The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-21
THE LIBRARY BOARD
APPEALS FOR FUNDS
TO BUY MORE BOOKS
All Maintenance Expenses
Will be Paid by City.
Situation Outlined

y pileI statement was lSSueu NeSter-
day by the newly created library board
relative to the library situation in this
community The statement it was ex-
planned, was made simply to indicate to
the citizens of Birmingham the exact
library situation as succinctly as possible
and to intimate what may be expected in
the furtherance of the work
1t is pointed cut that all the books
now owned by the city were purchased
by subscriptions of crtizens and that the
condition Of the city treasury indicates
that such support viii be the present
method of acquiring needed books until
the city is in better financial condi-
ton. The board calls attention to the
fact that the maintenance will be from
the city treasury as in the past, the
money for that formerly having been
spent through the board of education.
Statement of Board
The statement is as follows:
In assuming the duties Of trustees. the
members of the library board deem it
expedient to make plain to their fellow
citizens the real library situation con-
fronting them.
Practically all the books now found
in the five libraries City hall, Avondale
West End Ensley and Woodlawn, COM
posing the library system of the city, have
come through sources other than the city
treasury. The city has never appropriated
money for the purchase of books, beyond
one small appropriation for one of the alb
sorbed libraries, and the condition of the
city treasury, now ana for some time to
come, precludes appropriations for the
purchase of books.
I'VE face, therefore one of two alter
natives, either that private. contributions
shall, as in the past, provide the means
for purchasing needed books, or, that
our library system shall mark time, as
best IT may, with present equipment, ln-
til the state Legislature shall provide
greater revenues for our city We feel
alternative of library growth and prog
ress, and in that assurance, shall appeal
to their patriotism and local pride to
supply a liberal fund for the needed
equipment of our libraries.
City Will Maintain Libraries
I'VE would make it plain that none of
this money will be asked or used for
the maintenance of the Libraries. Main
tenance will come through the city treas
ury alone, and we look for a time in the
comparatively near future when the in
come of the city will provide not only
for maintenance but for all library pur-
poses. Modern cities are basing action
on the palpable fact that preparation In
| school, college and university does not
| constitute education. These modern cities
encourage real education-adult education
! just as they encourage preparatory ed
ucation. Preparatory education is en-
uraged through attractive schoolhouses
free books, school Fairgrounds and pub
| lie opinion, for the reason that ignor-
ance and illiteracy are recognized as COM
munity deterents. Compulsory school at
! tendance statutes are adopted by most
cities, so necessary to the welfare is
preparatory education neld to be.
| Consistency and logic join in urging
these modern cities to encourage and to
provide for real education throughout
adult life. in every way. short of com
pulsion Attractive buildings, reading
rooms, lecture halls, all are provided In
the never ending struggle for self-preser-
walton and progression.
I'VE believe that Birmingham will not
| lag, that she Will furnish books for real
| education. as she furnishes schools for
preparatory education. AS the use OF
| preparatory education is encouraged SO
the use and employment of books for
real continuous education will be encour-
aged in every way
/ 'HThe knowledge ant experience of this
race of ours, acquire: during the untold
ages of its upward struggle from saw