New Bedford, Massachusetts; its history, industries, institutions and attractions . \*>C<X ** FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. unanimously, but the aldermen non-concurred. Early in the follow-ing year a large petition, headed by James B. Congdon, was presentedto the council, requesting the adoption of the act. The committeeon public instruction, to which the matter was referred, reportedrecommending an appropriation of $1500 tor the establishment of thelibrary. In its report the committee stated that it had been assuredthat provided the authorities should, by the passage of the ordermaking the appro
New Bedford, Massachusetts; its history, industries, institutions and attractions . \*>C<X ** FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. unanimously, but the aldermen non-concurred. Early in the follow-ing year a large petition, headed by James B. Congdon, was presentedto the council, requesting the adoption of the act. The committeeon public instruction, to which the matter was referred, reportedrecommending an appropriation of $1500 tor the establishment of thelibrary. In its report the committee stated that it had been assuredthat provided the authorities should, by the passage of the ordermaking the appropriation asked for, establish the principle that themaintenance of a free citv library for the continuous education of thepeople will be the settled policy of the city, the five thousand vol-umes of the New Bedford Social Library would be transferred tothe SEEING THE SIGHTS. 8l But meanwhile, before the presentation of the report, the appro-priation bill for the year had passed, containing an appropriation of$1500 for the library. This appropriation bill was adopted July 20,1852, and the date of its adoption is the date of the establishment ofthe New Bedford Free Public Library. This was the only publiclibrary established under the law of 1851, excepting that in delivery of books commenced on Thursday, March 3, number of volumes at the opening was between five thousandand six thousand, and the number has now increased to over fiftythousand volumes, selected mainly with a view to the needs anddesires of the reading public of New Bedford, but comprising not afew books of rarity and great value. The librarian has given especialattention to the department of local history, including not merely thatof this city, but embracing that of the surrounding towns. The filesof local newspapers are very complete, while all books an
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