The Washington times., 1894-10-14

Always interested in public affairs which
are manifestly of great advantage to the peo-
pie of the District, THE TIMES made inquiries
into the possibilities of the early success of
the proposed free public library.
Librarian SpofTord, ever alive to the vast
benefit Of the contemp plated measure, replied
most enthusiastically TO the reporters ques-
tions on the present prospects. To him it is
a most surprising thing that the city OF Wash
ington, now more than century old, has yet
to experience the benefits OF free public
library
Said he; ''While every city and nearly every
considerable town in New England has en-
joyed for years the benefit OF this great source
of Intelligence the Nations Capital with
nearly 500 900 inhabitants, has no circulating
library whatever.
Even the old Washington Library. which
maintained a precarious existence from q
quarter to half century ago ceased TO ex-
ist during he civil war, and its books have
been scattered or absorbed into other colec-
tions. This however. was in no sense cir
culating library of new literature even while
it existed. having no reliable source OF in
come, and not being able to keep up with the
times. il naturally fell into that popular neg
iScE WHICH llGNllobly dltenGS every INSTITUTION
which falls behind the wants of the people.
"Do you think that favorable legislation
can be expected during the next session of
Congressgf
There seems now to be for the first time. :"
replied Mr.. Spofford. hopefully, "a reasona-
bly, assured prospect that the citizens of Wash
ington will secure through the legislation of
Congress free library worthy OF the name
as no appropriation would be asked from
that body but only local habitation for the
books, the project now before Congress
should elicit no opposition, but every possible
furtherance."
"Can an estimate be made Of the number
| of Volumes which would form the nucleus of
| the circulating libraryY'
1.-The nucleus of the collection proposed in
the bill reported favoraby last summer by
the Committee on the District OF Columbia
| will consist OF the duplicates, to the number
OF 10000 to $4,000 volumes, which can be
| spared from the Congressional Library to-
! gether with such books from the department
! and bureau libraries of the government as are
not required for reference and use in the cur
| rent work of the government. OF course, no
very approximate estimate could be made of
the aggregate number of volumes with which
| the proposed free public library would start ="
How could that best be ascertained?" in
terrupted.
"Only on report from custodians OF each
| collection referred to after due consultation
as to the books that must be retained in each
collection. and those which could be spared.
| On this point. as practical librarians will tell
/ you, guesses are OF no value whatever But
the facts would readily be ascertained should
this library bill pass Congress, rendering the
| proposed measure an actual fact"
lis 1t your opinion that library of such
books would meet the popular demand of the
readers of to-day"
! As 70 ha yalua 0f n pOlientinn Of GG
| thus gathered, it may be said that, while many
| would be duplicates or volumes which have
| almost ceased to be read, there would doubt
| less be a sufaciency of solid reading IN
standard literature, history, biography, trav-
| els, fiction etc., to form most useful basis
| for library which would instruct the reader.
| Its riches in works OF fiction and the newer
literature could not be expected to come from
the sources contemplated in the bill. This
| class of the freshest books (Which would OF
| course be largely demanded by the frequent
ers of the library would have to come from
| indirect or associate efforts in securing funds
for the purchase of desiderata, or to fill gaps
| In each department of science and literature
| With so many men OF wealth and public
| spirit as Washington contains, handsome con-
tributions for this great public object should
i noe be wanting.
Nevertheless. he continued, ''there is
nothing succeeds in this country without zeal
| Gus and organized effort. 1t is important
that those having most at heart the success OF
the scheme for free public library of circu-
| lation should be continually on the alert to
forward the plan in every way, to enlist pub
lie interest and sympathy through the press,
and to urge upon citizens having abundant
means the importance OF early contributions
toward making the collection reasonably
large and complete in the best books
| 'What we do for ourselves is apt to be well
| wi ia dona for u1 iS cal6nrp nf mol
value. The people of Washington should not