The Washington times., 1904-09-05
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Of LITTLE USE
Labor Men CriticiSe the
Closing Hours.
NOT AVAILABLE FOR THEM
Institution Much Handicapped by Lack
of Funds-Question Of Sun
day Opening.
NOT AVAILABLE FOR THEM

Criticism of the management of the
Carnegie Library on account Of its lin
tied serviceableness to working people
has become widespread this summer.
During the months Of July and Au-
gust, the Library was closed every
Saturday at 1 D. m. LabOring peo-
pie say 1t has been the invariable
rule Of the Library. in spite Of much
adverse comment to remain closed all
day Sunday. For these two days, there
fore. the special parts Of the week on
which working men and women are sup
posed to have some opportunity to in
dulge in their own form Of recreation
the Library remained absolutely closed
TO them. and they declare It was of no
more service than e it did not exist.
Has No Daily Papers.
Another point on which working peo-
pie base their criticism Of the Library
is the fact that 1t has no daily papers
in the reading room Men whose chief
object In going TO the Library would be
to keep up with the news Of the world
from day to day are deprived of that
privilege even If they do get to the
Library In time.
How few OF the real working classes
manage to get within the portals Of the
building was demonstrated by an inves-
ugation last week 1t was found hat
during the summer out OF the percentage
OF Library patrons not One-third Of them
were men.
The Library hours are as follows:
open 10 a; m. to p m; reading room
open until 10 p. m; legal holidays CX-
cepted- During July, August. and Sep
TENDER the room for the return and
delivery Of books closes at s D. m. and
the reading room at 9 D. N.
Does Not Fit His Case.
The Industrious workingman usually
does not get from work until o'clock.
Before going to the Library time must
be reckoned for mis- return home. even
ing meal. and in most instances a
change Of dress. BY the time he mas
reached the Library by car. for the
workingman usually lives some distance
out. in all DrObo bility the Library has
been closed. Possibly he may with haste
get there in time TO take out a book. but
ne cannot use the reading room at all
OF course. in winter the hours are
longer. but il Is during the summer that
the workingmen find particular use fOI
the Library.
Not Sufficient Money.
The explanation give by some OF those
connected with the management Of the
Library IS that the Library hours can
not be made any longer for the reason
that the trustees have not sufficient
funds TO employ more people. The
money obtained from the taxpayers fol
the support Of the Library-S37. 800 an
nually-it is said. IS already too small e
equip the Library and 10 employ the
Office force needed. Under these condi
lions, say the directors. II is impossible
70 keep the Library open for any greater
length of time or TO have II accessible
to readers on Sunday.
No reason Is given for the Sunday
closing OF the Librar,y except 20 save
expense. None Of the directors care e
express any opinion whatever on Cht
matter. but II is said in some quarters
that the Sunday opening movement +,
not devoid Of supporters among tn,
trustees, and that action may be forth
coming on II soon.
The New Librarian.
+. NJ. Bowerman, the newly appointed
librarian. who went into Office Septem
Der 1. has devoted his attention 10 IA
miliarizing himself with the work f.
hand. He has declined 10 give any OK
preston as to the desirability Of keep
ing tho Library open on Sunday.
One suggestion is that in view OF tn
present limited force of the Library I
should be opened later in the day an,
remain open until a later hour at night
As far as employees Of the Government
are concerned the Library hours ar
perfectly satisfactory, but with tn
working men and women who are uuabl
to buy their own books and periodical
the chances Of getting into the Librar.
are regarded as very limited.