Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-08-13
PARIS LETTER.

Paris, France, July 23d, 1900.
In a secluded corner of the Socia
Economy building, surrounded by g
certain atmosphere of scholarly quiet
| is an exhibit that stands unique among
the contributions of the nations to
the Paris exposition. It is that Of the
American Library Association, show
! ing the progress Of American libra
ries. The exhibit was prepared at the
New York state library, Albany, n.
Y, by Miss Florence Woodwork,
under the general supervision OF
Melvil Dewey, director Of the library.
The collection as d whole represents
the best thought of the American
library profession and aims to illus
trate all types Of libraries, every
phase Of library work in all sections
of the country. Through the interest
and generosity of Mr.. Andrew Car
ton will be in charge Of the exhibit
throughout the exposition.
The exhibit occupies a space six by
nine feet, which is nearly one thir-
teenth Of that assigned TO the United
States in this building, and SO, COM
paratively speaking, covers large
area. This includes seven units of
installation, each corresponding very
nearly in width and height to a tier
of ordinary library shelving. The
tiers are divided three feet from the
floor by broad ledge, with shelves
below and wing frame cases above,
each case holding 33 wing frames.
Over the cases is wall space, finish
ed in rich green, hung with large
platinum prints of some Of the larger
and newest types of American libra
ries.
The material exhibited is divided
into five groups-1, monographs; 2,
pictures; 3, charts; 4, books; 5, ap-
planes.
The collection of nearly $50 photo
graphs and more than fifty plans is
exhibited on sheets 22x28 inches,
mainly in the seven wing frame cases.
Each case contains a distinct group
of libraries, which may be very brief
ly summarized as follows: Case 1.
Photographs of the American library
association, library schools, travelling
libraries, home education work, his
torical and athen8um libraries and
national and state libraries Case 2.
Libraries of more than 100000 vol
umes, including Copley prints of the
Boston public library, plans of the
New York public library now build
ing and the Chicago public library.
Case 8. Libraries ranging from 30
900 to 200, 1000 volumes and including
wide geographical range. Case 4.
Some of the smaller libraries of the
country, including many memorial
libraries and most interesting col
lection illustrating children's depart
ments in public libraries. Case 6.
The Carnegie libraries at Pittsburg,
Allegheny, Homestead, Braddock,
Washington, Atlanta, etc., giving
striking example of what has been
done by one man for American libra
ries. Case Z. Various libraries from
various parts of the country.
Eleven statistical charts and maps
show the wonderful growth of Ameri-
can libraries and their increasing in
fuence as educational centers. A
map prepared by the Massa chusetts
library commission, the oldest of the
state commissions and the mother of
a succession of most active ones.
shows that of the 357 towns lin the
state only seven are without a free
public library.
A collection of more than 400 care
.ully selected volumes makes up the
fourth division of the exhibit. It is
confined very largely to works on
and library science,