Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-15
NEARLY SIXTY PRESENT.
First Fall Meeting Of the Library As
ISOLATION.

An attendance Of nearly sixty members of
the District of Columbia Library Associa-
ton, with their friends, made the opening
meeting for the season of 19OS-O4 both en-
pertaining and instructive. The attention of
the audience was chiefly divided between
the features presented by Mr.. Koch and
Miss Elliott, the former a comprehensive
summary Of the recent Gettysburg meeting
of the keystone Library Association. The
main object of that meeting, as outlined by
Mr.. Koch. was the preparation Of a plan
for the classification or differentiation of
fiction. for the purpose Of aiding the reader
in his selection and the librarian in COM
piling his statistics
The libraries cooperating In this matter
agreed to mark works of fiction bearing on
a special subject by a particular label, such
as philosophy" religion" history" etc.
This label Is to be placed cOnspicuously on
the back of novels dealing with special
topics. and is to be large enough to include
the subject designation and the regular
shelf mark besides The speaker exhibited
a classed catalogue of fiction. illustrating
the proposed scheme. which was only ex-
perimental and made no claim on perfec-
ton.
In commenting on the plan. Mr.. Hutche-
son pointed out that the classification was
one OF character rather than value, and the
general impression appeared to be that its
greatest usefulness would be in furnishing
a dictionary catalogue of fiction.
Miss Elliott of the music division, Ii
brary Of Congress, responded to President
Clarks request by narrating her experience
in the Sandwich and Philippine Islands
while abroad last summer in the interest of
her department. At Honolulu she was sur
prised to find an efficient native band, sub
sidized by the government. and under the
charge of Prof. Berger. a German, who has
enjoyed thirty years experience in studying
the native music of those islands.
In Manila Miss Elliott met many obstacles
hnr ct, % wiz.
and conditions. The largest collections she
found in the converts of Recollet, Angus
tinian and Franciscan friars. most of whose
treasures she was debarred from by vexa-
tious ironclad rules. To one choir room she
was finally admitted, and at her earnest re-
quest two specimens of their musical Ii
brary were brought down for her inspection.
They were carried in great net by two
Chinese coolies, and each measured three
feet by two, being bound in wood, with
leather covers, and, she was told, imported
from Spain toward the close of the seven
teenth century. These huge tones contain
ed masses, with other church music and
when in use were raised upon a rack before
the choir, all of whom read from the same
book. If 1t be observed that the notes are
all about an inch square the former state
ment will not seem remarkable. Miss Elliott
found the Filipinos to be specially fond of
music, and paid a high tribute to the Rial
Orchestra, the violins specially, she said,
ranking with those of European orchestras.
Mr.. Hanson made a motion that the asso-
citation take action on the recent death of
Charles Anmi Cutter, SO long known and
much beloved by librarians in all parts of
the country. A rising vote, expressive of
sympathy. was taken, and the secretary
was directed to inform Mr.. Cutters family
ter. Mr.. Solberg added a few appropriate
remarks, illustrating certain phases Of Mr..
Cutters character not known among his ac-
Quaintances at large.