Friday morning: election of officers and miscellaneous business. Friday afternoon from 2 to 4, a joint meeting of the A. L. A. and Trustees Section. Attempt will be made to secure the attendance of a large number of trustees. The feeling is very widespread among librarians that not enough attention has been paid to this part of the library world. From 4 to 6, meetings of other sections. Friday evening: annual dinner. Late in the evening the party will take boat for Detroit. Saturday in Detroit, and Saturday evening take the steamer for the Island of Mackinac.

The Hollenden Hotel has been provisionally decided on for headquarters in Cleveland, and convenient rooms secured for meeetings. By authority of the executive board,

H. L. ELMENDORF, Secretary.

A. L. A. ORGANIZATION, 1895-1896. THE following revised list of officers is sent out by Secretary Elmendorf:

President: J: C. Dana, Public Library, Denver, Col.

Vice-Presidents: Henry J. Carr, Public Library, Scranton, Pa.; Miss Theresa West, Public Library, Milwaukee, Wis.; C: R. Dudley, City Library, Denver, Col.

Secretary: H: L. Elmendorf, Public Library, St. Joseph, Mo.

Treasurer: George W. Cole, Public Library, Jersey City, N. J.

Acting Treasurer: E. H. Anderson, Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Recorder: C: Alex. Nelson, Columbia College Library, New York City.

Assistant Secretaries: G: B. Meleney, Library Bureau, Chicago, Ill.; Charles Orr, Case Library, Cleveland, O.; F: W. Faxon, Boston Book Co., Boston, Mass.; S. H. Berry, Y. M. C. A. Library, Brooklyn, N. Y.; T: L. Montgomery, Wagner Free Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.; Miss Mildred Wood, Public Library, Cleveland, O. Assistant Recorder: Miss Nina E. Browne, Library Bureau, Boston, Mass.

Executive Board: The president, ex-president (H: M. Utley, Public Library, Detroit, Mich.), vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and recorder.

EUROPEAN POST-CONFERENCE TRIP, 1997.

THE following circular has been issued by Secretary Elmendorf on behalf of the executive

board of the A. L. A.:

At a meeting of the executive board of the A. L. A., held at Cleveland, Ohio, October 10, 1895, a communication was presented from Mr. C. C. Soule, objecting to that action of the Denver Conference which recommended postponement of a European trip to 1900, for the following reasons:

(1) Because consideration of the trip has already been twice postponed to accommodate other plans, and another five years' delay would be nearly the same for the older librarians as indefinite postponement.

(2) Because an exposition year is not a good one for such a trip, as hotels, steamers, and cars will be overcrowded, and so large a party

cannot be comfortably carried and housed together under such conditions.

Mr. Soule argued that this very important subject should not be left to the chance decision of a conference, but ought properly to be voted on by all members of the association.

Upon Mr. Soule's proposition the board took action, instructing the secretary to take the vote of the whole association by letter.

In order to give more definiteness to the plan, inquiries have been made of tourist agencies as to the expense of a two months' trip, sketched out informally as follows:

New York or Boston to Queenstown, Cork, Blarney Castle, Killarney, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, through the Trossachs to Edinburgh and Carlisle, Windmere, Manchester, Birmingham, Kenilworth, also the round trip to Oxford, and open conveyances for driving from Kenilworth to Warwick, Stratford, and Leamington, London, Cambridge, direct to Liverpool, and from Liverpool to the United States. Secondclass in Ireland, third-class in Great Britain, three substantial meals a day, first-class hotels, transfers between hotel and train or boat, and conveyance of reasonable amount of luggage, about 75 pounds to each passenger. This trip would cost not to exceed $290 for each perIf 200 go, a special steamer can be obtained. So many librarians are interested in this excursion, and so many trustees and other friends are likely to want to see Great Britain under their auspices, that it is more likely that the number of the party will have to be limited than recruits drummed up.

son.

The trip outlined above is intended to cover most of the interesting and important libraries of Ireland, Scotland, and England, and to take in as much natural beauty as possible without wasting time. It will leave time to visit other towns, to be selected later and on the advice of our English friends. A meeting with the L. A. U. K. in London is planned.

The object of an association trip ought to be to inspect those libraries from which we can learn most, and as it seems necessary to limit both time and expense to a minimum, no provision has been made for a Continental trip, but time enough could be given to London to allow any members who so desire a short trip on the Continent. Arrangements could probably be made for an extension of time on tickets of those desiring to remain after the return of the main party. It will, of course, be understood that this route is entirely provisional, only outlined now as a basis for calculation.

Every member of the association is asked to vote on the following resolution:

Resolved, That the A. L. A. conference for 1897 be held at some place near the Atlantic sea-coast, and that a post-conference trip be made to Europe.

If such a trip is voted, would you try to go?

If so, would you probably take with you any other persons not now members of the association?

