Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-12

ments, according to tenor or purpose.
The recent action OF the House upon the
public library bill indicates clearly that
this Congress will not consent to the use
Of any portion of the new city post-office
building for library purposes, and the oppo-
Iition to this part of the library proposition
both in the House and Senate is of such a
character as to raise grave doubts whether
1t can be overcome in the next or any Con-
Eress of the near future. This, however, Is
the only particular in which the advocates
Of the public library have suffered serious
and probably permanent check. The ques-
Son of the locality of the library has never
eeen viewed as a vital one, and, assuming
that it is not to be placed In the new post
pffice. 1t merely remains for Washington 20
test the sentiment of Congress in respect
70 some other site or sites.
The board of trade report suggested. In
the event of failure to secure rooms in the
post-ofiice building, the acco mmodation of
the books in the new building Of the library
Of Congress. where there will be abundant
space for fifty years. ard where fino read
ing room will be available from tia start.
Long before the rational library will have
% increased as to demand the space occu-
removed to suitable quarters in the new
municipal building which must soon be
srected. The suggestion CT the Congress
yional Library building as the temporary
home OF the public library vas not spe-
officially presented to and strongly urged
upon the Fouse in the recent debate. If
there is time the matter might again be
brought to the attention of the House. But
m any event. promptly upon the converting
of the next Congress-in March. If. as now
seems likely. there is an extra session-ef-
forts should be made to secure express
sion of opirion on this subject from the
new House, and I'm the meanwhile addi-
ticndl frier Dis for the measure can be made
in the Senate. a body of which the person
pei is not soor to change so completely. 1t
will be very difficult. indeed, to secure the
erection of an independent library building
ard every energy should therefore be first
directed toward obtaining temporary To-
cation in the Congress sional Library build
ing. and permanent accommodation in the
new municipal building, which must soon
be provided
When a local habitation, a corporate
pane. and some provision, however small,
for municipal maintenance have been Sc
cured. private contributions of money and
books will follow and be effective in de-
seloping the public library. But the ex-
perience of Washington in it's labors for
free library for many years, and especially
the failure of the movement for such an
Institution on the private contribution
basis after a subscription of some $1,000
had been obtained. suggest that, in the
absence of a wealthy and liberal benefac-
tor to furnish habitation and endow-
ment for the library out of his own means,
IT will not be wise to rely wholly upon
private contributions for the Hbrary's
creation. housing. maintenance and de-
velopment. Municipal maintenance Is the
goal toward which all such ventures move,
and this method of support now prevails
In those places where the public library
Idea is the strongest. Such library Is
viewed as an integral part of a COM
munity's educational system, to be treated
and supported as supplement of the pub
lie school.
In the first stages of it's development, as
Stunning that no Aston or Carnegie will
appear to give it full-fedged life by
stroke of his pen at the bottom of n check.
Washington's publio library will need all
the support that it can derive from every
possible source-from the nation and the
local taxpayers, constituting the munich
pality. and from the beneficence of every
wisely liberal citizen. The House report
upon the library bill says: Assurances
have been given that when this library has
been created there will be considerable
contributions to it In books and money
from citizens" The reference here is to
statements made by several citizens to the
board of trade library committee of will
tngness to contribute considerable sums to-
ward the development of this library when
created.
These sums, while insufficient to purchase
. library site. and books, and pay the ex-
penses of administration. will be of great
service in the establishment Of branch
reading rooms in different parts OF the city.
In increasing the size of the central library.
and, in general. in charging the scope of
the librarys usefulness. And the same may
be said of other private contributions,
pledged through the activity of members of
the library association or any other public
spirited citizens. All will be needed in the
creation OF the library which Washington
demands.