112 Years Ago
One of the more impressive volunteer efforts in Golden's history was the creation of Golden's Library.
There were many clubs and lodges in Golden in the early twentieth century, all of them segregated by gender. Most of the men's clubs (Masons, Odd Fellows, Grand Army of the Republic, Woodmen of the World) had fixed meeting places, or "halls" in downtown buildings. The women's clubs generally met in each other's homes.
Nowadays, sociologists use the term "third place" to refer to places—neither home nor work—where people can meet and socialize. In 1913 Golden, men had their lodges and an array of drinking establishments. Women lacked such public gathering places. They wanted a destination in downtown Golden where respectable women could hang out and relax.
They began with that goal in mind and decided that the space could also serve as a reading room. This, in an impressively short period of time, became the Golden Library.
A movement is on foot among the various ladies clubs of Golden to unite in the effort to have a club building erected with commodious rooms which can be used as meeting places for all the clubs. It is also their hope to get a library started here, and have one room of the proposed new building used as a reading room. Committees have been appointed and it is believed action will be taken in a short time.
Colorado Transcript – April 17, 1913
The ladies of Golden, feeling the great need of a library and reading room here, have decided to serve a lunch on the Fourth of July…. All profits will be placed in a fund for the establishment of a free reading room.
Colorado Transcript – June 26, 1913
The ladies of Golden and others interested in the library movement held a meeting yesterday afternoon at the Gem theater to formulate some plans for the organization of a library association.
Colorado Transcript – August 7, 1913
Now I want to ask each one of you who live in a comfortable home, who has books and magazines to read and so many things to enjoy, are you willing to give and to do all that you can and ought toward making one bright spot in Golden, one room which will be a help to all of us, no matter where we live or what our circumstances are?
Colorado Transcript – October 9, 1913
…nine hundred dollars [has] been subscribed [to purchase and improve a building] and as soon as that money [is] collected it [will be] possible to pay the purchase price for the property…. …it will be necessary for all to work together and to give generously for its establishment and support, and if all will enter into the matter heartily we shall soon have a library and rest room of which we may be justly proud.
On Friday evening, October 24, the ladies of the Baptist church will give a millinery social in the church parlor. Come and get you a winter hat which will be both cheap and artistic. Proceeds of the evening will be given for repairs upon the library.
Colorado Transcript – October 16, 1913
The time has now come when the Golden Library association is ready to receive all books which are suitable for a first class public library. Many persons have promised to donate books and all others who wish to give books or magazines, so that others may have the benefit of good reading matter, are requested to send them to the store of J. H. Brown. It is requested that the name of the person who presents a book will be written on the inside back cover…. All first class magazines, whether new or old are desired.
Colorado Transcript – November 6, 1913
Mt. Lookout Circle will give a benefit in the near future for the library fund. The “Old Maid’s Convention,” a short play, with a rather humorous streak in it, will be presented at the Woodmen hall.
Colorado Transcript – November 13, 1913
Many books and magazines are being sent for the reading room and library and many more will be needed…. With the cost of buying the building and putting it in repair it will be impossible at the present time for the Library association to buy books, but if each person will give as generously as some have already we will soon have a library of which we will be proud.
Colorado Transcript – November 20, 1913
BUILDING IS PURCHASED FOR GOLDEN LIBRARY
Among the things that will be needed are lumber for floors, door casings and shelving, doors, large window glass and large shades, cement, brick, easy chairs and strong wooden chairs, good books and good magazines.
Colorado Transcript – February 19, 1914
All persons who have paid one dollar for a library card are entitled to membership after signing the constitution.
Colorado Transcript – February 26, 1914
Next Wednesday afternoon, the 18th, the girls of the Bow Knot club will hold a tea at the home of Mrs. Haldane, on Fifteenth street. They will have a musicale and a candy sale, and a silver offering will be taken. The proceeds are to go toward installing electric lights at the new library.
Colorado Transcript – March 12, 1914
The request of the library association for free water for the library was granted [by City Council].
Colorado Transcript – April 9, 1914
The ladies of the Golden library association have been working hard the past two weeks getting the new library ready for the reception tomorrow. The rooms are tastily fitted up, and the shelves are well filled with reading matter.
Colorado Transcript – May 14, 1914
About 400 people attended the opening reception at the Golden library last Friday, and nearly all of them expressed great surprise at what has been accomplished by the hard working members of the library association. Already the shelves are well filled with excellent books and magazines and the visit of so many people who heretofore have taken little or no interest in the library will bring many more books in.
Colorado Transcript – May 21, 1914
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