Alta A. Root

An email from Linda Diane Epstein:

When the Republican printed the following - viz.: “The friends of the late Miss Alta Root, feeling that many in our community and elsewhere would like to join in some token of appreciation of her noble character and long and loving public service,’ the repose was spontaneous and generous. The original idea was that her friends instead of sending flowers to express their love on the day of her burial, should devote their offering to something that would continuously tell the story both of their affection and her individual value in the community. The library trustees at once acted upon d this suggestion and set aside the Children’s’ Section of the Library to be henceforth know as ‘The Alta Root Memorial Section for Children’s Books.” Gifts totaling $70.00 already have been received. One donor has offered to give a certain sun each year as long as she lives. Thirty books have been donated to the Alta Root Children’s Library and an equal number have been purchased for the Library section. The trustees arranged that the books of this library should each have a book-plate as a special memorial to Alta Root herself. This has been provided in the accompanying replica of the bookplate designed by Mrs. C. Arlt and engraved by the artist genius of Mr. Arlt. Above in the left hand corner of the engraving is seen the lamp of knowledge with the caption in the right hand corner, “Ex-Libris,” out of books.” The light of knowledge is fed from books. The sides of the engraving picture the library shelves well supplied with these sources of knowledge. At the right hand lover corner ivy symbol of fidelity grows luxuriantly and frames the whole appropriately. The center of the picture seen, when the curtain on each have been drawn back represents children enjoying the world with happy active, intelligent understanding. The books have been an inspiration to which youth has gladly and heartily responded. A boy holds in his hand a toy boat which he is about to start on its career of adventure in the lake near him. An older girl and a child at her side complete the group. At the bottom of the picture are these words: THE ALTA ROOT MEMORIAL LIBRARY.

It is a splendid work of genius. If the books that are to bear this bookplate could speak we may be assured they would voice their pride in belonging to such a class. The artist are to be congratulated in having created a choices and speaking work of art. Our community is to be congratulated in possessing the gift of their creator’s skill to be enjoyed and by it to be inspired for generation of parent and children to come. They will see and think and lay an unspoken wealth of thankfulness for Alta Root.

It is especially fitting that this memorial s be selected as the section of books for our children. Alta Root loved the children, especially the little children. Her life was devoted to them. They reciprocated and came to her for books indeed at the library and also for help in their troubles and their ambitions. Her humble spirit united with their necessities and she was quick to see help needed and to offer it. She kept herself will abreast of the world of the books and possessed a sure discrimination as to the useful and helpful book and knew how to turn attention toward that and away from what she considered harmful and useless. Parents owe her a debt they never can pay for the ministry of help in character building which she gave so unostentatiously. She was never too weary to wait on any child. The children had in her a devoted guide.

The Alta Root Memorial library will need funds to keep it’s shelved filled. It will need donations from books from the homes. Perhaps some one who reads these lines will be moved to contribute sufficient endowment or a gift toward the formation of one. We believe that the presenting of these needs will find a generous repose. We will just say at once that Miss May Coman, the librarian, of Hamilton Public Library, and the holder of funds for the Alta Root Memorial Library will receive and acknowledge all the gifts sent her given her for this purpose. The size of the offering does not mean so much as the recognition of the value to us of Alta Root in the gifts of the money.

By W.O. Sterns ****

Sincerely,