Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-03-16
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

to do not only with the service and
architecture (resulting iu reconstruc-
tion OF buildings once regarded asideal)
but more significantly the classes to be
benefited.
The movement receives its greatest
impulse from tht Associations and real
workers, aids which none can afford to
disregard.
DO you visit the library conscious
only OF desire to read somethingY
Meekly you stand outside the dead
line" and being asked your wants, the
title and merits Of books already read
occur to you, but in the exclusive at
mosphere OF the place the dazed mind
grasps nothing more and you gladly
retire with any book placed in your
hand and sense OF obligation to the
polite attendant which you will not
again incur.
A result OF this chilling sensation
was aptly illustrated in the Board
meeting of certain library where 1t
was proposed to procure an important
work OF some 12S large volumes, and
the motion was about to be put when,
on investigation, it was found the work
had been on the shelves for years, un-
catalogued, unknown to every member.
Under the (open shelf plan, you
have gone to the library with the feel
Ing that it is really what its name i'm
plies, public institution where the
citizens and librarian have equal facili-
ties and privileges; quietly and orderly
you circulate through the stackroom
scrutinizing with careful eye the
shelves, mentally catalogulng their
contents for future use, finally coming
to the book wanted and leave with a
vastly enlarged store OF Information as
to titles, authors and subjects Of books
constituting the peoples library,
knowledge OF which is often more val
liable than that OF the contents OF many
books.
Now, as to the classes to be benefited:
hitherto the library was looked upon
as storehouse of information where
adults mainly might seek wisdom or
amusement in literature. In proof, it
is only necessary to quote the first Rule
adopted for the government of our own
library less than 20 years ago, viz.
Presidents OF Perrysburg not under Is
years OF age, y can draw books
on registering their Names" etc.
Three years ago our board reduced the
limit to 10 years. In time doubtless
the age limit will be entirely removed
and all persons will be brought within
the benefits Of the library who can read
the classics OF the English language,
rewritten and adapted, il need be, in
words OF one syllable.
The library is recognized more than
ever as habit builder, an instrument
FOR forming character and moulding
lives, and for best results its advantages
must accrue chiefly to the very young.
Prof. Hutchins, State Librarian oi
Wisconsin, has said experience has
proved that pupils from seven to twelve
years of age get the most enduring
benefits from the libraries" This en-
braces the very classe excluded under
the old regime! Another writes, "The
hope OF the future lies ir the children
OF to-day, and II the nextgeneratior
makes the most of the resources of the
library 1t will be because, as children
they are trained to use it, and to the
love Of good books"
1t is much TO get the "book habit
even II the reading be desultory ant
limited.
Accepting the verdict Of the advanced
workers and thinkers, our library
board has taken measures to put in ,
distinctively juvenile library, and have
ordered some four hundred volumes o
the best classical literature to add tt
those already upon the shelves, ani
plans will be devised to introduce {
larger circle OF the youths to tho privi'
leges Of the library. These books have
been selected on graded plan, adapted
to the work of each year in the publi,
school, about sixty volumes for eact
grade from the beginners up to tn,
high school, and are classified as EN-
bracing literature, biography, history
geography, nature study, governmen
or conduct, etc.
The progressive teacher may, unde
the best ''guides" right here in tn
library. take her pupils ON trip aroun,
the world; teach them the modes ant
habits of animal and insect life, tn
laws governing the diversity and de
velopment OF plant and vegetable life
and the processes OF Natures workshop
With these new features, we shall onl
lack the "Open Shelf" plan to be unde
the most approved methods. Fl.
She was kindly-faced woman, an