The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-17
LIBRARIES,
Many Favor a Union of the Free
Library and the Mer-
camille.
ADVANTAGES TO THE PUBLIC.
The Mercantile Associations Debts
Could Be Paid Off Within
Three Years.

The question of consolidating the Mer-
camille Library with the Free Public
Library is now being agitated by large
number of the reading public.
| 1t started by resolution presented by
Trustee A. Gerberdlng of the Mercantile
Library advocating the appointment Of a
committee to confer with the trustees of
| the Public Library. The committee was
to learn if the latter desire to consolidate;
If under the law it could be accomplished,
and If SO the matter would be submitted to
the members of the Mercantile Library for
final action.
| AS Mr.. Gerberding was unable to be
present it was laid over until the next
| meeting.
While there are few who oppose this
| union there are many who are heartily in
| favor OF 1T. AS matter of fact, the propo-
sition to consolidate with some other
library has been discussed annually for
the past thirty years. The reason is that
the Mercantile Library Association has
not been self-sustaining institution and
has been constantly running behind. At
the present time it is $75 900 in debt and
with no very encouraging prospects of
paying the interest on the debt, to say
| nothing of kee ping up with the times in
obtaining new books.
Mr.. Gerberding, who revived the old
question. gives his reasons for so doing.
He said:
If we don't do something of this nature what
est library association in the State to go into
insolvency. We are now paying about $4OO
month interest on our debt, or $4,000 year.
that on December 81, 1894, the receipts were
$14, 617 81. Of this $4,000 was received as an
additional and final loan of the Hibernia Bank.
Creary, B. c. Bfgelow, W. W. Stow and John
Hunt donated about $780, So you see our in
come from other sources was not very large.
The disbursements amounted to $12 1854 IS.
OF this $504S 25 was for interest.
| library that is obliged to depend upon
membership dues will not be success. All
This library has none, and we cannot expect
the gentlemen who have helped us to about
$500 to do SO year after year.
The total subscribing membership on the
first of this year was 1918. The regular men,
bers pay $6 and 158 teachers pay So, SO the
something must be done, and there are many
advantages to be gained in the proposition I
will submit, if the plan proves feasible.
Ness and Golden Gate avenues and
tn library n Of about $4,000 volumes to
to assume all of our liabilities, amounting to
$75 900. Our members would be able to enjoy
the same privileges as now and have the use
of lao, 900 volumes of the combined libraries.
AS it is, we have none of the modern books,
and will not be able to purchase any to induce
an increase in our membership. While this
consolidation would not destroy the useful
ness of the Mercantile Library, which con-
tains many rare and costly works, it would
give the people of San Francisco the largest
and finest free library in the United States out
side of the Boston Free Library. l am sure
that our members would be greatly benefited
as well as the public.
The, legal status of the case has been
looked into, and but few obstacles have
been found. Under the library act of 1880
free libraries may acquire real estate and
other property. The principal question is
how the Free Library would be able to
meet the assumed debt of the Mercantile
Library, and this suggestion has been
made. Every year the Board of Free
visors to appropriate from 1000 to $780,
600. AS a rule, of late years. the Super
vlsors cut these figures down to $35, 000, or
$40,0 00 Now it is proposed that for the
next three years the Supervisors appropri-
ate $65, COO. The combined libraries, on a
pinch, can be conducted on SAC, 900, and
$25, 900 would go to paying off the assumed
debt of $75 900.
Mr. Gerberding and several others be-
lieve this can be done.
II. III. Moore of 542 California street, for
ten years librarian in the Mercantile
Library, and now an honorary mem Der, is
a strong advocate of the proposition. He
said:
Thirty years ago 1 urged Just such move
ment. saw then that the library was not
able to stand alone very long About $40 it
was IN bad condition, and the Legislature
permitted us to start lottery scheme, which
netted us $500, 900 That money was squandered
in getting up $4,000 catalogue and in other
extravaganza ways. Out Of this money the new
library building was built. Now we have the
building and nothing to support the instltu-
ton. In 1870 we had 1000 members but the
number has dwindled down to 1904. of whom
members of the Mercantile who are in favor Of
consolidating with the Free Library rather
than have the association go into insolvency.
A large number favored joining with the Me-
chanics' Institute Library, and all these will
be In favor of the proposed change. The PROMO
sition of the Free Library canceling the Mer-
cantile's debt is feasible.
John HI Wise, trustee of the Free Ii
brary, was formerly a stakeholder and
trustee in the Mercantile. He saw what
was coming and often expressed desire to
consolidate with some other library.
Horace Davis, one of the Free Library
trustees, was formerly librarian IN the
Mercantile. This proposition was then
hobby with him and he favors it now.
William Loewy,a member of the Mer-
camille Library, is another who believes
that the consolidation of the two libraries
is the only way of saving the one of which
he is member.
At the next meeting of the Mercantile
Library trustees Mr.. Gerberding will insist
upon the adoption of his resolution and
have committee appointed to at least see
what can be done. In the meantime all
interested in both libraries will earnestly
discuss the proposed consolidation.