Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-06-01
VERMONT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting in Brattleboro Tuesday
Afternoon and Evening.

for their annual meeting Tuesday, May
30. The sessions were held in the par
lors and chapel of the Centre Congre'
gational church. There were about 40
in attendance in the afternoon, bust
ness meeting being held at $50 clock
and public meeting at $50. Presi'
dent 4. NJ. Goddard of the state library
at Montpelier, gave short address EN-
phasizing the Importance TO a commun'
! ity of public library. Colonel G. A.
Miles for the trustees of the Brattle.
boro library welcomed the visitors
warmly to Brattleboro and TO its Ii
brary. This committee on nominations
was appojnted Mrs. w. p. Smith, st.
Johnsbury, Mrs. Louise L. Boyce, Barre,
and w. 4. Ellis, Northfeld.
The following resolution was adopt
ed in opposition TO the copyright law
pending in congress, which affects the
larger libraries in Vermont, particular
ly the University library at Burlington,
which imports many books:
whereas: We are informed that there Is
now pending before congress certain pro-
posed amendments 10 the copyright law,
which, II adopted, will seriously restrict the
importation OF books by American libraries
and other educational institutions, and
Whereas: We believe that any restriction
Of importation would be detrimental to our
rights and would tend 10 retard rather than
facilitate the diffusion of knowledge;
Resolved That the Vermont Library as
soeiation, representing the interests Of the
public libraries of the state, is confident
that the present copyright law, permitting
the free importation OF books, maps music
photographs, etchings lthographic prints,
and charts, by libraries and other educa-
tional institutions, is a just and wise law,
and that any amendment TO the law where
by such privileges are impaired or taken
away would render nugatory the purpose OF
the law which is designed to increase the
facilities OF education and to advance learn
ing in the United States.
1t was voted that the secretary send
copies of the above resolution to the
senators and representatives, of Yer
mont in congress, to the librarian OF
congress and to the representatives, in
the copyright conference.
Miss Caroline NJ. Hewins of Hart
ford. Conn, then took the chair and
conducted a Round Table at which the
Browne Charging System was described
by Miss Frances NJ. Pierce of the
Fletcher Memorial library at Ludlow;
the topic, Children S Reading, was pre-
sented by Miss Sarah c. Hagar of the
Fletcher Free library at Burlington;
Work with School Children by Mrs.
Ella S. Truax of the st. Johnsbury
Athanaeum and Mrs. W. p. Smith of
the State Free Library commission;
The Work of the Library Commission
bv its secretary Miss Frances Hobart
of Cambridge. The subjects We're pre-
scented informally and discussed by
various people in live fashion which
indicated an intelligent interest.
The nominating committee presented
the following ticket which was elect
ed: President E. NJ. Goddard. Montpel-
ier; vice-president, Miss F. NJ. Pierce,
Ludlow: secretary and treasurer, Miss
Edith +. Clarke, Burlington.
The meeting then adjourned to the
Brooks library across the street, which
was adorned with profusion of the
beautiful mountain pink, and where
tea was given by the trustees. The re-
freshments were served by Caterer
Miller and the trustees and their wives
received the guests who were given an
opportunity to inspect the building and
the books of the Brattleboro library.
At s clock in the evening a meet
ing of the commission was held in the
chapel and at $50 Rev. H. r. Miles
to a small audience Miss
Caroline NJ. Hewins, librarian of the
Hartford, Conn, public library, who
spoke on The Country Library, How to
Make 1t Attractive. Miss Hewins is
a very ready speaker and showed such
familiarity with library work and
methods as to make her talk interesting
to the public as well as helpful to the
librarians. She spoke of the lack of
funds in country libraries and of mex
pensive methods of providing interest
and entertainment. A prime factor in
attractiveness is an interested person
ality connected with the library. Pie
lures. properly arranged, are very help
full and easy to obtain. Make the books
accessible and burn up the brown paper
covers; teach people to keep the covers
clean Furnish the room in which the
books are kept pleasantly; have some
flowers about; have something to attract
the men and boys in the line OF intor-
nation on technical subjects, electric
ity, mechanics and the like. A vital
need is an equipment Of labor saving
books like Poole's index, and these
must be had if the money is at all
available. Indexes may be compiled
from day to day by making memoranda
of matters which have once been
looked up. Old magazines and papers
are fruitful source of interest if prop
erly employed. Miss Hewins spoke
for an hour and held the close attention
of the hearers.
The meeting is regarded as very
successful one. Those present from out
of town were: Librarians: Mrs. X. W.
Barney, Springfield, Vt; c. Genevra
Pollard, Chester; Mrs. Ella S. Truax, St
Johnsbury; Alice H. Bigelow, May
Ashley, Greenfield, Mass; Sarah F.
Hager, Edith E. Clarke, Burlington:
Bertha F. Ball, Mary A. Ball, Ashue-
lot, N. H.; Mrs. E. H. Akley, Vernon;
Clara M. Chamberlain, Manchester; W.
A. Ellis. Northfeld, Vt; Frieda A.
Pember, Mrs. C. d. Knight, Putney;
Mrs F. E. Kingsley, Brandon; Mrs.
Louise L. Boyce, Barre; Frances M.
Pierce. Ludlow; Caroline M. Hewins,
Hartford, Conn. Members of the com
mission, w. H. Dubois, Randolph; q.
M. Goddard, Montpelier; Mrs. Z. M.
Winslow. Brandon; Mrs. W. z. Smith,
st. Johnsbury; Miss Frances Hobart,
secretary, Cambridge.
Won oarro+ ;nduce n lower animal to eat