The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-06
THE PUBLIC Library.
Everything Favorable Except the Pros.
poets for a keH Building.
VARIETY OF READERS SERVED.
Every Facility Strained to Provide the
Reading Public with suitable Matter
-Accessions, Constantly Coming In
The Aims Of the Institution.

There is no better index OF where many
citizens OF Providence spend u profitable
portion OF their time than the records OF
the public library. The attendance dur,
ing the past winter has transcended the
most sanguine expectations Of the direc-
tors.
The demand for wholesome, solid mat
ter is becoming the rule. Light. airy
matter is rapidly being relegated to the
background, aud the directors find IL
problem of no small dimensions TO sup
ply the call for new and solid matter as
fast as the reading public makes known
its preferences.
The total number OF books reported at
the last annual report was 62,756 An
Increased fund made it possible for the
board TO purchase a large number OF
books demanded by the growth in public
sentiment that has been. impos..
sible in the past A good
scheme was hit upon by which
the individual books desired by the
public could be ascertained. Printed
blanks were furnished each patron OF
the library and on these he signified the
books that he desired TO read. In this
manner an accurate idea has been OBJ
tanned of just whas the public
demands most, aud every effort mas
been made to supply them as
rapidly as practicable. Advan age Is
taken of auction and priced catalogues
and by judicious economyIa very large
number or accessions are constantly be-
Ing made at very small expenditure.
The exchange of duplicates has been
utilized TO obtain many valuable works
sorely needed by the library to supply
the wants of the public
q. 80
music scores department that is much
better patronized than would at first
seem possible. One hundred aud twenty
separately published works were OBJ
tained last year and many additions have
been made since then.
The fund Of $2,000.000 left by the late
Albert j. Jones last year has worked mar
velous good in the growth OF the library.
The dual capacity of circulation and
reference is the strength aud sinew OF The
Providence library. 1t is one thing to
plod down town every night to spend an
nour or two within the library walks. 1t
is far different matter to be
your home and read them at
your leisure. This double arrangement
provides for all classes OF people. The
records show that large patronage has
been accorded the circulation depart
ment. Every variety OF literary appe-
tite may be satiated. While a large
number of books on special lines of
study are at the disposal OF the library's
patrons. undue attention is not given to
this department.. Books upon almost
every conceivable topic may be obtained,
and are in constant circulation.
A study into the class of readers
reached brings to light many interest
inx features concerning the literary
tastes OF the public. Inc diversity in
tastes, culture aud education is wonder
full 10 the student of human nature. III
readers were classified according to their
individual tastes the task would be we'll
nigh hopeless. What will delight one
class OF readers is absolutely distasteful
to another. 10 meet and satisfy this di-
stant study Of the board. Fiction Is
pleasing to one class of readers,
but almost nauseatinR to an
other. Technical works are impera-
lively demanded by some and as
emphatically rejected by others. One
reader is enamored OF classical studies.
while another scorns everything that is
not distinctly modern. 1t Is not to be
inferred for q moment that an equable
adjustment OF the facilities Of the library
to the varying tastes OF the public Is a
condition easily brought about, yet the
directors have managed TO supply nearly
every class or readers with wnat they
need.
The crying need OF the library at pres
ent, as everyone who has given the sub
ject even a cursory examination knows,
il new building. The authorities are
sorely handicapped in the effors to find
storage room Tor books and other feature s
that are necessary to the conducting
of comfortable reading room.
There are forty-two libraries in
The state outsiue OF this city and most
OF tue quarters are a0ove reproach. 1t is
. point upon which the public may well
40 some hard thinking aud little
gratuitous alms-giving.