Show The Desire to Learn LearnA A A PHENOMENON of the depression h has s been LI the manifest desire the of on part adults to acquire added knowledge Public libraries have set new high records for service to men and women Night schools for adults have drawn large registrations Book publishers have ex experienced experienced experienced ex- ex little slackening of demand for the themore themore themore more serious books Booksellers especially in inthe inthe inthe the second-hand second class classification have found ready sale for old school books and others of instructive instructive tive live nature A great many who have entered special classes or who have sought added knowledge through other channels have been at middle age I or past This suggests that the desire for learning learning learn learn- ing does not pass after schools have been left behind but persists long afterward To an ex extent extent extent ex- ex tent of course depression conditions urged many to attempt to discover new ways to eke I a livelihood With the average individual though it is more likely true that new leisure sent him or her scurrying to books and school rooms Perhaps this has been one of the minor if not major discoveries of the depression With the depression left behind we may expect a continuing desire on the part of older persons for learning and instruction Adult education may take a new of place importance in n our scheme of things When em emergency federal agencies are a thing of the past it will have to be provided without their aid Educators will be doing well to look ahead to this time even though no definite program is drawn or proposed pro pro- posed until its need arrives For many years the extension division of oC the University of Utah has been meeting the need of adults for education after their schooling had haj Man r have Jeen ee edu educators atols atol's in 41 quest guest I of additional degrees but perhaps the greater number have been men and women with the single desire to round out and nd enlarge up upon m their learning as a matter of or culture or better betterto to Lo fit them to discharge their responsibilities in business The year now closing has seen 2527 persons enrolled in courses under the instruction of 86 trained college-trained professors or recognized experts from outside the school fold Professor sor Fred V. W. Reynolds for long has been director of extension rendering the university and the people of the state a fine service in re reporting reporting reporting re- re porting on the years year's work says it has been marked by the serious intent of those enrolled He points to the increasing need for adult education education edu edu- cati cation n in a changing world Inasmuch as the extension division already reaches into every quarter of the state and has a long experience behind it in this important matter of dealing with the adult mind it undoubtedly will be the agency relied upon to carry carryon on this work in the future Professor Reynolds has laid a fine line foundation foundation foundation tion and has erected a fine structure upon it When it takes up its heavier burden of meeting meeting meeting meet meet- ing the need of older men and women it will willbe willbe willbe be prepared to meet its responsibilities Largely an off-campus off enterprise it does docs its work al almost almost almost al- al most out of sight Nevertheless r it is one of the most important services the University of Utah renders It is entitled to recognition for usefulness usefulness usefulness use use- to a much larger extent than has been given Those who have pursued courses grant this without stint Others know little of its work As adult education becomes a more prominent feature of our national life the fame of the extension effort elfort is certain to spread much more widely |