The New York herald., 1921-02-13
Amazing Demand for Books on Philosophy and
Spiritualism Indicates New Trend

terest for grown ups who revel In the Twain
masterpieces. Submarines and stories based
on the recent war have vogue.
THE various series by Oliver Optic and
Horatio N Alger read but not to the
same extent as by the former generation.
Now series of books like With Scott In
Mexico profuseiy illustrated. and in sense
educative, are popular. They all deal with
battle, and have a familiar formula showing
a boys connection with an army. It never
fails to interest at present"
In the great reading rooms of the Public
Library 760 readers can be accommodated
with seat and table space. With the his
torical tributaries this number is swollen on
crowded days to 1000. Open every day from
. A. M. to 10 p. M. Sundays and holidays
included the library serves in year be-
tween 100000 and 100000 readers. What do
they read?
mot novels" said the assistant librarian
to whom the question was put. Our novel
readers are persons who come In to pass an
hour or so between engagements or while
waiting for the time of an appointment;
they are not regulars.
"The regulars are men and women who
are studying a science. philosophy or
trade. They ask for the books and the
magazine articles on their particular subject
1t is very rare when this gigantic foundation
cannot supply some of the books they call
for In our seven floors of shelves are
100000 volumes. a rich trove for the work.
ing intellectuals. We have besides rooms
for special books which can only be seen
and used in those rooms. Students and
special writer's make use Of these books.
Nearly every person who comes here in
the daytime has serious motive. and at
night an entirely different class appear.
They are people studying languages, prepar-
ing for examinations, &c. AS a rule they
are not concerned with the fluctuations of
taste in literature, but study standard works,
SO called, in the arts and sciences.
Peoples Vague Quest Suggests
They May Seek New Religion
"one would think that the same spirit
would animate readers in any class Of book
and that to know the authors who have
enriched the general culture and intellectual
life of people was a necessity to any one
aspiring to education, but am told that the
spirit of the day is to eliminate rather than
to widen, and I am not prepared to say but
this Is wise.
"If I have not mistaken the beat of the
public pulse as exhibited by the men and
women who note IL carefully in order to
meet a public demand and thus sell what
they prepare an emancipation of the INTEL
lectual life and a broadening Of the spiritual
life is the pabuum demanded. People-the
people--are seeking something, perhaps a
new religion.
"There is to be felt perceptibly a cam
paign against the rigidity of literary schools
and a cropping after the spiritual that Is ac-
companied by Indifference to the external
world This Is always noticeable following a
great war"
Then you think that books having to do
with spiritual philosophy are being most
widely read?" asked his questioner.
IL know 1t to be fact. deducible from
evidence taken from readers In these rooms,
but perhaps you will be able to find better
data In the circulation department of the
library"
In the circulation library on the main
floor the crowd of booksellers looked like
the usual one made UP Of individuals who