SENSATIONAL FICTION IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES,

AND

PERSONAL

RELATIONS

BETWEEN

LIBRARIANS

Two

AND

READERS:

PAPERS READ AT MEETINGS OF LIBRARIANS,

SAMUEL

S.

GREEN,

LIBRARIAN OF THE F R E E PUBLIC LIBRARY, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

PKESS

OF

CHAS.

CENTRAL

HAMILTON,

EXCHANGE.

1 879.

NOTE.

The second paper in this pamphlet is reprinted here because the
original edition has become exhausted and librarians and others still
desire to obtain copies of it. I t was first printed in pamphlet form at
the request of the Directors of the Free Public Library, Worcester,
Massachusetts, who asked for its publication on the ground that
" its general circulation would be of value as bringing to the notice
of the community the work accomplished and methods pursued "
in the Library in Worcester.
Both papers first appeared in the Library Journal.

CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE DESIRA­
BILITY OF HAVING SENSATIONAL FICTION
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES A N D SOME PRAC­
TICAL SUGGESTIONS I N R E G A R D TO
THE REGULATION OF THE USE
OF NOVELS AND STORIES
FOR THE YOUNG.

A P A P E R READ AT THE T H I R D GENERAL M E E T I N G OP THE AMERICAN
LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, AT BOSTON, J U L Y 1, 1 8 7 9 .

"WERE it necessary, it would be easy to show t h a t good
novels and stories for the y o u n g aid materially in the work
of educating children and men, and t h a t they are of g r e a t
value on account of the power which lies in them of afford­
ing rational e n t e r t a i n m e n t .
T h e mother reads to h e r boy Miss E d g e w o r t h ' s account of
the Little Merchants, and he learns that fair dealing is t h e
dictate of p r u d e n c e . • She constructs a simple story to show
what hideous things cruelty and meanness are, and the
soft hearts of her children respond and feel impulses t h a t
help t h e m to become tender and generous. A prized ac­
quaintance of mine, who is a skilful educator and who has
a family of children, tells me t h a t he always keeps a well illus­
trated copy of JEsop's Fables lying a r o u n d the n u r s e r y .
W h e n one copy wears out he replaces it. with another.
The
pictures cultivate the taste and lead to inquiries as to w h a t is
said in explanation of t h e m . T h u s an opportunity is given
to i m p a r t useful lessons in morality. T h e child sees t h a t t h e
boy who cried wolf when there was no wolf fared hard after­
wards, because h e had destroyed t h a t confidence in his word

4
which would have b r o u g h t him assistance when d a n g e r was
really p r e s e n t .
A n acquaintance tells m e t h a t the example of H a r d y , t h e
Servitor, in T o m Brown at Oxford had a powerful influence
in forming the ideal which attracted him as he was e n t e r i n g
u p o n the duties of m a n h o o d .
A distinguished clergyman of the P r o t e s t a n t Episcopal
Church says, in a p a p e r on T h e Novel and its Influence u p o n
M o d e r n Life read at the annual Congress held in Cincinnati last
October : " F o r one, I may say t h a t I would cheerfully d r o p
out of my own past a good many influences t h a t I value,
sooner than lose those t h a t came to me, some twenty years
ago, from the writings of the late Charles Kingsley.
What
the author of A l t o n Locke,' ' T e a s t ' and ' H y p a t i a ' did
for y o u n g men whose notions were t a k i n g to themselves
form in those days, some one, no doubt, is doing for the same
class now.
I t is a good, a gracious work, and he is blest
who has the power to do it well."
I t is to the best story-tellers that w e owe the g r e a t e r por­
tion of what knowledge we have of the life led in other
lands. Dickens in a Tale of T w o Cities and Baring-Gould
in I n E x i t u Israel (Gabrielle A n d r e ) make us feel that t h e
F r e n c h common people were g r o u n d under foot by the
clergy and nobles and t h a t the F r e n c h Revolution, horrible
as w ere its incidents, was the n a t u r a l result of such oppres­
sion. W e read the Conscript and W a t e r l o o by E r c k m a n n Chatrian and learn what t h o u g h t s and feelings agitated t h e
hearts of F r e n c h m e n and the incidents of their lives d u r i n g
the wars of N a p o l e o n .
A d m i r a b l e p o p u l a r statements of the province of good
novels in enabling us to enter into the life of men in for­
eign countries and engaged in occupations different from our
own as well as in cultivating the imagination in other respects
may be found in Professor Atkinson's excellent lecture on the
R i g h t Use of Books and in certain chapters of Books and Read­
ing by N o a h P o r t e r , P r e s i d e n t of T a l e College.
I t is
6

r

5
enough for me to say t h a t comparatively few readers enjoy
poetry and that if the imagination of people generally is to
be cultivated it must be by means of good stories.
T h a c k e r a y and George Eliot give us a profound insight
into the motives of h u m a n action and Dickens, although his
pathos is sometimes " coarse and histrionic," has done a g r e a t
work in awakening slumbering emotion and quickening
healthy s y m p a t h y .
Every one who r e m e m b e r s the harmless enjoyment which h e
derived from r e a d i n g T h e Good A u n t , T h e Good F r e n c h
Governess, T h e Prussian V a s e and other stories by Miss
E d g e w o r t h , T h e Crofton Boys and F e a t s on the F i o r d by
Miss Martineau, M a s t e r m a n R e a d y by M a r r y at or D e F o e ' s
Robinson Crusoe wishes his children to enjoy the same
rational amusement. All are grateful for the hours of re­
freshing enjoyment found in the company of the heroes of
Scott, M r s . Gaskell, M r s . Oliphant and "William Black.
W i t h these few r e m a r k s I take it for g r a n t e d t h a t nearly all
librarians and friends of education consider novel reading de­
sirable when t h e selection of books read is judicious a n d
when the practice is indulged in only in moderation, and
t h a t it is not only harmless but very profitable for children
to read story-books provided they are of the right kind and
not used in excess.
A considerable portion, then, of the books in a p o p u l a r
library must be novels and stories if the institution is to do
its whole work in a community.
I t is well to state here, emphatically, that a town in estab­
lishing a library aims not only at giving instruction but seeks
also to afford rational e n t e r t a i n m e n t and that this purpose
should be k e p t in mind in deciding how m a n y stories should
be p u t into it.
B y common consent the governments of towns and cities
spend money in beautifying parks and public gardens, in
providing fountains, in making public buildings elegant and
imposing, in furnishing music during summer evenings, in

6
affording pageants, regattas, fireworks, e n t e r t a i n m e n t s , on t h e
F o u r t h of J u l y and in other ways for things which are n o t
absolutely necessary, with t h e avowed purpose of m a k i n g
t h e towns pleasant places to live in and life therein agreeable.
This is a dangerous principle to act upon habitually, and
n o one would countenance the doctrine if carried to the ex­
cess of m a k i n g gratuitous distributions of corn as in ancient
R o m e , or of subsidizing theatres as in P a r i s and other cities
of E u r o p e to-day.
I n the case of libraries it is held to be wise and p r o p e r to
spend a m o d e r a t e sum of money in encouraging citizens to
read good books even although they only read for entertain­
ment, and to use the facilities of institutions founded pri­
marily to give instruction in p r o m o t i n g such a use of time
as will tend to repress idleness and crime and afford rational
entertainment.
I s it n o t particularly i m p o r t a n t to-day t h a t the feeling of
benevolence should become intense in individuals and com­
munities and that the unquiet laborer should have it m a d e
clear to him t h a t there is the disposition on the part of men
who h a v e monejr, to do every reasonable t h i n g to secure his
comfort and happiness %
Is it p r o p e r to have sensational novels and highly spiced
stories for the y o u n g in public libraries ?
L e t it b e understood at the start t h a t no librarian would
think of p u t t i n g an i m m o r a l book into a library. F o r
myself I would keep out of libraries books of the class
which most of the novels of the w o m a n who assumes t h e
nom de jplume of Ouida represent, on the g r o u n d t h a t while
not positively immoral they still leave a taint on a p u r e
mind and a bad taste in the mouth. I would exclude trans­
lations of many F r e n c h novels, because students of F r e n c h
literature and most other persons w ho ought to be allowed
to read t h e m find them accessible in the original. Such
stories as Gautier's Mademoiselle de Maupin I would give out
only with discrimination even in the original.
I would place
r

