Interest at a Local Centre

Abstract

MY first title for this paper was the forbidding one of “Adult Education at a Local Centre,” but I should not like to raise the idea in the minds of my educationist colleagues that I am desiring to proffer new ideas on educational method,—far from it. I leave that to those who sit in chairs, All I want to do is to state briefly and with candour what my impressions are as to the achievement as I have seen it at my own library centre over a short term of years. I am glad of the opportunity presented in this friendly magazine to say most heartily that I regard my casual work as a voluntary librarian as of as great importance, from the viewpoint of citizenship, as my work in the school. I like school work and teaching, but am not blind to the fact that any influence I have on the scholars is as likely as not to pass away at adolescence. The library work at least is telling; and in this case such influence as I may have is with formed minds. I have seen the broad educational results of the library work to much more effect than in the case of the school work in which one marks time always. I have had young men and young women and older folk come to the library casually, have got to know their tastes, and have seen miracles happen.