The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-03-26
CHANGES IN MANNER OF
CONDUCTING PUBLIC
LIBRARIES

l have seen some big, fine libraries
in my day; that of Boston is a sight
to see and a wonder to inspect; both
building and contents; | well recall
the time when it was made an absolu-
tely free library" but then free
was somewhat hedged about; my cous-
ms took me to see it and its much
talked of Reading Room; as we en-
tered | saw the notice in large letters
calling for silence, and we step
toed" into the rooms and about; we
seated ourselves to look over some
illustrated papers, and quite soon a
lady came and with politeness in
quired if we were residents of Bos-
ton? AS could not claim that honor
| was told that the privileges of the
Reading Room were reserved for her
citizens; we could quietly look about
but-the country boy could not sit
and read in the sacred precincts; and
we left them. Perhaps it was fifty
years afterwards | desired its privil-
eyes and entered and applied to the
first official | met to know what |
might expect was at once told
that all its collections. thousands Of
them, were at my service, except
few rare editions and manuscripts,
which were by themselves and could
only be inspected by special permit,
but that could easily be obtained by
any responsible party; but the ordin-
airy run of reference books were free
for inspection and use within the
building; for free use of the crculat-
inn Of NO Il No
citizen; and even he must have special
authority to take reference books
from the building; besides the reading
room for current periodicals, which is
large, well lighted and supplied with
comfortable seats, there is the great
and handsome room furnished with
every convenience for study and copy
ing, in the department of references,
fair sized individual tables with re-
volving chairs and catalogue on each
table, with a pad of paper for use.
Attendants are quietly moving about
and when you look up from your
search of the catalogue with appar-
emily your list Of desired books ready,
some one comes and takes it and in
few minutes returns with the one
or dozen books you have written by
number and class on your slip; and if
you call for SO many that your table
is too full for convenience in use,
stand, with rubber-tired casters, is
drawn up to your side to hold them;
or, of your first call was for too many
for one arm, they at first draw it in
on one of those wheeling stands; and
here one may work from early morn
ing till late afternoon without let or
hinderance." And further, if you do
not readily find that for which you
are hunting, there are assistant librar-
ians whose business it is to know
everything" and tell you just where
to look for what you desire, and it is
the duty of the attendant in the refer
ence reading room to fetch and carry
at your desire.
The above discovery was made
soon after 1900; for some years pre-
vious | had been here in the West,
having access to no public library
and had not kept track of the changes
in their management. Passing the
winter of 1899 in Worcester, Mass,
| wished to follow a particular line
of reading and went to the public Ii
y
red to the librarian, DR.. Green, who
was known through the country as
the Father of the New Library
Idea" and was told all the facilities
of the place were at my disposal, even
though but temporary citizen; and
his assistants were instructed to as
sist me; then he courteously showed
me over that very fine institution. Dr.
Green's advocacy of the new idea, >
has brought about universal change
in library management; the old idea
seemed to be that here was a precious
collection of books; and under close
restrictions the public might use
them; they were carefully hedged
about, and if you complied with the
regulations you might draw out the
books, but only so many on each oc-
casion--perhaps only one. No book
could be seen till it had been placed
on its proper shelf and stack, and then
the lobby Of the circulating depart
ment" where several bookcases as
high as one could reach, and filled
with the bright new books just pub
liShed, the room had many easy
chairs and benches, and any one could
handle and read these books at his
| pleasure; ii he desired he could draw
one of these out, or, if it was a popu-
lar book, you could have duplicates
from the stacks; anyone familiar with
books and book stores knows that
with many books ten, fifteen or thirty
minutes inspection satisfies, and you
care for no more use of them. And
there is a delight, a charm, in thus
handling new books, and going from
one to another, just as bee flies from
one flower to another in a garden. |
suppose most of my readers are ia
maliar with this method of library
management; but let me tell you, the
former management was far enough
from it. Formerly the books as |
have said were precious treasure,
which under close restriction you
might see and use; DR., Green reversed
the idea; books and libraries exist to
be used and are@for the people the