7
certain restrictions on the use of the novels of Smollett and
Fielding because while in m a n y respects works of the first
order it is best t h a t the y o u n g should read only such books
as preserve a certain reticence in r e g a r d to subjects freely
talked and written about in the last century.
Let it be distinctly understood t h a t no m e m b e r of this
association would think of buying for his library books such
as those which are spoken of with condemnation by P r o ­
fessor William G. S u m n e r in the article W h a t our boys are
reading.
A l t h o u g h t h a t excellent man, the late G e n e r a l William F .
Bartlett, believed it was best to p u t D i m e novels into public
libraries I p r e s u m e most of the ladies and gentlemen h e r e
present would consider it unnecessary to start the unintelli­
g e n t reader even, with books of so low a grade. D i m e
novels be it understood are not immoral. T h e objection to
t h e m is that they are bloody and very exciting.
T h e question to which good men who have studied library
economy give different answers, is whether such books as
those of which t h e writings of William T . A d a m s (" Oliver
Optic ") and H o r a t i o A l g e r , J r . , are examples among books
provided for t h e y o u n g and of M r s . Southworth and M r s .
H e n t z , a m o n g works wished for by older persons, ought to
find a place in public libraries.
I reserve m y own answer to this question until I have
discussed the subject. Books of the kind referred to depend
for their power to interest the r e a d e r u p o n t h e presence in
t h e m of accounts of startling incidents and not upon a descrip­
tion of the processes by which interesting conjunctions in
life g r o w out of character or u p o n narration replete with
fine imagination or delicate h u m o r .
These books are n o t condemned, however, because they
have an interesting plot, b u t because the incidents are start­
ling and u n n a t u r a l and the sole reliance of the writer for
attracting r e a d e r s . T h e y have little literary merit and give
us incorrect pictures of life.

8
This is a correct description of sensational novels and
stories. T h e y are poor books. P o o r as they are, however,
they have a work to do in the world. M a n y persons need
t h e m . T h e y have been written by men who mean well.
M r . A d a m s is a m e m b e r of the school committee of t h e
city of Boston, and if I am rightly informed was for m a n y
years Superintendent of a Sunday School. M r . A l g e r is a
son of a clergyman, and himself a g r a d u a t e of H a r v a r d
College and the Divinity School at Cambridge. M r . A d a m s
has stated in a letter which was m a d e public several years
ago, t h a t h e was moved to write stories for the y o u n g b y
t h e desire to provide them with more wholesome books t h a n
were available, and to keep them from the stories of pirates
and h i g h w a y m e n which formed a large p a r t of t h e litera­
t u r e of y o u n g persons in his boyhood.
I n carrying out his purpose it seems to me he has been
measurably successful. T h e r e are m a n y uneducated boys
who need sensational stories. T h e r e are m a n y unintellectual men and women who need sensational novels. Intellect­
ual men like this kind of reading when they are tired or
sick.
I feel grateful to Charles R e a d e and Dion Boucieault,
t h a t when suffering from an attack of rheumatic fever they
enabled me to forget my pains while listening to the stirring
chapters of their novel of F o u l P l a y .
I r e m e m b e r t h a t the tone of my system was at one time
so low, t h a t it was pleasant for m e to find an occupation in
r e a d i n g the parts of the G u n M a k e r of Moscow, by Sylvanus
Cobb, J r . , as they a p p e a r e d in successive n u m b e r s of t h e
New-York Ledger.
T h e r e are classes in the community of grown u p persons
and of children who require exciting stories if they are to
read at all, and there are times in every m a n ' s life w h e n h e
craves such books and when it is well for him to read t h e m .
Such exciting stories as are found in t h e circulating
d e p a r t m e n t s of our libraries do good in two ways. T h e y

9
keep men and women and boys from worse reading. I
h e a r d a year or two ago of the formation of a club a m o n g
some boys to b u y D i m e novels, copies of the Police Gazette
and other books and periodicals from a railroad stall or
newsroom. N o w I felt very sure that if these boys had not
been considered too y o u n g to take books from the public
library, b u t had been allowed to read the stories of Messrs.
A l g e r and A d a m s , t h a t they would have been contented
with these books and not have sought worse reading.
I t came to m y knowledge about the same time that a girl
carried with h e r to a school of the Society of Friends w h e r e
only serious reading was allowed, a t r u n k , the bottom of
w hich was lined with dime novels. These were passed a r o u n d
clandestinely a m o n g the scholars and read by a large
portion of t h e m . I n order to keep boys and girls from read­
ing such books as Professor S u m n e r rightly condemns we
must give them interesting books that are better. B u t sensa­
tional books in the circulating d e p a r t m e n t s of our public
libraries do good in another way. T h e y give y o u n g persons
a taste for reading. I t is certainly b e t t e r for certain classes
of persons to read exciting stories than to be doing what
they would be doing if not reading.
I t is better to repress
idleness in persons, the lower p a r t of whose n a t u r e is sure to
be awakened if they are not pleasantly employed.
It cer­
tainly is a benefit done to such persons to enable t h e m to
g r o w up with a love of reading, even although they will read
only sensational books and their taste does not improve in
r e g a r d to the selection of books.
B u t the taste of m a n y
persons does improve. Y o u smile as I m a k e this assertion.
I t is becoming fashionable to sneer when the librarian says
t h a t the boy who begins with reading exciting books comes
afterwards to enjoy a better class of literature. T h e r e is
t r u t h in the statement, nevertheless. A*boy begins by read­
ing A l g e r ' s books. H e goes to school. H i s mind matures.
H e outgrows the books that pleased him as a boy. If boys
and girls grow up with a dislike of reading or without feel2
T

