The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28
BROADER SCOPE
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
School Branches Should Be
Established.
PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

One of the new movements on foot,
and one which should receive the heart
lest encouragement from all is the
broadening of the scope of the Public
Library by establishing branch school
hprarles IN various sections OF the city.
The work of the library and the school
are identical. and there should always
be unanimity of purpose and concert,
ed action on the part OF both. The IL
brary authorities ara carrying out this
idea with communicable zeal In Mr..
BoWerman's report, he says:
Books in the Schools.
More and more the work Of the Pub
lie Library is coming 10 be recognized
as an integral part of the system of
public education. AS this opinion gaina
ground the work OF the chiIdren's de-
partment assumes greater Importance,
and the need OF eO-ordinating the work
of school and library becomes evident.
The work of the children's department
is progressing as rapidly as possible in
small quarters and with an inadequate
force. a beginning only has been made
at work for schools The circulation
from the children's room was 1888, as
against 4S,Z7S last year. a gain of ., 67a
o. 53fS per ceRt- With this circulation.
the fiction was reduced is per cent.
IL should also be pointed out that of
the 67.SS per cent representing fiction
circulation Is per cent was fairy
tales, which in most libraries are
olassed as folxIorr -
This marks only he beginning OF
washington's work iTs this direction, for
Mr. Bowerman adds:
ut must be frankly admitted that
most of the work of the library with
the public schools is in prospect; but
there is every expectation OF entering
into the closest cooperative relations
with the schools as fast as funds for
necessary books and assistants will per-
nit"
The establishment Of Neighborhood
House and other settlement stations is
another branch OF work upon which the
Public Library has Just entered. BY
this means books are brought within
reach OF persons living in remote Sec
Tons of the city, who are unable to
get 10 the library after working hours.
The Public Library now has more than
seventy-five thousand volumes on its
shelves. and this number is being rapid
" increased, not only by means of the
those interested in the educational work
of the institution, also by endowment
funds for the purchase of books on
specified subjects.
The reference room of the Public Ii
brarye is becoming daily more popular,
while the idea OF keeping the buildings
open on holidays and Sundays for a
limited number of hours has proven
highly satisfactory. All restrictions as
10 age have also been removed. The
scene presented by the library corridor
during the rush hours viii give a better
idea of the work that is being done by
this institution than any number OF fig>
ures. Scores of persons are lined up
Waitinkg their turn TO return boks, while
an equally large number stands In front
OF the loan desk. 1t is both interesting
and gratifying to watch this line of in
teresting, intelligent faces. 1t intensifieA
the hope and cTystallizes the belief In a
great intellectual as well as a greater
material Washington for the near fu,
ture.