Bulletin of the New Hampshire Public Libraries Volume 10-12 (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. 1914 Excerpt: ...life. The object now is not only to bring books and people together, but to put the people in touch with the library as a social and civic institution. This end can only be reached by a larger community activity. The only question is, how much of the librarian's time and energy may properly be expended on work which lies outside the accepted routine. In my opinion, the town, perhaps in our section of the country, the typical county From PuUic Librariet for May, 1915. seat, offers the best opportunity for working out this newer ideal. It presents a community small enough to give a common interest in its development, and a people welded together by a common purpose, and the ties of kinship and neighborliness. It is imposible in such a community to isolate any one activity, and the library has advantages possessed by no other institution for reaching out and organizing these interests into a working whole. In attempting to do this, perhaps two questions should be considered: What can thus be brought to the library to make it more effective? What can the library give to the community by becoming identified with its activities? The life of the people will likely find expression in the church, the home, the school, the club, the lodge, and in business and amusement. How to relate the work of the library to these is our problem. It seems to me that first of all, the library must take its proper place in the eyes of the people--must be regarded as more than merely a pleasing adjunct to the real life of the town. It is not enough that the leading citizen shall take the chance visitor around and point out the building, and enjoy a classic thrill at the sight of its Corinthian (or Doric or Ionic) columns. It must mean power, influence, moral and intellectual force, as...