Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-03
CATALOGUE FOR STATE LIBRARY
A Key Required to All the Manu-
scripts, Records, Etc.


scripts, Records, Etc.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
Since 1t has been determined that the
State Library, with all OF its rich and
valuable accumulations. is to be open
to the public at such hours that all
can enjoy and be proited by its ad-
vantages and stores OF information and
pleasure, 1t now behooves all who are
Interested in and have In care this
NEST important work TO perfect the
scheme, so as to make the use and en-
joyment OF the facilities OF the library
complete.
This can only be done by placing with
in the reach OF the reader and searcher
in the library the key to all that is TO
be garnered in its walls-tne books, the
manuscripts, the records. the State docu-
ments, the newspapers, the magazines
in fact, the splendid collection of his
torical. biographical. and literary ma
terials and productions that are to be
housed in its spacious and elegant apart
ments. The librarian will not have in his
grasp this key. IL can only be found IN
a systematic, thorough, well-arranged,
and exhaustive catalogue OF all such
books, etc. With this in his hand the
student, and he who comes to search
amid the great mass that will there be
gathered, can find a light to guide him.
IN DARKNESS.
Without 1t he will he in darkness, and
the benefits and advantages Of the library
which are so much vainted, and which
are OF such intrinsic, and precious value,
all of which will be enhanced II made
ill D.. rfet..
librarian cannot answer all demands
all calls. The visitors will be many,
and he can only hope 10 answer a few.
The rest will be neglected, or turned
away without the information that they
desire. Thus, the result will be about
the same as IL is now--the very thing
that we are endeavoring to avoid. You
had Just as We'll shut the door on a
guest, as TO invite him inside, and
not indicate the place he is to be seated,
or the table at which he shall partake OF
the banquet.
Now is the time to discuss and settle
this matter-the golden season, ere II is
too late; when the work OF transferring
the books. ETC., from the old Capitol
building to the new Library building is
about to begin. This catalogue should
be made now and completed I'M the most
approved and comprehensive way. so that
it will last indefinitely, can be added to
in the future, in order that expense can
be saved and be kept up as the library
is augmented, in the days to come.
A GREAT BENEFIT.
1t will be delight TO all who visit
the llbrary-especially 10 students who go
there for the purpose OF research and
study. II will be OF great practical
benefit, for 1t will place within the easy
reach OF all the stores In this great
literary garner. 1t will relieve the
librarian. and make the library place
OF gladness and enjoyment, as well as
of usefulness and profit II will thus
tend to further and enhance the educa-
tional advantages OF the library. which
are the most potent reasons for Its es-
tablishment and maintenance at so much
expense and time, as well as to render II
more attractive and approachable.
or course, these suggestions may have
already been made. or the reasons here
given may have occurred to the gentle
men who have in charge this most i'm
portant affair; but II IL ofttimes profitable
to emphasize a thing that seems trite.
from the mere fact that we overlook
things that are under our noses" In
gazing after those things that appear
more important. on account OF theiE
salience and glitter. Let US have a
complete catalogue, so that the rich mass
OF materials In the librsry's collections
may be placed within the easy and daily
reach and touch OF all who will go to
seek, so that Its beauties and exceliencses
may be as beacons on high hill. and not
as lights hid under bushei. ID. L. +.