The record-union., 1898-11-26


ference under the auspices of the Lii
brary Association of California con-
vened at the Senate Chamber at
o'clock yesterday afternoon. There was
an attendance of many well-known Ii
brarians Of the State. though many
Of the spectators, as well as those Wno
participated in the exercises, were mol
Librarians.
Among others, the following were III
attendance: George Clark, Librarian OF
San Francisco Free Public Library
Mr. Rowell, Librarian of State Uni
versity; Mr. Mast. Librarian OF stan
ford University; Mr.. Leggert, Librarian
of Mechanics Library, San FRANCISCO;
Mrs. Wadleigh, Librarian of Los An
geles Public Library; Mr.. Weiier, LIZ
brarian of Alameda Public Library
Mr.. Cloudsley, Librarian of Stockton
Public Library; Miss Kumli Librarian
of Santa Rosa Public Library; Mr.
Cowan, San Francisco, Miss Wade'
cataloguer OF Public Library, San
Francisco; Mr.. Cleary, Librarian Odd
Fellows Library, San Francisco; MISS
Russ, Pasadena Public Library; Mr.
Mills, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Wade, Mr..
Munroe, all of San Francisco; Mr..
Cooms, Mr.. Seaman, Miss Hopkins OF
State Library; all the force of Sacra-
mento Free Public Library; Miss Fol-
ger, Librarian of one of the branches
of Public Library, San Francisco; Mr..
Coleman, San Francisco; Mr.. Assus.
Oakland; Mr.. KimbalI California
The session was to have been ad-
dressed at the outset by Frank ID.
Ryan, a member of the Board OF LII
brary Trustees, but he was detained
in court, and did not speak until after
the program had been well advanced.
Librarian Coombs of the State LII
brary called the meeting to order, and
stated that it was the first conference
of the character that had been held
in the history of the State. the first
time that the State Library had ever
been put in close touch, in such a
manner, with the outside literary
world. He then introduced President
Clark of the Library Association of
California. and stated that he would
preside at the meeting.
PRESIDENT CLARK ON THE VAL
UE OF LIBRARIES
Mr.. Clark made brief address, in
which he reviewed many questions OF
vitalinterestto TO librarians. Among other
things, he said: This is a conference
for the purpose of doing what we can
to promote the welfare of State IL
braries. A great writer has aptly said
that books, properly used, will bring
sunshine to the heart and drive moon
shine out Of the head. 1t may be use
full to ask why such States as Massa-
chusettS are founding libraries and ex-
pending large sums for their extension
over the widest possible domain? 1t
is to give the people a wider educa-
ton"
The speaker then said that the
masses have only the most elementary
school training. Higher education is
needed, and a great deal of it must
come through the public libraries To
the millions, with restricted educations.
public libraries come as a boon, and
these great blessings become essential
factors in human progress.
Mr. Clark then traced the history of
public libraries in California. He said
they were founded twenty years ago.
Though there are but rCTty towns that
have availed themselves of the benefits
of the law that enables communities
to establish public libraries, there are
at least seventy-five towns that might
have organized such educational bless
ings under this law, but they have
neglected to do so. The speaker asked
whether it was not possible for the
Librarians of the State to hasten the
work of organizing public libraries
throughout California. He cited Mas
sachusetts and Wisconsin as States
that had found it a great benefit to es-
tablish Libraries. In concluding his
remarks. he suggested that the riches
of the State Library might be dis
pensed in such a way as to benefit
the people of the entire State. He
asked whether it was not possible for
the people of California to profit by the
system of library loans, by which
books are circulated beyond the loca-
tion of the library. He thought the
meeting was a good thing, as it would
open up the discussion of useful mat
ters. If it did nothing else. it would
enable the workers to get together and
exchange views. He thought the pre-
vious efforts of Librarians had been
far too isolated
THE STATE LIBRARY"
State Librarian Coombs followed
with a thoughtful paper, entitled 1.-The
the outset, he said that he regretted
that the usefulness of the library had
often been hampered somewhat by the
attacks of politicians. He said it was
we'll known that the library had, in the
past, often been the subject of polit-
ical attack. He thought the institution
should be exempt from the political
rule that applies to other institutions.
Library management, he said, is sci
ence that requires skill and technique
He was glad to say that there had
been many men of culture and literary
accomplishments in the position of
State Librarian, and that the books
had been, for the most part, well Sc
1ected He said the books were as a
rule very useful, and said that soma
of them were of especial value, as
Tissot's Life of Christ" Banerofts
''Book of Wealth." and some rare edi-
tions of Shakespeare. While these
works were of great benefit, it was
doubtful whether their usefulness
could become general under the pres