The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-14
LIBRARIANS
 IN SESSION Annual Reports Read by
 Officers. LIBRARY MOVEMENT PROGRESS Review of Work for Advancement Made by the Workers. Speakers Oppose the Mechanical Idea in the Management of Libra-
 ries, and Urge Use of
 Books by Children.

Association held last night at Carne- gie Library.
 The annual report of pr. Thomas M. Owen. president of the associa- tion: Miss Laura Fillmore. treasurer. and Miss Frances Higgins of Selma, chair man of the school library committee. were read. The address of the occasion was delivered by Thomas H. Clark of Montgomery. and a talk was sub sequently made by Thomas Vickers of this city. who was formerly connected with the Cincinnati library.
 All officers were reelected except Junius M. Riggs, secretary, who re- gently rendered his resignation, and Miss Frances Nimnio Green. of Mont gomery, was elected to the office. The officers are:
 Dr. Thomas M. owen of Montgom- cry, President.
 A. c. Harte of Mobile, Dr. C. c. Thach, President of the Alabama Poly technic Institute, and Dr. Herbert A. Sayre. of the University of Alabama, Vice-Presidents.
 Miss Frances Nimmo Green. Secretary.
 Miss Laura Martin Elmore. of Mont gomery. Treasurer.
 After calling the meeting to order Dr. owen read his report for the year. He said the year 1906 was not espe- cially marked in library progress, yet there had been a substantial advance In several directions. He mentioned the granting of Carnegie libraries for Bes- semer and Decatur, and the opening of Carnegie libraries at Decatur, Ems ley and Talladega and also the grant of $12,000 to replace the library of the Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes, which was destroyed.
 Mir. Owen alluded to the progress made by the libraries at the Girls In- dustrial School and at Fairhope Bir- mingham, he said, has for many years been without adequate library facili- ties. and he was delighted over the movement recently inaugurated in that city for the erection of a $200,000 H. brary.
 After mentioning the retirement of Mrs. Amelia Gayle Gorgas as the H. brarian of the University of Alabama, pr. Owen expressed the belief that part of the $400.O00 appropriated to the University for buildings would doubtless be applied to the erection of separate library building
 Dr. Owen spoke of the meeting last year of the American Library Associ- ation at Portland. Ore. and of the ap preaching meeting this year at Ashe- vile, N. C., May 23-2s. For a long time, he said. 1t had been the ambi- ton of Southern librarians to have the American Library Association meet in the South
 
 speaking for the Department of Ar chfves and History, pr. owen said the work of organizing its new division of library extension Is now fin progress and 1t is expected that 1t will be ready for work by July 1. The work of the division will be divided intd six groups as follows: First, public library promotion: second. school iic brary promotion; third instruction and supervision; fourth, travelling libraries: hfth. publications; sixth, periodical clearing house
 Miss Laura Elmore, treasurer of the association, reported total receipts of $l42'67, an expenditure of $112.92. leav- ing balance on hand of $297O The report was referred to the executive council
 pr. Owen said he had expected pr. Thach. of Auburn. would be present to deliver the address of the evening but Dr. Thach had informed him yes terday that he would be unable to at tend. Thomas H. Clark, of Montgom- cry. had consented to fill his place.
 The general topic on which Mr, Clark spoke was 'The Use of Books" though the greater part of his address was devoted to discussion of the evils of mechanical library work.
 The practical question, he said is how can we best enlarge the use of books. and their profitable use. The first consideration was what should be the attitude of those interested fin l- brary work. He disapproved the me chanical idea regarding the operation of libraries. and emphasized the i'm portance of those interested in library work knowing something about the books.
 MT. Clark insisted that the people should be allowed to go directly to the I..Txr AI-k open to the public except in the case of very rare books.
 Teachers and librarians, he said. should be thoroughly in touch with one another in order to bring about the best results.
 He insisted that the older. standard books were much more edifying than the new books and he made an appeal for the old, tried through" book rather than the latest novel.
 In conclusion, the speaker said that in returning to Montgomery after a long absence, he was delighted to find such an excellent library in this city and such growing library spirit in Alabama.
 Dr. Owen then called upon Thomas Vickers as one of those in attendance at the organization of the American Library Association in 1870. He was in hearty accord with the views as ex- pressed by MT Clark. He spoke inter estingly of his experience in charge of the Cincinnati library. He was op- posed to the mechanical library idea but said that good cataloguing' was one commendable feature of the me- chanical idea.
 Much Planned; More tO He Done.
 Miss Frances c. Higgins. of Selma chairman of the school library commit tee, was not in attendance on the meet ing but she submitted written report which was read by Armisted Brown.
 Much work planned. some accom- pltshed and vastly more to be done " was the laconic statement of Miss HiE- gins for the fiscal year, 1906-O7.
 The efforts have been largely ex- pended, she said, on the rural schools and, acting on the belief that A real library sentiment can be built only through a love for books in the cbII- dren the committee has striven for the establishment of public school libraries Tn telling of the plan adopted. she said the committee has met apathy. fig norance and selhshness on every hand She reported that some interest had been aroused in fifty-two counties
 "Of course" Miss Higgins says. mo worker in this sort of movement needs to be told this mere organization has meant results; 1t has been more of an attempt than a reality, and the pity of wasted -tffort comes- in the thought