construction, fire-proof throughout. The floors of all the important public rooms are covered with cork tiling; the floors of all other rooms with cork carpet. The wood finish throughout, including all furniture, is of quartered white oak "fumed," and finished with wax. Particular attention was given to the lighting problem, and success has been attained by using indirect lighting fixtures in all the reading rooms. In the lobbies and lecture rooms semi-indirect lighting fixtures have been used with modeled alabaster glasseate in the fixtures. The building has a combination heating system, both the direct and indirect systems being used. The cost of the building, including the Snead stacks and all furnishings, was approximately $465,000, or 18 cents a cubic foot. M. F. I. COLORADO BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS Ar the first meeting of the newly reorganized State Board of Library Commissioners of Colorado, coöperation was effected between this Commission and the members of the Colorado Civil Service Board. Examinations for vacancies in Colorado institutions were held in December, and the library commissioners were asked by the Civil Service Board to prepare the examination questions to be used in the state examinations. There were three sets of questions—one for a vacancy in the library of the State School of Mines, one for applicants for positions paying $100 a month or over, and a third set for applicants for positions paying less than $100 a month. It was decided by the library commissioners to conduct an investigation in Colorado regarding the work done by libraries for schools. It was decided to use a modified form of the questionnaire issued by the Ohio State Survey Commission on library coöperation with schools, which questionnaire was prepared by the New York Bureau of Municipal Research. While no money is available for the Library Commission's activities, the Commission decided to use the Colorado Library Leaflet as a means of securing all the an nual reports of Colorado libraries, which reports will be filed by the Commission for future use. Individual members of the Commission also agreed that in lieu of a paid field worker, the members would visit Colorado libraries as opportunity came, to encourage the library work and to increase the efficiency in this work. The officers elected were: president, Mr. Chalmers Hadley, Denver Public Library; secretary, Miss Charlotte A. Baker, State Agricultural College Library. DR. JOHNSTON TO GO TO ST. PAUL DR. W. DAWSON JOHNSTON, the librarian of Columbia University, New York City, has resigned his post to become the head of the St. Paul Public Library. Dr. Johnston has been librarian at Columbia since July 1, 1909. He was appointed to succeed the late Dr. James H. Canfield. Dr. Johnston is a graduate of Brown University in 1893, and took his Master of Arts degree at Harvard In 1898. He was an assistant in the Library of Congress from 1900 to 1907, and librarian of the Bureau of Education at Washington from 1907 to 1909. In 1911 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from Rutgers College. He published the first volume of the "History of the Library of Congress" in 1904, and has been a frequent contributor to the LIBRARY JOURNAL and other periodicals. CONFERENCE OF EASTERN COL LEGE LIBRARIANS THE Conference of Eastern College Librarians was held in room 305, Schermerhorn Hall, Columbia University, Saturday, Nov. 29, 1913, with representatives of twenty-four institutions in attendance. The morning session was opened by an address by Professor W. H. Carpenter, provost of Columbia University. The subject of "The library budget" was discussed by Dr. J. C. Schwab, librarian of Yale University, and the subject of "New library buildings" by Mr. W. C. Lane, librarian of Harvard College, and Dr. M. L. Raney, librarian of Johns Hopkins University. Lan tern slides descriptive of the new Harvard and Johns Hopkins library buildings were used to illustrate the latter subject. At the afternoon session Dr. L. N. Wilson, librarian of Clark University, presided. The subject of "The relation between student government and reading room administration" was discussed by Mr. J. Russell Hayes, librarian of Swarthmore College, and Miss Amy L. Reed, librarian of Vassar College. "Vacation reading" was discussed by Professor Lucy M. Salmon, and "The cataloging of academic dissertations" by Mr. T. Franklin Currier, Harvard University Library. Upon motion of the librarian of Columbia University, Dr. Johnston, a committee, consisting of the librarians of Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins Universities, was appointed to consider the question of the cataloging of academic dissertations. Upon the motion of Mr. Sherman, of Amherst College, the librarians of Columbia University and Harvard were appointed a committee to make arrangements for the next annual meeting. Library Organizations LONG ISLAND LIBRARY CLUB The Long Island Library Club held its first meeting of the season at the Bedford branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. The president, Miss Harriot Hassler, introduced the speaker of the afternoon, Miss Caroline M. Hewins, librarian of the Hartford Public Library, who had consented to repeat the address given at the Lake George meeting of the New York Library Association in September on "What I've done in starting and developing work with children in the small country, town or city library." reading were sent to the schools, and club work was developed. Then followed talks given during the summer vacations for an hour each week on subjects covering a wide range. The Christmas book exhibit and the collection of dolls representing all nationalities have become regular features of the work. Miss Hewins laid particular stress on a few points which experience had