The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-05-09
PUBLIC LIBRARY
IS DISCUSSED
Two Earnest Friends Give Their
Views on Handling the
Subject.


some time as to whether an effort
should be made TO secure for Honolulu
a Carnegie Library. There has been
a great diversity of opinion on the sub
ject- Many favor securing and circu-
lating books throughout the Territory
by all fair and honorable means. Others
argue that the Carnegie proposition
carries SO many conditions with it
provisos that can not now be guaran-
teed-that the project demands at least
careful consideration before decisive
steps are taken. Still others, inspired
by proper civic pride, would like TO
see the capitalists of the Territory,
who give generously TO most worthy
causes, found such library as might
be a benefit to the whole country, and
to the stranger who is generally within
our gates. Il is believed that amongst
other matters TO which Governor Carter
viii give some attention during his
coming absence, is this very question,
and no doubt something will be as
certained as TO the present attitude Of
Mr. Carnegie
Honolulu already has good library,
which, however, is not large and IS
not public.
The Honolulu Library Association
owns the building at the corner Of
- 81 Alb, -+~oa-r a-3 -La I.+ IN
the rear. The building and premises
are valued at So, 900. The library
has a collection of 1900 volunses
well selected, and in some departments
above the average for a library Of its
size.
1t has a fund of 10000 at interest,
much of which was derived from be
quests. and as the library is organized
any change In the administration Of
its affairs would be attended with some
difficulties.
1t viii be a matter Of some surprise
10 learn that there are but about $50
persons contributing to the support Of
the Honolulu Library by the payment
Of their yearly dues. These subserib-
ers elect the trustees who feel them
selves bound TO administer its affairs
especially as 10 the fund invested for
its support, its chief revenue-in such
a manner as might meet the approval
of its benefactors. Through the in
fuence of Prof NJ NJ. Scott. the prin-
cipaI, permission has been given the
pupils of the High School to use the
library in connection with their work
An arrangement has been made 10 ex-
tend its privileges TO strangers upon
payment Of a fixed fee But il is IN
no sense a public library.
z. ". Campbell, who has always
been a staunch friend Of the Honolulu
library. was seen yesterday and was
asked for his opinion, which Is or
peculiar value, upon the Carnegie DO
nation. He courteously and willingly
consented to talk briefly on the sub
7ect. though he did so with the express
stipulation that his views were not
submitted officially, but as private
individual.
Il am - favo~ of any proper and
4ustifabIe means hat viii secure
public library for the territory, ne
said. 1T would be an advantage from
every point Of view 1t Is deslraole
to have the Carnegie library if We
can get it
ar. Campbell knew that Mr. Carne-
gle had been approached upon the SUD-
iect, but realized the difficulties that
law in the way of securing his assist
ance where there was no fixed revenue
no part Of the taxes-set aside for
such a purpose, it being unsafe 10 rely
upon appropriation passed by success
sive legislatur
The fact that the last legislature
made an appropriation of $4,000 for a
territorial library was good so far as
it went Mr. Campbell said, hut 1t
did not insure an equal sum, or any
sum, from the legislature two years
hence
DIR. SCUDDER-
IN common with the best people n
the territory, Mr.. Campbell regretted
-. - sx..~a r, = 49Fae7v74 Or @cu4ger one