Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-10
NOW MY IDEA IS THIS!
Daily Talks With Thinking Philadephian Subjects They
KnO,C Best
KnOiU Best

forming reading clubs. which worked as or
ganizations self governed. Debating clubs
the debates being directed to such as de-
Inanded reading from books which were at
hand in the library.
Recreational Reading Small
I'm we'll organized children's depart
ment the amount of recreationm reading
matter demanded is comparatively small.
Our work with the schools is along the pro-
are sent to the library for reference reading
outside of school hours, and this uncon-
scously educates the child into a knowledge
OF the whole work Of the library.
I'm order to teach the children how to
use the books. they were brought to the
library during school hours, accompanied by
the teacher. and they were instructed how
to use the catalogues and the simpler ref
erence works. In the last year 211 groups
OF children, accompanied by their teachers.
VISITED the various branches of the library
Tor this purpose. We try to get the teach
ers to suggest subjects requiring reference
reading in books which we can supply as it
~ discouraging to a child to try to get
oooK which we are unable to furnish.
The interest which the children of the
city take in the library may be shown by
th' fart that last year there were ,656.414
books taken ont by children. and AZ ,1OB
children not hitherto ON our books applied
for cards.
NO THEFT but Much MutilatiOn
'Children do not steal the books any more
than 40 adults. but there is considerable
mntllation of the volumes. although nor so
much as formerly. During the craze for
scrapbooks the library books suffered severely
from children taking such things as they
wanted for their scrapbooks from the books
owned by the library. Also when there was
large number of children waiting for the
same reference book for some school work.
the temptation Of one Of the earlier readers
or the book 10 cut out what he wanted and
put 1t in his pocket proved at times FOO
strong to be resisted
-. An important phase of the work Of the
library with chi ldren is the Amcricanizn,inn
work among the foreign born nnrrnI. 81
children. 1t is easier to reach these nar' "
entS through their children than in nnv
otlcr manner In the sections of tho ,it,
Where me ioreign clement is large, we have
pu, IN many short American biographiroI
M"'HS, una we md that these. while taken
oul ny 'hc rhlidrcn. are largely rcnd nv tho
parents also. There are many other nh,,nS "S
VI 'hiS approximation work which ro uro
doing with excellent results, Wv "''
we "re IN touch constantly with orory
agency IN the city which is doing INV wori.
Mlth chl'oren, and we try to teach The rbils
dren the real uses of library inSt ,.' nS , rmiI
rs TO furnish them with rccrontiono, no I, .i,ucn
-. 'ur chi"f need is for more hooks
times 'he demand is so great that tho vbo,ra,
deVo'ed 70 books for the children nro noa,,'
MT' TMie' ~ 'he books having been taken out
highly specialized training, and !, 'nefS "rS Tor
me helh 1or those who desire botb to ox"
press themselves and to toacb ,Lo 80 20
Ihere Is no trash in the chillren's denam,s' -
men mipnt or the library everything there :.
for r' cbIdrnn T" iI""nims. % The output of books
experts to select the right kind Of booIiu nIi''fes res
them W 'ooAs Tor