taught her it was well to heed: That in club work the members of each club have an interest in common outside of school work; That in a Christmas book exhibit inexpensive books be included as well as the expensive illustrated ones; That during the school year each child be allowed but one story book a week; That all children's applications be signed by the parent or guardian, thus placing responsibility where it belongs; That all fines be strictly enforced. The work in Hartford was carried on without any children's room until 1904 when provision was made for one. Gifts and donations, for furnishing, poured in from friends, other children's rooms and library schools, thus attesting the high esteem in which the children's work of the Hartford Public Library as carried on by Miss Hewins is held by the public and the library profession. Miss Hewins also touched upon the extension work being done in the state by traveling libraries, and read a letter from a country school teacher telling of the great help the books sent had been to pupils, teachers and parents. Those who were privileged to hear Miss Hewins realize that a large part of her success is due to the personal touch, the personal interest she takes in each child coming to the library, and her desire to enlarge the horizon of each one. ELEANOR ROPER, Secretary. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION At the meeting of the District of Columbia Library Association, held Oct. 31, the principal speaker was Mr. George B. Utley, secretary of the American Library Association. Mr. Utley spoke concerning various important phases of the work of the A. L. A., and especially of the work done through the secretary's office and the various committees. The annual meeting of the association was held on Dec. 10. The question of affiliation with the American Library Association was discussed, but a vote on the plan was postponed until the January meeting. The annual election of officers was held, and the following were elected: president, Mr. H. H. B. Meyer, of the Library of Congress; first vice-president, Mr. Willard O. Waters, Library of Congress; second vice-president, Miss Kathryn Sellers; secretary, Mr. C. S. Thompson, Public Library; treasurer, Miss Emily A. Spilman, Department of Justice Library; executive committee, the officers just named and Dr. George F. Bowerman, librarian of the Public Library, Mr. Ernest Bruncken, Library of Congress, and Miss Eunice R. Oberly, Plant Industry Bureau Library. After the election of officers Mr. Paul Brockett delivered the retiring president's address, in accordance with the custom of the association, choosing as his topic "Some library opportunities." Mr. Brockett's paper was chiefly devoted to a discussion of the opportunities and the need of greater coöperation, national and international, in bibliographic enterprises. C. SEYMOUR THOMPSON, Secretary. NORTH CAROLINA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION The eighth annual meeting of the North Carolina Library Association was held Nov. 5 and 6 at Washington, N. C. The association was the guest of the Washington Public Library Association, and the members attending were entertained in private homes. All of the sessions were held in the auditorium of the public school. The train bringing most of the librarians was delayed and did not reach Washington until nine o'clock, with the result that only a part of the program for the first session could be given that evening. Mayor Frank C. Kugler gave a warm welcome to the association, and stated his firm belief in the high mission of public libraries. Mr. J. P. Breedlove responded in behalf of the association and gave the president's address, "Every town and village of North Carolina can have a public library." He showed how this can be done even though the library be very small and its growth slow. He spoke of the village library of Pomfret, Vt., and that of Nelson, Canada, as examples of what can be accomplished in small libraries. The second session was held Thursday morning at ten o'clock. The session was conducted in two sections, for college librarians and public librarians. The round-table discussion of the problems of the college library was led by Mr. J. P. Breedlove. "Where and how should reserve books be kept?" was discussed by Miss Annie F. Petty, librarian of the State Normal and Industrial College. She was followed by Miss Eva E. Malone, formerly in the St. Louis Public Library, now librarian of the Meredith College Library, who gave an interesting account of "Periodicals in the St. Louis Public Library." Prof. Ernest Cruikshank, of St. Mary's School, was prevented from attending, but sent his paper on "How may the librarian attract the student to the library?" Each paper was followed by open discussion of the subjects, and of other problems which the college library has to face daily. The public library section, held at the same time, was led by Mrs. A. F. Griggs, librarian of the Durham Public Library. Miss Bettie D. Caldwell, of the Greensboro Carnegie Library, sent her paper on "Library publicity," which was read by Miss Mary B. Palmer. Miss Caldwell wrote of the value of all forms of advertising to the library, and sent samples of the pamphlets, lists, posters, cards, bookmarks, etc., which she had used in making known the resources of her library. Miss Petty contributed to the exhibit several most attractive picture bulletins made in the library of the State Normal and Industrial College. In the open discussion of the subject the librarians of Raleigh, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Durham, Washington, and Charlotte, gave accounts of their publicity work. Miss Mary B. Palmer, Charlotte, told of her experience in establishing a collection of books for business men, and later discussed the best methods of