New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-28
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
A PLAN FOR THREE DEPARTMENTS
SUGGESTION THAT THE THREE FOUNDATIONS BE
DEVOTED sEvERALLY TO THE PURPOSES OF
A MUSEUM. A CIRCULATING LIBRARY

I.c,ed for the consolidated libraries. have had
considerable experience as a librarian ana my
Judgment is that the entire -enoX block would
hardly be large enough for a library OF reference
alone such as New-York should have and which
a. is hoped 10 secure b. means OF consolidation
II seems 10 me that the New-York Pubic Library
formed by the union Of the Aston. LenoX and llden
foundations. should consist OF three distinct de-
nar,ments located apart, under separate manage
ment but subordinate TO general superintendent
or hoard Of control. The three departments should
he A Autographed museum OF rare DOCKS manu-
scripts and autographs: a general library 1or rel
erence and circulating library. To have all three
IN one Mace would be Objectionable as each would
Interfere with the efficient working OF the others
Tho interesting letter OF General Rush c. Hawkins.
in The Tribune of April ., correctly describes me
14nox Library as a photographed museum o. rare
books and the building Is planned. as perhaps such
a museum should be, in order fully 10 display 'he
printed and manuscript treasures contained IN H.
Readers have been little considered in the ar
ranpement for large as the building Is. there is
not a room in it suitable for reading-rooih' such
as should be the CHIEF consideration in "orhihs
library for general reference The LenoX Library
is not such a collection. and probably there are
not 100 men in this country who are quanheo o'
who are likely to have occasion to consult the DOCKS
which give it its chief distinction. The mooe'H
standard and miscellaneous books in the LehoA
Library should be Joined to the Asor ana lHUe'
collections as well as the books called the ROBERT
!.
patherum OF interesting books, which any man VINO
can afford to buy Ought to have, so dealers say
but is out Of place in the Lenox Library as are
also the Stuart pictures, the bric-a-prac ana 'He
conchological collection. These pictures oric-apac
ard shells should be sent to The Metropolitan Mu-
seun on deposi, The book rarites and manu-
scrDts in the Aston and Tilden collections should
be Joined to the LenoX collection The LenoX ouIu-
ing is a stately mausoleum, built more Tor snow
,ban convenience but it is what Mr.. Lenox desired
IfN- hsG nd
serve we'll enough as museum and II shoulu re-
main as it s. monument for all time TO its
founder. .
The general library for reference think shouid
be below Central Park in some central location
such as near the intersection of Broadway Sixth
ave and Thrty-fourth-st. The ground now occu-
ned bv the, Forty-second-st. reservoir would serve
admirably; its shape is suitable and It's dimensions
are ample There is abundant space there LOT al
immense central reading-room, lighted from aoo'e
with as many stores-twelve feet high-around IL
as are desired and filled with book stacks. an ar
Management which would admit of convenient ana
perfect classification. with quick service. Readers
could be accommodated not only upon the ground
floor of this readng-room. but upon galleries ABOVE
It, on a level with the various floors Such a ouliu-
ing covering that site. would have abundant room
for books and for 5c or more readers The aren't
tect would have four outer walls upon which 10
exhibit his ability Let us hope that the interior OF
the building TO be erected will be arranged Tor the
comfort and convenience of readers as wei as Tor
efficient administration This library Of reference
should not be used a oungingplace for IDLE peo
nile and homeless tramps, for aimless desultory
light reading as most public reading-rooms are
IL should be place for study. literary work ana
for general culture, and should be supplied with
useful books to the fullest extent. not only for
scholars and educated people but also with such
books as can inform and aid men and women In
the struggle for existence and independence.
The whole matter OF literary mission work needs
rational discussion All will admit that parks IN
large cities are public necessities as light and air
are; so are hospitals and asyums for the aihicted
and destitute. Libraries of reference should be
freely accessible. but many small free reading
rooms nowadays are merely casual wards when
are worse than useless for the relief oil physicaI
and mental restitution. Abe-bodied men and boys
and some women. pass away the day there in turn
ing over the leaves of picture papers and in doing
over light literature who should be at work some
where instead of muddlng away such faculties as
they have with idle purposeless reading. Lowell
has said that such reading, except as conscious
pastime hebetates the brain and slackens the bow
string of VIII. 1t communicates as little intelli-
gence as the messages that along the telegraph
wire to the birds that perch upon it. II industrial
schools could be established in connection with
these small free libraries. where men. women and
children might be taught TO work and be paid for
their labor the reading-rooms could take a proper
subordinate position places for rest and recrea-
ton after honorable and productive toll
The reference department of the New-York Public
Library should be educating and informing cen
ire not a literary soup-ktchen. SLch library Of
reference as is here suggested. which be
tabished and amply maintained from the Aston,
Ienox and Tlden trusts. will fully meet the reason
able requirements of self respecting Americans. who
are generally able and will prefer TO pay for such
creature comforts light literature confections and
cigars.
The circulating department Of the New-York Pub
lie Library should attempt to compete with the
purveyors of sensational trash, Of cheap and
harmless light literature. In the enormous annual
output of the press in this country and in Europe
there are thousands Of books suitable for circua.
tion which any man or woman of education or of
profit and this great centre OF population should
have circulating library service which can supply
all that is useful and good In the literature Of the
world. No such adequate service has ever been at
The statistics Of our principal subscription circuat
Ing libraries Indicate sort OF paraslucal exist
population. members joining hopefully one year only
10 Withdraw unsatsfed year later Recent re-.
members exceeds the gain from admissions.
e the fht G9r RRe TO e are
demands Of the community Of which New-York IS
This circulating department of the consolidated
libraries should be conducted according to strict
business methods. Its book depository should be
centrally located and it should have district de;
suburbs. In It's equipment beginning should be
made by gathering the best current literature in
for circulation and by withdrawing from the col
lections OF the three contributing Foundations all
the light literature and books of temporary interest
which they contain. Thereafter the supply, to some
extent, should follow demand within the limita-
lions already Indicated and 50
should be charged for the right to draw books two
moro rights being permitted the same rate to
any applicant Within the territory of the pro-
posed Greater New-York there is population OF
over 100000 including many thousands who would
welcome and gladly avail themselves OF a clrculat-
ing library service such as is here proposed.
/ sympathZe heartily with the Object ions to con-
soda;ion SO well expressed by General Hawkins
but understand that union has been decided
upon. II therefore only us now TO dis
cuss what course OF action will best this COM
muDity, and do honor TO the memory OF the found
OF the three library trusts II to me that
both these objects Will be accomplished by cons.-
tuting three departments OF the New York Pubc
Library have suggested.
The manuscripts and photographed rarities in
the Lenox Library should remain In their preseot
home. all fully displayed. together with the manu-
scripts and book rariies from the AstOr and Tilden
collections: the beautiful building and Its contents
forming noble memorial Of James Lenox unlike