Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-08
The first meeting of librarians in Amer
lea was held in New York in 1853, brought
about large
Librarians First Met ly thro 6 h
,o.o the efforts of
III Ne" AoIA LII Ao0o. Prof Charles

Librarians First Met ly thro g h
in New York in 1853. prof Pre- chs Charles r. es
c. Jewett Of the Smithsonian Institution.
Fifty-eight Librarians attended this meet
ing, but no definite steps toward an or
ganization were taken for some time. An
other meeting was held in Philadelphia
during the centennial exposition. in 1876.
and the American Library Association
was organized, with 1OS members This
meeting is regarded as the genesis of the
new library movement. and its influence
extended, not only throughout the United
States, but within a few years through
out Europe as well. In 1877 a public
meeting Of librarians was held in London
and the British Library Association was
organized. In his first address the pres
ident Of the British association called at
tention to the development of library
spirit in America and the advisability OF
England following the example set.
The present age will be known in his
tory as the library age. In a single year
a hundred new library laws have been
passed by American legislatures. In pub
lie interest and support, in iiberality OF
laws and appropriations and in magni-
tude of individual gifts the library move
excels any other in history. Throughout
all parts of the country stately buildings
are being erected as monuments to this
great educative spirit.
At the beginning of the public library
movement 1t was feared that there would
be antagonism between that institution
and the public school. The contrary has
proved true. and the heartiest co-opera-
ton has developed between these two
great educational factors. The library
supplements the facilities of the school
text book, and the school creates a de-
mand for reading which sends the chill
dren to the library. There is also in
America large number of child bread
school at an early age. These may find
in the library an opportunity to supple
ment their education, which would other
wise be meager and uninspiring.
The chief difference between the mod
ern library spirit and the old Is that the
old library was
Old and New Library a storehouse
Differ in Purposes. WIN ere. thew
were cherished as treasures to be enjoy
ed by only a few, while the modern Ii
brary Is a fountain giving out its re-
sources freely to all who will accept
them. The change has been gradual in
many towns From belonging to only a
special class library privileges became
available to all who would pay a fee.
Then it was free to all for reference, but
the idea of taking book home from a
library was as preposterous as the sug-
picture from a museum. Then the privi-
legged few might borrow books, and later
this was extended to all those who paid
fee. Finally came the idea. now pre-
vailing throughout the country, of the
public library lending its books freely to
all.
Librarians are now agreed that the
best name for the unsupported institu-
ton is Public Library" preceded by the
name of the city or town. The term
free" suggests charity, and "circulat-
ing" is unnecessary, since all modern
libraries are understood to be for lend
ing purposes, unless otherwise stated.
The modern public library may be said
to serve three functions: as a store
house, laboratory for study and Sc
rious work and a means of sane enter
tainment. Every public library must
have a reference room and a lending
department, and it should have a periodi-
cal room.
in respect to the needs of the locality in
which it is situated. In a town where
manufacturing is the chief industry
books upon that subject will have a
large demand If the library is properly
appreciated by the citizens In an agri-
cultural community books bearing upon
that subject should be provided in large
numbers The last decade Of library
work has tended especially to supply the
wants of men, thus disproving the theory
that libraries existed only for women
and children. Books calculated to inter-
est men now occupy prominent place.
Special attention Is given to books on
all departments Of technology. and men
who desire to make progress in any line
of study receive encouragement. A Chi
cago man working in hardware store
had a taste for machine work. He ask
ed his employers to place him in charge
of some work giving him an opportunity
to follow his bent, but his request was
refused. AS he had a family dependent
upon him, he could not attend trade
school, but he obtained position as
heating plant He borrowed books on
mechanics from the public library I'M
der the advice of the head of the de-
partment Within six months he was
able to pass an examination qualifying
him for a position as mechanical en-
gineer in a large factory that gives him
more than double the salary paid him
by the hardware firm.
Formerly the books of an American
circulating library were issued only in
English, but
Books Are Now Found the large
in Many Languages. foreisn popu y.
lation in the United States has called
for books in other languages. This is
<r,,o <ha branch 1iihrari in