think what would happen in the event of an act of war, or even of fire, in our national copyright depository. "The carefulness and foresight of ordinary business affairs demand that all shall not be risked in one place."

Mr. Hopkins' paper on "A handbook of library economy," read by A. E. Whitaker, suggested the publication of such a handbook in the form of a dictionary, which should contain about 1000 articles, arranged alphabetically by subjects, with cross-reference, and a carefully prepared bibliography with an index.

This paper was referred to the Publishing section.

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A paper on the "Best method of changing a subscription library to a free public library," by C. W. McClintock, was read by J. T. Woodruff. The only plan found feasible in Pennsylvania was that of subsidizing the common schools, making an appropriation for them exclusively. An act was passed by the last legislature giving the schools the requisite assistance in establishing and carrying on free libraries.

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Prof. G: T. Little's paper on "Helping inquirers," read by Miss Garland, presented briefly and clearly the essential qualifications of a good reference librarian. The first point in giving help is understanding the inquirer, who may not be able to state clearly what he is in search of. The mental dexterity of a lawyer, the manners of a diplomat, and the patience of a saint are qualities the librarian must cultivate, if he would clearly comprehend the inquiries put to him." Mastery of the library is also essential. Not all librarians are walking encyclopædias. Most know only because they know where to find the facts. The librarian should have the acquaintance of an expert, (1) with reference books, (2) with the classification of the library, (3) with recent bibliographies, especially the more informal and helpful notes in library bulletins and literary newspapers, the aids which his fellow-librarians have put in print.

Treasurer: George Watson Cole, Jersey City' N. J. Trustee of Endowment Fund: Norman Williams, Chicago, Ill.

A. L. A. Council: Katherine L. Sharp, Chicago; Herbert Putnam, Boston; Henry W. Utley, Detroit; Edwin H. Anderson, Pittsburg.

The committee on place of next meeting reported the following resolution, which was adopted:

"Voted, That we have received with great satisfaction the proposals for an international conference of the American Library Association, and the Library Association of the United Kingdom in Great Britain, at some time in the near future, and promise that this Association enter heartily into such plans to that effect as may be made by future conferences.

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But it is the conviction of this meeting that the near approach of the grand centennial in Paris, in the year 1900, points to that date as the one to be chosen for a gathering of the librarians of the world."

Opportunity was then given for the presenting of names of places for the next meeting. Miss Imogene Hazeltine, of Jamestown, N. Y., presented the attractions of Chautauqua Lake, its accessibility, its delightfulness as a place of rest, the great opportunity for reaching thousands of people by holding sessions for one day at the Chautauqua Assembly grounds, and on behalf of the people of Jamestown extended their cordial invitation to a banquet to be given to the Association.

No abstract can give any idea of the charming eloquence with which Miss Hazeltine presented her case. Her earnestness, clear-cut phrases, and glowing word-pictures captivated the conference, and she took her seat amid a storm of applause.

Mr. Brett arose with the remark that if he had not come to the conference expressly to present the claims of Cleveland he should have to vote for Chautauqua. But there were reasons why the invitation from the city of Cleveland should be accepted for next year rather than any other. It would be the 200th anniversary of the settlement of the place, and the 50th of the founding of the library. The great lakes offered special attractions for post-conference excursions at low rates. This was the second year the call to meet at Cleveland had been made, and he hoped for a favorable answer. Miss Hazeltine, perceiving the cogency of Mr. Brett's arguments, and evidently unwilling to enter into a contest in which victory for her cause would bring great disappointment to others, gracefully withdrew the claims which she had presented for Chautauqua in favor of Cleveland. By this delicate and tactful move Miss Hazeltine secured for her cause, when she next chooses to present it, the votes of all who were present. No other places being presented, Cleveland was chosen by a unanimous vote as the place for the next conference, the time to be selected by the council-probably about the first of September, 1896.

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The report of the finance committee was read and accepted.

The following queries from the question-box were read, and the answers obtained by a show of hands:

How many of those present at this conference, who came from active library work, had their expenses met by their several libraries? Answer: 21.

