BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 993, 7 December 1910, Page 6

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.

PUBLIC LIBRARY'S NEW DEPARTURE. When Mr. Herbert Baillie (Public Librarian) was in the United States last year lie was greatly struck by the manner in which the'children were catered for at the various public■• and- seiui-public libraries everywhere he went. It was Justus common to see a "children's section" sign' as it was to see "reference" or "loan" section, and he. "guessed andcalculated"—being on American soil—that it was this early training that mado theAmerican children preternatural!)- smart and well-informed. Since his 'return to Wellington Mr. • Baillie has kept the children "steadily in view," and though still'handicapped for want of space has managed to instal a children's section" in the old room ou Hie first floor, at one time the "magazine section," and later Mr. Baillie's office. Steady sorting and a little judicious buying have enabled tho librarian to partly, stock the shelves with a very well-selected lot of books to suit all juvenile ages, and on Friday afternoon next at 3 o'clock the new department or section will be opened for the first those parents who desire to open the gates of tho world's literature to their ' children are invited to register them as subscribers. The rules applicable for the "children's section" provide that the range of age of subscribers will be between seven and sixteen years, but membership provides for a parent or guardian signing the agreement on registration as a subscriber. Prom a hasty look round the shelves it was mado evident that a very fair selection of reading material had been made. Tho range stretched from the wondrous red and yellow "Book of ; Oz," profusely pictured, to the sedately-bound Waverley novels and the writings of Rudyard Kipling. Among tho authors were noticed Ethel Turner, Mrs. Molesworth, Mrs. Ewing, John Finnemore, Ellis,' Alice C. Haines, G. A. Henty, Ralph Barbour, and Captain Marryatt. There are also fairy stories from all parts of tho world, simple books on science and mechanics—indeed, a very good beginning of a modern children's library. People interested in the project are invited by the librarian to inspect tho latest development on Friday afternoon.