The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-04-18
COUNTY LIBRARIES, AND
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
SYSTEM OF MONTANA

!
public schools, and especially in our
smaller schools, is the lack OF good
reading and reference books. Even
where we find large collection, the
hooks are often poorly chosen and
of very questionable value. The
county librarian who is trained for
ner work is in a, position to supply
the school not only with well chosen
books but with a. much wider choice
of selection than any district can
AFFORD. Adults as well as children
can &c well served, and also fire.
Quently served, with the particular
books desired from the county h.
hrary.
The stimulus. and interest which
are aroused in. school from the ar
rival of fresh supply of we'll Sc
lected books is remarkable. The fact
that new books are SO seldom
brought into the smaller school IL
braries in itself tends to lessen the
interest of children in reading. They
feel there is noting fresh and inter
esting in their collection at school
unless at least few books are fire.
quently added. This is often i'm
possible as many districts can i'll af-
ford even a small collection. In 9th
er districts many books already read
by the children remain for years idle
on the shelves. Just here the county
library is of invaluable service in
passing on to other localities books
which have been read, and in bringing
in a. new and interesting. supply
j when needed.
| While there are certain kinds of
reference books which every school
needs to KEEP as part Of it's perman-
ent equipment, there is also a class
of valuable literature, both reference
material and otherwise, which is not
especially desirable as permanent
collection for any school, if it can be
secured for use when NEEDED. Much
unnecessary expense is incurred by
!, districts in Supplying themselves
: with books which, after they have
been enjoyed by the community,
could well be passed on to other dis
, tricts. The county librarian is in a
, position to do this. Branch Libraries
throughout the county supply de-
) sired books readily and effectively.
! School districts are saved great ex-
pense through the plan of co-opera-
ton with the county library.
: Whence once the reading habit is
i established we have accomplished
e much in the education of children
: They soon learn that all knowledge
on certain subject is not confined
} within the covers Of one particular
: book which may have been slavishly
= followed as q text in their school
and that there are many valuable
sources of information il only the
= needed books can be secured. Thi!
= habit we'll established in children be
Z comes a lifelong habit of desire no
only for information but also for re
creation and enjoyment.
The county system as worked out il
California and other states has de
monstarted it's value where efficient
F ly managed by trained librarian:
7 with the assistance of apprentices o
some training and experience. Their
T. is no reason why Montana should no
S work OUT her system as ,effectivel.
as Califoria has, if we set about tn
IS work intelligently and seriously
g With the cooperation of boards o
= county commissioners, city librari
ans, teachers, public school authori
ties, parent-teacher associations, an
DC all agencies which should be work
le ing to give boys and girls in village
IS and rural schools equal advantage
" with city children in regard to OF
le portunities for reading, we sha'
70 soon find not only children but adult
ce profting from this most psonisii
" form of public service.
~ The county library meets the nee
of all ages and classes Of readers a 4
d. should be promoted in order tt IA
! its most valuable influence may B
'e extended into the reraotest corn T
of every county in the state.
n