Page 73 - Training for Librarianship Library Work As a Career

TRAINING FOR LIBRARIANSHIP
Brookline, Mass., Norwalk, Conn., Auburn,
X. Y., Plainfield, N. J., Erie, Pa., Elgin,
111., and Santa Monica, Calif. Some of
these public libraries serve only the blind in
their immediate communities; others send
books to blind persons within the state. Some
make no restriction as to territory. At the
Springfield (Mass.) Public Library weekly
readings to the blind by a sighted person are
arranged. At the Salt Lake City Public
Library such readings take place two or three
times a week. In California the State
Library sends a member of its staff to the
homes of blind persons to teach them to read.
It is interesting to note that the oldest pupil
in 1918 was ninety years of age and the
youngest six.
Thus the public library creates facilities
within its own building for reading or else
sees that its books for the blind are brought
directly to the homes of those whom they can
aid. So idleness, the greatest burden of
blindness, is removed. Men who otherwise
would become physical wrecks are given new
hope and courage. " No part of the work of
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