The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-01

- -'% ~@~~ lie library the building win represent per cent. the books 20 per cent. and the librarian 75 per cent. If those bes, qualified to judge the correctness oi this estimate differ, probably 1t VIII be in not giving the librarian c larger per cent. in the. results.
 ;s.But this meaning of the library and It's place in affairs is very modern one. It would be interesting to trace the development of the H. brary from the pile of cuneiform bricks in Assyria, or papyrus rolls in Egypt, or the chained books in some medieval monastery centuries later. to our present day institutfon. Four hundred years are more than ample. however, fin which to contrast our changed conditions. No uneasiness need be felt over the time proposed. for we can take a century a minute.
 During the first half of the Seven teenth Century there lived a. famous librarian in France Gabriel Naude by name, keeper of Cardinal Mazarins' priceless library In describing the in- spection of this library, by an officer of state. Naude wrote: T then led him to the large hall where the small wings join the main building. opened 1t for him and after having shown him that it was full from top to bot tom with books on civil law and phil- osophy In quarto-I closed the door and locked 1t fast with double turn. Then r took him to the second floor full of Bibles in all languages, to- gether with other manuscripts. and closed and locked that room fast with double turn. Then I showed him how the door on the side toward the terrace was locked fast and firmly se- cured with bolts extending across 1t above and below" The impression gained from Naude being. that there were as many bolts as books.
 Years Later.
 'One hundred years later. parish li- braries were established in Scotland for which the following reasons were given: It will encourage young men to follow their studies in their own country. It will allure and provoke gentlemen to devote their spare hours in reading new books which may prove a good means to restrain them from gaming and drinking, by pre- venting that unease and wearisome idleness of mind which is the parent of these and many other enormities. It will cause all sorts of learning to nightly increase and flourish amongst us, and though we be not a great or a rich people. yet may we be a wise and learned people"
 "A century later. in 17so. in speak ing to his fellow librarians in France, Cotton des Houssayes said: Should a particular book appear to be even of passing interest (to a, visftor) the H. brarian will quickly seize the occas- ion. and obligingly place 1t at his ser vice; he will moreover. have the deli cate attention to lay before him all the books relating to the same sub ject. in order to make his researches easier and more complete. When part ing from the stranger the librarian will not fail to thank him for his visit, and to assure him that the in- stitution will always feel honored by the presence of a man whose labors cannot but contribute to its renown
 "The custodian of a literary depos- It should especially guard himself against that unfortunate disposition which would render him like the drag on in the fable, jealous of the treas ures entrusted to his keeping. and lead him to conceal from the inspec- tion of the public, riches which had been brought together solely with the view of being placed at its dis position
 "The other day Mrs. Fairchild, so long connecteds with the New York State Library School. said: The func- ton of the library as an institution of society, Is the development and en- richment of human life in the entire community. by bringing to all the people the books that belong to them.
 To-day we have the Public Library characterized as the peoples univer- sity, an adult school. perpetual and life-long continuation class, a mis- sionary sending its. messengers into every home, a public benefaction, the upper story of the public school sys- tenn. an altar to the gods of joy and learning. an intellectual minute-man. an inexhaustible mine of pleasure, the crowning creature of Democracy the perfection of cooperative book-buy- ing.
 "A conscientious librarian will feel Impressed with a sense of responsible ity at such words heaped upon her work, probably in proportion as she deserves them.
 Not all librarians deserve such praise. know of one library, in a million dollar building. which can hardly be described as a crownine creature of Democracy. Thick walls separate the people from the books, as If printed volumes were more precious than an enlightened citizenship Ropes close the stairways to visitors and in the reading room stands a he. roic female figure in marble, with one finger on her lips conveying to the few intruders a delicate intimation for silence.
 several years ago the city in which this library is, was aroused py particularly bold robbery anc brutal mistreatment of
 the victims. Police and detective, were summoned to catch the robber Sentries were placed at trains and fer ryboats and a net was drawn through all dives and likely hiding places bu without result for the robber escaped year later he was captured in distant State and was piled with ques tions as to how he had evaded such { thorough search. "It was dead easy he said. T spent every day in tha library with the marble lady"
 A Contrast.
 What contrast this is to a smalle! library in Maryland, known to some O you, where the needs not only of tn, city, but the entire country as well, ar, met. When the building was planned no provision was made for a rest room as the stan members declared the, would be too busy to make use of one
 The library does its full share 0 work with general and special readers clubs, schools, etc, but its distinctiv feature is the book wagon which leave the library every morning. The libra rian and her trustees realized the grea need of the people in the country which could not well be met, owing t the distance from the library. There fore book wagon was designed look ing not unlike some prosperous huck sters' vehicle. Intsead of coops an, crates for chickens and eggs, however the compartments are arranged to hol