New-York tribune., 1900-05-09
THEY READ "SOLID BOOKS
FICTION NOT TOO POPULAR WITH chill
DREN WHO PATRONIZE LIBRA
RIES IN THE JEWISH QUARTER.

OF the 1885 books circulated during April by the
library department Of the Hebrew Institute. at
East Broadway and Jeferson-st, only 90 per cent,
including the Juvenile books. fiction. At the
Chatham Square Branch of the New-York Free
Circulating Library, at No. % East Broadway.
which Is in the same neighborhood, similar taste
for solid literature is evinced. 1t distributed 1907
volumes during April, which $3.50. including the
Juveniles, fiction. The patrons OF both or
these libraries are Jews Of the orthodox class and
most of them Russians and Poles. No other
libraries in the city report so large proportion
of solid literature circulated
At the Hebrew Institute, during April, 24O of the
books loaned were in German, 100 in Russian and
444 IN Hebrew These were ali among adult MEM
bers. there being no call for other than English
books among the children. Works on United
States history and civil government lead in popu-
larity. while essays biographies. scientific books
and poetry are always in demand. In fiction the
standard writers are liked best. Longfelow is the
favorite poet with both young and old and Scott S
Lady Of the Lake is the most popular poem
The chdren's room at the Hebrew Institute IS
a sunny CHEEKY place, furnished with low tables
chairs and shelves. Bunches Of spring flowers
and boughs or cherry and apple blossoms. with
cards bearing their names, decorate the room ana
bright colored pictures of spring birds, portraits of
eminent people and timely Illustrations hang above
the cases The birthday bulletin Just now is Land
seer's. This is a large card, covered with por-
trait OF the painter; a sketch Of his life and re-
productions from his paintings. There have been
many calls for stories OF his life.
On Arbor Day. last Friday, the room was aglow
with spring blooms, and all the afternoon the
children came in troops for books trees, plants
and the distribution OF seeds. When the room
| finally closed not a book the subject was left
the shelves, and every child had gone away
with d little bunch OF flowers.
! The reference department is kept busy answering
questions and helping little composition writers,
| young essay writers and young de-
| baters obtain desired information. This de-
| partment,' said the young woman II charge to
a Tribune reporter yesterday, really supplements
! the work of the public schools We have to find
| quotations suitable for all occasions, and are
asked all sorts Of questions, such as. Where was
| the gold obtained that decorated solonons
! Temple?' Who the old of Thread
needle Street, Why did Lafayette send the key
! TO Washington" and Where did the first Indian
| Space is limited at the Chatham Square Branch.
and the little tables and chairs have been removed
for books. The little folks, however feel that the
| place is theirs, and stand about the room or with
| shelves and eagerly devour their favorite books
until o'clock in the evening when they have lit
! The House Of the Seven Gables" had an unprece-
dented run Of popularity among the. the boys Of e tae
was understood by them. They had mistaken it
!SF ans Tais bg s6aRespeare
! Uncle Toms Cabbage" Uncle Toms Cabinet" "
! been called for recently.
one of the librarians was startled not long age
by the reply, None of your business" from little
| girl, when she asked the child what book she
| wanted. II was discovered that she meant nc
| inpertinence. but wanted 'Nobodys Business
| Miss Pauline Letpziger is in charge of the four
libraries of the Hebrew Institute, at East Broad
way, No 113 East Fifty-ntnth-st; No I7+ East One
hundred -and-tenth-st. and No 616 Fffth-st
The Gha5ha square Branch oaas on Ias 1
The majority Of its 26S members are children
the books Of the chidren's department many bear
the inscription: