New-York tribune., 1900-03-04

aid financially in the formation Of new libraries.
The provisions of this bill in the way Of
penditures apply only to small libraries under
municipal control and upon these sums not ex-
ceeding 500 in any instance be eX-
pended for the purchase OF books. provided
equal amount has been set aside from the
Hbrarys funds for the same purpose. That
Camden, with library. should stand first
IN the matter of circulation. in proportion TO
the number Of books upon its shelves is most
gratifying evidence of public appreciation of the
advantages extended through these institutions
TO all classes
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
The association hopes that the New-Jersey
Legislature viii hasten the passage of the pro-
posed and that the Commissioners so ap-
pointed, with the energy and deter nination due
this matter, VIII use the power vested in them
for the benefit of the many cities and towns
yet without the elevating and inspiring infiu-
ences Of public libraries, a hopeful beginning
has been made. Princeton University has a
fine library building we'll stocked The city of
Newark is completing a large and substantial
free public library building. The gift TO Pater-
of the handsome structure in the centre Of
the city. the erection of new library buildings in
Jersey City, Orange and Montclair, the generous
sums contributed for library work in Passaic
and other places. and the opening Of new IL
brary in Camden, are all encouraging to the
friends OF public libraries in New-Jersey. The
State Library at Trenton, under the direction
OF Mr.. Buchanan, has received new life. and
the several improvements now in contempa
ton wifi add greatly to its efficiency.
At the last session of the Legislature 81 500
was appropriated for the carrying out of the
Travelling Library act, passed in 1897. through
the efforts of the women's clubs Of NewJersey.
This excellent work is now under way.
LIBRARY STATISTICS.
The committee has gathered statistics of the
library facilities in places with a population Of
$50 There are forty-seYen Fl ee public libraries in
the State. supported wholly in part by the
city town in which they situated, and
there twenty-three subscription Libraries.
carried under the auspices of clubs
Citations Of various kinds. Those in which the
womens reading and other clubs are interested
are doing good work in a limited way.
In many towns there school libraries some
of which are in a hourishing condition.
There 129 cities and towns in New-Jersey
having a population OF over $50 without a
library Of any kind.
The oldest established public library is the
Burlington Library which was organized in
115S. under charter granted by King George
III. II is owned by an association; but is free
10 the general public. the city contributes
5000 annually toward its support
The largest free public library is in Newark
which contains 80 G93 volumes Following this
come Jersey City, Paterson and Hoboken. The
order OF these libraries changes in the matter
of circulation. Jersey City being first Newark
second. Hoboken third. and Paterson fourth
Camden has the distinction of having the
largest circulation in proportion TO the number
of volumes. Passaic ranking second.
The total number Of books circulated inde-
pendent of school subscription libraries for
last year was 400 800. and the combined cir
culation of all libraries was 1604, ,644 at an ex-
pense OF s117,s94, an average Of 7.3 cents a
volume.
NEwARKs GOOD FORTUNE
The Newark Free Library, which is soon to
occupy a and paiatal building admirably
situated at the head of Washington Park, fac
ing both Broad and Washington SITS. and vet
far enough back to insure quiet, established
in 1888 There had been Newark Public
Library. but it belonged to a private corpora
tion. and its collection was not adapted TO rnc
public needs The idea Of a free library was
taken up by the late Mayor Haynes and it was
carried out under a law passed in 1884. The
old Park Theatre building, in West Park ST.,
which had been bought by the Newark Library
Association, was altered, and became the home
Of the new library. its success was remarkable,
In 1891 the University Extension system of lect-
and class work was introduced by the
trustees
Six years ago it became apparent that the
library have larger quarters. and a bill
was introduced in the Legislature TO authorize
the construction OF a new building. The library
trustees selected site, and with the money
obtained from the sale Of bonds proceeded TO
erect a new building. The cornerstone was
laid by Mayor Seymour on January 26. 1899
The total of the structure is $3.50 900 and
there will be expended probably about $50 900
more for finishing and furnishing II. There has
been some delay in the building, and according
iy the trustees recently obtained from the own
ers Of the West Park-st. library building re-
neUai of the lease of that building for a few
months longer TO cover the period before the
completion of the new building. There will be
all the modern improvements introduced, and
ample room VIII be given up for reading rooms.