Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-10-13

to order at o'clock and the reports of
various committees was heard Two
simultaneous round tables were held.
one for the representatives Of the pub
lie libraries and one for the represen-
tatives OF college and reference libra
ries. The former was in charge Of
Miss Alice Tyler of Des Moines. and
many very interesting topics were dis
cussed. The latter was in charge of
Miss Mary Amidon Of Coe college. 1t
was at the meeting of this section that
the action favoring the reformed SPELL
ing was taken. Miss Fargoe of Cedar
Falls, cataloguer at the Iowa State
Normal school library, was selected as
chairman for the meeting Of this Sec
ton next year.
The morning session was completed
by a very instructive address by Miss
Gertrude Stiles of Chicago on Libra
airy Binding"
Reception for Delegates.
For the entertainment of those at
tending the convention reception
was held last evening under the aus
pieces of the Ottumwa Woman's club at
the home Of Mr.. and Mrs. T. D. Foster,
2O5 East Fifth street. At the Foster
home, beautified by a profusion Of
potted plants and ferns, large num-
Der of the visiting librarians and resi-
dents of this city were received. The
reception committee consisting of Mr
and Mrs. T. d. Foster, ]. T. Hack
worth. 8. P. Hartman, J. G.. Hutchinson.
George Mclean, Iowa City Mrs. Frank
Holman, Miss Louise Hale and Miss
Mary Downey received the guests
from s o'clock until 9 o'clock. Later
refreshments were served in the din
ming room. The affair was the largest
event in recent history of local social
circles and a most delightful evening
was participated in by those present,
Prof. Clark Tonight.
This evening, Professor S. H. Clark
of the University Of Chicago. will de.
liver an address in the auditorium of
the First Methodist Episcopal church.
The lecture will begin at 8 o'clock.
The Opening Session.
The opening session of the conven-
ton was called to order Yesterday
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with Miss
Ella McLoney of Des Moines, vice
president of the association, presiding.
The address Of welcome to the visit
Ing delegates was delivered by J. T.
Hackworth, president of the Ottumwa
Library association, who in his address
mentioned in particular the Importance
of the librarian as an educator.
Miss McLoney responded in behalf of
the state association and the librari-
ans in attendance at the convention.
Owing to the absence of President
Douglass his address was necessarily
omitted from the program.
One of the principal features of the
session was the address of johnson
Brigham, state librarian, who spoke on
the theme Librarians AS Educators y
Mr.. Brigham said in part:
There is no questioning the fact
that librarians are educators or that
the library is valuable and important
part of our educational system. The
only question is, are we librarians liv
ing up to full limit of our possibilities
as educators.
Must Eliminate Trash.
"The most poorly equipped library
is worth something to community
but it is only by the process of the
elimination of trash and nonsense
and substituting of something worth
while, that the greatest good can be
accomplished. There should be nc
books in public library that are moi
both instructive and inspiring and al
the same time interesting.
II would not have in public library
book that is not of interest to the
average reader and in fiction, would
have only those books which have 6
substantial value in heart experiences
| Librarians as educators have re
sponsibility that they cannot escape
We must instruct the public to accep,
broader theories"
Discussion Held.
Following the address given by Mr.
Brigham a general discussion was held
A number OF the librarians present ad
yanced ideas along the general lines o.
work III libraries, and the uses the
various books are put to by the reading
public During the course Of the dis
cussion remarkable facts were brough
/ out concerning the great amount of fic
ton which is being read in this pres
ent age.
The next number on the program fol
i the afternoon was very interesting
report made by Miss Miriam T. Carel