Page 245 - Training for Librarianship Library Work As a Career

TRAINING FOR LIBRARIANSHIP

technic are the means whereby he displays
his skill. If he is a librarian in truth, every-
one may assume that he knows how to use the
tools of his trade. But librarianship, as has
been indicated, is still in its experimental
stage. On the one hand this means, for those
possessed of initiative, originality and an in-
quiring spirit, an opportunity to rise quickly
through meritorious endeavor. On the other
hand, it requires, if one wishes to be progres-
sive, continued knowledge of what is bemg
done; the student should make it a habit,
therefore, to read the library periodicals
regularly. They are not many, but their
perusal is worth while, and will keep him in-
formed of what is going on. " Keep the
windows of your mind open." There is so
much to be known, and human capacity for
knowledge is so small, that one cannot know
too much.
The student should also bear in mind the
"
counsel of Emerson : Do not leave the sky
out of your landscape." Much of library
work is routine ; there is on that account dan-
ger of getting into fixed habits of mind and