Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-20
LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
An Interesting Meeting and Discussion
Last Night
What a Library Would Cost-QucstioA
of an Age Limit for
Readers.

The third monthly meeting of the WASH
ington Library Association, which has for
its object the establishment of a free pub
lie library and reading room in this city.
was called to order last evening In the
Columbian University building, corner Of
18th and Hstreets northwest, by the presi-
dent, Mr.. A. r. Spofford. While the at
tendance was only fair enthusiasm was
prominent
After the reading of the minutes Of the
last meeting by the secretary, Mr. oliver l..
Fassig, the president announced the resig-
nation of Mr.. Prince as chairman of the
committee on lending books. and the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Presnell in his stead.
Rufus Thayer and Mary Boyd Cummings
were then elected members of the asso-
citation.
Mr.. Spofford next called for a further
report OF the free public library commit
Greedy.
General Greedy stated that since the last
meeting or the association he had seen
as many persons as he conveniently could
in relation to the library and had secured
pledges amounting to little more than
Sl,OOo One person had promised to give
as great a sum as would any other person,
and promises Of liberal supply of books
had been made by several others. Two
lists are now being circulated for the pur-
pose Of securing subscribers to support
General Greedy went on to say that he
though reading room could be opened
by February 1 next, but he did not con-
slider 1t advisable to appeal to the public
some time In January. II each librarian
in the city would pledge 81 General Greedy
thought that would help out 10 a great
extent The majority of the persons spoken
to, according to General Greedy, were heart
lily in favor of the project, especially after
the fact had been pointed out to them that
probably every library in Washington
closes its doors at pm. daily, and then
street corners and saloons are about the
only places left for young people. General
Greedy suggested that the board Of mana
gers for the library should be selected by
the subscribers mt large. He went on to
say that when the idea was first preached
he thought 5000 per year should be Sc
cured to start the library, but since then
the conclusion had been reached that $4,000
would be the proper amount, and that
sum. it was thought, could be raised easily.
AS soon as the library is established the
attention of the Commissioners should
be engaged, said General Greedy as IT is
public corcern. The promoters are work.
ing in very modest way. They are not
putting up a building, but intend merely
to rent rooms in the central section of the
city. General Greedy closed by expressing
the hope that by the next meeting the
association would have organized and de-
library.
DR.. Cyrus Adler Of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition volunteered his assistance to aid
the project in any desired manner He was
of the opinion that the various districts CT
the city should be worked up until the
public is thoroughly informed as to the
library.
Gen. Greedy asked for suggestions show
ing what could be done on 81, 500 a year.
Mr.. FarQuhar remarked that 81 500 is the
sum now appropriated for the Patent Of
flee Library. According to DR.. Adler. that
amount would be consumed alone in taking
care of such books as might be given to
the library. To keep the library open from
am. till late at night, he added, would
require more than one attendant, and con-
sequently more money. Things might be
run in a very joyful manner. however, on
$4,000. 1t would be a wise move, said DIR.
Adler, not to supply magazines for the
reading room, as a small set of such would
run away with $500, and that ought to be
avoided. If Gen. Greedy alone could raise
over thousand dollars, stated Dr. Adler,
the rest of the people in Washington ought
to be able to easily secure the remaining
sum necessary to make 81 600
Col w. II. Lowdermilk was of the opin-
ion that as the library bill has met with
calamity In Congress- the District Com
with the association to secure the passage
of a bill levying a tax on the people of the
District alone to support free library.
Such bill, he thought, would pass the
House ard Senate at any time without OPP
position, IL Ii provided to tax only the peo-
pie of the District of Columbia.
zen. treely suggested That the library
might be run at the start on 81 200 a year.
He asked those present what age limit for
free access should be fixed Mr. Cutter re-
piled that age limit is fraud and that IT
is better to lose few books than to adopt
an age limit. In Denver, said Mr.. Cutter,
the Libraries make a speciality of children's
books. Mr.. Howard Clarke said that he
had been On committee in charge of a
reading room for young men in Brooklyn.
No age limit bad been fixed and the small
boys took possession and raised such bed
lam that the older ones were driven cut.
Mr.. Clarke advised an age limit until a
stronger following Of older young people
had been secured, when 1t might be re-
moved.
After considerable unimportant discus
SIGN connected with the project, the cleo.
ton Of officers to serve for the ensuing
year was proceeded with. On motion of
Mr.. +. II. Parsons the old officers We're
unanimously reelected. They are: Mr..
Spofford, president; DIR. Adler, first vice
president; Col. Lowdermilk, second vice
president; Mr.. Fassig, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
and Messrs. Cutter and Darwin and Mrs.
Kimball, members of the executive COM
mittee. The association adjourned, to meet
again on the third Wednesday in January