New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-18
BROOKLYN'S BIG LIBRARY.
A COLLECTION OF 100, 200 VOLUMES.
ORIGIN AND GROWTH or THE INsTITuTIoS-NEEp
or ADEQUATE ENDOwMkNT

Among the notable Institutions I'm Brooklyn It's prln
cipal library, which bears the name OF the CITY, MIS-
an important place 1t Is about rounding OUT 'ho
threth year Of its existence, and on IT'S sheVes arc
inward of 100 900 volumes, the annual circulation
Of which in the last year has been about l2oooo
taken home by subscribers besides nearly iooVVo
consulted In the reference department Inc huihpor
n. readers who have used the magazines and news
papers is estimated at 100000, but this number IN
cludcs many persons whose daily VISITS 10 the ieao
Ing room arc enumerated
The Brooklyn Library was originated I'm 1907, when
a number Of young men met in The Brooklyn Athe
naenm where a small library existed, and decided TO
form the Mercantile Library Association II was dc-
cded TO accept an of the Athcnacum 70 use rs
library and rcading-rooms aud the 1000 volumes
therein In May. 1853. the new library was opened
with 1000 volumes. and the following year it was
duly Incorporated. Under the care OF Librarian 5. b.
Moves IT had steady growth, and when tho five
years lease under which the Athenaenm rooms were
used without chafge had expired stops were taken to
secure permanent home for the new institution The
outcome of this the purchase Of tae site in
Monfaguc-st. occupied. and the erection thereon
Of a commodious aid handsome building at cost Of
$4,000 In order secure the building against the
ANNOYANCE of undesirable nelghbors Office buildings
erected either side at further cost Of
$4,000.
ITS STYLE or ARCHITECTURE.
The main structure built OF brick and Ohio
stone and the architectural design adopted was the
afforded adequate room for the natural growth of the
library. 1t IS three stories height, with mansard
roof and basement, and the ground plan IS 81 10y 80
feet on the first floor il the main reading room,
supplied with 300 periodicals and journals. Including
all the leading from all parts Of the world. The
room is a pleasant and attractive one. well lighted
End fiicd with comfortable chairs and reading tables
white the newspapers and magazines are conveniently
arranged Opening out Of the main reading room IS a
smaller furnished parOr. especially for the
Of ladies'. The second and third floors are de-
voted 10 the library proper, while in the front the
second floor Is tire book delivery room, and the
hind floor csssrooms for instruction in special sub
lccis under the direction Of the trustees.
The shelves in the alcoves of the library ar
ranged TO afford the most possible for the
books, and iron balconies thrown ont to utilize
the upIor part of the shelves conveniently Winding
eiairca>es lead mp from several points Owing TO the
giOwth Of the library the shelf room will soon be
hau>tcd and steps Will have 10 be taken 10 increase
H. The books are approximately divided as follows:
Fiction, 10000; history, travels $4,000, in for
cign languages, 10000; bound periodicals, 5000:
science, 1000; biography. 1000; poetry and the |
drama, 5000; religious, 5000 political, $1,000 fine |
arts. 1000; philosophy, language and cluca' on,
1000; natural history, encyclopedias and misccl-
laneous comprise the remaining 5000. The ycaily
additions about 5000
UNDERGOING A CHANGE or NAME.
In ISIS the changed from the Mercantile
Library Association 10 the Brooklyn Library to express
the score Of the institution and It's character As the
represent ative library Of the city One of tho most
important occurrences in its history was the com
pletion in 1881 OF the catalogue by Librarian 5. B.
Noyes. which in its excellent combination of cross
references regarded the most complete library
catalogue thcn made and has been model for other
librarians follow. Since the death Of Mr. Noyes
it las been supplemented by complete card catalogue
covering all additions TO the library and placing all
its treasures at the command of each subscriber
The annual fee for membership is -. n the endow-
provided IS inadequate make the library free
permit Of reduction Of the fee 10 nominal sum.
An effort made few years 10 secure adequate
endowment, and George !. Sency promised to give
100000 il 100000 was raised but the Offer lapscd
before it was made good by securing the requisite
sum. But the debt on the institution was paid Off
In lo72 aud The library has received several valuable
gifts OF money. such the cndowmcnts Of $4,000
fom A. NJ White: $4,000 from John 7. Martin;
$4,000 from LOTUS Nood and $1,000 from Mrs.
Maria Cary.
There IL also a general endowment OF 100000. |
:. Il. Chittenden has been one Of IT'S most generous
contributors. having given over 10000 toward the
purchase of books and for other purposes. But the
public spirited citizen has YET forusrd who
win adequately endOw and place It basis where
It accomplish the most good for the city. At
rreson, its benefits enjoyed by little more than
5000 in city of upward Of 100000 persons.
great benefit would accrue If the library privileges
vcIc opened 10 pupils in the public schools.
BRANCHES ALL OVER THE CITY.
lV system of branches books are delivered
convenient points IN all parts of the city. The
main building is Al place easily reached by street
and elevated roads. What Is needed 10 extend the
beneficial Influences Of the library increased
public interest In 1t and lesseuing Of the OF
using the books. which would directly influence the
former The growth Of free libraries IN various
parts of the city puts the Brooklyn Library at dis
advantage and It must do something If 1t would re-
IAN us place Some Of its supporters believe that
The time is ripe for reduction of the annual
fec from - TO So which Will be step toward rs
ultimate reduction to 81. such action would I'M
doubleday gealv Increase TN number Of subscribers
W. A BarlwoI, acting librarian, said recently TO
TRIBUNE reporter; - do moi believe ia al also
iujcly free library. People prize what they
have TO pay something for but orr present rate IS
too high 10 secure popular support in these days Of
cheap books and newspapers. If income would
warrant it ought to reduce the foe but that
not be done unless we have more endowment many
subscribers We need money to purchase books
supply the demands Of readers We
Of a popular look Ike Aprii Hopes: that no one
who asked ioI II would fan 10 get H. and then when
extra copies and use the money in other ways
FICTION MOST IN DEMAND.
What class Of books IS most read ~
Fiction. Of for that IS the popular taste Of
tn day but many requests for books OF travel
and adventure and also for biographies and histories
Many professional men, especially clergy men, consult
o." volumes here. Those who have gone 10 other
cities tell that they enjoyed privileges here they
not get elscw here"
Mr.. Hasdwcll gave the following amusing lustra-
lions OF made by persons ashing for books !
recenily: The Sane Idiot" for Tn" Sane Lunaticr:
. The scottish Chievcsr for The Scottish Chiefs, ;
Agnes Sewerage" for "Agnes SURFACE: You and
J." for Z" We Two: Mr.. McOurs Adventure for
Mr. Iscoul's NiSsdventurer " Tho Beau OF Orange
Oliver FOR The Cow Of Orange Pi'hon" and His TWO
Wifcs." for HIS Two wives" =. p. ROes He Fell
I'm Love with His Wife, has been asked for a. " He
Fell I'm Love with Himself and " He Foil I'm Love
with His Mother George sands COnsuelO'
spelled COnsawcliar by a subscriber. One inquirer
wanted a novel by Miss |oWbach.r when Mss Muhl
bach and another wanted to know Ave
yOu Ipaa TIatOn Locio -
The ANIMAL meeting OF the trustees and subscribers
of The Library Will be held about April /. and renewed
efforts VIII be made TO stir up public interest in the
work II aims 20 DO for the community. Brooklyn has
81 wealth enough redeem II from the disgrace
Of permItfing Tbs great library 10 lack the funds