Evening star., 1921-07-24
Branch Libraries Urgently Needed


stationary tubs In the laundry, or such
similar questions. but the proxiriity OF
the nearest branch library: NOV shs ne
central library to have public library
facilities. To her and to the many
thousands Of educated women. children
and men in the Columbia Heights Sec
tion 1t IL hoped to give a favorable an
citizens associations IN that section
have for some time been urging that
a branch library be supplied for them
after The southeast branch library should
be assured. Now that Congress In the
second deficiency bill has appropriated
$4,000 for, the site for this eoutheas.
branch. thus making It a certainty. the
board Ct trustees Of the public library
have included in their estimates Tor the
coming year a sum for the purchase OF
bia Heights section: Because Of the
large and highly intelligent population Of
that section II is believed that a brancn
library established there would serve
reading constituency almost as large as
is now served by the central library. 1t
will, therefore. be necessary to secure
q large site and erect a large building
properly to serve such community.
An inquiry made a year ago showed
that American cities above 200 1000
population have an average Of fifteen
than eight such branch libraries housed
in separate buildings. Several cities
smaller than Washington have branch
libraries In excess OF these averages.
For example, Indianapolis has sixteen
separate buildings. and Minneapolis has
sixteen branch libraries. eight in sepa-
rate buildings. Washington has but one
branch library-at Takoma Park. Now
that q fresh start has been made N
washington at branch library develop
,.nt a. 4, hnped That fho efPorfe ,,ot
forth will succeed in supplying the
branch library facilities that Washing
ton 30 much needs. and that in this
respect Washington win not much longer
be compelled to lag so far behind much
smaller cities.
The program for branch library extern
sion here includes. in the case Of separate
branches. In addition to the one estab-
lished several years ago at, Takoma
Park. the assured branch in Southeast
Washington. branches in Columbia
Heights, Georgetown, Northeast and
Southwest Washington. and one in the
neishborhocd Of Dupont circle.
The program for the establishment Of
branches in public school buildings is
now a matter Of discussion between the
superintendent Of schools and the public
librarian. The library board. the school
board and the Commissioners have on
various occasions committed themselves
in principle to the establishment Of
branches Of the public library In, school
buildings. Such branch libraries would
naturally render large, service to the
teachers and children Of these schools-
deposits Of public library books sent
to the various school rooms for 80 many
years-but they will also supply library
service to the parents OF the neighbor-
hoods. It IL expected that the plans
worked out that ultimately library fa.
cihties win, through them, be afforded
to all citizens, Including school chill
dren, who cannot conveniently be served
by the central library or by any Of the
regional branch libraries In separate
buildings.
The money for the construction Of the
southeastern branch library building has
been promised by the Carnegie Cor
poration. Because Of the failure Of
earlier Congresses to authorize the ac-
eeptanes Of the criginal offer Of Andrew
Client. at q time when building was
cheaper. to erect all of the separate
branch Libraries needed for Washing
ton, and the lapse Of that gift with the
death Of Mr.. Carnegie. II Is not known
whether money for the remaining
branches will be supplied by the Car
fuegie Corporation or,not. In view OF the
acceptance by the present Congress Of
the renewed offer Of the money for the
erection. Of the southeastern branch
library building. It 10 hoped that the
trustees Of The Carnegie Corporation
uesie,s expressed wish '.to give the
money necessary TO build branch, H.
tbrary bundfnRs" sufficient In number to
dsveaoS WaS6inEton's pubic library