Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-02

q very high order, but all classes must
be supplied, even in Washington. In
some cities IT IS a great problem with
librarians to get into circulation books
of history, biography and travel and
other books of the more instructive
classes. But here the demand is for
good books The high tastes of the peo-
pie of this community are indicated by
the constantly increasing requests for
serious and instructive books and by the
decrease in the requests for fiction and
literature of the lighter character.
The Washington Public Library now
places In the homes Of the District each
day an average of 1900 books, and the
number is steadily increasing. About 60
, per cent of these books are works of
fiction Very few city libraries SO far
as l am informed, send out such a small
percentage of lighter literature. Do
not understand me to mean that | dis
approve of fiction. for do not. l believe
that It is entitled to its full share of
consideration and should be given ade-
qUate space in every public library l mere
ly mention the small percentage of that
class of literature sent out by the local
library in comparison with other city
institutions. to show that fiction does not
monopoliZe the attention of the local
reading public.
A Strictly Local Library.
The Free Public Library of the Dis
trict of Columbia, as 1t Is officially
known, occupies a unique and personal
position with the reading public of
Washington. The library field here is
largely divided. There is the Library
of Congress- the great national reference
library. which the people of the whole
country consider as part of their pos
sessions. Then there are the individual
and highly specialized libraries of the
various government departments, used
largely for reference purposes. But the
Washington Public Library is purely To-
cal-the personal possession of all the
people OF the District of Columbia. 1t
belongs TO the people and its main
purpose is TO supply the popular demand
of readers. while It's principal work is
a free. public circulating library for
residents of Washington.
The building, or rather the fund for the
structure. S3T5 600 was generously given to
the people OF the District of Columbia by
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie. The library receives
its support. however. from the same source
as the public schools of the District. 1t Is
the peoples library and it's success should
be matter of local pride"
Iii the endeavor to supply the needs of
the reading public Mr.. Bowerman stated
that a definite policy is pursued of main
tanning within the institution cordial
spirit OF hospitality, a spirit that will make
every visitor and patron feel that the
library belongs TO him and that the per-
sons who are conducting the institution as
the agents of the people are DESTROYS of
helping the patrons to enjoy their posses
s!aE.
The aim is to help every one who comes
into the library TO get something and never
70 let any one go away without receiving
some help, II it is needed to take advan-
tage OF the opportunities afforded.
Spirit of Hospitality.
1.-THE lhing trying TO do" said
Mr. Bowerman, is TO impress upon the
minds of the community that this institu-
tion does not exist for the library star or
the library trustees, but for the whole peo-
pie OF the community. To this end we are
endoavorlng TO develop the spirit of hospi-
tally in the institution and it is In our
plans for the future still further to develop
this phase OF the work by placing IN the
lobby an assistant whose duty IL win be to
pay attention to all who need guidance
and assist them In getting what they want.
Many visitors are imperfectiy informed
as TO methods of using the library They do
not know how to get the books they de-
sire and have not yet solved the supposed
mystery of the card catalogue. In all such
cases when observed the library staff en-
beavers to help the patron, and we desire