Evening star., 1901-10-17

Structive blow at the library's successful
development, and bases his advice upon
his own experience as librarian OF the
popular circulating library at Minneapolis,
where, opening with 10000 volumes, with
in three days the shelves were swept
clean of all the most popular books and
the inability to meet the ensuing demand
injured materially the opportunity of the
library to take advantage Of the public in
terest awakened by the opening of the
new building.
The appropriation of $4,000 to provide
with other accessions. the $4,000 additional
volumes. which are absolutely essential to
creditable opening of the new library,
should be made Immediately available. and
the same provision should be attached to
the item for temporary cataloguers. Wise
forethought in preparation for the opening
of library, which, through large additions.
is to be practically new, suggests the pur-
chase, cataloguing and arrangement of the
books on the shelves before the people are
invited to inspect and enjoy. The prece-
dents of the Fort Worth, Tex. library and
that of Armour Institute, cited by the libra .
rian, are only samples of observance of an
obviously wise custom.
1t is possible and probable that the Dis
trict appropriation bill may not be enacted
until near the beginning of the next fiscal
year, in which event the provision of i'm
mediate availability in respect to the ap-
preparation for books and temporary cata-
logues would fail to accomplish its intended
purpose. 1t is urged that an effort be made
to secure the enactment of these items on
the urgent deficiency bill. in order that the
books may with reasonable certainty be on
the library shelves at the time of the open
ing to the public of the new building.
Book Donations for the New Building.
When the library Is housed in a handsome
f1reproof building with ample areas. SO
that donated collections may be safely
handled and creditably displayed, renewed
impetus win be given to such donations
by bene6cent citizens. These gifts can be
held together in special alcoves, If their
nature permits. so as to retain identity as
the collections of their donors. They viii
be safe. carefully cared for and will con-
tribute in the highest degree to the public
welfare The librarians reports nf dona-
tons for the last two years show the lib
erality and public spirit of washington
ians in this particular. even without the en-
couragement and invitation 10 such dona-
tions which conditions in the new building
present. Vastly increased accessions for
the future may be confidently anticipated
along the lines of donation upon which be-
gfnnings have been made and in new di-
rections which will readily suggest them
selves An increase of the Henry Pastor
memorial fund. the interest of which is
tific periodicals. is promised. Mr. John r.
McLean's agreement to provide A complete
collection of all books relaxing to the his
tory of Ohio suggests to loyal and benefi-
Ccilt CitizcIiS REPRESENTING Oanef sL4IeS the
idea of collecting at the national capital
historical state records. Especially should
the precedent be effective for the District
Of Columbia. All valuable materials of his
tory pertaining to the nafionai capital
should be treasured within the frepro,r
inclosure of the Washington Public LIZ
brary and there made most easily accesxi-
ble to the student. while secure from the
vandal. The corporation Of the Historical
Society and other local organizations and
OF individual citizens interested in the local
history Is earnestly desired
Additional donations of books or Of money
to buy Special collections Of books are also
reasonably expected. The precedent of
the Anthony Pollok coliect.on'' will doubt.
1ess prove usefulty suggestive. The execu-
tors Of Mr.. Pollok. In preseating Loo yaiu-
ahle volumes to the library. provided that
the collection zhoilld be KNOWN as the &.An-r
thpny Pollok collection." and that each
v0lume should be supplied with suitable
book plate upon which these words should
be Inscribed Many public-spsrired citizens
whose gifts or legacies have been acknowl-
edged from time to time by the librarian
hAve given literally Of money and useful
b0nA1, &1d fAe1r exnMUte, under IT, knp1-