Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-10
WILL BE OPEN EVENINGS.
The Question Settled Regarding the
C0nErc ssional Library.

CDnErCSS1Onal Library.
1t is now assured that the Library of
Congress will be kept open during even
gs, as the provision 10 that effect placed
in the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill has been agreed to by
the conferees of the Senate and House.
The provision follows:
For the purpose Of opening the library
during evenings on and after the first day
of October. 1898, the following:
Under the librarian: Five assistants, at
the rate OF $3.50 per annum each, and fif-
teen assistants at the rate of SI2U per an
nun each; in all, $l1, ,415
Under the superintendent CT the library
building and grounds: For engineers, cleo
trician, machinist, skilled iaborers. eeva-
tor conductor, watchmen, attendant in
lacies' room and charwomen, $T,395.
Concession to the District.
Mr.. Young the librarian. said to a Star
reporter today: THE opening at night is a
grateful concession to the wants of the
people of the District. L was in hopes it
would take effect July 1, as we could open
in twenty-four hours. But Congress deem
ed October the best date, and we shall be
ready. All the experience available as to
night reading in public libraries leads to
the belief that the attendance at night will
be larger than during the day. AS it is,
access to the library is open to two classes
those privileged under the law and the
leisure classes. The working classes-thoSe
in the departments, | mean, young ladies'
and gentemen-who desire to read are for
bidden.''
How as to the boys provided for under
the bill?".
That" said Mr.. Young, "was in response
to a suggestion of mine arising out of ad-
ministrative experience. There is a class of
labor that can be performed by boys just
from school, say, about seventeen, who
could come into the library as cadets go
int inf Loo nf.. ..s-Sin m
as any others. We can give them elemen-
tary training in the cataloguing depart
ment, and, taken of age, they can become
experienced librarians Some of the best
people on the staff learned their calling in
this way under the tuition of the library
authorities
when will the new force required under
the bill for night service be appointed?"
Between now and October"
"Wlll the library be placed under the civil
service?'
THAT was the Presidents Intention when
1 was named librarian, and, l believe, is
still his purpose. 1 am sorry, so far as 1
am personally concerned, that it was not
done then. as 1 have always believed in
civil service. However no appointment has
been made except under conditions as strict
as those involved in a civil service examin-
alton. In addition to this. every appoint
1nent has been under probation. The dis
cipline of the library as to fitness, expert
ence and progress in work is as strict as in
any department, and no one is retained who
does not answer the standard. The very
few changes that have been made were for
public reasons. and the promotions in every
case for merit.
Experience Is the best test, after all,
and We will know more of the administra-
tion of the library at the end of the fiscal
year than now. The appropriation for the
purchase of books should have been larger.
The library asked for $4,000 and received
$4,000. When Pauizzi began the reorgani-
zation of the British Museum library, he
was given $4,000 year for ten years.
There should be a reserve fund at the COM
mand OF the librarian, o1that he could go
into the market when notable public libra
ries are broken up and secure what we
need. Here is where such ibfarfes as those
of Boston and New York are better served
than ours"
will the library ever become circulat-
mgr
Might He a Circulatinx Department.
| Congress does not seem to approve OF
the idea But there might be q circulating
department. That would be mere matter
OF administration, and shoald not interfere
with the hign purpose of the library as one
of reference. Ten lines In the appropria-
ton bill would have given the authority.
The rest would have been a question OF
detail"
Rev. Edward Everett Hale of Boston WIS.,
tied the Library of Congress yesterday and
was escorted through the various depart
| ments by Mr. Young. DR.. Hale was enter
tanned at luncheon by Senator Hoar Of
MASSACHUSETTS, before going to the library.
The Vice President and many senators
were the guests of Mr.. Hoar.
The readings in the pavilion of the blind
continue daily. The interest felt in this
benefcent work by our people is shown
by the fact that engagements to read have
been made as far ahead as the middle Of
May Thomas Nelson Page will read to
at o. clock.
DR.. Hale during his visit to the library
spent some time In the blind department
tor win leave Washington next week.