THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LIBRARY

On the judge's mind: the very future of the youth of Sidney. It was December of 1869, and there were problems in town. The judge observed that "Saloons offered great inducements for young men to congregate...where bad habits were contracted and vices cultivated." In his estimation, "If young men had a place where they could get good and instructive reading matter to spend their leisure hours, many of these temptations could be erased."

Judge Conklin noted that, in contrast to this sad state of affairs, Sidney had at least two literary and debating societies in the 1840's. He then concluded with a plea for everyone in the community to support the idea of a debating society and library. The plan was to make stock available for purchase in this newly formed enterprise. It was to be called the Sidney Lyceum and Library Association.

The group organized with much pomp and circumstance. A constitution and bylaws were drafted. The preamble to the constitution intoned: "WE, the undersigned citizens of Sidney and the vicinity, for the purposes of cultivating friendly and intellectual intercourse one with the other, to avail ourselves of the opportunity of a frequent interchange of opinions upon questions of both general and local interest...do hereby form ourselves into this association..."

Apparently, the concept of a debating society did not go over very well. History reflects that at least one debate was held. After the debate on February 4, 1870 the Journal commented that it was not well attended and "...it was not a very flattering success." Perhaps the topic was part of the problem. It was: Resolved, that the right to vote be extended to women. It would be 50 years before society would be ready for that.

Thereafter, efforts of the group concentrated on the task of developing the library. The word "Lyceum," referring to the debating activity, was later dropped from the name of the association. Some Sidney residents purchased stock in the venture, but the price per share ($25) was too steep for many. Binkley subsequently expanded the appeal in a later edition of the Journal: "We might here state that the association is not intended to only benefit the people of Sidney. Persons from any part of the county can purchase stock and enjoy the same privileges of the association as those in Sidney."

Despite his appeal that the library was a project that should "enlist the co-operation of every intelligent and progressive man," only $1500 was raised. The funds were sufficient to finance the purchase of 250 volumes. The books arrived in late May of 1870. A disappointed Binkley announced on June 3 that "It is suggested that the ladies of Sidney host a strawberry festival" to raise additional money. No one took him up on the suggestion. The people of Troy were to do quite well with the idea a few years later. William Binkley was appointed the first librarian. His pay: $5 per year. He opened the library in a building owned by W.P. Stowell, which was located where the post office now stands. The records reflect that the first book was checked out by James McKercher, a local attorney.

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