Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-08
BOWERMAN URGES
CH|LD'S LIBRARIAN
Stresses Need in Address
Before Graduating Class of
Carnegie Library School.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, June 7.-Dr.
George F. Bowerman, librarian of the
Public Library of Washington, in his
address before the graduating class of
the Carnegie Library School here today
emphasized the opportunity of the chill
dren's librarian to become an impor-
tant factor in present-day education by
so presenting books to the youth of the
country that they will have opened for
them the cultural resources of the past
and present, and become possessed of
desire to continue their education
through life by their individual effort
when formal tutoring ceases.
The public library" DR.. Bowerman
said. by taking up and developing
children's work has brought about, not
indeed, revolution, but an evolution,
in that it has profoundly Influenced
many children. First, when the library
has placed in the hands of young folks
interesting, vital, inspiring pieces of
literature for voluntary reading, torpid
minds have been quickened and school
work has become better.
Develop Reading Habit.
Furthermore, often the real purpose
OF the library thereby tends to be &C.
complShed; that is, the children learn
to love books and reading, develop good
taste for reading and the reading habit.
and so are soon we'll on their way
toward becoming lifelong readers. 1t
soon results that they are engaged in
that never-ending, continuous process
of self-education, which is coming to be
the present-day conception of educa-
ton"
That the work of the children's
librarian does not end with the child
was pointed out by DR.. Bowerman
Parents often come in desperation to
seek the library's advice"
. We have two rooms as part of our
children's department" he continued,
where parents, teachers and other
adults may seek advice. One of these
Is occupied with our illustrators COL
lection and books for the parent to
work has been carried, and it has
grown yearly. The work already done
in this connection has convinced me
that 1t has a distinct contribution to
make. Though I have spoken of
parents seeking advice, many times it
proves to be auntS, uncleS and grand
parents who are taking up the prob
lem when busy parents cannot. They
return again and again for help"
Personality Chief Requisite.
OF the characteristics desirable in
children's librarian, DR.. BoWerman
said: II should put first that indefinite
and indescribable quality known as
personality. To mention only a few
of the necessary adiectives, she should
be positive, friendly, winning, and not
cold or austere; above all, not pernickety
In fact. the qualities in young women
that often lead to marriage proposals
on the part of discriminating young
men are some of those that make for
successful children's librarians"
DR.. Bowerman then commented on
the fact that in Guardianship, as in
other professions, marriage need no
longer bar the way to a successful
career.
Formerly" he stated, when a
young woman came to me to announce
her approaching marriage, after proper
congratulations I expressed regret at
losing her. Now ask her how long
she needs for her wedding trip"
In concluding, DR.. Bowerman paid
tribute to the influence Of the Pitts
burgh School on Library Work done
with children during the 80 years Of
its history.
I'm many a public library in this
country, perhaps in most libraries of
any considerable size, may be found
Pittsburgh graduate training large
STATS in children's departments along
the lines they themselves learned at
Pittsburgh. 1t is not so much the
work of this one person that counts
as the innoculation of large groups
with this spirit which makes the
leaVen Of Pittsburgh so potent"