Would any of your trustees or library force not now members of the association be likely to go? If so, how many

What two months would best suit you? Name preferred starting and returning dates.

Vote for or against resolution on postal card sent with circular. A careful record of the vote will be kept and the result reported. In case of a favorable vote, members entering their names now will, of course, have a preference if it becomes necessary to limit the party.

H. L. ELMENDORF, Secretary.

State Library Associations.

NEW JERSEY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. THE annual meeting of the New Jersey Library Association was held at the Jersey City Free Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Miss Cornelia A. See; Vice-Presidents, Miss Nelson, Miss Van Hoevenberg, and Mr. Herzog; Secretary, Miss Beatrice Winser; Treasurer, Miss Emma L. Adams. The committees on legislation and library commission reported progress and the association adopted the following resolution:

"WHEREAS, In those states in which library commissions have been organized, the interests of library work have been greatly furthered, therefore be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the New Jersey

Library Association that a law should be drafted appoint. ing a library commission on lines similar to the commissions established in the states of New Hampshire and "Resolved, That in view of the importance of the office of state librarian, the present incumbent be asked to cooperate with the New Jersey Library Association in se

Massachusetts. And be it further

curing the passage of a law providing for the appoint

ment of this commission."

A special committee consisting of Miss Adams, Miss Van Hoevenberg, and Miss Winser was appointed to collect and print all the laws of New Jersey relating to libraries.

Miss Adams then read an interesting paper on the "Work accomplished by the various state library associations." (See p. 377).

A recommendation made to the executive committee to hold an all-day meeting in January was received with great enthusiasm, and the outlook for a new lease of life for the New Jersey Library Association is very bright.

BEATRICE WINSER, Secretary.

OHIO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

THE opening session of the first annual meeting of the Ohio Library Association was called to order by President Brett in the banquet-hall of the Hollenden, Cleveland, Tuesday evening, Oct. I.

Addresses of welcome were made by the mayor, Mr. McKisson, and Judge Hutchins, of the Cleveland Public Library Board. The response on behalf of the visitors was made by Mr. A. S. Root, of the Oberlin College Library, in a happy little speech, after which the president delivered his annual address, giving a brief history of libraries and library legislation in the various states and outlining methods by which the libraries of Ohio shall rank higher among its educational institutions, and by which they shall "be commensurate with the importance of our noble state."

On Wednesday morning the association met

at the Public Library, when the following papers were read: "Library co-operation," by Mr. R. P. Hayes, of Columbus; "Library work in a small city," by Miss Martha Mercer, of Mansfield; and "The country library," by Miss Charlotte D. Leavitt, of Elyria. The program being finished, a recess was taken and a visit made to the Case Library, where the remainder of the forenoon was spent.

The afternoon was devoted to visiting Adelbert College and its library, and the Case School of Applied Science, the president of each institution acting as host. One of the branch libraries was visited, where the ladies in charge welcomed the visitors and served refreshments.

The evening meeting was most interesting, the subject being "The library as an educational factor," and upon this theme addresses were made by some of the most prominent educators of the city. Miss Mary E. Comstock, principal of the Walton school, and Miss May H. Prentice, of the Normal school, spoke from the teachers' point of view, while Miss Linda A. Eastman, of the Dayton Public Library, treated the subject from the librarian's standpoint.

Superintendent of Schools Jones related an incident of a visit made in the company of his guest, Dr. Alcott, to the public schools of a Western city, where he introduced Dr. Alcott, who gave a five-minute talk, in each department, upon some incident in the life of his gifted daughter, which seemed to arouse a great deal of interest. That evening Mr. Jones called at everything was "out." At the book-stores the the library for something of Miss Alcott's, but demand for her books was so great a fresh supply was ordered time after time, and for months afterward the book trade of the city was in

creased as a result of that visit.

Mr. Evan H. Hopkins spoke upon the pernicious effect of bad books, and it was his opinion that a library should not supply trashy literature, no matter how great the demand. Dr. Johnston, principal of the West High school, was the last speaker of the evening, giving some valuable points to both teachers and librarians. It was a notable fact that each of the speakers paid tribute to the good work being done by the libraries of Cleveland through the excellent management of Mr. Brett and Mr. Orr.

At the business meeting Thursday morning the reports of the secretary and treasurer were submitted and new members received into the association, among them being the prospective governor of the state, Gen. Asa S. Bushnell, who sent a pleasant letter, which was read by Mr. Woodward, of Springfield, in presenting his name for membership.

The board of officers was re-elected, viz.: W. H. Brett, President; Mrs. Frances D. Jermain, R. C. Woodward, and Miss Nana A. Newton, Vice-presidents; Miss Alice Boardman, Secretary; Charles Orr, Treasurer; and Rutherford P. Hayes.

