The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-08
Marked Progress in State Library

, r . 80
We would call our readers especial at
tention to the article appearing elsewhere
In this issue. which reviews the annual re-
port of State Librarian John P. Kennedy
for the year ending October 81, 1905.
Mr.. Kennedy's report Is the record OF
average attendance at the State Library,
and the number of books It has served
to readers, have increased in the most
remarkable and gratifying way. 1t shows
that the usefulness OF the Library to the
people OF Virginia has been. and is still
being, very greatly enhanced. 1t shows
that the Library Is coming more and
more to be the logical recourse OF vir-
ginians whose studies or recreations in
volve the use OF books. The Library IS,
in short. attaining a popularity largely
in excess OF anything of the sort that II
has hitherto enjoyed.
This Development which appears 10
be as unmistakablc as 1t Is desirable,
to any chance in the spirit of the people
OF the State. The change would. indeed.
seem to have eInanated altogether from
another direction: Under the progress
sive management Of the present Libra
Ran aud his trained assistants. the State
Library has energetically set TO work to
promote its own usefulness and value.
in every possible way. 1t is making un-
renting effort to place its important
and growing facilities at the easy COM
rnand Of every reader. Imbued with the
cardinal principle that library is only
OF value in the degree In which It is
o. actual service to it's constituency, 1t
is leaving nothing undonc to encourage
and facilitate demands upon its re-
sources Fortunately IN having at Its
head man who Is a library executive
Of the high modern type. the State In
s,itu,ion has swung into line with the
most enterprtsing and advanced methods
OF library management OF to-day. The
training and personal ablli-
ties which recently carried BIZ. Kennedy
10 the presidency OF the National Asgo-
citation OF the State Libraries, have been
used 10 effective purpose In the Library
OF the State OF Virginia. Everything
that an alert and well-adminigtered IL
brary can do to circulate and disseminate
its advantages. this Library. under Dir,
Kennedy. IS now either doing or Is ac-
lively planning TO do.
How readily the people respond TO
overtures Of this sort Is made plain By
figures presented In another place.
Meanwhile, II Is to be noted that the
I.brary's further efforts toward profit
able extension are restricted by lack
Of the necessary funds for additional
equipment and help. The educational
Importance Of a Library that IL rendered
really seryiceable by Wise and prOgrcn.
siye management can scarcely be over
estimated Moreover. IN the case Of this
State. there Is the further consideration
of u large number OF historical archives
and records, Of surprising value 10 the
student and historian, sons OF which
are, and I'LL OF which should be. IN the
possession Of the State Library. with
the evidence of past success in these d.,
rections now at hand IN the Lbrarans
report, IT Is 10 be hoped that the Leg
islature viii feel encouraged 70 make
such appropriations an viii ensure con-
,inued progress and development for the
future,