The San Francisco call., 1904-12-11
DISCUSS WORK
OF LIBRARIANS
Members of California As
sociatiOn Enjoy Banquet
and Interesting Addresses
BIG PLAN OF THE STATE
Trustee Explains How the
Blind in Interior Will
Be Supplied With Books
BIG PLAN OF THE STATE

The story of the good work that is
being accomplished by the libraries of
the State was told last evening at the
annual dinner of the Library Associa-
ton Of California, held at the Occi-
members of the association enjoyed
the feast and the addresses, all of
which were confined to the purposes of
the association and the problems that
confront it's members.
The banqueters were seated at two
tables artistically decorated with ferns
and flowers. Down the center OF each
table a blanket of ferns was laid and
over il cut blossoms were showered in
profusion. Though rich, red wine was
in evidence, the gentlemen let this mild
indulgence suffice, and no cigars were
lighted to lend enjoyment to them and,
incidentally, discomfort to the ladies.
At the head table were seated the
officers Of the association-Joy Lichten-
stein, president; Bertha Kumli, vice
president; Margaret A. Schmidt, secre-
tary, and Florence B. Whittier, treas
urer. Mr.. Whittier was one Of the
speakers. To the right and left of the
officers sat the other speakers. c..
Rowell, Charles S. Greene, trustee of
the State Library; Melvin G. Dodge,
George c. Clark, Frederick ]. Teg-
CART and Emily 1. Wade. David Starr
Jordan, president of Stanford Univer-
sity, was also listed among the speak
ers, but he was unavoidably absent.
NO MORE SURPLUS OF FUNDS.
Charles S. Greene delivered the most
interesting address of the evening, his
position as trustee of the State Library
giving him knowledge of facts all the
members of the association were anX-
ious to learn. Mr.. Greene said that
though in the past there had usually
been a surplus in the library funds at
the end of each year he and his as
sociates would see that it did not oc-
cur again. as they were confident that
more good would come to the State
through the proper expenditure OF
funds for library purposes than in per-
mitting them to lie idle, where they
draw no interest.
He said seventy-five travelling III
braries were enriching the intellect OF
the State, being sent from place to
place to meet the requirements of those
that dwell where no public library is
available. 1t would be but few
months, he continued, when there
would be a hundred such libraries in
circulation, and the increased expense
in maintaining them would provide
good use for the surplus in the hands
of the trustees.
BLIND WILL BE CARED FOR
Another great work that was to be
accomplished, he said, was to place
raised-letter books in the hands of
blind persons in the interior of the
State who We're unable to take ad-
vantage of the libraries at the public
and private institutions established for
unfortunates. thus afflicted. The inn
portance of this work could not be
cverestimated, he concluded, because
these books would renew hope again
in the hearts OF those now cropping in
darkness
The other speakers dwelt upon the
general work before the librarians of
the State, and, though much of their
information was technical, it was not
devoid of interest, even to the layman.
At the conclusion of the addresses
President Lichtenstein said that,
though it had been the purpose of the
association to elect new officers at the
time of the annual dinner. the election
would be postponed in order that the
enjoyment of the feast might not be
interfered with in the discussion of
the merits of various candidates. This
announcement was approved by all,
and so until midnight the good time
continued.