E.M. Craig Makes Case for Hickory Public Library, March 5, 1921

The need of a public library in Hickory is necessary not only for the good of the public but to help make our city a more ideal one. We have here nearly everything to make this a delightful place to live in. Men with a vision laid good foundations and others are inspired to carry the work forward. The churches, schools, varied manufacturing interests, improved streets, city hall and homes witness to this.

We rejoice in these things, but we have no public library—a tremendous exception. The refining, developing influence of good books is wonderful. If one is wealthy, he may have a fine personal library and it is a commendable thing to supply the home with a library, and some are doing it whether they use the books or not.

Even this cannot satisfy the book lover. A public library will prove one of the most valuable assets of any city. It offers to all the privileges so necessary to educate and inform people—developing a cultured citizenship. The city with a library has a great advantage over the one that has none.

The prize is so close that we may have it if we will. We must have it. The chance “shall not pass.” Be as true as your soldiers.

--E.M. Craig From the Hickory Daily Record, March 5, 1921