Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-21
TALK TO HARD ABOUT INSURANCE, 9 l-2 N. 2Oth St.
INTER STATE LIBRARY ASSOClA-
 TON
Birmingham, Ala, April 20, 1897.
4-11-cod-tf


 Birmingham, Ala, April 2O 1857.
 Allow us a short space in your paper to correct the erroneous opinion that some have in regard to the new library we are establishing in your city sems think that we are inimical to your schooh library and that it is our intention to break it down if we can. Such is not the case for we arc not it's enemy, but it's friend There is no reason that we should oppose such an institution, but on the contrary there are reasons that we should be it's friend and do all in our power for it's maintenance and sue cess. We are not breaking down but building up institutions of learning. The Interstate Library association, which we represent would just as soon think of in- turing the private and public schools and colleges of Birmingham and her subur- ban towns of which you are so justly proud as to try in any manner to inter- fere with the prosperity of the library that you already have. We desire its prosperity and success and hope 1t will continue to be an ornament and bless ing to your citizens. We repeat that we are it's friend and not it's enemy. Be- cause we are founding another library in your city that will be managed on a different plan there is no reason what ever that there should be any antagon- ism between them, and we think that eV- cry liberal minded citizen will agree with us in this regard. Birmingham including her suburban towns has a pop ulation of more than 60,000. Cannot more than one library be sustained by such a number of people? We think so IT not more than one library can be sup ported then this would speak very little for the intelligence of the people and much less for the efficiency of your schools and colleges. The Interstate Library association knows by eXperi- ence that more than one library can be supported by such number Of people. We have founded libraries in towns of 5000 and even less and they have provei. a signal success and a blessing to the people.
 Experience has further taught us that a school library has not and cannot give satisfaction as public library also; sim ply from the fact that the school hDrarles have not the resources to furnish DOCKS that are often asked for by scholars and also books that are often demanded by the public. By our system when any member wishes a book that is not in this library, we immediately send to our other libraries and get it, thus by the payment of less than cents per week. any youth, man or woman becomes directly accessl- ble to thousands of volumes.
 When the books that we have here have been read they are shipped to other points and different ones put in their places. !. brary cannot have, for it's means would not justify 1t. The only expense We in cur is the cost of seqIaing the books to the different places, and in this mannsr we keep our shelves always supplied with fresh books We call the atter:ion of the public to another inlducement that no oher library offers, and that is the frse use of the Home University League. To scholars ard members of literary clubs this is of incalculable adVarl2age, as nun dreds have testified. Some are opiS, Sed In It- 7a fblV cllV if iS tha OlItV OI the citizens of Birmingham to patronize lrome ins,. itujtions. Is rot our library homa fnstftption? The librarians and solicitors are nesideTptS of your city, and the library itself will be established in your midxit. The money for fi-ting up the rooms was spent in your city and the furniture bought from your own mer- chants. In fad, everything connected witch our library with the exception Of the books was bought ir Birmingham. It will be just as much a home instiltu- ltion as the Mb1ary that you row have or ny other permanent enterprise. While some have opposed us for such reasons given abovs, we are glad to say that raany of our eldest and best citizens have given us their prompt and hearty SUD- port- Among those is your worthy may or, MT. EvanS, arId we appreciate and are thankful for the encCura gemenli that has been given us since WE began this work of establishing another library in your
 
 enterprise are developing your iron,, coal and commercial industries, they are n'1lt forgetfuI of the importance of develop ing the mind of the coming generation. Wherever we have gone all those of nineteersth century ideas IIave welcomed and encouraged US. while all those twelfth century ideas have stood aloof and predicted failure.
 We are itcld in Holy Writ that St. Paul was accused of being mad because he had much learning. We do not think that those who are mad at us because we arg going to establish another library In your city can attribute their insa ar.ty to a superfiuity of learning. The poet has said .llhat a
 "A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring For shallow draughts intoxicaee the
 brain,
 But drdnkiug largely sobe.s us again"
 TfIcse who are ininical to the new H. brary and are intoxicated win Ettle learning we invite to come to the room over the old Bee Hive stand and sub- scribe their names ard drink deep at the Pisrian spring ard sober up; although we don't gree with the poet that "a ris- tle learning Is dangerous thing" we think it is better for q ny one to get drunk on lt,t1e learning than to remain sober on grs,-,. deal of Ignorance.
 The people will be the judges as to the merits of the system by which flie new library will be managed. ard we will ahide by their decision. We think the peoote will he an irlpa rtfia1 tribunal.