STUDIES ON MTTSEUMS AND KINDRED INSTITUTIONS. 403 



V)ookstores, etc. (T) ()l)ject lessons: Evervtliing' referred to in the 

 lectures is, when possil)le, exhibited in the original or in models, plans, 

 or drawings. Thus, for example, one may see ten dill'erent kinds of 

 American and European lil)rary book stacks in jnactical use beside one 

 another, and by actual trial become accpiainted with the best. Differ- 

 ent portions of the library are tittcd up according to different models, 

 in order that the students may learn ])y comparison. (8) Finally, the 

 pupils are made acquainted with the alioye-described educational 

 methods of the New York State University, as they are in many respects 

 related to library interests. 



In the first year the following subjects are treated: Exercises in cata- 

 loguing for beginners, elementary bibliography, accession department 

 work, dictionary cataloguing for beginners, classifying for beginners, 

 shelf work or disposition of books, systems of lending, and of ])ook- 

 binding. For students of the first and second years together, course 

 of reading, scope and founding of libraries, goyermnent and service, 

 regulations for readers, library buildings, reading, literary methods 

 and book making, library bookkeeping, librar}^ museum, personal col- 

 lections. In the second year, are taught bibliography for advanced 

 students, reference work, exercises in cataloguing for advanced stu- 

 dents, dictionary cataloguing for advanced students, classifying for 

 advanced students, history of libraries, and original bibliography. 

 Finally, a dissertation is required, and then, after an examination 

 has been passed, a degree is conferred (bachelor, master, or doctor of 

 librar}" science). The best scholars receive scholarships and fellow- 

 ships, up to $500, and may look forward to an earh' appointment in 

 Albany, Up to October, 1898, the library school had filled 6-i2 posi- 

 tions with its pupils. Summer courses are also held during the holidays; 

 and private instruction and instruction by means of correspondence 

 are also given." 



The existence of such schools explains the advanced condition of 

 librarA^ science in America.* 



It is recognized ''that the influences of the New York State Li])rary 

 are as yet the strongest that exist to raise the standard of librarian- 



" See also Handbook No. 7, Lit)rary School, 1897, S2 jiajjes; Handbook Xo. II, Liljrarv 

 Handwriting, with very many useful hints, 1898, 24 pages; Handbook No. 14, Lil)rary 

 School, Summer Course, 1899, 28 pages; and State Library Bulletins, Library School 

 No. 3, April, 1899, 12th Annual Report of Library School, 1898, 25 pages. 



^ In Germany a chair for library science (" Buch-und Schriftwesen ") exists only 

 in Gottingen and Leipsic. (In Leipsic, however, the professor does not lecture.) 

 Other lectures on library science in German universities are s})aring and more of the 

 archeologic-historical kind. In Prussia, after a voluntary service of two yeare in a 

 library, an examination must be passed before appointment, but not in Saxony and 

 Bavaria. The German library employees are, however, mostly scientists. In Amer- 

 ica there are but few in this ]>articular branch, while among us there is rather a lack 

 of si)ecially educated mmor employees. I think tliat more attention should be paid 

 to library science in the (ierman universities than is now the case. If liliraries are 

 intellectual eating houses, care should be taken that the dishes are well served. 



