The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-30
a LIBRARY'S HIGH PLANE
PROF. SWIGGETT, OF PURDUE,
MAKES A VALUABLE SUGGESTION.
Most Valuable Feature in Training of
Children-COncIuding Session
of state Association.

day morning a paper on the library
school of instruction was presented by Mr..
Glen L. Swiggett, professor of German at
Purdue, which was of more than passing
interest to those Immediately connected
with the administration of libraries. Mr..
Swiggett touched upon a point in his dis
cussion of the PIT pose of the library that
is of vital interest, not only to librarians,
but to the general public. He showed that
the medieval notion that the library was
simply a collection of works still colors the
work of the library in America as we'll as
in Europe and thwarts it's higher purpose.
the cultivation of the community in which
it stands, that the library. as a part of
an educational system, should be connected
directly by the democratic spirit, the pres
ent motive principle in education and see
to it that the inalienable right of every
man to be educated according to his powers
be furthered by the librarians selection Of
a series of books especially adapted to his
need.
1t is impossible to include this paper in
it's entirety, but his closing remarks, which
presented the main thesis and were so ia
vorably received by the association, were
as follows:
IT feel so strongly the necessity of find
planted tastes by a carefully planned and
judiciously selected series of books t! at l
believe we can almost say, tell us the books
the child has read and we can map his
future The certainty of that forecastlns,
however, will depend upon the wisdom
shown in putting into the hands OF that
child the books especially needed for his
case This is the secret of the successful
librarian and the ultimate purpose OF all
''If we juxtapose with Mr. W.:D Howells
and say that literature is life, then a IL
brary should be inclusive, should compre-
bend the whole range OF science IN the Sc
lection of it's books. This is not an lmpos-
sibility with the cheap reprints OF universal
editions at our command. Inc puDllSnlnS
houses, realizing the importance OF well-se-
lected readings for children at the various
periods of their growth, have issued In very
attractive and inexpensive editions, small
libraries grouped around certain heading
such as history biography, land ana naval
battles, the various divisions or science,
letters and arts. Such series as these should
be bought for the small circulating library
in rural communities. The libraries OF our
villages that are endowed with a certain
purchasing power are able to enlarge these
lists and thereby secure books that may
better answer the needs of larger center
This selective problem, based on the ultl-
mate use of the books for the definite pur-
pose of assisting in the development of the
growing child, will become greater ana
greater factor as the field of distribution
enlarges and will also be more dithcult TO
cope with. In view of that fact 1t seems
to me an absolute necessity that these
fields be diminished.
'Within recent years our larger cities
have worked along that line and have es-
tablished smaller Libraries or depots for the
outlying districts. With the thesis then be.
fore us that the library is but a school OF
literature, firmly believe that, relatively,
these smaller Libraries do far greater
good to growing children than the larger
downtown stacks with their inaccessible
library official and almost equally lnacceS-
sible books If that is true then we
should not only sanction, but urge !eg1sla-
braries throughout the land based on rep
resentation. We might thereby make II
possible for the librarian to become what
he should be, the teacher of youth. If the
library is to ever become school, this
must eventually be the chief qualification
of the librarian. The success OF his EFFORTS
will depend upon this. The opportunity
at his command for knowing the individual
needs of his patrons and the means Tor
answering those needs make his position
one of sacred trust and endow it with
juster responsibility than is vested i'll any
other teacher The beauty of this trust, l
am sorry to say, is not seen by some or
our librarians, and especially is this true
in communities where their efforts are
most needed. 1t is not the merely mechan-
ical duties OF this position that dignity
it; nor is it the wisdom that the Librarian
must frequently show in order to onset the
malicious influence of a board, too Ignorant
or too busy to assist in the wise directions
of the affairs of the library, but 1T is this
sweet and silent mediation between the
spiritually-thirsty youth and the books to
quench that thirst. 1t is not only necessary
that the libra ran know the books at his
command, but he should know in detail the
history of each of his scholars, in so far as
that is possible and then dole out to the
child the food best fitted for his condition
rather than let him select at random and
from hearsay. Only let the librarian make
himself accessible to our youth and they
will consult with him about the books that
they should read; will tell him what they
think about this or that book and by
subtle suggestion here and there will bare
the workings Of their spirits so that they
10 To IafN 1lt i0nn tn DCz an
be done by few other teachers. This is the
real province of the library as a school for
literature. The other functions 1t performs
are merely Shadings of this supreme and
vital purpose, especially in this busy world
of ours, where children seem to grow apace
despite Hull homes and truancy laws. 1t
consecrates the mission of the library, and
will serve to dignity and make beautiful
the position of librarian. who will surely
take his position among the benefactors OF
his race If he will but recognize the Christ
like trust that reposes in him as the teach
er of children"
A new constitution was adopted by the
Library Association at its final session yes
terday morning, in which the objects of
the association are stated to be those of
securing needed legislation for their i'm
prOvement and in encouraging cooperative
efforts among those engaged In library
work Active and associate memberships
are provided for and the annual meeting
is fixed for the Christmas holidays in this
city.
The association elected the following off,
GERS: President, j. c. Leach. Terre Haute;
Wayne; Albert Faurot, Terre Haute; treas
urer, Mrs. Isabella McIheunen, Indianapo-
lis A committee was appointed, consisting
of Albert Faurot. Terre Haute; Miss Belle
Hanna Greencastle, and Miss E. G.. Brown
ing, Indianapolis, as a legislative committee.
A request was received that the association
cooperate with the Union of Clubs
of Indiana in the effort to induce
the next Legislature to create an
Indiana library commission, the duties of
which shall be to aid in the establishment
of new Libraries and to help in the circu-
laton of books in out-of-the-way portions
of the State. This request was referred to
the executive committee
Beside the paper by Mr.. Swiggett, Quincy
A.. Myers. of Logansport spoke on the
to the Library" He thought that the
school trustees should have the power to
make the tax levy instead Of the city coun-
ellis. and that the Legislature should be
asked to make this change in the law.