Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-05
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 8, 1894.
Richmond and the State Library


For want Of such a majority as our
charter requires to make an appropria-
ton Of this character. the ordinance pro-
posing 10 set apart $500 per annum to
employ an assistant librarian to keep
the State Library open 10 the public after
8 =. NJ. failed in the Common Council
night before last. But 1t is certain 10
pass hereafter. The question has only to
be fully discussed to make public opin-
ion here overwho ,mingly in favor of IT,
The state owns Il library of $4,000 vol
umes or more. These books are now
kept in the Capitol. but are soon TO be
removed 10 the splendid state Library
building, which is now being erected In
the Capitol Square near the Executive
Mansion. Under rules and regulations
tAas have long prevailed, and which are
not going TO be changed TO suit us, the
library is closed at 8 Z. M.-thus virtually
debarring its use 10 many scholars,
achers, workingmen, and others, and
giving but short hours Of work TO those
persons who visit Richmond especially
10 consult the books therein.
Our people asked the General Assem-
bly, in view of the early removal Of the
library TO its new home, to allow the
library to be kept open until late in the
evening The General Assembly answer
"a: III we do this We shall have 10 en-
Yloy an assistant librarian. The benefit
- longer hours will be mainly to citizens
Z Richmond. and We therefore suggest
II your city pay the assistant libra
.1."
his was not at all unfair. The state
ives our public the. use of its costly
library and library-Bome and fixtures,
only asking of us that we pay for that
privilege the sum Of 81 zoo per annum.
There il not another city in Virginia
that would hesitate a moment to accept
such an offer; many Of them, indeed,
would be willing 10 give a bonus of $4,000
10 have such n library established in
their midst 1t is a surprise to us that
any councilman voted against the mea-
sure. Upon reconsideration the vote in
favor of the appropriation will be unanl-
nous we iKust.
That the taxpayers Of this community
are thoroughly in favor of the appropria-
ton we well know, and we wish that
our people could have the opportunity
to pass upon it at a primary. However.
that the appropriation will be made we
cannot but believe. II would be a sorry
business. indeed. for the city of Rich
mond to refuse such an offer as this;
moreover il would be exceedingly IN
gracious.
We must remainder that few cities in
this country have ever had such a gene
rous offer as this made them. Why here
are 5000 books. housed and placed at
our disposal for 81 200 per annum. We
are not even asked 10 pay for heating,
lighting, and cleaning the library build
ing
If Richmond fails 10 accept this offer
II will advertise itsdlf to the world as
municipal corporation which does not
know how to grasp an opportunity when
il sees H.
There are in the city OF Richmond thou
sands Of persons who know nothing OF
the treasures Of literature and art which
are contained In the State Library. Their
hours OF leisure are not the hours when
the state Library IS open to the public.
We must suppose that some OF the gem
.i.inen who voted against the appropria-
lion have never been In the library; for
Z Is inconeeivable that knowing what the
library contains they could have voted
against having IT opened TO our people
evenings and nights.
with the library opened as proposed
the teacher and scholar could visit it
after school hours. The apprentice or
journeymen could visit II after his days
work was over. The thousands who have
never been able TO find leisure to visit
il between the hours of 8 A. NJ. and 3 p
II. could visit 1t then. The stranger
oning here TO Richmond especially TO
consult books or MSS. in the library
would then have much longer hours in
which to do his work.
Every interest that we know Of would
be benefited; none would be injured, for
lae taxpayers would never feel the 1920
added 10 the city's annual budget.
The Dispatch is an advocate Of re-
;rcnchment and reform. but not of neg
Letting golden opportunities. And this
we regard as a golden opportunity.
The City Council will find that an over
whelming public opinion is back of this
proposition. and the appropriation will
be made,