New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-21
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
MANY USE THIS LIBRARY.
West Side Y. u. c. H. Lends Books
to 1900 Men.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.


Sir: IN city Of this size, with its varied inter
ests and many different centres it is quite possible
for 10 live even very near some institution ana
never know Of its existence or OF the benefits 1t
offers until he hears some person from distance
speak Of il.
Side Branch Of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation Fifty-sixth-st-, between Eighth and
Myth aves Il is even more likely that this par
tiSIlar library should pass unnoticed or be IN
derestmated because Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION Sunday school Libraries have formerly
often not been noteworthy except as a dumping
ground FOR the weak worthless books or files Of
magazines that are periodically culed from the
libraries Of many well disposed if somewhat mis-
guided supporters Of such institutions.
I remember We'll recommending the neighborhood
near the library as a desirable place for two
friends Of mine TO live who had lately returned
from studying in Paris at the Beaux Arts, and
gave reason that the architectural depart
ment of the library very strong and would be
Of TO them. As / from the smile
that fitted their faces they We're rather
soeptical 10 the existence of Young Mems
Christian Association libraries, l persuaded them
visit II. il then my turn 10 smile as I saw
them pass eagerly from one shelf 10 another ex-
claiming ae they came across one rare and valu-
able book after another. When you consider that
the architectural library is. that OF Colum-
surprise is not remarkable except as it Is lndica-
tive OF a general lghoTaIce resarGGlng the library.
tectural works II contains 52.V1 volumes. inclnd-
ing standard books along all lines and supple
mented by three hundred periodicals covering
the different fields OF economlcs, literature, art
etc But the most noteworthy feature about this
library think is not the books or the manage
ment dts corps OF librarians We're all trained at
the Library School II Albany. but the class of
people who make use OF il. Twenty-Five hundred
young men are on its rolls How few college
Libraries in the Cnite1 States are frequented by an
equal number Of young men. How few city Libraries
have the privilege Of loanins books 10 as many
men, and that, too. under circumstances where
good reading IS most needed III should be remem-
bered most Of these men away from home in
nuences and in the midst OF the worst 1empta-
tons. and are now Eranpling for the first time
with life's problemsl. This gives some idea the
important work being done by lliS compare lively
unknown library on FITtE-siXth-St
In these days, when hearing more and
more that the supreme discovery for a young man
or for any man IS great book. the book that is
great Tor him, fee! that the West Side Branch
should be most heartily congratulated on the spen-
DID service u Is rendering. Certainly, depart
ment Of its vaTiC5 WO~k j. likely to be more far
reaching in its influence
l1ceed. the wonder is that more associations in
e city where library ABILITIES poor do not
throw their energies into the building up OF good
libraries. Athletics. religious meetings. games and
sociai GATHERINGS are important but sooner or later
they are likely to lose their hold many Of the
best fellows. But library Of great books is prac-
tically ineEhaus}iblc. =. r T.
Aew-hoIk, Dec. IS 1903.