The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1914-05-12
Library Committee Believes
Richmond People Neglect
Solid Matter for Fiction
and Light Literature.
TO EXTEND ACTIVITY
Commercial Club Makes
Study of Vocational Train
ing in Schools to Suggest
Needed improvements.

More than an increase in tax rate
the educational committee of the Com
mercial club is to educate the citizens
of Richmond to read properly. Light
fiction has taken the place of good
heavy matter on literature, art and
kindred subjects and a collection of
rare and valuable books are practical
ly going to waste at the Morrison
Reeves library"
This statement was made at a meet
ing of the Commercial club last night
by Folger P. Wilson, after the reading
of the educational committees report
which was in charge OF the library in
vestigation work.
Mr. Wilson declared that some of
the volumes at the library are among
the finest on their subjects and yet
these are neglected for light reading
matter. Further cause of the unpopu-
larity of the library is given as the
extensive reading of magazines and
newspapers. Mr.. Wilson qualities to
llidhC IllIo SldlSllcul DIS ne has Uc6u
librarian for league organizations for
years.
What kind of books will the people
read?" asked Mr.. Wilson After
handling books for years | have found
this out. Our best families are poor
readers. 1t takes them long time to
read book because they pick it up
! occasionally, read a few pages, and
cast it aside until another time 1t
is not a thing that occupies their
mind.
Like Light Reading.
Our women readers are fond of
light reading. They get some idea
of literature and some fine phrase
ology and the thread of the story. But
they should read some heavy matter
such as biographies. Our work of i'm
provement is to improve the thinking
and to advance the intelligence of our
community. I believe our work is to
encourage good reading. Improvement
of the building won't do it as other
lines of activity will"
George H. knollenberg, chairman of
the educational committee replied that
he and other members of the COM
mittee had considered that matter.
I'VE were really surprised to find
some of the excellent works at the
library. One of the rarest collections
obtainable on art is there for public
use. 1t will be remembered by some
of us, that the late Mrs. David w.
! Dennis, who was Richmond's highest
art criterion, donated many volumes
which formed rare and valuable col
lection. We will publish lists of these
fine unknown works of are and litera-
ture so that they can be readily found
by the public.
Magazines of prolific nature and
newspapers are taking the place Of
heavy reading matter and in between
these publications, the people have
time to read only that which they are
not required to concentrate on.
Needs More Money.
Il believe however, on a four cent
rate, we can make some of the library
improvements such as the branch
libraries and the factory and school
tenn can be adopted without great ex-
pense. We plan to give publicity to
the library and our newspapers will
cooperate with us in this. More ex-
tensive telephone service will be pro-
vided and patrons will be permitted to
reserve books by post card. 1t is
probable that the books will be given
out for only two weeks with two
weeks renewal privilege and two cents
day fine for not returning them
The committee on education also re-
ported that it is making a study of
vocational work in the schools to help
work out the plan of gradually making
the present pre-vocational work, really
vocational training in compliance with
the state laws.
The congested condition of the new
high school building with it's more
than 600 pupils, is also being made the
object of the committees investiga-
tion.
Principal Pickell of the high school
made a report for John F. Mccarthy,
who is chairman of the civic improve
ment committee. He reviewed the
work of the school children in clean
ing up week and went over yesterday
afternoons program when Whitewater
school was presented with the silk
trophy flag for having done the most
work.