Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-30
The Free Public LIBRARY.

The national capital is about to enjoy
the benefits of free public reading room
and circulating library conducted under
municipal auspices. This end has been at
tanned only through arduous local efforts,
first TO secure the creative legislation re-
quired and then to prevent an infraction
of the fundamental law governing the
financial relations of the District TO the
general government in obtaining the main
tenance appropriations. The District ap-
preparation bill which became a law today
contains provision for maintaining the Ii
brary which was created two years ago
by act of Congress and it is now firmly
established as a part of the municipal
equipment
The library and reading room about to
be opened will become. provided by the
Law. a supplement of the public education
system of the District 1t will likewise
afford TO the thousands of workingmen,
clerks and citizens generally who now
have no means of access to any large cir
culating collections the literary advantages
which should have been theirs long ago. 1t
will effectively complete the splendid work
that is done by the Congressional Library,
by furnishing 10 the people dwelling with
in the District and visiting here chance
to use books outside of the containing
building. This opportunity, of inestimable
advantage to readers. has never been en-
Joyed by the citizens Of the capital, save
to an inSis uificaut extent through tenn
porary extensions Of the privils ges of
the COngl essionaI Library by the operation
Of rule permitting limited circulation on
the basis Of a cash deposit.
1t is im,os sible to calculate the positive
benefits that will flow from this library.
The experiences Of other cities all point
to its immediate recog milton as a material
addition 10 the municipalities means of ed
uCation and enlightenment. The experience
Of those in charge Of the local circulating
library sustained by private subscriptions,
which j. now about TO he incorporated into
the municipal collection, is TO the same
effect. Washington demands library IA
cilities Of the kind now about 10 be sup
piled freely ana this demand will be met
as far as the means at the disposal of
those in charge OF the new institution will
permit
The work of creating a creditable library
from the somewhat scattered elements of
nucleus ROW available viii be no small
task, and the aid of the citizens will be
necessary at ali stages of the process. The
library Will necessarily be somewhat de-
pendent FOR its growth upon the generosity
of book owners and book lovers, and it is
10 Be hoped that the money contributions
low promised will soon be sweued by
many additions that will enable the trus-
tees o. equip the collection at an early
oHte with many thousands of volumes of
appropriate character for both reference
and circulating purposes. The appropria-
tigU j.st written into the District bill is
barely sufficient TO provide the requisite
administrative agencies for the library and
there is now no public provision for the
purchase of books. This work must for
the present be undertaken by the citizens
Tn- time is now at hand. therefore. for
tae people of the District to show their
appreciation Of this opportunity to place
ta- capital city upon "A plane with the
small towns Of Massachusetts and many
ofhar states as regards the provision of Ii
t-aFl iasliti~s for the people. The long.
Hart right for the creation and proper form
ut main. guauce Of the library has been
won. and II Is MOI TO be doubted that with
81. f-T weeks the Institution Will be open
Dor uz- AMI in constant receipt OF yolun-
t-e- sd from philosophical men and wo-
Treu Who understand the full value Of the
l-Hi Haftry an educational and e.e-