Crandall Library history — Defending fiction

Sherman Williams, chairman of the Crandall Free Library Board, defended patrons from criticism that they were too enamored with fiction.

“It should be borne in mind that works of fiction are now used to teach many a lesson of morals, economics, science, history, etc.,” Williams wrote in the library’s 1894 annual report, which was published in The Morning Star of Glens Falls on Jan. 16, 1895. “Again, many will go to the library for their reading in fiction but will own the more solid works they read, wishing to read and reread such works.”

Patrons checked out 42,829 books in 1894, of which 34,312 were fiction.

Circulation was down slightly from 1893, but the number of library card holders had increased to 7,099.

“Not quite as many books are read now as a year ago, but there are more readers,” Williams wrote. “It is evident that each person reads fewer books, and it is probable that in many cases, at least, they are read with more care.”

The library had become a regional library, with 386 card holders from South Glens Falls, 332 from Sandy Hill, now Hudson Falls, 64 from Fort Edward, and a “considerable number” from the portion of Queensbury outside the village of Glens Falls.

There also were “a few” cardholders from Corinth, Lake George, Smiths Basin and Gansevoort.

Williams disputed criticism from some that library use should be restricted to Glens Falls residents.

“There are those who think the wide circulation should not be allowed, but I feel that this springs from a hasty and partial view of the case,” Williams wrote. “Anything that is not in itself bad that brings people to a town is a good thing for that town. It is good for Glens Falls to be a center that attracts people from a wide circle.”

Williams turned his attention to plans for 1895.

“The departments of science and literature are the weakest in the library. They will be strengthened during the present year.”

In other Crandall Free Library news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• The opposition was vocal, but eventually residents attending the Glens Falls Union School District annual meeting voted 173-to-42 to contribute $500 annually — the equivalent of $17,834 in 2024 dollars — to the Crandall Free Library, The Morning Star reported on Aug. 8, 1894.

Residents also voted to donate all of the school’s library books, except for those used directly in classroom instruction, to Crandall Free Library.

“The strongest opposition was developed in the matter of appropriating $500 annually to support the Crandall Free Library.”

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