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                         PAPERS AND PROCEEDINGS

                                 OF THE

                      TWENTY-THIRD GENERAL MEETING

                                 OF THE

                      AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

                                HELD AT

                          WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN

                               JULY 4-10

                                  1901


                            PUBLISHED BY THE

                      AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

                                  1901




                               CONTENTS.


                      TITLE.                            AUTHOR.    PAGE.

  Address of the President                       _Henry J. Carr_       1

  What may be done for libraries by the city     _T. L. Montgomery_    5

  What may be done for libraries by the state    _E. A. Birge_         7

  What may be done for libraries by the nation   _Herbert Putnam_      9

  The trusteeship of literature--I.              _George Iles_        16

   "       "      "       "      II.             _R. T. Ely_          22

  Book copyright                                 _Thorvald Solberg_   24

  The relationship of publishers, booksellers
      and librarians                             _W. Millard Palmer_  31

  Library buildings                              _W. R. Eastman_      38

  The relationship of the architect to the
       librarian                                 _J. L. Mauran _      43

  The departmental library                       _J. T. Gerould_      46

  Suggestions for an annual list of American}
      theses for the degree of doctor of    }    _W. W. Bishop_       50
      philosophy                            }

  Opportunities                                  _Gratia Countryman_  52

  Some principles of book and picture selection  _G. E. Wire_         54

  Book reviews, book lists, and articles on    }
      children's reading: Are they of practical} _Caroline M. Hewins_ 57
      value to the children's librarian?       }

  Books for children:
      I. Fiction                                 _Winifred L. Taylor_ 63
     II. Fairy tales                             _Abby L. Sargent_    66
    III. Science                                 _Ella A. Holmes_     69

  Bulletin work for children                     _Charlotte E.
                                                             Wallace_ 72

  Reference work with children                   _Harriet H. Stanley_ 74

  Vitalizing the relation between the library
      and the school:

      I. The school                              _May L. Prentice_    78
     II. The library                             _Irene Warren_       81

  Opening a children's room                      _Clara W. Hunt_      83

  Report on gifts and bequests, 1900-1901        _G. W. Cole_         87

  Report of the A. L. A. Publishing Board        _J. Le Roy
                                                           Harrison_ 103


  Proceedings                                                    107-141

  First Session: Public meeting                                      107

  Second Session                                                 107-118
    Secretary's report                                               107
    Treasurer's report and necrology                                 108
    Report of Trustees of Endowment Fund                             111
    Report of Co-operation Committee                                 113
    Report of Committee on Foreign Documents                         113
    Report of Committee on Title-pages and Indexes of
      Periodical Volumes                                             114
    Report of Committee on "International Catalogue of
      Scientific Literature"                                         116
    Memorial to John Fiske                                           117

  Third Session                                                  118-125
    Report of Committee on Public Documents                          118
    Report of Committee on Co-operation with N. E. A.                120
    Report of Committee on International Co-operation                122
    Report of Committee on Library Training                          124
    Collection and cataloging of early
        newspapers.                              _W. Beer_           124
    Some principles of book and picture selection                    124

  Fourth Session                                                 125-127
    Some experiences in foreign libraries.       _Mary W. Plummer_   125
    From the reader's point of view, and the era of the
        placard.                                 _J. K. Hosmer_      127

  Fifth Session                                                  127-137
    Report on gifts and bequests                                     127
    Report of A. L. A. Publishing Board                              127
    Invitation from L. A. U. K.                                      128
    Report of Committee on Handbook of American libraries            128
    By-laws                                                          129
    Memorial to John Fiske                                           130
    Co-operative list of children's books                            130
    Printed catalog cards                                            131
    Book copyright                                                   131
    Trusteeship of literature                                        131
    Relationship of publishers, booksellers and librarians           134

  Sixth Session                                                  137-140
    Relationship of publishers, booksellers and
        librarians, _continued_                                      137

  Seventh Session                                                141-142
    Election of officers                                             141
    Report of Committee on Resolutions                               141

