the State University in an effort to secure a unified and efficient development of the library and museum interests of the state. On motion, duly carried, the president appointed Andrew M. Morrissey and Charles B. Letton a committee to prepare resolutions on the death of Secretary Paine. At a meeting of the board of directors held at the rooms of the Society, October 10, 1916, the joint committee appointed in accordance with the resolution adopted at the meeting of the board on June 24 made a report which was adopted. The committee on the part of the Historical Society were Charles B. Letton, Samuel C. Bassett, and Willis E. Reed, attorney-general; on the part of the University, Malcolm G. Wyer, librarian; Prof. E. H. Barbour; and Edward P. Brown, regent of the University. The report of the joint committee follows: The joint committee of the Nebraska Historical Society and of the University of Nebraska is convinced that the State Historical Society has a very important place in developing a popular interest in the early history of Nebraska, in fostering a pride in the growth of the state and in the achievements of its early pioneers, in cultivating a civic consciousness, in preserving landmarks notable in the state's development, and in research and publications, and it is unanimous in the opinion, that these objects can best be attained by continuing the organization of the Historical Society as a separate institution. The committee is further convinced that in conducting its work in these various fields, the Historical Society is engaged in an important educational field that in many features is closely associated with activities being carried on by the University of Nebraska, especially in the conduct of research and publication. And on this account the committee believes that the policy adopted by the State Historical Societies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, North Dakota and Iowa, where the historical society and the state university are closely associated and affiliated, is a wise one. In this connection it is interesting to quote the following statement made by Prof. H. E. Bourne, a leading historian of the country, in a report on state historical societies, in the American Historical Association report for 1904. |
The importance of intimate relations between the socleties and historical faculties is evident from the fact that the larger faculties with their bodies of graduate students are virtually historical societies engaged in important researches. And also the following statement, in a report on state historical societies, made by Drs. Thwaites, Shambaugh and Riley, and published in American Historical Association report for 1905, is of interest. There has recently been a strong tendency on the part of Western and Southern historical organizations to associate themselves with their state universities. At the university town, of all communities in the state, exists a body of scholars who can most profitably utilize the collections of the historical society. The scholars need the inspiration of persistent, intelligent collection and publication: the society managers need the academic atmosphere and academic counsel in and with which to broaden and solidify their work, while the historical library finds its excuse in the largest possible circle of users. Recognition of these facts has, wherever possible, led to a closer union between society and university. The committee in studying the relations of the libraries and museums of the State Historical Society and the University deems it important to consider the situation of all libraries and museums supported by the state and located at the capital city, and it calls attention to the following conditions: I. Libraries. At the present time the state maintains, in the capital city of Lincoln, the following libraries supported for the benefit of the residents of Nebraska. 1. The University library of 125,000 volumes, primarily for use of the students and faculty of the University, but also accessible for reference use and loans to all citizens of the state. 2. The state library, including the valuable law library and the miscellaneous collection. 3. The State Historical Society library, devoted largely to Nebraska and western history. 4. The Library Commission collection, comprising traveling libraries and a small reference library. 5. The Legislative Reference Bureau, a working reference collection on problems of administration, government, economics, etc. This plan of developing five distinct state library agencies has resulted in the following unsatisfactory conditions: |
1. The building up of these libraries in scattered locations and without close coördination necessarily results in expensive duplication of books, as for instance to name only a few cases: (1) The State library and the University library are both depository libraries for U. S. government publications and the Historical Society library also has a large collection of miscellaneous government publications. One depository set would be sufficient for local and state-wide use. (2) Miscellaneous state publications are collected by the University library, by the Historical Society library, by the State library and by the Legislative Reference Bureau. (3) Genealogical collections, although poor ones, are maintained by the State library and by the Historical Society library. (4) Western history is collected by the University and by the Historical Society libraries and by the Legislative Reference Bureau. 2. This duplication of books is costly not only in money expended but in caring for the books and in providing shelving for them. 3. This development of distinct and separately located libraries is inefficient as well as costly, because it scatters the library resources of the state and makes access to all the resources on one subject difficult. 4. In the conduct of reasearch (sic) work for the Historical Society, for the Legislative Reference Bureau, for the University and of like work by individuals, it is constantly necessary to consult books in the State library, the Historical Society library, the Legislative Reference Bureau library and the University library. II. Museums. The state now maintains three museums located at the state capital; the general museum of the University, the museum of the Historical Society and a museum of war relics in the capitol building under control of the Department of Nebraska G. A. R. It would be greatly to the advantage of those residents of Nebraska interested in museum collections, if all the museums of the state, located in the capital city, could be centralized and found in one place. |
