Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-08
The Carnegie Library Idea.


of the Public Library building disclosed two
facts first that the whole nation is inter-
ested in the educational and architectural
development of Washington, the capital,
and second that Mr.. Carnegie, having given
the fund for the creation of the librarys
beautiful central home, is by no means dis
posed to permit his beneficence to rest at
this point. but stands ready to provide for
its branches as occasion arises.
The presence and words of President
Roosevelt at the function of dedication en-
phasized the position of Washington with
respect to the country at large. Here is
centered the national spirit. here 1t finds its
highest expression. here are brought to the
highest attainable point the American ideals
of municipal administration. Here there
fore. 1t is gratifying to find arising such in
stitutions as the Public Library, the crea-
ton of the community and the recipient of
the bounty of the country's greatest phil
anthropist 1t was appropriate to the occa-
sion. thus nationaIized, that Mr.. Carnegie
should express his personal qualification at
the completeness with which his donation
has been given physical form. Washing
ton deserves the best always. and 1t is fit
ting that it has been enabled to evolve. out
of Mr.. Carnege's generosity, a circulating
library establishment which may be re-
garded in its proportions and equipment as
the best. +-..
1t was distinctly demonstrated yesterday
that much remains to be done to complete
the work of library making. If indeed that
work can ever be completed There now
stands a beautiful book house. fitted with
every facility for serving the people. There
are on it's shelves a number Of books which,
compared with the store until recently
available locally, is large but when COM
pared with the needs Of the community is
small. More books. therefore, are required
to make the most Of Mr. Carnegie's gift,
and It may not be doubted that more books
will come, both from the public appropria-
tions, of which the District will gladly pay
its share, and from private contributions
In books and in money.
Stress was laid in the acceptance Of the
building yesterday upon this special re-
naming need of the library, donations to
meet which would, it was hoped. be forth
coming result of the example and in
spiration of Mr.. Carnegie's gift.
But the most urgent need Of all is that
of special and endowed collections of books
and newspapers, to which the names of
donors may be attached. keeping them for
ever in the grateful remembrance of the
public. In the newspaper room of the BOS-
ton Public Library the visitor Immediately
on entering sees this inscription in gilt let
tiers: THE newspapers subscribed for are
the gift of VIM. C. Todd of Atkinson, N.
H. who has put at the disposal of the
library a fund of $4,000 for that purpose"
In the other wing of this building. CORE
spending in size and arrangement to the
hal in which we are assembled. is the So
called newspaper and periodicals room,
ready to be stocked and suitably equipped
for the benefit of the people of the capital.
Who. after the fashion of VIM. c. Todd of
New Hampshire, will attach his name to
this room and its useful contents in per-
petual memorial? Who will similarly en-
dow the children's library? Who will
honor himself by supplying with books of
permanent value and authority a Bates
Hall for Washington, like that In the Bos-
ton lbrary?''
Now that Mr.. Carnegie has proclaimed
his position as purveyor of all the building
wants of the District in this matter of
libraries, there need be no anxiety on the
score of branch libraries. 1t was character
istic Of him to demur to the idea that any
body else should poach upon his preserves.
He does nothing by halves. When he gives
library to city he gives all that library
means, all that Is needed to supply the
people Of that city with reading matter as
far as housing facilities are concerned. II
branches are necessary, and the best libra
~ practice points directly to that neces-
sity, then branches Will be provided on
scale commensurate with the central estab-
lishment. As fast therefore. as the Dis
trict expands its library and finds the
means to extend its usefulness to the sec
tons and thus to bring the books more d.
recently to the hands of the people, these
branches will be built and equipped
The Carnegie idea In library giving Is to
stimulate the people by furnishing them
with the foundations for their own enter
prise and incentives for their public spirit.
II city, through these means, acquires the
reading habit Mr.. Carnegies fondest hopes
are realized. and it Is evident from his
words in public and in private yesterday
that he will always meet quite half way
any community which evidences proper
desire to grow intellectually. Washington
hopes TO realize the Carnegie ideal by such
a patronage OF and contribution to this
library that it Will rapidly grow to the
fullest proportions. and with its large CEN
trail store and well-stocked branches place
the best of reading matter Immediately
under the eyes OF all classes of people.
1t would be relief to the popular mind
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