re-registration. Mrs. Griggs then discussed "Rent collections," and told of the rent collection in the Durham Public Library. The two sections then reassembled, and three minute reports from every librarian present were made on "The best thing done in my library during the past year." The third session was held Thursday afternoon at three o'clock. Miss Leatherman asked for the appointment of a committee on closer coöperation between the Association and the commission. Miss Palmer was made chairman of that committee. The nominating committee made its report, and the following officers were elected for the next year: president, Miss Annie F. Petty, State Normal and Industrial College; first vicepresident, Mr. J. Frank Wilkes, Charlotte; second vice-president, Miss Bettie D. Caldwell, Greensboro Carnegie Library; treasurer, Mrs. A. F. Griggs, Durham Public Library; secretary, Miss Mary B. Palmer, Charlotte. Miss Leatherman presented an invitation to the association to hold its next meeting in Raleigh. The invitation came from the commission, the Olivia Raney Library, Miss Rosenthal, and the Meredith College Library. The question was referred to the executive committee. The last session was held Thursday evening at eight o'clock. Miss Minnie W. Leatherman spoke on "The dissemination of books," emphasizing the peculiar rural problem of the North Carolina library movement. The last legislature made a small appropriation for traveling libraries, thus enabling the commission to begin the work of sending out traveling libraries in addition to the debate libraries it has been lending for the past two years. Mr. George B. Utley, secretary of the American Library Association, spoke on "What should a public library mean to a community?" He told of his pleasure in returning to the South, where he had lived for ten years. He said that a public library should be an institution for both young and old, and spoke of the work with foreigners, workingmen, business men and legislators. A library should be an institution free to all. There are many people in every community who are never reached by the public library. Librarians should observe the methods of business men and adapt them for library use. The library should be a storehouse of local history. Much material which will be valuable to the historian should be preserved in libraries. The library should be a place of wholesome recreation, acting as a counter attraction to vicious shows and other harmful amusements. Finally, the library should strive to disseminate a taste for good books in the community, and should inspire the people to have libraries of their own. Dr. Louis R. Wilson, librarian of the State University, spoke on "The library in community building," telling of the ideas current in North Carolina to-day, of the men who are working out these ideas, and of the relation of the library to them. Following his paper, the resolutions committee made its report, and a vote of appreciation was passed, thanking Mr. Utley and the Washington Public Library Association. The meeting adjourned, and the evening ended with a delightful reception held at the home of Mrs. C. L. Baugham. The courtesy and hospitality of Washington people were much appreciated by the members of the association, and added much to the success of the meeting. MARY B. PALMER, Secretary. INDIANA LIBRARY TRUSTEES' ASSOCIATION The Indiana Library Trustees' Association held its fifth annual meeting at the Hotel Severin, Indianapolis, Nov. 20-21, 1913. The keynote of this meeting was better service for the library and better library service for the public. The first session, which opened at two o'clock Thursday afternoon, was devoted to a discussion of library legislation. The president, Judge Ora L. Wildemuth, in his opening address stated that the most important work of the association was the improvement of library legislation in the state of Indiana. He said that if our libraries are going to keep pace with all those things that make for social, civic and moral betterment it is absolutely essential for the future welfare of our libraries that we have a uniform footing so that all may work together. The report of the legislative committee was given by Mrs. A. D. Moffett, of Elwood, former president of the association, and under whose administration the uniform library bill was prepared. She gave an account of the efforts to get the bill passed at the last legislature, and said the failure was largely due to the indifference of the Senate. Mrs. Moffett recommended that a legislative committee be appointed to redraft and perfect the codification bill, and conduct a publicity campaign among the library trustees of the state to enlist their active coöperation in the effort to secure the passage of the bill by the next legislature. This discussion was continued by Carl H. Milam, J. P. Dunn, Mord Carter and Mrs. C. F. Lammers, a representative of a school board library. At the evening session, Mr. Merle Sidener, publicity man for the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, gave a most inspiring and profitable talk on "Library advertising." The discussion on this subject was led by Miss Lois Compton, of New Castle, who gave an account of her efforts to secure better library facilities for her city. Mrs. Howe, of Delphi, continued the discussion, and a very interesting communication was read on this subject from Miss Mary Ahern, of Chicago. Miss Ahern's message was that the best library advertising is efficient service and a satisfied public. An interesting paper, "The library of fifty years ago," written by John Ade, of Kentland, was read by the secretary. Following the close of the program, a very delightful informal reception was held in the parlor of the hotel. The Friday morning session was taken up with a discussion of "Municipal reference |