The successful development of reading clubs by the New York Public Library is evidenced by the fact that at the time the following paper was written,in 1912,there were reported twenty-five boys'clubs and seventeen girls'clubs.The paper is by Anna C.Tyler,and was read before the New York meeting of school librarians in Brooklyn,N.Y.,May 25,1912.
Anna Cogswell Tyler was born in Detroit,Michigan,and was graduated from the Hartford,Conn.,High School in 1880.She attended Mrs.Julie Goddard Piatt's boarding school in Utica,New York,from 1880to 1882,and Mademoiselle Taveney's school for girls at Neuillysur-Seine near Paris from 1883to 1885.She was graduated from the Pratt Institute Library School,taking the two-year course,1904-1906.She was an assistant in the Pratt Institute Free Library from 1906to 1908.In 1908she was made assistant in charge of story-telling and library reading-clubs in the New York Public Library.
The library reading clubs have sprung into being as a natural result of the library story hour,and for two very potent reasons --the boys and girls of from twelve to fifteen years old,however much they enjoy listening to a good story,are extremely afraid of being classed as children.Therefore when such a boy or girl comes to the branch library which he uses and sees a very attractive little notice reading "Story hour this afternoon at four o'clock for the older children"he shakes his head and goes his way saying,"Oh,they don't mean me,that's for the kids!"But when he sees a notice reading "The Harlem Boys'Club"meets such a day and hour his attention is immediately arrested,and he asks,"What do you have to do to join this club?"This is the first reason for the rapid growth of these library reading clubs,the magic contained in merely the sight or sound of the word "club"--the spur it gives to the imagination of even the apparently unimaginative child,and the stigma it removes from the mind of the adolescent boy or girl of being considered a child.By conferring upon him the dignity of membership in a club we can make it possible for him to enjoy to the extent of his capacity the pleasure the majority of children so delight in--the listening to a good story well told or well read.His mind is at peace,his dignity unquestioned,for,since no stripling likes to be taunted with his green years,his being a member of such a club or league has forever precluded such a possibility.
The matter of joining these clubs is made as simple as possible,and the great democracy of the public library spirit is kept uppermost in the minds of librarians who have charge of this work,and by them instilled into the minds of the children as rapidly as possible.Any boy or girl is welcome to the club who wishes to come,provided he or she is of the right age or grade to enjoy the stories,reading,or study that is interesting the others.Boys and girls who are doubtful are invited to come and see what the club is as often as they will,until they have quite made up their minds whether or not it is something they want.The only thing required of them is to follow the one general rule underlying all the clubs of the library--the Golden Rule,that their behavior shall in no way interfere with the pleasure or rights of the other members.Some of them stay only a short time,but on the other hand we have many children who were charter members when the clubs were formed four years ago,and they have attended the meetings regularly,though they have long since passed from the grammar schools and have reached the heights of the third year in high school.
The difficulty of finding stories which will interest in the same degree mixed groups of older children is the second reason for the growth and popularity of the library reading clubs.Some of the great stories of the world,like "The Niebelungenlied,""The Arthurian cycle,"Beowulf,and a few others may be used,or the life of a great man or woman may be told,and listened to with interest,provided there is plenty of romance in the life,and the book which contains the story is attractive in appearance and tempts one to read it at first glance.One can also find good material for club programs in the romance of some period in the history of a country not our own.The difficulty of choosing story literature suitable and interesting for mixed groups of boys and girls and the difference in their reading tastes make the segregation of the library reading clubs a wise method.The boy during these years is eager to acquire information on all subjects--one can appeal to his love of adventure,of heroes,and mystery.The girl is full of romance--poetry and drama make their appeal.
The difficulty of maintaining and controlling successful library reading clubs is frequently lost sight of because of the ease with which they can be formed.Our experience has taught us that in planning the library activities of the New York Public Library the reading clubs must come last--they must only be established when they can take their place as one of the regular functions of the library.The librarian who is to be club leader must be able to interest,influence and control the club members as well as to tell a story.
