The seven addresses or papers just preceding relate to the general services of the library to the community. The twelve that now follow analyze this into four types of special service, as already suggested—the provision of books, the collection of information, the control and guidance of reading and community-centre service. The next three papers treat of the provision of books.
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THE LIBRARIAN AND HIS CONSTITUENTS
That the choice of books is the most important of the librarian's duties and that “his best effort” should be given to it, is the thought of an institutional librarian, R.B. Poole of the New York Y.M.C.A. This view should interest those who think that administrative problems and socialization are elbowing the books into the background.
Reuben Brooks Poole was born in Rockport, Mass., in 1834, and graduated at Brown University in 1857. After serving as a teacher he became librarian of the Y.M.C.A. library in New York City, where he remained until his death on April 6, 1895. He was president of his state library association in 1894.
By constituents is not meant political constituents. It is unfortunate for any librarian when he holds his office in a public library as a political favor, and library appointments should be as far removed as possible from all party influences. A public library, like any other public property, is susceptible of being used as a tool, and may easily degenerate into a political job, unless specially protected by its charter. New York city has one such library. The library exists for the librarians; its constituents—not readers—are of the school of politics. The example, it is to be hoped, is a unique one in our country.
A brief retrospect of the libraries and librarians of the past may help us to more fully comprehend the situation of the librarian and his constituents of to-day.