An introductory speech was made by Mr. Dewey, who spoke of the educational force that libraries should exert in the community, and the varied field before the public library of to-day. There was some general discussion, in the course of which J. C. Dana read a letter describing pioneer library work carried on in the Yukon district of Alaska, and E. P. McElroy told of some interesting incidents connected with the work of his library at Algona, Iowa.
An early adjournment was made to attend the display of stereopticon views of library buildings which was given on the same evening.
[ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.]
A most enthusiastic reunion of the alumni of the Illinois State Library School was held at Waukesha on July 5, in connection with the meeting of the A. L. A.
Forty-seven members of the Alumni Association sat down to a long table which had been spread for them in the dining-room of the Fountain Spring House, where a very pleasant hour was passed in renewing old friendships and hearing about the work of classmates who had gone out to make themselves famous in the library world.
Following the dinner a business meeting was held, after which the members listened to a most interesting report by Miss Katharine L. Sharp, director of the Illinois State Library School, on the growth and present condition of the school, showing the changes which have come to it from its connection with the University of Illinois.
Miss Sharp gave an outline of each course as it is now given in the school, noting the changes which have been made and the reasons for these changes. The report was of especial interest to the early graduates of the school, who could follow the changes made in the course of instruction, the general development in scope and methods, and could so well comprehend the great growth of the school since its establishment at Armour Institute of Technology, in Chicago, in 1893.
Margaret Mann, Secretary.