Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-08
A Boon to Students.

Unquestionably the city OF Richmond
ought to avail itself of the invitation OF
the General Assembly TO provide for the
payment Of an assistant to the State Libra
rian In order that the State Library may
be kept open after 7. NJ.
Whether this should be done now or
later on when the Library is removed to
its new quarters is a matter for conside-
ration. Situated as the Library now Is
on the uppermost floor OF the Capitol
VIC imagine that not many peo-
pie would care TO go there after the ele-
vator stops running, which, we believe
is at 7. NJ
So II would hardly be worth whpe 70
inaugurate the new arrangement while
the Library is kept in the Capitol. And
after the books are removed to the new
building, IA month or two-perhaps a
much longer time-will be required to
catalogue them and put them in readiness
for use by the public The public may
consider Itself very fortunate indeed II
It Is able to gain access to the Library
within several weeks after the books
have been removed.
We are not informed, and we suppose
the City Council is not informed. as TO
the exact date when the services of the
assistant could be made available in the
line OF the duties contemplated by the
act Of Assembly. No doubt II would be
well for him to go into Office some time
in advance Of the opening of the Library,
so that he may familiarize himself with
the catalogue and with the alcoves where
books will be shelved. As to these mat
ters the City Council will certainly in
qulre. and be guided by the information
they obtain That they will decline 10
accept the States offer we have no fear.
True, our city's finances are not in the
most delightful condition possible, but
they are going to be rearranged. and we
trust upon basis which will enable us
to live very nicely indeed within the
bounds OF our income, and yet leave
something in the treasury for emergen-
cies and for new enterprises such as this.
At present Richmond has really no pub
lie library. But here is an offer from
the State to make her Library practical
~ public library-upon condition, how
ever, that no book is to be taken there
from Except by State officer and that
after the State Librarian leaves his office
at p. NJ. the custody of the Library is
to be vested in an assistant librarian,
who is TO be paid by the city Of Rich
mond. This assistant librarian is, how
ever, TO be appointed by the Secretary
of the Commonwealth. and is to be State
officer. The State furnishes the books,
building. heat. light &c. and a librarian
from 10 8. All that we are asked 10
pay for is the services Of a librarian 10
relieve the State Librarian at p. NJ.
This is a very good offer on the
part of the STATE. For an expenditure
of about 1920 per annum the citizens OF
Richmond, and all strangers who may
come within our gates. will have access
TO a library which already numbers about
fifty thousand volumes, and which will
be enlarged very rapidly after 1t is put
into the new and beautiful freproof home
which the State is building for it.
An details of time and circumstance
We submit to the judgment of the City
Council. bat we must suppose that as
to accepting the offer Of the State there
Will b. no two opinions among public
spirited citizens who know the value OF
great library. whether that value be
computed in dollars and cents or in the
our community.