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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Electric Wiring N HOPES of reaching boys who would not otherwise enter our High School, new and practical courses have been introduced. Among these is the course in Electric Wiring. Many boys after leaving Grammar School enter shops as apprentices to learn certain trades. Here. it is a case of the boy shifting for himself, because those about him have their own work to do and are not eager to stop and show a beginner methods that make for economy and good workmanship. So one purpose in having these different courses is that boys may gain a fair knowledge of a trade where there are people willing to show and help and to point out the right and wrong. Some pupils in our school are still unsettled as to future occupation. By having these practical courses introduced and accessible for experimentation they may find just what has been sought. The first term of the year might really be called House W iring. Novices have a regular scantling frame-work as seen in the picture, on which to do work just such as any regular electrician would do in wiring a house in course of construction. They are taught how to do knob and tube work in such a manner as to produce no fire hazard, how to splice and do the concealed work, how to install switches and fuse blocks with the necessary spacing and arrangement, as a part of the regular routine of work. These courses are given to prepare for a mechanic’s future rather than to give a complete train- ing within the time spent in school. After completing one term in Electric Wiring, a pupil is by no means trained to take a position as a full-fledged electrician; he is prepared to start at least half-way up the ladder instead of at its bottom. Each student is required to study the National Electric Code. a book published by a joint committee of the Fire Insurance Companies and Elec- trical Engineers for fire prevention and safety. This committee has studied incorrect house-wiring as a cause for fires and has compiled laws into one small book which is the final word for all electrical work. Students are re- quired to study these laws and then with them in mind to proceed to do their work. After finishing the required assignment they must use this book of laws to help them in inspecting all the work done by all members of the class. In the second term of work a decided advancement into the electrical field is made. Students are taught signaling, telegraph and wireless work and rewinding of motors, dynamos, and transformers. The class consists at present of fifteen students. When the course has had more publicity many boys who have not heretofore entered school will prob- ably enroll for this most practical course. —H. Weaver.