Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-10
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
The Management Of the New Carnegie
Free Library Considered.
Mr.. BRASHEAR GIVES BIS VIEWS
On 8 Subject Of Importance to a Great
Institutions Future.
HOW SUCCESS COULD BE ATTAINED


1 have taken very great. interest in the
discussion and various communications ap-
pearing in our city papers regarding the
management of the Carnegie Free Library,
as well as the action taken by the Property
Committee OF Allegheny Councils, and as
my interest is prompted by an earnest desire
for the success Of the library, hope may
be permitted a word upon the subject. 1
hope, too, that what have TO say may be
taken in the kindly spirit in which it is
given, as have no desire to set up nv
opinion for the sake Of controversy, es-
pecislly that which would be detrimental to
the success OF so grand an enterprise.
1t is to be regretted that some of the best
literature that has been written upon the
management of public libraries has not been
available to the Public Property Committee
of Allegheny Councils, else 1 think they
would have weighed their action of Monday
evening last with much greater care, because
I believe them to be gentlemen of honor and
having the interests OF the good city of Allie
gheny at heart.
A WORK TO BE READ.
notice they have sent to Representative
Bayne for a copy of that valuable work
"Public Libraries of the United States;
Their History, Condition and Management"
and il is to be hoped that before the final de-
cision is made in Councils this work will
be perused by the committee, especially that
most excellent chapter on the organization
and MANAGEMENT OF public Libraries by
William T. Poole whose knowledge and ex-
perience is of the utmost value in deciding
upon questions of SO great public interest.
In deciding upon every great question,
precedent wherever available, should
always be taken into consideration, even il
only to guard against errors that others
have fallen into. 1t would be an unwise
action upon the part of any man to under
take new business without knowing before
hand all be could know of what has been
done in the past, so as to commence where
others in thu same line have left off j. E., to
take advantage of all that is good, to shun
all that gives evidence of error, and this
applies to this particular case, if it were
ever applicable to any.
NOT A SIEECURE.
The government of public library, such
as we hope the Allegheny library to be in
the future, is mo sinecure. 1t viii re-
quire tact, excellent judgment and practi- |
cal knowledgf of the value of such an in |
stitution, in Iorder to make it thorough |
success. ItShould be removed from every |
bias, particularly that important one of |
politics which, alas, has been too great a |
factor in Institutions of similar character, |
and sag it in all eandor, that no matter |
how hyhorable . Councilman may be, he |
has So Jnany constituents with axes to grind |
that when he would do what his conscience |
deqsnds of him he is hampered in his hon, |
est purposes by those who are ever after his |
fsvors, and he has duties enough without |
assuming greater responsibilities than the |
law demands.
Looking over the first annual report of |
the Park Commission, of Allegheny, L find
that the act for the government OF the park, /
section 3, reads:
It shall be the duty OF the Select and Com
mon Councils, OF said city to appoint three
members Of Councils and three other citizens
not members Of Councils, who with the Mayor |
Of the city. shall constitute q commission, to be
known as the Park Commission, etc.
CITIZENS GIVEN A SHOW.
This was giving citizens outside of Coun-
ellis very fair representation, although in
this case l think no complaint could have
been made If none had been appointed. 1
do not say that Councils should not be rem
resented on the Library Commission, nor
that they should be shorn of any of their
legitimate power, which evidently should
still be retained over the finances, and tbev
would and should have the right to vote
upon the selection of citizen representatives.
If such were appointed by the Mayor. The
serious objection, however, that Mr. Poole |
points out in his excellent paper on the
arrangement of public Libraries to Coun-
cilmen or other public officers being upon
the Board OF Managers, Is that such officers
were elected for other duties, "and have not
the time or inclination to make themselves
familiar with the details of library manage
ment They are required to vote upon sub I
jects on which they have little or no practi- !:
cal knowledge" t,
Perhaps this is little too broad. because
there may be just as good men in our City
Property Committee as could lie selected.
but as they cannot, as a body, give their a
time and attention to the thorough success
Of the library, aside from their other duties S
II certainly would appear thatthey would be {
acting a, wise part to call to their help the
counsel OF some of the good men of our city {
who cOuldg give share of their time and tai $
ent to the good Of the library.
AN IILINoIs LAW QUOTED. e
The law Of the State of Illinois, enacted on :
the 9TH of March, 1878, covers the ground SO t
well that 4 may be pardoned for making a a
quotation from it. 1t reads thus: a
In cities the Libraries are to be managed bv a i
board ~ nine directors. appointed BY the r
Mayor, with the approval of the City Councils (
one-thJrd to hold Office one year, oue-third two
yeaCS, and one-third three years; the directors s
ARCTIC be chosen from the citizens al large ,0fth
reference 10 their ftrless for such otfce fTbe il
italics are mine.l And not more than one mem t
Der Of the board. G
Now, this very law was spoken of as an b
insult TO the Property Committee. by one of o
It's members but certainly think that ifhe Il
had looked at it in calm, unbiased man. b
ner, be would have seen that it was meant. q
nrst TO relieve them of responsibility that =
Iney were not asked to assume when elected; ~
EpcOnn / To l. !
no argument to prove that board chosen
with special reference 70 their fitness for such
once would use every effort to do their D,
duty, untrammeled BY the leeches that are In
the bane OF every honest, upright Council di
THE MONEY QUESTION. ia
1t was also intimated, in connection with an
.hiA' tnat IL was not necessary to appoint a
board composed of men who couIS yrrita
TX or seven figures to their names. 10 show
he size OF their bank account" (The Press. de
January 81 Surely this is unwortbv of the pa
EXCELLENT man who is charged with saving ca
{, and can scarcely think he is rightlv so
Iuoted. 1 am sure Mr.. Carnegie would NOT
nake dollars and cents his guide. if he had
be appointment Of board, unless with The
ollars and cents there were brains and
rains such as would direct his favorite enter-
riss TO a successful issue, l. e.. ths education
Z the masses and the intellectual deyelonment va
the community. du
That eminent adviser, Nj. Poole speaking on
his very subject says: at is hardly necessary
D remark that board Of directors should he
elected from the most intelligent cultivated
nd influential citizens Of the community"
lollars and cents are not mentioned but surely
ans can be no objection. II the other good quail
les 90 with them. Surely the same logic ere
0uld be carried farther and say refuse to ac- Ger
spt the gift OF MI. Carnegie, because be can an
rite 80 many figures after his name. No -
lese arguments are unworthy the notice thar
as been given them, and can only think they
ere used under undue excitement Ss
A GOOD ONE TO COB gU
Air Carnegie, in his excellent article IN the
ecember number Of the North american Re
e's, speaks in the highest praise Of the
noeh Pratt Library of Baltimore. In a paper ter
'fore me tho Baltimore american. of jan 'Pl
ny 3 lSse, in which the formal opening Of the
ee library Is notiood. l find these unrda ]