The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-12
new LIBRARY Is OPENED
wESTFIELD TAKES LONG STRIDE
IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.
Reading Room in Connection with n
Collection of 700 BoOks-Miss HOag-
land on Use of Libraries.
Special 10 the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the indianapolis Journal
WESTFIELD, Ind, Jan. 1.-THE West
field Library and Reading Room was
opened TO the public to-day. The enter
prise was undertaken six months ago by
the members Of the Monday Afternoon and
Woman's clubs. Since that time the pro-
motors have been untiring in their efforts,
and result Of their labors the library
opens with over seven hundred volumes OF
useful and interesting books. The services
OF Miss Mercia Hoagland, state library or
ganizer, have been invaluable in the work
OF classifying the books and systematizing
the work. and as a result the library will
be conducted upon the most approved sys-
tenn now in use
Preceding the opening Of the library
meeting was held in the Friends Church.
After brief outline of the work the IL
brary association had accomplished, by
Mrs. Julia S. Conklin, president of the as
ISOLATION, Miss Hoagland made an address
on the value Of public libraries and the
Indiana library laws. Miss Hoagland began
by cOngratulating the Library Association
and the people of Westfield upon the open
ing of the public library and reading-room.
In part she said:
1.-The public library is as necessary as
the public school; il is its complement not
its supplement-. The public library and the
puDIlc school form the greater school,
the peoples university It is not right 10
teach the children in our public schools
70 read unless public library furnishes
them books 70 read. Along with the in
Yenuon OF printing came the discovery of
new world which was TO make such
studies In science that more and more
the burden is being lifted from mans
back and placed upon his brain.
Equality OF opportunity should be in
scribed oyer the door OF every public
library. Nothing is so homeless as a book
less home and the lack that is found in
some homes should be supplied by the
public library The public library should
meet the requirements Of three classes of
readers; l. Those who read for recreation
Those who are educating themselves in
school or in business. 8. Those scholars
who wish 10 carry on extensive research
In particular branches professions
Miss HOagland showed how necessary it
fs TO have capable administration in a pub
rested upon boards of managers and librar
ians; how necessary II Is TO keep business
records, taking annual inventory of the
books On the shelves. She said: "'Once it
was thought sufficient TO put books upon
the shelves. numbering them they came
In and placing them in charge of a mere
custodian. Now books must be properly
claSslted and their contents catalogued.
Bulletin work, displaying pictures and read
ing lists as birthdays and anniversaries oc-
curing each month is an interesting feature
of administration
Jan IL, the opening day of the Westfield
library, is the birthday of Bayard Taylor.
A picture of that author, with a brief
sketch OF his life, is hung upon the bulletin.
The anniversary of Paul Revere's birthday
is illustrated with the old South Church.
Boston, the Concord bridge and Lexington
battlefield, etc. Benjamin Franklin, his
| birthplace and printing press give an
| other group, while Alexander Hamilton
Charles Sumner, John Hancock and Daniel
Webster are also given space on the bulle-
| tin burlap.
Miss Hoagland emphasized the work to
| be done with the children. the necessity of
| making careful selection of their books cit
| costs to maintain libraries" she said, 'but
| 1t costs more to build reformatories and
| prisons. library to be successful and
| stable institution must be sustained by pub
| lie tax. Voluntary efforts may organize an
institution, but they do not successfully
/ maintain it,"
the library laws of the United States and
| OF Indiana, and showed how the laws of
the State made it possible for the smallest
community to sustain public library by
| taxation. She stated that Mr.. Carnegie had
| given library buildings to fourteen cities in
Indiana, the gifts ranging from $4,000 to
SI0,OOO in single amounts. These gifts have
| greatly stimulated the library interests of
| Indiana. Miss HOagland closed with an
account or the work OF the Public Library
/ Commission or Indiana and the travelling
/ libraries, and made a strong plea for the
| support of the public library by the citizens
/ of Westfield
| MISS hOdBldnu was IOlloNed Dy professor
| Stanley, of the Friends High School. and
| Professor Jessup, principal of the Westfed
| schools, with brief addresses in which her
| sentiments were fully indoFsed, and the peo-
| pie were congratulated on the success
which has thus far been attained
| The rooms occupied by the library are
| large and light. and well adapted to this
! purpose. A large number Of the friends Of
! the library were present at the bulletin
| work Of Miss Hoagland this afternoon and
| were much pleased. Miss Roberts, the libra
rian. issued a large number of cards to
/ patrons.