The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-03-23
SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIES.


held on the 4th Of April next, the elect
ors Of each town are to decide whether
they will in future have School District Ii
braries or continue the present system of
Township Libraries. This choice is to
be determined by ballot.
Now we have ever been in favor of the
adoption, by State, County and Town, of
the best means to promote among the
people generally the widest diffusion of
the elements OF good thorough educa-
ton, and in order to do this we must
place within the reach of all classes the
means to be necessarily used therefor
Ant as books are the BEST and we might
say almost the only teachers to those who
have arrived at years of discretion, in the
moro sparsely settled portions of our
county and State, no opportunity to sup
ply each community with well assorted
library of books that treat of science, art
and general literature, in an easy and en-
tertaining manner, should be lost. And
in the selection don't let our little flaxen-
headed, dimple checked, frolicksome boys
and girls be forgotten. Let a plenty of
books for their entertainment be kept
constantly on hand; books that will be
as entertaining rs "Jack, the Giant Kill
err" Cinderella" smother Hubbard"
&C., and yet truthful; stories about
birds, flowers, the interesting objects TO
be seen in various parts of the beautiful
'earth that God has fitted up and adorned
for our habitation; some of the myriads
Of pleasing and instructive events that
have occurred in the history Of our own
and other nations, clothed in the artless
and simple language of childhood, and
embellisLed with significant illustrations;
and let these books be kept in each school
district, and we pledge all doubters that
they will soon find in every community
children and youth of intelligence, and
possessing minds that are becoming rap
idly stored with that knowledge which
will be of use to them when they shall
arrive at the age of discretion, and fit
them TO enjoy an honorable and infuen-
tial position in society. Having thus a
public library in every community, next
let each father become a subscriber to
some weekly or monthly publication for
children, and introduce il to the juvenile
members of his family, and o! how it
will rejoice his heart 10 see them growing
wiser constantly as their plant limbs ex-
pand toward maturity.
1t is fact worthy Of commentator
and comment that the juveniles Of towns
and cities are far more intelligent. in the
main, than those living in our rural dis
tricts. And what is the reason? Plain
ly because they have easy access TO pub
lie libraries, papers and periodicals suited
to their taste and capacity, and at the
same time the knowledge thus derived is
greatly enhanced by the engrossing top
les Of the day as freely discussed by their
superiors in age and general information.
But let the plan of District Libraries be
carried out, to the full extent of their ca
pacity for good, as public educators, and
let them be kept at the respective school
houses in each town, rs contemplated in
the law, or some point in close proximity
thereto, and taste for reading will spring
up among all classes Of community, and
intelligent and consequent happiness and
rational enjoyment will follow.
Then let all who arc interested land
who is notg in the best means for pro-
noting universal education vote for 4" Dis
trict Libraries" and the true foundation
for the accomplishment of the great work
is well and permanently laid.
EARLY OPENING OF NAvIoATIoN.---
There is now every indication of an early