[ CO-OPERATIVE LIST OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS.]
C. R. Perry: At the last session of the Children's Librarians' Section action was taken looking towards a co-operative list of books for children. There were some features connected with it that were of such a general character that we thought it essential that the plan come before the Association in general session, to secure proper authority for us to proceed with the work; furthermore, there was no further session of the Children's Librarians' Section, so if a report was made at all it would have to be made to the A. L. A. in general session. The report is as follows:
To the American Library Association:
At the last session of the Children's Librarians' Section a committee was appointed to formulate some plan whereby a co-operative list of children's books may be produced, this committee to report at some general session. We now are ready and beg leave to report progress.
We have interviewed over 50 members of the A. L. A. within the last two days, and find a general desire for such a list. Moreover, the people interviewed have expressed their willingness to subscribe among themselves a sum of money necessary to cover the cost of preparing such list (postage, typewriting, stationery, printing, etc.).
Your committee have found that one or two days are hardly sufficient to enable us to bring our plan into perfection. We desire very strongly to accomplish the results for which we were appointed, and therefore ask for more time. We do respectfully recommend and ask that authority be given to our committee to proceed with the following plan:
(1) Committee on co-operative children's list to appoint six people to collect the subscriptions which have been promised.
(2) Some one experienced and well-known librarian to be appointed by our committee to undertake the preparation of the said list.
(3) When such person has been appointed and has accepted, the money raised to be turned over to that librarian.
(4) Our committee to suggest to the person undertaking this work a plan whereby not only may be secured the approval or disapproval of librarians and teachers as to the books of the tentative list, but also a report as to the manner in which these books have been received by the children in all parts of the nation.
(5) A final and definite report to be submitted at the next conference. This report to include the books generally accepted and those rejected as well.
Respectfully submitted,
Chesley R. Perry, Chairman, J. C. Dana, Eliza G. Browning
(1) Committee on co-operative children's list to appoint six people to collect the subscriptions which have been promised.
(2) Some one experienced and well-known librarian to be appointed by our committee to undertake the preparation of the said list.
(3) When such person has been appointed and has accepted, the money raised to be turned over to that librarian.
(4) Our committee to suggest to the person undertaking this work a plan whereby not only may be secured the approval or disapproval of librarians and teachers as to the books of the tentative list, but also a report as to the manner in which these books have been received by the children in all parts of the nation.
(5) A final and definite report to be submitted at the next conference. This report to include the books generally accepted and those rejected as well.
| Chesley R. Perry, | Chairman, |
| J. C. Dana, | |
| Eliza G. Browning |
President Carr: This report comes before you in the nature of a recommendation, and suitable action would be to move that the Association appoint a general committee to carry out the recommendations of the report. That committee might consist of the members of the present committee, who drew this report—Mr. Perry, Mr. Dana and Miss Browning.
R. R. Bowker: Is not this a matter which should come under the jurisdiction of the Publishing Board? It would then give this proposed committee somewhat the relation to the Publishing Board that is borne by the advisory committee on printed catalog cards. Otherwise we might have a confusion of results.
Mr. Perry: That matter was discussed, but we felt that we were preparing something which at the next convention might be submitted to the Association, and then referred to the Publishing Board. We are not expecting to prepare a list for general printing and circulation, but a list which may be brought up at the next conference as something definite to be referred to the Publishing Board.
It was Voted, That the committee acting for the Children's Librarians' Section be appointed to carry out the work outlined.