The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-22

family Bible, too large and unwleldly TOT use by the children. Finding no rellet here he thinks of the many good books whleh can be purchased very cheaply, put ms small salary of s30 per month scarceiy meets the urgent expenses of living. And thus not for lack of interest either m his pupils or his work he fails to satisfy both himself and the community whicn ne serves His patrons realizing that thelr children do not have the educational ad- vantages to which they are entitled rent or sell the farm and move-usually hto the city where such advantages may pc secured. Thus our farms are being placed in the hands of the tenant class that work them, not with a view to improving them and developing the country, but Tor the express purpose of revenue only III 1890, 9S per cent of the population or Ald- bama lived outside of cities of 40O0 pop nlation or more. In 1900 90 per cent The chief cause of this loss from the rural population to the urban is that oI educa- ton.
 Would it not be well for our legislators | to study this question? Could not some provision be made In the law whereby school houses could be built and equippeo with the necessary adjuncts for the great business of education? Could not the planter who leaves his farm to seek educational advantages in the city obtain them at home by the expenditure of the amount of money ln- cldent to the change of habitationY our people must be aroused on this subject Tn every school district in Alabama there should be a comfortable school building | equipped with maps globes, charts and i. a library of choice literature It will be l impossible for the school to perform its 1 true function for the state until such con- ditions obtain. Schools and libraries are indlssolubly connected. The one supple ments the other. and neither can per- form its true functions without the other. Over the door of the Library of Ram | eses l. was placed this inscription sDispensary of the soul How beauti- full the thought The library, an insti- tuition where the inquiring soul without price may find pabulum necessary TOT it's true development. The wise and gcoc of all ages have recognized the value of books, and the progressive moderr teacher realizes his impotency to dc the work required of him without ac cess by both his pupils and himself tS Il choice selection of good books" Mrs. r. IT. Happer, fresh from one O the best libraries in the country, ant | which is conducted on modern lines tha of the Mobile Young Mems Christian As sociation, spoke of 'The Importance of : Rigid Observance of Technical Regula tions and Detail in Library Administra
 tion." Mrs Happer has charge of tht Mobile Young Mems Christian Associa' tion library.
 Dr. Herbert A. sayre of the State uni-
 versity discussed 'The Development oi
 the Library"
 pr. Owens Address.
 "Before proceeding with organization
 and the formal part of the programme
 already prepared, a brief explanation or the origin of the movement and its op- , iects and purposes is deemed appropriate.
 Impressed with the belief that state , library organization should be effected
 for the better encouragement Of hprary growth and spirit. in February lsVz I | prepared a circular call for meetlnB oI l librarian and library workers, ana at .he l same time I wrote the United states pu- reau of education. the American Library
 association, and the Library Journal Tor hints and suggestions as to proper pro | cedure. From each of these l receNeu prompt and encourageing responses. About that time, however, my officlai
 duties largely increased. and l was un-
 able to then push the movement further.
 Ut was with much reluctance that the
 effort was abandoned even temporarily, and I never ceased to hope for an oppor- tune moment to take 1t up again. The completion and opening of this beautiful structure, the first Carnegie library in Alabama seemed to me to afford such
 an opportunity, and after a conference
 with Miss Fillmore. It's accomplished and
 enthusiastic librarian some four months
 ago, we decided to proceed with the or eanization. The old call was revised, a
 programme was projected. and the local
 library interests were asked to unite Tn
 the effort Circular No. l, embracingithe
 preliminary announcements. and ten- tative programme, was issued and tes