Evening star., 1924-07-19
THIS AND THAT
DY c. Il. TRACEWELL.

ITO have great poets there must be
great readers, too."
Walt Whitman, one-time Treasury
clerk, said that truthfully enough. The
need for great readers" is even more
apparent when one considers Libraries.
Seated with-Dr. George F. Bowerman.
head Of the Public Library, beneath a
large green umbrella in the side yard at
the Cosmos Club, it was easy to vision
the library system Of the future.
When that day comes the National
Capital will have a main library so
splendidly equipped and supplied with
funds, so supported by chain Of branch
Libraries through the city, that those at
the main building will be able to devote
practically their entire time to guidance.
n r y
love vast Libraries: yet there is a doubt,
II one be better with them or without
Unless he use them wisely. and, indeed,
Knows the high art OF what and how to read.
The public librarian knows the truth
of those sentiments by SAKE better than
any one else in Washington. Given the
proper appreciation on the part Of the
mass of the people the funds, buildings
and STAFF to do the work. he and his
able assistants might teach "the high
art of what and how to read to all
Washington.
AT present that is only a dream.
But such a dream it is, enlivening a
warm summer afternoon, bringing to the
graveled courtyard. with it's little tables,
shaded by green umbrellas, visions of
ancient libraries. old lovers Of books
long since dead and gone, great volumes
faded back into the dust from whence
they came, all that great and glorious
company. ancient and modern.
From out the shade of the umbrella,
con5ured up over a steaming cup of cof-
fee, stands forth the library at Alex
andria, lost these many centuries. White
figures carrying scrolls go to and fro,
while other white-clad men sit and read.
Stand forth, then. the monaSteries Of
the middle ages, with their inmates,
poring over the hand-wrought vol
umes, written in rich Latin. with COL
ored and gold letters, preservers to US
OF the literature of the ancient world.
Comes. then, the vision Of our own
library, worthy successor of those Of old
standing in a cool green park, surround
ed by tall trees, bearing across it's noble
stone seat the inscription, "a University
Of the People"
THE National Capital is an educa-
tional system, as well as the possessoI
Of one" says DR.. Bowerman, fiicking a
bright yellow worm off his coat sleeve
He is an enthusiast, DR.. Bowerman. Had
all nature. not just part, Joined him al
luncheon he would have welcomed the
| invasion, for he sees in every man a
| bookworrn, or the making of one.
ITO this city come persons from all
parts Of our land" he continues. I'm
fortunately. for US. the members Of Con-
gress and their families use the Library
Of Congress, and 50 do not come into
contact with the intimate needs of the
Public Library Of the District Of Colum-
bia.
Some day, perhaps, Congress may
give US one-tenth as much money an
nually as is given to the school system
maintain our main library and the few
branches. we may have an appropriation
Of $150,000 to million dollars The
schools now get s1,500,000 a year, you
know.
We are part OF the educational sys.
tenn OF the District, but some day may ]
say. everything may be reversed, and
books assume an even larger place in the
life of the community. Then the schools
will, in a sense, be subsidiary to the IL
brary, in that education is not a thing
just of the schools, but for life, and in
| this larger concept the library plays it's
part from the cradle to the grave"
+ X x +
Dr. Bower1nan waved away too anx-
! ious bee.
When the day comes when we can
have fine, though small. Libraries in
schoolhouses throughout the city, with a
full number of branch libraries at vari-
GUS points, then we can educate 4 city
of library users.
Then men and women and children
instead of being forced to come miles to
the main library. may step around the
corner and get the books they need for
pleasure and profit.
Then the staff at the main library
will be free from the vision of people
eight deep at the main desk. trying &c
get books, some fuming at the little de-
lay. We will be able then to devote
most of our time to helping people read
properly. We can have study courses
book-review nights, give radio talks OF
reading and do many other things tha,
will brighten and widen the library for
the great reading public"
*
Possessed Of more intelligent public
than the average city. Washington We,
has to build up love for books through.
out the entire mass Of the citizenship.
This can only come about by increas.
ing the function Of the library. extending
its scope along the lines instanced, en-
abling 1t to educate generations upon
generations Of library users, SO that
finally the average citizen will turn to
his library for mental food as he does to
the corner grocery for aliment
The average man, woman or child is
in good company when he asks the Pub.
lie Library for help. When Calvin Cool
idge. jr., died the White House called the
Public Library to supply the lines Of one
of the unfortunate lads favorite poems.
to be used in the funeral services. A
great New York magazine telegraphed
our library for assistance
1t is there equally to serve all.