The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-28

as can learn why Richmond should
not own public library Just as much
as any other city OF equal size IN
the country. Its problems. populntiot,.
industries and resources are not ma.
,crialiy different. so far as have
earned. IRON, Louisville. Nashville.
MSinphls. Atlanta. Jacksonville and
other Southern cities. all OF which
nave FOUND their public library a
thoroughly satisfactory and Dnyiuy
investment. When a public library
campaign was started some years ago
IN Jacksonville. Fla, where | wus H.
Drarian for some years, there was a
feeling on the part of some that the
coIored question would be an obstacle
IN the successful administration OF
the library. This. OF course has been
more or less of n bugbear to every
southern city until they faced TIM
problem squarely and then discovered
Jacksonville solved the question by
providing a special room FOR the use
or the culored people. Atlanta solved
IT by not making any provision for
know the colored people have never
demanded entrance INTO the public H.
brary and are willing to wait the
time when a branch for their special
use can be afforded for them. Louis
vile and Galveston have solved the
problem BY providing Il branch libra
rs for the colored people. | havo
iived long enough In the South 10
.
Tor the two races to be served N the
same room and over the same library
delivery desk, but have also found
that this is absolutely unnecessary. as
shown BY the experiences OF tho
above named cities.
remember some time ago reading
that Mr.. Carnegie made an Offer to
Richmond OF money to build n library
building. have now forgotten just
what the amount was, but 1t seems
to me it was 100000. II this money
We're accepted from Mr.. Carnegie the
only condition would he that the
city should appropriate at least 500
600 a year for the maintenance of the
library. For city tine size of Rich
mond, with its prosperous business
and large land values, this amount
would be absolutely unfclt by the tax
payers OF the city. For the average
taxpayer 1t would be less than the
price of one book per year bought
at book store. In Jacksonville. when
the question of accepting $4,000 from
Mr.. Carnegie for library was put
to a vote Of the people there was Il
strong sentiment against accepting II.
so that the vote only carried by "a
majority OF fourteen. Some felt that
the city ought not to take on this
extra burden of taxation, and others
felt that the city ought not to accept
money from mfr. Carnegie. After the
library had been in operation for two
years however 1t had proved Itself
such an Invaluable institution chat j
doubt If there would have been four
teen votes in the entire city against
the library If it had again been put
to n vote. Until people have mad the
privileges Of their schools. railways.
telcgraphs and telephones they do not
appreciate their Importance, but when
they have once been accustomed 10
them they soon wonder how they ever
succeeded in getting on without them.
In the same way those who have be-
come accustomed TO the advantages n
library brings wonder how any com
munty could ever get along without
The public library is of particular
value in its relation to the educa-
tional work of schools. 1t Is onnec-
essary for me to go into detail re-
garding the Importance of the library
to children and to high school and
college students. This feature alone
is worth more than any city ever eX-
Ponds toward n public library Tho
library is also OF marked vaiuo IN
practical business ways to the bust
ness men OF any city. An eficient
reference department means many
dollars saved to the business men who
get in the habit OF phoning. to the
library or calling there for informa-
ton which may save them dollars IN
their business.
scme cities have objected to ac-
sometimes because they object to ac-
cepting money from any outsider. and
sometimes because Mr.. Carnesie's
methods OF acquiring his wealth have
been questioned. Ii a. city will build
It's own library out OF its own funds
without seeking or accepting outside
help thero is little question but that
the library will DO better appreciated,
and more highly valued by the citi-
zens. but If this cannot DO done there
seems to be no question but that
an offer from Mr.. Carnegie or any
other benefactor who is willing to fur
nlsh the funds should be accepted