268 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



when conducted in the proper channel has the power to confer lasting 

 impressions on its possessors. And no better method could be called 

 into service to produce this elTect than to possess libraries in our 

 schools. 



Perhaps there are few persons who ever stop to consider the im- 

 measurable value of books. Let us pause for a moment, to think that 

 by one motion of the hand the most remote regions of the earth may 

 be brought to our view; that we may learn of events which have oc- 

 curred centuries ago; and that the whole world's history moves in 

 solemn procession before our eyes. Science, art, literature, philoso- 

 phy — all that man has thought, all that man has done — the experi- 

 ence that has been bought with the sufferings of a hundred genera- 

 tions — all are garnered up for us in the world of books. And what 

 a grand opjjortunity so many persons are deprived of by not having 

 access to those precious gifts through our public schools. And think 

 what a magnificent effect has already been produced upon the devel- 

 opment and civilization of our country since the introduction of the 

 art of printing; that books and not kings are to rule the world. 

 Think for a moment, what an important element literature was to- 

 ward the abolition of slavery. We may take, for example, that one 

 noted literary volume, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and think how the influ- 

 ence of that one noble character, Harriet Beecher Stowe, was spread 

 abroad throughout the land. What other means could have been 

 called forth that could have produced such a vast influence on the 

 minds of the American people? 



The second point worthy of consideration is the need of libraries 

 in our schools. 



One of the great effects of not possessing school libraries is, that 

 a great many children are deprived of the opportunity to secure good 

 reading matter. For if they are thrown upon their own resources to 

 secure literature, they may unconsciously drift into the habit of ob- 

 taining and reading trashy novels. While by the possession of 

 libraries in our schools, children would be relieved of such tempta- 

 tions and the attention of their minds directed to an elevating and 

 refining class of literature. Thus, there would decidedly be many 

 an innocent young life rescued from destruction. 



Our mere school text-books are not sufficient means by which chil- 

 dren may acquire an education. They are simply only guides to 

 direct their ideas in the proper channel. Hence, the deficiency can 

 in no other way be better supplied than by good reading matter, 

 exclusive of our text books. Because a pupil after having become in- 

 terested in literature will realize the result of his text-book knowl- 

 edge, and thus have a greater desire to increase his learning. 



If the habit of reading is not learned in youth, it may never be 

 learned. .\ud the effect of the negligence of this habit is realized by 



