The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-29
REAL Plan ron LIBRARY.

REAL Plan FOR Library.
Here Is sane business proposition
FOR a Richmond Public Library deter
Memorial Hall. of Richmond College.
can be secured by either of two offers.
1t viii he sold to the city for S9o>cO
provided at leas, $50 feet Of Grace
street frontage extending back to the
new alley between Grace and Franklin
is bought at 5000 foot Second. it
will be given TO the city provided from
100 10 2iO fee; on both Grace and
OF 500 on Grace an6 s275 on Franklin
and that FORTY feet on each side OF the
tract be given for streets between
Franklin and Grace.
In short for $4,000 a building that
cost $1,000 .and lot slightly larger
than ;h4 building, and nov worth $40
COZ. can b. secured. For about $780,
eco a strip 100 feet wide running the
block between Grace and Franklin
ard open on streets on all sides can
bo secured. This will furnish a mas
nhcent plaza and park well as 4
library, that will be an ornament TO
the city.
Inspection OF the building shows it
admirably suited for library use. 1t !
over 100 feet long. has three main
floors. eNcellently lighted, in which
stack-room for 10000 volumes could
be found easily. Al presen, 5000
volumes arc distributed without using
much floor space The top floor is a
beautiful and imposing room that could
be used for a city museum and art
gallery, ard for public assemblaces
y reading room. childrcn's room
Offices, hesting plant. and every need
for a modern library could be met 1T
once. /, would be only necessary TO
put the books in and get a librarian
and Richmond would have the long
sought pahnc institution TO dupl-
cate such 4 building would cost about
$4,000,
There sFe at present in Richmond
over 1000 books that could be put,
in public library under proper con-
d!,lons They Will be given II
proper care is guaranteed An an
nual appropriation OF $4,000 would
supper, this peoples university and
add 10 its collection
The sole conceivable objection to
this plan is that the building is too
far ives: from the centre of the city
Yet the city is moving west rapidly
Moreover. the other parts of the city
could be supplied with distributing
stations or branches. What We need
is TO set the beginning Of n library
plant. II we cannot get the ideal To-
cation. Nc can get Very fine building
at very cheap price. and when tho
better site and building come, this
VIII pc serviceable az a branch and a
social centre for this neiehborhood
Richmond missed the chance to get
a s25Oo05 hospital for $4,000 WIN
We miss this chance 10 make good
investment? Jus, Is business. consider
this proposition. The lot Will take
$50 coo. since, the"coIege Intends TO
sell Inc building for the material in
II. and probably would not gc, more
than $500: for the salvage, IT is pos
sibie that the city could acquire this
$4,000 building for $4,000. That
makes the total cost $4,000 The
Grace Street land is never going to
be worth less than $4,000 In ten
years II ehould be worth more The
building Will stand for twenty five
wears and much longer If at tho end
cf ten years the city desired to get
Fid OF the property. the land and
building would ne worth $4,000 ina:
means an Investment Of $4,000 In ten
Years for fine library plant. Can
Ricnmond AFFORD to do wi,hout a IL
bray at rent Of $500 q year: small
dwelling house costs that Here is a
magnificent public building
For $4,000 ID bonds and SO 600 a
wear FOR support we can got good
public library, r, is up to Tho pcopl,
70 demand T. it IS up to the school.
- demand It. ,.'e IN to cycry SOFA
rorEer ana puhAc-- pirl,cd citizen ia
aemaud j S tne solemn duty o.
INC Mayor tho Council ana he Admin.
istratiyc Board ,o Visit this site an.
see What is waiting.
Can lRicamonc waste tits rolder
chance?