The herald., 1897-01-03
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Investor, In a recent issue, recon-
mends the removal of the public library
from the city hall and the construction
of q library building with accom-
mediation for q museum, etc, elsewhere.
The Herald has long advocated this ac-
ton. Mr.. Dobinson, the editor of the
Investor. has also for q long time ad-
vocated a change Of location for the
public library. No one in the city is
better authority on library matters than
Mr.. Dobinson- In fact, the excellent
condition and service of our public IL
brary is largely due to the interest and
capacity of this gentleman in public
library management. Every one rec
ognizes the fact that the city hall is no
proper place for the public library. The
halls, corridors and stairs are crowded
with contractors, politicians and office
seekers. While these gentleman are
very useful in reducing the surplus, and,
doubtless, in other ways in advancing e
the public good. they do not form de-
sirable gauntlet for the library patrons
to be obliged to run. There is, especially
about election time, a class of politicians
whose patriotism requires profuse ex-
pectoration. A favorite lounging place
for these patriots Is the city hall stairs.
The result Is that this approach to the
city offices and to the public library Is
now known as the it-stained stair"
The condition of this stair became, dur
ing our recent political excitement
damp, dirty and disagreeable" by rea-
son Of the patriotic expectoration. All
these spitters, 1t is said, read the Times.
and no one blames them for wishing to
spit it out. The exigencies Of expecto-
ration at this point whatever they may
be, contra Indicate the place as library
approach. Practical politics are not a
good atmosphere for the school children,
ladies and library visitors to live in; a
change from the city hall is therefore
indicated.
The use of park for the building site
is not however, to be recommended.
There are three reasons against using
OUT parks for any but strictly park
purposes First, the law prohibits it.
That, indeed, is sufficient and closes
the argument. Had this law existed in
other large cities it would have saved
thousands of lives and hundreds of
thousands of dollars. New York started
granting away it's parks to this, that and
the other plausible object. Most of the
City Hall park went to the postoffice; St.
Johns was turned into a freight depot.
etc. Now to reduce mortality and for
the sake of it's hordes of human beings,
New York has been condemning at great
cost built up blocks to make parks
When parks are given away or used for
objects other than those of park it is
always in central locations where the
people are crowded and where a breath
ing space is most needed.
Second, the law ought to exist City
parks ought to be sacred to the people
without any law.
Third, the place for a public library
is that which can be most readily reached
from all parts of the city. Such site
must be close to all the lines of trans
portation and centrally located.
The ideal location in this respect is the
school lot between Fifth and Sixth and
extending from Spring to Broadway.
This lot belongs now to the people 1t Is
on or within one block of every street
car line In the city. 1t is so located as
to be sure of being more central as the
years go on, and will always be accessi-
Die from all parts of the city. The lower
portion can be used to rent to support
the library, schools and museum with
out disadvantage to these. The grand
entrance, for instance, could be on
Broadway, with plain entrance on
Spring and the main Spring street 'front.'
a ge rented for stores Thus a handsome
supporting revenue would be secured
without taxatio
The Herald ventures to suggest to our
esteemed contemporary that the school
site is an ideal one for grand library
and museum.