The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-08-30

tectural 1t consists OF large, clear
Photographic views of all the principal
existing and proposed libraries in this
and other countries.
The object of this department IS two
fold. 1t calls attention to the archi-
tectural Importance and significance
of libraries and suggests to communi-
ties and individuals the erection Of IL
brary buildings. II also shows the de-
velopment and present state of library
science by giving plans and interior
views of many apartments in noted L.
braries and educational institutions.
In the arrangement Of the material
on exhibition there are numerous
plans shown as in operation in different
libraries. There are systems OF hang
ing maps and charts, shelving and
catalOguing books and, in fact, all the
best and most improved ways of con-
Quoting public library; the exhibit is
in reality library in complete work
ing order.
An opportunity has been given in
ventors 10 show improved devices and
many have taken advantage of the
chance. Among them is a revolving
system of indexing titles which at
tracts great attention. The system
.ontemplates the indexing Of 10000
books and the average time needed to
find any book listed is forty-two sec
onds. Under the idea of inventions
might perhaps be mentioned what is
called the travelling library. This IS
a neat cabinet containing leo well Sc
selected volumes sent from the Library
school at Albany TO small towns
where no libraries have been insti-
tuted. When the utility of the book
has been exhausted in one place, the
cabinet is shipped to another town and
is thus kept in constant use. Thou
sands of these travelling libraries are
now out in the country and the scheme
Is becoming vastly popular.
The plan Of the "home library" is
also shown as an exhibit. This is .
Boston idea and is extensively used in
that city, though the advantages be-
coming known other cities are adopt
ing it. This is also a cabinet, contain
ing twenty-five books which are placed
in the homes of the poorer class of
children and left there for a given
length of timo
Naturally, however. the comparative
exhibit is what mostly interests librar-
ians. This consists of a full collection
OF printed blanks, forms, photographs
etc. classified. mounted and bound to-
gether with tabulated results of expe-
rience in various departments of libra
~ administration and with samples
Of appliances. furniture. fittings, me-
chanieal and labor-saving devices and
tools. A deep interest was shown in
the matter by librarians throughout
the country, and prompt responses were
made TO the request on the part of
the committee to furnish what they
could.
But by far the more important fea-
ture Of this exhibit as being the most
far-reaching in its possible usefulness
is that inaugurated especially under
the auspices of the American Library
association. The difficulty experienced
by new library committees the world
over in the start of new library is
well recognized. The idea of this i'm
portant feature is to aid such commit
tees. The association committee set
about their labor in a sensible and
practical manner. Circulars, Outlin-
ing the general plan, were sent to
librarians all over the country asking
cooperation. They were asked to sub
mit list of books on certain subjects
from which committee could not pos
sibly make 4 mistake in selecting one
or ali.
In this way list of 5000 has been
chosen When the selections Of the IL
brarians had all come in the commit
tee revised and made their selections
In turn the list they made was given
to an expert committee of three and
brought down TO the specified number
OF 5000 volumes Then began another
branch of the worlz-that of obtaining
the books from the publishers. This
general impression prevails in the
minds Of the committee that the for
cisn publishers did not fully under
stand the matter. as m2ny refused corl-
plia-ce with the request T. furnish
wha. vas asked. From the American
publishers. however. there wac a very
general response. and the result was