Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-12-23
The Advantages of Libraries liz
Rural Schools

10 see that her pupils have access TO
collection of good books9 Let us sc
in what ways the establishment of Ii
braries tends to promote progress.
First. 1t enriches the pupils know
edge OF good literature. By becoming
familiar with the works of our hes
authors, he naturally imbibes thei
ideas. In this way he will acquire
taste for the good, the pure, the true
and thus his life becomes fuller anC
richer as a result Of this knowledge
1t has been said. given a boy with 1
receptive mind and kindly nature
with a wholesome book In his hand
and forces are set TO work, the result
of which lie measureless for good.
Given boy with a receptive mind
somewhat vitlated tastes, but yet q
good heart, with a wholesome book in
his hand, and forces are at work that
will regensrate the boy. Given a boy
with receptive mind and q kindly
heart; put book of questionable NOR
ais in his hands and forces of evil are
at work, doing lasting damage. Given
boy with receptive mind and evil
taste; put into his hands an uuwhole.
some book and ere long he will put In.
to practice the acts of which he reads.
The reason today so many of our boys
60 astray Is the reading OF the dime
novels and detective stories. Wher
Voltaire was only Ave years old he
read a skeptical poem. The impres
sion it made on him Influenced his
whole life and made him the "scoffer
of his country. When Benjamin
Franklin was a little boy he found an
old copy OF Cotton Mather's Essay to
Do Good" That little pamphlet IL
fneneed all his alter life, and from 1t
he received that impulse towards right
living that made his character an in
spring example to the youths Of cur
country.
Second, 1t puts the pupil In posses
sion OF a treasure, which nothing car
take from him. Some one has said.
books are friends which every man
may call his own, How important 1t 10
hen that our pupils should MAKE
friends with the bestl Let US help them
o cultivate helpful friends in the book
world, as well as in the rell world,
hus not only will their minds
20 strengthened, but love for good lit
nature will be created and their whole |
ives influenced by the noble thoughts
# our best authors. Wordsworth has
'ery beautifully expressed the idea:
be WITH them and eternal
praise,
Who gave us nobler loves and nobler
cares
The poets, who on earth have made
us heirs
IT truth and pure delight by heavily
lays.
Third. Comparatively few OF the pu-
Ills OF rural schools have many books
other than the text books) in the
ONES. Occasionally We may find Bun
ans Pilgrims Progress or Robinson
rusoe perhaps, but generally speak
Is, these are all; so the school library
the only source by which the pupils
IN become familiar with the best au-
lors. Should we, then. deprive them
This pleasuref
SO much has been said about the
'asols for establishing Libraries, let Us
wv consider few ways % doing so. ,
lrst Of all get the help OF the School
oArd. Once convinced of the need OF
library they will readily give you
leir aid In the form OF contribution.
owever, they may not be able TO al !:
W you the sufficient amount and =
oney must be obtained Ia other ways,
ct the children aud their Parents thor
Shly interested In the movement. I
hey will be sure to do their part in d
latever plan you may have. Let
ur school have an Entertainment, or
PIPER. or whatever mag be best suit
to your particular locality. Our
lool at Goshen is now preparing for l.
oyster supper to be held Thanks.
ing day, the proceeds TO be spent
song books and additional books
the library. 1t Is surprising to see =,
3 interest the patrons as we'll as the '
pills are showing. There is not a
nily In the school, that has uot do
Ted something anl we are expecting
realize < cd amount. Perhaps =,
are expecting too much, but sue ~
Les only to those who hope for great
ngs.
ust word more, II may dare offer
suggestion to the School Board.
len sou, our school trustees, ,en it
)edIent to appropriate money for a
'ary, the task OF seiectin the books Al
letter left to the teacher or 20
Roughly familiar with books, espee
y chIldren's book. Do not CT you
,ect the bast result TO be derived Is
Il the u.s. of the library send al
81 to some schooi Concern aud let
m send You their cat-anG dried lls,. w W
vas once mJ expsrien o to have pr
n a library in my school, and I air ev
u great many of the books were III
her read nor appreciated by either -
pupils or the parente. Such books re;
Drum.rond's "Nataral Law in the ST
ritual NorI %, ID iylv's "dero and "a
~ orship' aud "'ast and Pres 90,
',rt. a 0,nd IA ,Oka hut n ardIy o,,r