Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1920-04-01

To the Editor of INC EUeaiRg Capital:
1.-THE committee appointed by the
Common Council to. have charge Of the
Public Library project desires to
thank The Capital for the interest il
has shown in the movement for Lie
brary. for editorial and news notices,
and its general willingness TO coop
crate They think the time has come
for a report Of progress. and a request
for public support.
We have, to begin with, a snrpris-
ing number of things offered US which
usually cost considerable money The
Council will give US the room in the
Municipal building which has been the
center of Red Cross work during the
war. We have 10 wait until the Red
Cross has a place to put their proper
ty which is now in the room. but as
soon as this is removed we are ready
TO begin making an exhibit which will
show the public what progress We
have made. and in some degree ex-
plain our plans
We can, as soon as we take formal
possession. and have provided proper
shelving, put upwards of two thousand
volumes there for inspection, and can
then undertake the work OF catalogu
ing and arranging. AS yet we can
not say exactly how full the provision
is going to be in different departments
OF literature, but we are promised
something at least i'm all of them.
We have some committees now
looking up whether we can provide
for shelving and necessary furniture
in any specially economical way, but
il appears that even with the best
economy We will need about $500 TO
enable us to make the exhibit we de-
sire TO. and get the necessary sta
tionary for labels, book cards and the
like.
"As soon as preliminaries are gone
through with we hope to organize
regular Library Association and ask
interested persons TO be members.
Most snch associations have member
ships of various characters, life mem
bers. sustaining members and annual
members We hope to have all these
classes. But we will reserve the de-
tails of management till we have q.
chance to invite the public TO the
building. when everything will bes ex-
planned. and we will welcome sugges-
lions.
'We are under obligations to Miss
Carlton Field Director of the State
Librarys Commission, for her visit and
her advisory work, and her promise
10 assist us in the matter of the cata-
logue.
The room provided is not very
large one. but it is large enough to do
until we have over 1000 books. For
the present weIwill not try to dupli-
cate the books which can be found in
he State Library for reference pur-
poses. except those of a very ordinary
aud useful sort, like a good dictionary
md .cyclopaedia
We believe the State Library can
use some of the materials which We
already have in hand. until such time
as We have room To expand But for
The present we will emphasize the cir
culating feature of a public library
We are relieved of some of the prob
iesns arising out of a mixed popula-
ion by the establishment of the Com
nunity Service Station for colored
people. and we believe we can do
chem great dead of good, and furn-
ish them with a good many books and
periodicals
We intend to have very carefully
selected periodical list and when it is
ready we Will give opportunity To any
one who desires to assume the cost of.
a favorite magazine
I'VE are also giving particular at
tention 10 the subject of proper care
Of the library and keeping it open for
the highest practicable convenience OF
the public Relieved OF rent heat,
light and janitor charges, and conf
dent of much volunteer assistance
from those who will act as assistant
librarians. we believe we can put
large energies into the accumulation
Of the best and most necessary books.
Now. may We not ask that you will
help US. and make it unnecessary to
make any drive for the small expense
we need to incur by announcing that
you will receive for US such sums as
may be handed in for our preliminary
expenses? This plan has been suffi-
GENTLY successful with other things |
Of publicly charitable nature 10
make us feel that enough will proba-
bly, be placed in your hands for our
purposes by the really interested par
ties without soliciting in any general |
way
AS a beginning. beg to enclose
my check. and express the hope that |
we are not presuming too much on
yoRr good nature
Truly yours,
HtE sk ~ s4fn-f,-T, mr. TkaFC