New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-20
THE FUTURE or NEW-IORk LIBRARIES.
SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD 10 TIE LENoX AND
AsroR INSTITUTIONS.

SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD TO TIE Lemon AND
Aston INSTITUTIONS.
Many persons yesterday attended the meeting OF
tho New-York Library Club hell az the Bruce
Memorial Library, in West Forty second-st Those
who braved the storm to be present were well re-
paid for their journey, as the ne~tins was an inter-
estng one W. r. Stevens. librarian OF the Rail-
road Branch of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation and president OF the club. occupied the chair
Niss Josephine Rathbone, OF Pratt Institute. the
secretary. was also present.
Two papers were read AMI discussed. one was
about Libraries and the Library Problem IN
Greater New-York" by r. X. Bowker, who Is the
Editor OF The Library Journal, and the other re-
lated to bookbinding Before the reading Of the
noners Miss H. r. Trowbrldge, OF the Lenox IL
brary and Miss Lucy ogden. Of the Newark Free
Library were elected members. A member an
nounced that a meeting OF the New-fork state Ii
brary Association would be held at syracuse on
May % and ~.
In his peper Mr. Bowker said that Of the sixteen
American cities which in 1896 claim population OF
a quarter OF a million. the two which are to make
M Greater New-York" are relatively most behind
hand in their free public library systems Whe'her
or not the proposed consolidation takes place. 'he
library problem in respective cities VIII not be
greatly altered. because the separation of popula-
tim will always I've such. and the population IN each
so great that separate library systems will probably
be both advantageous and economical. especially
with the development between these cities ana
among the great libraries throughout the country
OF the exchange system, Of which we have seen only
the beginning
81, is natural and usually desirable" Mr. Bow
ker sad "o concentrate ali divisions OF great Il
brary In one building. even II special collections OF
the library be separated within the building, as IN
the Newberry Chicago and the new Boston PUB
lie Library. The New-York Public Library has,
however two existing buildings OF large value
which can suitably be utilized In relation with the
central library of the future. The Lenox Library.
| adjacent 10 the Park and not far from the Metro
politan Museum Of Art. is already treasury OF
art works and rare books. and II can easily be MADE
tho art division and showroom as 1t were. or the
public library system. corresponding TO what If
known az the Kings Library In the British Museum
creasingy valuable mat II may be pleierane 70 SCI
the building and realize the value Of lots. but II
not the building WI a nnbca AZ wbeh are aways
| a great perplexty in a central Library This build
ing might well become the depository ~ bound vol
imes of newspapers and periodicals. OF patent re.
| ports and Government publications. and OF books
Of historic value rather than OF present usefulness
II is to be hoped and expected that the several IL
i,raries Of the New-York Free Circulating Library
system will become an essential. II not orgarc, part
| Of the new public library system" .,, T..
! Some Of the members said that they believed In
many free circulating Libraries rather than In one
| great centrally located library.
mai the trustees Of the Lenox Library spent
more than 10000 q few years ago on Improvements
The library owns" continued MI Paltsits twenty
worth about 81 10000 BY the terms Of gift the
| Lenox Library site cannot be used for any other
the library. Mr. Pafsits SAID 'hat ne ala not SPEAK
o'iAaImnng those present were Ernest G. Richardson
hpiTian of Columbia College. and Arthur Bostwick
| OF the Bruce Memorial Library