The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-14
The Library and the Depression


with more amply than at any other time in our
history is spare time. With some 12OooOOo able
bodied persons out of work there certainly is more
leisure than ever before
This can result in gradual decentralization and
disintegration of the personality or in preparation
for better days ahead, whether they be under a
restored capitastic system or under some form of
Socialism.
Moreover, we have a ready instrument at hand
to aid them in any serious effort to prepare them
selves for future responsibilities; namely, the public
library.
The public library movement has been growing
rapidly since the impetus given to it by Andrew
Carnegie. In the United States, $500 school and
public libraries each report 5000 or more Volumes
All taken together, they offer to the American read
ing public 155,OOO,OOO volumes.
Here IS stupendous equipment which might be
used to make the United States capable of self-gov-
eminent in economic and political fields alike
The decently equipped public library offers a real
opportunity for those with the ambition to better
their status in life Those without trade or profess
sion can learn vast number of valuable facts about
some form of activity which intrigues their magma
ton, thereby starting themselves on the road to
achievement.
Those who have had training but are out of work
can keep up to date their knowledge of their trades
or professions. Even more important perhaps thew
can get the way to acquiring new code of earn
ing a livelihood.
A second trade has been we'll described by Dean
Russell of Teachers college the new frontier" in
American history. In the old days when a. man was
out of work did not like what he was doing he
could pull up stakes and west to new oppor-
tunities the frontier.
The actual geographical frontier has been closed
since 1890 Yet, if Americans possessed some al
tentative line of activity at which they might sup
port themselves, this would take the place of the
frontier opportunities of the last century This is
particularly necessary today, when inventions are
throwing thousands out of work each year.
There still is third class who might benefit
greatly by more intelligent use of public libraries;
namely, those who wish q college education or bet
ter but not obtain it through conventional
channels There many today who might be in
college but for the depression.
Then there are hundreds who have had to return
home from college because of lack of funds Any
good library give young man or woman the
equivalent of college education outside college walls
The librarian who wishes to educate the youth
of America is not hampered by the absurd curriculum
which has come down into our modern higher edu-
cation illogical and incongruous mosaic COM
pounded from every age of the intellectual history of
mankind since the cave era.
He can select those subjects which really are rele-
want to training person to live intelligently in the
twentieth century.
Adequate reading lists in history, economics soci-
ology government, literature psychology and general
science would enable any ambitious youngster to &C
qure as much we'll organized and useful information
as ne could in the best college or university
The insult boys don't to be enthusiastic about
plans for Homecoming day
Now that Jimmy Walker is back home he can be-
come candidate for Forgotten Man.
Virgil said that the noblest motive of a statesman
is to do the public good" You don't suppose he was
using slang do you?
The political fan who sent four dozen eggs to help
the campaign along may have thought he was provid-
ing the candidates.
AS far as extradition is concerned those former
Chicago magnates seem to have been Insulated