Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-11-29

themselves to entertain the fifty-two
visitors. A pleasant reception was
given at the Bremen Home, the first
evening we were there, and Mayor Red
mond welcomed the guests to the city,
and johnson Brigham, the state libra
rian, replied to the speech of welcome
after which President McLain spoke.
The next morning, Thursday, was
election; President Johnston was re-.
elected for third term; +. F. Dawley,
of Cedar Rapids, was elected vice -presi-
dent; and Ella McLong, of Des Moines,
secretary. These officers and A. P.
Fleming and Mrs. Howe were elected
an executive committee. Sioux City
invited the association to meet there
next time, also Council Bluffs and
Davenport. 1t was left to the executive
committee to decide upon the next
place of meeting.
The guests were delighted to meet
the Oldest of library workers in our
state, 7. S. Parvin, who has done so
much for the pride of his life, the
Masonic Library. There are very few
people who spend day in Cedar
Rapids who do not visit this wonder
full building, full Of ancient and won
derfnl curiosities and works of art. 7
presume all of our library board has
visited this beautiful place so will not
take time to go into details.
Miss McCrary, librarian of the Cedar
Rapids library, read a very excellent
paper setting forth the work of their IL
brary. While they possess beautiful
library it has been but short time that
the city has enjoyed q free public IL
brary. 1t is we'll equipped with ma
terial as well as help, and they are do
ing much to interest and educate the
public, especially the children, One
feature that was much admired is what
is called bulletin board upon which is
placed the interesting topics Of the day,
also pictures from publications.
Amateur photography is also exhibited.
A mature board" upon which appears
the flowers, leaves, seeds, and every
thing which the season or month pro-
duces, etc. Then they have acontinuous
exhibit of copies of the best works of
art and the loanlng of them as books
are loaned. The frames are made ad-
Unstable 80 that new pictures may be
inserted frequently. They provide low
tables and chairs for the children, and
take special pains to teach them how
to read and care for books and papers,
and then even take the time to question
them upon what they read to help them
remember 1t better. It almost amounts
to kindergarten work. and Is doing
much good. She spoke of the good q
town library could do to people in the
country, II they could reach out help
ing hs.ssssssi II only to suggest and help a
school district to get the use of the
travelling library.
The question has been asked how
much good will come of all this great
library spirit that is waving its mag &C
wand all over this country. No one
can tell the extent of the influence of
these gatherings. We have reason to
believe that it will tend to develop 4
better and nobler class OF men and
women with larger sympathies, broader
minds, and q deeper insight into all
that is good. As Hamilton Mabie
says, "An unfolding and enriching OF
the human spirit by conforming to the
laws of its own growth and the result
Of a broad and rich human life. The
man Of culture is he who has SO alb
sorbed what he knows that it has be-
come part of himself. The personal
enrichment is tho very highest and
finest result of intimacy with books II
is this highest culture that these Ii
brarians and trustees are seeking tc
develop in the readers who come to the
libraries for aid. They can only be a
sort of literary guide post, as Miss Nc
Crary said, but even guido posts hav,
their uses If their hands are pointed il
the right direction.
In closing will give briefly few O
the most important suggestions tina
were made by the older and more ex
perienced of the library workers pres
ent upon subjects that have seemed t.
them of the greatest weight to promot
the best results.
| 1t is not the most important thing t
know things, but to know how to d
things.
The librarian and trustee must no
forget that it is their duty to use th
public money to furnish good readin
to the largest number at the least cosi
Trustees should be modest in maxim
rules for the librarian, provided the l
brarian is well qualified. Librarian
should be left to manage library detall
| Whoever is his own lawyer has fot
for client.
The board should take time to col
suit together often, and If they have n
time to devote to the library interests
refuse to accept position as trustee
An instance was given of vice pres
dent as being the only one intereste'
who finally appropriated the funds.
president who did not preside; q direc
or who did not direct, but vice pres
dent who Weed with all his might.
1t is recommended that librarian
! should be present at least a part of ea'
meeting Of the board, as the board ar
librarian should consult each other fir
! quently.
One thing was particularly emph
: sized, that great care should be exc
:. cised in placing members on the boar
They should be competent, scholar
: conservative, unselfish, capable
broad judgment, and above all congo
! ial to the memberships harmony is {
sential. A person not willing to ma
9 a sacrifice for his work can not 81