Evening star., 1941-01-12
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

A new beginning of the long campaign
which finally ended in the establishment
of the Washington
Libroy Proposal Public Library may be
Again oisco'eleo o a In ihe
January 3, 1891 where correspondent,
who signs himself a." writes: "One of
the pressing wants of this city is that Of a
public library and reading room ac-
cessible to all the citizens of the District.
There is probably no city in the United
States having a population equal to
Washington that is not provided with
such an institution. 1t is a constant
matter Of surprise to strangers coming
to the city to find that no library is
maintained here. Many of these strangers
would gladly patronize such an institu-
ton during their sojourn and are greatly
disappointed that no library is accessible
to them. 1t is true that number of
circulating libraries are maintained by
the executive departments Of the Gov
ernment, but these are brought within
the reach only Of small portion of the
citizens Of the District. 1t is also true
that the great Congressional Library is
located in this city, but this is practically
closed to the public at large. In view
of these facts it seems very desirable
that some steps should be taken at an
early day toward the establishment of
permanent and adequate public library
for the city, either free library or
subscription library. The erection in the
immediate future of large public build
ing for the accommodation of the city
post Office affords an opportunity for
providing accommodations for such
library without the necessity of being
at the expense Of erecting a separate
building for the purpose. Inasmuch as
a large portion of the population resort
frequently to the post Office, it would
perhaps be the most convenient location
in which to place such library. Will
not some of the prominent citizens who
have hitherto been interested in such
project seriously consider the wisdom OF
now making a determined effort toward
its accomplishment, and thus secure for
the future such library as will suffice
for the accommodation of this large
population and as will be credit to the
city itSelf?'
In the leading editorial for the same
date, The Star endorsed the proposal, as
follows: "A correspondent, whose COM
munication is printed in another column,
suggests that space be provided in the
new Post Office Building for Washing
ton public library. The idea is good
one. 1t is descreditable that this need has
not long ago been supplied. If suitable
and convenient quarters are furnished,
such as those suggested by this cor
respondent, the books can readily be
obtained.
"The departmental libraries at the
Capital contain nearly 100000 volumes,
accessible only to few employees OF the
Government The vast wealth of reading
matter in the Congressional Library Is
practically out of reach of the working
men, owing to the hours of opening and
closing, and the conditions placed upon
the enjoyment of its privileges. Viewing
this ocean of books, spread tantalizlngly
before him, the working man, thirsty for
the knowledge which comes from read
ing, might we'll exclaim with the Ancient
Mariner: Water, water everywhere, nor
any drop to drink
Nearly every little New England and
Middle States town has library OF the
kind needed here, not to mention the
well-supplied large cities OF the Re
public. -
There have been several local move
ments toward securing such library
In 1887 the labor organizations Of the
city gave some attention to the matter
and a number of citizens agreed to sub
scribe amounts for the purpose aggre-
eating some $1,000. A library having
local character, installed in the new
Post Office Building, would certainly grow
rapidly through private donations OF
books and money, and when it had'dem-
onstrated its usefulness and that it was
appreciated by the public, some one of
Washington's wealthy men might be
moved by local pride or other good mo-
tive to endow it and give it name.
''The project of a public and depart
mental circulation library and reading
room open in the evenings, is worthy Of
the strongest and most enthusiastic la
Dor IN its behalf"