The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-02
PRIVATE INITIATIVE ACHIEVED RESULTS Dr. T. D. Parke Writes on
 Library Situation NEW BOARD URGED Library Advocate Points Out That Private Effort Raised $5000 for
 Books as We'll as Miss
 Greene's Salary
NEW BOARD URGED
To the Editor of The Age-Herald.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 In a democracy. most will agree, the discussion of matters affecting the public welfare. is wholesome in it's tendency, and the statement of the president of the board of education, published in this mornings issue of your paper, is mos, welcome whether assent or dissent be given his position.
 The real and vital question raised In former letters-shal the library system of Greater Birmingham continue stag nant-is not discussed in the statement, unless it be by implication. The strong est appeal of the statement is directed to our fears-that ancient but effective argument of all the ages-fear of change.
 Greater Birmingham is recent accom- plishment. The three purely library build ings possessed by the city were acquired as consequence of the consolidation. The West End library remained under it's local board of trustees till within the year, if my information is correct, and Avondale library still remains separate.
 Recent history is forgotten. too. when the full credit of the central library is claimed for the schools. That history would chronicle the raising of funds through private initiative to bring Miss Nimmo Greene into our midst for year s effective and most valuable library work, as well as the raising of over s5ooo through private initiative for books.
 During the time Miss Greene was un- ceasingly employing her tact to obtain from the city fathers. downstairs. needed improvements on library floor, she was not an employe of the city but of a private association and how well she succeeded is local history
 The board of education, the city council, private initiative converted a library, Phillips and his teachers and pupils. from one that ministered, for years, to few hundred raid subscribers. into a free public library open to all citizens.
 Birmingham is face to face with rit- uation-a condition. The city has no funds with which to purchase books, bad ly needed in all the libraries The board of education can no more procure funds today for the purchase of books than II coulu WntH dn tSspCidtipH ol pfl'dte citizens came to the rescue with $5000 for books at central library. And the board of education is no more responsible for the conditions now than it was then It did it's best then. It is doing it's best now The suggestion of library boa'i is made with view of changing coil- ditions and not with any purpose of criticising the board of education.
 Our city commissioners can be depended upon to choose members of such a li- brary board--members who will be vital phases.
 It is unthlnkable that members wound accept or the commissioners proffer al- pointment on a library boards unless an appropriation. at least as large as tho present expenditure for libraries were made for maintenance.
 Local patriotism has responded to ap- peals for our libraries. Given board, with official position, to lead in present. ing the plight of our city in book re- sources and the response would be in keeping with our past
 Moreover the practice of having sep arate board to control the library systcli of cities is one that meets with general favor among library experts. I am. very truly, pl THOMAS D.YPARKE | Birmingham, october l, 1912.