Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-12-17

A4-A IVY NMAE UAI0a AMEAL tAAN4 I40 IIuNEE.
etc. She comes in contact with minds Of
Infinitely larger scope than her own, and
she may well profit By suggestions from
them which place q small AFFAIR in its pro-
per relation to the worlds activities. It
ia all intensely interesting from the cash
account up. 1 liked and enjoyed its
many-sidedness with its physical work (for
there is much Of that TO do), its intellec-
tuaI opportunities and its moral object.
Great pleasure comes With choosing
new books, comforting with the trustees,
ordering and receiving them. In q large
library where new books are without
novelty, though Of great interest them
selves, this Joy is lost and I am sorry for
the people who cannot have 1t. and
thankful that my lot was in a bypath.
Another side OF library work brought
me much ioy--the dabbling in books as
you might say. Just as school was out
across the street knew my work at the
desk would be often interrupted, 50 used
to set it aside from four o'clock on and
after waiting on patrons, Just look over
books, read bit here, bit there and get
an idea Of what was moving back and
forth in the library. And being libra
rian was excuse for another pastime-
reading 9 few poems in one book one day,
few chapters in another book another
day, chapter headings in another. intro
duction OF another, etc. With fiction Il
was interesting to start story and note
how far you had to go before you knew
the plot and its solution-often not fail
was warned against half reading books
and found the warning very timely.
always liked to keep some solid meat
ready to serve as my literary diet and just
taste of these desserts and confections.
The cursory gIimpses often left distinct
impression which made the book tempt
ing. Il is well that books viii let us
trihe with them and leave them promise
to come back to them some day in a seri-
Gus mood and listen.
Library work might make Jack a dull
boy II il weren't for it's human side, the
constant intercourse with live people, the
continual thought OF their needs and in
terests and the pleasure that comes with
Il all. In spite Of and contrary to what
my friends think, / enjoyed the people,
the patrons, immensely. 1 never before
realized how much more interesting peo-
pie are when'you can serve them, and
what pleasure 1t is personally to feel
you are serving them, that II IL your du-
ty and pleasure to be ct their beck and
call. Both young and old came to the
desk and that is one OF my arguments for
library work when my teacher friends be-
gin to discuss the advantages Of their pro-
fession. for contact with all ages keeps
you in touch with 50 many problems and
helps to broaden your point of view.
learned much of human nature in those
years and it has revealed new world.
The children were interesting and
i auI th~rs~t. 4 w.ovnr rnua meant fo~
q primary teacher, / enjoyed II all. II
worried me not to feel more equal to be-
ing responsible for what they were read
ing. and often wished mothers could
realize what il meant and watch them
more closely, not leaving 50 much OF il
to me, to the child's taste and TO chance.
The children were appreciatlve patrons
and am glad they have the library e
grow up with. Many OF them felt much
more at ease there than the older patrons,
and realize how easy il Is for child to
adopt new things and to adapt himself
to it absolutely.
Another Of my pleasures in the work
was evolving system cot Of the new or
ganization. Only one thing could come
at time, and not ail Is as yet done by
any means, but 1t was an encouragement
to have one scheme after another work
itself out in reality. The trustees gave me
hearty cooperation always and many val
liable suggestions, and their appreciation
was a great announcement. 1 enjoyed
thoroughly laying the foundation for q
magazine reference library and the re-
Spouse was given in its accumulation
and its use was most encouraging.
There is no limit for originality and
adoption of well-known library contriv.
ances and suggestions, and the outlook Is
so broad and the road branches into &C
many paths that it can not fail to be G
vital interest with one engaged in it.
Sometimes there seemed to be so much
that ought to be done, yet I felt what
could do amounted to very little, and
felt constantly that ! was not realizing
the possibilities Of the library, was moi
making the most of the opportunities al
hand, either for myself or the library
This feeling kept ell thought Of drudgerJ
out Of the work and so made it much
more enjoyable.
When / was very new in the library
and absolutely untried, q patron made {
remark to me which afforded me great
pleasure in the object it set before me-
and in itself. He is a man of literary
ability and he said when be was in col
aoNA
city library and when she gave him 1
book to read he knew it wouldn't be tims
wasted to read it. And then, looking m'
straight in the eye, he said, cot coursi
she had the benefit Of years and expert
ence." felt complimented that later h
was often willing to accept suggestions
from me, and ! am wondering how b.
measures syears and experience"
There were many personal pleasures {.
me in my library work. was in q verl
attractive building which was pleasur
and pride to many people. was mad
to feel the deep interest of the library
chief benefactor while he lived, and Of hi
family always; my father was very appre
ciative OF my work and its intent and !
was q privilege and blessing to me t
. have my work so near him; enjoyed tn
, association and many conversations will
our president OF trustees, who was fire.
, quent visitor; and all the interests and as
sociations which the work brought N
. were what | wanted and needed, and !
/ gave me much that ! am very, yer.
/ thankful to have.