Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31

mutations of political life, and so far as natu-
raj conditions will allow, permancncy In
every sense of the word
Every large library in the United States has
been begun in charge of a special board of
trustees, even to the case of the city of Boston
which erected its tree library out of public
funds and yet appointed a special board Of
trustees in order to hedge it in from the con-
tingencies of kaleidescopical politics In this
way the experience gained by one set of men
was in no danger of being lost to the public
attachments should otherwise have come in as
successors to the permanent members.
INQUIRED WITH A PURPOSE.
There have been large number of inquiries
made as to the future conditions under which
the library would exist and be managed. 1t
was not mere curiosity in most cases. as inti-
nations have been expressed that should the
future management of the library be placed in
the hands of permanent board valuable con-
tributions. both of books and objets dart.
would find their way to the beautiful rooms
inviting such occupancy and provided for just
such benefactions One gentleman came to
me recently and asked when the art gallery
would be ready for the reception of several
pictures belonging to him-one of them valued
at $4,000. He said that he was desirous of as
certaining, also what would be the character
of the control of the institution as regarded
permanency and stated that inquiry to be the
principal object of his visit This infor
marlon, oil course, could not be given MN, Dut
within "a hours, since reading the published
accounts of the most recent developments, the
gentleman in question has receded from his
implied offer of his art treasures, for he sent
me word that he had changed his mind To
speak plainly. l feel that no committee of con-
troll. subject to change or fuctuation of mem
bership-however worthy the latter-can COM
mand the gifts and confidence of the commu-
nifty as could a permanent board. There is
great deal of space for gifts from generous cit
liens IN those magnificent buildings, and il
public-spirited liberality stayed for any reason
under the sun.
SOME MODEST SUGGESTIONS.
If Councils are desirous of retaining the
management of the institution in the htA ds of
those who are the present elected members of
those bodies. 1 think it would be better for
them to designate by name special com mittee
who would not only begin the great work
mapped out but continue in Office permanently,
during good behavior. without regard to
the expiration of their terms as Councilmen.
This would secure the advantages of that ex-
perience which grows more valuable with age
and continuity of service.
Personally, 1 do not know the name of a
single citizen who wishes to become member
of such board, while am and have been made
aware of very deep and widespread interestin
the matter of the future of this project, which
assumes so much prominence in view of the
magnificent gift of Mr.. Carnegie as home for
Opportunity involves responsibility. Aside
from the mere police control of the property.
there comes Immediately to the front upon the
acceptance Of the gift the very serious and
necessary duty of stocking the shelves of the
large library and reading rooms with
not less than 100000 volumes. Owing TO the
scope and character of such acollecJioa it is
evident that this calls for an expenditure of at
least $50 600
THE CITY MUST COME FORWARD.
To leave the shelves untitled or to be remiss
or laggard in the duty of filling them would be
a disgrace to the city and an insult to its mag
unanimous ana generous benefactor
In the matter of books and the filling of the
catalogue in such a careful manner as to fur
nish digestible pabulum for all manner of book
worms, 1 think that at least 10000 volumes
should be provided within three years 1t is,
therefore, very plain that it means that $4,000
should be expended each year by the Board or
Commission. This work must be supervised
and conducted by the directory with the aid
and advice of a thoroughly competent and
educated librarian. The early years of this
enterprise will give cast and character to all its
future history.
This is a very serious and responsible task.
which hope has been duly considered in its
Importance by the gentlemen whose duty it is
TO determine what the character of the control
of the library shall be.
1 have been surprised to notice that in all
this discussion there has been no mention of an
intention to appoint upon or invite into the
permanent committee or board any member of
the Allegheny Board of School Control. This
seems a serious omission, and an oversight that
should be remedied. as the Board of School
Control has considerable to do with the educa-
ton of the younger generation of Alleghenians,
the very class the free library will shed its light
upon. The omission is the more singular as
the Board of School Control has always had
sole charge and supervision of the present city
library OF Allegheny City.