican, Democrat, Prohibition, Independent. Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Altruist. Attorney, Physician, School Superintendent, Druggist, Shoe Dealer, Merchant, Tailor, Cutter. It proved to be a very harmonious and efficient body, as much, if not more so than all of its successors. LTnder the law, they re- ceived no compensation, and their services were freely and cheer- fully given for the public good. Thursday September 17, 1876 the said Board met in Arnold's Shoe store on Main Street and organized for active service. They drew cuts for one, two and three year terms, elected George W. Gere, President, E. A. Kratz, Secretai-y and appointed three tem- porary Committees : Rules and regulations — Arnold, Wilson, Kratz. Rooms and librarian — Dollinger, Bowen, Swannell. Books and periodicals — Beach, Kratz, Cheever. Thursday October 24, 1876 the deed of gift was formally \n-e- sented to the Board, read and accepted by it on behalf of the city. 11 Dfid of Gift This identure made on this the fourteenth day of Septem- ber A. I). 1876, between the Clianii)aij'-n Lil)rary Association of the City of Champaifrn and the Board of Directors of the Public Li- brary and reading- room, of tlie City of Champaig^n of the second part : both of the County of Champaig:n and the State of Illinois — Witnesseth : That whereas at a meeting of the said Library Association held at the Boot and Shoe store of I. B. Arnold in said citv on the twenty-fifth day of August A. I). 1876, it was on motion,' Resolved by said Association that it. said Association, would give to the City of Champaign such of its property and monev, consisting of books, l)ook cases, cash, etc., as is contained in the schedule hereto attached, marked "Exhibit A" and made a l)art of this indenture upon the conditions hereafter expressed. Which said Resolution was by vote of the members of said Library Association unanimously carried And whereas, the said City of Champaign is in favor of having and maintaining a free Public Li- brary and Reading room as provided for by an Act of the Legisla- ture"of tlie State of Illinois, entitled "An Act to authorize cities, incori)()rated towns and townships to establish and maintain free Public Li])raries and reading rooms, approved and in force March seventh A. D. 1872. And whereas, the Citv Councihof the said city of Champaign, did on the 21st day of July A. D. 1876 decide to establish and maintain a Public Library and reading room under said Act. And whereas, the said Mayor of the said city did on the eighth day of September A. D. 1876, appoint a Board of nine directors for the same in pursuance of the provisions of said Act. And the same was on said last date approved by the city Council of said citv. Now this identure witnesseth that said ])arty of the tirst i)art doth give, grant and convey unto the said party of the second part, all and singular the personal property, chattels and money scheduled in said "Exiiibit A" hereto attached, upon the following conditions, that is to say — First, that tlie said city of (Miampaign, will establish and main- tain in the said city of ('hampaign, a free Public Library and read- ing room, according to the spirit and intention of said Act, and any and all amendments thereof. Second, that the city Council of the said City of Champaign, shall annuallv levy and collect a tax of at least one thousand dol- lars per annum. Said tax so annually levied and collected to be used solely for the |)uri)ose of establishing and maintaining said IMiblic Librarv and reading room, ami making addition to said Library and tlie |)iirchasing of such otiier properties necessary for the maintaining thereof and paying tlie necessary expenses con nected with the pro|)er maintenance thereof. 12 It is further luulerstootl, covenanted and aj>reed, that upon a failure to comply with said condition, all of said property so scheduled as aforesaid shall revert to and vest in said Library Asso- ciation. In testimony wliereof the said Library Association lias caused these presents to be signed by its President and Trustees, and at- tested by its Secretary and sealed with their seals. At the City of Champaign on the day and year above written — J. Bacon (Seal) Jno. Thomas (Seal) W. A. Moore (Seal) Trustees of Champaign Library Association. Geo. W. Gere (Seal) President. I, Edwin T. Wliitcomb, Secretary of said Champaign Library Association, do hereby certify that said Library Association has no corporate seal. E. T. Whitcomb (Seal) Secretary. State of Illinois Champaign County ss. I, Frank Wilcox, a notary public in and for said county in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Jonathan Bacon, John Thomas, and William A. Moore, trustees of the Champaign Library Association, and George W. Gere, president of said Association, and Edwin T. Whitcomb. secretary of said Association, personally known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person, and acknowledged that they signed, sealed and delivered the said instru- ment, as their free and voluntary act, and the free and vuluntai-y act of the said Library Association for the uses and purposes therein set forth — Given under my hand and official seal tliis eighteenth day of September A. 1). 