The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-13
What Young People Read.
The Experience of "a eteran Librarian I'm
Public Library.

Dorchester Democrat and Chroniele)
"'What is the class of books mostly in de-
mand by the young folks of our schoolss'
asked the reborter.
''WelI, like most people, they incline
chiefly to fiction and boys and girls books,''
said the librarian. "We haven't great
deal of trash in the library, and it is good
thing to know that since young folks will
read novels they won't get any but the best
bere. Dickers Is popular, very popular.
but think there is more inclination among
the older class of pupils toward American
novels, especially of the class written of late
years, such as Mrs. Frances Hodgson Bur
nett's books and Mr.. Howells'. Crawford's
stories are much read, too, but perhaps the
most popular writer is E. P. Roe. TIE boys
naturally take good deal to Capt Mayue
Reid, and writer's of his stamp, who furnish
tales of stirring adventure without coming
the dime novel condemnation. Both boys
and girls take kindly to Louise Alcott's
books.
Here young miss of Is years inquired for
"Uncle Toms Cabin" but there was not
copy in at present.
''Thats too bad" said she, poutingly,
"Pve been trying TO get hold of 1t for ever so
long. do want to read 1t so bad" where
upon she was promised that copy should
he laid away for her when one came 10.
"'Uncle Toms Cabin is always in re-
quest" said the librarian, 'apd, although
we have several copies, there is always some
one waiting to take it out when copy comes
in."
show is it about books of travel, biogrs-
ply and works other than fiction?'
"Yon would hardly think So" was the Ii
brarian's reply, shut there seems sometimes
to be kind of fashion or habit set in among
readers every little while. Not long ago,
next 10 works of fiction, the great demand
was for books of travel, but this last few
months the tide seems to set more in the d
recIiOn Of history, especially of this country,
and all the works relating to the late war
are in constant demand"
This seemed natural enough to the report
er, for the children of the present day come
OF parents who either participated directly
in the war themselves or were, at any rate,
living at the time, and interested spectators
of the great national struggle for existence,
and the children hearing these things spoken
Of around the family freside as things Of
family interest and history, naturally wish
10 know more about the war than the per-
sonal experiences or "reminiscences of their
father can give them. "There are a good ma
ny novels, you know" said the librarian,
(which have their plots founded on rebellion
records or are in some way dependent on
those stormy times, such as Inside Cat,
Chronicle of Secession aud Krke's novel;
generally, most of which contain more or
less reference to the dark days of the nation.
But the pure, downright histories are in
great demand, too. And it's a good thing
to see children taking to reading like thai,
for while boys and girls books and novels
are very well in their way, they ought not to
| form the staple of child's reading"
"How do you find the demand for miscel-
laneous works." asked the questioner, obi
| ography, theological and scientific works?'
Biography, strange as 1t seems, isn't in as
much demand as one would think, though
| some works are very popular, for instance
! 'Forster's Life Of Dickens :irevelyan's u
| Life Of Macaulay,' and Anthony Trollope's
Autobiography but Lockharps Life of
Scott and 'BlswelPs Life of Johnson fiud
very few readers. Scotts novels are, Of
| course, also very popular, but his biography
doesn't seem to be known to many who ad-
| mire his writings. AS to scientific books, a
| great many boys are interested in them as
well az older persons, AMI books ON telegra-
| ply are in constant demand. Theological
books, too, are more read than you would
think. Our reference library is pretty large
and good deal consulted by residents Of
Jne CITY,.
DO you lose many books?'
VERY few, indeed" was the reply. GAL
though it is very easy matter to obtain the
privileges OF the library, still most of the
cards issued are to school children and their
parents and TO those who can bring some
reference. Occasionally some transient Wis
| ltor to Rochester takes out book and for
gets to return it, or a family may move away
and take library volume with them, but
these losses are Insignificant and lost book
can pretty generally be traced"
An examination of the librarians table
and of The books returned as they lie there
on, before being put on their respective
shelves, will show very fairly the average
mental attainments OF the frequenters of any
| library.
/ Poetry doesn't seem to be in very good
odor among the readers, for dust gathers on
the tops of many volumes. The selection of
books in the only library of the city has evi.
! IDENTIFY been made with care, but Rochester
is far behind her needs in reference to sup
plying reading matter for her citizens.