10
ing attracted towards this occupation they will not read any­
t h i n g . B u t if a love of reading has been cultivated by giv­
i n g them when y o u n g such books as they enjoy reading then
they will turn naturally to r e a d i n g as an employment of their
leisure and will read such books as correspond to the g r a d e
of culture and the stage of intellectual development reached
by t h e m . T h e y will thus be saved from idleness and vice.
I have no doubt t h a t h a r m comes to some y o u n g persons
from r e a d i n g the books of Oliver Optic, and 1 k n o w t h a t a
g r e a t deal of time is wasted in reading t h e m .
Boys occa­
sionally r u n away from h o m e , influenced by reading t h e m .
T h e boys described in these books are not boys b u t prodigies.
I t is easy for t h e m to r u n a steamboat through a dangerous
channel and they are capable business men and b a n k officers.
These books are likely to leave the impression upon the minds
of the y o u n g that they can get along by themselves without the
support and guidance of p a r e n t s and friends. B u t I take it
comparatively few persons are deceived by these books while
t h e g r e a t bulk of readers get from them merely the enjoy­
m e n t of the story. P e r h a p s there is no book that the aver­
age Irish boy likes better than one of Mr. A l g e r ' s stories.
N o w such a boy is likely to learn t h a t his powers are subject
to limitations and not be lad by these books to feel an over­
weening self-reliance.
I have no doubt t h a t girls sometimes get w r o n g notions
from reading such novels as are to be found in our libraries
and are led to do in consequence very silly or bad t h i n g s ;
b u t I fear that such persons are so weak t h a t if they did
not read novels they would become, without t h e occupation
of reading, a prey to m u c h worse pursuits.
So m u c h for the advantages which flow from the use of
sensational novels and stories. If so great as represented, is
it best to restrict their use ? Certainly. I t is i m p o r t a n t to
raise up the ignorant and vicious. I t is i m p o r t a n t , also, t h a t
in doing this good work we do as little h a r m as possible to
boys and girls who are b r i g h t and better educated and who
have been b r o u g h t u p well.

11
I feel no g r e a t concern in regard to grown-up persons
whose minds are somewhat m a t u r e and w hose habits are
fixed. B u t I do feel much anxiety in r e g a r d to the y o u n g .
T h e great difficulty in this m a t t e r is to m a k e such a r r a n g e ­
ments that every class of readers will get the best books
they will read and that such persons will be k e p t from poor
books as would be satisfied with good ones if more exciting
reading of a lower grade were not readily accessible.
Shall we p u t sensational novels and stories into p o p u l a r
libraries ?
I t will not do to say that we should leave out stories of
this kind prepared for the young, but put in novels for older
persons, for it is these very novels, the writings of M r s .
S o u t h w o r t h and M r s . H o l m e s , that our girls read.
I presume that nearly all the librarians present believe t h a t
it is best t h a t somewhere or other sensational stories should
be accessible in many towns. T h e r e are some towns w h e r e ,
it seems to me, the population is such t h a t the people would
be very well satisfied with a library which left out sensational
books or which put on to its shelves only a very few books of
this kind.
W h e n called upon recently to select a few h u n d r e d dollars
worth of books for y o u n g persons in such a town, I did
not p u t on the list a single book by Adams, Alger, Kellogg,
M a y n e Keid, Fosdick (" C a s t l e m o n " ) , or any other sensa­
tional writer for the y o u n g . H a d there been a g r e a t shoeshop or cotton factory in the town for whose people I was
providing books, and sensational works of a good quality had
not been elsewhere accessible to operatives, I should have
p u t a small supply of t h e books of the authors j u s t men­
tioned into the library.
T

T h e best thing to do in such a case, however, is, it seems
to m e , to have a branch library supplied with a considerable
proportion of exciting stories in the factory itself or in the
p a r t of the town where the operatives live and keep the main
library almost free from sensational literature. T h e pro-

12
prietors of shops and factories would subscribe liberally, I
think, towards the establishment and maintenance of such
collections and allow officers of the corporations to act as
assistant-librarians. I apprehend these libraries could be
made acceptable to readers even if a considerable portion of
t t h e stories in them were of a comparatively high order.
T h u s Trowbridge's N e i g h b o r Jackwood, Miss Y o n g e ' s
H e i r of Eedcliffe, M a r y B a r t o n by M r s . Gaskell, are enjoyed
by simple readers.
Should not the demagogue interfere it seems to me t h a t a
similar policy could be pursued in large cities and t h a t branch
libraries might be established in such wards as need highly
spiced literature containing many books of this kind, and
thus other readers be kept from wasting their time in read­
ing books which, although civilizing in the case of some
readers, are not good enough for t h e m .
I t is understood, of course, t h a t persons using b r a n c h
libraries should have the privilege of taking books from t h e
central repository also.
I understand t h a t there have been no complaints from the
inhabitants of J a m a i c a P l a i n , because but few sensational
books, for grown-up persons, are to be found in their b r a n c h
of t h e Boston P u b l i c Library. Books of this kind are very
m u c h needed, however, in such places as L y n n and Lawrence.
A superintendent of a mission Sunday school tells m e t h a t
h e finds M r . A d a m s ' s books valuable in doing the w o r k he
has to do. I t is wrong, however, to p u t sensational books
into Sunday school libraries when the children come from
families whose members enjoy a higher class of literature.
W h y should not special library facilities be afforded asso­
ciations of newsboys and other guilds when they have^
headquarters where the city could have branch libraries or
depositories of books? W h y should not philanthropically
disposed citizens be invited to supply such libraries, to be
^ selected by competent persons ?
'
U n t i l , however, a r r a n g e m e n t s are made to supply t h e

13
wants of different classes of citizens separately, or when in
towns or cities it seems impracticable to make t h e m it would
seem best to keep the supply of sensational novels and
stories very low in our libraries, and to bring to public
attention and use ourselves the means at hand for regulating
their use. I have not for years left any place on the shelves
of the library in Worcester for M r s . Sonthworth's books,
always taking care to have the supply of this author's writ­
ings fall far behind the demand. I am now pursuing the
same policy in regard to other sensational books written for
men, women, and children.
But, it will be asked, what are you going to put in the
place of those books which you reject?
R e a d e r s d e m a n d interesting reading and men and women
who pay taxes have a certain right to insist that books which
please them should be bought for their use and for that of
their children. M a n y persons, too, who read poor books
believe that they are good and this notwithstanding they
k n o w that cultivated readers differ from them in opinion.
I m e a n to p u t interesting books into libraries and to keep
a large body of readers satisfied. I am convinced, however,
t h a t there are a great many good stories for the y o u n g and
novels for older persons.
I have come to the conclusion t h a t we can get enough
good stories and novels for our libraries.
O n e of the most valuable aids which the librarian may
avail himself of in selecting books for the y o u n g seems to m e
to be the different catalogues issued by the Ladies' Commis­
sion here in Boston. T h e ladies who compose this commis­
sion read all books for the y o u n g t h a t they think will prove
suitable reading and base their recommendations upon actual
knowledge of their contents. T h e y are women of high cul­
ture and good j u d g m e n t and the results of their work are very
valuable. T h e y work, it is true, primarily in the interests of
Sunday schools and largely in the interests of the schools of
a single denomination. B u t they publish separate lists of

books and all persons are enabled to select such works as
they desire whatever may be their denominational connec­
tions and even if they have no denominational connection
whatever. I should be the last person to r e c o m m e n d to the
librarians of public libraries the use of catalogues p u t forth
by the publishers of Sunday school books as aids in making
selections for town or city libraries. B u t from actual use of
the catalogues of the Ladies' Commission I have learned
their value and feel that I cannot use too strong l a n g u a g e
in recommending them to your consideration. I n d e e d I
wish that these same good women or others like them would
u n d e r t a k e to read novels published for grown up people and
print frequently lists of such as they find good or harmless.
I think I can assure them of the hearty cooperation of
the Library Association in doing this work and t h a t the
L i b r a r y J o u r n a l would be only too glad to p r i n t their lists.
I n fact I think the L i b r a r y Association will not long remain
inactive in this field, for the executive committee sees the
importance of doing this kind of work and will not defer
its performance if their proposed catalogue of selected
books is freely subscribed for.
In using the catalogues of the Ladies' Commission it is
i m p o r t a n t to r e m e m b e r t h a t this organization seeks to pro­
vide books especially for children brought up under refining
influences and that were the ladies who compose it aiming
to provide for the needs of public libraries they would use
a little more latitude in the selection of books.
P e r h a p s , also, the fact t h a t gentlemen do not aid in mak­
ing out the lists limits somewhat their value. T h e y are not
recommended, however, for exclusive use.
M r . P e r k i n s ' s Best R e a d i n g and the supplementary periodi­
cal called the L i b r a r y Companion give much assistance in
selecting good novels.
Of g r e a t value in this respect are M r . W i n s o r ' s Chrono­
logical I n d e x to Historical Fiction and the annotated Lists of
Additions issued by the Boston Athenaeum.
T h e new cata-

