THE evening of Saint Valentine's Day was spent most delightfully by the members and friends of the Library School at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey. The program, which had been kept a secret until that evening, was arranged and carried out entirely by the junior class. The first part of the evening was spent in dancing, including a minuet danced by four young ladies in old-fashioned costume.

This was followed by the appearance of a special messenger, laden with two large leather bags filled with valentines. The valentines

were designed and written by the junior class, and displayed much artistic and poetical talent. A large pie, with crust of paper and "filling" of valentines, was then set before the guests, and each one had a "piece."

This unique distribution of valentines was followed by refreshments, after which the fun of the evening rose to its height when the folding doors were drawn aside and disclosed "Alice in Wonderland" taking tea with the March hare, the Dormouse, and the Hatter.

State Library Associations.

CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

THE Connecticut Library Association held its fourth annual meeting on Feb. 22, in the hall of the Normal School, New Britain. Professor Samuel Hart, D.D., the president, called it to order and introduced Professor Camp, of New Britain, who in a short address of welcome invited the association to visit the Normal School library and New Britain Institute. Dr. Hart in his reply referred to the work of the Normal School and board of education in connection

with libraries. After the reading of the reports the morning on "How to keep libraries clean" was opened with a paper by Miss Lucy Butler, of the New London Public Library. The paper advocated a thorough cleaning once a year and mentioned that students in the Paris libraries are now obliged to wear muzzles in order to prevent inhaling microbes from ancient dust. Several librarians spoke in favor of holding books over a pan of water and brushing them with a stiff brush, but never with a feather duster. The Bronson Library, Waterbury, and Newton Case Library in this city are so near railroads that coal-dust sifts in upon the books. The Yale library is not swept, but cleaned with a wet sponge or a split mop-stick with clamps and a ring. Books are dusted out-of-doors in the summer vacation. Several libraries clean a few shelves every day and as soon as all the books have been dusted, in three or six months, begin again.

of the secretary and treasurer, the discussion of

The Rev. Dr. Cooper, of New Britain, read a paper on "The private library." A private library, he said, need not be large, but must be a part of oneself and have individuality and character. A man who collects books merely for rare editions and elegant bindings does not own a library. Every intelligent young person should own books and every house should have its own little library. Books and a garden are the two most graceful appurtenances of a home. One should buy standard books to the extent of at least two or three great authors, resolving to be taught by them, and after that follow one's own hobby, like a leading business man in New

The dramatic effects of this amusing scene were most cleverly brought out both by the costumes and the acting, and called forth the heart-Britain, who owns four or five hundred volumes iest laughter and applause. No one could by any means agree with "Alice," who said "that it was the stupidest tea party she ever was at."

LIBRARY SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.

on the Eastern question. One of the chief functions of a public library is to encourage the ownership of books, and its mission is not fulfilled until its general benefit is specialized. Librarians in small towns where there are no booksellers can aid readers in buying, advise as to the best editions and make arrangements with dealers in large cities better than persons not used to handling books. There is no antagonism between public and private libraries. Intimate association with the few does not shut us out from the many.

THE bound volume of the " Regents' examination papers for 1894," just issued by the State University (392 p. O.) contains, p. 259-296, the library examination papers of the past year. There are 23 papers, covering questions in elementary and advanced bibliography, accession department and shelf department, elementary and advanced classification and cataloging, Miss Champlin, of the Normal School library, loan systems, library buildings, printing, bind-read a paper on "School and college libraries,' ing, literature, French and German. The questions are most interesting and admirable for their scope and method of arrangement.

describing the difference between the old type of college library, where the volumes were rarely distributed, and the usefulness of a new

one under a trained librarian. She recommended a uniform classification for school and college libraries, in order that a high-school pupil need waste no time in college in learning how to buy books. She found only four out of 20 college libraries which do not find a dictionary catalog more useful than a classed one. Children should be admitted to school libraries as soon as they learn how to handle books carefully. They soon learn how to use a catalog, and under the care and advice of a school librarian, learn to have a nice sense of the value of reading and learn the practical use of books. A school or college librarian should have the general knowledge of many subjects which a college training gives, should be an educator, and possess the true spirit of service. Miss Champlin suggested that some one wishing to endow a library should found one for children. Mr. Perry, of the Newton Case Library, thought that the function of the college library is being absorbed by professors who are specialists.