1876. ' (Seal) Frank Wilcox, Notary Public 13 Exliil)it --A"" 133 vds. Cocoa mattinjr (ft .60 $ 79.80 4 Tables (walnut) (a 7.50 30.00 1 Railing 'walnut) '-^0.00 3 Hat shelves (walnut) 3.00 2 ReadinU jier vear rental. Tlie rear ihird of tiiis was railed off for book shelves and ofhee desk, tlie front to be used for reading and refer- ence work, containing tabh's and paper rack. Mrs. .M. :M. Framp- ton was employed as Librarian at a salary of $20.00 a montli. 14 1 The president stated that the transfer of the property and effects of the Association was complete and now installed in the aforementioned rooms. The Board then instructed the librarian to classify, renumber and catalogue the books preparatory to the formal opening of the Library and Reading room and November 21st, 1876 was agreed upon as the date. The new classifications showed up as follows: History, Biography and Travel 171 volumes General and religious literature 91 volumes Fiction. Humor and Drama 243 volumes Science and Art 78 volumes Poetry 14 volumes Juvenile 93 volumes Reference 32 volumes Public documents 37 volumes Number of papers on file 12 ^Magazines -4 And everything was in readiness for the general public to make use of, and enjoy its privileges. No. 24, Main Street, 2nd Floor, 13 Years The first home of the Champaign Public Library and Reading room was formally opened to the general public on Tuesday eve- ning, November 21, 1876, the exercises being held in Barrett Hall ; a well filled house showed the interest the reading public mani- fested on this occasion. Hon. Abel Harwood presided and in a few preliminary re- marks appropriate to the occasion presented the several speakers. Rev. W. G. Pearce made the principal address, taking for his text the motto: "Healing for the Soul" which he said was placed over the entrance of the first library that was ever known. Mr. G. W. Gere was the historian, giving the ups and downs of the Association and the cheerful manner 'it relinquished its charge for the benefit of the whole people. ]\Ir. Geo. Scroggs alluded to the ([uestion of taxation provided by law which would maintain a respectable library. Mayor Trevett on behalf of the City accepted the trust thus confided to the public. The exercises of the evening were interspersed with music and song by Warren Maltby and a mixed choir and the Champaign people retired that evening in possession of a Free Public Library and Reading room, a long felt want at last supplied even though it was of modest proportion. The first report of the Board of Directors to the City Council covered six months from date of opening, as follows, to wit : 15 Books received from Assoeiation 759 Books received by donations 340 Books received by purcbase 277 Total number of volumes in tbe Library 1376 No. of volumes loaned, 5868, daily average of 31 Classes — History, Biography and Travel .08 % General and religious literature .09 % Fiction Humor and Drama .40 % Science and Art .04 % Poetrv .01 % Juvenile .038% Whole number of visitors 11528 Daily average No. of visitors 61 Papers on file : Dailies : Tribune, Times, Inter Ocean. Weeklies : Harpers, Leslie, Herald, N. Y. Gazette, Union and other County papers. Monthlies : Scientific American and Supplement, Har- pers, Scribners, St. Nicholas, Jolly Joker. Desk receipts: Dues $ 6.00 Fines 16.35 Catalogues sold 8.30 Total $30.65 The Library being thus launched, remained on Main Sti'eet for 13 years, increasing in usefulness and ])atronage according to its income, but as time passed by, the Directors began to see that the exi)ense of light, heat, rent and janitor service Avas absorbing too mucli of th(> $100().()() appropriation that should by riglits go towards increasing the Library to keej) pace Avitii the reading })ub- lic, so accordingly in 1887 they asked the City for an appropria- tion of $1500.00 to i-elieve the embarrassment. The Council how- ever, did not meet the proposition with favor and a like request the next year met with tlie same action. Tlie Council evidently had some other project in view tending to relieve the situation. Citjj Btdlding, South AVest Room, 7 Years In 1889 the City having erected the present i)ublic building on ground donated by David Bailey, eorner University Ave., Neil and Chester Sts., the south west room on tiie ground Moor was set aside for the Library and Reading room and the City generously 16 fnniished the same with new cases, shelves, counters, chairs, and railing- for library puri)ost's. The Directors accepted the same, moved, became installed therein, rent free, early in December, 1889. The condition, of tiie Library and its patronage on entering this second home of its existence is gleamed from tlie Director's report to the Council. Whole no. of volumes in Library 3712 Volumes loaned for home use 11783 Volumes loaned for reference work 1551 Total number of volumes given out 13334 ^Making a daily average of volumes 4-t Classed as follows: Historv .027% Biographv .022 Travel .016 Religious .006 Miscellany .035 Fiction ' .415 Science and Art .025 Poetry .018 Juvenile .361 Reference .062 Bound periodicals .013 Public documents .001 Whole