smith] THE SCHOOL MUSEUM 123 



important factors involved. Probably many plans will be tried 

 before the question is solved. It occurs to me that the room 

 devoted to a museum should be connected with the principal's 

 office if possible ; and in schools large enough to secure the services 

 of a clerk, the latter might devote certain periods of the day to 

 the museum. It would probably make for efficiency if some of the 

 material, even at the risk of duplication, be arranged by grades, 

 if it all be catalogued according to some system like that of the 

 libraries. Definite records, according to this system, could then 

 be made of the removal and return of material. This is not as 

 large a task as it sounds, if it be systematically entered upon. 



It is a mistake to suppose that expensive cases are necessary 

 for the storing of material. Letter files and various forms of 

 pasteboard filing boxes are extremely serviceable and really much 

 more convenient than many of the expensive contrivances. Im- 

 provised filing cabinets and boxes which cost nothing are often 

 as useful as any. Much of the equipment of the museum can be 

 constructed by the children in their regular handwork. 



I would discourage the undertaking of a feverish campaign 

 to collect material for the museum, such as always characterizes 

 the preparation of material for a public exhibition. Let us take 

 up a leisurely pursuit of the definite policy of gradually adding 

 materials useful in teaching each subject. What is needed first is 

 determination and a definite beginning. 



Mr. President, I suggest the appointment of a committee 2 of 

 this club who shall report, either at a future general meeting or 

 by circular to the individual members, in some detail, suggesting 

 specific materials. What is needed next is a place for such a 

 collection. Most of the schools of the city have some place which 

 can be adapted to the purpose. Cases placed in the halls can be 

 used until something better is provided, but it must not be forgot- 

 ten that the fire regulations and the use of the halls for classes in 

 physical education will not permit of sufficient development in this 

 direction. A basement room is better than none. I suggest further 

 the adoption by this club of a resolution 2 addressed to the superin- 

 tendent and the board of education advocating that all school 

 buildings to be erected or added to in future be provided with 

 room for a teaching museum. 



2 Action was subsequently taken to carry out the above sug- 

 gestions. 



