The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-08
The Library Situation i'm Virginia

ture and the possibilities OF q great
public library considers tho library
sttua aon in Virginia, he Is, to say the
ference or the people of the State: II
he is a patriotic virglnian and at tho
same time has a knowledge of what Ia
being done IN other States OF the. Union.
he is likely to be ashamed. There are
IN Virginia few good libraries owned
by educational institutions and me-
chanics' associations. but the use OF
these by tho public at large is natural
ly very restricted. free public
library. using the term in the sense
In which 1t is properly used in the
vocabulary Of librarians and meaning
by 1t library for the use without pay
OF all the members of tho community
in which II is situated-so long. OF
course, as certain necessary regulations
are observed-is very rare in Virginia
AS usual thing r free public library is
supported by local taxation, but Il may
be supported by private bcnefaction.
So long s the public >re perfectly free
to use II without discrimination. tho
source OF its revenue makes no differ
ence in the classified ton. Now, so far
as l am informed, there are only four
such libraries in the state: the Norfolk
Public Library. the Manassas Public
Library. the Jones Memorial Library
Lynchhurg), and the Wallace Me-
mortal Library fredericksburg. In
1900 very good library law was put
ON the statute books of Virginia,
whereby communities are permitted to
expend n certain part OF the funds rails
ed by local taxation in the establish
mcnt and maintenance of libraries. but
hA In ha ra1A 10 -
Largest in Virginia.
Tho largest library In Virginia and
the one having the most numerous stan
is the Virginia State Library This
Institution is. however, as are other
state libraries, a special library, es-
tablished primarily as reference
library for tho use moro particularly
OF the members OF the General Assemb-
" of Virginia and the officials ~ the
State and for the collection and pre-
servation OF State historical material
both In print and IN manuscript In
course of time a very good general coll
lection OF books. especially books In
biography. history and literature. has
been acquired, in addition to the books
in social science and the reports and
documents of the United states govern
ment and tho several States of the
Union specially useful TO the mem
bers OF the General Assembly and
state officials The general public are
invited and urged. to make full ana
free use on the premises OF all parts of
the collection, for the bcnelt of the
public, the library being KEEP, open. ex-
cept In the summer time. from o'clock
in the morning until 10 o'clock at
night. But the homo use OF its books
is limited by law. The law on the sub
ject is as follows: Tho Judges OF tho
Supreme Court OF Appeals. the Cover
nor. Lieutenant-Governor. reporter OF
Court OF Appeals. members OF the Gen.
eral Assembly during the sessions
thereof. and other State officers at the
Capitol and such other persons an the
Library Board may deem 1T, shall be
allowed TO use tho state Library un-
der such rules and regulations as the
board may adopt: provided. that no
manuscript or record OF any kind. and
no book, portrait, or relic of rare or
historic value. shall be taken from the
library room by any one, and no book
shall be kept out OF the library for
more than two weeks" Under what
may be termed the elastic part OF this
law. namely. that which stretches the
home use OF the library so as TO in
clude those deemed nt BY the Library
Board" the privilege OF taking away
certain books from the library build
ing has been extended to ministers and
teachers and such persons as may be
recommended rs borrowers by members
OF the General Assembly or by State
ofIicials. the person recommending a
borrower becoming responsible for the
return of books on time and in good
condition Moreover. under the inter
library loan system. authorized by
law. by virtue OF which the State Lii
brary IS permitted TO lend books to any
institution which allows the library TO
borrow books from II In return. books
are sent to many of the institutions Of
learning Cboth collegiate and sec
ondary) throughout the State. In all
these ways the circulation OF books is
increasing. At the same time the use
made of the library by readers in its
reading room and BY serious students
engaged in work OF research is really
very great But 1t may readily be seen
that the conditions OF free public Ii
brary are not fulflled No citizen Of
Richmond thowever responsible he may
mc). or OF any part OF the State, IAN
borrow book merely on the strength
or the fact that he is a citizen In the
purchase OF books. moreover. reference
books, books on social science. and
books on Virginia history have to take
precedence OF books which might be
Of more interest and benefit TO the gem
eral public Hence, the vocational hooks
spoken OF in the article last week. books
which in a large public library are
sought for by the Purchasing Com
mittee. are In tine Virginia State Ii
hrary largely left out OF account funds
being insufficient to cultivate this field