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

& llldue Dy IuS city tAttA w APSA
this honorary office The advice OF the
book committee has been constantly help
full in the purchase of books: the influence
of such citizens when exerted Is welghty
In shaping public opinion and securing at
tention to needed legislation. think. how
ever, 1t was a mistake in the charter OF
1896 (as l thought them to take away from
the commissioners so mitch OF their active
powers as to render it uncertain whether
men can be found to accept the office, or
to remain in ii, when they discover It's
limitations.
AS was apprehended from the first hav-
ing no longer any real authority, commits
sioners have naturally declined TO assume
responsibility where success could promise
no credit but where blame would undouht-
Therefore, for the last four years, stve
in the matters already mentioned of rec
ominending books for purchase and OK
lending the influence of their names to the
management they have been practically
compelled to remain inactive. How long 1t
may be expected of leading citizens to oc-
cnpy so anomalous a position is prohlena-
teal. 1t is apparent that complicatlons
might easily arise which would compel self
respecting men to refuse to remain In it.
Duly sensible Of the allurements of exc
cutive Independence. am never
theess satisfied that the ultimate
control of the policy of every
educational institution ought for its
own lasting good vest in a board of
trustees who should have enough freedom
of action to- enable them to impress their
individuality upon their trust and who
would therefore count 1t an honor to give
their best efforts to it, That such a board
with It's numbers and its continuous exist
ence gives elements of stability, brings TO
bear larger sympathies ana inspires con-
hdence In the community. are the accepted
facts which have established general de-
mand for this system of control. The in
variable practice in the case OF schools, II
would seem that the only question of It's
application here Is whether library's
needs and capabilities present case par
al.el TO that of the school.
The fact is that the library Is growing
to be recognized as the crown OF our edu-
we must place before us. Its aim Is no
longer 70 be only a conservative influence
passive. sequestered-but positive force
working with enthusiastic activity to en-
tighten and uplift the race. The zeal OF all
other educational forces for this work it
must share. If it does its work faithfully
it can reach more. people than all the
schools. To touch the lives of all, old and
young, sooner or later, is its manifest
destiny.
Viewing thus the interests involved, It's
direction demands broad wisdom. To a
large degree the work is constructive as
well as administrative; indeed, its con-
structive work is in the nature of the case
endless, for all knowledge Is oyr province.
past, present and to come. The spirit Of all
its activities must be sympathetic. saga
c!ous, progressive; yet courageous. con-
sistent and stable. 1t is needless to say
that it can have no connection with noli-
tics.
The librarian must not think to shirk
the duties of an executive officer and he
should take the initiative largely in ram
ing the policy; but the effect Of having a
would be to gain the active, devoted IN
terest OF men qualified to advise HIM,
while he remained responsible for the car
rying out of the best plans all could devise.
The hands and head of the executive officer
ought not to be too full; some opportunity
is sure to be overlooked, some part of the
work to languish or grow erratic.
We want this institution to be perfect Of
its kind. l believe that for IT'S highest vel
fare there should be a board of directors
to whom should be offered every induce
ment that the law sanctions to associate
themselves intimately with its fortunes; to
acquire that intimate knowledge Of its
needs which is impossible to the other city
departments on account of their own spe-
cialized duties; to bring to its aid their
many sided sympathies. their taste, b1si-
ness sagacity, enthusiasm, patriotism.
Whatever can be done under the charter
to secure this should be done.
In my first annual report (for 1850.
called the attention of my superiors IN
office and of the charter convention then
in session, to the need Of a library building
and urged that provision be made for its
early erection, the provision in the free
holders charter Of 1880 for bonding tho city
In the sum Of $4,000 to erect library
building having then already expired 10y
limitation. The passage of years naturally
only emphasizes our need and desire in
this respect.
In It's nine years. existence this depart
ment has paid out for rent. insurance ard
expense of fitting up temporary quarters
$40 $40 81 which Is $6S73.19 more than it hrs
expended for books since it was opened to
the public, and 1872 O2 more than the entire
property Of the library Is inventoried today
It has moved three times in six years. ;ts
lease on the present quarters expires in
one year from now.
A library is necessarily n great coward
from FIRE Should this one be DESTROYED
a fire started destruction would be almost
certain. not only would there be visible
cash loss Of a large amount npon the
property, but there would besides be an
actual loss OF prepared materials and
stored-up labor for the future that is In
capable OF cash appraisal, The. need of a
library for a fireproof building Is as great
as that of a hall of records
Again this Is the principal library in
plshed and in breadth Of influence 1t takes
the lead In this whole Northwest IL ia
the headquarters of the women's clubs the
medical society and the educational socle-
ties of Seattle, the state medical library
and a system of travelling libraries destin-
ed to cover the state. 1t is already the
center of refining Influences for n hundred
Thousand persons and stands like a beacon
TO the aspirations for culture and learning
of the citizens of this commonwealth.
Such an institution should have home
of It's own; not rooms In an office building
nor floor Of business block. nor-bv
nrY means-a compartment Of CITY hall
II must have room for indefinite Increase in
II should he housed separate and apart
from every other interest and have OMEN
space, as at present with sunlight and the
breath Of nature surrounding il
our building should not only contain
tho quota of reading rooms and hook
stacks but he equipped with museum and
art gallery lecture ROOM rooms FOR the
proposed industrial school and rooms fnr
public convenience. including luncheon
room for working girls OF whom dozens
come here every noon hour. In short y o
can make the library a center Of puolI9
comfort ~ well "a ~ public education. II
may be the poor mans club 1t should be
such center " refining and cheering in
hucnces as should make its attractions
lugcr In the heart drawing more tnyit-
tngly than almost any Other agency; the
haunt Of childhood's affluent hours. the
hope OF the aspiring youth who trusts tho
gospel ~ sclf-help. the solace as well a.
the strength Of maturer years
such an institution VIII one dav he the
pride OF the city; and will richly repay fts
cost IN dement's to- our citizens. A begin
ming az least Of he effort IA set a buiid-
iuE should he made now While the work
can ptrA9tS TIE carried On whore II T. fsr
a Few wears. no time should be- lost IN