The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-02

HE AGE-1 tiie annexed towns and this broadening CT the situation called for a changed management and resulted in the appoint men by the city commission of the Bir- mlngham library board. of which I had l the honor to be chosen as president. Tha commission agreed to furnish the funds necessary for the maintenance and also | the expense of fitting up some addi- | uonal space which was needed for the I proper arranging and carrying on of our work, but advisedsus that we would have to depend for money for books on funds I furnished by the public as had been done I Tn the past We accepted the appoint ment under the conditions and have been ever since putting our library system | III shape and now have it .on basis where with the necessary working tools. or in other words, books, we can mo-e ] fcrward along the line of giving to Bir- 1, Bi1ngham library service somewhat com I mensurate with it's needs and with what I tbe citizens Of city of its importance | ale entitled to.
 Now, gentlemen, want to disabuse ycur minds of a notion that is prevalent as to public library being a place | fer serving women and children only It is for serving them. but it is more l In this day and generation itis more and more furnishing the maA with informa- l ton required in his business his pro | fession, his daily work and occupation. whatever be his line. No man knows all there is to be known about even 1 Ills own business. and all need to know what others have done, and are doing ir his line and in lines collateral to his; and the library. in it's book collections ard its magazines. and in the informa- 1 ton which can be culleJ from them fes him by the library staff. is prepared to i"rnish the necessary knowledge which Will enable man to keep abreast of 1 the times in his business and in the many questions and interests, which are l demanding his attention as a wide awake, progressive citizen of his city
 his state, and his country.
 Small Collection of Books
 nave brought here today a small collection of books which l would be glad to have every Rotarian here ex- anime and to note thereby some of the things covered by this small sample or our stock. They cover mans size information of the very latest date, up to the minute on such subjects as public schools. technical education. elec- tricity, telephony. Some of them are.
 rosters Electrical Engineers Pock- et BOOK, Water Supply. Sewerage and Plumbing in Modern City Buildings" | Electric Power Plant Engineerine ',
 Electric Railway Troubles" sewer Construction" Standard Practical Plumblng. Concrete, Plain and Re- inforced Law and Business of En- gineering and Contracting" Cost Keeping and Scientific Management. <" "Steei Construction" "Liouid Steel. ,, Principles of Mining; Cost of Mining, .
 The Automobile, Its Selection, Care and Use," Writing Diagrams" Kent Mechanical Engineers Pocket Book. !"
 Machine Shop Tools and Methods. ''
 Modern Steam Engineering. Print ing Trades, Modern Methods of Char 1ty. Tuberculosis. a Preventable and Durable Disease" Open Air Schools, !" Vocational Training Markets for the People" Dust Preventive and Road | Binders" Advertising" "Office Ac- counting" influencing Men in Busi- ness Mechanical and Architectural | Drawing" "rhe Church and Modern | Life,' Modern Sunday School in Prin- eiple and practice"
 l Now, gentlemen, this gives you an idea of the scope of work the present day library is covering and I believe you will acknowledge its importance. Think for moment of the number of men employed in this great industrial district, who by reason of lack of means. thrown on tn cir own resources, without completing their education. are herded in our boarding houses or roaming our streets at night. but many of whom ambitious to forge ahead in l the world. would grasp this opportu- nifty afforded them to continue their education by reading and study along the lines of their occupation or lines in which they might have become in- tercsted by finding books on some sub ject on the shelves of the library and thus be led to make of themselves bet ter trained citizens and possibly in- ventors of new processes or leaders in various lines of endeavor. and who !, without this opportunity. may drag out a monotonous existence and never become the asset to themselves or the city that they have the latent possi- bilties of being if aroused.
 More Books For Students
 Then, too, our school system, good as it is, built up by our fellow Rotarian, Dr
 John H. Phillips. and under the guidance of our other fellow Rotarian, the presi- dent of the board of education, pr. JohE l.. Parker, is hampered by the fact that
 we have not in our libraries for either
 pupils or teachers the books that can be fouAd in other cities of like size and which are absolutely necessary to the complete
 ness of the work which should be accom- plished by them. Gentlemen, it is tn,
 purpose of the library board to go before the citizens of this town along about the
 end of this month for fund to equip our
 libraries with needed books. We hope and | expect 10 get what We ask Tor ana We don't expect ever to have to go to them
 again for a similar purpose, because we
 think that in very few years the finances
 of our city will be put upon a basis that
 will enable 1t to, as it should do, pre- vide the funds to keep up the necessary
 additions to the book shelves.
 Now. have not decided yet just what I am going to ask the Rotary club to dc in this matter, but I have often thought and have sometimes expressed myself tt the effect that the Rotary club neede for it's own best good, to get behind some great movement. some good work and put it over, and I have idea that possibl. the Rotary clubs opportunity lies in this library proposition. I believe that thf pent-up energy of this body of men, prop erly directed and in a good course. would prove irresistible and l am going to ask the directors of the club to take this mat ter up for serious consideration, as 1T whether maybe there is here now a tiis in its affairs which taken at its flood ma, lead on to glory etc. To show you that there is an interest abroad in this work apd how the few people already ap