no. of patrons and visitors 27348 Daily average attendance 90 No. of card holders for home use 1169 Per cent of borrowers per capita 16 Revenue — City appropriation ij^lOOO.OO Received from fines •+ 11.40 Catalogues 9.60 Cards 4.10 Old papers 3.25 Total receipts 28.35 $1028.35 Total expenditures __- 1094.68 Daily papers 6 Weeklies 15 Monthlies 8 Total 29 Four years of rent free (|uarters for the Library pas.sed and yet the Directors were still endeavoring to pry a larger appro- priation than $1000.00 from the City Council, because the increase of the Library was not keeping pace witli the reading public ; be- 17 A, C. l^ruNiiA.M sides tlie said reveimo was inade and the Library to be kept therein the sum of not less than two thousand dollars (.1^2000.00) that is to say, being one tlu)usand dollars ($1000.00) in excess of what has been annually apin-o|)riatcd for library purpo.ses for many years pa.st, i)rovided it shall not be required that such appropriation shall in any one year exceed the sum ])roduced by a tax of two mills on the dollar of the property taxable in said City as assessed in the preceding- year for State and County purposes. And that the building shall be named and forever known as the "Burnham Athenaeum." The said thirty-five thousand dollars ($35000.00) above given shall be u.sed exclusively for the erection of the Library building for the purpose above contemplated, the amount to be placed to the credit of the Board of Directors of the City Library of the City of Chami)aign. Illinois, with Burnham, Trevett and ]\Iattis. and to be iiaid out by them upon proper warrants and builder's certifi- cates. The intention of giving the sum of thirty-five thousand dol- lars ($.3r)000.00) is, that it shall include the entire expense for plans and the completion and furnishing of said building. The possession of the above described premises is hereby re- served until June 1st, 1895 ; and the right to remove all buildings therefrom is also reserved to said date. The privileges of said library may be extended to ]iersons re- siding outside of the said City of Champaign upon such terms and conditions as the Board may from time to time by its regulations ])rescribe in compliance with Chapter 81, Section 6 of Ilurd's Re- vision of the Statutes of Illinois, of tlie date of 181)3. And the rigiit and })rivileges is hereby granted to the said Board of Di- rectors to ])rovide and maintain in said building a suitable lecture room. And 1 liereby give to the said Board of Directors of the City Library of the City of Chami)aign, State of Illinois, and their suc- cessors in olfice the further sum of ten thou.sand dollars ($10000.00) in Irust forever for the uses and j>iu-poses following, that is to say: As. and for a meinoi-ial fund 1o be kept invested at interest in such securities as the said Board shall deem safe, tlu' incouu> from which is to be annually expended in the j)urchase of books for said City Libi-ary. The books .so jiurcha.sed with such funds shall have inscribed ujioii their label: "This boolc was purchased b\- the .lulia F. Burnham Memorial Fund"", the .said books tt) be placed in the City Library and become a i)ai"t tiiereof. in the event tluit said trust fund of ten thousand dollars ($10000.00) shall at any time become impaired by reason of loss, then and in that case the said Library Board shall from time to time add the income of the remaininor portion to the principal sum until it is fully restored to the sum of ten thousand dollars (10000.00), when again the income shall be used for the purchase of books as aforesaid. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set iiiv hand and seal this 29th day of" December A. D. 1894. Albert C. Burnham, (Seal) State of Illinois, Champaign County I. W. P. Spalding, a Notary Public in antl for the said County, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Albert C. Burnliam, widower, personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that he signed, sealed and delivered the said instrument as his free and voluntary' act for the uses and purposes therein set forth. Given under mv hand and notarial seal this 29th dav of De- cember. A. D. 1894." W. P. Spalding (Seal) Notary Public. Filed January 2nd, 1895 at 2-V2 o'clock P. M. W. G. Brown, Recorder. The Building Itself The building is of light gray brick, of special dimensions and has a very pleasing exterior. The entrance, between two massive fluted pillars reaching to the eaves, is immediately beneath the inscription "This building was erected by A. C. Burnliam as a Free Public Library, for the city of Champaign, anno domini MDCCCXCV." The basement under the whole structure contains a furnace room, coal cellar, janitor's work shop, ash pit, storage room and a "catch all." A restful atmosphere of warmth and comfort is nuiintained in the entire main floor. The large entrance hall, wide stairway, large reading room, newspaper room and reference room, are easily supervised from the charging desk which is centrally located in a spacious rotunda. In addition to these rooms, the librarian's private office, separated from the loan department by glass parti- tions, is located on the first floor. A