The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-04-18
HELPING THE LIBRARY.

1t is to be regretted that the play
presented by local talent for the bene-
fit of the public library did not enjoy
n larger patronage. The play itself
was well worth the price, and had
there been no consideration but this,
it would have merited full house
But if it had not been, the people
of the city should have given it a
patronage that would have filled the
Office box full to OVERLOOKING.
1t is admitted that the public schools
and the education of the young is the
matter of first Importance to the state.
1t is as we'll established that the
handmade of the public schools is the
public library.
In school the child is merely taught
to study. His education really comes
after he has left school when he reads
and studies for himself. A few great
men have lived who did not know the
use of library, notably among whom
is Lincoln. But there are few Lin
coins born and to attempt to direct
the intellectual development of the
masses of children by methods which
were successful in the case of
genius would be the rankest folly.
No very prominent man can be
found in this age who has not had a
liberal access to libraries They must
be educated. and this education must
include a broad and comprehensive
knowledge of general matters which
can only be obtained through the
medium of libraries. Lincoln was not
brought into competition with such,
else his natural brilliancy might not
have shone with such splendor.
The public library in this city is not
university of general instruction
it is more. 1t not only provides the
means by which the courses in the
educational institutions are enlarged,
but to those who have not had the op-
portunities of the modern school and
college system it affords the oppor-
tunity without cost of reaching the
storehouses of the worlds intelli-
gence, and delving into the mines of
,ireasured wisdom.
On it's shelves are found the gar
nered wealth of the intellectual world.
Here the student may pursue
course that broadens his own life, or
enlarges his own intellectual capaci-
ties.
The best scholars of the world are
those who have been self-taught. The
man who depends upon another to
lead him intellectually will always be
a follower. Those who have been in
the front of the worlds thinkers are
the men who have investigated for
themselves, and discarding that of the
past which was worthless, have ad-
vanced beyond the lines occupied by
their predecessors.
Until libraries became general these
were SO few in comparison with the
multitude that they were marked out
as remarkable men and women. 1t
is claimed that there are none such in
this age. But. the difference is that
instead Of the Independent and original
thinkers being SO few that they are
conspicuous, they have become so nu-
merous that they form the masses and
so have lost their distinctiveness.
Men are more Independent in
thought now than ever before in the
history of the world and this is be-
cause they have been students rather
than listeners.
The opportunities for these changed
conditions have been made possible
by the founding of libraries Their
influence in the world is measured by
the value of the general information
in the country compared with what it
was before they came into prominence.
There is then abundant reason why
anything which will aid in the great
work of improving the public library
and charging its scope should receive
a liberal and enthusiastic support.
The public library of this city is one
Of its most valuable institutions.
Every volume added to its shelves