Evening star., 1921-12-05

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works inequity and hardship; 1t
places a burdensome cost on the de-
Yelopment of the newer sections Of
the District which was not borne in
previous years by older sections OF
the city which did not bear any
assessment for paving roadways. The
Commissioners feel that the law is
inequitable and they believe that
, some new legislation should be en-
acted which would remove the in
equalities of the present law
Branch Libraries Asked
In discussing activities of the Public
Library, the Commissioners urge upon
Congress the necessity for establishing
as rapidly as possible more branch
libraries in the thickly settled residen-
tial sections Of the city.
The report predicts that the new
southeast branch at 7th, D and South
Carolina avenue will be ready for occu-
pancy on July l. This should be fol-
lowed at an early date by a new branch
in Columbia Heights, one Of the most
densely populated parts of the city, the
trustees believe.
Two general recommendations are
made in behalf Of the Public Library:
First. that the central library be
strengthened by raising salaries and in
making adequate new book accessions;
second, that the scope of the library's s
usefulness be extended by erection OF
neighborhood branches and the setting
up Of branches in public schools. In
emphasizing the need for branches, the
report states:
1.-THE necessity for library branch de-
velopment in Washington is obvious.
One central building and one suburban
branch are entirely inadequate to serve
a population Of 437, 900 persons to whom
the Library of Congress cannot ex-
building is unduly crowded and the
carfare required and the time con-
sumed in reaching it practically pre-
vent large numbers of persons from
using it who would derive the great
est advantage from it.
New Branch Needed Yearly.
1T is important that every year
should see the erection of an addi-
tional branch library building until
the total of seven, as set forth in
the librarians special report in 1917,
approved by the board Of library trus-
tees and the District Commissioners
are established at convenient points
in the more thickly populated parts
of the District. The securing Of the
appropriation for the site and the leg
Sslation for the southeastern branch
furnishes a precendent for these other
branches. 1t is important to push
the5 branch library program to a rapid
conclusion by putting up branch a
year in order to take advantage OF
the Carnegie gift for the erection OF
buildings. Although the gift as q
whole has been withdrawn, it is be-
lieved that the Carnegie Corporal tion
will renew 1t and will carry out Mr.
Carnegie's expressed intent ito give
the money necessary to build branch
library buildings" sufficient in num-
ber to develop Washington's Public
Library system. but only If the branch
library building program is carried
through within a reasonably short
time. II there is any undue delay
the prospect of putting up branch
libraries with Carnegie money will
be seriously jeopardized.
The Columbia Heights branch Ii.
brary should be the next to be built
1t should be situated in the vicinity
of 14th street and Columbis
road. the center of a populous resi-
dental section, so that a use will be
assured which will approximate that
building of its great congestion. The
library trustees have included in their
estimates an item for site for this
proposed branch"
Library space Set Aside.
In connection with its desire to see
branch libraries created in schools
the Commissioners point out that
space for a neighborhood library has
been set aside in the new Eastern
High School. now under construction
Belief is expressed that the proposed
now junior high schools also should
have library rooms incorporated in
their plans
The record Of home circulation OF
the Public Library during the last
f1scal year, which is regarded as the
best criterion OF its usefulness, wa
sS5.309 volumes and 72,100 pictures.
In order to further emphasize the
need for more employees and better
salaries in the library service, the
report tells Congress that last year
the board of trustees seriously con-
i;idered closing down the ohildren's
department, but avoided such . de-
piorable step by authorising the en-
ployment of sevein additional work
ers from the desk fund, made up OF
receipts from fines collected on over
due books. This fund ordinarily Is
used for the acquisition of new books,
and the report reminds Congress that
" it is used steadily for tho employ