Facing these conditions, the committee again is in agreement with this statement from the above quoted report by Drs. Thwaites, Shambaugh and Riley: The problem would be simplified were the ideal recognized that, wherever practical, there should in each state be some one place where all manner of historical data relative to the commonwealth at large, may be placed for preservation and consultation. A concentration of state libraries agencies and of state museums would accomplish this ideal and the committee believes that business judgment, efficiency, promptness in service, and a wise regard for economy of state appropriations call for such centralization and coördination of all museums supported by the state and of all library agencies of the state located in the capital city with the exception of the State law library which is the tool of the justices of the supreme court and which should remain under their control. Therefore, this joint committee recommends that the Nebraska State Historical Society and the University of Nebraska join in an effort to secure the erection of a building for the use of both, and for the Library Commission and the Legislative Reference Bureau; and that committees be appointed by the Historical Society and the University of Nebraska to work out and report the details of such effort. A motion that a new committee of five be appointed to act with a like committee from the State University in considering and reporting upon further details of the recommendations made in the foregoing report of the joint committee, was adopted. The appointment of a superintendent and a librarian was postponed to a special meeting to be called by the president. A motion that a committee of three be appointed to recommend a choice for superintendent was carried. The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the president. The board of directors met pursuant to the call of the president, at the rooms of the Society, December 27, 1916. The new or, joint committee reported as follows: |
The joint committee representing the Nebraska State Historical Society and the University of Nebraska, appointed for the purpose of working out and reporting details of coöperative effort to secure the erection of a building for the State Historical Society, the University of Nebraska library, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and the State Library Commission, held its meeting in the Directors' room of the State Historical Society, December 11, 1916. The committee appointed in behalf of the Nebraska State Historical Society was composed of John Lee Webster, Samuel C. Bassett, Judge Charles B. Letton, Philip L. Hall, and Attorney-General Willis E. Reed. The committee representing the University consisted of Chancellor Samuel Avery, Regents J. E. Miller, E. P. Brown, and Frank L. Haller, and M. G. Wyer, librarian. Upon the assembling of the joint committee, John Lee Webster, representing the Historical Society, was elected chairman and M. G. Wyer, representing the University, was elected secretary. After a general discussion participated in by all the members of the committee present the following resolutions were unanimously agreed upon: (1) That it is the sense of the joint committee that it recommend that the proposed building be erected upon a site adjacent to the University campus. (2) It is the sense of the joint committee that the designated name of the proposed building be the "Nebraska State Historical and University Library Building." (3) It is the sense of the joint committee that the plans for the proposed building should be approved and the construction of the building be under the supervision of a commission to be selected and appointed by the Historical Society and the regents of the University and of which the state librarian shall be a member. (4) That a committee be appointed to ascertain whether there be any clause of reversion in the deed conveying title to the present property now owned by the Historical Society, and if so for the committee to take proper steps to have the city of Lincoln relinquish such right of reversion. The chairman appointed on this committee, Philip L. Hall and J. E. Miller. Upon motion of Chancellor Avery, seconded by Mr. Wiggins, the report was unanimously adopted. Messrs Wiggins, Letton, and Morrissey, the commit- 21 |
tee appointed to make recommendations of persons to be considered for the office of superintendent of the Historical Society, offered a report which was received and considered. Upon motion by Chancellor Avery it was decided that the election of a superintendent be postponed and that the president be authorized to appoint a committee of three directors to take the matter under further consideration and to make a report at a subsequent meeting of the board of directors to be called by the president. President Webster thereupon appointed Messrs. Wattles, Hansen and Reed as the committee. Upon motion the meeting adjourned subject to the call of the president. The board met pursuant to the call of the president, at the rooms of the Society, January 10, 1917, at two o'clock in the afternoon, President Webster presiding. All members were present in person or by proxy, Judge B. F. Good holding the proxy of Mr. Morrissey and S. C. Bassett the proxy of Mr. Perkins. Mr. Wattles reported that the committee were unanimous in recommending A. O. Thomas for the office of superintendent. A ballot being taken A. E. Sheldon received a majority. On motion his election was made unaninmous. |
 |
 |
 |
 |