Ida Faye Wright

“ A contractor, whose name appears on the earlier records of the readers, was delighted to give his services to assist in making the shelves for the Book Auto, for, he said, "I know what books mean to the person from another land who has not had the opportunities of the American schools. Every bit of education which I have I owe to the books which I secured from the Evanston Public Library." ”

“ The spirit which has been so definitely shown by this and many another club and organization, in requesting the privilege of sharing in the library's celebration, brings an ever deepening sense of the obligation which rests upon her to be ever alert to broadcast the experience and wisdom of the ages, that she may fulfill the greater role which she is destined to take in communities such as the scientific prognasticators tell us are to be developed within the next fifty years. ”

“ The collection of a thousand books of plays and works on the drama, provided for and kept up to date by the Drama Club of Evanston, is quite the envy of other cities who are awakening to the value of the movement for the revival of the drama, which movement has its birthplace in Evanston. ”

“ It has been founded upon the principle that those things which make for an understanding of American government, laws and ideals should be made as directly available to all people, native and foreign born, as are the commodities which supply the physical needs of life. ”

“ Now these words connote a multitude of activities—the sending of books into the classrooms, fire and police stations, hospitals. old people's homes—the establishing in schools of library stations for the neighborhood, the joint employment by school and library board of a supervisor of library work with the schools—the Book Auto—she can almost hear her Board members of days gone by say, "If people have not enough ambition to go to a library building, they can do without books! ”

“ The printed page is the only permanent record, it can be enjoyed anywhere, at any time of day or night without additional equipment, and is the one agency which tends to keep the boy and girl, man and woman in the home. ”

“ That in Evanston the public library has been able to be a center for the dissemination of human thought, along widely varying lines, is due in a large measure to the support which the Mayors and City Councils have given to the Library, and to the judgment and balance maintained by the Book Committees and Librarians throughout the fifty years. ”

“ Advisers to the mother, who wishes to be directed to books on the special problems regarding the child's health and character building, Adviser to the mechanic and electrician who wishes to work up in his trade through home study. ”

“ Her books are selected to meet the needs of people of varying stages of intelligence and education, from the earliest days of childhood throughout the entire gamut of life. They provide the open forum for helping people formulate their opinions. ”