The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-19

The LIBRARIANS COMMEMORATIVE Conven-
ton Of Librarians, which was held in this city
during the last three days, has just closed its
labors. 1t was attended by delegates from al
most every State in the Union, and it excited
This is the first movement of the kind among
librarians, and it has led to permanent organ
izatiOn for the holding Of future conventions,
the first of which will be held in Washington
some time next year. When we consider that
there are about seven hundred public libraries,
exclusive of those connected with schools, in
the United States, the necessity Of some society
for the benefit of librarians, and the still greater
extension Of libraries. will become obvious
The number of volumes is over two millions,
which is at the rate Of one book to every ten or
twelve persons in the country. The librarians
are confident that with proper and well-drected
effort every town and village in the country
might be possessed of library. Several plans
having this desirable end in view were sug-
gested, among which we may mention one as
particularly deserving OF notice. According
to this the members are each required to invest
certain amount in money for library fund.-
and to contribute an equal Dumber Of books
In this way the nucleus of a library might be
formed in any village and by due care and at
tention, with the aid of it's own funds and the
fees obtained from its readers we have no
doubt that in ninety-niDe cases out of q hun
dred it would be successful The number of
libraries at present established throughout the
country might be more than doubled in the
course OF ten years at the utmost.
There was another subject discussed before
the Convention, and, next to the establishment
Of libraries it is certainly the most important
that claimed the consideration of it's members.
The classification and the arrangement of cata-
logues have long perplexed the brains of libra
rians; but Professor Jewet has by the inven-
ton of new system, removed all she difllcul-
ties under which they have hitherto labored.
This plan has been fully described in our re-
ports of the Convention, and is at present in
successful operation at the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition. None but those who have been employ
ed in the preparation of a catalogue for q libra
ry can form an adequate idea Of the great value
Of this system.
We cannot dismiss this subject without con-
graduating the members of the Convention on
the order harmony, mutual courtesy and unan
unity, which distinguished their proceed
ings. 1t is rare thing, in this age Of woman's
rights and temperance conventions. for body
Of men to assemble for any specific purpose
without being disturbed by angry debates, in
which hard names and abuse are freely bestow-
ed by the dsputants upon each other. While
the same spirit continues to be manifested by
the librarians at all their meetings, no appre-
tensions need be entertained Of the success of
whatever they may undertake for their own
benefit and that of the reading public We be-
speak for them the favor and support ofall who
wish well to The cause Of literature and the diff
usion Of general information.