15
logue of choice books to be issued by this association will
be invaluable to many libraries in helping their officers to
m a k e judicious selections of works in the d e p a r t m e n t of
light literature. T h e n we have the best literary papers a n d
periodicals to refer to. These will continue the main reli­
ance of the officers of the larger libraries when seeking for
information in r e g a r d to new books, even after long lists of
desirable works shall have been p r o m p t l y published u n d e r
the auspices of the association or otherwise.
H a v i n g replaced the poor stories in our libraries with
good ones and having ascertained t h a t the quality of its
imaginative literature is as high as it can be and yet r e t a i n
readers, the n e x t step to take is to lead the y o u n g a w a y
from an i m m o d e r a t e use of the best stories even, to books
of other kinds.
Mr. Winsor's lists, the one already mentioned and the
annotated-catalogue of the books in the Lower H a l l of t h e
Boston P u b l i c Library of the classes of History, B i o g r a p h y
and T r a v e l afford much assistance in doing this work.
T h e new catalogue of the association in aiming to extend
the work done in the latter list to the literature of various
branches of knowledge by giving in compact form a good
selection of books and numerous explanatory notes will b e
of g r e a t service.
I would also have in every library a friend of the y o u n g
whom they can consult freely when in want of assistance and
wdio in addition to the power of gaining their confidence
has knowledge and tact enough to r e n d e r t h e m real aid in
m a k i n g selections.
I t is evident t h a t librarians are m u c h interested in t h e work
of raising the standard of reading. N e a r l y all of their annual
reports which come to m e have r e m a r k s on this subject.
Some librarians issue once or twice a y e a r lists of t h e more
desirable of the recent additions and scatter these about the
library rooms and distribute them a m o n g readers.
Would
not added value be given to these lists were notes to be

16
printed under the titles calling attention to attractive fea­
tures in the books? O t h e r librarians are on the point of
publishing catalogues of such choice books in their collections
as it is most desirable for readers to use, for the guidance
of parents, teachers and y o u n g persons themselves. Some
of the libraries in Philadelphia following the lead of M r .
Cutter join in issuing frequent lists of accessions liberally
enriched by selected notes. T w o libraries, the F r e e P u b l i c
Library of W o r c e s t e r and t h e Y o u n g M e n ' s Library of Buf­
falo, have availed themselves of the very generous offer of
the Boston Athenseum to have printed at its library building,
annotated lists of their new books similar to those issued b y
the Athenaeum to its own stockholders. T h e cost to t h e as­
sociated libraries is very small and the results secured of g r e a t
value.
I would r e m i n d librarians that they may often do a
good work for readers by bringing t h e m into connection
with the Society to E n c o u r a g e Studies at H o m e which has
its h e a d q u a r t e r s here in Boston. T h e officers of this society
stand ready to correspond with y o u n g ladies, to give t h e m
advice in regard to reading and study, to provide t h e m with
lists of books to use, and in some cases to lend at a trifling
charge books needed but not readily attainable when desired.
T h e titles of the books in their circulars and on their work­
ing lists and the well known energy and attainments of t h e
ladies and gentlemen who constitute this organization are
guarantees t h a t the work done under its supervision is of a
high order.
A librarian m a y do much good with little
trouble to himself by selecting every m o r n i n g f r o m the
books in t h e library ten or twenty volumes one of which m a y
be given by an assistant to any one who asks to have an in­
teresting book picked out for him.
I t would be a great boon to the more studiously inclined,
b u t not especially well informed frequenters of a library, to
form classes from a m o n g them to be taken to the alcoves b y
the librarian or others for conversation about the literature
of different d e p a r t m e n t s of knowledge.

17
T h e present time seems to me particularly propitious for
raising the standard of the literature in our libraries. Small
sums of money, only, are now voted by town and city gov­
e r n m e n t s and we are justified in spending nearly all that can
be afforded us for new books. D u r i n g the last two or t h r e e
years as volumes containing exciting stories and novels have
w o r n out I have not replaced them in the library u n d e r m y
charge and I am now beginning to p u t into it a considerable
supply of good stories not already there or duplicates of the
best books of this class now on our shelves.
Again, many
of the libraries h a v e been established a n u m b e r of years and
have come to have a l a r g e body of readers who are using
t h e m for their p r i m a r y purpose of education. W e can now
retain a strong hold on the community and yet raise t h e
standard of books circulated.
M y experience in t h e reference d e p a r t m e n t of the library
in Worcester is instructive.
I refer you to the last annual
r e p o r t (the nineteenth) for statistics.
This shows that out
of 30,079 volumes given to readers for use within the library
building last year at least 25,000 were used for purposes of
study or serious reading, and also, this being the fact which
is particularly interesting in connection with the subject
now u n d e r consideration, t h a t in eight years an immense
change has taken place in the character of the books used
by readers. F o r m e r l y a large portion of the persons coming
to the library used t h e reference d e p a r t m e n t as a room in
which to look at illustrated papers and read stories.
Now
readers of this class cannot b e accommodated and while
t h e r e is an immense increase in the n u m b e r of volumes given
to readers and in the n u m b e r of users of the room the use
of this d e p a r t m e n t is now almost exclusively, as stated be­
fore, for study and serious reading. I introduce this illustra- tion to show that a community can be b r o u g h t to make a
l a r g e use of both circulating and reference libraries for the
best purposes for which they are provided and that after a
3

18
time at least t h e support which is afforded by t h e readers of
sensational literature can be largely disregarded.
I t is necessary, of course, to interest large portions of t h e
community in our libraries. Failing in this we can show no
good reason for our existence, and the same clamor will
arise in regard to us that is sometimes heard concerning
high schools t h a t only the children of a few taxpayers re­
ceive benefit in their operation.
B u t even in starting a library much may be done to
popularize its use by having a well supplied reading-room
attached to it and by p u t t i n g into it a sufficient n u m b e r of
books selected with a careful r e g a r d for the interests of t h e
c o m m u n i t y for which provision is m a d e .
P u t in too an
abundance of good novels and stories which rely on incident
for their power to interest. B u y as few as possible of sensa­
tional books.
M u c h may be done in school to create and stimulate the
taste for good reading.
B u t it would be discourteous and
superfluous for me to give advice to teachers in r e g a r d to
this m a t t e r . A t the best I could only emphasize the admira­
ble suggestions in r e g a r d to instruction in English Literature
and H i s t o r y and the hints concerning the exercise of H e a d i n g
contained in School D o c u m e n t s N o s . 17 and 29, 1877, a n d
2 1 , 1878, issued by the Supervisors of Schools in Boston.
I would advise all teachers who do not now see t h a t their •
power is practically unlimited to awaken interests in t h e
y o u n g t h a t will lead them to read and study good books
t h r o u g h o u t their lives, to read the above named D o c u m e n t s
and a lecture by Charles F r a n c i s A d a m s , J r . , Esq., delivered
in Quincy, and entitled " O n the use which could be m a d e
of the P u b l i c Library of the town in connection with the
school system in general, and m o r e particularly with the
high and upper grade g r a m m a r schools." This lecture was
published originally in the Quincy P a t r i o t and was subse­
quently printed in a condensed form in the Library J o u r n a l ,

