"When I started to be a librarian, I thought it was all about books.  And then I found out it was all about people," declared Miss Davidson who has served the Ames library for 25 years.  "People are more fun than books anyway," she added.  "That's why we read books - because they have so much to do with people."

She told about the poor boy from Scotland who worked in a mill when he first came to America and who was offered some books to study by his employer.  It was then that the poor boy, Andrew Carnegie, decided if he could ever do anything for anybody, he would do what his employer had done for him - provide books.  Of course he did so, Miss Davidson noted that in the years 1903, 1904 and 1905 Iowa was literally peppered with libraries - built because Andrew Carnegie provided funds.  In fact, 85 per cent of the state's libraries, including the Ames library, were dedicated in those years, she said.

Discussing briefly the library association which touched off sentiment for a library, she said we all owe a debt of gratitude to those "ladies and gentlemen who assembled in Mrs. Stephens' parlor to talk about a library," in the 1890's.

Also Mrs. D.D. Reynolds, Mrs. Grant Dudgeon, Mrs. D.D. Knapp, Mrs. O.L. Thorburn, Mrs. H.G. Buck, Mrs. W.E. Jones and Mrs. George Turner from the Ames Women's club.  Mrs. Nell Haverly was a hostess from the Ames Women's Rotary.  Oriett Clark, Lottie Bowman and Margaret Lloyd, recently named "good friends in Ames" by the Kiwanians, were also hostesses.  Hosts from the Elks included Herb Cormack, Herb Nervig, Lester B. Rogers and Lloyd A. Christensen.

Mrs. Tague expressed appreciation to her helpers and to the businesses which made the party possible.  These included the Fareway Bakery, birthday cake; DeLearts and Everts, flowers; Munn Lumber, lumber; Harrison Printing, printing.

REV. BURROUGHS SPEAKS AT LIBRARY PARTY FRIDAY NIGHT - The Rev. LeRoy S. Burroughs shared his love of books with 56 persons at the second of the Ames Public Library's three golden anniversary parties Friday night at the library...

The streets you remember pleasantly are the side-streets, Father Burroughs remarked, and he went on to show that this is true of books - some really delightful reading experiences are lost to the general public because the material is not particularly well know.  Everyone has read Dickens' "Christmas Carol," but try his Christmas Stories sometime.  They are equally delightful, Fr. Burroughs advised.

The speaker said he's like most people - there's never enough time to read all that's available.  Fr. Burroughs, who has a sizable collection of books in his own library, said a library lends warmth, sometimes literally; its staff members help eliminate the vast among of reading material from the "stream" that might utterly confuse the readers who can read only a few things; the library offers a more complete set of reference works than anyone can have in his or her own library; it can enlarge your vision of books; it gathers certain themes together to enable the reader to choose the one that fits best.

Fr. Burroughs recalled the "Friends of the Library" discussion group which formerly served as a clearing house for just about any subject.  "I wish we could have its present day counterpart," he added.

Music by Richard Koupal, assistant professor in the department of music at Iowa State college, started the program... Cider and doughnuts were served in the foyer.  The autumn centerpiece for the table was arranged by Mrs. Art Harrison of Beta Sigma Phi sorority...

Dr. Stuart Smith, left, has just congratulated former members of the Ames library board.  To his right is George Judisch.  Also in the front row, left to right, are Myrtle Lanning, Mrs. W.H. Stevenson and Galen Tilden.

PUBLIC LIBRARY HERE BEGINS 2ND 50 YEARS OF SERVICE - The Ames Public library today started on its second 50 years after a weeklong anniversary observance during which emphasis was placed on its service to the community.  Last of three birthday parties was Sunday afternoon when more than 200 persons attended a tea in the library auditorium and foyer.  Present and past board members and staff members were guests of honor.

Dr. Stuart Smith, the speaker, praised the record of the local library which he described as "a force for setting free our minds" and predicted changes in the next 50 years as momentous as those which have taken place in the library's first half century.  We will undoubtedly add to its physical structure; we will increase the books for the public good and we'll have better books because we'll be wiser people, he said.

Dr. Smith declared a library is not a repository for books but a refuge for ideas and added that a s long as it remains so, freedom will remain.  He presented an award of merit to Myrtle Lanning, only charter member of the library board still serving.  Music was presented by a group of Ames high school students who were trained by Wayne Cross, vocal music instructor.  Janice Bappe, accompanied by Nancy Clauson, sang "Oh Lord Most Holy" (Franck) and "The Lilac Tree" (Getain)....