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Show the 2 Optic, Alger, and Castlemon, the reading of the young can be greatly improved in quality and still not diminish in quantity. The work, however, cannot be done by librarians alone ; there should be a on the part of all hearty those engaged in the noble work of the upbuilding of humanity. In the first place there is need y of fearless book reviews, that sound no uncertain note. As an example of the courage of conviction in this respect, the following from The Con gregationalist may be commended: A new edition of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass is issued, and the highest praise which can be given it is, it is printed and bound very tastefully. Although Whitman had occasional and sometimes striking poetical conceptions, he was very far from being a poet, and his admirers appear to be more under the influence of misguided enthusiasm than of common sense or a true conception of poetry. A few of his compositions are meritorious the few which usually are mentioned in connection with his name notably, 0 Captain, My Captain but most of his poems are rubbish, and it is an imposition upon the reading public for any writer to offer it such maudlin, grotesque, and sometimes indecent productions as many of his, expecting them to be accepted as real true poetry. A different opinion concerning Whitman is honestly entertained by many, but the reviewer above quoted is worthy of imitation in respect to the independent, positive way in which he expressed his opinion. Again, the assistance of the public is needed in the great work of the evaluation of books, in which the opinions of competent persons are sought in regard to the character, purpose, language, and accuracy of books. These enable the librarian to obtain an idea of the nature of the thousands of books within his control, which he himself could never find the co-operati- on to-da- -- ! COfiftS DRY Straight-from-the-should- tximpetitive er price-pounciiDgtwi- xt minds we must encourage s books. The the reading of series of articles in The Forum a few What books have years ago on helped me, showed plainly the kind of meat our intellectual Csesars have in time to read. Again, particularly with the reading of children, first-clas- s first-clas- dealing there should be far greater on the part of the home and the school. Parents should watch careco-operati- on children. fully the reading of their When we consider the important influence books have on character, the indifference of most parents, who are nevertheless making great sacrifices to educate their children, is a matter of constant surprise. The great interest manifested by Women's Clubs in regard to children's literature warrants the hope of much improvement in the immediate future. In the schools there should be greater supervision of the reading of children on the part of teachers. Questions fed upon. In regard to the reading of the young there is another point that ought to be especially emphasized : their reading should be tested to see whether they are observant or not ; whether they simply skim through a book, or whether they really read it and gain something from it. In the Crete public library slips of this kind have been placed in juvenile books: Please fill out blank and return it to the library. Sex. Age. similar to the following should be Title of book. occasionally put to the pupils, and the answers carefully studied and advice given Author. How do you like the book Reasons for your opinion. : What books have you read during (mentioning some period)? 2. Which one of these books did you like best? 3. Why did you like that book? 4. What book have you ever read 1 . What books have you read that you did not like? 6. Why did y m not like it ? We know from Emerson's biographers what in great measure made him the man he was, and yet, while it would be disastrous to commend his 5. example too highly, pupils should be constantly encouraged to read good books outside of their studies, and supplementary to them. His words on this subject are worthy of consideration : The pupils shall have no book but school books in the schoolrooms; but if one have brought in a Plutarch or Shakespeare or Don Quixote or Goldsmith or any other good book, and understands what he reads, puts him at once at the head of his class. Fhe reading of such books should be made a legitimate part oif the course. If we are to develope ? Principal characters. Traits of same. Is the book true to life? The advantages gained from answering these questions are at once apparent. Children need a little encouragement to do it, but their natuno ral impulse to write splendid, good, on books may be successfully that you liked better ? appealed to. . The existence of the public library, supported by taxation, is justified, as that of the public school, by reason of its contribution to the enlightenment of the community. Civilization cannot exist without these institutions. The library is performing its legitimate function then only when its influence is wholly good and uplifting. The work of the past, says librarian Brett, has been done by cordial earnest rians. The greater future will be done operation between all forces. W. E. co-operati- on between librawork of the by a like co- the educational Jillson, Librarian, Doane College. GOODS STORE, DRESS Got a stock of review. 222 and 224 Main St, GOODS JVBIVS. arguments here in thn snaPe Home and Foreign Weaves, makers and importers puts these Stylish lots before you with big fractions knocked off from the original figures. CALL AND INVESTIGATE FOR YOURSESVES IS ALL WE ASK. |
