The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-05-11
The Library Association.

HoSoLULU. December 10Th, $50
To the Directors Of the Honolulu Library ASso-
cistiol. -GsaflsusH; The Importance Of the
Honolulu Library Association is increasing con-
stAntly. and its usefulness Tally better felt. not
only by its own members. but also by the com
muuity at large. who after literally contributing
to the late fair feel by the various improvements
and acquisitions lately made, that the money col
lected has been used in practical way. There is
however still. weak point in the working Of this
Association We must not forget that it re
solved by those who at first advocated its estab-
ishmsnt. that not only this institution to pro
vide for the public, books, newspapers. reviews
and in fact bulk Of readable matter As important
As possible but also If WAS to Be centre Of re-
union and recreation for its members. and there
fore It WIS voted shtt lectures and musical enter
tainnents were 70 be organized 9ffsa possible.
This. as yet. has been rather f-sifs,ItsBs than a
reality despite the zeal and kindness Of the different
members who have contributed various interesting
and much appreciated lectures. We know how
ever that this point Is attracting all due attention
from the officers Of the Library, and accordingly
let Us hops that the necessary measures being
taken to organize proper courses Of lectures and
entertainments. the future viii show mIrked
advance in this respect, thus supplying want
deeply felt IN the society Of Honolulu.
The last steps in the right direction towards
completing the workings and usefulness of the
Honolulu Library Association. has been 10 secure
a very valuable pilnoforte. which hope will be
an incentive towards the organization Of more
frequent musical recreatiOus.
Aud nov l believe the time has come for pro-
position which l have been long wanting 10 sub
init 10 the association. in relation to the creation
of what might be termed the musical department Of
the Library. In the same way that our fellow
members ind on our shelves books and reviews
they can either read IN the room or carry home-I
think II would be a most desirable thing, thing
which would meet with the general appreciation of
all our music minded partners to turn our at
teutiOu towards procuring a number Of musical
books and sheets Of al kinds Of rscui and III
strfmsHtii MUSIC, which would either be played IN
the hall for the amusement of those who frequent
the rooms carried away for private study. Such
action would probably occasion speedy increase
in the number of Lady msmbers, who would here
find what Is absolutely wanting N Honolulu. VIZ :
something Of the kind Of institution musical
circulating libraries. which are nowadays ex-
isting in the smallest towns Of Europe, and IN
which for a trifing monthly contribution, anyone
has the power Of selecting from large collections
Of new and old music and Of carrying the desired
pieces away for study It would certainly be use
less for Is to insist here on the usefulness Of
these musical Libraries for the improvement Of
musical knOEledse: nothing l. better adapted 70
help the subscribers n the most desirable faculty
OF reading music at sight, an improvement 10 be
acquired only by the constant practice Of reading
numerous new pieces, which would otherwise Be
too expensive 70 buy.
The establishment Of this musical department,
10 which myself gladly otter to contribute IN the
measure Of my faculties-wOuld. l think, be
sured II two ways:
1st. By giving public notice or invitation to all
the musical Inhabitants Of the Islands 70 send IN
10 our library all the useless music they might
possess in the way as request Was made for books,
IN the early days Of the Associations existence
and an sure all the friends Of the library would
gladly respond.
I'd By voting a small annual subsidy for sub
scriptiOn towards one of the best American
English musical papers of vocal and instrumental
music. and for buying a certain number OF new
pieces Of the styles which experience will show
best suited 70 the wants and wishes Of the AssO-
citation
The only thing on which l must dwell in this
proposition Of mine, Is that music or more
properly, the paper In which 1t IS printed, being
Of a rather fragile nature, special pre-
cautions would have to be taken % ensure the
proper preservation Of the pieces against and
tear, and accordingly special rules would have to
be adopted BY the Association, Of which merely
here suggest the most important:
Ist- The books and sheets of music would have
10 be put N proper order before being allowed
IN the hands Of the members that Is To say. that
IN case Of bound books. the keeper would have TO
be careful that no sheets were lUoSe or torn, and
if sny found such we're to have them properly
gumuled the sheet music would have 10 be
properly sewn together and the whole secured by
cover Of thick paper on thin muslin, parted over
the outside pages moreover, sheet music would
have to be repaired as sOOu any mauifests
itself.
ID The members, both II Honolulu and on the
islands, should have the use Of the contents of
the musical department in the same way As they
nov use the books and reviews VIZ: They be
authorized 70 take them away, II the proportion
Of one bound volume or three sheet pieces at
time, and these not 10 be kept more than two
weeks, but to be changed as often as wished
Sd Il any book Or sheet Of music Be sOiled OF