The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-20
UNITE LIBRARY
AND AUDITORIUM.

-
there have been tho most Systematic bus
mess methods employed, and libraries
have been given on the principle that
only where It costs one something Will
the thing receive be appreciated.
Mr.. Carnegie says terscly: ''rhc result
Of my own study Of the question: What
is the best gift that can be given to
comniunlty?' is that free public library
occupies tho first place. provided the
community will accept and maintain 1t,
as a public institution. as much part
OF tho city property as It's public schools,
and, indeed, m ndJunct to these.
SO much for Mr.. Carncglc's motives.
Wise and Economic.
In my own humble opinion tho city
would make wise and economic step
in accepting his Offer, but that Is not OF
vital Importance a municipal library
II Richmond prefers II. accompllshes tho
same results the only objection being
the original outlaH That n library is
needed, we all believe.
Emerson once said. "Consider yhnt Vol,
lave in the smallest chosen liLrary: q
company OF the wlscst, wlts;1.e inen mat
could be picked out OF Our civilized coun-
tries. In thousand years, have set In
best order the rcsuts OF their learning
and wisdom Tho mon themselves were
hid and In accessible. solitary, Impatient
OF Interruption, fenced by etiquette; but
the thought which they did not uncover
tc their bosom friend is here written out
to US the strangers OF another age.
Herbert Putnam said at Chautnuqua,
"Pnnizzi raised great dome wherein
scholars might find studious refuge; his
achievement was no greater than that
OF Justin Windsor when he widened out
his reading room SO that IT. took In q
whole city
TIL library Is an educational inst!tu-
tion. second only to the school and
coordinate with tile school. II discloses
poslbilitlcs for the education OF the gen
eral pubic. grAGter than the school. 1t
helps the teacher With her special closes;
II helps the scholar with his studies, and
It gives the only opportunity to the adult.
for education Advancement. I'M various
departments, presided over by experts It
offers assistance to the inventor. me-
chanic, school teacher, lecturer. geneaol-
oglst and historian, In fact, every class
of society. Everybody. even the old man
and the small boy, find congeninl occu-
patton in Its paradise OF books and p!c-
lures.
Could Have Auditorium.
With an immense auditorium. as is seen
in many large public libraries, It would
centralize Civic educn tional interests; here
could be held great conventions OF the
many aud varied organizations which
would come to Richmond. If there was
an auditorium large enough to 9accommo-
date its membership. Here could be held
lectures on civic improvement and on ss-
cal and educational questions. which
would draw to the doors OF the reading
room the varied public, heretofore, un-
acquainted with books. and would. at
the same time. furnish the lecturer ma
terinl for his discourse.
The auditorium shown here is in the
Carnegie Library at Homestead. Pa.
Architecturally, public libraries have an
aesthetic and uplifting influence through
out the community. Mr.. Marcosson tells
an experience OF his in North Dakota:
Ten years before the little town he was
In had been but stopping place for
llmber,nen on their way to Canada.
he says: THAT day drove through
we'll made streets: the driver stopped
the carriage before low square classic
looking building surrounded by trees
That's our Carnegie Library ne saio
we are mighty proud Of It. why
asked, curious to find out what he would
say Well. he said. that building has
made everybody else here want nice
building