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nicely situated in a suitable room in the First National Bank building, and by an agreement entered into with the bank officials their rent is paid up until 1909. The library is patronized liberally by people of the surrounding country as well as in the city: Nearly fifty shareholders assist in the support of the institution and as many more ticket holders are regular patrons. More patrons are being added each month and new books are being added every few weeks. For a time the ladies most interested took turns in acting as librarian but later a regular librarian was elected. Mrs. S. T. Curtiss, the present librarian, has filled the office acceptably for eleven years, she having succeeded Mrs. W. G. Johnson. The other officers now are: Miss Belle Shur, president; Miss Margaret McKinney, secretary and treasurer. The rooms are open each Saturday afternoon and evening. The character of the books placed in the library is guarded as much as possible in so public an institution and the good reading habits of the growing generation is being cultivated by this institution.
Our Breathing Places.
No city, no matter how modest its pretentions, is complete without its "breathing places" or parks. El Paso is very nicely fixed in this respect, being possessor of two fine parks, Franklin and Jefferson squares, each containing a block, one on either side of the Central. They are enclosed with neat fences, laid out with beautiful trees, well sodded and neatly kept. They add greatly to the beauty, health and attractiveness of the city and the thoughtfulness and foresight of those who laid out these parks is commendable. These parks are used for public meetings, picnics, etc., and are a convenience at such times of inestimable value.
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