19
vol. 1, p p . 4 3 7 - 4 1 . * M a y I also refer inquirers to a p a p e r in
t h e second n u m b e r of t h e same volume of the L i b r a r y J o u r ­
nal entitled " P e r s o n a l Relations between Librarians a n d
R e a d e r s "?
I received so m a n y kindly worded letters from
friends of education after the appearance of this p a p e r and
its publication was received with so m u c h satisfaction by
newspapers in Boston and N e w York, t h a t I v e n t u r e to hope
t h a t although p r e p a r e d primarily as an address to librarians
it contains views and suggestions which teachers would like
to become familiar with.
T h e r e are some teachers who keep little collections of
books for t h e s a k e . of having t h e m to lend to scholars.
T h e r e are m a n y schools which have p e r m a n e n t libraries
within the buildings in which they are k e p t . A r e there not
m a n y others t h a t would do well to p r o c u r e such libraries ?
W h y should not all of the public schools, those for t h e
y o u n g e r as well as t h e older scholars, become depositories
of books belonging to towns and cities and every head of a
school become an assistant-librarian, sending to the libraries
for a limited n u m b e r of such books as are desired a n d
changing t h e m as often as should be t h o u g h t desirable ?
W i t h facilities now at h a n d to aid in t h e selection of books
t h e librarian a n d teacher acting in concert could do an
immense w o r k in procuring t h e perusal of good books a n d
in keeping t h e y o u n g from poor or hurtful literature.
I t is m y place to invite teachers to come to libraries a n d
to assure t h e m of t h e h e a r t y cooperation of librarians in
doing any good w o r k they may u n d e r t a k e . M r . A d a m s
suggests t h a t teachers come to libraries themselves with
scholars and help t h e m to select books on such subjects as
t h e y become interested in.
I n W o r c e s t e r teachers send scholars in very large num­
bers to t h e librarian for this kind of information.
*Messrs. Estes & Lauriat of Boston, have recently published for Mr.
Adams a pamphlet entitled The Public Library and the Common
Schools, which contains this and two other valuable papers on educa­
tional topics.

20
T h i n k what a work may be done to awaken a longing for
investigation and to stimulate boys and girls to read and
study when both teachers and librarians are capable and
interested in their work.
Teachers should have good catalogues, and annotated
lists of new books at h a n d . T h e r e should be in every
school-house a copy of the catalogue of selected books soon
to be issued by the Library Association. L e t me suggest
to school boards to subscribe at once for a n u m b e r of copies
of this much needed compendium and thus secure its imme­
diate publication.
" T a l k with scholars and find out w h a t they are r e a d i n g , "
says Professor N o r t h r o p . Yes, do so. L e t y o u r m o t t o ,
however, in doing this k i n d of w o r k be " r e g u l a t i o n " n o t
" prohibition."
W h e n t h e coming m a n appears w h o in cooperation with
t h e trustees and librarian of the P u b l i c Library in this city
can b r i n g about what I k n o w some of them wish and w h a t
I presume the authorities of the schools desire also, namely*
a close connection between the administrators of Bates H a l l
and t h e schools of the place and who has, moreover, the
power to attract to the library all persons h e r e in Boston
who h a v e questions to ask t h a t books will give answers to,
t h e n t h a t institution, now p e r h a p s t h e best repository of
tools in the land will become one of the busiest workshops
in t h e world and there w ill come u p from t h e people a
d e m a n d which cannot be disregarded for the construction of
t h a t m u c h needed new building which the officers of t h e
library desire in order that this great popular work m a y n o t
be impeded for want of room, and there will go out from
t h a t institution an impulse t h a t will affect for good t h e
administration of the libraries of N e w E n g l a n d and t h e
. U n i t e d States, yes of E n g l a n d and F r a n c e , may I not say
of the civilized world.
M a y I m a k e a single suggestion to teachers which I do
not r e m e m b e r to have seen in p r i n t ? If scholars are readT

21
ing books which you consider unwholesome why not p r o c u r e
copies of these very works and use t h e m as reading-books in
day and Sunday schools, and t u r n i n g the children into critics
and guiding t h e m in their criticisms lead t h e m to see h o w
trashy these stories are as pictures of life, and how defective
in the use of the English l a n g u a g e .
O n e more suggestion.
Suppose a boy to be greedy to
read Cooper's novels, is it difficult for a good teacher to ex­
cite in him an Interest to know about real Indians and naval
heroes ?
Could you not pick out for h i m exciting passages
from the works of Francis P a r k m a n and interest him in the
life of the apostle Eliot, or stimulate a desire to discuss t h e
question of the t r e a t m e n t of Indians by civilized men or to
k n o w about uncivilized men in other countries, in the one
case, and in the other turn the sea-struck inquirer to the lives
of Foote and F a r r a g u t and Nelson, o r ' t o D a n a ' s T w o T e a r s
before the M a s t or some simple w o r k on practical seaman­
ship ?
I n concluding let m e give you an anecdote.
I have once
in this essay referred to a practice of M r . E . H a r l o w Russell,
P r i n c i p a l of the State N o r m a l School at Worcester, although
I did not mention his n a m e . Professor Russell tells me the
following story : One of his sons expressed a desire to read
some D i m e novels. H e told him that if he really wished to
read some of these books he would take h i m to a railway
stand and they would buy one or two and read them togeth­
er, " b u t , " said he, to the boy, " t h e r e is another book t h a t I
t h i n k you would like just as well.
Suppose we were to r e a d
together ' A tour on the P r a i r i e s ' from t h e Crayon Miscellany
by "Washington I r v i n g . "
T h e son h a d confidence in his
father's j u d g m e n t and assented to the suggestion.
They
read the better book together to t h e enjoyment and improve­
m e n t of both. T h e m e t h o d of one judicious E d u c a t o r and
p a r e n t is adduced as an example for others.

THE

DESIRABLENESS OF ESTABLISHING PER­
SONAL INTERCOURSE A N D RELATIONS
BETWEEN LIBRARIAN AND READERS
IN POPULAR LIBRARIES.

A P A P E R READ AT THE CONFERENCE OF LIBRARIANS H E L D I N PHILA­
DELPHIA, OCTOBER 4 T H , 5 T H AND 6 T H , 1 8 7 6 .

