The herald., 1894-07-21
PUBLIC LIBRARY ESTIMATES.


Including the above estimate the pub
lie library during the past five years
represents an outlay of $l08, 900.67, and
owns only 81, 000 volumes. The careful
ly collated table o! estimates OF expenses
of the library given does not, however
cover all the items of cost which should
be properly charged to this institution.
In all equity there should be added so
per cent OF the cost of maintaining the
elevator, and the larger proportion Of
the city hall gas and coal bills, which
would swell the total to $26, 827.70.
There are $4,000 volumes in the public
library, and it costs $4,000 per annum
to handle these books in salaries alone.
There are tour janitors employed in the
city hall building, but the library must
needs have an additional one.
The principle that the laborer is worth
his or her hire, ia one that ehould be
introduced in the public library. There
are few girls working there who do
the greater portion of the work and re.
ceive the minimum pay. Absorbed in
deep, abstruse problemo, with refer
ence to the ethics of bibliology to be
sometime projected on the heads of
sapisnt thinkers in some book congress
in Chicago, San Francisco or Hong
Kong with expenses paid by the tax
payers1, it is very rare, indeed, that Miss
Ksso or her high .salaried assistants con-
descend to do anything in the way of
doling out books to the library patrons.
As matter OF fact the taxpayers have
been too lax and reluctant in their criti-
cisms of the financial history OF the
library. 1t is fast becoming heavy
burden OF expense on the community
not for the legitimate purchase of books,
but added expenditures for which there is
no just foundation. Tho librarian, Miss
Kelso, draws $3.50 per month, aud since
1890 has received some 5000 for travelling
OK penees to library meetings, which
were of about as much practical value
to Los Angeles taxpayers as the outgiv-
ings OF Thibetan mahatma on the ad-
viaability of curtailing the pendulous
appendage OF scowfaced simian.
This brings us to the general financial
management of the library board. 1t
has rested msinly in the hands of
George A. Dobinson, now reputed to be
q resident of Pasadena, and there is no
question that with representative,
conscientious business man at the head
of the library board, its running ex-
penses would be greatly reduced. Taking
the actual circulation into considera-
ton, the force OF young lady employ
ess could be reduced half. In
other words, $4,000 should furnish am
plo attendants, provided the high sala
ried people on Mr.. Dobinson's staff
dropped into the public workroom and
buckled down to work like some of the
poorly paid girls, The two private
Offices" one of which in times past was
much frequented by Mr.. Dickinson,
could then be utilized for additional
reading room space.
The taxpayers have been goodnatured
and patient, but the growing expsnd-
lures in the public library are begin
ming to chafe them. They realize, how
ever, that they cannot hope for economy
and reform in this branch of the public
service with man OF the business cali
bre and general characteristics OF Geo.
A. Dickinson as the president OF the
board of library directors. He should
be removed.