Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-30
a sd
Nearly Ready to open in Its At
traetive Quarters.
WORK is PROGRESSING APICE
Interesting Talk With Librarian
Weston, lint.
AIMS AND PURPOSE

Bustle and activity are the characteristics
these days up at the home of the Public
Library of the District of Columbia at No.
1926 New York avenue Carpenters and
gasfitters. electricians and mechanics are
hard at work equipping the building which
is destined to be so popular with the appli-
ances required to meet the coming demands
upon it. The presence of the artisans and
mechanics. however, has in no material
manner retarded the work of Librarian
Weston Flint and his assistants in arrang-
ing the numerous volumes which constitute
the nucleus of the library.
In the midst of the hammering and saw
ing and filing yesterday afternoon Star
reporter had an interesting talk with Lii
brarian Flint. ut is impossible to state the
exact date upon which the library will be
opened" he remarked. Before Christmas?
Oh, yes, l feel certain of that You see we
have been in possession of this building
only few days and there was a great deal
to be done. Everything is progressing most
satisfactorily, however. l have been sur
prised at the tremendous interest being
taken in the library. There are crowds here
every day making inquiries.
How many books will the shelves con-
tain when the library is opened?' inquired
the visitor.
sixteen Thousand Volumes.
Il think about 5000 bound volumes" re-
piled Librarian Flint Besides the books
of the old city library, about 1000 In num-
Der, there is the library of the late Anthony
Pollok comprising l, 800 volumes, and about
1000 volumes purchased with the $1,000 de-
voted for that purpose selected by Mr..
Ainsworth r. SpOfford and myself. Books
are simply pouring in as you see, and the
work of cataloguing has been commenced.
al "a c nh
can on the reading room on the second
floor and the registry room on the first.
Every one will be welcome to use the
books. All that will be required will be
a reasonable assurance that book Will
be brought back when it is taken out.
All Tastes to BE Catered To.
1.-The selections of books made by the
committee of the trustees on books, of
which Mr.. Ainsworth r. Spofford was
chairman, acting in conjunction with the Ii
brarian, Were of the solid SORT con-
tinued Mr.. Flint. but the shelves will con-
tain plenty of lighter literature and all
tastes will find abundant material to salts
fy them, think. Superintendent Powell of
the public schools. whose cooperation has
been invited blythe library trustees. has
Just sent 10 President MOVES a long list of
books prepared by the supervising prnci
pals and teaches, who Were requested to
suggest what books would be most inter-
eStlng and attractiFe@tO the school chill
dren. We will, of course, endeavor to get
these. because "a free library like ours
should make it a prime object to afford to
the young mental and intellectual recrea-
ton and improvements
II am in hope said MIR. Flint, that we
will be enabled and assisted to make
feature of books and pamphlets relating
distinctly to the District of Columbia. |
sure the Library OF Congress is rich in
such literature. but. elsewhere it seems to
be sCanty. l hope everything relating, to
the District will Eventually find a place on
our shelves 1t would be peculiarly appro-
pirate to such an institution"
Look at Your Old Books.
The reporter called attention to the fact
that in many houses there were books that
were never looked at and merely held places
in shelves and on tables as ornaments or
memories. and related one or two instances
where valuable volumes had been found
simply by the casual glance of visitor.
THAT is very true said MIR. Flint, and l
ain sure that persons interested in the ex-
tension of facilities for intellectual enjoy
ment would be doing an eminent service
if they would look over their books and
send such as they DO not read to the library.
They may not be aware of the fact that
their disused volumes may possess intense
interest to many others.