The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-13
FEFs FOR LIBRARY BOOKS.

The condition 90 tire public library sug-
gests the inquiry whether & has been con-
Quoted upon the most approved lines ard
fa accordance with the intention OF the
creating law The article IN the city char
ter which establishes the public library de-
clares that the commissioners shall pre-
pare and furnish rooms for library and
museum OF useful ana standard. philo-
sophicaI, historical, literary, scientific and
ART works, articles and objects as they
deem best" Literary" may possibly be
held 70 include works Of fiction. but even
that liberal construction is limited by the
words useful and standard" In defer
ence TO a popular demand the library oon-
missioners have extended their purchases
TO works OF an ephemeral character, and
We intend no condemnation OF one OF the
best managed departments OF the city gov
eminent for endeavoring to meet q public
want
II money were plentiful, greater latitude
might be justiha5ls; but IL Is very Ques-
tionsble whether it was ever intended that
a great school OF education should take
the place OF a novel-c;rculating library.
These suggestions are based upon some
very sensible remarks made by Librarian
Hosmer, Of Minneapolis. who says it is
doubtful whether public library should
follow every passing fancy in fiction. He
seems TO think that no work OF fiction
should be purchased until il has established
its right TO a place in literature. He
seems even to think It doubtful whether a
public institution should circulate popu-
lar magazines which are sufficiently cheap
to be left to individual purchase.
The great bulk OF the literature taken
from the library consists of works of fic-
ton. but the imposition OF monthly fee
of ten cents has resulted in al
most entirely stopping the patron
age of children who formerly
took out Instructive books Novel
readers are usually voracious. and most
OF the work of the library is now devoted
to satisfying a craving for such terra
ture. for which they might reasonably be
asked 10 contribute ten cents month.
1t may be we'll for the commissioners 10
consider whether they cannot. in view OF
the paucity of their income, continue to
charge fee of ten cents for works Of fic
xion, and abolish il as TO all others. This
would carry out the intention OF the IL
brary, and at the same time meet the re-
quirements OF those who prefer light liter
AZURE only. II can be done by having white
cards and pink cards; the former free and
calling for works from all departments
except fiction, and the latter for all works.
Ten cents a month is a trfiing charge for
the use of the number OF novels which
might be taken out In a month. and il is
the duty of citizens in the present ener-
gency to cheerfully aid in the maintenance
OF such an admirable institution as pub
lie library can be made.
There is no purpose manifested IN the
charter of furnishing circulating library.
and ii is only by the beneficent exercise OF
the discretionary power vested in the
commissioners that the public is permit
ted to take books out. We started out on
too liberal a scheme, and prudence re-
quires for the present that we be content
with half a loaf