The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-27
SEATTLE, SUNDAY, MAY ~.


The report or the PUBIC HDraIiah that
is presented through the Post-Intelli-
gencer this morning should increase
and make practically active the interest
Of our people in an institution that is
doing a work so fine with so
limited. All the energies Of Seattle are
so drawn upon TO keep pace with its
material progress that h library,
whose immediate work Is neither ma
terial nor political and whose gifts to
the people are unobtrusive. Is apt to
pass with too little sympathy and as
sistance from those who are not directly
recipients of its benefits. 1t Is true that
a wise public policy has recently added
to the amount available for its support.
SO that 1t is no longer on a strict starva-
ton basis. But there Is still so much
to be done in the way of equipment that
we feel as IL no opportunity should be
lost to arous the people of the city to
a sense OF what should be lone for an
educational and elevating influence
that reaches all ages. sexes and condi-
tons in the community.
Although the collection OF books In
the library is comparatively small. the
9otal circulation last year was 137, 94l:
about equivalent to eight readings OF
each volume actually upon the shelves.
This is an extraordinarily active clrcu-
lation. and tells It's own story of the
book resources. TIL increase during
the last year was 26 per cent. Every
department feels the demand upon It.
The magazines provided for home cir
culatlon, had a aggregate use equiva-
lent TO the use OF each o p seventy-two
times. The chiidren's department has
outrun all provision for II, and extra
facilities are needed at once. on every
side there is the evidence Of popular In
terest, the manifestation of popular
need. These dingy walls. these too bar
rem shelves of well-worn volumes are
the temple in which the noblest part OF
man receives much OF It's inspiration.
through which II is consecrated TO serv-
Ice and to truth. There can be no
stronger. scarcely a more pathetic APP
peal thar that which the library makes
Tor the sympathy and liberal support Of
the community 10 which II means more
than public buildings or railroads or
steamships, because II builds with the
impalpable and the immortal
What does our city library need?
First Of all that IL be placed. as TO reye-
nue. conduct and surroundings upon a
foundation that is assured permanent
and at least m~easurably proportional
60 the dignity and value OF the work
that Il has TO DO. Briefly. We have
something less than 10000 books. stored
In leased premises, subject 10 constant
removal as well as 20 danger from tire,
We have q revenue insufficient to pay
necessary expenses n add 20 the book
those volumes Of current lit
RANhNAN NH1h IA Rt ANANiAacN1s ~ SAN
nothing ot the works OF reference and
OF permanent value that the library
has never been able TO AFFORD. We have
a hari-working library force, a board
Of commissioner without powers. and
a future wholly without definite prom.
lse. The people ot Seattle must do bet
ter b this.
\ public library Is at once an lndlca
tion Of the intellectual and moral stand.
ard Of a community II a powerful
influence working toward its elevation
The people who are now making theII
homes here. the people whom We wish
20 attract, are those who judge a city
to a great extent by what it does foi
this universal form Of public education
There is hardly a second-rate town in
New England that would be satisfied
with our library and its accommoda-
tons. Yet on this coast, far from ths