University of Illinois - Illio Yearbook (Urbana Champaign, IL)

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Katharine E. Sharp, a successful library school was established at Armour Institute of Technology, Chicago. In the fall of 1897 the Armour Library School was incorporated with the University of Illinois. During the past year one of the finest library buildings in the country has been completed, and the legislature has made most generous appropriations for books. Thus, Illinois is the foremost of the western states in recognizing the profes- sion of the librarian, and in a building strongly suggestive of mediaeval magnificence is found a school for this most modern vocation. The course extends over a period of four years, and leads up to the degree of Bachelor of Library Science. The technical work is described in what are for the most part familiar terms with un- known meanings : Selection of books, checking invoices, collation, accessioning, cataloguing, classify marking, shelf listing, loan systems and book binding. In addition, regular instruction and problems in bibliography and reference work are given and the broader side of the work is emphasized. The organization which the library schools have effected has revolutionized library methods and has increased the usefulness of the modern library. It has been roughly estimated that a carefully chosen, well- arranged library is worth more than one ten times as large which has been hurriedly collected and poorly assorted. In America various mechanical devices have aided in making the library an ideal study where a book can be summoned in three or four minutes, even though the collection number a million volumes. Someone has in- geniously suggested that, though the librarian with his catalogue may not furnish the long-sought royal road to learning, at least he shows a short cut to the needed information. In these days of mental unrest and upheaval the influence of the librarian is second to none. His mission is not only to make known the lessons of the past, but also to inspire and guide those who are striving to solve the questions of the present. In recognition of this, one, at least, of our states requires ever}- town to establish and main- tain a free public library. President Gilman aptly embodies our modern idea when he 9ays : A noble library is a noble organ. Its value depends upon the player. ;: When a master sits at the keyboard celestial harmonies are heard — history, philosophy, science, poetry ; all the muses hover near. : Something to blame and something to commend — K A 9. 25