New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-18
RROOKIYN |BR4RY'SGOOD WORh.
BOOKS SENT. EXPRESS PREPAID. 10 READ
ING CLUBS IN LONG ISLAND TOWNS
NEED OF 4 FREE INSTITUTION.

The Brooklyn Library Is constantly on the OUT
look for opportunities Of increasing us nsetuihess'
Recently several clubs have been formed IN 'he
outlying Long Island towns. and packages OF BOOKS
are sent TO them from this library once Week
In speaking of this work upon which the
library has entered Willis A Bardwell the
librarian. said yesterday:
I'VE have club OF twenty Subscribers III inc
village Of Norhport The subscription Is the same
as Brooklyn members pay namely. s. year an"
we pay expressage on the books both ways. our
directors agreed to do this because they felt tha'
,here were p number of intelligent people living In
tho nearby towns and villages who would ike 10
avail themselves OF the library. tn" expressage
bill for the year amounts to the siV wh'cn W"
get i'm subscription fees almost. but the object OF
the institutions existence is secured when 'h're
is a spread Of intelligence and people are stimn-
lated 70 read good books. These clubs are a new
feature OF our work. and here is not yet large
number Of them Thus FAR the people Of Long
Island have not enjoyed the benefits or this insti-
tuition and the liberal arrangement by when we
paw the express charges will test the question as
to whether or not Long islanders really care for
good literature The subscribers out or town VIII
have exactly the same chance OF procuring the
new books others.
'.Mauv OF our subscribers who are away for the
summer receive books regularly through the mails
Tho American Library Association Is MAKING
strong effort to secure reduction In the rate Oh
which libraries nave 70 pay III
hooks through tine mail II the rate was the same
as that charged publishers our out-of-town SUD-
scribers would take advantage OF the opportunity
to have good books sent to them, rather than read
the lighter literature which Is Of easy access
"Our work has been constantly growing. A club
is now being organized I'm Flatbush for systematic
reading We have five branches I'm this city where
deliveries Of books are made twice a day. FIX
changes OF books to Long Island towns could
IN all nroha hitv be accomplished in twenty -four
hours"
Mr. Bardwell then asked by the reporter "naO
he thought the prospect was for the establishment
of a free public library I'm Brooklyn lie said:
''There should he a large free public library In
Rrooklyn We do not oppose the project but are
heartily In favor Of H. Such institution as that
conducted by the cities Of Boston and Chicago
should be at the disposal of the large number OF
readers in Brooklyn. The population or TINS CITY
contains "A large number Of New Englanders, VINO
are generally extensive readers. Inc worklng popu-
lation of Brooklyn Is. think on the whole. q moro
Intelligent body than Is to be found in most large
cities \ bill was passed in the Legislature last
Nnter authorizing the city to Issue bonds TO the
extent Of 10000 to he used In esta bishing such
library provided n like amount could be raised ny
privatn subscription. 4 library association mas
been formed for the purpose of raising this money.
md without doubt will enter into active work IN the
fall There will be trouble In raising the private
subscrpt but II Is a question whether the city
can maintain large library. owing TO the limit
upon the amount OF taxation which the law re-
aures Several years ago Dill was passed au-
thorizing the city issue bonds to the extent or
$4,000 for this same purpose, but AZ that time noun
the limited amount which the city could raise by
taxation.