The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-08-09
PARIS LETTER.
nm Our Regular Correspondent.

Economy Building, surrounded by a
certain atmosphere of scholarly quiet,
is an exhibit which stands unique
among the contributions of the nations
20 the Paris exposition of 1900. 1t is
that of the American Library Associa.
ton, showing the progress and condi-
,ion of American libraries. The ex-
hlbit was prepared at the New York
State library, Albany, N. Y, by Miss
Florence Woodwork, under the gen
eral supervision of Melvil Dewey,
director of the library. The collec-
ton as a whole represents the best
thought of the American library pro-
fesson 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 represent
ative 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, ndso, comparatively
speaking, covers large area. This
includes seven units OF installation,
each corresponding very nearly in
width and height to tier Of ordinary
shelving. The tiers are divided three
feet from the floor by broad ledge,
with shelves below and wing frame
cases above, each case holding a
wing frames. Over the cases is wall
space, finished in rich green, hung
with large platinum prints of some of
larger and newest types Of American
Libraries.
The material exhibited is divided
into fve groups, monographs; 2,
pictures; 5, charts; a, books; S, appli-
ances. The collection OF nearly 65o
photographs and more than 50 plans
is exhibited on sheets 22 by 2S inches,
mainly IN the seven wing g-frame cases.
Each case contains distinct group of
libraries, which may be very briefly
summarized as follows: Case l.,
Photographs of the American Library
Association, library schools, travelling
Libraries, home education work, his
torical and antheneum Libraries and
national and state libraries. Case 2,
Libraries of more than 10000 vol
umes, including Copley prints of the
Boston Public library, plans of the
New York public library now building
and the Chicago public library. Case
3, Libraries ranging from 10000 to
100000 volumes and including a
wide geographical range. Case 4,
some of the smaller Libraries of the
country, including many memorial Ii
brares and most interesting collec-
ton illustrating children's departments
IN public Libraries. Case 6, the Car.
negie libraries at Pittsburg, Allegheny
Homestead, Braddock, Washington,
Atlanta, etc, giving striking exam
pie of what has been done by one mar
for American libraries. Case 7, Var
ious libraries from various parts of the
country.
Eleven statistical charts and map.
show the wonderful growth of Ameri
can Libraries and their increasing in
iuence as educational centers. a
map prepared by the Massachusetts
library commission, the oldest of the
state commissions and the mother O
a succession Of most active ones
shows that of the 357 towns in th'
state only seven are without FIRE,
public library.
A collection of more than 400 care
fully selected volumes makes up th
fourth division of the exhibit. 1t i
confined very largely to works OIL
blbliography and library science
economy and history, and along these
lines 1t represents the best work ant
thought and most advanced ideas c
American Librarians. 1t is rich an,
valuable in its specially bound collec
'lons OF printed matter issued b
the American Library Association
state and local library clubs, and i
brary schools; in its stastlcal colleo
ilons in manuscript; in the collecuo
OF portraits of officers and members c
the national association; in its book
and pamphlets dealing with the new
est problems and latest development
OF library work, that is-with hom
education, home librraies, travelin
libraries, state library commission
library legislation, state aid to libra
les, intimate relations with the publi
schools and chldren's departments i
$Ioo REWARD, $Ioo.
The readers of this paper will b
pleased to learn that there is at leas
one dreaded disease that science ha
nlN l. n