The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-03


The PosT-IsrEIIIeESeER has undertaken
q worthy task-thar of paying OF debt OF
81, 900 which hangs over and threatens the
Seattle public library. Subscriptions VIII
be received at this office. and q book in
which ali good citizens can write record
of their subscriptions will also be placed in
the library, and all moneys paid TO LII
brarian Atkinson will be turned over to
the Posr-IsTELLI6EScER each evening.
The names OF all subscribers together with
the amounts given will be Published every
morning, thus giving the public an easy
means of knowing how the fund stands.
Although the fund is only a day old SIS 10
was turned over to the Posr-ISTELLI-
GEscER last evening. and today's subscrip-
tions viii probably be much larger. As
can be seen, the PosT-ISTELIIeEScERs starts
have followed suit IN less, but no less well
letter from Charles Prosch. inclosing 81,
was received:
SEATTLE, Oct 2, 1894
To THE EpIroR: l was much pleased
this morning on seeing the movement in
itiated by you for the relief of the Seattle
public library from its present financial
embarrassment. There is no institution
in this city more deserving of countenance
and support and Ii is earnestly hoped that
our citizens will show their appreciation
OF il by generously responding to the APP
peal in its behalf. No one can visit its
reading rooms, as have done many times.
and see the hundreds of poor men eagerly
perusing the contents of newspapers, mag
azines and bound volumes without being
deeply impressed with its value to the
community. Every table and every chair,
In fair weather and foul, is daily occupied
bv men in pursuit of knowledge or in
formation, according to their tastes or
needs. Aided TO these is q constant pro-
cessiop of people of both sexes and all ages
applying for books TO take TO their homes.
Sincerely regretting that my circum-
stances preclude my giving more. l CRATE
fully and cheerfuliy inciose my mite for
the relief of this very beneticent institu-
ton. Yours, ETC., CHARLES PRoscH.
The library 10 under no expense at all
for running, the one-tenth of all fines and
licenses received by the city meeting all
current Obligations, but this amount is so
small that no part of 1t has been applied to
the debt which, although small hangs
over and threatens one of the worthiest
public institutions in the city. The debt
of 81 GOO was incurred In securing book
cases, tables, chairs and electric light and
gas fixtures for the reference and reading
rooms. The running expenses of the IL
brary can be briefly put down as follows:
Rental. per month .......................$n 500 %
salaries. per month .-.-.-..----...-s.... $50 %
Lights. per month -.-.-...........-..-.. 80 90
Telephone, per month. ............... 4 80
Total. s624 30
Considering the location and the large
floor space, about 100 feet square, the rem
tai is very reasonable; the salary item Is
divided among Librarian Atkinson and
his four regular assistants. 1t is the in
tention to make the regular appropriation
meet all current expenses. even if it be-
comes necessary to cut down the salaries
which. however, are already low enough.
Ii has been found that the income is in
sufficient TO apply 10 the outstanding debt.
This should be wiped out by all means, for
the maintenance of the library is a subject
in which every loyal citizen should take a
personal pride. Every class of people
patronize the institution-the rich and the
poor. To the latter the institution is a
Godsend, for it provides. them man or
woman, with q comfortable place to spend
their spare time, reading good books, i'm
proving their minds and experiencing a
sense of real enjoyment Hundreds of
poor young men in this city, of good inten-
tions, but whose social resources are few,
spend their evenings at the library,
laying the foundation for a future
useful life, whereas. were II not for
this opportunity they might spend their
evenings in evil resorts. Librarian Atkin-
son SAYS that an average of |, 200 people
visit the library daily the rooms being open
on week days from 8 in the morning until
10 at night and on Sundays from p. m
until 10 p. m. Last year 90. 600 books were
loaned. and during nine months of this
year l20, 600 books have been loaned. These
ures.sufiice 10 give meager idea of the
good the institution is capable of doing.
thousand dollars appears very small
matter compared with the far-reachinr
beneficial effects of the library and. when
the condition of affairs is thoroughly
understood. there can be no doubt but
that sufficient sum to pay off the debt
can be readily raised.