W H E N scholars and persons of high social position come
to a library, they have confidence e n o u g h in regard to t h e
cordiality of their reception, to m a k e k n o w n their wishes
without timidity or reserve.
Modest men in t h e h u m b l e r walks of life, and well-trained
boys and girls, need e n c o u r a g e m e n t before they become
ready to say freely what they w a n t . A h e a r t y reception b y
a sympathizing friend, and the recognition of some one at
h a n d who will listen to inquiries, even although he may con­
sider t h e m u n i m p o r t a n t , m a k e it easy for such persons to
ask questions, and p u t t h e m at once on a h o m e footing.
P e r s o n s who use a popular library for purposes of investi­
gation generally need a g r e a t deal of assistance. A few
illustrations will produce a vivid realization of the correct­
ness of this s t a t e m e n t :
H e r e , for instance, is a wall p a i n t e r w h o has a r o o m to
o r n a m e n t . H e wishes to assist his imagination, and comes
to the library to look at specimens of decorative painting.
I t does not serve the purpose of such a m a n to send him
to the catalogues of the library, and bid him select the books
h e desires. Y o u must m a k e the selection yourself,—get
t h e works h e needs and h a n d t h e m to him. Y o u have
several to select from. Shall you give him Jones's G r a m ­
m a r of O r n a m e n t , " or " Racinet's L ' O r n e m e n t P o l y c h r o m e ? "
u

24
Certainly if he wishes merely suggestion and inspiration,
and to look only at details of ornamentation. These works
contain examples of the best ornamentation in vogue in
different ages and countries, and show the w o r k m a n who
aims at perfection, w h a t he has to attain to.
Generally speaking, however, the work represented in
these books is too elaborate for common use, is h a r d to
execute, and would cost more t h a n a householder is willing
to spend in o r n a m e n t i n g a r o o m .
T h e painter wishes, also, t o - s e e details in combination,
and to j u d g e of colors and figures in juxtaposition, by look­
ing upon the representation of a whole wall or room. H i s
w a n t is met best by giving him volumes of some such
approved works as " Architektonisch.es Skizzenbuch," or t h e
" Journal-Manuel de P e i n t u r e s . "
A n artisan has t h e legs of a table to carve. H i s imagina­
tion is momentarily b a r r e n , and he desires assistance. Y o u
do not ask him w h a t book he would like to see, but get h i m
" Lienard's Specimens de la Decoration et de L ' O r n e m e n t a tion," " Talbert's Gothic F o r m s , " " ITngewitter's Gothischen Mobeln," or pictorial representations of such speci­
mens of the work of E a s t l a k e and Morris as you can lay
your hands on.
A marble worker calls for an engraving of a lion in some
specified posture ; a wood carver wishes to see a representa­
tion of an eagle. Y o u take the time t h a t is necessary to
h u n t u p whatever these men desire to see.
A m e m b e r of a society of Englishmen wishes to find a
particular representation of t h e contest between St. G e o r g e
and the D r a g o n . Y o u request an assistant to look t h r o u g h
the tables of contents of the London A r t J o u r n a l , and by
this means very likely find what is wanted.
A school-girl has heard t h a t the n u m b e r of feet in a y a r d
measure was determined by t h e l e n g t h of some king's a r m .
She asks for the name of the king. Catalogues fail to show
where the information is to be found. I t at once occurs to

25
the librarian, however, t h a t answers to such questions can
usually be had by reference to " N o t e s and Queries."
He
sends for the indexes of this periodical, and finds the infor­
mation desired.
In h a n d i n g the needed volume to t h e
inquirer, he takes a minute to caution her t h a t there are
many stories and traditions which it will not do to accept as
facts, without careful examination of the evidence adduced
in their corroboration. T h e librarian utters a similar timely
word of caution w h e n asked about other historical stories of
doubtful credibility, when called upon, for instance, to give
an account of Captain Smith and P o c a h o n t a s , or of the Blue
Laws of Connecticut.
A school-boy calls for a history of the Suez Canal. T o u
see at once, probably, t h a t what he needs is a brief account,
and refer him to some recently issued encyclopaedia. A t the
same time you show him how to use dictionaries and ency­
clopaedias, and tell him he can often find answers to ques­
tions himself by using works of this kind, but invite him to
come to you whenever he encounters snags, or fails to get
the information sought after.
A n o t h e r school-^? / wishes to see a description of the cere­
m o n y of the marriage of the Adriatic. If the librarian
remembers in what book such a description may be found,
he has the book brought. Otherwise he sends for a dozen
volumes about Venice, and teaches the inquirer how to find
the desired account by the use of indexes and tables of con­
tents. V e r y likely she will give u p the search without find­
ing it. T h e n you take hold to aid her, and show her how to
use books, and obtain information when wanted.
A citizen is building a house which he wishes to protect
against injury from lightning. H e is subjected to the cus­
t o m a r y visits of the venders of lightning-rods, and becomes
somewhat confused by the conflicting statements of these
practical men, or is impressed by the conviction t h a t some
of these worthies display g r e a t ignorance of the scientific
grounds upon which their opinions rest. H e is crowded by
4
1

26
business, b u t still glad to spend a single hour in a library, if
in that length of time he can become acquainted with the
views of some of the best writers on the applications of
electricity, and so enable himself to proceed understaridingly
to the w o r k in h a n d .
In such a case, of course, the librarian must get the books
which contain the desired information, and h a n d t h e m to the
reader open at the p r o p e r pages.
A n o t h e r business man wishes for certain statistics of trade,
manufactures and inventions.
H e has no time to spare in
collecting the books he desires. H e does not k n o w how to
get hold of them so well as a librarian does.
H e states his
wants, and the librarian sends to the secretaries of organiza­
tions having the interests of different manufactures in keep­
ing, to get the latest published statistics relating to silk or
wool manufactures, or the production of iron and steel and
other commodities.
T h e inquirer is also furnished with the
volumes containing the record of the census, and with other
publications of the bureaus of our g o v e r n m e n t , and is supplied
with such compendiums as the " Statesman's T e a r B o o k , "
" Timbs's W o n d e r f u l Inventions," and the volume containing
the papers recently printed in H a r p e r ' s Magazine which
treat of the progress of the U n i t e d States during the last
one h u n d r e d years, in mechanics, commerce and manufac­
tures.
Men who consult the r e p o r t s of the Commissioner of
P a t e n t s , in order to see the specifications and drawings of
different p a t e n t e d articles, may frequently be greatly aided
by a w o r d from the librarian.
Almost all investigators are
glad to have their labors shortened by availing themselves of
assistance.
T h e librarian knows, for instance, j u s t what
indexes of p a t e n t s have been published, when the reports
ceased coming in the old form, what drawings have been
issued by the office at W a s h i n g t o n , and wherein the incom­
pleteness of a set of reports lies, and how its deficiencies
m a y be supplied.

27
A y o u n g m a n has j u s t become a m e m b e r of a debating
society, and is called upon to discuss such questions as the
advisableness of t a x i n g church p r o p e r t y , the comparative
value of the systems of prohibition and license in the treat­
m e n t of the vice of intemperance, and the wisdom of placing
t h e m a n a g e m e n t of railroads in the hands of the State, or of
continuing the use of the Bible in the opening exercises of
public schools.
Such a person is kept from discouragement in his early
attempts to get at information, if he can avail himself of the
aid of some one who stands by to show him where to find
the legislative reports, p a m p h l e t s and editorials which con­
tain discussions of these questions.
T h e assistance he
receives gives him confidence to pursue further investiga­
tions.
T h e librarian, too, in his intercourse with him,
reminds him that, in order to become a successful debater,
he must always consider both sides of a question, and weigh
the a r g u m e n t s of o p p o n e n t s .
A small boy wishes to see a description of the eggs of
different N e w E n g l a n d birds. T h e librarian knows of some
good work with colored illustrations, to give him. A some­
what older boy wants to k n o w how to build a boat, and is
furnished with book, magazine article, or papers which con­
tain the necessary directions.
Some inquirer has h e a r d that there was a day in the last
century, during a large portion of which the obscuration of
the sun was so great, t h a t it is known in tradition as the
D a r k D a y . H e wishes to k n o w the date of this day, and to
find a description of it.
P e r h a p s it puzzles the librarian to tell where to look for
the desired description.
H e begins a search, however, and
in half an h o u r or so unearths the account from some town
history, say that 01 N e w b u r y , N e w b u r y p o r t and West New­
b u r y , by Coffin.
A curious woman asked me a few months since to give
her a book which would show what the " scallop " is. This,