  College and Reference Section                                  142-145

  Catalog Section                                                146-162

  Section for Children's Librarians                              163-170

  Round Table Meeting: State Library Commissions and
      Traveling Libraries                                        171-183

  Round Table Meeting: Work of State Library Associations
      and Women's Clubs in Advancing Library Interests           183-195

  Trustees' Section                                                  196


  Round Table Meeting: Professional Instruction in
       Bibliography                                              197-205

  Transactions of Council and Executive Board                    206-208

  Elementary Institute                                               208

  Illinois State Library School Alumni Association                   208

  The social side of the Waukesha conference
                                                 _Julia T. Rankin_   209

  Officers and Committees                                            211

  Attendance register                                                212

  Attendance summaries.                          _Nina E. Browne_    218




                       CONFERENCE OF LIBRARIANS.

                         _WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN._

                            JULY 4-10, 1901.

              BEING A LIBRARIAN: ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.

      BY HENRY J. CARR, _Librarian Scranton (Pa.) Public Library_.


In your presence, and in addressing you to-night as presiding officer, I
feel to a far greater extent than I can express in words the high honor
that has been conferred in each instance upon all who from time to time
have been chosen to serve as a president of this particular association.

There is in this present age, to be sure, no lack of those popular and
peculiar entities termed associations--associations of many kinds, and
for almost every conceivable purpose. Throughout the entire continent
there exist few, perhaps none, whose history, objects, and work, have
warranted a more justifiable pride in being a member thereof, than is
found in being a member of the American Library Association.

It may here be said that conditions and circumstances have been
favorable to the success of the A. L. A.; not the least of which has
been the faithful loyalty of its individual members. We realize, too,
that even time has dealt leniently with it, upon noting that of the 64
members who attended its first meeting, held at Philadelphia twenty-five
years ago, but 18 have died, and that 20 persons are yet included in its
membership list out of the 69 who joined the association in 1876, that
initial year. Some of that original number, much to our gratification,
are present with us at this 23d general meeting.

Considering its purely voluntary nature, the migratory holding of its
successive meetings in different parts of the land, and the notable
avoidance of fads, or any tendency towards selfish ends that might
otherwise mark its united efforts, it becomes almost a matter of
surprise that so many persons have unfalteringly kept up their
allegiance from year to year ever since the time of their joining the
association. But, as a matter of fact, the A. L. A. has at no time
fallen off in its total membership; and at this date it numbers nearly
one thousand contributing members paying dues for the current year.

The American Library Association has now attained a period of
twenty-five years in its history--a quarter of a century. During that
time, in the addresses given at its general meetings, as well as in the
multiplicity of noteworthy and valuable papers contributed to its
Proceedings, and the sundry publications devoted to library interests,
it would appear as if there must have been presented almost every
conceivable phase of library thought and sentiment. Can anything new be
said, or old ideas placed in a new light, so as to be worthy of hearing
and attention at this time? I fear not, except as some lessons may be
drawn from the experience of one's past work, perhaps, that shall serve
to aid yet others who are to tread like paths in life.

I beg, therefore, that you will bear with me for a short space of time
while I give expression to some thoughts drawn from the experience of
myself and others while Being a Librarian.

Without now restricting their application to particular phases of
librarianship, let us at the outset consider them as relating to any and
all conditions of it as a vocation. "Why did you take up library work?"
is a question not infrequently asked. To that query various answer may
be given, according to the individual views of the persons replying.
Perhaps one general reason, that in a certain way has had its
unconscious influence upon many of us, is best stated in the following
characteristic passage from the "Book-hunter:"

"To every man of our Saxon race endowed with full health and strength,
there is committed the custody of a restless demon, for which he is
doomed to find ceaseless excitement, either in honest work, or some less
profitable or more mischievous occupation. Countless have been the
projects of man to open up for this fiend fields of exertion great
enough for the absorption of its tireless energies, and none of them is
more hopeful than the great world of books, if the demon is docile
enough to be coaxed into it."

