Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-15
OUR LIBRARIANS
Gather at Wateryille in Force to
Discuss and Decide Matters of
Own and Public Interest.

afternoon, and was listened to win
close attention, as being the narration
of experiences that closely approached
those of other librarians present in
their efforts to bring about a move
ment resulting in the erection ana
proper equipment of a library.
After the delivery of the paper there
was an informal discussion of several
Of the questions that We're brought up
by the writer Of the paper.
THE Need of Optimism in Public
Library Work." was a bright paper by
Miss Annie Prescott, librarian of the
Auburn public library The speaker
said that the chief difficulty in library
work was the personal one Criticism
should be distinguished from personal
fault finding. The speaker had often
known cases where a harsh critic was
changed to valiant partizan by at
tention to his special hobby.
The library should not try to lead
every forward movement in the town.
Let the library aid, but leave the man.
agement to others. In this manner the
cause of much disquiet would be re-
moved and the librarian would be able
to be more optimistic about her work.
Let us be ready with help but not
OfficiOuS in offering it," said the speak
er.
No amount of optimism could affect
the attitude of librarian to her work,
which determined the entire situation
between the library and the librarian.
If the librarians attitude was correct,
she would be an optimist.
A no -
dent Roberts said that one cause for
optimism was the number Of trustees
present. the time having been when
| only librarians attended. Sixteen trus-
tees Were counted.
The visitors We're then treated to an
address not on the printed program.
President Roberts called on Judge
Emery of the Maine supreme court,
who was present, for a few remarks
Judge Emery said that lie came to
| listen and to learn. He said that there
| were two reasons why he had accept
ed the position of member of the board
OF trustees of the Ellsworth Public
library; no one else would accept and
| he possessed, he said. thick skin"
The question he would like to see
answered was the question of what to
do for the young. All books of the
Oliver Optic order had been excluded
from the Ellsworth library. but this
did not by any means settle the uues-
ton of what to do for the boys and
girls. I'VE do not want to turn them
away. and We do not want to feed
them poor food" said Judge Emery.
| After an intermission, impressions of
l owl 7
given by Prof w. II. Hartshorn of
Lewiston. Prof Little Of Bowdoin.
state Librarian Emery, Miss Kurdish,
and Miss Dunmore.
| One of the most interesting and in
structive papers of the afternoon was
that by Miss Louise II. Coburn. trus-
| tee of the Skowhegan public library.
| The speaker started with the statement
tee of the Skowhegan Public library.
furnish good reading matter for the
people of the community. and with
this as an axiom she arrived at 4 num-
Der of profitable conclusions.
Librarian Jones of the University of
Maine suggested that each librarian
bring to the next meeting of the asso-
citation an anecdote of some particular
case where his or her library had done
personal good.
Professor f. w. Hall. librarian of the
Colby College library was called upon
for impromptu remarks by President
Roberts. who spoke Of him as the dean
Of the association" but Professor Hall
asked to be excused
| A remarkable address was then CIV
en- by Rev. G. A. Plummer. chaplain OF
the State prison at ThOmastOn. Chap
lain Plummer narrated his experiences
in bringing a knowledge Of the best
literature to the prisoners. some OF
whom he had taught their alphabets
then taken them through the first ant
second readers for such time as they
could take books from the prison lib
rary. He said that many prisoner is
started on a good life through the
iagency of good reading, and added thai
more than the present number would
be in the insane department were i
not for the reading matter with which
they were able to occupy their minds
In answer to a question Chaplain
Plummer stated that there is no APP
preparation for the library at the State
prison. there being $50 appropriated
for school books. The library fund is
maintained by gifts of books from citi.
Zens and the admission fee charged
visitors at the prison.
The question box was then conduct
ed by Prof George T. Little. librarian
of Bowdoin College, and many ques-
lions of interest to librarians were
answered.
The afternoon session was then ad.
journed
| Euan:no Caee:on