Evening journal., 1913-11-28
A new
HOME FOR The
CITY LIBRARY
Board viii Raise S3OO,OOO
Fund and Wants Council
to Aid Project
CITY MAY GIVE
THE DESIRED AID

A fine new home for the Whining
ton Institute Free Library, which
would rank as one Of the best of its
size in any city in the country, is
practically assured should City Coun-
Gil be willing to increase the animal
appropriation to the library associa-
ton $50 on every $1,000 bequeathed
or donated TO the institution, the
amount on such payment not to ex-
ceed 100000 in all.
On Wednesday night the matter
was the subject Of a lengthy discus
sion between City Council sitting as
committee of the whole, and
committee from the library board, at
which time the library committee
presented their arguments in such a
forcible manner that the Councilmen
admitted the advisability of their
suggestions and the need of new
library here.
Should the increased financial aid
from the city be guaranteed the II
brary proposes to raise a building
fund of 100000.
The following resolutions, which
were adopted by the board of man
ayers Of the library on Monday
might, were read to the Councilmen:
whereas, The Wilmington Institute
Free Library is housed in a combus-
tible building, entirely unsuited for
the proper accommodation OF its pa
irons, and the need of a dignified, ar
ustic, fire-proof building is apparent
to everyone, and
Whereas, 1t is the belief of the
board of managers of The Wilmington
] IL
of library building cannot be OBJ
tanned unless the proper maintenance
of the library in a new building be
assured, and
Whereas, An act of the state legis-
lature authorizes the mayor and
Council of Wilmington to enter into
continuous or perpetual contracts
with The Wilmington Institute in ac-
cordance with. which act the mayor
and council OF Wilmington. on July
~, 1904, agreed to pay $50 a year for
every $1,000 bequeathed or donated
to The Wilmington Institute, the
amount on which such payments may
be made not to exceed 100000
Now, therefore, be it resolved
That the Mayor and Council of VIII
mington be requested to enter into
an additional agreement so as to per-
nit the city to pay $50 per year for
every $1,000 bequeathed or donated
to The Wilmington Institution, the
amount on which such payment be
made not to exceed 100000, malKinl
total of 100000, instead of 100000
as at present
After the resolutions had been pre-
sented to the councilmen, Mr.. Hazard
president of the library, read the fol
lowing statement. which sums up IN
situation.
|, This resolution is not the result of
sudden whim. For years members {
the library board have discussed way
and means, not only of getting a nel
building, but of supporting it adequatel
when obtained The Free Library lex
lcept the building) is recognizes
throughout the United States as one o
the best Libraries in any city of the SAM
size. Indeed, it ranks even higher thar
many Libraries in cities much larger. II
has achieved such a reputation IN an
unsuitable building, it seems reasonable
to suppose that it could increase its use
lfulness and reach a much larger numbei
lof persons if it. could be placed in
building suited to the work that il
ought to do.
Under present conditions the sol'
advantage is that the cost of admins
ltration is not great. In a building il
which the work could be done prop
erly it would be much more than
is at present. Il is obvious that a new
building must be built by private con
lributions, and it is equally obviou
that the library must have a large
income. 1t is not the policy 70
wealthy men to give large sums O
money for library buildings unles
the cities to which they are given ar
prepared to do their part in makiEl
the gift a valuable one. Mr. Carnegie
for instance. always demands tina
the community in which he builds
Library shall agree to contribute an
lnually for maintenance an amour
equal to at least 10 per cent. of th
amount of his contribution. It is tn
feeling of the board OF managers q
the Wilmington Institute that an add
ltional contract between the city q
Wilmington and the Wilmington In
stitute, under which the city agree
to contribute for the maintenance {
I the library an amount equal to pc
cent. per annum, or $50 per 81 90
on all contributions and bequests re
ceived up to 100000. which wit
the agreement already in force wi
make total of 100000, will Undue
= donations and bequests sufficient !
amount to build a library building.
The work which the library doe
Is done so quitely that it is not ger
: orally recognized that it is the moi