Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
The Future of the Carnegie Library in Alle-
Eheny-Whut Some Good Citizens Pro-
pose for ia Center OF Intellectual
CuIture-Wisdo,n From the Tombs.


gheny-whut Some Good Citizens Pro-
pose for It-A Center OF Intellectual
CuIture-Wisdom From the Tombs.
WHILE the Councils of Allegheny are dis
w cussing the question OF what salary the
Librarian of the Carnegie Library shall receive
a good many citizens of high standing in the
community are considering how the usefulness
of the library may best be fully developed. II
is fortunate for Allegheny that she possesses a
number of public spirited men who are deter
mined, if their efforts can secure it, to make
the library the center Of number of educa-
tional schemes.
1t is argued as it seems to me with perfect
truth, that library in itself does not insure
the creation of reading public among the
masses. A taste for reading, and particular
tastes for reading in certain directions. may be
cultivated in a community. People must be
attracted to the library by specific appeals.
Those who read already of course may be left
to themselves, but the great majority who do
not now read, especially the young men and
young women. will have to be drawn to the
library by some general scheme Of attraction.
How WILL you reach the men and women
Mr.. Carnegie especially wishes the library
should reach?
men, of whom have spoken as taking deep
interest in the library and the great work laid
out for it. that great deal might be accom-
plished by giving courses of lectures or read
ings in close connection with the library. The
physical conditions are all favorable. There is
a room at the disposal of the library authori-
ties where 200 or 800 persons could be seated.
There short talks upon literature, the arts and
sciences could be most conveniently given.
Who will the professors in this unchartered
university be? That is where difficulty might
arise; but happily it doesn't. There are lots of
good men for the work. 1t would surprise a
good many of us to know how many men
lawyers, doctors, divines and others-in
these two cities have made special
study of certain departments of
literature for example. There are among US
specialists in literature; this man knowing all
that there is to be known of Thackeray: that
man learned in the history Of Shakespeare,
full of quaint facts about folios and various
readings, dates and circumstances of the great
Bard's work; yet another, who is enamored OF
Goethe and the German school, and another
who has at his fingers ends all that is worth
knowing about Washington Irving, Nathaniel
Hawthorne, Longfellow, Poe and the rest of the
giants stalking in this new country's literature.
know many such men. and l have no doubt
that they could be prevailed upon to bestow a
share of their knowledge upon their fellows in
the way suggested.
THEN in another direction there are men who
would take keen delight in leading the
way into the fields of science. Mr.. Brashear.
it is safe to say, would be glad to help along
those who have longing to know more of the
celestial bodies. What better help to the be-
ha
a series OF short talks from such man as
Mr.. Brashear?
The object primarily of these lectures, to use
the common but somewhat forbidding name,
would be to encourage and direct reading, to
develop and cultivate the special tastes and
aptitudes OF the readers. When q man has
had his curiosity excited he seeks for means to
whet it.
MERELY suggestion of what might be done
is all that l have attempted to give. 1t is
not my suggestion. either; it originates with
small band of intellectual masters who have
the interest of the people at heart, and full
appreciation of what may be worked out for
the people through the library The suggestion
is worthy of serious thought
But if the library is to be a center of intel
lectual culture and practical knowledge it is
be in sympathy with the great purposes and
possibilities of the library. A fellow who can
catalogue books, stow them away in shelves
and take them out again, is not the ideal libra
rian or the man to have charge of the Carnegie
Library in Allegheny. He should be we'll
read man. of course; a man of some depth of
learning-but more than all else he should be
broadguage man of the world. He must know
the people, not the small minority who already
read books and pstronize libraries, but the
masses of workers and doers of deeds who do
not realize very well now the advantages of
reading.
If Allegheny can find such man, and find
him at 800 year, she will be very fortunate.
a GENTLEMAN who has been wandering
among the graves in several cemeteries,
pres umably to counteract his perennial cheer
fulness and chronic good nature forwards to
me two choice specimens of the epitaph.
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