The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-27

are observed. On May Day. for example. e decorated May Pole is set up in the children's room and the days customs in England are told. In At- Ianta the birthdays of Mary Mapes Dodge and Joel Chandler Harris have been observed with programs by children in the libraries. Holidays and marked in each reading room for child- ren. picture of the Madonna is dis played at Christmas. the flag is given prominence on the Fourth of July, and Washington. Lincoln and Lee have their portraits in evidence on birthday anniversaries. The story teller is al ways on hand to interest . waiting audience.
 The revival of oral tradition is an- other proof of the world-oid statement that all life moves in a circle. The story-teller. the wandering minstrel. the troubadour, the Celtic barj have found favor in the courts of kings. Today the story-teller has come to his own again. and over forty libraries now have their "children's hour" some time each week, when tales are told and Incidentally high ideals are incul- cated. The children are told of travel CTS from the days of Marco Polo and Mungo Parke to Amupdsen and stan ley. They hear the Arthurian legends. Greek and Morse myths. stories from the Nibelungenlied, tales from Shakes peare and legends of Chariemagne and Robin Hood. Local history is not neglected. and during the story hour a good foundation for future study is always laid.
 In the city library of Portland. Ore. the fifteen year old child is graduated into the main library. where he Is taught the use of the indexes. Friday of each week Is graduation day" The Carnegie Library of Pittsburg has an intermediate department in addition to the children's room. The library at Grand Rapids. Mich. has inauguratad a series of memorial libraries for the exclusive use of sick and crippled children. the books being sent in small boxes from patient to patient. Some libraries have separate books to be sent to the schools for use there, while some supply the schools from their travelling department. Many supply books to public. private. parochial and Sunday schools, and other educational institutions.
 The care of the books is a great con- alteration. for often they are returned in a deplorab1e condition. The libra- rian at the Menasha. Wisconsin public library recently invited all the child ren of the town to hear a lecture on books and their care. and in tactfully showing the beauty and value of books. accomplished more than with a long series of don't"
 The great library movement Is go- ing hand in hand with other factors of the great child conservation cam paign. Chicago Is planning to open stations for library books in the big South Side playgrounds. At the Mil waukee public library a girls club has been studying the heroes and heroines of history for two years. For other children the reading room Is a clearing house of information. and there one may find posted notice of the arrival of the first blue-blrd. or the blooming of the first flowers in the park Napoleon once said: God is on the side of the strongest battalions." In the contest of the future the youth of America will furnish the strongest bat talions. because of the present day in- terest in It's health and strength and ideals. It is through the children's libraries that these ideals are being created and improved.
 Copyright, 1909, by Frederic J. Has kim
 Tomorrow-Conservat of Child Life.
 vI-Children Who Work.