28
you will r e m e m b e r , is an article of food which appears in
considerable quantities in our markets.
I t was only after
an hour's search, that I found out from " V e r r i l l and Smith's
I n v e r t e b r a t e Animals of Y i n e y a r d Sound and Adjacent
W a t e r s , etc.," t h a t it is the " central muscle which closes the
v a l v e s " of a certain shell.
A reservoir dam gives way.
Citizens become suspicious
t h a t too little care is taking in m a k i n g the repairs. You d r o p
a line to the chairman of the p r o p e r committee of the city
g o v e r n m e n t , to say that you have just received " H u m b e r ' s
W a t e r Supply of T o w n s " from London.
H e calls for t h e
work, and takes it h o m e to study.
A n u n l e a r n e d student wishes to know something about
t h e families of languages, or t h e recent explanations of t h e
origin of m y t h o l o g y .
Y o u pick out for him some simple
hand-book on the subject.
" Is it t r u e , " inquires a y o u n g lady, " that the little bust
we see so often, which is generally called Clyte, should
be called Clytie ? " T h e librarian answers " Y e s . "
" Isn't
t h e sentence ' God tempers the wind to the shorn l a m b ' in
t h e Bible ? " asks another. T h e librarian answers " N o , " and
refers for further information to " Bartlett's
Familiar
Quotations."
O n e inquirer has to be told which is the best atlas to use
in looking for places in S e r v i a ; another, which will give
most accurately and with greatest minuteness, the situation
of t h e rivers and battle-fields mentioned in c u r r e n t accounts
of I n d i a n hostilities.
A citizen is about to emigrate, and desires a late descrip­
tion of the State and town to which he intends to move.
A
b o a r d of trade is discussing the question of the advisableness
of introducing the metric system of weights and measures
into common use.
M e m b e r s call upon librarians to furnish
the best treatises on the subject.
A y o u n g man about to m a k e the voyage to India for his
h e a l t h asks you to give him a list of books to read while on

29
shipboard. A n o t h e r person wishes a similar list for use in a
summer vacation.
T h e librarian is often consulted about courses of r e a d i n g ,
and his j u d g m e n t in regard to what are the best epitomes of
the histories of different countries and of different branches
of knowledge, is frequently sought for.
W h e n an inquirer has satisfied himself that a book rec­
ommended will suit him, he often wishes to buy it, and the
librarian tells him its cost, and where it can be procured.
A student in a technical school wishes aid in selecting the
subject of a thesis, and in g a t h e r i n g materials to use in pre­
p a r i n g it. A school-boy asks for hints and information to
use in writing a composition.
A librarian is frequently asked to give information in
r e g a r d to things and processes which he knows n o t h i n g
about. P e r h a p s he is called upon to produce a description
of an object, t h e n a m e of which is unknown to him. I re­
m e m b e r slyly consulting a dictionary to find out what a
" c a m " is, and again for the definition of
link valve
motion."
B u t having acquired a definite notion of the object con­
cerning which information is desired, the habit of mental
classification which a librarian acquires so readily, comes to
his aid. H e sees at once in what d e p a r t m e n t of knowledge
the description sought for may be found, and brings to the
inquirer authoritative treatises in this d e p a r t m e n t .
E n o u g h illustrations have been givun to show that readers
in popular libraries need a great deal of assistance. Care
has been taken to select principally such as show t h a t this
is particularly needed by persons unused to handling books
or conducting investigations. I n the case of such persons,
as well as with scholars, it is practicable to refer applicants
for information which you cannot supply, to libraries in
larger cities in the neighborhood of your own library, or to
other institutions in your own town. Business men go to
commercial centres so often t h a t they can occasionally conu

30
suit l a r g e r libraries than those accessible at h o m e . I t would
be easy to show that scholars, as well as unlearned persons,
receive much aid in pursuing their studies from an accom­
plished librarian, although h e has not the k n o w l e d g e of a
specialist. I t would make this p a p e r too long, however, to
illustrate this part of the subject.
T h e r e are obvious limits to the assistance which a librarian
can u n d e r t a k e to render. Common sense will dictate t h e m .
T h u s no librarian would take the responsibility of recom­
m e n d i n g books to give directions for the t r e a t m e n t of
disease. Nor would he give legal advice, nor u n d e r t a k e to
instruct applicants in r e g a r d to the practical manipulations
of the workshop or the laboratory.
I have not been unmindful, in what has been said, of the
great value of the assistance rendered readers by certain
catalogues which have been issued lately. T h e r e is little
danger of appreciating too highly such work as t h a t for
which we are indebted to M r . N o y e s , M r . Cutter, and M r .
Winsor and his able assistants.
I need not remind you, however, t h a t many persons who
use a library, have to be instructed in regard to the use of
catalogues, and need practice before they can use them to
Jhe best advantage. E n t r i e s are overlooked. Discrimina­
tion is lacking for separating good books from those of little
merit, and books adapted to the capacity and particular
needs of t h e user from those which are unsuited to his re­
quirements.
I t frequently happens, also, t h a t readers do not k n o w
u n d e r what general subject to look for a minute piece of
information. Lately constructed catalogues are so m a d e as
to facilitate immensely the researches, not only of scholars,
b u t of the general, unlearned reader.
"When t h e admirable notes, found in some of the cata­
logues of t h e Boston P u b l i c Library, and in the catalogue
of the library at Quincy, Massachusetts, shall have been
increased in n u m b e r s , and made to include information in

31
r e g a r d to the literature of all branches of knowledge, they
will, particularly if k e p t u p to date, be found of inestimable
service by the general reader and inexperienced student.
B a t the time is distant when the whole field of knowledge
can be covered by these n o t e s ; and even when it shall b e
occupied, much personal assistance will still be needed by
readers in p o p u l a r libraries. Of course, too, it will always
be necessary for a librarian to extend to readers the hospi­
talities of his institution.
A m o n g t h e good results which attend personal intercourse
on the p a r t of the librarian with users of popular libraries,
the following may be m e n t i o n e d : —
1st. If you gain the respect and confidence of readers,
and they find you easy to get at and pleasant to talk with,
great opportunities are afforded of stimulating the love of
study, and of directing investigators to the best sources of
information.
2d. Y o u find out w h a t books t h e actual users of the
library need, and y o u r j u d g m e n t improves in regard to the
kind of books it is best to add to it. Y o u see what subjects
the constituency of the institution are interested in, and what
is the degree of simplicity they require in the presentation
of knowledge.
3d. One of the best m e a n s of m a k i n g a library popular
is to mingle freely with its users, and help t h e m in every
way. W h e n this policy is pursued for a series of years in
any town, a very large portion of the citizens receive an­
swers to questions, and the conviction spreads t h r o u g h the
community t h a t the library is an institution of such benefi­
cent influences t h a t it cannot be dispensed with.
4th and last. T h e collections of books which make u p the
contents of the circulating departments of our libraries have
been provided for the use of persons of differing degrees of
refinement and moral susceptibility, and for those who
occupy mental planes of various altitudes.
N o w the policy advocated of freedom of intercourse

