SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20412, 5 December 1931, Page 7

SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.

I "", : ♦ ■ ■ BACKGROUND TO LEARNING. A /plea for training in tho use of public and semi-public libraries os an j integral part of elementary,' secondary, technical, and even University education was mulle by Colonel J. M. Mitchell in liis presidential address at the conference of the British Library Assorecently. Commenting oh this, "The Times" Educational Supplement states: "To know how to use Looks, to know how to apply the science of bibliography tO /tVie study of a subject, to understand the elements, and pioro than tho elements, of the classification of books is indeed a need of modern , learning. ' '•Secondary school libraries are a necessity <6f accurate and intensive Ktudyi ;It is not, enough tor a school to have a: few even lidvmcM ie&t-booljs. No subject can be 'studied seriously without ample facilities for the study of 'the background' of ihe subject, and this involve a library in constant use. A Jarge school Usually has some so>;'t of a .-library, but in very many cases the, library, is a chance one, founded on no method, but dependent on its increase to the .benevolence of the governing body, or moro often of tho masters or mistresses. "Each school should be in touchwith library, and when necessary permanent loans of 'background' books on classics, mathematics, science, history, and geography, and modern languages should be mane available, and lectures on the 1 use of books Should be delivered in the ! school by- highly-trained librarians. The School use, by way of loan and otherwise, (if tho county ,library is a matter of the first importance irt school life. ' :