Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-04-22
The Library Committee TO the Public

Among the institution" of Alexandra
none certainly possesses greater claims on The
appreciation of our community than the Veuer.
able Alexandria Library. Founded in 1894,
it is one OF the Oldest products OF Virginia cul-
turc aud is almost Of prop r aye to celebrate
the ccutcuuiaI year Of its urgauz .tou.
Since the PERIOD Of its reorganization, after
the war, last year was one Of the least pre- spcr-
Gus years. Subscriptions having been ever
the purchase of new. books, urrent publica.
lions, -, was consequently limited. 10 1875
the subscribers numbered not quite hundred,
or fifty per cent. fewer than the number Zoo
al So 90 per aunum) requisite for keeping The
6uauces in u healthy condition. So untavora-
bic seemed the state OF affairs that at one time
the permanent closing OF the Library was made
the subject OF discussion, he opinion oil many
OF the old officers having been that the iostitu
ton woutd not meet with sufficient encourage
men, frlm the CITIZENS to sustain it longer.
The present Board of Directors accepted
their truss. therefore, under very disadyanta
geous circumstances.
The present management have giveo 40
earnest Of their determination to carry the Iii
brary through the year by reducing expenses
TO the lowest possible figure. ln one case
alone, namely, by dispensing with the services
Of Librarian at the salary heretofore given, 500,
has been saved TO the Library. Mr. Mercer
Slaughter, the Presideut-to whom too much
praise cauuot be awarded for his earnest, indie
Iatigable and intelligent Efforts to ensure the
SUCCESS of the Library and to systematic its
affairs since his assumption of the duties of his
postal present gives his gratuitous services
as Librarian.
With 2OU annual subscribers the Library can
b. placed Oh good footing, kept clear oil debt
and supplied with the best, from among the
latest and most acceptable publications of the
day, as they are issued from the press. La a
city Of IL, 900 Inhabitants there certainly must
be as many as 200 heads OF families who read
or have children who read. TO suggest the
contrary would be to aft oct the culture and
intelligence of our community. A years sub.
scrlption costs the small sum of $500 Pay
meuts also may be made, where crcums snces
may prevent the payment of the entire So on at
oUce, 10 iostallmenis Of $l.00. Monthly sub
scrptlons are at the rate of 81 cents. These
CHARGES are very small for the privilege OF read
ing 800 volumes, comprising standard works
10 history, biography and travels, as We'll as the
best novels, tales, ard other works OF fiction,
essays and miscellaneous books. For the first
tlue since the reorganiz ton Of the Library,
the formerly locked shelves are open to sub
scribcrs. All the 3 900 and odd old volumes
are now properly numbered and accessible, and
newly. prepared catalogue will be found at
the Librarians desk.
With this brief exposition of the condition
of the / brary, the Committee earnestly beg
the citizens to come forward and enroll them
selves as members of this time honored losli-
III loo, which, founded aud tUstercd by their
fathers aud graudIathers. should b. reIigiously
cherished by them as legacy, left them by
their ancestors.
@. NEALE