The City Library.
This institution was organized May 16, 1870, mainly through the efforts of W.S. Loomis, Esq., and Henry A. Chase. These gentlemen early saw the need of a public library in the rapidly-growing city of Holyoke, and through their efforts the people of Holyoke to-day have a well-selected library, one that not only reflects much credit upon those by whose co-operation it has been sustained and fostered, but is superior to many in our land of much longer and older growth.
The act establishing the library passed the House April 20, 1870, the Senate the 21st, and was signed by the Governor on the following day. The incorporators were William Whiting, John E. Chase, and Edwin Chase. The first officers were as follows: William Whiting, President; Edwin Chase, John E. Chase, and George C. Ewing, Vice-Presidents; W.B.C. Pearsons, J.C. Webber, William Grover, J.S. McElwain, and W.S. Loomis, Directors. The first report of the library shows that the whole amount of original subscriptions for funding the library was $1989. The town of Holyoke voted $1500, to which was subsequently added by the town $1000. The Parsons paper company also donated $500. The report of May 13, 1868, shows that the income from all sources during the year was $1092.85; $500 was voted by the city, and $592.85 paid by subscribers. Number of volumes in the library, 6763.
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