Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-11
IOWA LIBRARIANS.
The Meeting at Burlington Well At
tended and the Interest lntense-lee-
ture by Herbert Putnam.

Burlington, Oct. 1.-THE convention
of the Iowa StAe Library Association
here is proving most Interesting. AT
Thursdays session John Lawrence
Mauran, an eminent architest of ST.
Louis, whose specially is library build :
ing, made an able address, his topic be-
ing Housing the Books" He gave An
drew Carnegie credit for much OF the
advancement along that line. Follow
ing Mr.. Mauran's excellent essay. the
discussion was conducted by Mrs. c. D.
Van vechten, of Cedar Rapids.
Mrs. H. NJ. Towner. of Corning, Iowa,
spoke Of the "obligations Of the Citi-
zens to the Library" She said nearly
one-half the counties in Iowa were
without public libraries. She pointed
out the duties of the citizens to estab-
lish libraries, and that 1t is only by the
Incorporation of the entire community
that success may be achieved. Mrs.
iTowner also was emphatic in the state
ment that the library question should be
separate from politics, and that 1t de-
wolves on the people to see that this Is
done.
Senator G. NJ. Titus then spoke briefly
on the subject of THE Duty of Library
Trustees" and Miss Harriet Wood, Of
Iowa City, gave an address on Club
Women ~
Miss Ella NJ. McLoney, public librar-
ian of DEG Moines, then delivered an ex-
cellent address on 1.-THE Librarian and
Public" She said the librarian must be
a true book lover ana love his library
for its own sake, else he can not have
the magic touch which shall unlock for
the use Of others the treasures which
It contains, but it is in his relations
with the public, rather than as a book
lover or book collector that he finds his
widest and most important field of eff
fort. It may be broadly stated that the
elements which govern the relation of a
librarian to his public are three, mental
qualification, spirit toward the people,
and executive qualities. It goes with
out saying that the librarian should be
well qualified, from an intellectual and
educational point of view, for his work.
do not at some time have an over
whelming sense of the variety. the
breadth and depth Of the equipment
needed for the daily round. and con-
sciousness OF their own inadequacy to
respond fully to the demands which 1t
m, upon them. Contingencies are
conllnually arising which can not be
foreseen, and it often seems as IL each
one involves new experience, new
set OF difficulties, for which no previous
experiences have prepared him, but, If
the foundation of training has been laid
broad and deep, and he is constantly a
student, he will be prepared to meet
emergencies There never will come a
time when he can afford to cease living
the strenuous life which alone will keep
him abreast of the legitimate demands
of the public, but If he can have the
consciousness that he is accomplishing
this, he will not regret any expenditure
of time or strength. He need not be a
walking encyclopedia. to be sure. but he
should have such wide knowledge of the
sources of knowledge that the public
may be able to depend upon his ability
to be Of service to them.
r..
the discussion on Miss McLoney's adj
ress.
Mr.. Herbert Putnam, the distinguish
ed librarian of congress, in short tech
nical talk, told the convention of the
manner of printing the public catalog
cards for the congressional library.
In the forenoon a group photograph
was taken of the delegates, who We're
massed on the east side of the library
building.
In the afternoon the delegates We're
given an outing on the river by the local
association.
A brief business session Of the state
library commission was held late in the
afternoon.
Last evening Mr.. Herbert Putnam, IL
brarian of congress-, delivered an inter-
.esting address on THE Book and the
People" Mr.. Putnam was greeted by a
large audience and spoke an hour and q
half on the subject which proved to be
an interesting one. He showed how
books had been the chief educator of
modern people, that America especially
owed much of the intelligence Of her
people to books. From the earliest date
they have been the source of informa-
ton as to character, conditions and his
tory of races. and have had powerful
influence in moulding character. The
growth of the library, more than any
thing else, marks the advance of public
intelligence. He dwelt with forceful ell
oquence upon the class Of books that
should be read. rendering many quota
tons to illustrate his points.