Evening journal., 1914-05-22

rVYHREE things are necessary 20 enable puuhc
library to fuhn its highest function as an edu-
cational institution. They
One-Books.
Tvo-Assistants.
Three-Buildng
So far as books affected. believe that the In
stitute Free Library in this city is par with the
library any city Of its size in the United states Ever
since was made free in 1928 the selection Of books
has been good. At the present time it is fully equal
to the general needs our city along the lines Of ref
erencc work general reading and recreation.
Il o. a woll-known fact that the policy OF the lie
brary is to please the people So far ts funds per-
NIT It meets all legitimate demands. The young
women assistants are intelligent courteous and ia
varabiy exert themselves the fullest extent help
in the selection Of books, the answering Of
various questions.
In these two respects the Free Library better of
than nine enths Of the libraries Of the size in
other cities Tho shelves contain minimum of dead
wood and the assistants exert a maximum amount of
effort to please the public.
When however, to the third necessity of
a good library Il must be confessed that our public
library is not only seriously handicapped but that
in comparison with other cities It ranks the bottom
Built in 1861, when library architects did exist
with the idea of producing much revenue poss-
BILE, the present building from the point Of view OF
shrary service, good one. AS the work
OF the library has expanded. it has actually been
modern library should compel its readers to toll
up long flight Of stairs, neither should it permit
children OF all ages to the same entrance
adults. Furthermore the interior arrangements should
be simple dignihed in good taste and should have
separate reading from the rest of the library
that the strictest quiet be maintained. In all
these respects the library in this city sadly behind
the times
It is true that the Board Of Managers realizes these
facts and that the question OF a new building has
been discussed periodically the last ten years or
more. In November, 1913 believing that conditions
were nearly intolerable the managers presented a
resolution to City Council asking that the contract
made in July 1904, by OF which the city must
pay per cent yearly all gifts up to S1OO 00O be
changed so that the maximum amount which such
payment could be made would be 100000 instead of
100000. This resolution introduced because the
board believed that 1t would be impossible to get gifts
OF money with which to erect building unless the
givers assured that the library would be ade-
ouately supported.
So far Council has not taken action on this reso-
luton It may be that among the many demands for
increased appropriations il has been lost sight Of
that be so. the many in city who believe
that the library is doing educational work second
to that Of no other institution should bring the matter
TO the attention OF Councilmen from their districts and
urge the adoption Of the resolution at once This 1.
the first step in the campaign fora new building
Council holds the key 70 the situation II il refuses
TO act fayorably there is chance Of obtaining new
building for many years to come