New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-28
A SITE FOR THE LIBRARY.
THE PRESENT LOCATION OF COLUMBIA
FAVORED.
ADVANTAGES IN BUILDING THE GREAT PUBLIC
LIBRARY on THAT GROUND. WHICH WILL
SOON RE VACATED BY THE COLLEGE
THE QUESTION OF THE CIR

CTLATING SYSTEM.

CILATING SYSTEM
Although no formal action has been taken by the
trustees of the Aston and f.enox libraries and The
Tilden Trust Fund in reference to site for the
great public library of which each Of these separate
institutions is constituent part, yet the question
has been discussed In an informal way ana H'Ily
details have been practically agreed upon II - a'-
mlttel by the trustees of these several library IN
terests that It is impossible 10 carry ont the Ire"
circulating feature Of the brky without the 's'dD-
shment of branch libraries. and yet the lh'a 81
the several founders OF these Libraries was 10 ur
nish popular reading for the masses Al the same
time the Idea of a great reference library Tx" inc
British Museum Library and the National Library
OF Paris was incOnsderabc part OF me S'H'H'
OF these founders. 1t is obviously inpossib'e LOT
the Public Library of NewYork TO do all % 'h'Sc
things at once Notwithstanding the fact that II has
SsO00OID Of property its disposal The iirst great
object TO be obtained by the library. in the minus
OF the trustees undoubtedly Is to make reference
library that will compare favorably win S'''''"'
libraries in the Old World. II this Is to De uo"''
the question of branch libraries VIII sun remain
altogether at sea.
The only practicable and economical solution VI
this problem seems to be the course marked out hy
The Tribune when the proposed constellation was
first announced and that is - include in the S'"'''
the New York Free Circulating Library ana lhe
Aguilar Library. These two Libraries nav" bfhh'h"S
so arranged that they cover every dense p"pula-
ton centre in the city without conflicting with each
other Their only difficulty is that they have NOT
sufficient number OF volumes to meet the ur"'alu
and have not enough financial backing. Shouid
these libraries become united with the Publc Ii
brarv they would be able to perform the fun
limit OF their service 10 the public wi;h the least
outlay OF money with the means that these Il
brares already have and with small financial
support from the Public Library. the project OF
having 4 complete reference and circulating EnrhrN
could be carried ont In the most satisfactory man
ner.
Several sites have been considered by the tr's-
tees OF the several Libraries involved IN ne Public
Library. hut no definite action has been taken IN
relation 10 ang Of them. The present buildings o.
Columbia College have been urged A. convenient
and economical home Tor the PthNc Library. y
wU not he long before Columbia College "il Facdi"
It's buildings the block 81 ground u'""',' -
tie;h There seems TO j." no question "',Ii -,
central convenience Of this spot Inc '.illIls =
probably could be purchased at bargain anu
iher, IL sufficient vacant ground between tN' f'N
oral buildings u Columbia College on WhI'h ti' cen
traI library building 81 IN" Pubic Library c.i!i n
erected while the present budih4S 'oN't 49,
could be connected with the main library D'"'"s
The main building OF the British Museum iAhrary
occupies about much room a. The vacant ti'utI
batWeen th.. building ~ Columbia college repro
scnis while the standing bui a.nSs "i ''.IIo. 4
College would CIV" fdr NOR" room Tor me ~ '"E
OF books AMI for the special study "i S-'""'' '""
the British Museum enjoys - .,
80 many restrictions hdE" been placer upon we
block Of ground on which ~" I."uoN lAuISy .'4n -
that IL almost impossible - carry out ~" OH
idea OF the founders OF the Pablo Library '-i1''
this the Columbia College site j. more 'r"ifl man
m. I4noX Library site This I"t hIs been seriously
involved I'm the Public Library ana j j IJ--'' ''f
the Columbia College Site Will be- selected.