Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-14
STEVENSON AT WORK,
Allegheny's Librarian Commences by
Putting in Busy Day.
WHAT HE THINKS HIS DUTIES ARE,
A Plan by Which the Public Can Assist in
the Choice of Books.
AMERICAN AUTHORS TO BE PREFERRED

Librarian Stevenson, Of the Allegheny
Free Library, pitched right in yesterday
and made good start upon the duties OF
the position to which he was elected the
night before. He made the rounds of the
Pittsburg and Allegheny Libraries, and
chatted with the heads thereof, and spent
the afternoon at the homes of several North
side gentlemen who rejoice in the appella-
ton of "bookworm. He was seen last
evening at the Library and asked to Indi-
cate the general plan which his ideas will
tend toward in the equipment of the
library. He said:
Chairman Dahlinger is an enthusiast
upon the library subject, and the result of
an interchange of our mutual ideas is that
the equipment of the library must be begun
properly, and with regard to the Importance
of the inception of the library. Naturally,
what can be bought with $40, 900 will be but
the germ Of a library. 1t is hoped to re-
ceive private gifts Of books, and we have
agreed that the time has now come to for
mally invite gifts or contributions Of books,
now that there is somebody to receive them.
A GOOD TIME TO BEGIN.
"Anyone who desires to offer books to the
library should come forward promptly, for
the excellent reason that books in hand
will not have to be purchased. The
books can be sent to the library,
where they will be stored and listed, and
kept in good order until the work Of cata-
loguing begins Chairman Dahlinger is
making up the subcommittee which viii 60
to Eastern cities. The party will probably
start next Monday, and make brief stay in
each of the three cities agreed upon. have
in hand large number of catalogues OF
American and foreign libraries, and lists of
publications of the leading firms in this
country and abroad, and have addressed
communications to Librarians elsewhere,
from which expect valuable answers. As
to the time in which we may reasonably
hope to open the doors to the public. 1t is
hard to say. The Pratt Library, OF Balti-
more, was not opened until the librarian
had worked nine months.
MAY BE IN THREE MONTHS.
"Mr. Benney, OF the Allegheny Library,
who is we'll posted on such matters, told me
to-day that the purchasing, shelving and
cataloguing Of SIC, 600 worth of books could not
inside Of three months. No time will be lost,
however, compatible with good work and care
full treatment of the interests involved.
AS TO Wnat, IN my opinion, SnOulQ COnSLlLuLe
q library adapted to the needs of the people of
Allegheny. have devoted some thought The
solid and ordinary works coming into most
general demand must be the first consdera-
tion. To arrive at an idea of what those works
should be- the public should help us. What l
propose is as follows: We will have several
thousand blanks printed, upon which will be
spaces for names and addresses, and blank
lines upon which can be indicated favorIte
books and authors of the same. These blanks
will be distributed in the library, high school.
ETC., and can be filled out and left at the LII.
brary. These names would be great help to
the committee and librarian. as we could then
tell what the people want-and right there is
the secret of the successful library. In this
line would be a plebiscite on popular books
conducted by the newspapers, the submission
of lists of twenty books by our local literary
amateurs or professionals, or any method by
which the public could have voice in the
should be more of the interesting than the OBJ
struse. / have always maintained that book
reading is one part educational and nine parts
relaxation.
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE.
popular literature has another advantage
it is cheap. Books of science or reference are
very costly, and should be considered further
on. They should be recommended by spe-
cialists, such as Prof. Brashear DR.. Riddle. DR..
Holland, Prof. Langley, w. L. Scaife and
others, who make special researches in special
lively interest in the library If it has hand in
the formation of the institution.
There Is one other matter that wish to en-
phasize. That is. the chance that we shall
have in this library to bring into prominence
American writer's and authors. / have seen |
American works deeply appreciated abroad. |
while sinking into oblivion at home. American |
history, narrative fiction, science, and even |
compares more than favorably |
with the standard publications of Englshmen. |
and in many respects the superiority is with |
how ha laff ant 0ff ,fa
of course, Dickens, Thackeray, |
Arnold, Scott and other works which |
no library would be complete without. But |
tho principle exists, nevertheless. and should |
obtain recognition in this library.
There Is abundant opportunity for good |
reading matter In our own State and local his |
tory, and know OF several collections Of such |
literature which may eventually come to the |
library intact. But the subject grows upon |
one until It 10 hard 70 be confronted with inan-
cial limitations, with so much room for books |
and such limitless field Of literature to choose
from"