32
between librarian and readers, when adopted in t h e conduct
of these departments, does much to give efficiency to the
efforts of the officers to get readers to take out wholesome
books, and such works as are adapted to their capacity and
the g r a d e of enlightenment to which they belong.
I t is a common practice, as we all know, for users of a
library to ask the librarian or his assistants to select stories
for t h e m . I would have g r e a t use made of this disposition.
P l a c e in the circulating d e p a r t m e n t one of the most accom­
plished persons in the corps of your assistants—some cul­
tivated woman, for instance, who heartily enjoys works of
t h e imagination, but whose taste is educated.
She must be
a person of pleasant m a n n e r s , and, while of p r o p e r dignity,
ready to unbend, and of social disposition. I t is well if there
is a vein of philanthropy in h e r composition.
I n s t r u c t this
assistant to consult with every person who asks for help in
selecting books.
This should not be her whole work, for work of this kind
is best done when it has the appearance of being p e r f o r m e d
incidentally.
Let the assistant, then, have some r e g u l a r
work, but such e m p l o y m e n t as she can at once lay aside
w h e n her aid is asked for in picking out books to read. I
am confident t h a t in some such way as this a g r e a t influence
can be exerted in the direction of causing good books to b e
used.
T h e person placed in charge of this work must have tact,
and be careful not to a t t e m p t too much.
If an applicant
would cease to consult her unless she gives him a sensational
novel, I would have her give him such a book.
Only let
h e r aim at providing every person who applies for aid with
t h e best book h e is willing to read.
P e r s o n a l intercourse and relations between librarian a n d
readers are useful in all libraries.
I t seems to m e t h a t in
p o p u l a r libraries they are indispensable.
Six years ago I was a m e m b e r of the board of directors

33
of the F r e e P u b l i c L i b r a r y of the City of Worcester, Massa­
chusetts. A t t h a t time 1 noticed t h a t its reference depart­
m e n t was h a r d l y used at all, and was fast becoming an
u n p o p u l a r institution. D a r i n g the last five or six years, by
t h e adoption of t h e means r e c o m m e n d e d in this p a p e r , a
l a r g e use of this d e p a r t m e n t has grown u p , and it has come
to be highly appreciated in the community. I t is because an
interesting experience in the W o r c e s t e r library has led me
to place a high value upon personal intercourse between
librarian and readers, that I have ventured to call your at­
tention to the subject in the p a p e r I am now reading.
Certain m e n t a l qualities are requisite or desirable in
library officers who mingle with readers.
Prominent
a m o n g these is a courteous disposition, which will disclose
itself in agreeable m a n n e r s .
S y m p a t h y , cheerfulness and
patience are needful.
Enthusiasm is as productive of good
results h e r e as elsewhere. A librarian should be as unwilling
to allow an inquirer to leave the library with his question un­
answered, as a shopkeeper is to have a customer go out of
his store without m a k i n g a purchase.
Receive investigators with something of t h e cordiality
displayed b y an old-time inn-keeper. H o l d on to t h e m until
they have obtained the information t h e y are seeking, and
show a persistency in supplying their wants similar to t h a t
manifested by a successful clerk in effecting a sale.
I t is i m p o r t a n t to have a democratic spirit in dealing with
r e a d e r s in popular libraries. T h e librarian is not, of course,
to overlook t h e neglect of deference which is due him, or to
countenance in any way the error which prevails to a consid­
erable extent in this country, that, because artificial distinc­
tions of r a n k h a v e been abolished h e r e , t h e r e need be no
recognition of the real differences a m o n g men in respect to
taste, intellect and character.
B u t h e runs little risk in placing readers on a footing of
equality with himself.
T h e superiority of his culture will
5

34
always enable him to secure the respectful t r e a t m e n t which
belongs to him when confronted by impudence or conceit.
W h a t is needed in the librarian is a ready s y m p a t h y with
rational curiosity, by whomsoever manifested, and a feeling
of pleasure in brightening any glimmerings of desire t h a t
appear in lowly people to grow in culture or become better
informed in regard to the scientific principles which underlie
the processes of their daily occupations.
I n personal intercourse with readers, t h e r e are certain
m e n t a l tendencies which should be restrained. Idle curiosity
is one of t h e m . M a n y scholars prefer to pursue their studies
privately, and are annoyed if they think they are observed.
Respect reticence.
If you approach a reader with the pur­
pose of aiding him, and find him unwilling to admit you to
his confidence, regard his wishes and allow, him to m a k e
investigations by himself.
B e careful not to make inquirers d e p e n d e n t .
Give t h e m
as much assistance as they need, b u t try, at the same time,
to teach t h e m to rely upon themselves and become inde­
pendent.
Avoid scrupulously the propagation of any particular set
of views in politics, art, history, philosophy or theology.
" Tros Tyriusque
mihi nullo discrimine
agetxir"
are
words which Virgil puts into the mouth of Queen D i d o .
T h e N o r t h American H e view has adopted them as its
motto.
T h e promise they contain is one t h a t should be
k e p t by the librarian also.
T h e librarian who uses his position to make proselytes,
prostitutes his calling. State the mental tendencies and the
characteristics of disputants, b u t do n o t become their
advocates.
If a reader asks for your own views regarding some m a t t e r
about which t h e r e is controversy, give them to him if you
choose. Decline to give t h e m if you choose. R e m i n d him,
however, in either case, t h a t if he wishes to have an opinion

35
of his own, he must study the subject in its different aspects,
and. form one for himself. Say gently to i m m a t u r e persons,
t h a t they cannot expect to h a v e opinions u p o n profound
controverted questions, and t h a t they must wait, until they
grow in knowledge, and until their reasoning powers de­
velop, before their views on such m a t t e r s will be of value.
Avoid religiously the practice of c r a m m i n g the minds of
y o u n g inquirers with one-sided views in r e g a r d to questions
in dispute.
I n the largest libraries it will be found impossible for the
superintendent to deal personally with m a n y of the readers.
If, however, of such a t e m p e r a m e n t that he takes pleasure
in, associating with the users of the library, he can, by only
giving a few minutes in a day to t h e work, do a great deal
to make visitors and students feel that an air of hospitality
pervades the institution. Most of the intercourse in such
libraries must be between readers and accomplished or
specially-informed assistants.
I n m a n y of the smaller libraries t h e officers cannot find
time to mingle freely with readers. P e r h a p s , in some such
cases, it may be practicable for librarians to avail themselves
of gratuitous assistance by public spirited and educated resi­
dents. I should think there are, for instance, m a n y cultiva­
ted and philanthropic women in the country, whose services
can be availed of to do work of the kind recommended.
T h e boards of trustees and directors which m a n a g e public
libraries may be relied on to appreciate this kind of work,
and are always inclined to further its performance, by allow­
ing time to the librarian in which to do it.
T h e more freely a librarian mingles with readers, and t h e
greater the amount of assistance he renders them, the m o r e
intense does t h e conviction of citizens, also, become, that the
library is a useful institution, and the m o r e willing do t h e y
grow to grant money in larger and larger sums, to be used
in buying books and employing additional assistants.

36
I n conclusion, I wish to say, t h a t t h e r e are few pleasures
comparable to t h a t of associating continually with curious
a n d vigorous y o u n g minds, and of aiding thern in realizing
their ideals.