Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-17
VITAL MOLDING
AGENCIES SEEN
IN LIBRARIES
Such Constitutes Keynote of
Speakers at Trustees
Meeting.


Public libraries as a vital factor In
AUGMENTATION work formed the key
note of a message given the Indiana
l.. rary Trustees Association convention
this afternoon at the Hotel SEVERN by.
! Edmund L. Craig Of Evansville, presi-
dent
1.-The safety of the world today" he
said. 'lies in our ability to educate the
masses and the classes of our people into
right ways of living and thinking, to get
them to see and realize for themselves
that the failings Of a democracy lie in
the people and must be cured there, that
America means liberty and freedom only
so long as the people safeguard its laws
and institutions and uphold those basic
principles upon which our republic is
founded.
at is not necessary for us to be told
that freedom is only found where there is
intelligence. We know that without free
educational institutions, the unsupported
public schools, the unsupported public
libraries, our democracy is doomed.
OBLIGATION
A GREAT ONE.
"A million boys and girls between the
ages of II and 16 years come from our
Of foreigners clamoring for admission to
our shores from other countries of this
war-weary world
"My message to you, then, Is to ex-
press the hope that in this thirteenth ses-
sion of our association we may gain such
inspiration and determination that We
Will return to libraries of Indiana with
the motto of this meeting Fiat Lux en-
craven on our hearts. Let there be light
among miners and employers, labor
unions and railroad operators, farmers
and city jewellers, foreigners and natives
and let lis do our part in so educating
the people of our time so as to continue
the guaranty of life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness to ourselves and our
children"
Mr.. Craig expressed himself as being
personally opposed to the legislation per-
hitting the State board to review the tax
levy of a library board, on the appeal of
a group of citizens in the community
where the tax is made.
TAX METHODS
CRITICIZED.
Judge Ora L. Wildermuth of Gary, dis
cussed the library tax levy and presented
set Of forms to be used in levying such
taxes. He said that Indiana and Iowa
were the only two States to his knowl
edge whose library boards were permit
ted to levy their own taxes.
Mrs. w. K. Davidson of Evansville
made short talk on 1.-THE Board Sec
rotary" reading the financial reports Of
the year. and William J. Hamilton Of the
public library commission spoke briefly
on What the Commission Owes the
Board"
Tonight Michael F. Gallagher. attorney
Of Chicago, will deliver an address on
1.-THE Furnishing Of Opportunities for
Reading as a Function of Government"
In the assembly room Of the hotel. This
will be followed by an informal recep-
ton with Mrs Carrie +. Scott acting as
chairman of the hostess committee, as
sisted by members of the Indianapolis
Library Club hospitality committee To-
morrow morning the program viii be
composed of a group of round table dis
cussions. Mr.: Craig viii preside at the
one for trustees from cities Of 10000
population and over, in room 1924; Mrs.
"A. J. Dillon OF Rochester will preside
over the meeting for trustees from cities
Of $500 to 10000 population and all
county libraries except Logansport. TT.
Wayne and Evansville. in room 1908; and
Harry F. Kepner Of Corydon will pre-
side at the round table for trustees for
cities and towns under $500 in popula-
ton, In the Inn.
LIBRARIES
IN COUNTRY.
In the afternoon the general topic for
the session to be held in the Inn, Will
be Taking the Library to the Rural
Community" the Rev. NJ. II. Krauss OF
Galveston and Miss Permelia Boyd OF
Scottsburg being the speakers. Miss
Della +. Northey win also speak and an
election of officers will close the meeting.
A banquet tomorrow evening in the Inn
will conclude the conference. 4 program
of toasts has been arranged for the
event and Will include responses on "The
People Back Home" by Miss Adah
Elizabeth Bush; "The state Board of Tax
Commissioners and Indiana Libraries"
Phillip Zoercher Of Tell City; Remarks
from the Ranks" by Miss Jennie Flex-
ner Of Louisville, KY, and Chalk Talks"
by Chic Jackson.
The executive committee of the associa-
ton includes Mr.. Craig of Evansville,
Mrs. A. J. Dillon of Rochester, Mrs. }.
II. Chapman of Renns' Iaer the Rev. NJ.
II. Krauss Of Galveston Harry r Kan