The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-08
POINT OUT NEED
FOR FREE LIBRARY
THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE HEARS
STEAMERS ON SUBJECT OF
MUNICIPAL PROJECT.
SITES ARE SUGGESTED
PROFFER OF $4,000 BY THOMAS
j, TODD CAUSES THE CAR
NEGIE PROPOSITION TO
BE DUG Up.
SITES ARE SUGGESTED

Needs of a free public library in
Richmond were set forth by several
speakers at a meeting last night of
joint councilmanic committee named
to look into the question OF erecting
such library. with $4,000 gift
from Thomas J, Todd Tor site as
basis on which to work.
Wyndham r. Meredith lamented
the fact that Richmond has no free
library SO that the citizens may es-
pecially inform themselves at this
critical period when the city govern
ment itself is Oh the point nf Under
going a material change In form
And we don't want ANYTHING
cheap.@ he insisted We want IL
brary building that VIII be in keeping
with other municipal projects He
thought ii would not be an unwlse
idea to accept Andy Carnegies offer
even at this late date To maintain
such library. he pointed out. would
take only l per cent Of the city's total
annual appropriation for 1919. This.
he asserted, was asking but little of a
municipality with the standing which
Richmond enjoys.
Sites suggested.
As a-suitable sit for The library,
he suggested the Fords hotel property
acquired last year by the city This
is located directly across Eleventh
street from the city Hiatt
site he suggested Is located at Second
ana Grace streets, better known as
the old Thomas home Still another
was the Richmond College campus
Mr. Meredith took broad view of
the proposition. believing that such
an undertaking called for anything
but a niggardly policy on the part of
the city fathers.
Professor J. G. Metcalf, of Rich
mond College. said the central library
plan. with branches, was the one be-
ing adopted nv most progressive cities
IN the country. In The same manner
re p6ifttGd Ar, T-ncfe sam maintains
cenral postof1ice with posal stations
at other convenient and suita BILE
points.
Favors Carnegie.
He read communication from the
Richmond Education Association
which suggested several feasible plans
In connection with the library project.
The most feasible, il was suggested,
was To accept the Carnegie offer Of
$500, 900. which is said TO still hold
good. though made -snrnn=yearx aga,
II was suggested further that the com
troll might be vested in board of
fifteen including the mayor, the presi-
dents of the two councilmanic
branches, at least one member Of the
new administrative board, and two
women
Mrs. Kate Minor, assistant State
librarian, spoke strongly in favor of
Il. city library, citing figures To- show
ether cities in. Rjchfnolld's class are
progressing along the same line, He
said that the State library was in no
wise intended to fifl tho needs of a
library for the citizens Of Richmond
and was not equipped i'll any way for
such d purpose. 80
Mrs. B. b. Munford also spoke in
favor OF the city library project.
Barkus il Willing.
Harry X. Pollard, Jr.. a member Of
The committee, and chairman of The
Council Committee on Finance, said
r tiiat he w@uia be only too glad to
accept that old fellows money pro-
vlded it does not come with too many
strings tied TO II, He WAS referring
10 Carnegie Mr.. Todd spoke briefly.
setting forth the scope OF his offer
10 the city.
Chairman Umiauf announced that
the committee would take the mat
ter Under stdFistHent, hoping to have
Il report ready by the next meeting
of the Common Council. Other mem
Mark Gunst and Charles +. Richards