The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-06-01

the town could keep informed In
these important social movements OF
the day.
II one keeps up with the progress
l Of the political, economic and social
world, which is travelling at a tremen.
, dous rate-he must read-methods oil
government, Of business, of industries,
of education have changed essentially
during the last ten years. 1t is the
business OF the library TO keep abreast
with the time and to see that her
citizens are informed on these social
movements.
What opportunity has the majority
Of the citizens OF Brookings to be in
formed on these subjects except by
few magazines that they may be for
tunate to take.
II a club or organization wanted 10
take up such current topics as pure
milk SIMPLICITY water supply-anti-
tuberculosis movement-the consum-
ers league-medical inspection-or
any OF the many other related topics
or such subjects as the Boy Problem
the Study 81 the child or the Boy
Scout Movement where could they go
for informationo OF course there Is
the college library-but that is not
he work they are expected 10 do
their quarters are small and made
quate as II is-Eyen If the location
vas more desirable IL Is not the place
for town work. A great many OF the
school children and club ladies have
been there for help and although the
Librarians are very willing 70 help
them, it makes them realize how very
necessary is a public library in
Bookings, with a librarian who could
give her whole time in working in
conjunction with the citizens and
schools and not one who will spend
her time in fancy work.
To prove TO ourselves that public
libraries have taken a place in the
school life of c~hildren-we only need
10 see in communities where the pub
lie library is established the daily use
that is being made OF the library by
both the school children and the
teachers. Such questions as these
greet the librarian want a piece 70
speak, want material for q de-
bate" or something is wanted on cleo
for a paper-or countless other
topics-perhaps a grade is 10 hunt up
material on the social life Of a coun-
try. Al the root Of these library Ques-
which a child is required TO
search out lies a wider-reaching, and
more important object than the mere
answering or accumulation of facts.
The real end OF all such work. l take
o be, is the teaching how TO use
books and the library. The library
gives instruction in the use
IF The library 10 the elementary
One Of the most important things
4 education is not only a knowledge
4 books but ability TO use them. This
child cannot get without the use of
i library. School children are sent
the library 10 look up material for
themselves. in this way becoming
'amiliar with a large number of books
md learning how to hunt up that
material and use il. High skill in
'eading, the art of using books and a
is OF supreme Importance in
education" The Importance of cor
the library with the school in
he matter of the education of a child
be too strongly emphasized.
A library is needed in Bookings
or its citizens, for it's schools, for the
'hurches. for the study clubs and for
he leisure hours of its children.
Must this library be just a dream
n the minds of some of Brookings
BEST citizens, or can we by seeing it's
Importance, make it a reality? And
sn't ii possible to he bold and ask
or a real working library right away
of commencing with a small
room?
Perhaps a room in the new city
lall could be appropriated and the
money the first few years spent in
| librarian and needed books and
magazines. Let us all work together
secure for Brookings this much
needed force in her community.
L. p,