Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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SOMKRVILLK HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. 77 THE LIBRARY AND THE SCHOOLS The public library and the public schools are educational twins, and should treat each other like brothers. Until comparatively recent years these two in- stitutions never knew they were twins and treated each other as aliens and strangers. The public library in a city like Somerville should sustain much the same relation to the public schools shall always be an ex-officio member of the board of library trustees, and the librarian or the president of the library board of trustees shall be an ex-officio member of the school committee. All this would enable each of these co-ordinate de- partments of education to learn of the needs and the equipments of the other, and help them to work with less creaking of the machinery, and more di- SOMERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. schools as a college library sustains to the various departments of a college. The schools and the library together form a great municipal university. The relations between the library and the schools are close: but there arc special ways in which these relations may be made closer. I hope the time will come when, in all cities exceeding fifty thousand inhabitants, the superintendent of rectly for each other's benefit. This would put these two important educational departments, to a certain extent, under one management and make a greater unity of effort possible. A perfectly well-equipped public library (few public libraries are perfectly well-equipped) should supply every schoolroom in its city with special libraries suitable to its grades, containing as many

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76 SOMERVILLE HIGH .SCHOOL RADIATOR. tendency to probe into e»’en the deepest mysteties of life, that has carried us along at a tremendous pace: and each year sees new and wonderful addi- tions made to the world’s accumulation of knowl- edge. The past century alone has seen such vast changes, such inestimable improvements brought about by research, discovery, or invention, that, even though a man slave all his life in studying some particular subject, as in science, he will realize as his years draw to a close that life is too short for more than the merest beginning of knowledge. If this century is as full of great events and iin- jrovements as the past has been, we shall be in- ch nod to agree with the one who said that pcop'e would “need to be born with a.college education in order to keep up with the times”; or, as Thomas Per cock said of the century:— What searching eye Shall pierce the mists that veil its onward course, And read the future destiny of man? »» »» 'P HE February R adiator is to be published as an Editor’s number: that is. it will contain sketches or stories by the members of the staff. 'I bis idea is not a new one. having long been in vogue among the colleges. The number will contain many illus- trations. and as it will be bound in a beautiful and appropriate cover, it will be a number which every member of the schools should wish to keep, or it will make a very acceptable valentine to those brothers (?) and sisters (?) for whom we arc so so- licitous. », P AST year the girls made a great “hit” in intro- ducing basket bail into the schools, and 1-v their enthusiasm their efforts were crowned with success. The schools were full to overflowing with enthusiasm, and parents and friends of the playei took a great interest in the welfare of the associa- tions. Everywhere young ladies were to be heard talking of basket ball. In the corridors, the dress- ing rooms, or in the classrooms groups of girls were talking basket ball, discussing the merits of rival ♦earns, or the many excellent points of the sport. This vear all this is changed, and sweet res , reigns supreme, especially in the Senior classes. We bardlv hear basket ball mentioned, and there s just enough enthusiasm to keep the sport alive. I is to be regretted, too. for we have just as strong, supple, athletic young ladies in our schools this ycai as last. We have just as good facilities for practice, and just as many admiring young men, eager to at tend the games, as heretofore. The trouble lies with the girls themselves. They lack enthusiasm and determination to succeed. 'I bis is especially true of the Seniors, who seem to have fallen back into their old-time apathy, and sav they do not care to play. They seem to have for- gotten that it is their place to stir up the old-time ardor among their classmates, to lead, instead of follow, to promote, instead of lying idlv by and help- ing fccblv to maintain. The public eye is upon you. eagerly waiting to see basket ball once more assume its proper condition, to be worthy a place among the athletic associations of S. H. and L. It rests with you to put it there. You can if you will. k Til the new year came the new city govern- ment and the installation of the new Mayor. Mr. Glines We arc pleased to note that, in his ad- dress to the Foard of Aldermen, he mentioned the need of an addition to the High School building, or a new Latin School. We, too, beg to be allowed to put in our idea that something may be done to re- lieve the crowded condition of the English High School. We hope Mayor Glines will not let the matter drop by simply mentioning it in his address, but that lie will sec that some measure is put through which will give to us a building which will be both commodious and fitted with all of the modern conveniences, such as a gymnasium, a large, spacious hall of assemblage, and such other things as the needs require. These things wc mention be- cause a gymnasium we have none, and our lecture hall has been transformed into classrooms. This question has been under discussion for the past four years, certainly a sufficient time for the people of even Somerville to take action. Our city prides herself on the excellent educational advan- tages she affords, yet she takes no action to furnish proper accommodations to growing and progres- sive schools like the Latin and English. QWIXG to the increase in sales, advertising, and the number of exchanges, the management has been obliged to change the regular issue from 00 to 750 copies, the largest regular issue ever vet put on sale. The Raptator is certainly a permanent organ in the schools. Wc shall be greatly pleased if you will continue to give us your support even more generously, that wc may be able to give you still more for your money. r pOR our cover design this month wc are indebted to Harry L. Jones, of the Mechanical Drawing Department, who also drew the heading for “The Library and the Schools.” by Mr. Foss.

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78 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. books as the teachers in these rooms may from time to time require. All teachers should be permitted to take out on special teachers' cards practically as many books as they may need. Of course it is understood that teachers, under this arrrangement, would not de- sire to take out all the latest novels. As professors in a college or university arc privileged to use as many books from the university library as they desire, so the teachers in the public schools should be given the same privileges in the public pupils received all their instruction exclusively from the text-book. Collateral reading was un- known. Now pupils are encouraged to find in- formation from whatever source it is derivable. To aid them in the search for this information, the library should open to them all its resources. An old institution, without constant watchfulness, may find itself growing oblivious to the needs of the young mind. For this reason, the library should be especially open to the suggestions of high school pupils and should purchase, as a general DELIVERY ROOM OK PUBLIC LIBRARY. library. Professors also recommend for purchase such books as are needed in their various depart- ments, and these books are purchased by the libra- rian for the professors’ use. In the same manner, all teachers should recommend to the librarian the l ooks that arc needed for their special use, and the librarian should purchase these books whenever they are recommended. The same rule that applies to the teachers of the public schools should, under certain restrictions, apply to the pupils of the high schools. Formerly rule, all the books they ask for along the lines of their current study. The. Somerville public library now has a special school librarian, Miss Edith li. Hayes, who will always be ready to consider any suggestions made to her, either by the teachers or the pupils of the public schools. Her time is at the disposal of the schools, and it is hoped that her department may furnish a bond of closer co-operation between these two educational agencies. Sam Walter Foss