Libraries Volume 3; A Monthly Review of Library Matters and Methods (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ... he termed a library council among the employes of his library, which four years ago he entered with bare walls and empty shelves, and which had gradually grown at the rate of about 20, ooov. a year, employing at present seven assistants, all of whom entered wholly untrained and without library experience. M. S. R. James next read a paper on Assistants' associations and clubs for self-improvement. This paper dealt entirely with this work as carried on in England. It presented a very interesting review of its development, and the paper will appear in full in a future number of Public Libraries. Mr Brett next talked on the subject of Library examination and credentials, in which he advocated an examining board before which those who desire to do library work shall present themselves for exainination, receiving a certificate which shall be current in any part of the country. Mr Uewey followed along the same line, emphasizing the need for such a movement, and citing in evidence the other professions in which the workers are required to follow a certain course of study for a prescribed time, and pass an examination creditably before beginning their practical work. Mr Dewey at the close of his remarks made a motion, which was carried, that the executive board be requested to formulate a plan looking to a system of library examinations and credentials. Gardner M. Jones then read a paper on Library periodicals, giving the list of those which have been pub'ished and the scope of some of them. He advised every library to consider the three American periodicals a necessary part of its working equipment; to subscribe for the current, and as soon as its means allow, to fill up back sets. A very effective and valuable address on this subject was next given by Tessa L. Kel..