College of Wooster - Index Yearbook (Wooster, OH)

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as they lay on the shelf, the current papers. Along another wall were a series of pigeon-holes which held the magazines. Across the floor were several rows of chairs screwed to the floor. ln front of each chair was a slant-topped desk on which to spread the book. The desk was not attached tothe floor but could be moved about. Just why there was this par- tiality in permanency of location of the furniture is not appar- ent.- mln the stack-room, as there were only three double- windows, it became so dark after three o'clock in the after- noon that it was necessary to light the lantern which hung on e e r a nail near the door. And when efrf -1'1 -r:- '--.r. P l . . . Q f' '-e.r.- 1 ettt ff' ' ,. 1 l ln search of a book the librarian 21i5sS t,i3,,f5q5fQgf'il' .i., F2 , , , was obliged to carry with him 1 af. V on :ristfjgstgunon a V . among the stacks, the lighted 1 I 1 'B1ifm2?tEHf5??g. . TE lantern. The tall wooden racks which held the books were partly responsible for the dimness of this room. These racks were so high that in order to reach the highest shelves it was necessary to climb a ladder. fllQ.And you ask was there a guide to linding the books. And we answer yes. Long before Poole's Index was published, the Wooster Library had a walking Index in the person of Dr. Davis, whose natural instincts as a librarian and book-lover made him ideally suited to such a library at such a time. These facilities, though simple, were, however, complete, and afforded, with a little less ease than at present, every opportunity to the diligent student to delve in the lore of the ages. fll.,This same library was an exceedingly convenient meeting place for lad and lassie. At the close of a recitation period, all Page eight

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.:. ,,f fifillllltl' il. Z -ll.Q1Il- lllllimllgllli,fIItillil.M,t-ll.Hlll.,lmijlul- ..........,.-...ga ,fm - A' -vm- boolcs so increased their number that an entire room was set apart to accommodate the fast growing library. This was the south-west corner room on the second floor. lllf.Around this nucleus there had accumulated such a large collection of books by 1892, when the wings were added to the Old Building, that the library again expanded, appropriating the whole second floor of the west wing. The room in the wing was used as the reading room, while the old room con- tinued to be used as the staclc-room. These two rooms pro- vided a home for our cherished hoard of head-gold until 1900, when our present beautiful structure was erected. flLNor did this second story shelter leave nothing to be desired. Nor should you think of the arrangement of its interior as of recent and modern equipment. Attached to one wall was a row of slanting shelves on which were displayed the daily newspapers. The papers were held in place by a cord, running down the middle fold and fast- ened at the wall and at the outer edge of the shelf. So one must needs stand to con the daily news. Here were seen at times a whole row of students standing along the wall eagerly perusing, Page seven

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paths seemed to lead to the reading room. it was, in fact. the only place to go to pass a vacant period. All recita- tion rooms were in the one building and this was the only study room. Little wonder then that friends should drift together in a place where all the students met. Little wonder, either, that here should be formed friendships good and true. And that the Old Reading Room should be encircled with a halo of sacred memories. For so we find it, and to this the following extract, from a former INDEX, bears testimony. - You want to move the boolcs, do you, into a brand new building, And have it set off lonesome, too- With lots of paint and gilding? lk Ik lk lk lk l've spent a hundred happy hours, Engrossed in latest fiction, Developing my pedal powers Creating rasping friction. And l have filled a hundred dates With maidens near as many: l've shortened many lengthy waits ln matching Jack his penny. Once more l think l see a face With glasses elevated. He's looking through his prison placeg He seems some agitated. Ik Pk Dk lk lk Put up a building new go on And put Tea Kettle in it. But he'll be sacl the old room's gone Before he's out a minute. Page nine