The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-29
MILLION
Be Spent FOR
State Library
Special Committee Called
Into Session to Plan
Legislative Plea.
FIRE PERIL is GREAT
New Building Is SoreIy
Needed to Preserve
Historical Papers.

A special committee, appointed by
trustees Of the Indiana state library.
will meet this week to prepare plans
for a new million-dollar building
to house the library and historical
departments.
The plans will be presented to the
1929 legislature and a special levy
asked, library officials said. A
half-cent special levy would pay for
the building in four years, they
contend.
although similar requests have
been made, without success, there
is every prospect of the project
being accepted at this session."
Charles Marlborough, secretary of
the board of trustees, declared to-
day.
He pointed out that both parties
have recognized the need for ade-
quate housing for the library and
historical documents in their plat
forms.
Republicans in Favor
The Republican plank reads as
follows:
1.-THE Indiana library and his
torical department is an important
part of our educational system, and
it possesses property worth many
hundred thousand dollars, many
pieces Of which could not possibly
be replaced.
"This State Library is housed
most inadequately, and we urge the
Legislature at its coming session to
enact some legislation providing for
proper preservation and use Of these
valuable historical records and
archives of the State"
Following is the Democratic
plank:
1--WE favor adequate provision for
the state library, to the end that
the history and the records may be
preserved properly. We pledge our
support to the providing of proper
housing facilities therefor"
"The need for such housing is
obvious" marlborough asserted.
There are files of papers of great
historical value stored away in such
a manner that access is next to
impossible.
Every Space Utilized
Every nook and Granny in the
space given us in the Statehouse
is being utilized and the shelves ere
so crowded with volumes that each
year some must be stored, This
means that they are taken out of
general circulation.
IF a library amounts to anything,
it must be living organism, which
means constant growth and exoan-
sion. Under present conditions
this Is next to impossible.
A brochure has been prepared to
state their case to the public, and
the following excerpts have been
taken from it.
"One-third Of the population of
the state has no other library
service. They are entitled to this
service. The Indiana state library,
created in 1925, is a statewide cir
culating and reference library, lend
ing material direct to any citizen
without local facilities. Travelling
libraries are sent to schools, clubs,
or to any five persons forming an
organization.
1.-THE state library is the official
library of the state. 1t is a de-
pository for United States public
documents and the official agency
for preservation and distribution of
all state publications.
Demand on Increase
Service is limited by lack of
space. Demand is growing 2 per
cent annually, but the only floor
space added in forty years is that
taken in the corridor, and no more
is available. The historical bureau
Is Obliged to vacate its offices dur
ing the legislative session.
valuable material is inaccessible
because of the manner in which 1t
must be stored.
"Work for the blind, In distribu-
ton of Braille books, is at a stand
still for lack Of room.
public records not In the state
library are being lost and destroyed,
and million dollars worth Of ma
terial now stored in vaults that are
not fireproof is in constant danger.
Once lost it never could be replaced.
1.-THE need for a new building has
been apparent for twenty years. It
has now become a necessity. Delay