, 1911-03-25

dred or more were not uncommon. Some of
the books thus received were not wholly an
propriate for chiidren-yolumes of historv
biography, travel, or bound volumes of tho
illustrated magazines are particularly de-
sirable-thou8h nearly all have found a
place.
AS a result of the movement no less than
233 school libraries, containing 81, 643 vol
umes, have been established in Porto Rico
and are now in active operation. One can
not appreciate what this means to the peo-
pie without visiting the island. In practi-
cally all the cities and towns such a library
is maintained, and in nearly one-fourth Of
the little barrios, or Aamlets. These libra
ries vary greatly in their character and pre-
tentiousness. Ia no instance is an entire
building devoted to library purposes, but in
a number of towns a stable room, either in
the 0Ic02di0 or in some school building, is
set aside for such use. But by far the vast
majority OF school Libraries are in the school
room, presided over by the teacher. Through
the generosity of a friend [ was enabled 70.
purchase at an army auction nearly three.
hundred discarded soldiers kits-stropo
lron-bound boxes of a suitable size. each
with lock-and these are the bookcases
Books may be drawn by the pupils-and ex-
puplIa-usualIy at the close of the session.
and it is an inspiration to see the little folks
cluster about the teacher with the books
they have selected, to have them nro,arIn
charged. In some instances the school ! aon
is open in the evening, with the teacher IN
attendance as librarian. Not long since |
found myself in one of the smaller interior
towns of the Island in the evening, and
stopped at the school house to visit the night
school EiO1iD0 five rooms of the h0Illipr
lighted and both crowded with pupils-in
some Instances two in a seat expressed
surprise that the attendance should be SO
large. In reply the principal informed me
that one of the rooms was open as the school
library, and that those saw were its pa
irons. | counted seventy-two, among them,
many adults. We need have no fear for the,
future Of Porto Rico when such things can
be found.
But there are nearly twelve hundred thou
sand people in the island, and, with all that
has been done, there are more than seven
hundred school buildings without school Ii
braries. This means that one-half of the
population is not in touch with q library.
And every one wants to be. The school
boards and public-spirited persons through
out the island are behind the library move
ment, and are working hard for it, for they
see what it means.
But I nm renewing my appeal to the peo-
pie of the United States. Send Us some
more books. Each will be stamped with the
name Of the donor, Or, if yo9 prefer, twenty
five dollars will fill one of our boxes with a
carefully selected list of books, bought at
publishers prices The incidental expenses,
too, Of local transportation, etc, have to be
met by contributions, as l have no special
Recommendations, Fnr liRYCryy r,,,1,o DCrfn
Rico is generous to her schools, spending
81, 200, 600 annually for their support, and l
have not cared to ask such a special appro.
%priation. l shall be glad to answer any
questions. E.. G. DEXTER,
Commissioner of Education.
San Juan, Porto Rico.