Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-05
RUMOR NOT WELL FOUNDED
MR.. BoWERMAN'S DEFENSE OF
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Denies Published Statement That
There Is Much Criticism" of
the Management.

cism' of the library; at least very little
of ii comes to the cars of the librarian
and his assistants. said Mr.. George F.
Bowerman. librarian of the Public Lii
brary. in an interview with Star re-
porter today. Mr.. Bowerman spoke rela-
tive to a published report that the con-
duct of the library is giving universal
dissatisfaction.
"Of course" continued Mr. Bowerman,
there will always be persons who will
criticiSe unrea soma bly-perSOns who, If the
particular books wanted by them happen
to be out at the time they want them.
will indulge i'm harsh. unjust, unreason-
able criticisms AS a matter of fact. the
only written criticism of the library that
has recently come to my attention Is one
addressed to a local newspaper and shown
to me yesterday. On the other hand. the
library is frequently in receipt of letters
and daily has verbal commendation of the
liberalitv of our rules. the evident lnten-
ton of the library to please and to make
it's resources available, and our large
measure of success in TINS dlrectlon IN
spite of an Inadequate force and small
book fund.
But One Complaint.
"The report extends the criticism lodged
with it by one person into at least three
persons, including one (real or imaginary
Boston woman in addition to the many
persons necessary to give much criticism.
'.The statement that the library does not
give satisfaction is absolutely unfoundeo'
continued Mr. Bowerman. The clrcuia-
ton of the library has increased nearly
twofold in the last three ana nail
years nassine the 100000 mark for the
calendar wear of 1907. In regard TO pa
irons having to look for books themselves
we acknowledge this is sometimes uole.
Because of our very limited stal .nete
is at present no remedy Tor IL: There
are at present assistants at the 1niorina-
ton desk consulting the card catalogue lor
the information of patrons Inc library 10
able to have an assistant IN the OPEN
shelf room part of the time TO ana reaueis
in finding books. but not all of the time.
as we should like to do. 1t is true that
sometimes the books get mixed-that. IS
caused by patrons of the Open-shelf ROOMS
repla cling books at random. ana is also
remediable by the employment of larger
staff
at present our force is not large enough
to keep the books straight. If we had
sufficient number of helpers we Wouio
he glad to employ squad or them 10 40
nothing else. We have taken measures
to insure patrons getting the books they
desire and have furnished request blanks
and always out blanks. Patrons are
invited to make recommendations. II
the DOCK requested Is Ol d HlSl SlohNehAU
and within our means, we are only TOO
glad to supply it. If it is case or not
having a sufficient number of copies we
also invite readers to fill out a Sill stating
they have had trouble getting the DOCK.
The matter would thus be brought to our
attention When practicable, We buy ad-
ditional copies.
Probably a Novel.
In answering woman who inquired,
eff one can get a new book by paying )
cents for a postal card, why not an Old
one that is particularly desired and can
not be procured?" Mr.. Bowerman had this
to say:
THE person who referred to a book in
all probability meant a novel. The rules
adopted by the trustees forbid the re-
serving of any fiction except the duplicate
pay copies. These duplicate pay copies
are additional copies of new novels In ex-
cess of what the library, under ordinary
circumstances, would supply.
The library has free copies OF every
book added to its shelves. These. how
ever, are not reserved. 1t is a case OF
first come, first served.
"These duplicate pay copies are supplied
as matter of accommodation to the
public. Those who are willing to pay for
them do so. AS soon as these books pay
their first cost. at = cents a week. they
''All books other than tiction-the great
body of the library-can be reserved by
purchasing a reserve postal at a cost not
of 5 cents, as stated by one of the libra
rvs critics but cents. This privilege
of reserving not only of pay fiction, but
of other books, is popular, the library fire.
quently sending out 100 poStals a day.
ut would be a physical impossibility for
the library to reserve all books of fiction
called for. In cases where one is unable
to obtain books unreasonable one should,
by using the Always Out slips, bring
the need of additional copies to the atten-
ton of the library.
Many libraries never have a reserve
system at all. Patrons of those institu-
tons are required to take their chances
in getting book they want.
1t is rather disheartening to be doing
all in ones power to get along the best
way possible, and then have some person
or persons. who do not understand the
difficulties and obstacles to be overcome,
take exception to things not within our
power to remedy. We are willing to re-
spond to demands, in SO far as our small,
lIn6ernaiI bod taff i. 10 >,