The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-04-14
BOOKMEN ARE COMING
American Library AssOCia-
ton Convention to Be
Held at Lake.
wood.
pRoGKAMM OF THE SESSIONS
History of the AssociatiOn-Fhe
Problems 1t Aims to
Solve.
The book meu are coming to Jersey.

The book men are coming to Jersey.
Two or three weeks ago it was finally
decided TO hold the next convention OF
the American Library Association at
Lakewood. in this State, although the
world at large will not become advised of
it until the present announcement. This
is a matter of considerable importance to
all Jerseymen who are in any way inter
ested in the advancement of public edu-
cation by means OF the free library, espe-
ciaIly as New Jersey is far behind the
majority Of her sister States iu this re-
gard.
The convention will open in the Laurel
House, Lake wocd. on Monday evening,
May 16, aud continue for three days. LII
b.arjaus, their assistants and other inter,
ed parties will attend from all parts of
the country. some coming from as far as
the Pacific coast. One-tnird of the reg
ular rates of fare from all points coyered
bv the New England Passenger Associa-
tiop, Trunk Line Association and the Ceu-
.ral Traffic Association will be secured to
all paying a fare of ~seventv-ive cents or
more on their going journey. Fall first
class fare must be paid from the point of
starting to Lakewood. With the ticket a
certificate should be ecure filled and
signed by the ticket agent, showing the
route. The agents to all important sta
tions will be supplied with the certif-
Gates.
A QUESTION BOY.
Efforts are being made to have rs many
rs possible of those coming to the con-
vention to arrive on the Saturday previ-
Gus, and if this is succ essful there will be
ample time for consultation and a gem
eral diffusion of ideas on library ques-
tions. AS will be seen from the pro-
gramme given below, but little time will
he taken up with the discussion of formal
and routine business, ana also thai there
will be a noticeable absence OF set
speeches or prepared papers. Nearly every
session will be given over TO the informal
discussion of the various features of lib
rary work. A Question BOZ will be in
operation most OF the time, ny means of
which any one who may not care to appear
prominently may have all sorts of library
problems taken up and in%telligently treat
Ed.
The last convention of the association
was held last fall in San Francisco. Tn
Lakewood conference will therefore be a
semi-annual one In one sense, although no
other will be held this year. This Is done
in order to prepare for the library exhibit
at the Worlds Fair, and II day will be
given up to the discussion of the ways
and means for making the exhibit
as com prehensiye as possible. Arrange
ments have been made at Lakewood to
accommodate 900, and it Is hoped this
number will be swelled by the attend
apce, either throughout the entire confer
ence or at one or more SESSIONS. OF a large
number from all parts Of New Jersey.
Special rates of 50 90 IA day have been OBJ
tanned.
PLEASURE N BUSINESS.
AT the conclusion Of the last session in
Lakewood the Librarians will leave for
Baltimore on the New Jersey Central
aud Baltimore and OHIO Railroads,
xx haro thav will tarrivQ IN V'h1rSInv
evening, making their headquarters at
the Carrollon Hotel. One business ses-
sion will be held on Friday morning. and
the afternoon will be devoted to visiting
the libraries and the various public
buildings. On Friday night the librar;-
ans will leave for Washington, stopping
at the Ebbitt House. The final sessions
will be held on Saturday. Wash
ington is almost the only city of
considerable size in the country
where there Is no public library
There is q movement on foot to secure
ole there. however, and the Library As
ISOLATION meeting there at this time will
be particularly oppoitune, as 1t will
serve, doubtless, to increase the enthusi-
assn and interest in the movement, and
will give those who are, engaged in pro-
noting the plan an excellent chance to
gain much information from those who
through long experience Know more
about such matters than any one else in
the country.
This will conclude the business Of the
convention, and the librarians will then
proceed to enjoy what they are pleased to
call Il post conferences excursion. This
will be Il nine day trip from Washington
to Gettysburg, thence t. Luray Caverns,
to Grottoes. Natural Bridge, stopping ut
Brandon Hall, thence to Basic City, to
Virginia Beach, by way OF Richmond, to
Old Poiut Comfort and back to Washing
ton. arriving in New York on Tuesday,
May 81. From Lakewood to Washing
ton. including hotel at Baltimore, trans
will be 1915. The Washington hotel rate
will be 81 so and So IA day, and the entire
cost of the post-conference excursion will
be $40.
A-BIT OF HISTORY.
The American Library Association is
not very old, but it had its origin in a
deepiy-felt demand for something of the
kind. A few librarians early in 1876 pro-
posed n library conference In connection
with The Centennial Exhibition. The pro-
posal meeting hearty respolse from prom
inent librarians and the United States
Commissioners of Education, 1t was de-
cided 10 call the meeting, and October 4.
1876, ia response to general announce
ments in the press and special invitations
sent through the Bureau of Education to
American and leading foreign librarians.
there gathered in the rooms of the Penn
sylyania Historical Society in Philadel-
phia, 100 enthusiastic librarians, who
spent three days in comparison OF
methods and in active interchange
of views and experience. The
great practical benefit of this
conference and the possibilities of
progress and influence which 1t sug-
aested, led to permanent organization,
at its final session. as the Ameri-
can Library Association, for the pur-
nose of promoting the library interests of
the country, and of increasing reciprocity
and good will among librarians and all
interested in library economy and biblio-