The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-22
SOON TO PASS ON
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Ordinance Creating Carnegie
Board Still on the Statute
Books.
MAYOR
APPROVES
Iodd Offer May Be Used as
Nucleus for Big lnsti-
tuition.

The resolution providing for ap-
pointment OF special committee to
consider the offer of Thomas J. Todd to
donate $4,000 toward acquisition OF
a site. If the city will erect and main
tain free public circulating library.
is In the hands of the Mayor, having
been adopted by both branches OF tn:
City Council. 1t is anticipated that il
will receive executive sanction to-day.
Mayor Richardson has already APP
proved the general plan of public
library.
The offer of Mr.. TODD has revived
general discussion Of tho library
project. which received much atten-
ton from the public and press of the
city ten or twelve years ago, when
Andrew Carnegie offered to donate
100000 for erection OF n library build
ing in this city, subject TO certain. con-
ditions. the city to guarantee TO APP
propriate 100000 per annum fer its
maintenance IN perpetuity. The offer
was allowed TO die in the Council, as
much opposition was shown to ac-
ceptance both on the ground that
Richmond was able TO provide its peo-
pie with public library If they de-
sired ono, and because the conSitions
imposed with the gift were conIldcrcd
too enormous
Provided Library Board.
The Council, however, went SO far
as 10 provide how the proposed Car
neEie Library should DO managed
Chapter 4S OF the city Code, which con
forms to city ordinance approved
December il, 1901, providing for the
appointment Of board of library
trustees, to consist OF three Council
men elected by the Common Council.
Two Aldermen elected by the Board
of Aldermen, the Superintendent of
Public Schools cx-otiicio, and three
citizens elected by the Council in joint
. session, the nine persons so elected
to cons titute the library board. elect
their own chairman. select librarian
and proper assistants. and provio G
generally Tor the maintenance OF the
institution. This board was directed
10 select proper site for a library
and report to the Council, and 10 Sc
cure plans for proper building. both
site and plans to be approved by the
Council, and to have custody and ex-
penditure OF the Carnegie fund. As
the Council did not provide for a site
for the library, or meet the require
Incnts of Mr.. Carnegie, the board died
in its incipicncy, though the ordinance
creating IL remains in full force on
the statute books.
City Bcttcr Able Now.
Mr.. TOdds offer has TO a large OK
tent revived the library project, and
the city is said TO be vastly better
| able 10 afford such an Undertaking
now than II wac at the time of the
| Carnegie offer. the annual budget
being now nearly double what It was
ten years ago. Members OF the Finance
Committee assert that II any real de-
sire on the part OF the citizens gen :
orally is evinced, funds can be pro
vided BY bond Issue for erection oil
q modern and adequate r!reproof build :
Ing in good architectural TASTE and
on some convenient location, and that
cessation on the part of the Council
even for few months IN the perpetual
creation OF new jobs and increases
in pay OF the city's army of Office
! holders would provide an ample sum
| for lis annual maintenance.
Those who have visited the larger
! cities OF this country assert that Rich
! mond owns more public utilities than
! any city OF its size, and that IL lacks
nut two public institutions generally
| found in progressive c!tica--a public
! hospital md public library. The
| large number OF private hospitals do
! ing charitable work have to a large
| extent met the frs; demand. though
| there are not hacking those who favor
/ the erection by the city of a free pub.
! lie hospital. and many who regret thai
the city did not more carefully con
slider the offer Of the owners uf tn.
Memorial TO turn that institution oven
10 the city
But the demand for public Iibrary
is entirely unified. Tho Rosemary
Library is q private subscription Ii.
brary, having only works Of hction
aud catering 10 limited class TIL,
State library, valuable for research
ana historical reference. Is hardly ac
c"ssibln 10 the general public, and ha:
neither tn. class OF books nor ,h'
eGUpmept 70 become a free circulating
library Tine ioeagrc collections in
the public schools arc hardly worth,
OF notice ard th- citys proud hoas
Of Municipal library consists onI'
OF cas- Or two OF books on subject;
Of Special interest to city officers, II
the Mayors Office, 10 which there hav
been fcw additions in recent years.