SCHOOL DEPARTMENT 



Kditad by ALICE HALL WALTER 



Address all communications relative to the work of this depart- 

 ment to the Editor, at 53 Arlington Avenue, Providence, R. I. 



Ways and Means 



FOLLOWING out the suggestion of beginning at home to conserve 

 national resources, how may pubHc sentiment be most surely and sym- 

 pathetically aroused to take hold of the matter in a practical way? 



Undoubtedly, the first step is to educate the public to recognize and ap- 

 preciate home resources; the next, to demonstrate what may be done with 

 such resources. 



A simple and opportune method of educating public sentiment is through 

 public and traveling libraries. There are at least two valid reasons why 

 libraries should engage in such an undertaking. 



In the first place, a library is doing its best work when it makes a direct 

 appeal to all classes and all ages along some hne of vital importance. 



A subject of such importance is the one under consideration, because it 

 touches the welfare and interests of the entire community. 



In the second place, by means of circulating the very best kinds of informa- 

 tion, a library can quietly and effectively accomplish, at relatively small 

 expense, what could scarcely be done with ten times the same amount of 

 money and effort, in lectures, personal appeals and desultory experiments. 



If the Audubon Societies should ask the librarians in their respective 

 states to cooperate with them in developing the educational side of home 

 resources, a very broad and far-reaching movement would be speedily in 

 operation. 



Why not begin by giving to each library, not already so equipped, a set 

 of bulletins and pamphlets relating to forestry, agriculture, horticulture, 

 economic ornithology and entomology, with a copy of the state game laws, 

 a copy of Bird-Lore, a collection of National Audubon leaflets, and as much 

 more nature-study material as may be available? 



To this initial gift, add the request that a special shelf or table be set aside 

 for the purpose of displaying this material as attractively as possible. 



Every progressive librarian will be glad to add such a department to his 

 library, and will see that simple, durable bindings are put upon all unbound 

 printed matter, to offset the wear and tear of use and circulation. 



A special effort should be made to invite teachers and pupils, particularly 

 those whose equipment for nature-study work is limited, to utilize this "home 

 resources" corner in the town or village library as a factor in the school work. 



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