The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-04

There are few in Birmingham who
realize the growth Of its public library
in the past few months. That the
library interest has taken on new life
and is being fostered by capable and
enthusiastic men and women was most
apparent this week to those in attend
ance upon the reception given by the
members of the Library association.
Several hundred guests visited the
rooms and were shown the larger
quarters and the vast number of books
that have been added within the past
few months. Even the large alcove on
the library floor of the city hall has
been given over to the public for
reading room and has quantities of
reference books upon its walls So
keen is the interest in the movement
for a largo library that not day
passes without donations Of books, and
the attendance of students and book
lovers who visit the reading rooms is
steadily increasing.
There is no measure before the Biz
mingham public moro deserving OF
strong support than is this one for the
public library. Comments among yisi-
tors in the city have been frequent as
to the limited store of volumes at the
disposal of the people, and upon the
fact that the library is supported by
subscription rather than free is the
case in so many cities of Birmingham
population. This fall the library will
be free, and plans are being formu-
lated to make it valuable to every class
of people Those who are forwarding
the movement have organized a sys-
tematic campaign for its development.
The executive board of the associa-
ton is composed of such men as Gov.
w. H Sims, president; DR.. T. D. Parke,
vice president; NJ. v. Joseph, J. d.
Moore, Samuel Ullman, J. w. Donnelly,
DIR. J. w. Stage. Lee Bradley, DR..
wyatt Hefin, Or. ]. II. Phillips Sterl-
ing A. Wood, DR.. John l.. Parker,
George B. Ward, DR.. A. J. Dickinson,
John Kaul. r. H Elliott, James Wealth
erly, w. C. Shackleford, w. H. Manlt,
Otto Marx, E. H. Cabaniss, DR.. Gun
ningham Wilson, A. H. Ford, Lieuten-
ant Governor H. b. Gray, Mayor j. P.
OBrien.
All of the members of the board are
deeply Interested in the movement.
They alone have pledged themselves to
raise a fund of $2500 for books, and
much of this has already been accom-
plished. The children's department Is
very meagre at present and the 1uve-
nile books will receive especial atten-
u,lo he coid
yesterday, There are mot two dozen
new books for children here, and so
many excellent Things are being pub
lished that we should add to the col
lection. However, we are depending
upon The Age-Herald for the donation
The paper has agreed to help raise $1,000
by popular subscription. If every child
in town would contribute just 10 cents
each, wouldn't that be a fine plan?
Then they would truly feel the idea
of ownership and membership in the
library.
The great libraries of Pennsylvania
have been taken as the model upon
which this one is to follow. These have
been visited by Miss Green, who has
made a study of such institutions all
over the country. What Birmingham
needs" she said, "is technical library.
This one Is decidedly lacking in that
particular library should be a
work sh op for the people. There should
be books containing expert informa-
ton for steel or iron workers. carpen-
ters, plumbers, indeed every one en-
gagged in active business. We have no
new books of this character except in
the government department" And these
when she showed them to me, found
TO be full of the results of researches
In United States history, geology,
snetallurgy, geography and indeed all
the sciences. Yet many suppose that
these shelves of books are a law
library.
asked what measures are to be taken
to procure these books of technical lnowl-
edge which are so much desired and the
plan was outlined. 1t is hoped that the
support of every great corporation in
Birmingham will be secured in obtaining
books for that section. The Tennessee
Coal Iron and Railroad company have
agreed to have some of their expert men
make list of the best reference books
for the use of iron workers. Other cor
porations will be asked to do the same
IN their several departments giving d
Combination of material aid and expert
knowledge.
The physicians of Birmingham have
already been most generous in their con-
tributions to the library An appeal will
also be made to them to place there
etch reference books touch upon pub
lic. health and personal hygiene. The
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