After dinner at the Russwin the following

OHIO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

the leading librarians of the state, a meeting PURSUANT to a call issued by a number of 28, and the Ohio Library Association was was held in Columbus, O., on February 27 and

formed.

The first meeting was held Wednesday evening, Feb. 27, in the parlors of the Neil House, when a temporary organization was effected. Mr. J. H. Spielman, of the Columbus Public rows, of Chillicothe, as secretary. School Library, acted as chairman, and Mr. Bur

officers were elected: President, Willis K. Stetson, of the New Haven Public Library; vice-presidents, Dr. A. S. Beardsley of the Plymouth Library, Professor D. N. Camp, of New Britain; C. Amelia Clark, of the Acton Library, Saybrook; Jennie A. Ford, of the Dunham Li brary, Willimantic; Jonathan Trumbull, of the Otis Library, Norwich; secretary, Mary A. Richardson, of the New London Public Library; assistant secretary, Angeline Scott, of the South Norwalk Public Library; treasurer, Mrs. Agnes Hills, of the Bridgeport Public Library. A paper by Mr. W: N. Carlton, of the Watkin-assembled in the State Library and completed the organization by adopting a constitution son Library, on the recent Napoleon exhibition at that library was read, stating that 400 illustra- of the association such persons as are interbroad enough in its scope to admit as members tions, including 80 portraits of Napoleon, rang- ested in library work and who shall be recoming from a low-born villain to an idealistic demimended for membership by the executive comgod, were shown. mittee.

The Hon. Leverett Brainard was unable to be present to open a discussion on bookbinding, but sent C: E. Beebe, of Hartford, who exhibited various styles of binding, saying that both "Russia" and "seal" are made from the back of the same animal, the common domestic cow.

He showed the binding of a subscription book,

held in place only by a piece of cheesecloth, and stated that books are often kept too long and used too much before they are rebound. Secretary C. D. Hine, of the State Board of Education, spoke on the work of the Connecticut Public Library Committee.

A memorial sketch of Mrs. Martha Todd Hill, of Stonington, one of the earliest officers of the association, prepared by her husband, the Rev. Charles F. Hill, was read. It was through her efforts that the Stonington Public Library was founded.

An invitation from the Bill Memorial Library in Groton for the next meeting was read by the secretary, and referred to the executive committee. The association. after a vote of thanks to the principal of the Normal School and the other kind friends in New Britain who had aided in making the day a pleasant one, adjourned late in the afternoon.

librarians

Thursday morning about 35 and others in sympathy with the movement

Mr. W. H. Brett, of the Cleveland Public Library, was unanimously elected president. The other officers are First vice-president Mrs. Frances D. Jermain, of the Public Library, Toledo; second vice-president, Mr. Robert C. Woodward, Springfield Public Library; third vice-president, Miss Nana A. Newton, of Ports

mouth Public Library; secretary, Miss Boardman, of the State Library; treasurer, Mr. Charles These officers constitute the executive board with Mr. Orr, of the Case Library, Cleveland. Rutherford P. Hayes, of Fremont, who was chosen as an additional and advisory member. The final business session was held Thursday evening, in the Public School Library, at the

close of which a unanimous vote of thanks was tendered for all courtesies extended. Mr. Spielman then invited the visitors to the assembly

room, where refreshments were served, and a general good time followed.

held at Cleveland, during October, and the reguThe next meeting of the association will be lar sessions annually thereafter.

ALICE BOARDMAN, Secretary.

WISCONSIN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

THE fourth conference of the Wisconsin Library Association was held in Madison, on Wednesday and Thursday, February 13 and 14. 1895. The conference was attended by 55 persons-representatives from the free libraries of Milwaukee, Madison, Fond du Lac, La Crosse, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Neenah, Beaver Dam, Mineral Point, Fort Atkinson, and Oconomowoc, and by representatives from the libraries of the State University, the State Historical Society and the Public Library Association at Whitewater. Among others in attendance were Miss Katherine L. Sharp, director of the Library Training Class, Armour Institute, Chicago, Ill.; Trustees Koeppen, Peckham, Lindsay and Hamm, Milwaukee Public Library; E. A. Birge, Madison, Wis., and Senator J. H. Stout, Menomonie Memorial Library.

