New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-24
before him Judge Parker IL not Ike
avaV h;s Presidential chances.
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIEa

FREE PUBLlC LfDhdhtscs
The already extensive Free Public Library
Of Boston is to be greatly enlarged. Add
tious of an imposing character are provided Ior
the main buildings; and the branch Offices are
m he increased in number and placed In all
tbe suburbs and sections of the city. Inc
number of volumes, at present amounting to
over half million, is to be greatly increased.
and the facilities for free frequent distribution
and collection are to be improved as well as
enlarged. The purpose is to make the Library
indeed free and public by every means which
can be saggested-to make its reading-rooms
attractive to large numbers; its collection
varied and Inexhaustible; and to render 1t as
practically useful tn the poorer and laborlng
classes as it is now entertaining by providing
the hest works of reference in every branch
of mechanics and science. 1t is, perhaps, now
the only library in the country at which poor
r,ecban,c can consult without cost the elabO
rate and high priced issues of the patent reports
of every government in the cIvbized worid;
and IL il 70 the credit of New-England me-
chanics that there are few better thumbed
books than these reports In the entire Boston
collection.
The success Of the Boston Free Library more
than any other one fact directs attention to
the truth that New-York is almost without
Public Library IN the full meaning OF the
term. Practically N-w-York and It's suburbs,
though containing five times the population OF
BOSTON and its suburbs, do not possess Free
Public Library. The Aston is free, but it can
hardly be said to be public IN the broad sense,
for the facts that it is closed in the evening
and consequently open only TO those without
daily occupation, and that volumes cannot be
taken away for home reading, contract It's
usefulness. The Cooper Union is OF some
what more popular sort, but 1t does not con-
tain nearly as complete library and reading
room as the metropolis demands. As books
| cannot be taken away. of course neither 1t nor
the Astor maintains any branches for con-
| venieuce of readers at a distance. The Mer-
cantie in this city, and the Brooklyn Library
| in BROOKLYN, are not free. Their popularity
nobody can gainsay; but their practical value
il limited, for the managers find II more profit
able to enlarge from year TO year by addi-
lions Of entertaining light reading than OF
practical and useful books
| That more libraries are needed here, with
branches in every part Of the city and Its
suburbs. is evident not only from the contrast
of our own libraries with the great Library OF
Boston. but from the success OF the Mercan-
tile and Brooklyn in extending their facilities
| of distribution. The branches which they have
| instituted are not numerous, but all are well
matt onized. That they have not enough even
| for thoSe able 10 pay for the use OF books Is
| evident from the success OF the numerous
| small circulating Libraries which have sprung
nm in all quarters Of both New York and
Brooklyn as pnvate enterprises undertaken by
small ncwsdealers Taese are Of the most
primitive Character. containing rs rule only
n few hundred volumes, mostly OF current
fiction. which are let tor few cents to be
read and returned, or sold with the under
standing that they will be taken back at a
| larze discount IN exchange for other like
| cbeap books. Nevertheless, these circulating
libraries, as they are called are TO be found in
a great many places, and undoubtedly the cir
| cnIaiion of the cheaper forms of current hcnon
has been greatly increased through their
agency. But they circulate few books or any
permanent value
rbis shows tendency of the general public
IN read extensively. The disposition needs
intelligent direction as well rs sensible ell
corrasement. The Boston Free Library has
presented the most practical suggestion yet
offered rs to the best means OF giving both
announcement and direction; and 1t Is an
example which New Workers should take early
| stems To follow. The benefits of the system
which has been so successful there have been,
first to provide intellectual and improving
amusemsnts and associations 10 those VINO
have their evenings 10 themselves, and thus
counteraet the attractions of corrupting places
of public resort; second. TO add, by The free
distribution to the houses of the poor, to the
attractions of home and the deli rhts Of study
third. to furnish to struggling mechanics and
others the best works of reference on subjects
of nearest interest To them in their daily lives
and occupations; and Lastly, to give intelli-
cent direction to the taste in reading. Surely
such results ou1ht TO be sufficient argument
to warrant New-York in providing 4 free
| circulating library scale as much bigger
than the Boston Library ~ the metropolis II
LARGER than the club" But it remains TO bs
done; we have not done it yet; nor anything
half so sensible OF so extensive.
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The Democratic State Committee yesterday nance
| the plaee az winch the ticket IL 10 he nominated