The Washington times., 1914-10-12
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

In his annual report just issued
DR.. George F. Bowerman, head OF
the Public Library of the District
makes one observation Of decided in
terest. He says that in 1904 81 pei
cent of all the circulation of the Ii
brary was fiction; in 1914 the fiction
| proportion had fallen to 56 per cent
= 1t requires only, a few words to
state this fact; they are rather in
Cidental to the general subject-mat,
ter of the report, which is largely a
plea for more money, more books
more help in conducting the library
Yet it would seem that this simple
statement of fact about the charac-
ter Of the circulation constitutes
about the strongest single reason
why more money ought to be found
for the library.
The reading habits of the Ameri-
can public have been undergoing a
decided change in recent years. Not
few people have believed they
could cite the exact point of the turn
ing toward soldier reading; and they
name the year 1896, with its remark
able seizure of public attention in
behalf Of political and economic
problems. At any rate it is certain
that since about that time the pub
lie libraries in general have noted
progressive movement toward
more substantial intellectual pabu-
lum. The college libraries are said
to have shown q similar tendency.
Washington's Public Library does
not get as substantial support as it
deserves. The expenditures of the
institution increased from $4,000 in
1904 to $4,000 in 1914, or 40 per
cent. In that same period the num-
Der of registered users IF the library
increased only 35 per cent. The nome
circulation of hooks, however, in
creased 156 per cent, and the stock
of books 161 per cent. Thus it is to
be observed that the average user of
the library is making \ great deal
more use of it than ne did ten years
ago. The question arises, why does
the number Of users increase 50
slowly?
1t is not fair to assume that me
particular group of people in Wash
ington have been reading three
times as much in the last ten years
rs they formerly did, while the rest
of the people have not had any dis
position to increase their reading at
all. There must be some reason why
the number of readers increases so
slowly, while the amount Of reading
increases so fast.
The reason is that the library has
not had the, means to get into most
effective tCGch with the entire COM
rnunity. Branch libraries are needed
to reach the people of different com
munities. Many agencies are now
utilized through which to get books
to the people; social settlements,
high schools, grammar schools. home
library associations, Sunday schools,
and the like. But the ineffectiveness
Of these in getting the books to the
whole community is testified by the
fact that the number of users in
creased so slowly. 1t IS the complete
case in favor Of more liberal provi-
sion to popularize tn. work of the
institution.
Of twenty-nine cities with free
public libraries, twcnIy-three spend
more money per capita on their Ii
lraries than Washington spends.
Washington spends 20 ,ents per CAP
ita on its library; the average for
the entire group Of cities is 81 cents
per capita. Thus, Cleveland spends
40 cents, Pittsburgh 81 cents, Port
land, Ore, SO cents, Seattle 40 cents,
and Louisville 36 cents per capita.
Compared with 20 cents per capita
for Washington, it must be admit
ted that this town does lot keep up
with the procession.