The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-12
READING FOR CHILDREN.
How the Juvenile Taste Is Guided i'm
Certain Public Libraries.

A keen interest has of late years been de-
veloped in the children who frequent the
public libraries of the cities, and much is
being done TO aid and direct them through
the channels which the Libraries open. Many
children go TO the library. draw out book
and take it home to read, but others stay
at the library, and some are regular visit
prs, coming daily after school hours and
remaining long as the library is open.
OF the latter class by far the larger num-
Der are those whose homes afford little COM
fort or whose mothers away at work,
and who would be upon the street if the Ii
brary doors were not opened TO them Even
little children, too small to read come, and
for such there are picture books and illus
trated magazines, with a low table and
chairs of proportionately diminutive size.
Four small, ragged, bright, dirty little fell
lows recently came pell nell into the chill
drens department of the Minneapolis Lii
brary and dashed toward the small table, on
which were the illustrated books and papers.
The librarian quietly went to them and eN-
amined each pair of hands, and then, some
what more quietly, the quartet filed out to
the Mushroom.
Il say, boys, amt this soap peachyr" ex-
claimed the smallest of the group; don't
yer waste any of it, And evidently they did
not, for the elevator boy, who supervises the
washroom made each one wash three times
before the grimy little fists were made fit
TO handle the books. But the children took
no offense and continued to come regularly
every day. Were it not for the library, they
would be upon the street.
To help all classes of its patrons the room
is made as attractive possible by means
1Arr lasr1
nishings. On special days, such as Wash
ingtons birthday, pictures OF Washington,
of his home, and of battle scenes in which
he took part are hung upon the walls while
the bulletin board gives a list of books APP
propriate to study of Washington and al
lied topics. In April bird pictures are hung
on the walls. books of bird study are listed
and shelf of them arranged for ready ref
erence, while in May the flowers follow the
birds. So far as possible the reading OF the
children is directed and advised, but In order
/ that this shall be done to the best advan-
| tage it is necessary that the attendants of
| the chidren's department shall become per-
sonally acquainted with the children who
| visit the library. In the library at Pratt
| Institute, Brooklyn, Miss Pratt has taken
| special interest in this important and far
reaching branch of work, and in depart
ment containing 1900 most carefully select
| ed books she can call by name almost every
child who comes there TO read or to draw
| books The object OF all the efforts made
| is TO uplift the children and give them high
| er ideals in life.
In Cleveland good pictures are saved from
magazines and all available sources and
mounted, and two are drawn by each child
| taking out a book. The pictures are hung
| upon the walls at home and exchanged for
| others when his book is exchanged. In
| other libraries these mounted pictures are
| sent 20 the public schools with the books
| which are intended for the scholars reading
| and are hung upon the walls OF the school,
| rooms.
Individuals, clubs and business firms fire.
| quently have their interest aroused in the
work and contribute something toward the
| artistic furnishing of the children's room
| the Tourist Club of Minneapolis has recent
| ly given framed picture of madonna and
child 10 the library of their city. The IL
brary boards are doing their share by buy
| ing better editions, better illustrated works
| and by increasing the number of good
books. Books which were purchased be-
| fore so much thought was given to these
matters, and which from any cause are con-
| sidered Objectionable, are dropped out or
| as they wear out are not replaced
The librarians and assistants of the chill
| dren's department are chosen with special
| reference to their fitness for the work and
conventions of these librarians are held
where ideas are exchanged and new plans
| devised, all tending toward the one object
| the up-building of the children.