Alameda High School - Acorn Yearbook (Alameda, CA)

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The Library bs eel what does this number on the back of this book mean?” J “Why,” answered the cheerful librarian, “that is its classification number in the Dewey or Decimal system by which all books are catalogued. Accord- ing to this system the field of knowledge is divided into nine classes, which are numbered by the digits 1 to 9. Each class is similarly separated into nine divisions, which are divided into nine sections, and the process is repeated as often as necessary. In this case, the number 814 means: Class 8 (Literature), Division 1 (United States), Section 4 (Essays); 188 is the author’s number.” “That sounds interesting,” replied the inquiring pupil. “Now, how about this one.” Here he picked up at random another book, which happened to be “Training for Efficiency” by Mardon. “The number on this one is 371m33.” “Well,” said the library student, “the digit 3 represents Class 3 (Soci- ology), the digit 7 means Division 7 (Education), and the digit 1 stands for Section 1 (Teachers, Methods and Discipline). M33 is the author’s number, as before.” In directing our work the teacher is very insistent on our acquiring the personal characteristics requisite to success and she also grounds us thoroughly on fundamental features of the work. First of all, each student must develop a taste for books. We should have a good general knowledge of the fields of English Literature, History, and Science. Furthermore, sympathy for human beings and an open mind ready to receive suggestions and complaints in a cheerful manner are two of the requisites for a good librarian. As library students, we must learn to be systematic, accurate, painstaking, and tactful, and we must be willing at all times cheerfully to assist those who need help. We are taught how to use the card catalogue, are introduced to the Dewey or Decimal system, and are shown how to catalogue books and how to make out the cards for the card catalogue. The location of the various classes of books in the library is then taken up, because the librarian must be able to locate quickly any required book. The student librarians learn what books are in the library and exactly where each book is located, and then set about to gain a general knowledge of the contents of these books. The proper manner of handling and caring for library books is also considered. Through- out the course we are constantly considering its various features. Twenty-six hundred carefully selected reference books are in our High School Library, and these range from the classic to current literature. In addition to these, government and state reports and several current magazines are received regularly by the Library. With its present equipment and corps of workers, the Library is in a position to be of great service to the students of the High School by supplying them with good reference books and opening to their vision the field of good literature. Charles Adams.

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STEEL EH “AN Au nw Tt My 1m a | ial Ni ee biti ai | = A Gorner in the Library

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