第34章 THE WORK FOR CHILDREN IN FREE LIBRARIES(6)

While no list can be given,the reasons they offered in response to a request for them were often interesting.Girls wrote of "Little women":"It is so real,the characters are so real and sweet.""I feel as if I could act the whole book.""This story has helped me a very great deal in leading a better and a happier life.""It shows us how to persevere,"etc.Boys like "The Swiss family Robinson""because it describes accurately the points of a shipwreck and graphically describes how a man with common sense can make the best of everything."Another,"because it shows how some people made the most of what they had."Another,"It shows how progressive the people were."One liked "Uncle Tom's cabin""because it describes life among the colored people and shows how they were treated before the war";another,"because it is a true story and some parts of it are pitiful and other parts are pleasant."A boy of 12says of "Grimm's fairy tales,""They are interesting to read,and I learn there is no one to give you wings and sandals to fly--you have to make your own."Another likes "John Halifax""because it tells how a boy who had pluck obtained what he wanted and made his mark in the world.""Pluck,"I imagine,in a boy's mind stands for the old virtue of the poets,"magnanimity,"that included all the rest.Harper's story-books are still read and appreciated "because they tell me about different kinds of people's ways,about animals,and a little about history."Another child "learned games out of them,and how to tell the truth and the use of the truth."A child of eight puts in a pathetic plea worth considering for the Prudy books,"because I understand them better than any books I have read."An incipient author says that she uses the library because "I make a good deal of stories and find pretty ideas."Perhaps the most enlightening replies came in answer to the question,"Can you suggest anything which would make the library more interesting that it is now?"One delightfully reassuring boy says,"I like the children's library to stay just the same,and a boy who never went there would like it.I'll bring more boys.""Pictures of art"are requested,and "a set of curiosities from all parts of the world."As we regard the children of all nationalities and types crowding about the desk on our busy days we sometimes think we already have this latter item."A prize for the best story every month.""More histories.""Pictures of noted men on the walls.""More fairy-tales.""More magazines.""Books showing how to draw.""A pencil fastened to each table.""Stories in Scottish history.""More books of adventure.""More funny books.""A chart of real and genuine foreign stamps.""Lectures for children between 10and 14,with experiments accompanying them.""A one-hour lecture once a week by noted men on different subjects.""A book giving the value of celebrated paintings.""More books.The shelves look bare,"as indeed they do after a rush-day."Rules to keep the children in order,"from a nine-year-old who has doubtless suffered."Not to be disturbed by other boys for unknown crimes,"says one mysterious victim of something or other."Historical fiction.""Catholic books.""Tanks with fishes,in the windows.""An aquarium;children would enjoy seeing pollywogs change to frogs every time they came to the library."This is the comment of a little girl,I am glad to say."School-books.""More amusement for little children."This was before we bought our linen picture-books.And the "Elsie books,"and Oliver Optic,and Castlemon are vainly desired by two or three.The general sentiment is pretty well voiced by one child who says,"The library is just perfect in about every respect."We feel that with this enumeration of desiderata,the children's library has its work cut out for it for some time to come,and that these evidences of the children's likings and needs have removed a certain vagueness from our ambitions.With lectures and experiments,reading clubs,and possibly original stories,in contemplation,there is no danger of rust from inaction,especially as to obtain any one of these there are serious obstacles to overcome.But always and everywhere the library should put forward its proper claim of the value and use of the book--though in the word book I by no means include all that goes under the name.If there are lectures with experiments or lantern-slides,they should be attended by information as to the best literature on the subject and the children encouraged to investigate what has been printed,as well as to take in through the ear.There is no "digging"in lecture-going,and it is "digging"that leaves a permanent impression on the mind.The lecture should stimulate to personal research.From reading aloud together at the library in the evening,reading clubs may come to be formed,each with a specialty,decided by the tastes of the members.The writing of stories,particularly if the library selected the subject,might be made the occasion of the use of histories,biographies,travels,etc.Quiet games in the evening for the older children,of a nature to require the use of reference-books,would be strictly within the library's province.