Los Angeles herald., 1905-09-01
LIBRARY WORSE
THAN SWEAT SHOP
BOARD ORDERS IMMEDIATE
INVESTIGATION
QUARTERS ARE INADEQUATE
Employees Compelled to Endure Con-
ditions Almost UnbearabIe and liz
brarian Lumnis Inaugurates
New Building Movement
QUARTERS ARE INADEQUATE

The present quarters of the Los An
geles public library are not safe, they
are not hygienic, they are not adequate
as to space. Many of the attendants
work under conditions which, at this
season, are almost as bad as those of
New York sweat shop. In the attic,
where women must work, the rooms are
tophet.
This is general summing up of the
statements made last night by Libra
rian Lummis to the library board in
special session, informing them of the
conditions under which that part of
the public service is being conducted.
vestigation of the conditions existing
in the library loft
"If the public forgets the need OF
a new library building" said Mr.. Lum-
mis-, none of u.s." referring to himself
and his assistants, have chance to
forget it.
1.-THE urgent necessity of adequate
quarters for this library becomes more
urgent every day. The present housing
is neither safe, hygienic nor adequate
as to space. The 100000 volumes are
not safe. The public has frequently to
wait while an attendant rummages in
the cellar or the garret for a book.
Attendants have not only to employ
in this the time for which they are
paid-many of them have also to work
In quarters which, at this season, are
almost as bad as New York sweat
shop. think that If the whole pop
ulation of the city, official and lay, had
visited the attic workrooms of this
library during the past three days,
there would be popular demand for
better quarters.
"In the attic the workrooms are
tophet. Light and ventilation especial
ly the latter are what are expected In
garret. Pending better quarters for
those condemned to work in this de-
partment, either the windows should
be enlarged or electric fans should be
put in.
Demands New Building
Certainly no intelligent person who
examines the present situation will
deny the crying necessity of change,
and in my opinion that activity to Sc
cure a library building such as cities
of this size are expected to possess
should be begun as soon as digested
plans can be presented, and then urged
to "a finish.'
The revelations made by the librarian
were not new to the members of the
board. Director Wright said he had
visited the attic and was of the opinion
that the vents from the three lower
floors were imperfect and sewer gas
was present. An investigation directed
toward the improvement of the attic
rooms will be made Immediately.
Following this there occurred dis
cussion of two propositions presented
by the librarian, both of which were
adopted.
AS a result, the library will be the
sponsor for who's Who in the
Southwest" a book to include a COM
pilation of biographical data from the
most prominent citizens of this portion
Of the country.
AS starter, 500 cards embodying
the points desired will be Immediately
printed and sent to those persons who
a committee to be selected later Will
consider to be of the "4O0' in south
west fame.
Another innovation is the publication
of compact dictionary of California
and western place names, their deriv-
alton, meaning and pronunciation.
Both of these publications will event.
ually be embodied in the Western
History Material department of the
library.
Rapid driving on asphalt pavement