How many had their time given but not expenses? Answer: 32.

The amendments proposed to the constitution were fully discussed and finally laid over until the afternoon session.

The committee on resolutions presented the following resolution, prepared by Mr. Fassig: "As the rapid growth of that class of scientific literature which is being issued in serial publications makes a comprehensive subject-index to this material of the greatest importance, and as the labor involved in the preparation of such an index makes international co-operation necessary, the American Library Association heartily indorses the movement inaugurated by the Royal Society of London for indexing the currect scientific literature in serial publications.

"Believing that the best method for accomplishing this purpose can most readily be arrived at by discussion in a conference of those most directly interested in the work, the Association further indorses the recent recommendation of the Committee of the Royal Society to hold an international conference in London in the summer of 1896 for the consideration of plans." Accepted and referred to the council. The special committee on Mr. Brett's scheme for indexing current periodicals reported, “That they are convinced that the plan is a good and proper one to try, and recommend it to the favorable consideration of the conference." Adopted.

At the afternoon session the proposed amendments to the constitution were taken up and again discussed. When the final vote on their adoption was taken, failing to secure a twothirds vote in their favor, they were declared rejected.

At 3.15 p.m. a committee from the Chamber of Commerce took charge of the members, and in electric cars took them for a ride over nearly all the electric lines in the city. The excursion proved a most delightful one. We were whirled thro' fine wide avenues in the heart of the city, back and forth thro' shaded suburbs, up hill and down, by park and gardens, lakes, and pleasure-grounds, with constantly changing and ever attractive views, now of the city from the summit of a hill, and now of the magnificent mountain-range to the west. The queen city of the plains was exhibited to us in all her loveliness. A specially notable feature was the utter absence of rookeries or slums. Scarcely a wooden building was to be seen, save a few neat cottages.

Friday evening the members sat down to their annual dinner in company with a number of guests. It was royally served and keenly enjoyed. Hon. Platt Rogers, of the committee of the City Library, gave an entertaining after-dinner speech, and C: Alex. Nelson recited an original poem on Oliver Wendell Holmes. The

remainder of the evening was delightfully spent in pleasant social intercourse.

NINTH DAY.

At 10.30 a.m. of Wednesday, Aug. 21, the final session of the conference was called to order in the lecture-room of the beautiful Coburn Library at Colorado Springs. The committee on the memorial to the late Dr. W: F: Poole presented the following preliminary report: "Your committee has organized by the election of Dr. Wire as secretary and treasurer, and requests that members present who wish to subscribe to the fund hand their names to Dr. Wire. Your committee recommends that the memorial take the form of a bronze bust, which, with a suitable pedestal, can be procured for a sum not to exceed $500. This sum can certainly be raised in an association of this size; and your committee would urge upon all members of the A. L. A. that in thus paying respect to the memory of a distinguished representative we are honoring the profession to which we are proud to belong."

The report was unanimously adopted.

The report of the special committee, to which was referred the communications from the board of women managers of the Atlanta Exposition, was read by Mr. Carr, viz.: "Your committee appointed to consider the communications from Mrs. Wallace and others concerning the action of this body in regard to the Atlanta Cotton Exposition beg leave to submit the following: 1, It is advisable that the secretary respond to the letters received, accepting the invitation for individual members to attend and take part in proceedings of the library congress to be held during the Exposition. 2, It is further advised that the committee in charge of the library exhibit be informed that the A. L. A. no longer has possession of the model library exhibited at Chicago, the same having been given into the charge of the U. S. Bureau of Education, to whom application should be made."

The report was received and adopted.

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The committee on resolutions reported the following: Resolved, That the thanks of the American Library Association are due and are hereby tendered to the Denver Chamber of Commerce, to the Colorado Library Association, and to the resident members of the A. L. A., and also to the Chamber of Commerce and the Reception Committee of Colorado Springs, for the cordial hospitality they have extended to this Association and for the enjoyable entertainment they have provided for visiting delegates."

Accepted and unanimously adopted.

On the suggestion of Mr. Elmendorf, all friends of the library movement were invited to become members of the Association.

