New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-26
NOT VIEWED WITH IA FOR.
EXPERTS OPPOSE THE PROJECT OF IL
BRARY CONSOLIDATION.
TALKS WITH PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH BROOK
LYN's BOOK NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
AGAINST CONSOLIDATION

TALKS WITH PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH BhOoh-
LYNs BOOK NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
AGAINST CONSOLIDATION.
The editorial ir yesterdays Tribune upon the
site for the proposed New-York Public Library
raised the question in the minds Of certain Brook
Ign people as to the feasibility and desirablity
OF uniting the Brooklyn and New-York libraries
Mr. Bardwell, of the Brooklyn Library was
somewhat surprised to learn that such scneme
Of consolidation was thought or He Regarded IL
as neither desirable nor practicable. A library
should not he held, be mere repository Tor
books. Its usefulness is measured largely by It's
circulation, and Its circulation depends upon its
accessibility. The Brooklyn Library circulates
100 900 volumes annually. the Jersey city 35oooo'
the Chicago 1882 and the Boston 100000.
All these, with the exception OF the nrst nave
distributing stations. and 1t Is noteworthy tnat
in Jersey City the circulation at these stauohs
was over 100000: more than half the entire cir
culation OF the library. Even II the scheme 10
found a free municipal library here should De
carried out he would still be In favor OF Keeping
the Brooklyn and Historical Libraries separate.
because there Is need Of just such institutions
in Brooklyn, and experience had already shown
that tho founding OF free municipal libraries pro-
NOTED rather than retarded the circulation OF
students or reference libraries. He cited the
case OF the Atheneum Library of Boston, whose
circulation had materially Increased s'hce tic
founding Of the free library.
Professor Kellogg. Of the Polytechnic INSTITUTE
was amazed t. hear that such a scheme was
contemplated Although he had, of course, given
the subject no thought. he could see no advantage
I, be gained by consolidating with New-lorK
libraries nor even in consolidating the libraries
already here. The identity OF the Brooklyn ana
Historical libraries was dear to him. ana ne
would regret to Sac them united. much more 70
see them merged in a New-York library.
DR.. Cochran. also OF the Polytechnic, was
most emphaticaliy opposed to cohsondat'oi
and said that such contamination would al
most destroy the influence OF Brooklyn IL
braries When asked what he thought OF the
scheme Of distributing stations, ne cited 'he
case Of the State Library. which has ALREADY
adopted plan Of distribution whereby DOCKS
may be delivered to any part OF the state; ana
yet how many OF our citizens, either IN New
York or Brooklyn. avail themselves OF tnis
privilege? He would found more libraries
rather than consolidate what are already mere
DR. Backus Of the Packer institute, pre-
ferred not 10 give an offhand opinion upon SO
important a question. but thought the trustees
OF the New-York Library had acted wisely IN
selecting the old reservoir site as a location for
their new building. In speaking OF the proposed
municipal library here. he criticised the tardy
action Of Brooklyn people. and said: Until you
get down TO the twentieth city In size Louis
VILE there is only one city that Is not making
municipal appropriations for libraries. and that
is Brooklyn | don't mean by this that Brook
Ign is not as we'll supplied with libraries as
her sister cities. but that she is not doing IN
this matter what the age demands
Miss PIummer OF the Pratt Institute Ii
brary was exceedingly busy but gave The
Tribune sufficient time TO say that she regarded
the project as neither feasible, desirable nor
t,.,r, here restriction
use Of reference libraries. NEWCOMERS fire.
quently came to Pratt Library TO consult refer
ence books. and the same courtesy was ex-
tended TO our people who visited Gothams IL
hraries Putting the libraries in Greater New
York under management would not be ad-
yantageous while literal consolidation OF these
book collections would be positively detrimental.
There might, however. be some advantage in CO.
operation