The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-12-09
A CHINESE
LIBRARY
1t Contains Hun
dreds Of Books
on Classics.
AN ADJUNCT TO
PALAMA CHAPEL
Reading-Room is Patronized by
Cosmopolitan Patrons English
and Vernacular Literature.

Chinese classics of a high order COM
prise a valuable library, which is an
important factor in the conduct of
the Chinese library and reading room
in Palama. in "a building adjoining the
Palama Chapel. opposite Liliha street.
For several months the reading room
has been open to the public of that
thriving and Asiatic community, and
every night the room is crowded with
| Chinese, japanese and Hawaiians. Wis
itors not only find books there on Chi
nese literature, but papers and pamph-
lets printed in japanese, and many of
the English publications are to be
found on the shelves and tables.
over the front entrance of this in
| teresting place is a sign both in Eng
Iish and Chinese. 1t merely says, Chi
nese Library" The building is almost
a portion of Palama Chapel. and in
fact an entrance is gained to the chap
ell through this room. Through the eff
| forts of Rev. Frank Damon, who is
largely interested in the work of edu-
eating young Chinese in Honolulu, the
| site was given over to him for the
uses of a library, reading room and
meeting hall where religious services
could be held. TIE addition was built
last May, and since then it has been
a success in every way. There are
chairs for about fifty persons, and the
reading tables will accommodate many
students.
The hall is plainly furnished, but
as it is only designed for use as a
reading room, where passers by among
the cosmopolitan populace of Palama
can drop in at their leisure, it answers
for all purposes. Upon the walls are
colored charts showing flowers, bulbs
and their component parts; there are
also anatomical charts, and maps of
different countries. Tilted shelves ran
around the walls. on which are to be
found magazines printed in English
The tables are generally covered with
Chinese and Japanese books.
on one side are two large bookca ses
| with sliding glass doors. These hold
the library proper, there being several
hundred classics installed therein,
which are valued at about $500. The
books were donated by wealthy Chi
nese and young Chinese who have re-
cefved an English education. Nearly
all the books are paper-bound, and in
stead of being placed on end as in
English libraries, they are laid one
upon another, the titles being stamped
on the exposed ends. This library IS
read only by Chinese of higher intelli-
gence, as the subjects are of such a
| mind
cannot grasp them This is the real
Chinese library. 1t is conducted as a
library association, of which a large
number of Chinese are members, who
pay stipulated monthly dues for the
privilege of taking out the books 1t
is looked after by the Rev. Mr.. Wong,
pastor of the Fort street church.
Miss Whiteman, who came here from
Utah a couple of years ago to do mis-
sionary work among the Chinese. is
in charge of the reading room. The
general direction of all the Chinese
work, however. is in the hands of Rev,
Frank Damon Miss Whiteman is at
the reading room every night, where
| she teaches English to ambitious Chi
nese, assists others in spelling and
reading the English texts, and does
much for the frequenters of the read
ing room in a religious way. On Sat
urday evening religious services are
held which are usually attended by a
large number of Chinese, although
| Japanese are now and then to be
| found in the audience. Services are
also held on Sunday afternoons
Miss Whiteman is greatly interested
/ in her work among the various races
| that frequent the library. The veriest
heather is as welcome there as the
one who has accepted the word of God.
! Chinese who have become educated
and Christianized are valuable assist
ants. and do much TO bring heather
| Chinese under the Christian banner.