Another report based on answers received from various libraries in reply to a list of questions suggests that we are "concerned not so much to supply information as to educate in the use of the library."This report was presented by Miss Harriet H.Stanley at the Waukesha Conference of the A.L.A.in 1901.
Harriet Howard Stanley is a native of Massachusetts.After completing a normal school course and teaching for a few years in secondary schools,she entered the New York State Library School,where she was graduated in 1895.She served for four years as librarian of the Public Library at Southbridge,Mass.,and thereafter was for eleven years school reference librarian in the Public Library of Brookline,Mass.Since 1910she has had positions in the Library of the U.S.Department of Agriculture and the Providence (R.I.)Athenaeum,and was for a year librarian of New Hampshire College.At various times she has taught in summer library schools--Albany,India and McGill University.She is now on the staff of the Public Library of Utica,N.Y.
Preliminary to preparing this report,a list of 15questions was sent to a number of libraries in different parts of the United States,from 24of which replies were received.So far as space would permit,the facts and opinions obtained have been embodied in this paper.
Reference work with grown people consists in supplying material on various topics;we consider it sufficiently well done when the best available matter is furnished with as little cost of time and trouble to the inquirer as is consistent with the service we owe to other patrons of the library.To a certain extent this statement is true also of reference work with children,but Ithink we are agreed that for them our aim reaches further--reaches to a familiarity with reference tools,to knowing how to hunt down a subject,to being able to use to best advantage the material found.In a word,we are concerned not so much to supply information as to educate in the use of the library.Seventeen of the 24libraries reporting judge children to be sent to them primarily,if not wholly,for information.One of the first steps towards improving and developing reference work with children will have been taken when the teacher appreciates the larger purpose,since the point of view must materially affect the character and scope of the work.Another forward step is for the library to have definitely in mind some plan for accomplishing these ends.Whatever the plan,it will in likelihood have to be modified to accord with the teacher's judgment and deeds,but a definite proposal ought at least to give impetus to the undertaking.
Six libraries state that a considerable part of the inquiries they receive from children are apparently prompted by their individual interests,and not suggested by the teacher.These inquiries relate chiefly to sports,mechanical occupations and pets.This paper is confined to the discussion of reference work connected with the schools.
