Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-03
STATE POSITION !
FOR MISS DOWNE:'
LIBRARIAN OF oTTuMWA- lis Al
POINTED ORGANIZER OF III.
eRARY WORK IN OHIO.
EM'NENTLY QuALIFIEt

Splendid Success She Has EnIoyeI
Since Coming to This City
Recognized by Eastern Officials.
ESQ
In recognition of her excellent
ness for the work and her keen known
edge OF library science, the board OIL
state library commissioners of OhiUM
has chosen Miss Mary r. Downey,V
librarian of the Ottumwa library ferE
the responsible position of organizerI
of library work in Ohio. The appoint
ment came after a thorough searc
for competent worker, and the QUAY
tiles possessed by Miss Downey. fits
her admirably for the new positions
She will sever her connection with
the Ottumwa library the latter partE
of this month and assume her new
duties in Columbus October 1.
The library board has made no APP
pointments as Miss Downey's suc3a
cessor.
The Columbus (Ohio) Evening Dis
patch has the following article on the !
appointment of Miss Downey:
"At the meeting of the board of !
state library commissioners, Thurs
day evening, steps were taken to com-S
mence the work of library orgapiza-
ton authorized at the last session of
the general assembly. This is a new
departure for Ohio in the library field
but systematic and effective library
organization has been in progress for
years In other states, notably Wiscolys
sin, New York, Iowa and Indiana.
Similar departments have recently
been introduced in the states of Cali
fornia, Washington, Georgia, Missouri
and Pennsylvania.
The Ohio law provides for the APP
pointment by the board of library
commissioners of library organizer
who will have charge of the work OF
this department. The chief duties OF
that officer under the law, will be, as
set forth in resolution submitted by
Library Commissioners Charles Orr of
Cleveland and adopted by the hoard:
TO give aid and counsel by cores
pondence and personal visits to cities,
towns and communities proposing to
establish libraries.
To assist in reorganizing old librar-
les, according to modern methods, /
which will insure greater efficiency
and the best results.
ITO gather statistics Of Ohio librals
les for the use Of this commission and
the guidance and information of trus
tees and others.
fTo give advice and assistance In
planning library buildings and collect
material on this subject for, the use
of the library board
ITO prepare an annual report to
the board of library commissioners
on the general library condition OF
the state.
1.-THE board has for some time been
considering applications for the posi-
ton of library organizer. The posi-
ton is one requiring a liberal educa-
ton, special training and experience
In library work, and the training of
library workers. At the meeting the
board elected Miss Mary E. Downey,
formerly Of this state, but at present
of OttumWa, Iowa.
Miss Downey was born and edu-
Gated in Ohio; was graduated from
Dennison university with the degree
of A. B.; afterward finished two
years course In library science at the.
university of Chicago; was later an
assistant librarian in the Field
Museum of that city, librarian of the
public library Of Ottumwa, Iowa, and
director of the Chautauqua summer
library school, Under her manage
ment this school has had a growing
patronage. number of Ohio library
workers have been in attendance.
"Mtss Downey comes highly recon-
mended by those eminent in library
profession. One of the recommends
tons that had great weight with the
board, came from Melvil Dewey, form
er director Of the New York state IL
brary, founder of the first library
school in the United States, and au-
thor of the Dewey Decimal system of
library classification. Among other
things Mr.. Dewey says.
4 have been watching Miss Dow
ney's work closely for three years
have also been watching closely other
possible candidates for organizing
work. such as l understand Ohio con-
templates. If were filling your place
in Ohio, | should feel more confidence
in the practical outcome with Miss
Downey than with any one else whoii
| could name. If you succeed in ge..i.
ting her you will be Fortunate
"The headquarters of the new d.
partment for the present will be il,
the Ohio state library, to which COM
munications from those interested
should be addressed"
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