The San Francisco call., 1903-01-19
LIBRARY CONSOLIDATION.

! long desired library of first rate magnitude
~ and Importance. If the Mercantile Library
and that OF the Mechanics Institute can be conso-
dated the library of the future will be assured and it
rests with. the members of the Mercantile to deter
mine by their votes in the election to-day whether
consolidation can be effected time not far distant
With the inside politics of either institution the pub
lie at large has no concern 1t rests with the mem
bers only to determine whom they shall elect take
charge of the affairs either institution, but the
question OF consolidation is a matter in which every
citizen is interested At present San Francisco lags
behind other large American cities in library advan
tages and Their is no apparent way OF attaining equal
ty with them except through the consolidation of the
two institutions which divide the support of the
reading public.
That there are grave difficulties in the way of
solidaon is to be disputed There sentimental
reasons why the members OF each institution prefer to
keep it separ-te and independent. No likes
OF the old pioneer organizations merge into some
thing new and strange and lose its identity There
also financial obligations which will be difficult of
adjustment; and perhaps complex problems OF man
agement and administration that will be difficult OF
solution All those things may be conceded but still
the argument will hold good that consolidation ought
to be effected
We are without precedent to guide in the
matter. Not long ago New York found herself pos
sessed Of several wealthy foundations for libraries but
equal the Libraries of Boston OF Chicago
and at once a movement was undertaken to combine
the existing institutions The difficulties of fusion in
New YoTk much greater than those which
front the movement for consolidation here. The AS
tor Library that city truly historic institution
and bore the OF the foremost family in the city
The Lenox was identified with another honored fam
lily and held a special place among the Libraries OF the
country. The Tilden foundation designed to
serve as memorial OF one of the foremost statesmen
OF the commonwealth and represented his wish to
continue after death his service to the American
people.
In those respects were found ample sentimental OBJ
jectons to the proposed fusion and will deny
that they fully equal to any similar objections that
may be Urged against union OF the Mercantile and
the Mechanics in this city. Moreover. the financial
difficulties there were also greater than any that
front us here for there were grave questions OF be-
quests left by will to be considered well the gen
eral proposition OF fusing the three funds under one
management. Despite the obstacles, however, the
consolidation of the New York libraries was accom-
pshed and that city is to have one OF the larg
est, finest and most commodious libraries in the
world.
Where New York has led the way San Francisco
can safely follow Neither the fame. the utility nor
the purpose OF either the Astor the Lenox or the Til
den foundation is lost in the New York merger. On
the contrary, each has gained by the union and profits
by the strength OF the other similar result will
follow consolidation in this city, and the Mercantile
and the Mechanics will alike find benefit by alliance
with the other.
It is TO be noted, furthermore, that the consoda-
ton OF the will have the effect OF bringing to the
support Of the institution large number OF per-
sons who now support neither. The American people
enterprise where they will hardly even listen to an ap
peal Tor small That trait of our national char
revealed throughout the length and breadth OF
the land and in almost every department of life The
big university obtains endowments running up into
the millions while small have solicit in vain
few thousands for absolute necessities Big art gal
eres public interest and get liberal donations
where small ones languish and barely maintain them
selves by parsmony and stratagem.
big library in San Francisco such as would result
from the union OF the Mercantile and the Mechanics
would Immediately interest the public, and men OF
means would be glad to assist it. Within short time
would become OF the chief objects of civic pride
1t would be center toward which such large private
collections the Sutro library and the Bancroft Ii
brary would naturally gravtate, and in time COM
paratively short we should have high rank among the
library cities OF the world.
It is to be hoped these considerations will have
place the minds OF the members of the Mercantile
when they their ballots to-day The vote for con-
solidation should be overwhelming
s--S~.
II the suffering people OF the Eastern States be-
- d. 81.