Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-05
A FREE LIBRARY.
Full Text of the Bill introduced by Mr.
Hemphill Today.

hemphiu Today.
Mr.. Hemphill today introduced in the House
today the following bill: To establish a free
public and departmental library and reading
room.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That there
be and is hereby established a free
public and departmental library and
reading room, for the use of the citizens
of the District of Columbia and of the employees
of the several departments and offices of the
government in Washington.
Sec. ?. That said library shall be located in
the new post Office building, and the architect
of the same is hereby directed to provide in
his plans and specifications rooms in
the second story of the building, suitable for
and adapted to library and reading room pur-
poses, adequate to the accommodation OF not
less than $4,000 volumes.
Section 3. That whenever provisions for the
library are completed such books, periodicals
and papers now belong to and are in
cluded in the circulating libraries Of the
several executive departments and Offices
of the Government in the city of
Washington, shall be transferred to the free
public and departmental library and reading
room for its use, and il is hereby made the
duty Of the head of each department,
bureau or Office in which circu-
lating library is maintained for the
use of the employees of the government to de-
liver all such books periodicals. and papers,
without delay. to the Free Public
and Department Library and Read
ing Room, and thereafter no circulating
library, but only such library as is
required for it's special official use, shall be
established or maintained by any department,
bureau or Office OF the government in the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Section 4. That the librarian of Congress lie
hereby authorized to turn over 70 the Free
Pubic and Departmental Library ane Reading
Room such duplicate copies of books in his
charge. for its use, as are not required for the
use Of the Library of Congress
Section ). That upon the completion of rooms
for the library herein provided for. there shall
be appointed by the President by
and with the consent of the Senate.
one librarian, who shall be entitled to receive
salary of $4,000 per annum; and
said librarian is hereby authorized to appoint
two assistant librarians, who shall each receive
salary of 1880 per annum. two assistants
who shall receive each a salary of $500 per an
mum. and one janitor at a salary of 5000 per
annum.
Section 6. That all citizens of the District of
Columbia and all officers, clerks and other en-
ployes Of the government on duty in the city
of Washington shall be entitled to the
PPrrnl Of she the free public and
room, free Of all charge, under such rules and
regulations shall be prescribed by the Ii
brarian. provided that the library and reading
room shall be kept open from clock am. to
8 o'block pm. each day, excepting Sundays and
holidays, and provided further, that the regu-
lations adopted shall include provisions for
supplying employees of the several executive
departments with books, through accredited
departmental messengers.
Section 8. That Of the expenses incurred in
the maintenance of the face public and depart
mental library and reading room. including all
salaries Of employees, one-half shall be
paid by the United States and
one-half by the District of Columbia.
and it is hereby made the duty Of the Com
missioners Of tine District to include these ex-
penses in their annual estimates submitted TO
Congress