Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-06-17
LIBRARY REFORMS.
state Librarian Wallis Tells What Was
Done at st. Louis.

state Librarian Wallis Tells What Was
Done at st. Louis.
a REcoRD-UNIoN reporter, in his rounds
yesterday, met State Librarian Wallis, who
recently returned from his visit to the
East, where he attended the Convention of
State Librarians at st. Louis and afterward
visited Washington. On being asked if the
objects of the gathering had been realized,
and if his visit was in all respects success,
Mr.. Wallis replied:
1T was, in every respect. The resolu-
tons adopted BY the Convention, in which
tWenty-eight States were represented, were
carefully considered and drawn in such a
manner as not to arouse opposition from
any source. The Convention came to the
conclusion that the amendments that |
had suggested to be made to the copyright
law were of vast importance, and that
sooner or later Congress would act in the
matter, but owing to the opposition that
might be expected from the publishers it
was thought best to let that matter rest
until some future time. The result is that
our entire action meets with hearty ap-
proval of the executive and educational de-
partments of the several States and Terri
tories, the publishers ana booksellers of the
United States, the National Bureau of Ed
ucation, A. r. Spoford, Librarian of Con-
gress, who Is an active member of our
Association, and the Eastern press.
The American Library Association, in
admitting the Association of State Libra
rlans, did not receive them as a mere mat
ter of form, but gave US their good will and
assistance. Our action was indorsed by
such men as Justice Winsor, Librarian of
Harvard College and leading writer of
the day; W. F. Pool, Librarian of New
berry Library, Chicago, and the author of
Pools Index; c. A. Cutter, Librarian of
President of the A. l.. A; r. r. Boxer,
publisher and editor, of New York; C. A.
Nelson, Librarian of Harvard Memorial
Library, New Orleans; w. r. Fletcher,
Librarian of Amherst College and editor of
POOLS Index; G. c. Soule, of Boston, and
t. l.. Cole, of st. Louis. Letters have been
received from the leading publishers, book
sellers and men of prominence in the
United States, approving our action and
promising to assist US in this reform.
The interest and support of such men is
an evidence of the need OF an improvement
IN the present system, and a pledge
that good results will be accomplished.
Indiana, New York, Maine and Pennsyl-
California, and within the last few months
have remodeled their library laws. VIM.
f. Pool (of whom your paper has often
spoken), said: The members of the Asso-
cation of State Librarians should be in
high spirits over the success of their meet
ing, and they should feel confident that
this is the beginning of revolution which
will change the library system OF the whole
country
THE VISIT TO WASHINGTON
After the adjournment of the Conven-
ton at st. Louis, w. |. Fletcher. the Libra
rian of Amherst College, and myself met
at Washington and called on [. S. Senator
Hawley Of Connecticut, Chairman of tbs
Committee on Public Printing. We laid
before him the Necessary changes that
should be made in the laws affecting libra
ries. be discussed the matter with frank
ness. and said at the meeting of the next
Congress he would ask that the Librarians
of the Public aud State Libraries be reoues-
ted to appear before Congress and present
their claims, so that whatever National
legislation was done it would be from a
library standpoint. He kindly visited the
White House and presented Us to the Pres
1dent with whom we spent half hour
very pleasantly, and departed before the
regular calling time.
Through the courtesy of Mr.. Hawley
we had an opportunity of examining the
original manuscripts, letters, journals and
diaries of the early Presidents and those
persons prominently connected with the
revolutionary times of this country. He
also presented us TO Mr.. Palmer, the lately
appointed Public Printer, who promised to
DO everything he could for us, and showed
US through the largest printing office in
tho world Wa yic,EaI h.
ments at Washington, where we were
nicely entertained. | also had the pleas
ure of visiting Justice Stephen ]. Field at
his house, where | spent the afternoon
talking over early California history. He
was very much interested in the action of
The Convention, and promised to assist the
movement in every way he could at the
next meeting of Congress.
Our President, Melvil Dewey. State
Librarian of New York, has the energy,
will.power and experience that is needed
in reform of this kind. The Secretary,
John 7. Dunn, Jr., Librarian of Indiana. is
the right man in the right place. He is an
author and Journalist of considerable note.
and his influence Will be felt before many
months roll by. W. H. H. Tavlor, the
Nice-President of the Association. is State
Librarian of Minnesota, and William Egle.
member OF the Executive Committee and
State Librarian of Pennsylvania, are ener-
getic and influential men, At the Con-
vention of State Librarians there was
resolution passed unanimously thanking
the Sacramento DAILY RECORD. UNION, A.
Q. Freeman, A. G. Booth and l. S. Belcher,
Trustees of the California State Library
and the members of the Legislature of 1887
for the interest which they have taken in
the needed reform, and the support they
have given their State Librarian