large stack room directly back of the loan desk, is furnished completely with steel shelving. On the second floor is an auditorium, children's room, medical librarv, and club room. 23 Twenty Years Progress With the Burnham Athenaeum now in possession of tlie Board of Directors, a new era in, library matters began, with promised greater prosperity and enlartjed benefits to the public, from the assured fact of a fixed income for new books, and more liberal ap- propriations anticipated from the city. The condition of the Library and its patronage on entering the Athenaeum, is disclosed in the 20th annual report of the Board to the city council, June 1st, 1896, summarized as follows : Whole no. of volumes in the library 5593 No. loaned for home use 15641 No. loaned for reference work 2715 Total no. of volumes given out 1 18356 A daily average of 59 Whole no. of visitors 33510 Daily average of visitors 107 Percentage of the different classes of books read : Historv .025% Biographv .021% I Travel .013%, Religious .006%, Miscellaneous .037% Fiction .489% Science and Art .010% Poetry .014% Juvenile .234'/; Reference .054' v Bound periodicals .036'/f ]\Iagazines .052'i Upon this showing, the Board granted the librarian an assis- tant at fifteen dollars per month, at the same time increasing the librarian's salary to fifty dollars per month. The Mason Lihrarij In 1898 the Library came into possession of what was known as tlie *' Mason Library" througli the generosity of Benj. F. John- .son, who bequeathed the library tlie sum of $1000.00 for books, including a case. This collection consisted of nearly eight hundred (800) volumes of mo.st rare and valuable books many of which are of historical character, now out of print and not to be found any- where. The Board of Directors considered the collection of so much importance that it was placed in the reference department and 25 kept under l(jek hikI key and was ]a))elle(i. "Tlie bequest of Benj, Johnson." Children's Department In Sept. 1899 a children's department was opened and the small soutlieast room (now the private otSce) was devoted exelu- .sively for their use. All the juvenile works were placed therein, with low tables and chairs for comfort, and a story hour established for their benefit. The department ])roved very successful calling for a larger room on the first floor, and this in turn became crowded, so that in 1916 the entire collection of Children's books was moved 'to the second floor, in new and more sj>acious (luarters. Three rooms were thrown togetlier for this purpose, and low shelving added for the accommodation of the cliildren. Then again in 1923, the children's department became so congested, that additional space was necessary. To relieve this crowded condition, about 16 feet of the auditorium was added to the Children's Room, shelving jilaced around the entire room, and the books for older boys and girls placed in it, thus creating for the first time, an Intermediate nei)artment. The 50th annual report for the year ending !May 31. 1926, shows a total of 7,583 volumes in tlie juvenile department. The Branch Libraries To Ihe libi-arian. Miss Le Crone, belongs the credit of the first trial for a Brancli Library on the east side of the city. M-lien in September 1899. a collection of books was ]>laced in the Associa- tion House, in cliarge of Miss Carrie Howell. Tiiis act was ap- proved by the Board in May 1900. The venture was soon aban- doned, but in 1903, it again opened with lieadcpiarters in various places, i. e. Frank's Greenhouse, in the Vest Building and other temporary locations, with volunteer assistants in charge during the summer months, and stiulents from the T'niversity of Illinois Library School during the college year. However, in 1907. it be- came pretty well established and a paid assistant was placed in charge, tlie Sehool Board generously giving space in the ^lariiuette School building for the books, etc. When the crowded condition of this school made it imjierative to use the room occupied by the Bi-anch Libi-ary for school ])urposes, the School Board again came to the rescue and fitted uj) a large room in tlie basenu'nt for the use of the Library. For six years the Branch was located in these quarters, with of course, sanitary condition not of the most desir- al)le, but in Scptcnibei- 1925, another move was made to the first floor, with the possibility of remaining there for several years. At the expiration of that time, the Library Board hopes to be able to take advantage of the generous offer of the School Boai'd to lease a section of tlu" .Mar(|uctte School groujids for a period of ninety-nine years tVii- $1.00. to erect a suitable building as a perma- nent home for the ,Mar(juette Branch Library. 26 Children's Kuoai Children's Room Showing Portion of Intermediate Department On May 5, 1!