第86章 SYSTEMATIC INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF THE LIBRARY

While a general effort is being made to instruct children individually,only a few libraries report any systematic lessons.

In Providence each visiting class is given a short deion of books of reference.In Hartford an attempt at instruction was made following the vacation book talks.In Springfield,Mass.,last year the senior class of the literature department was given a lesson on the use of the library,followed by two practice questions on the card catalog.In one of the Cleveland branches talks are given to both teachers and pupils.At the Central High School of Detroit the school librarian has for the past three years met the new pupils for 40minutes'instruction,and test questions are given.A detailed account of similar work done in other high school libraries is to be found in the proceedings of the Chautauqua conference.Cambridge has given a lecture to a class or classes of the Latin school.In the current library report of Cedar Rapids,Ia.,is outlined in detail a course of 12lessons on bookmaking,the card catalog,and reference books.The librarian of Michigan City,Ind.,writes:"Each grade of the schools,from the fifth to the eighth,has the use of our class room for an afternoon session each month.Each child is assigned a topic on which to write a short composition or give a brief oral report.When a pupil has found all he can from one source,books are exchanged,and thus each child comes into contact with several books.At these monthly library afternoons I give short talks to the pupils on the use of the library,the reference books,and the card catalog,accompanied by practical object lessons and tests."At Brookline our plan is to have each class of the eighth and ninth grades come once a year to our school reference room at the library.The teacher accompanies them,and they come in school hours.The school reference librarian gives the lesson.For the eighth grade we consider the make-up of the book--the title-page in detail,the importance of noting the author,the significance of place and date and copyright,the origin of the dedication,the use of contents and index.This is followed by a deion of bookmaking,folding,sewing and binding,illustrated by books pulled to pieces for the purpose.

The lesson closes with remarks on the care of books.The ninth grade lesson is on reference books,and is conducted largely by means of questioning.A set of test questions at the end emphasizes the deion of the books.In these lessons the pupils have shown an unexpected degree of interest and responsiveness.The course brought about 400children to the library,a few of whom had never been there before.These were escorted about a little,and shown the catalog,charging desk,bulletins,new book shelves,etc.Every one not already holding a card was given an opportunity to sign a registration slip.The following year the eighth grade,having become the ninth,has the second lesson.With these lessons the attitude of the children towards the library has visibly improved,and we are confident that their idea of its use has been enlarged.