Since Burton's day the "great world of books" has taken on many phases
of which he never dreamed. And we, as librarians, may reasonably believe
that if not entirely a part and parcel of it, we are nevertheless called
upon to deal with that "world" in almost every form, and are ourselves
more or less important factors in it. We may not be called upon to adopt
the "strenuous life," or seek to impart it to the conduct and activities
of others. But necessarily we are and must be accustomed to "doing
things"; and, by that very doing, will in some degree, each in our own
field, inspire and influence others also.

Furthermore, do we not find _our_ "restless demon of work" more
agreeably inclined and contentedly occupied in the library field than in
other lines of life which we may have previously entered into? I, for
one, certainly think so, even though we may not have had that idea in
mind at the outset, or when making the change. And, too, that we derive
a certain feeling of encouragement akin to inspiration, that in itself
renders _us_ contented and happy, when responding to the varied demands
on our time and energy that are entailed by our positions as librarians.
That is half the battle, the rest being but a question of persistence in
the application of means and ability.

Therefore, in the consoling words of one of Elbert Hubbard's salient
sayings: "Blessed is that man who has found his work."

It is not the purpose of these present remarks to set forth particularly
the compensations in a librarian's work; neither the advantages or
disadvantages, the opportunities or drawbacks therein. Those factors
have all been frequently and well discussed in prior years, by some of
our well-known associates and various contributors to library
literature. I desire, rather, to suggest some features and relationships
connected with our work as a profession, from which an occasional lesson
may be taken, and possibly a word of encouragement, if such be needed.

First of all, is librarianship a profession? Does it possess the
characteristics that make it such; and is that work more nearly
professional than otherwise, which lies at its hands to be done? Some
such queries were propounded to me by the president of a state library
association one day last fall, as we were journeying together to an
annual meeting. He, himself, had been a teacher and an educational
administrator for a number of years before becoming a librarian; and of
the recognized professional standing of his _former_ occupation there
could be no doubt.

My first, and off-hand, answer was to the effect that librarianship
certainly has many professional features, even though its being a true
and undoubted profession in every respect might be disputed now and
then. Going further into this question of professional status, however,
it will be found that the literature of views and discussions thereon,
pro and con, is by no means small. For one of us to now express a doubt
that librarianship, as a whole, is a profession, would be almost
presumptuous; and I, for one, do not propose to do so. My thesis, so far
as it relates to the present remarks, is in affirmation of the claim;
not only that it is a profession--our profession--but really the
profession of professions!

All other professions now depend to a considerable extent upon that of
the librarian for the custodianship of their literature, without whose
care much of it might be lost. We may not be able to transmit to future
eras such enduring records of antiquity as has been done by the
librarian of old in his collection of clay tablets (which now serve to
tell us of the affairs of mankind as transacted thousands of years ago),
but it is certain that we are doing our part towards making modern
literature available in disseminating it, and in preserving it as far as
lies in our power.

Cotemporaneous with the organization of this association Melvil Dewey
made the following decided and well-supported assertion: "The time has
at last come when a librarian, may, without assumption, speak of his
occupation as a profession." I cite Mr. Dewey's words, not as
necessarily conclusive, but because he has ever been an active and
constant supporter of that doctrine in both his work as a librarian, as
a noted stimulator of the library movement, and as an originator of
professional instruction of other librarians. Similar enthusiastic and
persistent efforts on the part of librarians generally may do much
towards the furtherance of such features, and the consequent development
of librarianship as a profession in all its aspects.

Let us now consider for a few moments some features of resemblance and
diversity between the library profession and others quite as well or
better known. It has been said that the library exists chiefly for the
use of its patrons, and that the librarian is necessarily and
essentially a servant. Therefore the librarian must, of equal necessity,
earn a livelihood or receive compensation of some kind for his services.
All of which, in the main, is true of the professions generally, as will
be seen from a brief statement of circumstances.

Doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, artists, etc., are engaged by
and receive pay from their respective clients. The clergy are supported
by contributions of their church members or from denominational
resources. Teachers in the public schools are paid from public taxes,
while those of private schools, or endowed institutions, receive their
compensation from various sources.

