The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-28
LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
An Interesting Discussion as to the
Value of Books.

An Interesting DISCUSSION as 10 the
Value of Books.
The Indiana Library Association spent
yesterday wrestling with the subjects of
what books should be used in the schools
of the State, who reads them and the value
of old volumes and libraries to both the
schools and the general public. President
J. H. Leech of Kokomo, was not present
and Miss Elizabeth d. Swan, librarian at
Purdue University, was made president pro
tenn. The reports showed that the receipts
of the association had been $14.91 and the
expenditures had been only $3.50.
The first subject for consideration was
that of Certain Essentials of Library
Equipment" by Mrs. Lucius b. Swift, of
Indianapolis, who dealt largely with the
librarian and his duties. holding that he
should not altogether cater to the public
taste for certain books, but should take it
on himself to advise aud recommend what
books should be bought by the library and
what ones he should give out to certain
people Her main contention was that quail
ity and not quantity should be the consd-
Grafton in making up a library and that
books by the best authors should be selected
in order to educate the people who most
used the library. Mrs. Swift said that it
was often difficult for the librarian to tell
what books to get in order to keep up with
the popular demand and suggested that he
should watch closely what sort of books
the better class OF people read and recon-
mend these for wide distribution.
Mrs. Swift advocated the keeping of the
files of the daily papers in librarles-at least
the best of the papers-but in this connec-
ton she said it did not follow that because
certain paper was much in demand that
the library should subscribe for it. She said
there was a wide divergence in the tastes
or the young people, particularly in BOYS
who TO her knowledge read everything from
Zen Years q Cowboy to Shakespeare" Al
the close of the paper there was a general
discussion by members of the association.
all OF which was in line with the ideas OF
Mrs. Swift
State Librarian William H Henry read n
paper on '.Co-operative Book CoIecting
his main idea was that the principal prob
lem was rather how to get nd of the num-
beriess books which had been bought to
meet popular demand than to add TO the
present store. He said that democracy had
spoiled the American people to a consider
taxes they thought they should be allowed
10 dictate what books should be bought for
the library. While there was an element of
justice in this reasoning Mr.. Henry thought
II best not 10 allow the idea to carry TOO
far, as IL might result in somes of the farm
ers who paid taxes claiming the right to
house their sheep in the capitol basement
Mr.. Henry told of his present plan of coll
iectlng books for the state library by CO.
operation. There are many Indiana publica-
lions which are not on the shelves OF the
state library, and 1t is almost impossible
print. In the beginning of his introduction
of the scheme he figured ollt that there
were any number of such volumes molding
IN attics and cellars throughput the State,