Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-12

n s soaians. Here it is intended to
gather together all the data pos
sible regarding Washington. whether they
be social, business, historical or descrip-
tive in their character, together with the
works of Washington authors. In this
section the patron of today, anxious to
discover interesting facts concerning the
social life here in the past century, can
consult the washington elite list while
the historian can find data on the city as
it was in the time of George Washington.
Even the business man may secure in
formation about his forefathers in busl-
ness through the city directories.
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There is, however, a larger motive IN
the Inauguration Of this section than
solely to aid the patrons Of today. Books
Of every description are being saved with
the intention of making this section
place of unusual interest to the genera
ton to come, a place where they can get
a deeper insight into the life of their an
cestors than is usually given in histories.
In order to make" this possible the libra
rian, DR.. George +. Bowerman, Is en-
deavoring to interest Washingtonians In
the project in the hope that they Will as
siSt In increasing the collection.
DR.. Bowerman believes that there are
many cases in which books have been
thrown away because they had no mar
ketable value, and no sentiment Tor their
owner, but which would have been or
speaking of the aim of the library in
starting this section, Dr. Bowerman said:
Every municipal library owes such a
collection to the municipality in which 1t
is situated. Everything pertaining to the
city in which the library is should be
preserved with the idea of keeping up it's
history. Many of the books which we
will keep in this section are those which
the ma jority of people would not consider
worth while ordinarily. but which for GER
ingtonians will form the habit OF at least
giving the Public Library the refusal Of
any books which they do not want. I
know Of no more striking instance OF the
way in which books are underestimated
than the following:
II happened to be visiting a friend on
some business foreign to this. While
was there, however, the conversation
turned to books. Knowing that the gen.
was a member or several boards
I was also aware that he had collected
complete set, in almost every instance. Of
the annual reports. ! asked him II he
desired to dispose Of them at any time if
i might nave LNeIl tAIo COlicCtlOu "A
while after that the gentle
man in question died After waiting
sufficient length Of time l wrote men,
Der of his family regarding these books.
1 received reply saying that I was well
come to what remained. but that the
ma iority had been destroyed. Those
books would have been Of great value to
the collection.
THAT is but one Of q number Of Incl
dents Not infrequently old books are
found In a trunk or attic. Oftentimes old
records will be unearthed. Almost with
out exception these will be thought worth
less and destroyed. If people would only
remember that the Public Library can
use and is glad to find such things. our
collection could be made very valuable
as a reference section. Since We began
the collection of Washington data we
have received a number Of books. and
many more in answer to letters sent out
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