The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-27
JUVENILE BOOK WEEK
Social Service Department By MRS. SIDNEY M. ULLMAN

Discriminating mothers of boys between the ages of Il and 16 are always more or less concerned in having the youth culti- vate taste for good reading, while at the same time have something that is boy-like so that he will be really inter- ested. This is the real aim of the nation wide campaign for Safety First in Boys Books" which has been inaugurated by the Boy Scout librarian, Mr. Franklin K. Mathews.
 The week of November 2s to December has been set for this work, and the local librarian, MT. Milan. is to have on exhibition such books as the public li- brary affords, and recommended in the list This list was made through investi- gation and study of the Scout librarian, with the assistance of the best librarians in the country.
 The and 1O-cent novel that was a few years ago so popular, is now relegateG to the moving picture show, and the same story. little better finished, has become the 25 and 5o-cent "best seller.'
 At the last annual meeting of the Amer ican Book Sellers association, the chief Scout librarian was privileged to read paper urging upon the Booksellers the necessity of taking some action that would help to prevent the sale of these books and set aside the end of November as Juvenile Book Week. As a result the following resolution was adopted:
 "Resolved That the association approve the suggestion of the Boy Scouts of America for a countrywide canvass for better books for children, both by the CO., operation of special week in November, and by an offer on our part to raise the standard of children's reading, as offered by our stories and by the publishers.
 A list of books has been gotten to-
 0-sA kaI. .1af ftot, fx4 lists that were solicited from boys of their favorite books, from scores of liz brarians, and booksellers all over the country
 The list is called Books Boys Like Best" and comprises about 300 books with annotations: CD stories of adventure. @
 the What and How to Do books, and C0 books of information.
 'In buying books for children, there are many things to be taken into consid- eration: The ohild's own lkings most of all," says Miss Caroline M. Hewins, li- brarian of Hartford, Conn.,, public library
 So in compiling this list, the boys own lilsings most of all has been considered The following authorities have assisted in getting up the list: George F. Bower man, librarian public library of the Dis trict of Columbia: Harrison w. Craver, librarian Carnegie library of Pittsburg; Claude G. Leland, superintendent bureau of libraries. board of education. New York city and Edward F. Stevens, li- brarian, Pratt institute free library, Brooklyn, N. Y.
 In this connection the local Scout com missioner, Elwyn Ballard. has sent the following letter to all persons interested in boys welfare. including school prin- cipals, librarians and institutions in which boys are housed:
 Dear Sir: Books Boys Like Best is a list prepared by the library commission of the Boy Scouts of America. A copy is
 presented to you with the hope that it will be useful for reference.
 "The publication of this pamphlet Is a part of our celebration of Safety First Week for Boys Reading and your CO.,