The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-02

LIN dtt tHe 11OWdTu lTdrQner NICHOLS
Memorial library of Alabama City, the
Montgomery Carnegie library, the Fair
nope Public library, the Carnegie library
of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial
institute, the Carnegie library of the Agrl-
cultural and Mechanical college for ne
groes at Normal and the TaIladega Col
lege library, also for negroes
AT that time there was only one IL
brary supported by public tax and that
was the Carnegie library at Montgomery.
We now have in Alabama IS Carnegie IL
braries, including both public and school
libraries, and there are In all q sep
arate library buildings now erected in
the state, all devoted exclusively to IL
brary purposes All free public libraries
in the state are supported by public tax,
being nine in number.
Trained Librarians.
"In 1904 there were less than a half
dozen trained librarians In the state, and
not a single educational institution in
Alabama at that time had a trained Ii
brarian. We now have more than 90,
either full-course library graduates or
summer school students, or workers who
have had no school training, but who
have had technical experience and work
in libraries. Our schools have so far adj
vanced that the leading institutions now
have trained librarians, and in the State
lar course in library work and the proper
use of books is offered under a trained
librarian.
Work In Birmingham.
1T now gives me pleasure in a brief
way to chronicle the record of library
extension and library activity for the
year just closing.
The most notable event to record is
the advance made in the public library
situation in Birmingham. From small
subscription library we now have, thor
oughly organized and up-to-date a prac-
tically free library, open to all the peo-
pie, and with plans big with great things
for the entire library future of Jeffer
son county. This advance is due to the
zeal and progressive energy of Miss
Frances Nimmo Greene, our secretary,
who is secretary of the Birmingham
Library association. But Miss Greene is
with us and will herself detail her work
in the reorganization of the library stu
alton in our greatest city
The town of Troy now has a free
public library, based on Carnegie grant
and formally opened to the public No
vember 4, 1909 The librarian, Mr.. C. l..
McCartha is with us and we will doubt
less hear from him during the meet
ing.
Carnegie gifts have been made to the
cities of Birmingham, Huntsville and
Greenvile, but plans for their acceptance
have not yet matured. Applications for
grants are in from a dozen other places.
Delays in responding, SO Mr. Carnegie
advises, are due to the necessity for our
cities to await their turn, his policy be-
ing to somewhat evenly distribute his
largest bounty.
Into our midst have come Miss Tom
m a n
the library extension work of the de-
partment of archives and history; Miss
Lucille Virden, as librarian of the ITALIA
dega public schools, and Miss Lila May
Chapman, as librarian of the Birmingham
public library.
Alabama has five students in library
schools, preparing for professional librar-
ians. These are Miss Fannie Picket, Miss
Mamie Mullen Miss Ethel Pitcher and
Miss Dagmar Holmes who are in the
Library Training school of the Carnegie
library, Atlanta, and Miss Alice s.. Wy
man, who Is in the Wisconsin Library
school, Miss Bessie Ford succeeded Miss
Wyman as librarian of the Alabama
Girls Industrial school, Montevallo.
The Training Glasses.
'"The second session of the library
training class offered by the library ex-
tension division of the department of
archives and history was successfully
held, covering the period from July Il
to August a. 1909. The class was lin
tied to 10 pupils, and none were admit
ted not already in library service, or pre-
pairing for full library course, Or en-
gagged in teaching. The class was con-
Quoted by Miss Barker and the work
done of superior character.
I'm response to the suggestion of the
library extension division of the depart
ment of archives and history the Ala
bama state department of education is
suped library day progremme and pro-
vided for the observance of library day
in the public and other schools. This
day was generally observed on Novem-
Der 4, this arousng great interest
throughout the state.
This report would not be complete
were 1 to fail to mention, with COM
mendation, the good work of our joint
committee of the Alabama Library as
ISOLATION Prof. p w. Hodges, Miss
Lulie Jones and Prof. w. c. Blasingame
constitute this committee.
"The committee has labored zealously
faithfully and intelligently and it has
done much to arouse interest throughout
the state, particularly in several school
libraries in which they have placed many
hundred volumes.
During the last year the library of the
Agricultural and Mechanical college for
negroes at Normal was burned. This
year Mr.. Carnegie made another grant,
and the building has been completed and
occupied.
speaking briefly for the library ex-
tension division of the state department
of archives and history, I may say that
no opportunity is ever allowed to pass for
promoting the cause of libraries and the
library interests of the state. In every
possible way we have endeavored to put
forward the claims of this great ecuca-
tional force and l believe with good re-
suits"
Those Present.
Those present are Chalmers Hadley
Chicago, secretary of the American LII
brary association; Miss Julia 7. Rankin,
director of the library training school,
Atlanta, and these ANbamians: DR..
Thomas M Owen, president Montgom-
cry; Miss Laura Gilmore, Montgomery;
Miss Ora l. Smith, University; Miss An
ME O. Shivers, Auburn; Miss Lucille Gully,
Montgomery; Miss Lucille Virden. ITALIA
dega: Miss Tommie D. Barker, Montgom-
cry; Clarence McCartha, Troy; Mrs c. Nd.
Williamson, Troy; Miss Beulah McCau-
ley, Marion; Mrs. w. T. Ednondson. An
niston: Miss Betty Keith, Selma; p. w.
Hodges, Greenville; Miss Dorothy Slaugh-
ter. Miss Maude Gholson, Union Springs;
Miss Mary Lee Caldwell, Montgomery;
Miss Annie Haynie, Montgomery; Miss
Mamie Woodward, Selma; Miss E. F.
Andrews Montgomery; Miss Nimmo
Greene, Birmingham; Miss Mary Hall,
Montgomery: Miss Lena Martin, Gads-
den: Miss Louise Thompson Ensley; Mrs.