>20, the Board authorized the establishing' of a Brancli Library in the western part of tlie city, to be located in the Dr. Howard School, in answer to a petition from the residents west of Prospect Avenue. Tlie following July, the Library was opened to the public, with Nellie W. Auld in chargre. It proved to meet a lonjr felt want for that section, as was shown by the several annual reports, but unfortunately owing to financial rea- sons, the i)roject was abandoned June IT), 1925 and the property transferred to the Main buildinp-. In March 1921, residents in the north section of the city pre- sented a petition to the Library Board, asking that a Branch Library be established in the Columbia Scliool, but for financial rea- sons. liie proposition was not considered feasil)le. The Heating Plant The proper lieating of the Burnham Athenaeum gave the Di- rectors no end of trouble. The plant installed was that of "indi- rect radiation" and the furnace required hard coal, which, taken together, neitlier the janitor nor Board of Directors fully under- stood. When the U. S. Government inspector was here superin- tending the erection of the Post Office building, he volunteered to look over the plant, which he said was somewhat faulty in a few minor points, but in the main was sufficient for doing satisfactory Avork. His instructions proved of considerable benefit and it gave better satisfaction but in 1912 the Board decided to change -the radiation for the direct system and connected with the city main, which was then being extended west in the alley. This entailed considerable expense, but the elimination of a coal heaver and en- gineer justified the change. Revenue 'V\u' maintenance of the library is dependent on three sources of I'cvcnue for its inconu' : 1 The city jippiopriation or general tax. 2 The endowinent fund (Julia F. Burnham and Robert Davi- son Burnliam gifts). '.\ The desk receii)ts. The city lias invariably a])pr()j)ria1ed a lump sum annually foi- lihi-ary pui-poses and said amount lias never yet e(iualed the 2 mill 1ax authorized by law. though of late years the aiiKMiiit allowed is very much more liberal. This fund is kept in the City Treasurer's hands subject to orders issued on it by the jircsident and secretary of the Board of Directors and ;uitli(u-ized by said Board. It covers the general maintenance of the library, i)ayment of the staff, heat, light, re- ptiirs to hiiilding and books, ins\irance, i)erio(licals, rent of branch 28 and necessary expenses of the Lil)rary, and if any sui-plus re- mains, it is invested in books, etc. The city commenced with a thousand dollar ai)propriation in 1876 under its agreements with the Champaig-n Library Association and it clnng tenaciously to said amount for eighteen years. In 1895 the amount was increased to fourteen hundred and for the next four years it did not reach the minimum specified in Mr. Burn- ham's deed of gift: but in 1900, the city appropriated twenty-four hundred dollars, and since that time the annual amount has in- creased gradually until tlie present appropriation of twenlve thous- and was reached. These amounts show what strides the Library has made since occupying the Burnham Athenaeum, altho at the present date, the maximum tax (1.8 mills) allowed l)y Illinois Statutes, has not yet been reached. The fines account does not amount to a great deal each year, but is sufficient to take care of small bills, such as freight and ex- press charges, desk supplies, salaries paid to pages for putting up books etc. The present condition of the Library is shown in the last bud- get for 1925-26 : City tax levy $12,000.00 Interest on Endowment __ 1,256.00 Total income $13,256.00 Salaries — Librarian 1,500.00 Assistant librarian 1.200.00 Children's librarian 900.00 Part time ass't 600.00 Branch librarian 780.00 Janitor 900.00 Branch janitor 90.00 Total salaries $ 5,970.00 ^Maintenance — Books 3,600.00 Periodicals 450.00 Binding 700.00 Insurance 150.00 Telephone 100.00 Heat & Lidit 1,050.00 Supplies 200.00 Printing 100.00 Building & grounds 800.00 Miscellaneous 136.00 Total maintenance $7,286.00 Total budget $13,256.00 29 KoHKHT DwiyU-N JilKMlAM Robert Davison Burnham Endoicmcnf Fund In March 1920. Robert Davison Burnham, the only surviving son of the late A. C. and Julia F. Burnliam, passed away at the age of 48 years, after a very brief illness. His great interest and pride in the monument which his father had left in memory of his mother, Julia F. Burnham, was demonstrated in an additional bequest to the Champaign Public Library of $10,000.00 to be known as the Robert Davison Burnham Endowment Fund, the income from which is to be used exclusivel}^ in the purchase of books. With this gift, the Librarv is the beneficiary of a $20,000.00 Endowment Fund. Through the generosity of Mrs. R. D. Burnham, who succeeded her husband on the Board, books purchased from the Robert Davison Endowment Fund, are marked with a very beautiful book plate, the design of which is a restful home scene including fire place, easy chair and dog stretched comfortably before an open fire. In adition to the steel plate, Mrs. Burnham presented 1000 copies of the book plate to the Library. On ]May 31, 1926, eight hundred and seventy-five books had been purchased from this fund which will form a permanent part of the library collection. The lAhrary Board The Board of Directors of the Public Library consists of nine persons residents of the city who serve their terms without com- pensation of any kind. They are appointed by the