Evening star., 1896-06-24

The affairs of the public library are pro-
crossing satisfactorily. Under the creative
legislation secured at the last session Of
Congress the Commissioners have ap-
pointed an influential. harmonious and en-
ersetic board of trustees, and will them
selves heartily cooperate in the upbuilding
of the municipal library.
1t is true that the appropriation for the
maintenance of this supplement of the
public educational system Of said District
viii not be made until the passage Of the
next District appropriation bill with its
provisions for the educational expenses of
the municipality. There IS no money avail
able for the Payment of librarian or for
the renting and fitting up of library quar-
tiers, and the Commissioners and trustees
may reasonably hesitate to incur any de-
fciency obligations
Some notable compensating advantages
will. however. result from the anticipated
delay In opening to the public the municipal
library. The foundations of the new insti-
tuition can be laid broad and deep Due
consideration may be given to the import
ant subjects of the selection of a librarian
and the choice. of the very best temporary
location that can be secured. Then there is
work to be done in rendering certain q
suitable maintenance appropriation by Con-
sress, in enlarging the private subscrip-
tions of money to purchase books for a
neutrality-suspicious. library, and in
securing additional pledges to donate books
When the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. library is
fairly on its feet, and equipped by the Dis
trlct with a home and q librarian. it will be
endowed with a present memorial fund of
5000. which ought to be duplicated by
some other liberal contributor: with present
subscriptions of four or five thousand dol
lars. for the purchase of books, which
ought to be and doubtless will be doubled
before Congress convenes: and with numer-
Gus promised contributions of books one of
them amounting to several thousand
volumes.
By the time that the municipal library
Is ready for active operations the donations
or money and books. some of which are at
Present conditional. can be transferred to
It uuincumbered by any conditions whatso-
ever, and it can avail itself simultaneously
of its three sources of support U) private
donations, (2) municipal maintenance, and
60 national aid in behalf of educational
effort. analogous to the land grants for
such purposes to the several states
Local and state experie noes teach that the
true modern library to be successful needs
this partnership of public and private ef-
tort Inc Way mas now been cleared for
Washington to secure and enjoy the ad-
vantages of this long-needed institution
The people of the capital who for several
years have been laboring and pleading for
n municipaily-sustain aimed public library of
the modern type. and who are now enjoy
Ing the prospect of certain success will
undoubtedly bear win patience a few
months more of delay in fully realizing
their plans, since they appreciate that the
tine Will be wisely spent in necessary
Preparations for the proposed Institution
and In laying foundations that will be
extensive enough and strong enough to
sustain an educational structure of which
even the capital of the American republic
may be proud.