Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-14
The STA LIBRARY.
Pertinent Suggestions for the Legislative
Committee.


Committee.
r., the Editor Of the Dispatch:
II j. said that the committee that H''
q, charge the state Library In connec'Io"
With the removal Of the valuable coiI''-
,,o, Of hooks, records. and manuscripts
that COMPOSE II. and which have nee"
amassed ever since Colonial DAYS ar
considering and have IN contemplation '"r
fixing Of rules that are TO govern anu CUT
troll the admission Of visitors and the use
and reading Of the books, sc, as wei a.
the proper care and boarding OF the great
mass Of volumes, records. &c, now var
tuauv hid and sequestered In the Capitol
We are glad 10 hear this; II Is thihB
rnuch needed. il We ever expect the ms
cellaneous library Of the state 10 Dc
accessible 10 the people. This great 81
brary belongs to the people. 1t has Zen
gathered by the people, through theH
agents. from year TO year, ever SINCE l"e
foundation of our government, and the
people have paid for itzall OF them De-
cause. except where donations nave Dteh
made. II has been paid for out ot me
money that the people have PAID III the
form of taxes. 1t is self-evident that the
Doodle nave lIlf lAHiA VI
and should have the use or II. ms llsit
should not be unduly restricted.
WHERE ALL CAN GO.
The reason of its formation and coliec-
ton was that the Legislature deemed II
right and wise that the people should
have one great library, where all could
20 and read and learn; where the stu
dent or scholar. who could not in private
library collect all the books that he
needed or desired could at reasonable
hours work and study; where the histo-
rian could spend sufficient time during
the day and night 20 make 1t prohtable
to him 10 attend the library, TO use ana
employ the rich masses OF Information
that lie buried in its secret places ana
consult the authorities that are there de'
posted: and where all the citizens OF the
commonwealth could visit and enjoy the
advantages and benefits. that are mel
dent TO the reading and searching OF the
records and books there kept, ana the
original manuscripts and documents held
there In such rich variety and abundance
doubtless these wera the reasons that
caused the formation and maintenance OF
the library and they are certainly the
only reasons that can justify the large
and continued expenditure or pubic
moneys to build up and equip the same
and 10 assure the eNcelleht anu o'et
creasing collection OF books. &c, that mas
been by industry. wisdom. and refined
taste and sound judgment. gathered into
IL.
OVERLOOKED.
But these purposes and objects nave
been almost entirely overlooked In the
way the library has been conducted, anu
managed for n great many years, II not
during the whole period or its existence.
The hours that the library has been kept
omen have been such that no one but
man OF leisure and means could ever at
tend IL. The time in which the student
who wished to consult the books. &c, In
H. has been allowed to stay there has
been SO short that no one would unner-
take TO study there. The hours or at
tendance have been such that the author
who desired to refer 10 It's many and splen-
did records and authorities never dared TO
attempt the task. because he know that
his work there would h. so limited that
he could accomplish nothing, so he went
elsewhere 10 that he could work ammo
lestediy. Thus the poor man. the business