Los Angeles herald., 1892-08-15
DISSEMINATING knowledge.
How the Los Angeles Public
Library Is Run.
A Training Glass for Young Lady
Pupils Established.
The working OF the Experiment Ex
piainsd-A Pupils Thesis on the
Reference Room and Its
Benefits, Etol


upon first thoughts, dubious sxperi-
ment. It is the experiment of train
ing class, as an adjunct to the regular
staff; a class wherein young women are
given instruction in the various depart
ments that go to make up the work Of a
successful library.
Every three months examinations
are held at the library of such
candidates as have submitted ap-
plications on blanks provided for this
purpose. Candidates giving satisfactory
assurance of the advisability of under
taking library work by passing this first
examination are admitted as pupils to
the training class, on the following con-
ditions: Each pupil agrees to serve
three hours daily for period OF six
months, during which time she is to re-
ceive instruction in the elementary
branches of library work. Any citizen
unacquainted with this work could
spend an interesting and profitable hall
hour in examining the system OF the
public library. The visit will be more
pleasant than to hospital or
Jail, and should carry the conviction,
that, whereas these institutions care
for the already mentally and morally
manned, the library works hand in
hand with parent and teacher to pre-
vent the increase OF this class OF a
city's population. The instruction
given, while pertaining principally to
library work, is yet of such nature
that any one having successfully COM
pIeted the course, will have received
advantages from a general business
point of view which will prove of value,
whatever line of work may be under
taken. Aside from the requisite pro-
fciency in the purely mechanical de-
tails of the work, such as typewriting,
the prescribed form OF handwriting, the
various processes of manifolding copy,
etc.. the Importance Of habits of neat
ness, accuracy and dispatchs is at ali
times represented as the most prominent
factor in the success of library work.
The constant contact with all classes of
people, and the complex nature of the
inquiries daily made at the library,
soon train the attendant to habit OF
quick, intelligent thinking. and instill
in her breadth of view, a large ac-
quaintance with the current affairs of
the world. while implying knowledge
of those gone by, which can be acquired
nowhere so readily as in public
library. Each member OF the training
class is required to do actual service as
an understudy to the heads of the several
departments, thereby gaining a more
practical knowledge than by merely
theoretical instruction. Having COM
pleted the six months apprenticeship,
&rnv<4 4 ixx,f1 AVA nHrxrf al
than the first, is held, each pupil sub.
mitting on the day OF examination an
original thesis on some subject Of library
economy approved by the examining
committee. To pass this examination
20 per cent out of total of 500 credits
is required. The following is one of the
thesis submitted by Miss Annie d.
Ausbin, ofthe second class Of pupils:
THE REFERENCE ROOM.
ga good method of ready reference
is like bright, sharp needle in skill
full hand, deftly working some fine or
useful end.''
In the smallest of public libraries. il
it be well regulated, may be found a
quiet corner-if only secluded part Of
the reading room-where those using
the library for the purpose of definite
study may pursue those studies under
the most favorable circumstances and
to the best advantage.
As the library grows to more preten-
tious proportions a special room is set
aside for this purpose. This room il
entirely separate from the rest of the
library, and is used for study only. L
is perfectly lighted and ventilated; the
walls are tinted and the floors carpeted
to insure quiet. Here is the strictes
order kept, and s.quiet" ia the first law
Comfortable reading tables, with chairs
furnish the center of this room-a sep
arate table being reserved for the ladies
and another for the school children
frequenting the study. An air of com.
fort, and at the same time one of useful
ness, pervades the room.
At the more convenient end, arranged
on shelves against the wall, are the en-
cyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies
and all strictly reference works. The
first acquired are the Encyclopedia Brit
annica, with the American supplement,
and the Century Dictionary for general
information, Webster's unabridged for
pronunciation and definition, Bradley's g
Geographical Atlas for its maps, Lab
berton's Historical Atlas for the Ameri-
can continents, and Freeman's for the
eastern, Vapereau's Dictionaries dee
Contemporaries for general biographical
sketches, Lippincott's Pronouncing Ga
zetteer Of the World for geographical in
formation. To these are gradually ad-
ded AlIib1ne's Dictionary Of Authors,
Lempriere' sClassical Dictionary. Cham
ber's Encyclopedia, the best German,
French, Greek and Latin dictionaries,
the dictionary of National Biography,
Brewers Dictionary Of Phrase and Fable,
the latest directories Of the large cities,
and many more that the requirements OF
the library suggest.
The most constantly used are placed
on the lower shelves and those of lesser
importance above. Those using these
books have the utmost freedom of ac-
cess to the shelves.
Along the other sides and end of the
room, arranged in alcoves, are the re-
mainder of the books constituting the
reference department.. Here may be
found few of the latest and best works
on the sciences, useful and fine arts
and other classes. The finely illustrat-
ed works on painting, engraving and
etching are acquired as rapidly as pos
nible.
In literature, a number of the stan
dard poets, essayists, etc., are found.
Dewey's suggestion of dividing this
class iuto bibliographies OF the different
euthors is adopted as facilitating the
study of literature. The works Of an
author, his biographies and commenta-
tssra stand aida hv side IN the shalt