The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-06


Total number of members ............ 200
Temporary residents ...................
Number of reference workers ........ 307
in reading room .......... 2046
RECEIPTS.
Fines collected for month. .s30.0S
Still Live Issue
While no particular disturbance has
been created recently by the workers
who have determined to provide an ade-
quate library for Greater Birmingham,
and the matter has not been brought be-
fore the public with the usual emphasis,
the public library cause Is stronger than
ever and Is gaining advocates daily.
Ere long something in the nature of a
bomb will be exploded on the public and
the library movement will be pushed I'M
til 100000 outfit has been provided,
Carnegie or no Carnegie.
AS is generally known, Mr.. Carnegie
has consented to the donation of 500, 900
to be used in the construction of the
building and equipment of the library
on the condition that an additional $780,
900 be raised In Birmingham. Some short
lived interest was aroused at the time
VI wi. 1diIC6iS . announcement, ana the
newspapers printed interviews of leading
citizens as to where the new building
which already existed In the minds of
many, should be located. One of the
most favorable plans submitted provid-
ed that the present courthouse should be
used as 4 home for the library, when the
new skyscraper courthouse was erect
ed The untimely death of the new court
house. in the defeat of the bond issue,
brought with it the demise of the new
library project. and little has since been
heard Of the 5000 library.
The efforts of the Public Library asso-
citation have been met with great
amount of ungrounded prejudice. The
Birmingham public has seemingly been
slow in recognizing the advantages of
free public library, such as has been ad-
vocated. Many have identified the move
ment with something for the benefit of
Old Maids Reading Circles or Women's
clubs, and have failed to realize the
practical value Of the library to the COM
Some of the more earnest work.
ers in the first library agitation were even
dubbed fanatics because of their enthu-
siasm The fanatics" unfortunately,
were few in number and their first
Utopian dreams have failed to crystalline.
Tho work which has been carried on
since that time has savored less Of the
ideal and has been more productive of
good results. The present library, though
not SO pretentious as some OF those
planned, is at least reality, and does
not depend on a tickle public fancy for
existence.
The nucleus" on the fourth floor of the
and bids fair to burst its bonds unless
given more attention. The old reading
room has become entirely inadequate
and beginning March will be abolished
A roomy new chamber. measuring In
floor space some 80 by Is feet, has been
provided through the courtesy of the city
IA thers in flooring over tho gallery Of the
chamber. The reading rooms will
hereafter be located in the new quarters.
where readers will not be continually
as at present by applicants for
books at the librarians desk The room
ia attractive, well lighted and adequate
in every respect.
It is the mere fact that the new room
is needed, however. which gives It in
terest. At the present rate Of growth
the library before very long will abso-
luteIy demand a new building. and phil
anthropists and social theorists Of the city
will be called upon to loosen their purse
strings. The recent remarkable feat of
raising $4,000 in ten days for a new
Y. NJ. C. A. building has proved be-
yond the shadow Of a doubt that Biz
mingham has money and is willing to
disburse II under sufficient provocation
ana excessive prodding. The fact that
the library. unlike the Y. M. c. A.. Is
not self-supporting. does not lead to the
conciusiou that Birmingham should not
have a decent library. 1t ia pointed out
that library properly maintained Will
be of uutold beneht to those whom the
Y. M. c. A. can never reach.
The library association IL seemingly pre-
pairing 70 strike while the iron 10 hot"
Enough shsosy, It is suggested. has been
advanced to build tan library buildings.
What 10 wanted now 10 cold cash,