The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-01
FORMING A LIBRARY.
Long List of Books to Be Bought
Nearly Completed.
A sk,LLFUL LIBRARIAN NEEDED.
Many Books O6ered--Purchases to Be
Msde Locally, II Possible-Homs
Labor Favored.

At the meeting Of the library commissioners
yesterday afternoon informal reports OF the
progress of the work Of founding the Seattle
public library were submitted and discussed
The library committee, consisting Of Mrs. J..
G. Haines and Mr. R. c. washburne, assisted
by Colonel J. H. lockwood, have been working
long hours each day during the past week Sc
lecting titles of works to be purchased, and have
the list nearly conoleted.
It Is the desire ofthe commission to purchase
In this city - much ~ possible OF every
thing needed for the library. To
this end Colonel Lockwood was instructed
to purchase in the city as many volumes OF the
works selected a. can be obtained here Adyer-
tisements requesting those having books for
sale to inform the commission what works they
wish to dispose Of have been published, ana
have brought many responses from private per
book stores Of the city and laid aside all works
that he could find on the list selected. He has
also visited many Of those having works for
sale from their private Libraries. he insists
purchased In this city.
The commission have decided to employ Mr.
library In II this worE alone he viii save more
than the entire amount of his commi ssion and
expenses. He will have this work done for 10
is . library training school. It costs the Boston
foguing. To have this work done in this city by
peI4OQ0
eighteen months. The system OF cataloguing
which Colonel lockwood would procure will be
the modern one--by means Of tickets and subject
cards. 1t is expected to have the books pur-
chased, catalogued and on the shelves and the
library open to the public not later than Al
gust next
The commission realizes that the success,
growth and usefulness OF the library depends
largely upon . right beginning. To this end
Colonel lockwood, whose combined knowledge
of literature and the making of books renders
him of inestimable valne to the book committee.
was employed to aid in securing the best
editions and the most complete list of the best
works in All departments that the available
funds would justify.
of the library ID q good librarian. Great
pressure will be brought to bear upon
the commission TO employ resident
Of this city e ill this position: The clause Of
the city shall have been residents OF this city not
less than one year. IL construed by some to APP
ply to the librarian. The commission, all things
of the city. But 1t holds that it il more import
ant TO have . capable and efficient librarian TO
fill position upon which 50 much of the sue
cess Of the institution depends than resident en-,
business Of q librarian, in the evolution of the
modern public library, Is q skilled pro-
fession, requiring grcal technical knowledge.
Eastern cities are schools devoted TO the train
ing of Librarians No amateur, in the opinion
OF the commissioners, can successfully manage
As librarian such an institution as the Seattle
alize that the foundation il being laid for in
stitution worthy of such great city ~ Seattle
will become IL very few years
been purchased and the library committee was
authorized to contract with local manufacturers
for the manufacture Of other furniture
dealers Il Is expected that the seadinxro eol1
will be open to the public by April l.