Charlevoix county herald., 1904-11-26

rather than exhaustive, and are al
most yaluele>s without the outside
aid of large aud varied collection Of
books for references. Furthermore
the public library stimulates fnr'he I
research beyond the confines OF rOu-
tine work among students, and by SO
doing deyelopes greatest breadth OF
thought and larger liability .of mind,
thus helping them To rise 10 position
Of emnence and usefulness amorg tile
great scholars of the world.
A public library, even though OF
modest dimensions, TO be OF great est
possible service and usefulness, should
be divided into several classes. The
first grand division is that Of circu-
lating library and the second the refer
encc. In the latter very valuable
volumes are found. Books ancient
aud curious may be collected and pre-
served for decades, and are Of neces-
sary usefulness and pleasure. Here
we can sit in the quiet reading rom
having the greatest collection Of books
OF all stages at our command. Here
some get their first real intellectual
awakening, or we might say OF their
intellectual birth. Here we find the
children Of the poor, tOiling mother
who in her poverty is unable to supply
her eager minded children with the
simplest books. and by having the
public library with Its reference and
reading room, intellectual treasures
are opened TO her household. Here
too are children too young to read
being educated by the wonderful
picture books to be found on its tables.
Here also the day laborer with few
moments TO spare from his labor is
grasping some thoughts that will
encourage him in his work, the bust
ness men, professionals OF all kinds,
mechanics, and last but not least the
club woman searching for treasurers
for her paper that she must prepare
for the next club meeting. Here Is
the shrine of true American democ'
racy for here the child OF the washer
woman may sit by the side OF the
child of the millionaire, and with
equal freedom hold sweet communion
with the great and good of all ages.
The eye can rest on no more beau
tiful scene than can be witnessed ia
the reference library. to see the
human beings going and coming like
bees in hive, eacn looking up some
particular subject adapted TO their
needs or sitting for quiet hour or
moment in sweet communion with
other great men and women, and the
evtr-SmiIing and willing assistant
going noiseIessly about helping this
ard that one to find the book or mag
aZine with the thoughts they are
looking for, giving suggestions and
helpfulness TO all who ask.
In the circulating library are found
the best books Of IL time and the
choicest of the hour, such b IS as are
wanted IN the family circle 10 be read
around the evening lamp. Such books
are seldom pe'used again aud hereby
are furnished without cost to tDOu =
ands of readers Of all Classes who love
literature yet have not the means to
Duv for themselves.
A good general library, carefully
selected, tested by experience and
frequently revised, does not strive to
KEEP pace with the enormous output
of fiction published each year. but IL
does attempt to put books of tried rep
utatiun, The authorities of special
subjects, the pleasant and loveable
authors before the public. 1t Is a
forcible fact that without public
Libraries ladies' literary clubs might
never had an existence, for while
much is possible in towns and villages
too small to support such a library.
owing TO the quality, excellence and
quantity of modern journalism, yet
the great strength and energy OF larger
clubs in our great cities is drawn
very largely from the resourceful
library.
The travelling library is another inn
portant and useful division which is
meeting with great success and are a
great comfort To reading and thinking
people which we are today.
We find just as truly educated
people in the cottage as in the palace.
Cases Of from twenty-five To one
hundred books are sent out at regular
intervals TO small towns and villages
under the patronage of local literary
clubs or other societies and are kept
from three to six months according to
contract, and is then exchar ged for
another. A little girl on seeing such
4 set for the first time In her own town