The session was opened with an address by the president, F. A. Hutchins, on "How to organize free public libraries in Wisconsin." The president stated that there were 25 free libraries in the state, of which 15 had been organized under the state law. No library which has been organized under this law has died; while nearly all the libraries which have charged fees have failed and the few subscription libraries | now in operation have a very limited usefulness. As a first step towards a free library, the people should understand its purpose. Too often the educated people, who are its foremost champions, unwittingly create the impression that a public library is needed mainly as a resort for boys or as conveniences for professional and cultivated people and genteel literary clubs. These are false notions. The main purpose of a library is as distinctly educational as is that of the school, only its work is broader. It commences with children as young or younger than those the school takes, it follows them through the school life and then becomes their college, whose eclectic courses broaden through a life-time's work.

In attempts to persuade men and women, it is safe to rely upon the strength and constancy of parental love and ambition, and when you have convinced the fathers and mothers of a community that a library will make their children better, morally and mentally, you can count upon their influence to establish it and upon their subsequent patronage.

The necessity of a library should be urged through the press, upon the platform, and by private appeals. Include in the canvass all citizens, irrespective of creed, business, or politics, whether they are educated or illiterate. To ignore any class is to imply its indifference to education and frequently to make its leaders hostile when they might have been made enthusiastic friends.

The success of a library depends largely upon the wise use of the first money it receives. First of all comes the librarian-the soul of the library. Neither politics nor social, family or church ties, neither kindly private relations nor charitable considerations should have any weight in choosing a librarian. Save money in other ways, but not by employing a forceless man or

woman. A librarian should be a leader and a teacher, earnest, enthusiastic, and intelligent, able to win the confidence of children, and wise to lead them by easy stages from good books to the best and to train them to be intelligent students.

Then comes the choice of books. These should be good and wholesome and interesting -not necessarily interesting to the Rev. Dr. Smith, who frequently chooses them, but to plain John Smith, the laborer, and his children. They should be largely for the children, because children are more easily trained to enjoy good books than adults, because the homes are best reached through them and because every one loves the great children's classics.

The public library should be as much like the home library as possible. Its shelves should be accessible to every one. People may thus be encouraged in the study of subjects for which they have special mental aptitudes, whether these may be in the higher forms of literature or whether they relate to the practical processes by which mechanics earn their daily wages.

Libraries started with an assured income, with the right spirit, a good librarian and entertaining books can hardly fail of success. Many problems will arise as the library grows, but great help may always be obtained from the experience of other libraries. The final word of counsel to those organizing libraries may well be to get into touch with their co-workers in other libraries, so that this great fund of experience may be constantly at their service. A paper on "The province of the Wisconsin Library Association" was read by the secretary. The objects of the association were said to be threefold: first the encouragement of the founding of libraries; second, assisting those already established; third, fostering a fraternal spirit among librarians.

Miss Anna E. Hanscome, La Crosse Library, read an interesting paper on the " Adaptation of libraries to local needs." She advocated special collections to meet special needs in manufacturing communities; a Children's Day, with special lectures to children, etc.

Miss L. M. Sutermeister, Eau Claire Library, followed with an instructive address on "The value of a classified arrangement of books to librarians and readers." Miss Sutermeister showed the absolute necessity of such timesaving methods in modern library economy. This address was followed by five-minute reports from libraries.

At the evening session, President Charles Kendall Adams, of the University of Wisconsin,

delivered an address on the " Educational

power of a library." Professor J. C. Freeman, of the University of Wisconsin, spoke on "Libraries and university extension," in which he attacked the travelling library idea, as tending to keep people from owning the standard works of literature. The travelling library, as used in university extension work, was warmly defended by Mr. R. G. Thwaites, secretary of the Historical Society, who had used such libraries with great success. Prof. E. A. Birge, of the University of Wisconsin, urged greater co