Omaha daily bee., 1913-12-28
Article XIV.

Free text books forms one OF the most
Interesting aspects of the public school
question in Omaha. Books are supplied
free to pupils in the grade and high
schools and stationary sold to high school
students at cost to the Board OF Educa-
ton.
From $4,000 to $4,000 is required an
pually for books. This year the appro-
priation is $1,000. On the basis of the
actual daily average attendance, that
means about "a cents per pupdl per year
for books The board and superintendent
consider the outlay very reasonable.
The text books are bought chiefly from
three publishing firms, CHM Co.. the
American Book company and the Hough-
lton-Mifflin company. Bids are obtained
where possible. but as many people know,
school book publishers do not cut each
others throats in the matter of compe-
tition. They seem to operate on
strangely amicable basis when 1t comes
to that and IL they do not Systematically
divide territory and orders proportion
ately among themselves. at least they
usually avoid unseemly exhibitions OF
rivalry. The situation has been charac-
terized by the somewhat odious term OF
"School book trust" evidence of whose
Vaccinations has in years past, so re-
ports have had II, been found in Omaha.
How are the books purchased? BY the
boards book committee on recommenda-
tion OF the superintendent of schools
The superintendent is absolute in the sc.
lection Of books AS he chooses, he con.
suits this one or that. but to him the
committee defers, on the theory that his
professional experience and technical
knowledge fit him to pass on the books
to be used. The purchases, of course
must be kept within the limit OF the an,
nual appropriation, which last year was
$4,000 and this year is $1,000,
When the books arrive from the pub
fisher they go to the boards store anC
shop building at Twenty-first and Mich
lolas streets, where Custodian ]. w. May
lnard takes them in charge. BY him they
are delivered to the various schools OF
1.-THE order OF the principals. as called fol
by the teachers The ole books are aisC
returned to this storage house, those M
llcnger fit for use disposed Of to a papei
plant, and those good for a little mor'
service, sold to schools elsewhere.
Books for the high school are trans
lferred directly TO that building, which
has a rather elaborate text book library
superintended by DIR. H. A. Senter, heaC
lof the chemistry department. He hai
direct personal supervision Of the 1000
books used. though not all at one time
lin the high school. Or. Senter has de
vised his own system of looking afte
the books, his own shelving and every
thing else connected with the library, H
can tell you In jiffy the record OF ever
book for the last BiXteen years 81
means OF a card index he can name JUS
hat this book or that did on the -Four
teenth OF February, 1902, for example an
lust where 1t is now, whether gone I
It's eternal resting place or still anon
ne living servants OF the future ruler
Of the nation. No book, however elusive
mas ever yet been known To deceive o
escape the scientific eye OF the doctor.
In addition 10 5000 text books, eac
department at the hign school has II
| own techn cal reference library.
! These high school books. naturall
much in use, occupy sanitary shelves
! the library when not in the class room