The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-02-28
Free Public Libraries.

4
Claim, OF Lancaster, and should be
taken out of committee as soon as
possible 1t is not satisfactory that
Pennsylvania should be nearly the
hindmost of the states of the Union
in making provision for the opening
of public Libraries IN every important
town in the state. In 1895 an act
was passed affecting only cities of
the first class, or, in other words.
Philadelphia. In the same year an
act was passed for the establishment
Of free public libraries in the several
school districts of the Commonwealth
except in cities OF the first and second
class. In 1897 an act was passed
authorizing boroughs to make appro-
prlations fer the establishment and
maintenance of free public Libraries.
Erie is the only city that has avaled
itself of the School District law, and
there are fewer Libraries in Pennsylva-
MIA than is credltable to the State.
When we have named Pittsburg, All
egheny, Wilkes Barre, Scranton, Erie,
Reading, Danville and Philadelphia,
we have practically exhausted the list
of places having free public libraries.
In Mass lchusetts, on the contrary, there
are DIT SIX small towns in the whole
State which have not libraries. Our
Legislature in a half-hearted way
offered some remedy for the lack of
Libraries last session by establishing
Free Public Library Commission,
and authorizing that body to send
blocks of books to small communities
having no library facilities, but failed
to appropriate one cent TO enable the
Commission to carry on its work. 1t
is to the credit of the Commissioners
that they raised from few liberal
citizens a sum of $4,000 with which
10 start the work A more liberal
and kindly spirit should be displayed
by our Representatives and Senators
this year, and both Mr.. McClain's
bill should become law and sum of
money commensurate with the impor-
tance of the movement ought to be
appropriated for the travelling library
system. Both these measures are Of
such practical importance that it would
seem only to be necessary to call the
attention of the legislators to the bills
to insure their passage. The text Of
the proposed measure has been drafted
on acts which have been found to
work we'll in other States.
The proposed act provides that the
citizens of cities of the second and
third class and boroughs shall deter
mine by vote whether free public IL
brary shall be established and the
amount of the annual tax to be i'm
posed for its support. The citizens
may also create by vote a bonded
indebtedness for purchasing ground
and erecting buildings for library pur-
poses. The Mayor or Burgess is to
appoint the Directors, subject to ap-
proval by councils. Provision is also
made for taking care of private gifts
to such public Libraries,
Libraries require no advocacy on
their merits at the present day. Their
benefit to the public is admitted on all
hands. They have become neces-
slty as complement to school and
college education. Their great OBJ
ject is to create a habit of reading.
The importance of the habit and the
benefit of it when created is matter
of common knowledge.
When the magnitude of the build
ings erected in Pittsburg, New York
city, Chicago, Boston and dozen
other places is considered, it appears
almost incredible that city like Phil
adelphia should leave the manifcent
collection of books that has been &C.
in its Free Library to be
housed in such a manifestly insufficient
place as that now occupied by the
Free Library. Should fire overtake
this building, and its proximity to
theatre is sufficient cause for daily
apprehension, the loss would be most
serious. To collect books is matter
not only of money, but of time and diff
hculty, We want improved laws, prop
er appropriations from the State, and
a public library building which will
compare with what has been provided
in New York City and elsewhere.
Ledger.
On account of the inaugural cere-
the ocL ouoppa ailrOad