[Tasl] interesting article

[Nancy Dickinson]

Please forgive cross-posting, but I want everyone to see this!

I visited my sister over Christmas and she was showing me some family
history that she has found on the internet and elsewhere. She had a
copy of the front page of the Putnam County Herald (Cookeville, TN)
dated Thursday, September 16, 1915. I know she was disappointed when,
instead of my being interested in an obituary of my
great-great-grandfather, my eyes were drawn to the article next to his
entitled "Library Day."

I don't think I will be in copyright trouble if I transcribe this
article for you. It is sad that we are still fighting the same battles
that we were fighting in 1915! But I do like the point you will see
about the knife, fork, and spoon.

Library Day (Putnam County Herald, Cookeville, TN, Thursday, September
16, 1915.)
The process of the School Library Movement in Tennessee during the
past few years is indeed notable and highly encouraging for the
future. Past progress and present needs have combined to make future
effort more fruitful by the observance of an annual Library Day in
every public school in the State.

State Superintendent Sherrill has declared Friday, October 1, 1915,
"Library Day." The State very generously aids in this important factor
of educational work by giving dollar for dollar for a sum of not less
than $10 or more than $40.00, during any one year, for the
establishment or maintenance of a school library. The selection of
books is restricted to a list approved by the State Board of
Education.

The Division of Library Extension of the State Department of Public
Instruction, of which Mrs. Pearl Williams Kelley is the Director, has
for its slogan this year: "A Library in every public school in
Tennessee." On that day every public school in the State is expected
to raise funds to establish or supplement the school library. From the
unusual interest and enthusiasm with which many teachers are already
waging the campaign for more and better schools (can't read a couple
of words here) it shall not fall far short of the mark.

The most imperative duty of the State is the education of the future
citizen. The business of the school is to give inspiration, as well as
information. An educational system which contents itself with teaching
to read, and then fails to see that the best reading is provided, is
as inconsistent and absurd as to teach children the expert use of the
knife, fork and spoon and then provide them with no food.

Present indications point to a state wide observance of "Library Day,"
and that the year 1914-15 will be noted for the more systematic use of
well......

And there it ends. Wish we still had that Division of Library
Extension and its Director. And I wish $10 - $40 was still a generous
contribution for a school library! On the other hand, glad we're not
restricted to an approved list! But it's amazing how some things
change and yet things stay the same.

Hope you enjoyed seeing this little bit of history as much as I did.
Now forgive me for cross-posting to lm_net and the AASL forum.

Nancy Dickinson, Librarian
Hillsboro ES
Hillsboro, TN 37342