mayor with the approval of the City Commissioners, for three year terms in groups of three, thus making one group expire annually, being what is termed a permanent body. Vacancies occasioned by death, resignation or removal from the city are filled in like manner as the first appointment for the unexpired term. The Board has remained non partisan down to the present time. The several city administrations have respected this char- acteristic condition of the first appointment, and the diversified interests of the general public has been fairly well balanced and preserved in the several boards. The board became a mixed body in 1892 when Mayor Harris appointed three women, Mrs. A. C. Burnham, J\lrs. W. S. Maxwell, Miss P^lorence Thorp to succeed three men whose terms had expired, and since this time woman has preserved the minority representa- tion on the board. In 1917 the city adopted Commission form of government. It was generally conceded that this act would automatically dis- charge the entire Library Board as well as the city officials under the old regime, leaving the Commissioners to determine the per- sonal of a new board ; wliether it should consist of three, five or more members, as had been done in other cities. The liarmony that had prevailed in the Board, its economic efficiency, tlie intelli- 31 gent and earnest service rendered and the apparent satisfaction of tlie public, may have had somethino: to do with their retention in otifice. At any rate, as they were reappointed for the balance of their respective terms in office, in ^oups of one, two and three vears, it seems a wise conclusion. The following- list gives the names of all Avho have served on the Board of Directors for the past fifty years, tlie first year ap- pointed, the number of years served, also the name of the Mayor making the first appointment of each. It does not however, show re-ajipointments and those starred constitute the present incum- bents : Service Years 4 2 13 1 36 1 5 2 16 2 10 5 9 14 9 1 3 3 5 3 3 3 2 6 1 1 1 3 28 7 3 8 9 26 3 3 i\Iayors Years Henr y Trevett 1876 n ft 1876 rf rr 1876 ff rr 1876 tf ff 1876 >f tt 1876 f> It 1876 ff tt 1876 rr tt 1876 Henr y \ Pre vet t 1877 ff ft 1877 tf ft 1879 B. C. Beach 1880 // ft ft 1881 Wm. A. Day 1883 B. C. Beach 1885 // ff // 1885 rr rr // 1886 L. S. Wilcox 1888 P. W . Woody 1889 rr rr rr 1889 rr rr rr 1889 John B. Harris 1892 // rr // 1892 rr rr // 1892 Jolin B. Harris 18J)3 // rr // 1893 rr rr ^f 1893 rr rr ff 1894 rr ft // 1894 rr rr /f 1894 rr rr ff 1894 rr ft ff 1894 Ezra Iv ( Mi<»st«*r 1895 rr tt // 1896 rr ft ff 1896 32 Directors Geo. W. Gere William Bowen Franz Dollinger E. B. Arnold Edwin A. Kratz 1). A. Cheever Henrv Swannell S. L. Wilson B. C. Beach W. S. Maxwell J. B. Russell E. V. Peterson J. B. McKinley A. J. Cheseboro H. F, Aspern Edward Henry C. J. Sabin Thomas Kent Henry H. Harris J. T. Pearman Frances E. O'Neal H. D, Stoltey Mrs. A. C. Burnham Mrs. W. S. :Maxwell Miss Catharine Thorp Miss ]\Iamie ^IcCabe .1. M. F. Irwin H. S. Capron R. D. Burnham Mrs. W. F. Hardy G. N. Cunningliam F. 11. Lloyde M. McGraw Mrs. J. B. Russell Ozias Riley ]\Ianfoi'd Savage ^Mayors Jas. R. Scott C. J. Sabin C. J. :\rnllikin E. S. Swigart S. A. Blaine Saml C. Tucker Wm, Coiighlin fr // 0. B. Dobbins E. S. Swigart // // // S. C. Eucker ft tr n ri rr /r // rt /r rt tt rt rr tt tf r> tt tt George Babb // tt Years 1898 1899 1899 1901 1903 1903 1904 1905 1905 1906 1909 1909 1910 1910 1910 1911 1911 1912 1912 1913 1914 1915 1915 1915 1918 1919 1919 1920 1920 1921 1922 1925 1925 Service Directors Years ]\Irs. Annie Clark 6 Miss Marv E. Walker 6 W. W. :\laxwell 6 Mrs. 0. E. Miller 26* PI. H. Berks 7 F. G. Campbell 3 Miss Rav L. Bowman 6 Chas. a". Kiler :\lr. J. R. Stewart 8 Dr. W. L. Gray 3 Mrs. E. J. Townsend 2 Dr. C. M. Craig 3 Mrs. M. J. Calhoum 3 Dr. Wm. M. Honn 2 James McCann 1 Mrs. J. B. Harris 8 Dr. J. C. Dodds 16* Wm. J. Dolan 3 Dr. G. W. Rice 2 C. L. Kiser 14 G. R. Shawhan 11 Dan G. Swannell 1/2 John R. Stewart 3 Wm. F. Woods 14* Mrs. George Huff 9* 0. L. Davis 2 G. P. Hoster 3 Marv B. Harris 1 P. W. Wright 7* Mrs. R. D. Burnham 6* C. M. Stahl 5* R. M. Campbell 2* H. A. Hollister 2* Officers of the Board Presidents showing year first elected and no. served 1876 George W. Gere 4 Years 1880 Jas. B. Russell 9 1889 Henrv F. Aspern 4 1893 B. C. Beach 3 1896 :\Ianford Savage 3 1899 Edwin A. Kratz 7 1906 Henrv W. Berks 4 1910 Robert D. Burnham 11 1920 J. C. Dodds 33 1910 C. M. Craig' 1912 J. C. Dodds 1920 C. L. Kiser 1925 P. W. Wriglit Treasurers of the Endow 1896 G. N. Ciinninoham 1898 F. H. Llovde 1903 H. W. Berks 1906 K. 1). Burnham 1909 ]\[iss Rav L. Bowman 1910 Win. I\I." Honn 1911 E. A. Kratz 1914 W. J. Dolan 19ir> W. F. Woods 1920 Mrs. G. Huff Secretaries 1876 E. A. Kratz 1893 H. S. Capron 1893 H. S. Capron 1899 W. W. Maxwell 1905 Miss Rav L. Bowman 1910 Mrs. J. *B. Russell 1914 Mrs. B. Harris 1915 Wm. F. Woods 1920 Mrs. G. Huff Vice Presidents 2 Years 5 " 4 " 2Y ears 5 f> 3 f^ 4 rr 1 n 1 rr 3 /r 1 ff 5 rr 20 Y ears 3 3 6 5 4 1 2 Durinji' tlie past decade, six members of the Board died in ot^ce viz. J. R. Stewart, Mrs. J. B. Russell, Ro1)ert I). Burnham, Marv Burnham Harris, C. L. Kiser and G. R. Shawhan. Of tlie benefactor's family, Robert liad succeeded his mother, Mary succeeded her brother and at her death in 1921, Mrs. R. D. Burnham was apointed to fill the vacancy. For the first time since ]892, the consan' to that eft'eet ; so the Sunday opening \va.s abandoned, and the Library remained closed on that day for some years. On two subsequent occasions howevei-, new members on the Board of Directors favored a three montlis' trial of Sunday ser- vice for the benefit of tlie public. Once in 1892 and again in 1907 the trials were made but the attendance did not justify the experi- ment. On entering the Burnham Athenaeum in 1S!