The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-14
LIBRARIAN PUTNAM.

lillian Whiting in 1nter--Ocean.
The appointment by President Nc
Kinley of Mr.. Herbert Putnam, libra
rian of the Boston public library, to the
charge of the congressional library calls
attention to the fact that the work of a
librarian has advanced to that of a rec
ognized profession. The old idea was
that any person of intelligence and Of
literary tastes was, thereby, eligible for
a librarian. 1t was under some such
idea as this that the Rev. Samuel Bar
rows, of Boston, was first nominated
for the Guardianship of the congression-
al library. Mr.. BarrowS is a most eSti-
mable gentleman of taste and liberal
culture, but not, necessarily, any more
fitted for a librarian than he is for an
electrician. Library work has become
a recognized profession. 1t requires the
trained specialist. To be well educated,
to be Il person of liberal culture, is only
a foundation OF the essentials Now,
that which makes Herbert Putnam no
table on both sides the Atlantic is that
he has a great natural gift, almost
amounting to genius, for this work, and
that he has developed it by trained
study of the great libraries Of the world
and their methods until he has acquired
all that can be learned of the profess
sion, and has originated some features
which will henceforth be recognized as
essential TO the standard of the profess
sion For instance, Mr. Putnam has
conceived of the work of a great libra
nv to be as an active force rather than
a passive resource. Not as a pond to
which whoever will may resort, but as
running river, carrying on refreshment
and inspiration. He conceives of the
work as positive, not negative; as aS-
gressiVe, not passive. Heretofore, the
usual ideal of a library was to give
forth of it's best to all who sought; but
Mr.. Putnam's ideal was to arouse the
public to seek it. He would not only
have it supply a demand, but he would
have it demand to be supplied. He
would not only make the largest num-
Der of works accessible to the largest
number of people, but he would IN
crease the number of people who would
desire to be supplied. He has been now
for some five years at the head of the
Boston public library. Under his mag
netic administration the work has been
Vitalized. enlarged, and rendered far
higher and more enlightened. 1t has
been made the eVer-springing fountain
of refreshment to the entire city. 1t has
increased the number of branch libra
ries. given to them the most advanced
methods, and inspired the entire COM
munity with living sympathy and inter
est in the work. Free lectures have
been given in the large and beautiful
room devoted to the fine arts; the great
collection of photographs drawn upon
for illustration; the departments of all
the enormous collection of books have
been systematized, and every improved
mechanical device has been adopted. The
wealth of resources placed at the dis
posal of every applicant in the public
library is so rlcn anu unlimited lHdl the
building has become sort ofintellectuaI
paradise And not only for the BOS-
tonians but for the very large number
of visitors drawn here by the library
alone. The first feeling regarding the
loss of Mr.. Putnam from the institution
he has fairly endowed with new life is
that of almost irrevocable misfortune.
Yet it must be that work done so nobly
and greatly is endowed with vitality to
persist and develop under other hands,
and lamentable as it is to lose the in
spring young leader. the multitude of
Mr. Putnam's friends will still rejoice
with him in the eminent position to
which he is appointed and to which his
personal distinction and his unrivaled
ability will lend new and hitherto I'M
known prestige.