The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-23
MRS. W. G. SARGENT,
A Model Librarian.

PA-fAASeo W OolhoOl Rs 0LCCA VI
Worcester, Massachusetts, the one giving a
sketch of the free public library of Worcester,
the other setting forth the desirableness of
establishing personal intercourse and relations
between librarians and readers, commend
themselves to the attention of persons inter-
ested in public libraries. They contain sug-
gestlons OF great value to librarians, to those
availing themselves of the privileges of libra.
ries, and to those who have the libraries to
support.
The free library of the city of Worcester
had its origin in the gift to the city of about
twelve thousand volumes and $4,000 in
money by the late DR.. John Green. The
books were to be used as reference library.
Subsequently the Worcester Lyceum gave it's
books, 4,5OO volumes, to the city as the
nucleus of a circulating library. Then by
citizens subscription set on foot by the Hon.
George F. Hoar, $4,000 were raised for a
reading room. From these beginnings has
come the admirable collection which now
forms the free library. The Green fund and
the aid annually given by the city, sustain it.
1t has been the wish OF the directors OF the
institution to make it not only means of
amusement but of solid instruction and last
ing benefit to the people of the city. To this
end the reference library has been continual
y enlarged and strengthened, and the at
tempt has been made to bring it into general
use. Happily for the directors they chose
Mr.. Green as librarian. From the time he
took charge the consultation of reference
books, then infrequent, has become very gen.
eral. This was brought about by the use of
very simple means. 1t was conjectured that
the reason why people did not use the library
was that they needed assistance in using it.
The librarian was allowed to rem Ter such aid
as was desired by frequenters of the library.
People were invited to make their wants
known, and the attendants were instructed
to devote a reasonable amount of time to
finding answers to questions. The youngest
school children, the humblest citizens, were
received cordially. No one was permitted to
leave the building without getting, if posi-
BILE, an answer to his question. When books
needed to answer questions were not found
in the library, efforts were at once made to
buy them. 1t was soon perceived that few
users ofa reference library knew to what books
to go to get answers to questions which
they have to ask. Many need help in finding
out and stating the exact question which
they wish to have answered. So it was made
the business of the librarian to help them to
give definite shape to their inquiries and
then to refer them to the proper treatise on
the subject. No one was neglected. A
half hour was as readily spent in finding out
for curious boy how dates can be plucked
from the top of the tall palm tree as in as
sisting in his search for information the man
who was preparing a lecture or review arti-
Gle.
Mr.. Green justly remarks that scholars
have confidence enough in regard to the cor
diality Of their reception to make known
their wishes without timidity, but men in the
humber walks of life need encouragement,
and voluntary assistance. For example, a
wall painter has room to ornament, or an
artisan has the legs of a table to carve, or a
marble worker calls for an engraving of a
lion in some specified posture. Ii is time
wasted to send these men to the catalogue
and bid them select the books. The libra
rian must know to what to refer them. 1,
may be Jones's Grammar of Ornament, il
may be Talbert's Gothic Forms. So the
scriptIon of the marriage of the Adriatic or te
know what kings arm gave US the yard
| measure must be assisted in the search
The librarian must be prepared to give infor
nation to one who is called upon to discus:
| the advisableness of church taxation, OF
| sumptuary laws, or state management o.
| railroads, or one in search of certain stats
tics of trade, manufactures or inventions, Of
| one desirous of ascertaining the history o
some legislative measure, or one wishing t.
know the origin Of some famous fable.
All this takes time and money. But boil
are well spent, for the object attained IS on,
of public good. In this way only can refer
ence books, which are the strength and grea
merit of public library, be made general,
useful. Especially is it useful to those tn
most in need, men unused to handling book
or conducting investigations. And in
library which has no large fund, which i
dependent upon popular support, the refer
ence department can only be kept up b
making it of use to the patrons of the library
Those who pay fees will insist that the none
shall be expended for the books they want
| When the value of books of reference is mad
apparent to them they will gladly consent
their purchase, and they will not eonsen
until then.
OF course the success of this plan depend
in great measure upon the librarian. A
libraries are not so fortunate in this regard a
that in Worcester. But all librarians ca
make his course their aspiration, and carr