>6. a broader scope of the uses and benetits and the convenience of the pul)lic was con- sidered. The circulation department was open at 9 a. m. tc con- tinue all day and the public was given free access to the stack i-oom. thus doing away with some red tape in giving out books. The library staff from the beginning consisted of only one person (the librarian) down to 1896 (20 years) as all departments had been in one room prior thereto, in plain view of the office desk, and besides the work did not seem burdensome to one person. The first assistant was installed in 1897, a substitute came in a few years later who became assistant in 1907 ; a third assistant became necessary in 1914. Also a Branch Librarian became a necessity in 1907. In 1916, one of the general assistants was trans- ferred to the Children's Room, with the title of Children's Libra- rian and in 192-1 still another assistant working only part time, was added. The personnel of the present staff is : Librarian Ethel G. Kratz Assistant librarian Vereta ]\IcGuire Children's librarian Geneva Couberly Part time ass't Lina Wilske Branch librarian Cordelia Amsbary Janitor John Cole The first compensation paid the librarian was H^20.00 per month for the calendar year 1876 — it was then made $25.00 per month which sum" prevailed for twelve years. On moving into the City Building in 1889 the sum of $30.00 per month was allowed and in 1896 on entering the Burnham Athenaeum, $50.00 per month was considered ample compensation. Since then the salary of the librarian has been increased every few years until the present allowance is $125.00 i)er month. The first assistant was given $15.00 per month and this amount has been gradually increased to $100.00. The second assistant Avho was also allowed $15.00 per month at the start, now makes $75.00. The Branch Librarian commenced with $20.00 per month which has been increased to $65.00 per month. 35 The janitor of the Burnhain Athenaeum was first in charge of the furnace and became responsible for the temperature of the building and received $35.00 per month and subsequently given charge of the repair of books at $15.00 per month extra, but since the city heat was installed the repair department was considerably abridged, (the books being sent away for rebindingj so his duties were shifted to the first floor and the salary fixed at $45.00 per month Avhich has later been increased to $75.00. The following list shows the individual members who have served on the staff together with the year of first appointment and the time each has served : Library Staff Librarian Time 1876 :\Irs. ]\I. 'SI. Frampton 7 Yea re 1883 m-s. Annie AI. Beidler 1 " 1884 Mrs. M. M. Frampton 6 " 1890 Mrs. A. W. Plotner 1 mo. 1890 :\iiss Nellie C. Kellog 2i/> vrs 1893 .Airs. AI. AI. Frampton 3 " 1896 Miss Anna Le Crone 6 " 1901 :\Iiss Florence E. Carter 3i/> " 1903 Miss Jeanotte Roberts 101/2 " 1915 Miss Ethel G. Kartz First Assistant 1896 :\Irs. ]M. 'SI. Frampton 2 Years 1898 Miss Jeanette Roberts 51/. " 1903 Miss Mabel Jones 51/2 " 1908 Miss Elizabeth Brvan 9 " 1910 Miss Ethel G. Kratz 4 " 1914 Miss Vereta Mc Guire 2 " 1916 :\Iiss Ruth Ilardin 8 " 1924 Miss Vereta McGuire Second Assistant 1907 :\Iiss Mvrtle Hill 1 Year 1909 JNIiss Ethel G. Kratz 1 " 1910 Miss Fanny Hill • > >r • > 1920 :\Iiss Mabeile Chester 4 " 1924 Miss Lina Wilske Children 's Librarian 1916 :\Iiss Vereta ]Mc Guire 8 Years 1924 Miss Mabeile Chester 1 " 1925 Miss Geneva Couberlv 36 Branch Librarian 1907 Miss Elizabeth Brvaii 1 week 1907 Miss Ethel Boiul ;j mo. 1907 Miss jMarjorie Gage 1 vear 1908 Mrs. Louise L. Gage 10 '" 1918 Miss Cordelia Amsbary 7 " 1920 Mrs. Nellie W. Aiikl Janitors 4 " (Howard Branch) Date Name Service 1896 George Strode 1 vear 1897 Oliver Dyson 1 ' " 1898 Mark Hazen 6 " 1904 Win. McComb 7 " 1912 Wni. Reisinger 3 '' 1915 J. C. Collins 1 '' 1916 W. C. Alexander 4 " 1921 John Cole The past ten years have been years of great growth, and have witnessed many changes and improvements. In 1919, a new light- ing system was authorized at a cost of $2,383.00. The massive and solid front door was, in 1922, replaced by two small, glass doors. In 1924, the stack room became so crowded that it became neces- sary to completely refurnish it in steel shelves in place of the lovely but cumberson wooden .shelving which had been installed at the time the building was erected. This change increased the capacity some 6,000 volumes. The increase in the usefulness of the Library, as demonstrated by the circulation statistics, may best be shown by the last annual report, a short summary of which follows: Number of volumes in Library May 31, 1926 38,183 Number of Borrowei-s in Library May 31, 1926__- 7,552 ' Circulation of books: Adult 86,250 ^,. Juvenile 32,475 Total 118,705 Magazine circulation 5,576 Total circulation of books and magazines 124,281 A comparison of statistics for ten years, 1916-1926, will be found in the accompanying table: 37 ';d CO cj 1-t o ci Sj ir: o (- /^j GC l^ OD IC C5 CO T-H lO LC o ai 00 l^^ -t i^ i *■ y^ ^ O '^ Ol O 05 m I— t X X X I— 1 y^^ CO c^ r- CO T— 1 "*" r-^ CO CD 1 l~" I C5 1 r^ 1 ^ ! '^ > O ] qj 1 03 1 CC 1 c ^ 1 .2 o '♦-' M K- CC .