Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-12-05
MR.. WESTtNHAVERSPtAKS
interviewed on the Subject Of the
Public Library
INSTITUTION Will CLOSE
Unless Permanent Income is Assured
ION WILL CLOSE
Unless a Permanent Income is Assured
Suggests Plan to Raise the
Necessary Funds.

library will close January ], 1904, an
less permanent support for 10 could
be assured, universal regret has been
EXPRESSED, and many suggestions have
been made looking to the prevention
of suoh result. The library has
come to be looked upon as one of the
most NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the CITY.
The efficient service rendered by IL 10
the people of the CITY aud county has
endeared il to the community. To
close it, is generally felt to be little
short of public calamity, especially
at a time when Martinsburg is plum
ing herself on her growth. enterprise
and spirit of progress.
A reporter of The Evening World
recently called on Mr. o. 9. Western
haver. who has been president Of the
brary since its organization, and has
taken at all times al active interest in
tle work IN response TO an inquiry
as to the necessity for the contem-
plated action he said:
rs IL true that the opinion OF the
board Of directors is, tlat it is useless
to try TO continue the library on the
present. basis. When the association
was organized and the library opened,
the pllu of supporting it from mem
bership dues and voluntary efforts WAS
felt hv all to be only makeshift It
was not expected to continue the ex-
pertinent even so long as it has been
done, for it is now seven wears since
the movement WAS started. 1t was
felt that the experiment would give
the neople an object lessen, and they
would never afterward be willing to
dispense with its benefits.
''The growth of tho library, the ex-
tent Of the circulation aud the gen-
ersl patronage has been more than was
expected Tho monthly circulation
rarely falls below 800 volumes 2 600
applications for borrowing privileges
have been made, and nearly 5000 vol
umes al the choicest literature are on
the shelves But the time and labor
required of those interested to finance
it is more than any set Of persons can
permanently endare. Besides, the ex-
pense falls on few of the people. and
these generally who make the least
use Of the books. OF recent years the
revenues have diminished
Have You any suggestion TO make
as to the most feasible plan for its
maintenance" was asked.
81 Public Libraries, - Mr.. WestenhAver
said. "are adjuncts 20 the pnblie
schools, aud not the least efficient
part OF an educational system. 1t is
said that rhe college men who do
things in the world are not those who
study hardest, hut those who read the
mos. The only just aud feasible way
of maintaining a library is from the
public revenues. Just Us is any other
necessary public service.
How can that be dona in Martins
burg"
Very easily. It is trne then is 20
general library law in this state. but |
boards of education have power under !
the general school law to establish |
and maintain school libraries, and any
good library accessible to the children
of the schools is the hest form of "A
school library, and the added privilege
of the public is not a dlsadvsptaee to
the children. The present manage
mept has never had more than $500
wear to pay expenses and buy books.
Thus it will sbe seen tina if even 5000
would be reasonably assured, the
library would he placed on safe
basis.
''The board of education, the city
council aud the County roult could
very readily agree to contribute from
public revenues each 5000 wear. If
the County court, as the representa-
tive Of the countrv people, should de-
cline, the people outside of Martins.
burg would have to be treated as non
resident members.
eff the people want the library con-
tinued, let them insist on this being
done: otherwise the management is
justified in concluding that the people
want it closed The members of these
public bodies. know, are pablo
spirited men, and will respond to any
reasonable request of their constitu-
ents.
AMY absence from Martinsb7rg viii
render it impossible for me to give
any further attention to tie work
But | should-like TO see Martinsburj
in line with her neighhors "
UNKNOwN MAN KILLED.
The BODY of an unknow man wa
found along the tracks Of the Balti
more and Ohio railroad near 81