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“The first gifts recorded are 16 volumes donated by Horace Bemis; 22 volumes by Martin Adset; 10 volumes by Andrew Charles, a bust of Henry Clay given by S.F. Gilbert, and one of Daniel Websters which was presented by W.W. Osgoodby. An order for 90 books was made June 4th 1868, and on June 17th of the same year the Library was opened in the office of Dr. E.J. Johnson, in the Adist Block. The original bookcase, was made by the McConnell’s and paid for by a certificate of membership, in which these books were contained is now installed in the corridor of this building.
The Library was opened between the hours of two and eight P.M. on Wednesday and Saturdays. Dr. Johnson served as Librarian and was presented with a certificate. By September 488 books had been accumulated and by March 1869 the library had grown to a size demanding its removal to an adjoining room. In August 1869 it was again removed to rooms on the north side of Main Street.
The efforts of the Board of Managers during these early years were directed to raising funds by means of lecture courses. An immense amount of labor and time was devoted to the selection for talent and the sales of tickets to insure the financial success of these courses. Partial list of the famous lecturers brought here through the efforts of the Board includes: Josh Billings; James Murdock; Anna Dickinson; Wendell Phillips; John B. Gough; Theodore Tilton; Mark Twain; Bayard Taylor; Chase Summer; Henry Ward Beecher; Dr. J.G. Holland; Horace Greely; The Camilla Ursa Co: Mrs. Scott Siddoms; Bret Harte; Mendellsohn Quartet; Hellen Potter; P.T. Barnum; Mary A Livermore. The famous suffrage debate between Horace Bemis and Susan B. Anthony occurred during one of these two courses, which were maintained, with the exception of two years from 1868 to 1880.
It is interesting to note that Henry Ward Beecher drew the largest audience of more than 1,000. Anna Dickinson proved the most popular, appearing five successive years to audiences averaging over 700 while the only other attractions which exceeded 700 in attendance were the Mendellsohn Quartet and P.T. Barnum. Although only the first few years of these splendid courses proved the financial successes which the promoters desired and had reason to expect they were nevertheless, an educational opportunity of great benefit to the citizens. Quoting from the annual report of 1870, “while the annual lecture if of far less value as a means of popular education than the Library yet its influences not inconsiderable. Coming in the depth of our Arctic winters it rouses the mind with new ideas; furnishes many subjects for investigation around the fireside; brings before us the conspicuous men of the country; and drives away inferior ‘shows’ that would otherwise infest our town.”