Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26
ESTIMATES COMPLETE
Appropriation Needed for
Conduct of Public Library.
SEVERAL NEW PLACES
TRUSTEES URGE THAT CERTAIN
SALARIES BE INCREASED.
Reasons Given Why a Number of Ad-
ditional Assistants Should
Be Employed.
SEVERAL NEW PLACES

Estimates of appropriations needed for
the conduct of the Public Library during
the fiscal year beginning July l next were
today transmitted to the District Commits
sioners by Mr.. Theodore w. Moves pres-
dent of the board of trustees The est-
mates call for an additional assistant
librarian at $500 a year, an additional as
sistant at s72O and another assistant in the
$500 grade. The trustees also ask for an
other cataloguer, additional attendants and
other employees, saying that the growing
usefulness of the library and its increas sing
patronage and resources demand the extra
help.
The total amount asked for by the trus-
tees is $40, $40. OF this sum s27340 is for
salaries, 5000 for binding. $1,000 for fuel,
lighting, postage. fitting up building and
other contingent expenses, and $4,000 for
the purchase of books.
The item for binding is the same as last
year. The item for contingent expenses is
a reduction of So, 900 from the 81, 900 appro-
priation available this year. The reduction
is due largely to the decrease in the item
for fitting up the new building The item
of $4,000 for the purchase of books is an
increase OF $1,000 over the current appro-
prlation. Substantial appropriations for the
purchase of books. it is stated. will be re-
CURED until the number of books becomes
sufficient to meet the demand of readers
approximately 10000 volumes 1t is fur her
stated with respect to this item that the
amount estimated is less than the regular
yearly sum expended in cities the size OF
Washington.
In the estimates attention is called to the
fact that Mr. Carnegie's donation for the
new library building is $S15.o00, and
that the minimum of annual appropriations
Tor maintenance, on the usual conditions of
his donations, is $1,000. Special emphas sis
is placed upon the fac that the most urgent
af H.
force.
List of Proposed Offices.
complete list of the new offices asked
for in the estimates is as follows: Assistant
librarian, $500; assistant, s720; assistant
$500: cataloguer. $40; two attendants at
$3.50 each; attendant, $3.50; three messengers
at $500 each; four pages at $40 each:
Waterman at $3.50. The increases of salary
asked for are: Librarian, from 81 500 to
5000; assistant librarian, 81, 600 to 81 100:
head cataioguer. 800 to $1,000
With regard to these Increases of force
and salaries, the trustees say:
Librarian, $500 increase to 5000 rec
Ommended. The estimate for this Increase
has been submitted for several wears 'rha
amount of the estimate salary is reason-
able In view Of the precedents established
py other nbrarles; as was fully demonstrate
ed last year. :.
Assistant librarian, $1,000, increase to
81. 200 recommended. The small increase
named is necessary to secure competent
assistant who can have charge of the II.
brary part of the thirteen hours during
which 1t is open daily. This estimate was
made last year
Assistant, 5000 new). This $500 is for a
reference librarian, who is absolutely need
ed in the new library, and there is no pro-
vision for one at present. This estimate
was made last year"
The increase of ono assistant In the S72O
class is made for the children's room, which
the present force cannot supply.
Additional Assistants.
The additional assistant in the seOO class
is needed for the new open-shelf room which
is to be doubled in size.
Head cataloguer. increase from $500 to
81 600 recommended. The cataloSuer In
charge has the work of classification, and
the small increase asked does not make tho
salary equal to that paid in other libraries.
Cataloguer. $50 new. Technical train
ing is required for this work and competent
cataloguers can only be had at proper saa-
ries. This one place is all the additional
eataloguing force that is asked for this
year, though the additions to the library
win be very large for some time yet. This
estimate was made last year.
The increase of two attendants in the
$3.50 class and one in the $500 class becomes
necessary by the additional work in the de-
livery rooms. and the fact that double
force is needed to keep the library open the
required number of hours day and night.
There is now but one messenger at tho
library, the salary being $500. Three addi-
tional messengers are requested by the
trustees The collection of unreturned
books requires the services of more mcs-
sengers, and their work will add largely to
the efficiency of the delivery system. They,
are imperatively needed
Four additional pages at $40 each. max
ing eight in all. The addition to the num-
ber of pages will be required by the en-
largement of the stack room, and by the
use Of the future children's room In the
basement, and the probable use of the So
called periodicals room in the second floor,
for reading room purposes