Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-04


annual appropriations. The report contin-
ues:
Thus, within the five and a half years
Of the formative stage Of the library. the
number of volumes has increased from II,
900 to more than 10000; the number of en-
ployes from to 80: the rented. overcrowd-
ed library building of 1899 has been re-
placed by the attractive and spacious
structure of marble, costing $4,000, and
donated by Mr.. Carnegie.
'In respect to books, building and reason
ably adequate maintenance the library Is
fairly on its feet, and is In shape to ex-
pand into steadily increasing usefulness to
the community.
Increase The Iibrary's Usefulness.
THE main problem now is to render the
books OF the library most accessible ard
most beneficial to all the people OF the
District.
1.-THE special, characteristic and exclusive
features of the library are to be primarily
fostered. In its circulating feature, in Its
childrens room and school work. and in its
open shelf room it fulills functions not
shared by the Library of Congress, and spe-
cial attention Is to be given to these de-
partments and to their wise development.
Increase of book circulation is to be sought
by the establishment at suitable points of
substations The use of travelling coliec-
tons not only in the schools but for fire.
men, policemen and others, is to be en-
couraged
the partial opening of the library on Sun
day and legal holidays, when the reading
rooms will be most useful.
THE library was created for the special
benefit of the workingmen school children
and department clerks. 1t is the peoples
library. 1t is now for the people to make
the greatest possible use of It, to sug-
gest books for purchase, to enjoy It's read
ing room and reference library to utilize
It's open-shelf rooms. to draw books for
profitable home reading and to see that the
children OF the family enjoy and profit by
the facilities of the children's room, and to
increase its value as an adjunct Of the
schools.
Contrast in Library Conditions.
''The people of the District In 1904 will
not forget the benefits which have accrued
to them through the events of the creative
stage of the public library. and will not
fail to appreciate the sharp contrast In
library facilities between their present con-
dition and that which prevailed before the
organized public library movement took its
start at the capital in 1894
I'm that year the board Of trade commit
tee on public libraries (of which the presi-
dent of the board of library trustees was
then chairman) made report to the board
Of trade which showed the strength and
unanimity of the demand for a local public
library and demonstrated the capitals pain
full lack of library facilities.
This report disclosed a special need on
the part of the school children. department
clerks and workingmen of the city and a
general need on the part of the entire
community. It said
ITO meet the absolute necessity of books
as working adjuncts In the public schools
small libraries have been formed in connec-
ton with some OF the buildings, and the
high school has a very creditable collec-
ton. But to complete and perfect Its edu-
cational system, already SO admirable. by
adding the peoples free university to the
free school. Washington absolutely needs
the proposed public library. as an aid to
the development Of intelligent men and
women. the good Americans OF the future.
the pillars OF the republic, It's creation Is
demanded In the name OF the $4,000 chill
dren of school age In the District. and es-
pecially In the name OF the $1,000 OF this
number who are over twelve years Of age.
DEMONSTRATION OF the departmental
libraries shows that q very large pencent-