We do not buy cheap editions.Grimm's "Fairy tales"is selected in the tasteful Macmillan edition with illustrations by Walter Crane.Hawthorne's "Wonderbook"is given to them in the exquisite illustrated edition of Houghton,Mifflin &Co.We consider the illustrations and the dainty covers a part of the educative value of the book.We do not cover the books permanently,but give them covers which slip on and off easily that they may use them at their pleasure.A good deal of pride is developed in each group of children in having the little library clean when it passes on to the next group.
An effort is of course made to balance the libraries,putting in each a volume of history,one of light travel,and a book about animals like Mrs.Jackson's "Cat stories,""Buz,""Sparrow,the tramp."Stories of course predominate.Fairy-tales are by all odds the most popular and get the hardest wear.I have noticed that this is also true in the children's travelling libraries sent out by the New York state library.In one group of home library children Grimm's "Household tales"was such a favorite,and they called for it so persistently,that an extra copy was bought for their benefit and is almost constantly in use.They much prefer it to Andersen.The naming of the libraries and of the groups of children is a new feature.Of our nine libraries five are named for children.Any person,or number of persons,giving $25(the cost of a new library with its bookcase)is entitled to name the library.The plan is a popular one and several gifts of that sort have been received.In one case a small framed picture of the child for whom the library is named goes with it and the children seem to have a positive affection for the picture.
The children choose for themselves some hero to give the name to their club,or group.We have the Washington,the Columbus,the Anthony Wayne,the Lincoln,and the Edison groups,and one more recently formed,not yet named.It is a significant fact that the children knew and admired Anthony Wayne because they read about him in Coffin's "Boys of '76."One beauty of the home libraries is the simplicity of the central idea and the natural relations between the children and the visitor.It is quite possible to combine with this much direct educational work.Games are almost always used by the visitors.
The skilful visitor,who should have the spirit of the kindergarten and might well have also her training,may develop through the games attention,concentration,and courtesy,qualities in which these children are especially lacking.It is an interesting study to watch the development of the game of 20questions;e.g.from a wandering,haphazard medley asked in a slow and painful way by self-conscious children,to quick,intelligent,carefully planned questions To illustrate more specifically an attempt at educational work,the Columbus group may be taken as an example.
There is a badge consisting of a bronze medal with the head of Columbus,fastened with a knot of red,white,and blue ribbon.
The rule of the group is the rule of the majority;e.g.,when games are to be played a vote is taken and all are expected to enter heartily into the one chosen by the majority.By constant application of this plan and the discussion which it involves,those children have come to understand pretty well the nature of a vote.There is a child's life of Columbus and a scrap-book containing pictures of him.The Columbus group are appropriately discoverers,and as they have set out to find out everything possible about their own city,once a month the group goes out together for a long walk.They have visited the capitol,geological hall,city hall,the Schulyer mansion,etc.Every week 10minutes are spent in studying the city,the name and location of the streets,the city buildings,the government of the city,its history and antiquities,the cleanliness of the city,etc.
Many problems of city government which are taking the attention of the best minds to-day can be studied in simple form here.And this is real study.It is simple and elementary,but not haphazard,and what they get is definite and organized.It is not merely amusement,though they are interested and take hold heartily.A simple statement of each lesson is duplicated and put into the hands of the children.These will be combined into a handbook useful for all children in the city and suggestive for other cities.I hope that some line of study may be taken up by the other groups,each visitor choosing that which she can best develop.Light science would be attractive to some and of real service to the children.
