Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-13
ri blooms.
NEW LIFE IN Our LIBRARIES.
Have Been Brought Into Closer TOucl
with the People.

Have Been Brought Into Closer Touch
With the People.
From the Criterion.
No sign that the desire of the American
people for knowledge wakes steadily
stronger is more apparent than the hustle
in our libraries.
Within the past decade the entire atmos-
phere of libraries has changed. The very
purpose Of the library, as il is interpreted
by both librarians and the public, has
changed. Who does not remember the time
when the library was merely a storehouse
Of books. where bewhiskered students
hrowsed at the pleasure of leisureiy at
PENDANTS? In those days the foes of the
librarian were the readers''-the phrase was
spoken by the distinguished director of
wel-known library. In those days the chief
qualification for the post of librarian
was scholarship. The man in charge of
great collection of books was selected be
cause he was known as an authority In
history or in etymology. He was essen
TALLY a bOok-loving man. That the works
under his charge should be of service 10
scholars and to others who would use them
inteiigently, was desirable but to many
librarians. the thought that their treasured
volumes were paved over by the general
public, which in return culled from them
only heterogeneous scraps of Information,
was distasteful
Peace be to the old school librarians:
their species is fast becoming extinct. A
new school has arisen-a school of business
men. At present the head of a library
may or may not be a scholar. But in any
case, he must be a man of executive abi-
ity. There has arisen in library circles
including not only those who manage
libraries, but also readers-a demand for
systematic methods in supplying readers
with books. Nay. for more than this.
h2g
shall be thrust upon readers. The library
is no longer a passive organization, no
longer a storehouse of literature 1t is an
active educa tonal force. Its function is
not only to supply the recorded thoughts of
men to those who come to seek them. but
also TO press them upon the Indifferent
ones i'm the community.
Look for moment at the visible manifeS-
tation of the new spirit among librarians.
Go seek a book at one of the long-establish-
ed libraries. Remember the indifference
with which the attendants treated seekers
for books dozen years ago, and contrast
it with the alertness of the attendants To-
day and with their eagerness to supply and
to suggest. If you glance ABOUT the deliV-
cry room you will find ready to hand
shelves containing the newest books, which
YOU may borrow without consulting cata-
Iogue. Authoritative works dealing with
any subject which is prominent in the pub
lie eye are sure to be arranged in plain
view Books of reference, instead of being
locked up in the stack are freely dis
played upon the shelves Of the reading
room at the immediate service of him who
needs them. Everything within the build
ing indicates eagerness on the part of the
management to furnish promptly whatever
Information readers may need.
Nor does the activity Of a modern libra
rian end here. Seek in those districts of
great city which are far removed from
library, and you shall find small cases OF
books loaned from the central organization.
10 be read by every one In the neighbor-..
hood. When all the volumes have gone the
rounds, the cases are returned to the main
library to be refreshed with new works.
Even in the fire stations and the police sta
tons you shall find these travelling
libraries" at first established by request of
the librarians. but now eagerly desired by
the readers themselves.
There are still, in some of the small cities
and towns, libraries to which the new
spirit has not penetrated. 1t is the duty OF
every citizen in each place Of this character
to look to it, that in return for the proper
ton of his taxes which goes to the main
tenance Of the library. he Is furnished with
such prompt and efficient library service as
the custom of the times prescribes