Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-05
FREE LIBRARIES IN CITIES
In Boston Over a Million Volumes Taken
Out Weekly.
The Popular Use of Books I'm Several
Cities Where Libraries Are
Open to the Public.

Some interesting facts in regard to the
libraries in New York, Boston. Providence
and Newport were brought out in an inter-
view In the Philadelphia Press with Harvey
NJ. Hubert. He is a member of the IL
brary committee of the board Of education
Of Philadelphia and has recently returned
from trip of inspection Of the libraries in
the cities named. In speaking OF his trip
he Is reported as follows:
Everywhere ths free library scheme is
taking a frmer hold upon the people They
are beginning to recognize what a power
full factor this is in the education Of the
masses.
I'm New York I went to see the Free Cir
culating Library. 1t Is supported entirely
by private subscriptions. There are six
regular branches. at each of which crowds
go every day to get books. The city makes
appropriations to the library In proportion
about S0O,000 volumes in all in these six
branches One feature of this library es-
pecially impressed me as being a good one.
The rules allow each guild. church or char
liable organization to have the privilege
Of ten books at q time. The books are
chosen by the societies and sent in their
care for those who wish to read them. This
has opened wonderfully large reading
public and has consequently helped the
movement greatly.
Mother Of the Movement.
Boston, however. is the mother of the
free library movement. There the plan has
succeeded wonderfully and over 100000
books are taken out every week. To un-
derstand the importance attached to free
libraries there one must understand that
the city bears all Of the expenses of carry
ing them on. There are twenty-five
branches and delivery stations and each
one is In q building built expressly for that
purpose. Some Of the buildings cost be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 each, or almost
as much as this city has put In all its four
free libraries put together. To climax It
all. they are now erecting building which
will cost 100000 for tho central library.
1t will probably be ready for occupancy by
tho beginning Of next year,
Rather . large sunni Yes. but the rea,
| SON for 1t Is plainly carved in huge raised
| letters on the side of the new building,
which Is on Copely Square. In one Of the
| most fashionable quarters of the city. The
1.-The commonwealth requires the edu-
cation Of all as safeguard Of order and
| liberty
This shows that they consider the L.
| school work. Yet the libraries are not
| under control Of the board Of education.
A board Of trustees, appointed by the
beard Of aldermen. take care Of all Its
affairs.
There is one thing that noticed at all
the libraries, and that is the catalogue
| system Of choosing books Is used. In that
| respect think those who use our libraries
have decided advantage. Our system en-
ables them to make q better choice and
does not make them take something which
may be entirely undressing to them All
OF the libraries 1 saw had their books in
Boston Is far and away ahead Of not
only US, but all other cities, in it's free
Libraries But perhaps this is natural. as
the idea originated there and spread all
III
II stopped to see the Redwood Library
at Newport. This. like the one In New
lions. II he not very large library, and
| Is all contained In one attractive and COM
plete building built for the purpose 1t
makes speciality Of collecting rare articles
In such things. I spent long time in the
exhibition department and wanted to stay
longer. but could not spare the time It
| was very interesting indeed.
With the Schools.
'The last library I examined was the one
ut Providence. which is supported by be-
quests and donations. It is quite large
and occupies the lower part Of a large
school building. Like ours, 1t Is run In con-
nection with the public schools and has q
feature which hope We will initiate. This
library sends to the public schools series
of books. as called for by the principals
Twenty books are sent at q time, and they
are used as supplementary to the text books
Sas ssI an m,s s5selen, Idea and
profit ssga = Fe-s~-
There is another thing that impressed
mo very forcibiy, and that was that in the
fitting up Of the libraries for the conven-
tence Of the public our libraries here were
In most cases superior and In all equal to
all these big libraries. None Of them were
more convenient or complete and most Of
them not so ornate as ours.
u rather opened their eyes In New York
and Boston when told them that In one
Of our branch libraries, the Wagner free
library, at Montgomery avenue and nth
street, we had as many books in circulation
during July as We had volumes in the L.
brary. In fact, although We have Just be-
gun, this city was third in point OF circuia-
ton last month.
II am going to recommend that the public
schools here be given the same privileges
as those In Providepce-that Is, be allowed
a certain number Of books as supplementary
text books every week. I certainly favor q
great enlargement Of this important part Of
our educational system. We need more free
Libraries and more money to run them with
All Of the big cities are waking up to the
Importance Of this movement and ours can
not afford to be behind. Every branch
that was started here has been even
greater success than was anticipated, and
there is only one thing to do-go ahead
i liked one thing about the big new
building in Boston. It is the inscription
oyer the door in big letters: Free to All
That ought to be over the doors of ali of
our libraries. 1t makes people feel at home"