LEAGUE OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONS Ninth Annual Meeting at Ottawa, Canada, June 28-July 1, 1912 FIRST SESSION (Friday, June 28, 2:30 p. m.) The first session was called to order by the first vice-president, Mr. C. H. Milam, of Indiana, in the absence of the president, Miss Cornelia Marvin, of Oregon. It was voted to waive the reading of the minutes of the last annual meeting. The financial report of the secretary-treasurer was read and accepted. The chairman appointed as a nominating committee to report at the last session, Charlotte Templeton, A. L. Bailey, and Mrs. Percival Sneed. Miss Elizabeth B. Wales then presented the following report on charter provisions for public libraries in cities having the commission form of government. REPORT ON CHARTER PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN HOME RULE OR COMMISSION GOVERNMENT CITIES The present chairman took charge of the work about May 1st. The committee found the time remaining so short that it was deemed inadvisable to attempt to prepare material for the League at this meeting. Therefore your committee begs leave to report progress and submit an outline of its plans for criticism and suggestion. The discussion of the subject seemed to indicate that the difficulties might fall into two classes. Cases involving a satisfactory library law in danger of change, and difficulties occasioned by attempt to better the original law under the Commission government; and a further division including cases where the commission law as passed was inapplicable to the library government, or conflicted with the law. The committee suggests dealing with the matter by statute law rather than by city charter provision, and would suggest as a method, that: (a) Two provisional sections be drafted, one to insure the continuing in force of the state library law already on the books, to be used in states where such continuance is for the interest of the library; another to provide for the organization and control of the library under commission government by a definite statement in the commission law to override all former statutes, to be used in states where the present law is not satisfactory. (b) These sections be submitted to the heads of library commissions for criticism, accompanied by a letter of expla nation embodying the question, "Would such state law meet the problems of libraries in commission governed cities in your state?" Another and perhaps better way of securing the result would be to write to library commissions and ask these questions: (1) What difficulties have arisen in the library administration of commission gov. erned cities in your state? (2) What remedies would you suggest to meet these difficulties? (3) Would you incorporate these sug gestions in the laws of your state or in the charters of your cities? The committee also suggests that a letter be written to Mr. Richard S. Childs, stating the main difficulties experienced and requesting an opinion regarding the best method of meeting them. Mr. Child's known interest would no doubt bring an enlightening answer to any communica tion of reasonable length. Miss Tyler has generously permitted the committee to use the letters received by her in the preparation of her paper for the Pasadena conference, and to these cities one or two questions might be sent bearing upon the special conditions de veloped. This "second appeal" may be We shall hope for a generous coöpera- Respectfully submitted, ELIZABETH B. WALES, Chairman, M. S. DUDGEON, The report was accepted and the com- In view of the work being done by a committee of the A. L. A. Council on library laws and charter provisions, the League committee on the motion of Miss Tyler, was instructed to coöperate with the A. L. A. Council committee. Mr. M. S. Dudgeon reported the work REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY Your committee on library post reports The present status of federal legislation is thus given in a letter received from the Hon. John J. Esch, member of Congress from Wisconsin. "The post office appropriation bill, as it passed the House recently, provided for a rural parcels post with rates of 5 cents per pound, and 1 cent for each additional pound up to eleven pounds. These rates, however, are confined to parcels emanating in the town from which the route runs, or along such route, with the right of interchange of packages from route to route. As few books exceed a pound in weight this would mean a charge of 5 cents. The post office appropriation bill is now before the Senate. What action it will take remains to be seen. The House bill contained a provision for the appointment of a commission to investigate the whole subject of a general parcels post, the commission to make its report to Congress by the opening of the next regular session in December." Parcels Post vs. Library Post Our League president forwards the following letter from a Washington correspondent who is evidently perfectly familiar with the subject: "I am in receipt of your letter of May 17th, asking me whether there is any hope of getting a library post, and in reply will say that if you mean a special act providing for a library post, separate and distinct from other postal service, I do not think that there is any hope of getting it in the near future. "I do think, however, that the parcels post bill which Senator Bourne has proposed, if passed at this Congress, will very rapidly develop into a law which