The San Francisco call., 1904-02-03

a
have been sent to places in the county
outside of Portland city limits. Books
have been loaned from the library
to various educational institutions
throughout the State. The reference
department of the library has been so
much crowded that additional space is
required Immediately. 90
No department has been more sue
cessful than the children's, where there
seems to be unbounded prospect Of in
f1uence among the 900 school children
of Portland. The storytelling hour
conducted by Miss Hassler, one OF the
children's librarians. proves to be one
Of the greatest attractions Of the week.
The chief librarian. Miss Mary F.
Isom, lays special stress upon the need
Of a State organization to carry on IN
Oregon the general work performed in
many States by library commissions,
such as establishing new libraries. en-
couraging others already started and
furnishing information that is con-
stantly needed by all but the largest
libraries. co o
Montana, that State Of magnificent
distances, is having continued reason
to be glad of the freedom with which
Mr.. Carnegie disburses his money.
BoZeman, a hourishing town east of
Helena, has just opened its new Carr
negie library. A good public library
had been maintained in Bozeman for a,
number of years, but the rooms were
small and inconvenient and the rental
paid cut into the income seriously.
Every addition to the number of such
r-xy iQ cfa INN N
the cause Of popular education.
In earlier days the average circulat-
ing library possessed only a plain
room where books were stored, loaned
ard returned. Nothing more was. done
for the public. The library equipment
of to-day is based upon the idea Of at
tractiveness. Open access to the.
shelves, abundant light, tables and
chairs for readers, reference rooms for
study and research, children's rooms
where the little folks may have their
own magazines and books with special
attendants and large general reading
rooms, decorated with engravings,
paintings and statuary-all these feat
ures speak of the higher ideals gained
in what is sometimes termed the peo-
pies university. And now comes the
endowed library. Wealth. supplemented
by taste and breadth of purpose, pro-
vides means by which the physical, So
cial, musical and literary wants Of a
community may be ministered to
through one organization. An ilfustra-
ton of this type may be seen in the
Carnegie free library at Braddock. Pa
The city of Braddock has a population
of 5000, made up Of workers in the
great steel concerns of that region.
The library in that city is the first one
ever built by Mr.. Carnegie and has
been literally endowed by him. This
endowment is sufficient to maintain a
library of $1,000 volumes, with all de-
sirable appointments Of reference and
Juvenile rooms, absolutely free to every
one, as not a dollar is received from
taxation.
Under the same roof and the same
management and supported in like
manner is the Carnegie Club. composed
of different classes of boys, men and
women. 1t is thought best to require
from them the payment of a small fee.
varying from 80 cents to 81 per quarter
for the privileges of the club, though
but 81 per quarter is paid by the men
Of the steel works.
These payments allow the unlimited
use, within reasonable limits, of a gym
nasium, swimming pool and baths,
bowling alleys, billiards, clubroom sup
piled with games, magazines and
books, and also provide for tennis
courts and ball teams.
In the auditorium, with its 1900 opera
chairs and fine concert organ, courses
of lectures and concerts are given from
October to April, on which no expense
Is spared. Season tickets to these en-
tertainments cost but dollar. A fine
band of fifty pieces gives frequent con-
certs. Free organ recitals are given
twice month by an accomplished or
ganist. A choral society is conducted
by the organist without charge. 1t is
intended to organize a children's Choir
us. A dramatic club gives several plays
each season. Greater use and increas-
ing satisfaction mark each year Of the
life Of the institution.
WILLIAM p. KIMBALL