Arizona republican., 1919-10-26

brary extension undertakes not only to select reading lists that illustrates some special line of study, but to sell ect and list the books that illumine the problems of contemporary life. Its lists of current books, topically grouped, gives to readers the opportunity to re- late their reading in a purposeful man. ner that tends to a more scholarly habit of mind and destroys the habit
 of idle reading, which is almost vicious
 1t its results. One needs to know why
 one reads a book.
 Recently librarians and library clubs
 representing public libraries have be-
 come interested in these lists and we
 are assured that, in general, libraries
 would be glad to arrange to buy the books named in these lists and to fla |
 cilitate their use by club women. Li brarians deplore the haphaZard char acter of the borrowers choice of books. They believe the womens clubs can do
 much to correct the situation, and sea
 in their bibliographies and book lists
 an effective means.
 ;l One lecture, even by an eminent spe-
 cialist, can not give club very much
 insight in an hour The next lecturer
 
 ject as Timbuctoo from Paris and be will arouse associations and emotions that obliterate the message" of the
 first. Club women need to prepare
 their minds as they prepare the soil
 in their gardens. to receive new ideas. } Here is where the book comes in, l where the reading group can function.
 Picture it. In the alcoVe of the pub $ lie library grouped around the table with the books about, one reading aloud, other knitting, sewing, inter ruption and discussion, getting into the ? stream of ideas and ideals that are . shaping a new step in social condi- r tions, or world politics, or discussing
 the value of electric apparatus in the s kitchen, whatever it is, contemporary . thought has crystalized about the sub f ject and got itself expressed. You may ]. have better picture of how this can V be done But you agree that it should 1. be done. Let the lecturer come later, . after the minds are prepared for his | dynomis or dramatic message. Other S wise he might as well save his time
 and your
 . Public libraries woke up during the s war to a sense of service and developed f leadership. What they were privi- a legged to do for the boys in khaki they
 went to do for the man in homespun e and the woman in club-day silks. Club 7. women should invite the libraries - help; consult the librarian with de- . partment courses of study in hand;
 they should form their reading and
 discussion groups which are the real II significance of department work, and . choose their individual reading to have . relation to some purpose well under - stood. Will you ask clubs to give their "a local libraries "a lead and a chance n to cooperate for this kind of read if ing?
 2. 1920 is the tri-centenary of the 1 landing of our Pilgrim forefathers 2 This happy coincidence. the birthday ' and the present need to revalue oul lr inheritance, should be utilized by clubs ,r for community celebration and tc e further Americanization by deepening s the national consciousness of the na- = tive born and fostering that of resi- . dents of alien birth.
 Q Mrs. Annie Russel Marble has writ
 ten a play especially for club produc-
 tion, "Standish of Standish." It is D. published by Houghton Mifflin Go. Boston. I shall be glad to procure cop ,h ies for you. Mrs. Marble has pagean T of early days in Plymouth well under .,, way Her address is Worcester, Mass h The Drama League of America i ,d making every effort to furnish ma to terial for worthy celebrations. Mrs 70 Jessie l. Spafford. 4O1 East Stat .s street. Rockford. H.. a distinguishes e club women. Is prepared to help club T for the drama league. Write to her. d 3. See that the thrift books pamphlets, posters, etc, are in you 1a public library.
 ts 4. Send to Mrs. T. G. Winter, 261 an Dean Blvd, Minneapolis, for the neV - Americanization bulletin. cents. DO contains the plans of the eleven de or partments of work.
 h. The local council of the Arizon re Congress of Mothers and Parent n Teacher associations will meet at tn re Wilson school at II o'clock Monda m morning.
 The Adams Parent Teacher associa
 ton meet Tuesday afternoon when tn re school children had the pleasure C .aI listening to delightful sories told ther y by Yna Sonstegard King, professions "a | story teller.