The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-01-14
SIoUBS.
CONTINUED from page B.

posed AZ they always are by the research
that the clubs make along special lines.
When not a member Of the club, the
librarian may write at about the time OF
it's first yearly meeting, askin for the
course Of study to DO pursued by the
various departments, IN order that she
may anticipate their needs in her book
orders. Strangely enough we find that
this request il not always graciously
received; but when ignored. rs 1t may
be, turn to the president Tor help. "A
personal plea from her may be ellicacious
in persu aoing the heads Of departments
that they are helping themselves while
aiding the library.
It has been possible for us. because OF
a very pleasantly arranged reference
room, to set aside, for the exclusive use
OF clubs, some small alcoves, where are
placed few carefully selected volumes
withdrawn from circulation. This real
" gives the books a wider use than IL
each club woman took one home on her
card. The volumes are changed from
time to time to suit the requirments OF
the course Of study. Mounted photo
graphs lin one instance a very interest
ing collection) owned and used by the
clubs in their work have been hung in
the alcoves, making the rooms both at
tractive and useful.
In a library such az ours, where gen.
eral access to the book shelves is not al
lowed, il ia we'll to issue Il card granting
that privilege to leaders OF clubs, and to
high school teachers and professional
people who may find it an advantage to
90 direct to the stacks. We also issue
extra book borrowers cards to club
leaders aud to school teachers. with the
stipulation that they te used only for
the holders special line Of work.
Things which means the setting aside
Of some rule, or the granting OF some
especial privilege are not all we may do
for the club woman in the library.
What | wish to add to this requires
almost more tnan the courage OF my
convictions; it il OF the more personal
dealings OF the Librarian or reference
attendant with the women, 1t has
been eaid by member Of the craft that
1.-The mental dexterity of a lawyer, the
manners Of a diplomat. and the patience
OF a saint are qualities which the libra
rian must cultivate IL he would cleverly
comprehend the inquiries put to him.
And certainly it 10 as easy to believe OF
women as Of Voltaire's men, that they
employ speech only to conceal their
thoughts;' for ditiident, as we'll as con.
ceited, seekers after knowledge waste
hours by not divulging the exact object
OF their search. We all revolt at the
thought of Haunting crimson placards.
reading, III you don't find what you
want ask for it. We are here to help you"
But how are we To insist that patrons OF
the library be specific in their requests?
Library talks" given by the president
Of the club would seem the simplest way
Of reaching the women; or the librarian
herself might speak al some general as
sembly OF the club. giving "A practical
illustration OF library methods The use
OF card catalogs, PoMes, the Cumula-
tive and annual h'erary indiceI and
even the use of the indi .ts in books and
works OF several volumes must he shown
all without any superc,lIousness Tor the
club movement is comparative y new in
the west and women who have heen for
years out OF school may be pardoned il
they waste time over a table Of contents
or even turn laboriously page tfter page
in their search, instead OF using the in.
dex which belongs to every well arrang-
ed work. For our object is to give the
best help to the club members in find
ing their material readily. not by merely
opening each book at the desired page
but by developing the power OF using
int ligentiy the means put at their
service.
II have shown dangerous tendency
to follow the example of lennyson's
brook, you will pardon me, know.
The subject is one capable OF much dis
cussion; but discussi IN in the form of
monologue comes finally to interest only
one person, so will no longer "chatter
over stony ways"
Mrs. SMILEY.