CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AS AN EDUCATOR 



O/ 



physical features of localities in determining human settlement, in- 

 dustries and commerce. 



It is as practicable to annihilate time as space by the use of model 

 groups, therefore when our children study colonial history the minia- 

 ture scenes at the museum carry them back into the period when the 

 nations of Europe were establishing permanent colonies in this country. 

 The men and women, dress, homes, social life and customs of those 

 early days become a reality to the child who lives in imagination among 

 these little " doll people " with whom he delights to be. The relics, 

 manuscripts, pictures and arms, in other parts of the historic collec- 

 tion have a new interest for him after he has learned to relate them 

 to their respective historic periods. 



A children's museum library occupies two rooms in the museum 

 building, and is a part of the museum work. Its 5,000 volumes com- 

 prise the best works on natural history, in its broadest sense, and 

 closely related subjects. The library supplements the work of the 

 museum in providing books useful to its staff in preparing collections, 

 in furnishing additional information to visitors and in offering books 

 on the lines of school work for the benefit of teachers and pupils. Two 

 trained librarians in constant attendance enable visitors to consult 

 books without formality; and through an acquaintance with the con- 

 tents of school curricula, the exhibition materials of the museum, and 

 most important of all, the children themselves, the librarians not only 

 furnish desired information, but guide and direct the tastes of young 

 readers. Further than this, the library shows to parents and teachers 

 the most interesting and helpful nature books, and aids them in 

 selecting those best suited to the needs of their children. 



Children's Museum Library occupying less than GOO square feet of floorspace, yet accom- 

 modating at times between 300 and 400 readers in one day. 



