Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-01
Libraries and Education.

One of the most powerful socia | forces
but hitherto largely undeyeloped in this
country, is the library. The tradition that
it is collection of books to be supervised
by bookworm or a person of literary
tastes unable otherwise to earn his liveli-
hood, who will see that the books are kept
in good condition and not stolen, is rapidly
disappearing in the presence of the con-
viction that library is a force of the ut
most importance, but which cannot be
made available except by trained skill and
special gifts. The librarian, properly
viewed, is popular teacher. He must be
able to ascertain what people wish to read,
and to furnish them with the books that
they desire. A library is an instrument
capable, like great organ, of responding
magni6cently to the hand of master, but,
silent and useless to any other. The
fundamental qualifications Of librarian
are knowledge of his instrument and skill
to touch and play it. But to know great
library so as to draw out its value for
Others is an immense task. Yet without
such knowledge the library is practically
lost. A book may be asked for, and it may
be found upon the catalogue and given out
by a librarian who can do no more. But
that is not the use of library. Can the
librarian tell the student what books he
really needs for his study, and so save an
infinite loss of time and labor, and with it
often the loss of the very object sought by
study
The revival and regeneration of the
college in America is part of a general
fresh movement for higher education with
all the advantages of modern thought.
This interest extends to the library, which
is now becoming an essential part of the
system of education. In New York the
law of 1889, which revises and consoli-
dates the acts relating to the University
of the State, makes the State Library, and
such other libraries in the State as may
conform to the requirements of the Re-
gents, members of the University, to-
gether with the colleges, academies, and
incorporated schools. Massachusetts pro-
vides State aid of counsel and money for
the establishment of local libraries. The
Library Association, composed of the most
eminent librarians in the country, meet
ing annually in different places, has great
" stimulated the development of the
library influence by the comparison Of
views and experience, and the careful con-
sideration of library science in all its vari-
Gus branches. This year the twelfth an
nual meeting was held at Fabyan's in the
White Mountains. More than two hun
dred and fifty persons attended, from every
part of the union, and the proceedings
were very valuable and instructive.
The point most clearly and forcibly
brought forward at the meeting was the
one we have mentioned-the library not
as pleasant reading-room, but as an IN
tegral part of the system OF national educa-
ton. This was the specific subject of a
paper by DIR. Harris, the accomplished
United States Commissioner OF Education,
who treated the library as the college of
the people, and of another paper by Pro-
fessor II. B. Adams, of Johns Hopkins
University, upon university extension,
system blending lectures with the we'll
directed use of books in the library. The
cooperation of the Trustees of libraries
was earnestly solicited, and many were
present. An endowment fund was tegun
among the Trustees for the publication
and circulation of the papers and pro-
ceedings of the association, and the great
importance of the library school for the
proper training of Librarians was fully
recognized. In New York it is proposed
to bring the State Library into active rela-
tions with other libraries in the State.
The willingness and the means to establish
libraries often precede the ability of
proper selection of books, convenient ar
rangement, and effective administration.
All these essential conditions are to be
provided only by education and expert
ence, and their provision is among the
most important objects of the library
school, as we'll as consideration by the
Library Association. What an immense
benefit to the people. of New York it
would be if every community in the State
desiring to establish library could re-
eeiye from the State Library, as is now
proposed, adequate suggestions upon all
such points!-Harper's Weekly.