The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-26
TEACH PRES|DES
 AT FIRST SESSION Alabama Library Association In
 Annual Convention LOCAL MEN SPEAKERS pr. Thach Makes the Principal Ad- dress on "The Free Public IL
 brary In Modern Life"-Ses-
 sion at 5essemer Today.
LOCAL MEN SPEAKERS

vened at the city hall in Birmingham last night with a representative attend 1 anee from different parts of the state. 1 On account of a small wreck on the Louisville and Nashville near Montgom- 1 cry. a number of delegates from the southern and middle portion of the stale 1 failed to reach Birmingham in time for i last nights session. Among those who were delayed was Dr. Thomas NJ, Owen, l president of the association, and in his l absence Vice President pr. Charles Col man Thach, president of the Alabama Polytechnic institute at Auburn, pre- i sided.
 Ex-Gov W. H. Sims welcomed the as- sociation in behalf of the city of Birmins- ham. After giving the visitors permis- sion to do or have anything in the city l they wished Governor Sims said in part: 'I feel very much in the position re- ferred to by F l. Monks, who yields ] Every facle pen in Sundays Age-Herald. Mir Monks wrote of two men who ap- ] peared before an audience-one because 1 he had something to say, and the other 1 because he had to say something. l mo- l tice that a speaker is down on the pro l gramme to respond to me, and if | don't l say something there won't be anything l for the speaker to respond to.
 We regret that there are not more of 1 our citizens out to greet you tonight. We had anticipated your appearance, and had almost raised the cry of Come over to l Macedonia and help us in an undertaking We have started here. There are people here who are fond of music, art and other things, but the great majority have | never associated themselves with the 1 idea thot Dl1blir 1ibrarV would blild lln | a higher education.'
 1 Governor Sims then read some statistics showing the progress in libraries since 1875 These statistics placed Alabama down at the bottom in regard to large libraries, there being only two libraries which the census takers thought large enough to put down in their reports. We say we are proud of Alabama. Can we say 1t truthfully with such a showing a this?" The speaker referred to the build ing and supporting of pubic libraries by taxation and suggested that it would be a good idea for Birmingham and Ala bama to follow.
 Prof. Buchner of the University of Ala bama responded to Governor Sims, Say ing in part:
 We appreciate this hearty welcome and we look forward with much pleasure to the profit we shall reap from these sessions. Let us keep up the good work | can truthfuly say there are not enough books to go around"
 Dr. Thach then introduced himself and delivered an address on '"rhe Free Pub lie, Library in Modern Life" Dr. Thael went at this subject from every point of view, his address being quite lengthy In conclusion he said, "I sincerely trust that the Alabama Library association will continue it's activities until by and by as our communities become stronger in a financial way, we shall grow along the lines of other great and progressive communities, and we shall see in our schools Cyes, the smallest schools in the rural regions), in our colleges and our universities. in our villages, our towns and our cities. sample stores of books that will minister to the finest culture and highest wisdom and virtue"
 -,iss Ora Ioneen Smith, librarian of the University of Alabama, followed Dr. 'rhach in an address on Trained Libra ranship." Miss Smith said in part:
 "There are schools where trained per sons are turned out for every profes- sion, and among the newest of these is that of trained Guardianship, which has come In answer to the imperative call of the age. Because of his profess sional training the librarian Is able not only to make card catalogue and shelf lists and keep accurate record of the books but he is also taught to choose books wisely, 10 expend funds judicious- ly, and to point out to seekers after knowledge the best sources of informa- tion
 ''1ne day of the leisurely culture, typi- fled by the od-time librarian, is gone, and we cannot bring it back"
 Rev Dr. J. A. Dickinson was called upon and said in part:
 ''If they had a public library here the members of the First Baptist church would ppt preaching. We are building colleges and other things and I think special em- phasis should be put the work this association is carrying on"
 Col. Sam VIII John told about the state library. how it was founded and how it was kept up. It developed that this library, which is kept at. Montgom- cry, is supported by a 8 tax which is placed upon the losing litigants in all cases appealed to the supreme court
 Dr. J. H. Phillips disagreed with Governor Sims that there were but few readers in Birmingham, saying there are great many readers with a pur- pose. There is a growing sentiment here. The young people are develop ing a taste for books. A little more encoura cement, litue more effort and q little more time will give 10 Birming- ham magnificent free public library.
 pr. Thomas D. Parke said ''I am
 
 Birmingham. You will give us good ideas. and I believe that we are going to succeed in getting q great library here. Within very short while we will have gotten a good foundation for the beginning of it."
 Prof. Thomas R. Walker superin- tendent of the Ensley public schools, said: Every community should have free high school and free library, and we must work to the end that they are located in every town"
 J. c. DuBose said: While Alabama may be little lowsin the list of states. : still 1t Is coming. l have made notes of the effort throughout the state and the library spirit is beginning to man. fest itself"
 Prof. C. w. Daughette of Jackson | vile spoke of the improvement of school work throughout the entire state. How the state was building more school houses and how the term had been in- | creased gradually from three months until now a six-months term Is fin ef- feet. "Get the schools and the libraries will follow" said he.
 : Among the visiting delegation were