The Daily Texarkanian., 1900-08-07
PARIS LETTER.
From Our REGULAR Correspondent.
= IVlII V1II NJ '1I11I =
PARIS, FRANCE, July 20, 1900.

cial Economy Building, sorrounded
by a certain atmosphere of scholar
ly quiet, is an exhibit which stands
unique among the contributions of
the nations to the Paris exposition
of 1900. II is that of the American
Library Association. showing the
progress and condition of American
Libraries. The exhibit was pre-
pared at the New York State Lii
brary, Albany, N. Y, by Miss Flor
ence Woodwork, under the general
supervision of Melvil Dewey, direc-
tor OF the library. The collection
as a whole represents the best
thought of the American library
profession and aims to illustrate all
types of libraries, every phase of
library work in all sections of the
country. Through the interest and
generosity of Mr.. Andrew Carnegie
a representative of the Association
will be in charge of the exhibit
throughout the exposition.
The exhibit occupies a space six
by nine feet, which is nearly one
thirteenth of that assigned to the
United States in this building, and
SO, comparatively speaking, covers
a large area. This includes seven
units of installation, each CORES
ponding very nearly in width and
height to tier of ordinary library
shelving. The tiers are divided
three feet from the floor by a broad
ledge, with shelves below and wing
frame cases above, each case hold
ing 80 wing frames. Over the cases
is a wall space, finished in rich
green, hung with large platinum
prints of some of the larger and
newest types of American libraries.
The material exhibited is divided
into five groups. l, monographs;
2, pictures, 3, charts; 4, books, 8,
appliances.
The collection of nearly $50 pho
tographs and more than 80 plans is
exhibited on sheets % by % inches,
mainly in the seven wing-frame
cases. Each case case contains a
distinct group of libraries, which
may be very briefly summarized as
follows Case /, Photographs of
the American Library Association,
library schools, travelling libraries,
home education work, historical
and athenaeum libraries and ma
tional and state libraries. Case 2.
Libraries of more than 200, 900 vol
umes, including Copley prints of
the Boston Public Library, plans of
the New York public library now
building and the Chicago public Ii
brary. Case 3. Libraries ranging
from 80, 900 to 200, 900 volumes and
including a wide geographical
range. Case A. Some of the small
er libraries of the country, inciud-
ing many memorial libraries and a
interesting collection illustrating
children's departments in public
libraries. Case 5. The Carnegie
libraries at Pittsburg, Allegheny,
Homestead, Braddock, Washington
Atlanta, etc, giving striking ex-
ample of what has been done by
one man for American libraries.
Cas- 6, Various libraries from va
rious parts of the country,
Eleven statistical charts and
maps show the wonderful growth of
American libraries and their in
creasing influence as educational
centers. A map prepared by the
Massachusetts, library commission,
the oldest of the state commissions
and the mother of a succession of
most active ones, shows that of the
347 towns in the state only seven
are without a free public library.
A collection of more than 400
carefully selected volumes makes
up the fourth division OF the exhi-
bit, 1t is confined very largely to
works on biography and library
science, economy and history, and
along these lines it represents the
best work and thought and most
advanced ideas of American libra
rians. 1t is rich and valuable in its
Especially bound collections of print
ed matter issued by the American
Library Association. state and To-
cal library clubs, and library schools
in its statistical collections in man
uscript;in the collection of portraits
of officers and members of the ma
tional association; in its book and
pamphlets dealing with the newest
problems and latest developments
of library work, that is, with home
education, home libraries, travelling
libraries, state Libraries commiss.
ions, library legislation, state aid