will be entirely satisfactory for library purposes. The average library book weighs slightly over a pound, but will come easily within two pounds. Under Senator Bourne's bill the rate on rural routes would be 5 cents for the first pound and 1 cent additional for each additional pound; within the fifty mile zone, 6 cents for the first pound and 2 cents for each additional pound; within the two hundred mile zone, 7 cents for the first pound and 3 cents for each additional pound. These rates were decided upon with a certain margin of profit to the government so that there would be no possibility of the government sustaining loss. It was believed that it would be disastrous to the parcels post movement to have any loss at the beginning. Such a loss would serve as an excuse for the abandoning of a parcels post. I am very certain that if this bill should be passed one year's experience would demonstrate that the rural rate could be reduced to 4 and 1 cent, making 5 cents for a two pound package; the 50 mile zone could be abolished and the rate for the 200 mile zone fixed at 5 cents for the first pound and 1 cent for each additional pound. The 200 mile zone, at that rate, ought to give you as good a library post service as you can expect to have within a number of years. I do not think that you can expect to get a law enacted which will provide for the carrying of library books at less than cost. It is no argument to say that the government is now carrying newspapers at less than cost. It made a mistake in establishing such a rate, but having made it, it cannot easily increase the rate. "You ask whether there is anything the library people can do to forward this matter. My opinion is that the one thing you could do would be to help get sentiment back of a general parcels post so that a bill on a zone basis with rates varying according to distance, will be passed by this Congress. When we once get a law of that kind, its development will be very rapid. The trouble will be to get the first law on the statute books." Senator Bourne's Bill The bill introduced by Senator Bourne seems to be all that we can hope for at present. A summary of it follows: Postal rates on parcels vary with distance, thus protecting local merchants and competing with express companies. Third and fourth classes of matter are combined. A special rate of one cent an ounce up to four ounces is provided for circulars and small packages of goods. Rates are as follows: Local, city and rural delivery only, 5cts for the first pound and one cent for each additional pound. Within 50 miles zone, 6cts for the first pound and 2cts for each additional pound. Within 200 miles zone, 7cts for the first pound and 3cts for each additional pound. Within 500 miles zone, 8cts for the first pound and 5cts for each additional pound. Within 1,000 miles zone, 9cts for the first pound and 5cts for each additional pound. Outside 2,000 miles zone, 12cts for the first pound and 10cts for each additional pound. These rates are based on a careful computation of the actual cost of col lecting, distributing and delivering packages, plus the actual cost of transportation. Weight limit, 11 pounds and maximum charge 12cts, the international limit and rate. Committee Progress and Recommendations The committee has canvassed the situation carefully and corresponded at some length with many persons. It has also suggested that the various commissions take up and follow the matter with their respective congressmen. Many commissions have done this. South Dakota, at its annual library association meeting adopted a formal resolution to be for warded to senators and congressmen for the state. The committee recommends: 1. That the secretary of each commission which has not already done so immediately communicate in a personal letter as already suggested with each sena. tor and congressman from his state. 2. That each state commission at its next annual meeting adopt a resolution endorsing a parcels post law similar to Senator Bourne's measure, urging low rates on rural routes, and a zone system and send such resolutions, signed if possible by all the members of the commis sion, to each senator and congressman in the state. 3. That each state library association do the same. 4. That this League adopt such a resolution, and that the secretary from each commission sees that such resolution reaches the senators and congressmen in his state. 5. That efforts to secure a separate library post law be abandoned for the present. Respectfully submitted, M. S. DUDGEON, Chairman. The report was accepted and the com mittee continued and the secretary of the League was instructed to place its recommendations before the Council of the A. L. A., in order to secure the coöperation of that body. The members of the League A report of the committee in state The report of the committee on study clubs outlines, prepared by Miss Margaret Brown was read by Mr. Dudgeon. It was as follows: REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STUDY The committee finds that the difficul- In addition to this, many traveling libraries receive requests for study outlines or are asked to prepare them; hence it was decided by the committee that a plan should be submitted for the preparation of study outlines. This plan once in use by traveling li- A plan was presented at the mid-winter Basis. A One book selected as foundation for outline. If a single book suitable for text cannot be found, outline to be based on