Standing committees that will report at the next meeting were appointed by the executive board, as follows: Legislation, consisting of five members, Mr. Conover, of Dayton, chairman; Library extension, composed of the col

lege section of the association with Mr. Root, of Oberlin, as chairman; State documents, Mr. Orr, Cleveland, chairman; Library statistics, Mr. R. C. Woodward, Springfield, chairman; Sunday - school libraries, Mr. Robert Michel, Columbus, chairman; Auditing committee, Mr. Borrows, of Chillicothe, chairman. Invitations were extended by Springfield and Toledo for the next meeting, but after some animated discussion it was decided by vote to meet in Cleveland in conjunction with the National Association. At the afternoon session Mr. Charles Orr, of the Case Library, read a paper upon the "Printing and distribution of public documents in Ohio," in which he advocated the use of better materials and a more systematic method of distribution. Miss Mary Emogene Hazeltine, of Jamestown, N. Y., was to have delivered an address on " Library extension in New York," but on account of illness she was unable to be present, much to the regret of the association, which adopted suitable resolutions and instructed the secretary to inform Miss Hazeltine of their action. After extending thanks to the press, the Board of Education, the school-workers, and especially to the local committee, the association adjourned.

The banquet, Thursday evening, at the Hollenden was a delightful affair and was a fitting close to a most harmonious and enjoyable meeting. ALICE BOARDMAN, Secretary.

LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL CALI

FORNIA.

THE Library Association of Central California held its regular meeting October 8, 1895, President Rowell presiding.

Mr. Peterson, of the Oakland Free Public Library, read a paper on "Library co-operation and specialization," in which he argued against the wasting of financial force by duplicating costly books which were already in neighboring libraries, and which might by a system of co-operation be made available to all, urging that such co-operation would tend to promote a friendly and fraternal feeling between the libraries. He thought that the library that does not specialize, however small the field may be, cannot in the highest sense deserve the name of library.

The objection suggested was that most libraries cannot afford to specialize, and that, especially in the case of free libraries, the taxpayers would naturally object to the using of funds for books of little direct service to them, and that for the present we can only hope to gain approval for the idea of co-operative specialization as the true theory and highest ideal for library workers.

Mr. Clark, of the San Francisco Public Library, read an able and interesting paper on "Relation of the state library to other libraries," in which he favored making state, United States, and official public documents the special features of state libraries. He thought the state librarian should have charge of the distribution of state public documents.

A discussion followed, in which Miss Hancock and Messrs. Harbourne, Peterson, Coleman, Cleary, and Laymon took part.

Mr. Teggart presented the following resolution: "The Library Association of Central California has unanimously resolved that the librarian of - Library present to the trustees and directors of his library the great desirability of the mutual loan of works between the libraries of this district, and urge the advantages to be derived from the consent of the trustees to the elaboration of a method of co-operation between the libraries."

This was unanimously adopted.

The president announced the topic for the November meeting: "Book publishing and bookselling in California," and the meeting then adjourned. A. M. JELLISON, Secretary.

Library Clubs.

WASHINGTON (D. C.) LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

THE ninth regular meeting of the Washington (D. C.) Library Association was held in the Columbian University, October 30th. It was the opening meeting of the season and was unusually well attended. President A. R. Spofford presided. The meeting was one of especial interest and significance to the association owing to the many additions to its membership. The office of the superintendent of public documents furnishes the largest quota of new members: Miss Hasse, Miss Edith Clark, Miss Silliman, Miss Gay, and Mr. Burns; two are from the library of the Department of Agriculture: Miss Barnett and Miss Hawks. In addition there were Miss Kelso, formerly of the Los Angeles Public Library; Rev. Mr. Shabel'e, of Georgetown University; Mrs. MacMakin, of the Bureau of Statistics, Treasury Department; Miss Dyer, of the Smithsonian Institution; Mrs. Stevens, and Miss Graham.

"Bibliography" and the" Free Public Library organized in Washington" were the topics considered. Dr. Charles Wardell Styles, of the Department of Agriculture, gave an interesting account of the bibliographic results of the Leyden International Conference of Zoologists, which he attended as a delegate during September. An American, Dr. H. H. Field, has the credit of successfully planning and putting into operation at Zurich, Switzerland, a scheme of indexing the current literature of zoology, which may prove practicable in the larger field of indexing proposed by the Royal Society of London.

Mr. Oliver L. Fassig gave a brief account of the papers relating to bibliography which were read at the Denver Conference.

The chief interest of the evening was centred about General Greely's account of what has been done toward the establishment in Washington of a free public library. During the past spring and summer notices have appeared in the columns of the LIBRARY JOURNAL showing the progress made in this movement. Rooms have now been secured and fitted up: about 2000 volumes have been received as gifts and for deposit as reference-books, and additions are coming in rapidly. Space has been provided at present for only 5000 volumes, but there is plenty of available room for growth. The position of librarian has been offered to Miss Gilke, of the Mercantile Library in St. Louis, who will probably enter upon her new duties sometime during No