Page 97 - Training for librarianship; library work as a career

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TRAINING FOR LIBRARIANSIIIP

is not difficult to measure. A badly printed
book involves a strain on the eyesight and
makes reading an effort instead of a pleasure.
Provision of good reading matter for chil-
dren is yet in its experimental stages. Good
books are few. On the other hand, children,
while omnivorous readers, lack the basis of
discrimination and selection in their reading
which is possessed by grown persons. One
of the most important functions of the school
librarian is, therefore, to direct children to
good books.
Another important function is to train the
child in the use of books and of libraries. This
may involve talks and practice work on the
use of dictionaries, encyclopedias, periodical
indexes and other general reference books, on
the broader features of classification of books
within the library and the purpose and use of
the card catalog. The librarian of a state
normal school describes the courses given
under her direction to students preparing for
work as teachers
" We follow a hard and fast rule in our
library: We never answer a question for a
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