The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-15
BUSY BOOKMEN.
Library Architecture and Pre-
vailing Faults.
Visit to Leland Stanford Jr. University and
Reception by Senator Stanford and
Wife-Night Session.

was the topic of discussion by the Ameri-
can Library Association at its business ses-
sion held yesterday, in order to permit of
visit to Palo Alto and the Leland Stanford
Jr. University.
The initiative was made by c. c. Soule OF
Brookline, Mass. in paper entitled "Ele-
mentary Library Architecture" The main
point that he made was that convenience
should be the principal characteristic OF
libraries. even though the architectural
beauty of the building were entirely sacri-
feed. Walls should be of bright tints. the
rooms should be well lighted and the ar
rangement for The books should be so made
as to necessitate the least amount OF physl-
cal labor.
DR.. William T. Poole of Chicago, an au-
thorlty on library architecture, was the
next speaker. He agreed fully with the first
speakers views and continued by saying
that whatever advances or progress had
been made in this matter was the result OF
the work OF the Library Association. lie
scored the architectural features of the Bos-.
ton AtheDeum and proposed Congressional
library buildings. He severely criticized
the prevailing ideas of high glass domes for
such buildings. as the result was that IN
warm weather they attracted the heat to the
intense discomfort of the readers and the
injury of the books. The stacking system,
which is the running up of bo0k-shelves to
in unmeasured terms.
A SPEAKING EXAMPLE.
A Whelpley of Cincinnati testified rs to
the truth of all the wees resultant from In
conveniently constructed Libraries. which
were mentioned by the first two speakers.
and cited that of Cincinnati as speaking
example.
C. A. Cutter of the Boston Athen eum
thought there should be a school for the ed
ucation of library trustees as well as one to
train librarians.
The wall at the rear of the platform was
covered with blue-prints to illustrate library
architecture.
Almost the entire party assembled at the
Third-street depot at 1 o'clock, and were
conveyed to Palo Alto, the special cars
being switched directly to the Uniyer--
sity, where the guests we're met
by Librarian Edwin Woodruff and
President d. S. Jordan of the University.
Passing through the quadrangle the visit
ors were conducted into the chapel, and
President Jordan welcomed them in few
brief and well-chosen words, which were
responded TO by S. SWEET Green, President
of the association. The visitors were then
shown through the entire university, after
which they were driven over to the stock
farm, which was thrown open for their IN
spection, and some of the colts were put
through their PAGES IN what is called the
Kindergarten"
a COisl-AIlON"
The guests were next driven over to the
home Of Senator Stanford. who, with his
wife and few guests received them.
Shortly after their arrival an elrgant cold
collation. was partaken of, while the room
was filled with the soft strains of sweet
music and the delicate perfume of beautiful
flowers. The day was perfect and every
thing tended to make the occasion most
delightful one to be remembered by the
visitors from the East through many years
TO come.
The evening session was called to order a
few minutes after O'clock, due TO the late
return from PaIo Alto. The Pres dent, 5.
SWEET Green. read paper on Libraries
and Schools" showing the close and init
mate relation between the functions of
libraries and schools and the great assist
auce to be derived by schools in the use of
libraries.
Miss c. A Hewins of the Hartford (Conn.)
Pubic Library related her experience in
this connection in proof of the great amount
of benefit resulting from this source. and
read list of books which experience had
proved to be of great benefit and assistance
to schools.
Miss Jessie Allen of the Omaha Public
Library read paper on 1.-The exchange of
library books in schools and shops of Cleye-
land, Ono" by William Ii. Brett OF that
city, showing favorable and encouraging
result.
H. NJ Utley of the Detroit Public Library
made few remarks upon the system used
in Detroit in that class of library work af-
fecting schools.
LIBRARY LEGISLATION.
The session was closed by a paper on
THE Best Library Legislation" by W. l.
Fletcher of Amherst College, in which he
briefly and lucidly traced the history of
library legislation down to that class deSig-
mated as legislation 10 encourage and stimu-
late public libraries, and which Is now in
force in the majority of the States. This
he considered the best legislation, and
the certain forerunner of that legislation
which would be termed obligatory, or
that which would obllge towns and cities to
establish public libraries. In proof of his
prophecy he cited the obligatory legislation
in regard to public schools. The mailing Of
library books free OF charge. the exchange
of books between libraries of different
States, and the free importation OF library
books, he suggested as good points for leg
islatlou
Another party to make trip through Chi
natown was formed. To-day a session will
be held in the morning at $50, after which
trip will be made to Oakland, Berkeley
and Piedmont
In the evening a session will be held in
the rooms of the Starr King Fraternity, who
will entertain the guests during the after
NOM