The clergy and teachers, as a rule, like most librarians, no matter how
willing or how well qualified, are under the further necessity of
obtaining a "call," or position, as a prerequisite to the exercise of
their professional faculties. In that respect they are at a disadvantage
in comparison with those practitioners in the other professions, already
named, who can go to any locality, solicit clients and seek business
opportunities, with reasonable assurance of obtaining both according to
place and the circumstances of supply and demand.

In some of the professions, both the so-called "learned" and the
practical ones, there have been developed certain well recognized
differentiations and specializations of professional work. Those lines
have usually been taken up in response to what has seemed a reasonable
demand for them; and in their exercise have not unfrequently brought
both reputation and corresponding remuneration to the specialists.

Possibly the time has arrived for doing much more of that nature in the
library profession than has yet been customary. And there are those
among us, possessing a due amount of working experience coupled with
knowledge of other and allied affairs, who might now do well to devote
themselves to some special features of library enterprise as a matter of
desirable business opportunity. Some from the library schools, and a few
others, have gone out as "organizers," and found more or less of a field
for the exercise of their limited special qualifications. The field
ought to be a growing one, it would seem, if recourse to incompetent aid
is carefully avoided.

But the offices of "consulting librarianship," while possessing many
desirable and much needed features, do not appear to be practised as a
specific function. Something of the kind has been urged in past years,
to be sure, and several well-known librarians did undertake at different
times to supply such services. Sooner or later, however, each one was
persuaded into a more certain, or better compensated, and permanent,
position of local librarianship, and thereupon abandoned that special
line of work.

In this era of the establishment of so many new libraries, small and
great, and of the gift of hundreds of buildings for such purposes, there
is a decided need for the effective services which a consulting
librarian might render; and this to a greater extent than is yet fully
understood or appreciated. Lacking such, some librarians and more
library trustees work too often at a disadvantage. Many more, too, are
burdened with repeated calls for information which more properly ought
to be obtained from an independent expert; one so situated as to take an
unbiased view of circumstances and equally able to give advice best
suited to the particular case in hand. Serious mistakes are sometimes
made in the preliminary details of new library enterprises that might
be just as easily avoided by the employment of a competent and paid
professional adviser.

Turning now to another side of our subject, and considering the relation
of the individual librarians rather than of the profession as a class, a
few words upon personal actions may not be out of place. A librarian's
position is usually of a public or semi-public nature; ability for its
duties is implied; and the compensation received is for present services
as a rule, rather than as a reward of merit. In order that the library
shall perform all that is expected of it, not only in being to some
extent an ever-running machine but equally in respect to its recognized
higher functions, there must be the application of watchful care,
constant attention, foresight, and unremitting work. The direction of
all of which, and perhaps much of its actual execution, must depend upon
the person placed in charge of the institution as its librarian.

It is true that, having a well-trained body of assistants, a library may
be able to run on for a time in the prolonged absence of, or when
lacking, a chief; because impetus and the effects of past direction are
not lost at once, provided that no demoralization has taken place. But
it is not a safe policy to allow a library, or other working institution
that depends largely upon the work of trained employees for its
effectiveness, to go long at a time without the presence and oversight
of an actual and capable head.

Yet it does not follow that the working hours of chief librarians should
be absorbed in attending to innumerable and trivial items of detail
which might be delegated to and done quite as well, or better, by their
assistants. Not only is "genius a capacity for evading hard work," as
has been said, but one of the proper duties of the executive of a
library is to obtain the best results possible from the respective
capacities of those through whom the library does its work. All of which
should imply the exercise of a kindly and broad-minded disposition
towards one's assistants, just as truly as of respect and obedience to
one's superiors, or of courtesy and suavity in dealing with customers
and the public. It may be only human for one to desire to be that "king
of his world," of whom Carlyle speaks; but any policy which reduces the
assistants to mere machines is not a true professional one, since it
tends to rob the library world of talent which is needed and, except for
such repression, might be developed and brought forward.

On the other hand I might plead no less for corresponding loyalty and
fidelity on the part of all library workers, both to their respective
chiefs and the institutions that employ them. As a matter of