The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-05-10
PUBLIC LIBRARY
IS DISCUSSED

The question has been agitated for
some time as 20 whether an effort
should be made 90 secure for Honolulu
a Carnegie Library. There has been
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 ut 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 benefit to the whole country, and
TO the stranger who is generally within
our gates. 1t is believed that amongst
other matters to which Governor Carter
will 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 a good library,
which, however, is not large and is
not public.
The Honolulu Library Association
owns the building at the corner of
Fort and Alakea streets and the lot in
the rear. The building and premises
are valued at $4,000. The library
Z has a collection of 1900 voluntes
well selected, and in some departments
above the average for library of it's
size.
1t has fund of $4,000 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 will be matter of some surprise
to learn that there are but about $50
persons contributing to the support Of
the Honolulu Library by the payment
of their yearly dues. These subscribe
ers elect the trustees who feel Them
selves bound to administer it's affairs
especially as to 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-
cipal permission has been given the
pupils of the High School to use the
library in connection with their work.
An arrangement has been made to ex-
tend It's privileges to strangers upon
payment of a fixed fee. But it is In
no sense a public library.
E. w. Campbell. who has always
been a staunch friend of the Honolulu
library, was seen yesterday and was
asked for his opinion, which is of
peculiar value, upon the Carnegie do
nation. He courteously and W llingly
consented to talk briefly on the sub
ject, though he did so with the express
stipulation that his views were not
submitted officially, but as q private
individual.
II am in favor of any proper and
justifiable means that will secure
public brary for the Territory" he
said. 1t would be an advantage from
ever point of view. 1t is desirable
to have the Carnegie library If we
can get it,
Mr.. Campbell knew that Mr.. Carne-
gle had been approached upon the SUBJ
ject, but realized the difficulties that
.ay in the way of securing his assist
nee where there was no fixed revenue
no part Of the taxes-set aside for
such purpose, II being unsafe to rely
upon APPROPRIATION passed by success
sive legislatures.
The fact that the last legislature
made an appropriation of $4,000 for ID
territorial library was good so far as
1t went" Mr.. Campbell said, but IT
a. not insure an equal sum, or any
sum, from the legislature two years
hence
DIR. SCUDDER.
In common with the best people in
the territory. Mr.. Campbell regretted
tle / ure To appoint DR.. Scudder one
OF the three trustees named in connec-
tion with the territorial, library
Upon the question of ways and
means he thought that a specific part
OF the taxes should be reserved for the
maintenance of a library-made part
o. the Organic Act and thus secured
against Interference.
He also touched upon the difficulties
OF making the Honolulu library CEN
t-'l iihrarv for the entire territory.
This was feasible In the States where