Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-05-21

1sOVOxS Va sk4O WocA0o06y 060OO4
for the Year Ending Nay 8, leo2.
Library.
At the annual school meeting hid in
1890 and again last year tax Of half q
mill was levied for the purpose of estab-
fishing school library. This levy gives
an annual income of about one hundred
and twenty five dollars to be expended in
the purchase OF books. The fruits Of that
tax are now becoming apparent and there
have been placed in the library one
hundred and sixty-seven volumes, cover
ing the subjects of history, biography,
science, travel, and number of miscel-
laneous topics. These, together with
some works of reference and an encyclo-
pedia, which we're placed in the school
several years ago. give an opportunity for
advanced and supplementary work here
tofore impossible. It is confidently
believed that the increased efficiency of
the work which can be done and the
greater interest taken by the pupils in
their studies will justify the wisdom of
this expenditure. Or course, it requires
time to see the benefits accruing from a
library.
Primarily, the books have been selected
with view to supplementing the work
of the school, but there are also among
these many works adapted to general
reading and especially to young people.
Books may be taken from the library and
read at home. A deposit OF one dollar is
required to insure the return of the book
in good order. This deposit will be re-
funded by the librarian at any time the
person wishes to withdraw from the
privileges of the library, provided all
books are returned and damages paid.
This plan makes the library practically
free, and at the same time insures it
against loss, or unreasonable damages to
bucks.
Some idea of the use that has been
made of the library since it was opened
the latter part of last November, may be
gathered from the following: There
have been one hundred and fourteen calls,
or renewals of, books to be read at home.
Sometimes, doubtless, several in the same
family read the same book, SO that the
actual amount OF home reading is thought
to be considerably in excess of the above
figures. Inquiries made Of thirty-two
pupils assembled in the high school room,
one day last week, revealed that five of
them had read five or more books, and
eight had read parts Of five or more, seven
had completed two or more books, and
twelve had read parts of two or more,
four had read all of one book, and two
had read parts Of one, five pupils had
made no use of the books of the library.
The above inquiry relates to books volun-
tarily read by pupils at home, or after
lessons were prepared at school, and takes
no account Of topics assigned in conjunc-
ton with the lessons from the text book
of which no record has been made, but
which is an important item to be con-
sidered in estimating the practical utility
of school library.
Acknowledgements are due the follow
ing parties for donations: Hill P. Will
son, Botkin trial; John 81. March, direc-
tory of officers of Kansas; American Book
Company, two United States histories;
Harper Bros, Franklin square song
book; E. D. Wheeler, a large copy of
United States government map.
Among good books for suitable sum-
mer reading I would suggest the follow
ing: 1.-THE Vassar Girls" 1.-THE Blue
Jackets" "The Rollo Books" "The Zig
gag Journeys" David Crockett" "Life
Of Lincoln" "Fairyland of Flowers"
Building the Nation" etc.
GRADING.
An effort has been made to put all
pupils of about the same advancement in
classes doing the same work. Owing to
The irrcgularity of attendance of some
and of outside work done by others it is |
rather difficult to keep the grades even
here. Quite number of pupils start |
ate in the fall and quit early IN the
spring on account of work, and conse-
luently fail to do their school work
and must either drag or fall
behind their grade and go over the same
subjects again. The only thing that can
oe done with pupil OF this kind is to
exercise the teachers discretionary power
md put the pupil in the grade that comes
learest fitting his needs.
Grading is not barrier to the bright
,upil's progress, as is sometimes charged,
or at any time pupil shows ability to
10 the work of the next grade above him
le is given an opportunity to do so. 1t
9 q pleasure to any teacher to encourage
apid advancement of specially bright
,upil whenever it can be done without
injury to the pupils health. Several in
tances of pupils passing from one grade
o another for marked ability have
cou~.od 1nr;po tho Loot kvvr yao.c II