fewest number of books necessary for the purpose. Texts selected to be authoritative, reasonable in price, readable and stimulating. B. Five to ten books as collateral reference. Selected to cover subject in study outline and amplify the text. Publisher and price given for all books inIcluded, for use in purchase. A more extended list of books can easily be prepared by any library where additional material is available. Lessons should be outlined by: C. Question method. Five to ten definite questions on each lesson. D. Or, Topical method. Topics assigned under each lesson should be those which present special phases of the general subject. The two methods may sometimes be combined. Written papers, if included under either Question or Topical form of study outline, should be assigned only for subjects which require some degree of original thought; all information to be derived from text books and encyclopedias should be covered by the regular lesson for oral discussion. Note. Number of meetings of study clubs vary. Probably not less than sixteen or more than twenty-six lessons. Many average two meetings a month. October to May. Second. That this committee be authorized to draw upon the League treasury for a definite sum for the employment of a capable compiler to prepare outlines based on this plan. Third. That if possible the coöperation of some publisher be secured to print the outlines thus prepared, or others passed upon by the committee, and furnish them at reasonable cost to the various commissions operating traveling libraries and to club and individuals desiring them. Fourth. That the study outline committee be constituted a sub-committee of the publications committee and be empowered to select subjects, revise and pass upon all outlines submitted, before printed. MARGARET BROWN, Chairman. Explanatory Notes on the Plan of Preparation of Study Outlines A. The use of a few designated books (or a single book) as a basis for common study of the same subject, or closely related topics, provides the means by which the unity and coordination is secured, which is essential for effective and satisfactory results. Each member may, if she so desires, provide herself at nominal cost with the source references necessary to cover the essential point contained in the outline. B. The books for collateral reading should be carefully evaluated and selection based upon their real value in supplementing text, from the standpoint of reliability, readableness and stimulative quality, also that the price shall not be prohibitive of purchase by clubs, local public libraries and duplication in traveling libraries of large number of copies for use in supplying many different clubs. Any local or traveling library may easily provide additional books for collateral reading whenever the collection permits. It is not, however, deemed advisable to have such extended lists incorporated in the outlines; as a demand would then be created which could not be supplied by the small library, and therefore would become a handicap and embarrassment. C. In outlining lessons by the question method, the questions should be so formulated as to stimulate discussion; not simply to be answered in the affirmative or negative. The question method permits a free expression of individual opinions based on personal reading. Such "discussion awakens the keenest interest through the activity of different minds upon the same fact or idea," as each member is expected to prepare herself to answer all questions. The question method is endorsed by many educational experts as a desirable method for the conduct of study classes, and has been found to be practical and satisfactory by many study clubs. D. In outlining lessons by the Topical method, care should be taken to include no more topics than can be thoroughly discussed, and such phases of the subject assigned as topics as will amplify the general subject which has been studied in common by all members from the text upon which the outline is based. The report was accepted. On the motion of Mr. Bliss it was voted that the chairman of the committee be authorized to draw upon the treasurer of the League for any amount not to exceed $100.00 to defray the expenses of preparing some experimental outlines carrying out the plans suggested in the report. It was moved by Mr. Dudgeon that the chairman be instructed to enter into negotiations with some publisher to secure coöperation in printing study outlines approved by the committee, to be sold to study clubs and library commissions at reasonable cost. Carried. On the motion of Mr. Bliss, it was voted to continue the study outline committee, with Miss Brown as chairman, and to authorize the committee to select subjects, revise and pass upon all outlines before printed. Adjourned. SECOND SESSION (Saturday, June 29, 8:30 p. m.) As there were several important committee reports still to be received it was voted to hold a meeting on Monday afternoon at 4:30 to complete the transaction of business. Mr. Milam then turned the meeting over to Miss Miriam E. Carey, of Minnesota, and the evening was devoted to the consideration of libraries in institutions. Miss E. KATHLEEN JONES, librarian of the McLean Hospital, Waverley, Mass., read a paper on LIBRARY WORK AMONG THE I have been asked to talk about two things to-night,-our library at McLean Hospital in Waverley, Massachusetts, and my idea for organization among the state hospitals of the different states. By dint |