LOCATION OF NEW LIBRARY

LOCATION OF NEW LIBRARY

An Esteemed Correspondent's Views on It

WANTS $30,000 LIBRARY

Another View Would Put the Library on Same Lot as New City Hall

Mr. Editor: - Permit me to present thorugh your valuable paper some considerations affecting the location of the library building, to be made possible by the Carnegie gift of $20,000. I understand this gift is made on condition that the City of Ann Arbor pledge that not less than ten per cent of this amount be expended annually for the maintenance of such public library. I am assured that Mr. Carengie would probably increase the gift in proportion to the amount the city will pledge itself to expend annually for such library. The matter is in the hands of a commission of six persons to act for the city. However, I am convinced, after talking with several of these persons, that they would welcome a free and full discussion of the subject, and will be pleased to be governed by any general concensus of opinion as to the best interests of the city.

Accordingly, I have talked with many citizens on the subject, and have found a diversity of opinion. Some think the Ladies' Library location a good one, as it is between the High School and down town. Others think it is not suitable, as it accommodates neither the High School nor the down town district. Some think that the Library should be as near as possible to the High School, so that it may be used as a reference library; others consider that the reference books should remain in the High School building and that the Public Library should be located as near as possible to the car line and to Main street, They argue that all people visit the down town stores occasionally, and if the Library is only a block away, they can get a book or magazine without difficulty, whereas, if obliged to walk three blocks and back, they would frequently go without book or magazine. This, they say, would be especially true of people living in the east part of town. Others say it would be equally true of those living west of Main street. They do not ask that it be placed west of main street, but think it should be as near Main street as possible.

With few exceptions, all with whom I have spoken feel that it is a matter of great importance to the city at large what location is chosen. Many believe that it is of sufficient importance to demand an expression of opinion from the whole voting population. One gentleman who has given the subject careful consideration is of the opinion that it will cost not less than $3,000 to maintain the Library, if any money is to be expended for books, and if the High School interests are to be subserved. The present arrangement costs $1,700 a year. Under the new arrangement the expense will be nearly doubled. He thinks an election should be called to vote on this subject, and at the same time vote on raising sufficient money to buy a suitable building site. He is of the opinion that the reference library should not be removed from the High School building and that the Public Library should be located with reference to the convenience of the citizens of Ann Arbor.

If this gentleman is correct in his opinion, it would seem wise to vote an annual expenditure of $3,000 for maintenance of the Library, and ask Mr. Carnegie for $30,000 for the building; sell the Ladies' Library property, and apply the proceeds on the purchase of a new site, either down town or near the High School.

Yours very truly,

L. D. CARR.

Apropos of this communication, the Argus has heard another location strongly advocated. It is to put the library on the same lot as the new city hall, which will shortly be built. The advocates of this site state that a double building can be built, with a common heating plant so that the expense of janitorship and heating the two buildings could be greatly lessened. The library and the city hall could face on different streets, one on Fifth avenue and the other on Huron street. The advocates claim that not only will the cost of maintenance be greatly lessened, but that by putting the two amounts to be expended together a much better building can be erected.

There is much food for thought in the suggestions thrown out in Mr. Carr's letter and in this latter plan.