Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-03
ATTENDANT TELLS
OF METHOD USED
LIBRARY WORK IS NO EASY
SNAP
Training Glasses Necessary to Teach
Young Women Attaches Of Lum-
mis- staff Intricate Details
of the Work

The general patrons of the public
library little realize the work and in
tellectual capabilities required on the
part Of the officials and attendants of
the library, which Is one Of the most
important features of the city life.
About $500 patrons visited the library
Saturday.
AS 1t may not be generally known the
library has been conducted ever since
its inception practically under the rules
Of the library board, conformatory to
the rules established by the Los An
geles civil service commission about
four years ago. The actual difference
now is that the attendants must take
a final examination before the civil
service commission.
In regard to some of the early con-
dltions of the library, and those which
are involved I'm the training of the
classes and the merit system, Miss
Anna Mcconnell Beckley, superintend-
ent of the reference department, said: (:
"The first training class Of the
library was organized in 1891 under
the direction Of Miss T. l.. Kelso, then
librarian. The applicants applied for
admission and came before the library
board for a general oral examination in
literature, history and allied topics.
The successful applicants then entered
the training class, the course consist
partments with an occasional lecture.
First Glasses Experiment
After six months an examination
was given by the librarian in general
economy and those who received the
passing mark were appointed accord
ing to their rank and then were adj
vanced by length of service.
The first training classes were
largely experimental. The methods of
training were in a formative state but
the main object was accomplished, for
no person was admitted to the staff
without examination.
Methods Of training were gradually
evolved and elaborated. Eastern train
ing schools were consulted and sys-
tens compared and adapted to the
peculiar needs of our library
For all practical purposes the civil
service idea has been in this library
from its organization as a free public
institution in 1889.
"Since the civil service law uae
adopted by the city, the only difference
lies In the fact that the members of the
training class must take their final ex
animation under the direction of the
CIVIL service board which is prepared
by an expert librarian but one not in
any way connected with the Los An
geles public library.
The course Of training is todav nc
rigid course as can be given in six
nonthS. The applicants must have the
equivalent OF a high school education
ana after passing a physical test. q
written examination is prepared bJ
the librarian. Those who receive the
passing mark in this examination (anf
It is a severe test) appear before th,
Iprary board for an oral examination
we nnd that this method of writer
ana oral tests gives the best results
The. six months course is caref1lI,
mapped out and series of lectures are
given by the heads of different dena r+
ments, the number depending on tbf
amount amount of technical detail in the de,
After the final examination the at-
PENDANTS are appointed accordine. IN the
MARKS received but the first six months
are probationary. After that time the
attendants are appointed to the lowest
eiass and are then promoted to the
higher grades by civil service examina :
hoin tl4n' tne highest salary in each class
pelng given according to merit on the
recommendation of the librarian"