The Washington herald., 1906-10-20
BowERMAN TELLS OF TRIP.
visited Libraries ia Frozen North
and on Pacific Coast.

George +. BOWerman. librarian OF Tire
Washington Public Library, yesterday
discussed at length the Libraries visited
By him during the past summer. In
speaking Of the itinerary OF his route.
Mr.. Bowerman said:
From Minneapolis I followed the SEQ
line and Canadian Pacific 10 Vancouver;
after a trip from the metropolis OF British
Columbia 10 the capital, Victoria. we sail
ed to Skagway. Alaska. Thence we went
by the narrOw-gauge railway over the
White Pass to White Horse, anG from
there took the steamboat and went 500
miles down the Yukon 10 Dawson. on
the hcmeward journey I visited Tacoma.
Portland. Spokane and Livingston Mont
THE library buildings at Vancouver
and Victoria are only a year old. and
cost Eo,000 each. Both are built Of native
granite and while the former is both
ugly and ill-arranged, the latter is by no
means unimpOsing. In both cases the IL
braries are of older establishments
than the buildings. / was given TO I'M
derstand that the librarians had nothing
to do with the designing OF the buildings
and I think the libraries were handed over
awkwardiy planned as possible
'tThe institution in Victoria has a good
selection of books. but It would no doubt
have been improved in this regard had
not one OF the board most marked
antiquarian taste which resulted in his
spending part of the funds for British
local histories. The Vancouver library
seemed TO gather men out Of employment;
notices Of help wanted were posted up,
and one of the staff told me that she was
often able to help them to situations.
The Vancouver library has distinctly
| lower grade OF books on its shelves. and
there were only few reference books to
be had by direct access.
The Carnegie building az Dawson cost
$4,000, but could probably be duplicated
/ in Washington foT half that sum. The
chief reason for the high cost Of build
/ ing Is the excessive rates Of transporta-
ton. As the city Of Dawson Is built on a
bed Of ice, a solid enough foundation in
winter, but likely 10 he somewhat inse-
cure in summer 40 building is made of
stone The library is made OF wood. ami
/ IS protected from fire like many of the
structures. by sheet-irou frame The
population OF Dawson, during the gold
excitement, was about 33,0G0. but now is
estimated al less than $500
/ In about two years the library has col
/ lected nearly 1900 volumes. many Of them
/ of solid worth, including "A good selection
/ OF French literature. The Dawson Ii
brary has q good selection Of Canadian
/ English. and American periodicals, all OF
which are much used A New York Sun
more than three weeks old. was the latest
on file at a time of year when the mails
are the quickest Nearly all Of the IL
brary users are men. 50 a smoking room
is provided a ladies' room is also sci
apart
As the population rapidly fuctuates
/ no book is loaned without its Fun cosi
being deposited. The price OF every boob
{ IS eOuspicuously marked on its bO0kplate
The new building st Seattle is al
exact copy Of this building IN Washing
ton and so far as its convenience j,
concerned. seems to be- a vast improve.
ment Spokane has a very attractive ane
apparently well-arranged new building
/ which cost $500
/ In Speaking Of the present position OF
/ the Washington library Mr Boyyermar
/ said
/ There Is an urgent need OF funds ir
I order that our readers may be- able &,
have al The necessary opportunities an,
that the library may be- further equippe,
4 with all the literature THAI is worth read
( ing