Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-24
The Public Library.

MARTIN F. CONWAY, Kansas
LEWIS CLEPHANE. District of Columbia
The Public Library.
AT the meeting of the city government last
evening, the Mayor, in behalf of the Commit
tee on Education, submitted the following re-
port upon the subject of public library:
The joint standing Committee on Education
to whom were referred the communication of
the Mayor, of the 9TH inst, and certain com
municaticns from DIR. John Green and the
Worcester Lyceum and Library Association,
proposing large and valuable donations of
books to the city, have considered the whole
subject, and herewith submit their report
The committee have regarded the subject
matter referred to them, as involving nothing
less than the question of establishing in this
city free public library. Such is the known
purpose for which the endowments already
mentioned are intended. The committee have
not very much discussed among themselves
the expediency OF engaging the city in such
an enterprise, having taken for granted that
the Judgment and heart of Worcester are al
ready committed to it. 1t has been for several
years the topic of frequent remark and in.
quiry, and it is believed that the great value of
an institution of this kind, in its relations to
public intelligence and morality has long since
been settled in the minds of all whose atten-
ton has been called to its consideration. 9th
er towns and cities in our own commonwealth
have made the experiment; and if we may
credit their official reports the fruits of the
policy have been so rich and ample as to estab
ish the system of free libraries among the ac-
knowledged and admired agencies of popular
intelligence and freedom. Your committee
therefore, acting as they believe in accordance
with the general voice of their fellow citizens
and in harmony with the recorded experience
of other cities resembling our own, recommend
that the City Council accept in behalf OF the
city, the munifcent gifts before mentioned,
and upon them proceed by formal ordinance
to lay the foundation of public library.
The committee have conferred with DR..
Green and the Worcester Lyceum and Libra
ry Association, and as the result of their con-
ference they herewith submit communca-
ton in detail, received from the former and a
formal vote of donation adopted by the latter,
at a regularly called meeting of its members.
The terms and conditions set forth in Dr.
Green's communication receive the approval
of the committee; and it is recommended that
the library offered by him be accepted by the
city, with the provisions and limitations there
in expressed. 1t will be observed that the de-
partment of the library established by him is
to be stationary, for use within the rooms of
the building. While at first view this feature
might to some persons appear restrictive of the
free and popular idea suggested by a public
library, upon reflection, and having reference
to the permanent value and character of the in.
stitution, it is believed that it will prove high
ly favorable. With continuance of the good
will and affections of the generous donor, of
which he does not leave us without assurance
and by reason of which it may be anticipated
that the city will probably be relieved of the
expense which this part of the library, if well
sustained, would entail upon the treasury. it
is safe to predict that this department of the
institution will from year to year acquire an
increasing value, and at no distant day will
present an array of sound learning and litera.
ture which will reflect honor upon its founder.
while it will become an object OF ornament and
pride to the city. The commitee recommend
that the directors shall bestow upon this de.
partment the name of its friend and patron.
The other division of the library, proceeding
from the Lyceum and Library Association, is
that which will constitute the circulating or
lending collection, which may be taken away
from the building for use. 1t is for this por-
ton, chiefly that the appropriations Of the city
will be required. Already numbering four
thousand and five hundred volumes, it will be
rapidly increased by even the limited amounts
which the laws of the state authorize the city
annually to appropriate for its maintenance
and growth. This department, ALSO as surely
as the other, will within few years possess
the attractions of an ample and varied library,
equal to the wants of the city
The committee deem it OF the greatest inn.
portance, that in establishing this institution,
and in imparting to it its first character and
direction, the policy of the city should be lib
eral Weare to start with about twelve thou.
sand volumes but this is only the nucleus of
the future public library Of Worcester. 1t is
not difficult TO foresee that at the end of ten or
fifteen years from its origin the number of vol
umes may be twenty five thousand, or thirty
thousand and any estimate of these progress
sive accumulatons crn scarcely be proximate
and must certainly be conjectural. But GER
tain it is, that before the boys and girls now in
our public schools shall reach the age of twen-
ty.one, the free library will contain colec-
ton of recorded knowledge, which, if now
stated in the probable number of its volumes,
would perhaps awaken surprise or incrcduIiiy
1t is not improbable that our municipal appro-
prlations Will add to it annually from five hun
dred to thousand volumes the patron, whose
name we have occasion so often TO mention
does not appear to regard his present donation
as the end ana accomplishment Of his benevo-
lent intentions and it would be unjust 10 the
Intelligence and liberality of our citizens TO
conceal the expectation that from this quarter
also, from time to time, the public aIcoyes will
be reinforced and refreshed. Without n
doubt we are this day laying the corner stone
Of an establishment whose future proportions
it would be almost present extravaganza 10 al.
tempt to define by statement. In the opinion
of the committee, therefore, it is essential that
the initial policy to be pursued shonld not only
be fully equal 10 its immediate demands, but
regardful ofits future growth.
IL will be necessary that the city proceed al
an early day to erect an independent commo.
dious, and secure building for the library
Such is one of the terms attached to Dir
Green's gift; il Is no less condition which
the very necessity of the case establishes. Tho
structure should have reference to the abso
lutely sure increase Of the collection. AS thi.