The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-30
DR. THOS. ). PARKE
 AMPL|F|ES VIEWS
Suggestionfor Library Com mission No Reflection on
 Board of Education
To the Editor of The Age-Herald. !.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 The interview published in Sunday 8 Age-Herald. based as it was on few minutes conversation on the curb. may well be ampified in justice to the board of education and the undersigned.
 In former communication the ap- pointing of a library board to take charge of the library system of the city. 1t was made plain that no reflection was intended to be cast on the board of education and full credit was given this board for the very valuable work done for the libraries of the city It was made plain that in the estimation of the writer. the progress brought about at city hall library would not have been possible. but for the un- varying and consistent backing of the board of education.
 The change to library board of com mission was not advocated because the board of education had been in any way remiss, but for the reason that conditions over which the board of education has no control, prevent growth. All who have been connected with library work in this city must recognize the importance and the great value of the efforts of the board of education to promote library ef- fectiveness, and far be 1t from me to lessen in any way the credit due this body.
 The conditions that face the board of ed ucation and for which the members are in no way responsible, are that the city possesses no funds for the purchase of books badly needed In our library build ings. The conditions further are that the demands of the education board for our public schoos-to meet our public school wants-always exceed what the commis- sion feels warranted in granting from depleted treasury. With demands greater than appropriations. the board is in no position 10 ask the commissioners for money to carry forward the librarie and hence we have stasnation. so far as growth of library books is concerned.
 These conditions have brough.>us face to face with the unpleasant truth that our library system must mark time tll our city treasury changes from it's present scarcity of funds.
 II Is local history that much was ac- complished for the library at city hall through little concerted action of pri- Nate citizens.
 Because of the firm belief that concerted action will again produce results and be- cause the appointment of library board will furnish the occasion and the nucleus for concerted action now and in the near future, change of library management IS now advocated.
 Such commission or board, created by the city commissioners. could be dlscon- tinued at any time in the future it's cre- ators thought advisable.
 That the citizens of Birmingham should find themselves satisfied with the pres ent stagnation in their library system is unthinkahle. For the modern city public libraries are no fad: they are necess- ties. and we must have them or pay the price.
 AS stated in the former communication. if anyone has a better plan to offer l for one stand ready to aid in carrying it out. but let us not be content to stag nate as we now do, and seem likely to do for long time to come, unless action is taken. THOMAS D. PARKE.
 Birmingham, September go, 1912