Arizona republican., 1915-03-21
Official Organ of State Federation of Clubs

onnent has been largely responsible for sending our boys and girls to the cities. when we need them so much at home Since We have adopted the slogan Back to the soil, we are finding that the country must be made mere attractive as well as being a more healthful place uf habitation than the city.
 over on the South Side we have been giving this subject much care ful thought Instead of saying to our boys and girls, You must not do this or you must not do that" denying them available pleasures without sub stituting anything better. we nave tried to provide entertainment for them.
 In June, through the efforts of the Neighborhood Club, our Neighbor- hood House Was opened as reading room. We had only hoped to be able to install few books and magazines as a beginning. But owing to the generosity of our gCod friend, Mir. Bartlett, we received about a thous and volumes. These books comprise twenty four sections O? the cirC Culat ing library which Mr. Bartlett has had in operation through the state for some time They embrace a wide range of subjects and make an excel lent foundation for our library.
 A Mrs Fox who was formerly re- eiIa,t of ou, community a1Sn nrpSept ed us with a fine collection of books on modern farming particularly on ir- riSated lands.
 Many ma gazines have been contri- buted, also games such as carom, Crokinole, checkers. dominos, ten lins. etc. We have a book of games and entertainments which Is very popular. The library is governed by board which is appointed, one member from the Neighborhood Club, one from the Sunday school and a third from the trustees of NeighborhOod House. This board raised funds by public subscrip- tion to pay a librarian during the summer. The building was open for two hours on three afternoons and three evenings ot each week and as q special convenience the librarian was at her desk for a half hour after sun day school and club meetings. The library is conducted on much the same plan as city libraries with cards al,d bookslips Books are issued for two weeks with a fine of one cent :, day for overtime.
 | One evening of each week has been set apart for a social time, with ar .''eXtra special once month. Or ti;ese evenings various entertainments are provided Sometimes they are 1T charge of the Library Board, some times ot the girls and occasionally the boys show us how such things should be done. These parties are al ways chaperoned by some member oI the club.
 Our building is equipped with piano and the girls have brought her' their music which some of them, lack ing an instrument at home, have nc ether opportunity of using. The! thoroughly enjoy singing together th' better class of popular songs. We have found that while man! take the books home, very few haV' cared to make use of the readln' room for reading. But as a socia center it has been an unqualified sue cess It is source of qualification t' those in charge of the work to hea the expressions of approval from tn young people. We feel that the re ; suits more than justify the time an' effort expended.
 At a recent tea given by Maricop , Chapter, Daughters of the America Revolution, Miss Edna Styles of tn , Arizona School of Music, read Henr f Van Dykes America For Me- | , response to many requests The Re ! publican reproduces the poem thi morning:
 , AMERICA FOR ME , Iris fine to see the old world an
 travel up and down Among the ancient palaces and citie
 of renoWn.
 To admire the crumbly castles an statues of the kings. But now l think l have had enough ( anticipated times.
 So it's home aSd-n. home aSals
 America for me.
 My heart is turning home agaln an
 there I long to be.
 In the land of youth and freedom, be
 yond the ocean bars,
 Where the air is full of sunlight, an
 the flag is full of stars.
 Oh London is a man town. there
 power in the air, :; And Paris is a wOmans town Wlt St fIonuars in her hair