The president then announced the topic for the morning's discussion: "Systems of control, support, and administration of public libraries."

Mr. Ehrich, of Colorado Springs, after cordially welcoming the Association, remarked that in former times the librarian filled the position of custodian and keeper of books. "As Longfellow has said that books are the sepulchres of

Property is a trust. There is a community of interest and right in property accumulated. The unearned increment is a fit object of public claim.

Mr. J. C. Dana: "Our experience cannot be of much value to people of Colorado Springs. Our School district no. I is perhaps the only one in the state able to raise a tax sufficiently large, about $6000. The board of education runs the library with a special tax levied under the school law."

Rev. Mr. Washburn, formerly of Stockbridge, Mass., referred to Mr. S. S. Green and his work in Worcester. "We are like Artemus Ward, all ready to have some rich man start. I say begin on a popular movement, do something ourselves. We must raise money and afterward let the rich man come along."

Mr. Nelson: "I simply wish to acknowledge the correction of the impression I received on reading your Colorado library law. It seemed to me to put too much control of library funds into the hands of the politicians and rings. But since I have seen the magnificent school-houses in every town I have visited, even in the mining towns in the heart of the Rockies, often the finest building in the town, and have met and talked with and heard, as we have this morning, the men who handle public moneys, my fears have vanished. Your taxes will be well spent and your libraries will come soon."

Rev. W. A. Platt, editor of the Gazette, said: "I came here to take notes for my paper, not to talk. But this is one of the most practical discussions I have ever heard. Let us get up a popular sentiment and we shall have a library. The Gazette will help all in its power."

On motion of Mr. Eastman, a unanimous vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Warren for his untiring efforts for the comfort and pleasure of the members.

Meetings of the various sections were called to be held immediately after adjournment. Adjourned at 12.20 p.m.

The cordiality of our reception will long be remembered. Members of the Colorado Library Association sent bouquets to 40 rooms at the Windsor shortly after our arrival. The reception Wednesday evening at the High School was a brilliant success. It was held in the fine large entrance hall of the building, which, with the Friends in Council room and others, was handsomely decorated with flowers. Gov. McIntyre and many of the leading citizens of Denver were present. Music was furnished by an orchestra and refreshments were served throughout the evening. The University Club House at Denver and the El Paso Club at Colorado Springs were freely opened to members of the Association. The various excursions arranged for were fully enjoyed by all who took them. The Flower festival at Colorado Springs and the illuminated bicycle evening parade were added beautiful incidents of our visit. The post-conference trips and excursions will be fully written up for the Proceedings.

C: ALEX. NELSON, Secretary pro tem.

TRANSACTIONS OF EXECUTIVE BOARD. THE executive board of the A. L. A. met at the Coburn Library Building, Colorado Springs, Wednesday, August 21. Present: Messrs. Utley, Dana, Carr, Dudley, Elmendorf, and Miss West; also W: H. Brett, as representing place of next meeting. Mr. Brett (as chairman) and Secretary Elmendorf were selected as local committee (with power to add to their number); said committee to arrange for exact date of next meeting, the Association having designated "on or about the first of September, so far as satisfactory arrangements can be made." The president and secretary were appointed a committee on program, and, in conjunction with the local committee, to determine upon the general policy and nature of the next conference.

The following additional officers were chosen: C: Alex. Nelson, recorder; Miss Nina E. Browne, assistant recorder; Charles Orr, G: B. Meleney, F: W. Faxon, S. H. Berry, and T: L. Montgomery, assistant secretaries.

Messrs. Whitney, Jones, and Whelpley were reappointed as finance committee; also Messrs. Thwaites and Gould and Miss Ahern as foreign documents committee. For the several other committees the following named chairmen were appointed: W: H. Tillinghast, on co-operation; R: R. Bowker, on public documents; Pliny T. Sexton, on endowment; J. N. Larned, on library school and training classes. Other members of said committees to be selected by the president and ex-president in conjunction with the respective chairman of each committee.

Voted, That all persons not in library work who have joined and paid dues since the last conference be elected members under Section 3 of the constitution.