Ypsilanti High School - Ypsi Dixit Yearbook (Ypsilanti, MI)

Page 8 text:

The Library as a Monument to Prof. George. . MILDRED S. SMITH. MONUMENT,--tl12lt is just the word--a good, substan- tial, lasting remembrance to one whom we all love and respect. The work of Mr. George is done, and now only the fruit of his labor and the influence of his life remain. Our High School Library is the fruit of some of his labor, and its in- Huence will extend beyond us into the coming generations. Mr. George's work from day to day and week to week will in time pass away, but the Library will remain--a memorial which time cannot efface. In the equipment of a school a Library is of indispensable value, and when Mr. George took up his work of superintend- ent in 1896 he fully understood this and sought to bring the small collection of books then on hand into systematic order and immediate use. This collection consisted of some 2000 volumes, and he at once took up the work of swelling the number in numerical, educational and historical value. As in all things, he first established a precedent by putting on the shelves many of his own books, before seeking to obtain them through other sources. ' Before Mr. George became superintendent, the School Board made a small yearly appropriation for the Library and then used the money for other purposes. Prof. George saw that the money was used for the object for which it was given, and also expressed a wish that there might be enough appropriated with which to secure the services of some one who was able to give his or her entire attention to library work. In the fall of 1899 his wish was realized, and the office of Librarian established. From an appropriation, the position of Librarian became a salaried one, the same as the High School teachers. Thus are things gradually builded.

Page 7 text:

It was his purpose from his lirst connection with the schools to restore the Ypsilanti High. School to its place of esteem, honor, and pride in the'minds of the citizens of the town. In the early history of the school, while under the charge of Professor Estabrook, the school had'been an object of great pride on the part of the people. Gradually it had lost this high place. Systematically, Professor George set about creating the old feeling in the minds of the people toward the school. It is not necessary to say here how fully and thor- oughly he accomplished his purpose. The second o-biect he had in view was to create in the alumni of the school a feeling of pride in the school and re- gard for it and a desire to labor for its advancement and pros- perity. He created the organization of the alumni association. Into this association a very large part of the alumni now living were gathered and the animal meetings of this association con- tributed very much to increase the esteem in which the school was held. The third purpose which he had in view was to create an C'.S'f7l'I-f do mrfvx in the teachers of the school and to lead them to think that they were a body of co-laborers in a great work and in an honorable sphere of action. I-low well he succeeded, the teachers can testify. Connected with this, he also aimed to create in the minds of the pupils of the school a becoming p1'ide in the institution itself-a spirit of loyalty to it and an enthusiasm in its support. How well he succeeded in this, the pupils of the school can testify. It will be no more than the truth to assert that the schools, their teachers and pupils have 1'CCOV6l'CCl to a very large degree the high position which they had during the administration of Professor Estabrook: and the administration of Professor George will go down in history side by side with that of the first great superintendent of the schools. Professor George will be remembered in Ypsilanti as a public spirited citizen, one ready to do his full share of public work without regard to compensation. as a warm personal friend to a great number of people in the town: but he will be remembered especially by those who during the years of his superintendencv went out from the schools bearing the impress of his high and manly character.

Page 9 text:

The Library was one of Prof. George's pet ideas, if I may use the expression, and he was constantly forming plans by which it might rapidly develop, yet ever looking toward the future in choice of material. In january, 1901, he proposed and carried out a plan by which many valuable books were added, and that was the establishment of an Alumni rDepartment, for which every alumnus of the I-Iigh School was asked to contribute one or more books. It is hoped that each new graduating class will, by their Commencement day, have donated at least one book for each member of the class, that they may be represented on the Library shelves. When Mr. George went out of town on business or pleasure he had an eye open for bargains in books, and would come back to school bringing the knowledge of the where- abouts of some historically valuable volumes, which we might add to the Library as soon as we were able. Our Library now numbers over 6ooo volumes, with read- ing room accommodating thirty-five, card catalogue, current magazines and periodicals, and is considered one of the first high school libraries in the state. This success is due largely to Mr. George's untiring efforts. On pages 12 and I3 are shown the covers in fac Si1lI1-Ilia' of the first student publication of the old Ypsilanti Seminary and the- present publication, THE I'IIGI'I SCHOOL CHAT. The Junior Budget of the Ypsilanti Seminary was written out. and perhaps there was but a single copy of each issue. which was placed where it could be read by the pupils at their leisure. The first page inside the cover contains an editorial which states briefly the purpose of our little sheet. Then follow articles, Places that I Wfould Like to Visit, bv Amelia: Leaf from the Life of a Raindropf' by -Mary Louiseg Kindness, by Emily: An Unlucky Day, by Maria. There are still other articles. and one very interesting one describes Our School-- room.