Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-23

THE suggestion that a public library at q
central point. open in the evenings as well as by
daylight would be a public benefit has been
agreed to by all Washington--official and un-
official public and private; and the difficulty in
the way does not seem to be any lack OF books,
for tie combination Of the books not now
needed in the various official libraries OF the
city In one place would suffice for library am
pie fO- all the demands of the public. The real
difficulty il that of a place. What ia needed is
one vast hall OF a series Of rooms conveniently
located. well lighted. and heated or cooled, ac-
cOrding to season. where ladies and gentlemen
disposed to be quiet and studious might pass
their leisure with books "-B1kHore sun.
The Sun grasps the local library situation.
But it lays stress upon the difficulty of secur-
ing the necessary space and adds that doubtless
some Of the rooms Of the new national library
will be kept open ir the evening and on Sun
day. If the people of Washington were as
certain on this point as the S,dH appears to be
the situation would he greatly improved and
the prospect bright. BJ. it il to he remem-
tered that the presence of the Congressional
library. and the pleasing hope. hither delusive,
OF broadening Of its Use through An enlarge
ment of it, circulating feature and an extern
sion Of the hours in which ii is available, have
done more than any other cause 10 keep the
mass of the people Of the city during all these
years without any public library whatever. No
effort should be neglected TO secure this popu-
larixation of the new Congressional library,
but il would be folly TO cease struggling for
the library on the other lines suggested, in con-
fiient reliance upon a radical change of the
regulations limiting the public Use Of the
Congressional library. III in the end
q certain portion of the Congressional Ii
brary is converted into public circu-
hting library of the kind desired, and these
books are accommodated in the new Congress
sional library building and made accessible to
the public in the evening. this result will be OBJ
tanned only through the public conviction of
the necessity of a separate library on some one
of the independent lines suggested For these
books, though housed in the Congressional
library building, wouli really be distinct from
the library proper. which would probably re-
main under its present regulations, and the
circulating books would doubtless be those
which Mr. Spofford says can be spared from
the Congressional collection for local public
library wherever located. Washington is anx-
ious only to secure an accessible library. and
will gladly and gratefully accept it whether il
is housed in the new city post Office building.
the present post Office department, the new
Congressional library building. or in Quarters
provided by some private benefactor. inspired
with the worthy ambition of associating his
name with what will be one Of the most useful
and popular institutions of the capital of the
republic. Il will soon be necessary, however,
to focalize sentiment and to concentrate effort
upon some specific library project, leaving
changes in location or other matters Of detail
to be passed upon by our Legislative bodies in
action upon proposed am ailments.