~ f^. ?H ^ CD CC o CM i; ;-! OJ X! • ^< -;3 y. o O o c o ■t— c > X 1^ N , c ;:; CC ■X. w> tt O — ?-< CC «8 Benefactors Albert Calvin Burnliam Albert Calvin Rui'nham's magnificent g:ift to the Champaign Public Library, stands as a monument to a generous spirit and for the good of the public. He was born Fel)ruary 20th, 1839, at Summerfield, Michigan, the son df Calvin B Burnhnm of Montague, Mass., and Mary Ann Bruce (Burnliam) of Templeton, Mass., whose ancestry was colonial of English descent. He received a common school educa- tion in his native place and came to Champaign about 1859, pos- sessed with good sense, \villing hands and a determination to win. Rumor said that his first enter])rise here was a confectionary stand, of short duration, however. He read law with James B. McKinley and was admitted to the bar. His first ease in court was against him, which so morti- fied his sensitive nature that he quit tlie law witli the remark "that he Avas not cut out for a lawyer, but he knew that he could make good at something- else." The Loan and Brokerage business was then entered into and carried to a very marked success, leaving a large estate in trust for the benefit of his heirs. He founded the banking house of Burnliam, Condit and Scott, which later be- came Burnham, Trevett and Mattis, and was finally incorporated in the present Trevett-Mattis Banking Company. Besides the Library gift mentioned above, he also provided for the Julia F. Burnliam Hospital in the same liberal manner, by set- ting aside a similar amount for the Hospital building. A veteran of the ("ivil War. lie served his country as Q. M. Ser- geant of the 76th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantiy, following his regiment in all its campaigns and engagements. He was a re- publican in national issues and a sound money advocate on all occasions. He married Julia F. Davison of Newark, N. J. in 1866 and issued a son and daughter, the former serving for 28 years on the Librar^^ Board and the latter in a similar capacity on the Julia F. Burnham Hospital Board. He died September 13th, 1897 and was laid to rest in Mt. Hope cemeter3^ Benjamin F. Johnson Benjamin F. Johnson is another person deserving of special mention. He left by will, the sum of $1000.00, which is mentioned above under "Mason Library." He was one of the pioneer settlers of the city, listed in the city director}^ of 1870 as a farmer, but he had only one aim and 39 always appearpd as a orentleman of leisure. He was the regular correspondent of a Farm journal and an occasional writer on scientific subjects. He remained single, his sister keeping house for him. His home was located on White Street at the foot of Randolph, and when in 1868, the city agitated the question of opening said Ran- dolph Street through his property to the south limit, he declared in language more forcible than elegant, that when the street was opened the city would pay for it, and forthwith he put a stone basement under the house. However, he made good by leaving $10,000.00 to the city for the benefit of tlie City Park, which be- came available upon the subsequent death of his sister, and the pathetic fountain in the center of the park, together with the cement walks attest his generosity. In addition to these prominent people and R. D. Burnham. who is mentioned in a fore-going chapter, many others have be- friended the Librarv in more or less modest ways, among whom are Dr. Hartwell Carver Howard, who donated his medical library, the accumulation of fifty years of practice in the city, as a nucleus or starting point for a professional department in the Library. Space for this generous gift was set aside on the second floor. From time to time, other medical books and collections have been added to this. Drs. Kratz and ]\lills placed some valuable books with a number of medical journals of the better cla.ss, in the original col- lection and later the medical libraries of Dr. J. C. Dodds and Dr. L. S. AVilcox were added. Another person deserving of mention in this survey, is the latet George W. Gere, whose close connection with the Library in an official position and his intimate relation, social and legal, with ]\Ir. Burnham. had no doubt, a great bearing on shaping the affairs made manifest January- 1st, 1895. 40 t Pamphlet Binder Gaylord Bros. Makers Syracuse, N. Y. PAT. JAN 21, 1908 .'? -A-^'-^f .-7 ■^ .^\ -< "-i% V t' "* \- V - V V,- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 0272ZC449K C002 HISTORY OF THE CHAMPAIGN PUBLIC LIBRARY 12 025273712 •/:;i. V'