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

great collections Of books and all the
sources Of the worlds stored informa-
ton, we need libraries more han any
other OF the people of the United States.
For the achievement Of all that we as
pire to be, for mere material leadership.
but above all for the mental pre-emi-
hence that is the only stable foundation
Of greatness, we should make the pub
lie library our first and chiefest care.
To put into practical terms the gen.
era considerations to which we feel
that all our people win assent, the first
step should be the purchase of a library
site. 1t must be had. 1t will never be
cheaper. And those to whom a sue
cessful appeal might be made for as
sistance in erecting a building are like
ly to make this a condition precedent.
The library should be seated for all
time in a location easy of access and
offering abundance Of light and air.
Then the building problem can be taken
up. II Il dlIiloSt tiiiiiiidi that = 81
a share of the meager resources should
be devoted to rent and other expenses
incident to the nomadic life. It is poor
policy to pay money for this purpose
rather than for interest on the cost Of
a home for the library that would be
an ornament to the city. With a site
guaranteed. we believe that the build
ing problem may be approached sue
cessfuliy.
tenn of control. II is only because OF the
public spirit OF citizens willing to ac-
cept a thankless Office, and the intellI-
gence and enthusIas m Of the librarian
and his assistants, that so much has
been done with so little. The present
method Of managing library affairs is
absurd. Such changes should be made
in the charter as would put us in har-
mony with every progressive city in the
a separate department with independent
powers. 1t should have no authority
to create debt, and tax levy and appro-
priation should be left in the hands Of
the council. But the disposition OF a
fixed revenue, not depending upon favor
or good will in any quarter, and the
whole volume of detail work should be
absolutely and without limitation un-
der the direction OF the library board
and its committees
1t is a wonderful tribute to the love
of learning and the devotion to popu-
lar enlightenment and mental cultiva-
ton that animate those interested in
our library that so much has been done
with so little. Now. with our new out
look, our enlarged ambition and our
larger civic pride. we need TO enlarge
the foundations and to bring ourselves
into line and into touch with other lead
ing cities. Nothing Is experimental.
nothing is a problem" The way is
clear and determined. Secure a library
GAtts otSih ot NV w etNo ohu W
work for a library building. Insist up
on a permanent and reasonable annual
income. and establish the library COM
m%issioners on a footing with the school
board and otter departments o; tine
conduct Of municipal affairs. We con-
rratuiate the city upon the noble work
accomplished and now going f)rwsri
in spite Of past discouragements and
Of means. Make that work
worthy OF us and OF our future. Make
the public library the true university
of the people, the object OF earnes. pub
lie solicitude and of generous public
care.