New-York tribune., 1902-07-13
PROPER BOOKS FOR LIBRARIES.
MR. BOsTWICK ADVOCATES CENTRAL
BUREAU FOR THE APPRAISAL
OF LITERATURE.

A. E. Bostwick. chief of the circulating depart
ment of the New-York Free Public Library, be-
eves that Of the future steps in the co-ordina
ton of library work in America will be a central
bureau for the appraisal Of literature, particularly
books, for the benefit of Librarians in general
perhaps all the librarians of the country, perhaps
only those of certain section perhaps or certain
libraries subscribing to the fund for maintens nee
"At the State Library School at Albany, SAID
Mr.. Bostwck, they have the students read
large number of books Blanks are then provided,
and the students fill them out, the answers when
complete, covering just those points which the
librarian desires TO know. They set down no mat
ters Of opinion. but only matters OF fact This is
to give the pupils practice in estimating the value
of books for library purposes, taking account OF
the points that the librarian should be Informed
upon before buying can see in this the germ OF
something greater, a central bureau. where COM
petent persons will prepare estimates OF books TO
be sent out 10 Librarians.
1T is manifestly impossible for the librarian to
read all the books that published Diferent
employees about the library may read them, but the
result is haphazard. And yet every book should
be read from beginning to end before it is placed
on the shelves. librarian may glance it hastily
through read several chapters carefully ana
pronounce the book suitable. when. as a matter
of fact. he has missed something that is very oo-
jectionable indeed. This brings to the first
point which should be covered in the estimate of
the book. The appraiser should state whether or
not there any scenes, any features, discus
SlonS language IN the bOOk Nhlch IL
for the shelves OF public library. If there are
the book must be excluded, even though, from
literary point of view. the book may be great one.
and even though IL may appeal TO people OF cultl-
waited tastes and high character. But in a public
library there must be nothing which would provoke
criticism unsuitable for young folk.
"A very important point for the appraiser TO
pass upon would be the personality of the author,
10 fitness and previous preparation for his work
II there Is book volcanoes We want 10
knOvy yvhe her he ot inf frOu
volcanoes from the encyclopedia. II personal
Investigations have made him an authority on the
subject. would buy the book. even though it
were badly written. and otherwise poor specimen
of book. OF course. this would apply gener~
to books other than novels. Still. there NIGH be
a novel which would not amount 20 much as
story bot would present delightful pictures of life
Japan or India. for instance. II knew the
author had lived in those countries and was in
formed upon those subjects 1t would render the
book valuable for that reason alone.
LAS to style. that is largely matter of opinion,
and such would not be proper subject for ap-
praisement But II the writer were guilty OF gram
matical errors equally fragrant sins. that would
be a matter OF fact.
Novels should be classified in the appraisement
as religious sociological. historical. and II
relation of labor and capital for instance, We
might buy one. even IL 1t not very
well written. The interest OF the matter 10 the
reading public would compensate for the lack in
style
This plan would save librarians a lot OF
certainty and labor. and occasional mistakes. The
question then would be reduced to one OF literary
values And 70 that don't think any hard and
fast rules be made As the exclusion OF
for three years after its publication, that
would have deprived the libraries of three years
reading of David Harum" When Knighthood
Was IN Flower" And, while those books have
lived three years. their final position in literature
Is 1Xed to-day than II was three years ago.
Their position is practically the that it
when thOy came out. Librarians feel that many
books being put out in which the writer's are
not masters of their weapons; the English is not
first class.
'Is there anything first class compared to the
standard authors? Why yes; far : the Eng
lish goes. There writer's to-day who
the English language just we'll as any novelist
has done The matter of their books may not
be great enough to make them live. but the style
Is first class.
Broadly speaking. 1t is only these books written
IN thoroughly good pure English. which should be
put in the library. But TO pass upon all the new
books with this in view is matter requiring much
time and critical Judgment. II can't be done by
Is safe to buy without reading. Everything written
by Mr. Howells, Mr. James Mr.. Cable and other
produce works OF certain grade Is purchased.
new author has got TO prove his right 10 be
placed on that honorable list. Over at the Brook
lyn Library they nave made a rule not to buy the
first book Of any author until the expiration OF a
year ! wouldn't do that I do not believe any
TO style. Each book must have its Individual
Judgment But the other points have mentioned
gould be proftably appraised The points the IL
not covered at all in the book reviews he has to
wade through columns to get them