Evening star., 1927-04-24
School Libraries.

1t Is one Of the main functions of
education to encourage worthwhile
lreading of various kinds among stu.
dents while in school and in later life,
and independent reading and study on
! their part during their school life and
after they leave school. For this pur-
pose, supplementary books OF various
| kinds must be available for pupils
throughout elementary, junior high
and senior high schools
| 1t should be pointed out also in this
connection that few text books provide
| all of the information to which the
pupil should have access in the pur-
| suit of any subject. Even IL such
| text books were comprehensive when
published, they frequently become in
complete through the rapid develop.
ment of additional information regard.
ing the particular subject. 1t is to
library books that pupils may go to
md the supplementary information
necessary to round out the lessons of
the classroom. There the pupils may
go for the additional information
which the teacher cannot take the
| time to supply in the classroom.
The extent of the library facilities
and the kind of books provided will
depend largely on the availability of
IhO pupAG HDIdIiSS anu the GuuCa-
tional purposes to be served The
successful promotion among the stu
dents of a desire to use library books
will depend largely on the accessibility
and the care with which books have
been selected. II the pupils know
from experience that the supplement.
tary books are available, they will be
likely to consult them. IL through
! experience the pupils do not find the
information which they seek, or IL
| they are not interested in the kind of
literature provided for them In sup.
Elementary books, their desire to
pursue their education outside of their
text books In the classroom will not
be promoted.
For the elementary school pupils a
few supplementary books well chosen
and skiilfully used by the teacher in
supplementary assignments will serve
a very worthy educational purpose.
From time to time the pupils may be
called on to read aloud from these
additional volumes with real profit to
| the listeners as well as to those who
read.
For junior high school pupils 1t is
desirable that this supplementary col
lection be extended, and wherever
possible organized into a suitable
library or reading room. In the junior
high school cultivation of the practice
of independent inquiry should be en-
couraged, so that it may develop into
habit of real research. Without
some kind of library facilities in the
junior high school, the inculcation of
such a habit among the students is
, rendered more difficult, despite the
library facilities that may be offered
outside the school.
In the senior high schools the boys
and girls are not capable of much
| more serious classroom work, but they
require much wider facilities for
carrying on their studies. They should
have access to a thoroughly satisfac-
tory high school library. This library
should provide them with ample op-
portunities for expanding their fund
of information on the various subjects
which they study.
High school classroom work In
history, English, economics and
similar subjects must be supplemented
by the student In the way of purpose
full supplementary reading. Successful
work in written English also calls for
research and supplementary study on
the part of the pupil, which may be
done to the best advantage in suit
able school library.Els
A real step forward is taken in the