Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-07
The Districts Public Library.

The UlStrlCC
Today tie District receives the completed
building which Mr.. Andrew Carnegie has
given To it as home for it's Public Library.
The event is of the utmost consequence to
the community, marking new era In Its
development evidencing progress toward
the capital ideal For many years the Dis
trict waited for the creation OF a people
book collection, available to the fullest ex-
tent. Within sight OF the great store-house
in the Capitol 1t hungered for the knowledge
and culture which come from wide reading.
Not even that collection was of it's fullest
use to the people within its narrow limits
of circulation, for its cramped quarters and
inadequate facilities initiated against Its
value to the people. The movement to Sc
cure better accommodations for the Library
of Congress and that for the establishment
here of a public circulating library pro-
ceeded simultaneously. The Library of
Congress has now been in it's magnificent
new home for several seasons and the Pub
lie Library has likewise been serving the
people to a limited degree with its restricted
facilities.
When Mr.. Carnegie, in the course of his
library donations, recognized the needs OF
the District In this particular he found the
institution barely started on its course. the
occupant of small rented house and with
such book store as to constitute not much
more than the slightest beginning. His
generous proposition to furnish an appro-
pirate building provided the government
furnished the site speedily solved problem
which otherwise might have fingered for
years TO annoy the people and to hamper
the library development. Congress did its
part promptly by designating Mount Yer
non Square as the site and the building en-
terprise was started and pressed with only
such delays as were incidental to the diff
Guilty of securing construction materials
AS proof of his broad generosity in the
premises and in recognition of the charac
ter of the national capital, as demanding
the best in every direction Of municipal
equipment, Mr. Carnegie munfcently in
creased his gift by 10 per cent in order that
the product might be satisfac tory in detail
and design.
This bequest by the great founder of
libraries. today standing as one of the
worlds benefactors through his educational
enterprises. set the pace for Congress and
resulted in appropriations for books which
had previously been withheld in proper
measure. Last year a sufficient sum was
granted by that body to insure the opening
not all that can be desired, is nevertheless
To be considered an excellent beginning. 1t
furnishes a substantial foundation for the
librarys future growth and may be ac-
oepted as an earnest of the manner in which
Congress will provide in the future for the
development Of the library.
The District today unites in thanks to
the man WAC has made this rapid progress
possible. whose bOuntiful gift has both fur
niSHtd the Institution with beautiful home
and stimulated the pride and activity of
both citizens and legislators. No greater
work can be undertaken by a man than
that of quickening the intelligence of the
people, of feeding their minds, broadening
their lives. and thereby making of them
thinking. progressive, valuable citizens.
This is the task which Mr.. Carnegie has set
for himself in his days of retirement from
the cares of business. He has already
spread broadcast vast sum of money,
which is working as heaven in the lump of
humanity, producing beneficial results
No more enduring or more beautiful
monument could ever be erected to
man than Mr.. Carnegie. with an eye single
10 the civilZng effects of his gifts is erect
Ing for himself in hundreds of cities and
towns. All Of the libraries founded upon his
g.fis stand as elements of the great whole
bound together in this country by the
epoch marking foundation for a great ma
tonal institution. and in England by boun-
ties which extend the advantages of uni
versiiy education to the masses of the
people.
Those citizens of the District who labored
for years 10 secure the legislative enact
meat which gave the library its legal ex-
istence should feel rewarded By the product
as 1t stands now. given a most beautiful
outer form through Mr.. Carnegie's gift
They and he have builded for the District
permanent welfare and have given sub
stance To an ideal of citizenship which will
inevitably in the years TO come, produce
its marked effects upon the character of
the residents of the capital This day vii
be noted in the records as marking a phase
of the great work of capital making which
includes not only the creation of structures
and eSthetic adOrnments. bat the spread Of
culture and knowledge among the people
hp by a,,I