The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-11
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY-ITs MISSION

SEATTLE, Dec. Q. 1891.
To THE EDITOR: A public library should ed.
ucate, instruct, elevate, mentally, morally
Failing in this, 1t fails in everything and ought
to be abolished, for 1t has no claim to public
support
How can these purposes be best achieved? By
assuming that tho taste of would be readers has
been yitiated, debauched, and needs a weak,
though wholesome broth to develop a relish for
something more substantial? This may sound
we'll in theory, but is doubtful expsdient, to
say the least
close regard Of the novel reader, of novel
reading and its results will lead to di ffsrent
conclusion.
refer now to the habitual novel reader-one
who follows in the highly seasoned fiction of
the day with bated breath and urnagging in
dustry the adventures of impossible heroes and
hereines, intent only on present pleasure, ana.
bitious only to reach the denouement, which at.
tanned hs throws one book aside to take up an
other detailing the devious fortunes of fresh
heroes and hsroines.
Tempt such q reader, If you can by free gift
OF privilege to read novel wholesome and
sound" and he win skim its pages, skip de.
scriptive and reflective passages, with no pur-
pose except the pleasure which the excitement
OF the shifting scenes and incidents of the mar
rative supply
A novel, or any book, thus read is means OF
dissipation which viii result in an atrophy of
mind and soul as surely as the use of the deadly
narcotic which stimulates into morbid activity
certain faculties and leaves others wholly un.
touched.
1t matters not If the book thus read be whole
some and sweet, teeming, Ii may be, with grand
thoughts, portraying the highest ideals of life
and touching the tendersst chords OF humanity;
1t is still an instrument of evil to him who uses
il only TO lul his senses, as a refuge from the
pangs of ennui
The unreaecting readsr-and the great ma
iority OF haeitual novel readers belong to this
class-wil make no return for the outlay of re-
form, however lavish it may be. While he is
weeping in luxurious ease over the pathetic
hate OF human woe-the rough, untutored roust-
about VINO. perchance, has never looked into the
pages OF q novel wholesome and sweet will fly
with open hand to the relief of his distressed
feiow-mau.
The habtuai novel reader accustomed to in
dulge emotion without action, loses the power
OF yolition. without which the noblest lessons
aud impulses are unproductiys-are lost to the
world.
For purposes OF reform ii would be quite as
rational 10 substitute for the habitual drink of
the topper q weak deeoction of medicinal herbs
and hope thereby to win him from the fiery DO
tations with which he is wont TO set his brain
in q whirl
The reform a public library should atternpt
will not expend its resources in the application
of soothing lotions to the diseased extremities
OF humanity; will not expect a harvest of yir-
tue from precious seed sown In barren and
waste places, or in soil already ehoked with
foul weeds or noisome exotics from French soil,
but will seek constitutional remedies by going
10 the very seat and source OF the disorder II
will seek 70 SOW in virgin soil the germs of
knowledge, OF truth, OF virtue, of duty of HUI
mainly, and by such preoecupancy save man
kind from the vice and debasement which a
corrupt literature always brings
True, this is mission which TIRE public Ii
br2ry alone canno. achieve. Nay. from the IA
ture OF the case II must be a secondary, but may
be an exceedingly potent, factor IN this grand
work.
Primarily, the duty falls on the parent and on
the teacher 10 give impulse, 10 guide and direct
towards the good. ana 10 warn and shield from
the evil in literature. BY this triple alliance Of
parent. Of teseher and the public library work
ing N harmonious conjunction, can We hope in
the progress OF time to eliminate the currency
ami deoasegaent of vicious literature The
public library should exercise a censorship OF
books, and no volume should be permitted 10
enter lis portals which has no mission, or from
which exhsles the slightest faint of corrupt in
tuence- This fountain OF knowledge should be
pure 20 which youth and all may come To drink
in perfect security from all harm. j, should he
the bounutul depository sad source from which
may be drawn the very best product of
pen and brain and heart OF all the
world, suited to the urgent and
important needs of those 10 whom is intrusted
the development and guidance of a taste for
reading IN the young. All, else, should be sub
ordinate 10 this supreme need. Let the bose
deyotee OF sensational literature indulge in
mental revelry az his own expense; let the
reader whose taste for the good is already ms
tured wait II need be; but the youth OF this CITY
now in tie spring tide and ssed-time of life, now
AZ the very entrance OF q vast realm of iters-
tnre, abounting IN bogs and pitfalls, whose
tastes must be now formed, If formed Alright,
cannot wait; cannot b left without the guild
snee and aid OF every influence that might help
10 form and fix taste, habits and character.
This, the first work o. the public library, Ia
one OF education, Of elevation. and not enter