The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1878-11-27
A Public Want.


The providing of the necessary facilities for |
intellectual, scientific, aud esthetic culture
among the people of our island home is an
object in which we feel deep interest, and one
which we think cannot fail to receive, as it
certainly deserves, not only the hearty SYM
pathy but the active cooperation of our liberal
and public-spirited citizens. That there exists
among US in large measure both the DISPOSE
ton and the ability to devise and carry out
liberal measures looking to the public good,
is a fact which we think will not be disputed.
1t is with some degree of confidence, therefore,
that we call the attention of our readers to a
want which has long existed-a want which
we know to be recognised by many of the best
and most intelligent people among US, and the
supplying of which, we believe to be not only
desirable but at the present time entirely
practicable. The matter to which we have
reference is the establishment, in some con-
venient and central location in this city, Of
good public library and reading room. The
necessary limits of an article of this kind for
bids our going into the matter at any great
length; but we feel that such an institution
has come TO be a public necessity, and we are
confident, moreover, that its successful inaug-
uration only awaits tie combined action of
reasonable number of active and public
spirited gentlemen. We are, of course, per-
fectly well aware that there is now, at the
Government House, quite large and in some
respects a valuable collection of books, and
that there is also maintained at the Sailors
Home, reading room under the auspices of
the Young Mems Christian Association. Re-
peated personal visits have made US quite
familiar with the scope and operation of both
the above institutions, and though we would
in no degree under estimate the value or the
usefulness of either, we see clearly that
neither of them nor both together supply in
any considerable degree the want which
met as it is met asewhere-by an institution
of an entirely different character and con-
Quoted on liberal and popular basis. The
| library at the Government House, though
extensive and valuable in certain departments,
is markedly deficient in certain others, such
as current general literature, recent scientific
discovery and discussion, etc., etc., and it
unfortunately happens that the departments
in which it is most deficient embrace precisely
the classes of books which the experience of
public libraries in other places shows to be
most in demand among current readers. The
fact is, it was, we suppose, never intended as
a general library for popular use, and it is not
reasonable to expect that it should be. The
government library, moreover, is only open in
the day time and during business hours-just
the time, in other words, when most persons
are unable to avail themselves of it: it is in a
location not convenient for most of our people
and, finally, books cannot be drawn out, but
only read on the premises. The reading room
at the Sailors Home we have no doubt does
some good, but the scope of it's usefulness is
exceedingly narrow, and cannot, we think be
much enlarged. 1t has a small number Of
newspapers, still smaller supply of current
periodicals, and no library at all. Its location
and surroundings, moreover, are such as tC
effectually prevent its ever becoming a popular
place of resort. What is wanted in Honolulu
is good reading room and circulating library
combined. 1t should be in convenient anC
central location, with such accommodations al
would make it attractive and popular i
should be open day and evening
especially: it should be we'll supplied will
current papers and periodicals: should have
a competent person in attendance and, finally
it should provide for books being drawn ou
under reasonable and proper regulations
That such an institution as we have here out
lined is needed and could accomplish vas
amount of good can hardly be doubted Al
before remarked, we believe its successful
establishment and operation to be perfectly
feasible. All that is needed is that the proper
parties, those in whom the public have conf
dence as men of intelligence, public spirit anC
good faith, shall take hold of the enterpris
and make a start.
We hear much in these days of the "nev
era of prosperity" which has opened for ou
islands. We read week by week of Increase
imports and exports, of vastly augmented pro
duction and rapidly accumulating wealth, an
we ask if out of all this material growth an
progress there shall come nothing for tn
higher interests of cur people? Not by trad
and commerce, not by agriculture, nor by th
accumulation of riches alone does any com
: munity attain greatness or earn title to tn
respect and admiration of others; but by tn
intelligent and liberal application of the pro
ducts Of material prosperity to the elevatiO
l and improvement of its members in all tha
!. pertains to head and heart, to their highes
: culture in brain, in character, and in taste.