Library Work with Children Part 33

4. To label with brief descriptions expressed in simple language and printed in clear, readable type.

In addition to the common species of birds, insects, and animals, there are many groups that have special attraction for children.

For instance, among the "Birds we read about" are the flamingo, ca.s.sowary, condor, and quetzal; the eagle owl is contrasted with the pygmy owl, and the peac.o.c.k, lyre bird, albatross, swan, and pelican are displayed.

In the Insect room the child's attention is naturally drawn to the brilliantly-colored b.u.t.terflies and moths, the curious beetles from tropical countries, and the "Strange insects, centipedes and scorpions." There is an extremely interesting silk-worm exhibit, and the children who visited the museum two or three summers ago had the pleasure of watching some of the identical silkworms while spinning their coc.o.o.ns. Young collectors are shown exactly "How to collect and preserve insects" by examining the object lesson which was especially designed for their help.

Among the realistic "Animal homes" which appeal especially to the child's mind are the hen and chickens, the downy eider ducks, the family of red foxes, and the home of the muskrat. "Color in nature" is effectively ill.u.s.trated by grouping together certain tropical fishes, minerals, sh.e.l.ls, insects, and birds in such a manner as to bring out vivid red, yellow, blue, and green colors.

Here and elsewhere in the museum are placed appropriate quotations from poets and prose writers.

In almost every room there are attractive little aquaria or vivaria containing living animals and plants. There is always a pleasure in watching the gold fish, or the salamanders, chameleons, mud-puppies, alligators, horned toads, tree toads, and snails. For three or four years an observation hive of bees has been fixed in a window overlooking the park, and children have watched the work of the "busy bees" with great delight.

The uses of minerals and rocks are shown by means of pictures of quarries, and of buildings and monuments, and lead pencils are seen in the various stages of manufacture. A small collection of "Gems" was recently donated, and the legends connected with the various birthstones are given in rhyme.

A black background has been used with pleasing effect to exhibit the various forms of sh.e.l.ls. The process of making pearl b.u.t.tons and numerous articles made of mother-of-pearl add largely to the charms of the Sh.e.l.l room.

Perhaps the most attractive room to the younger children is the History room, in which the beginnings of American history are typified not only by charts and historic implements, but by very real "doll houses." A member of the staff devised and cleverly executed the idea of representing the early settlers by six colonial types, viz., the Spanish, French, Cavalier, Dutch, New England and Quaker types. Some of the special scenes ill.u.s.trated are labelled "Priest and soldier plan a new mission," "Indians selling furs to Dutch trader at Fort Orange" and "The minister calls on the family."

The study of geography is aided by means of small models of miniature homes of primitive peoples; as for instance, an Eskimo village with its snow igloos, the tents of the Labrador Eskimos, the permanent home of the Northwestern Eskimos, and the houses and "totem poles" of the Haida Indians. Some of the more civilized nations are typified by a "Lumber camp in a temperate zone," and by a series of "Dolls dressed in national costumes."

The library of the Children's Museum now numbers about six thousand volumes, and, contrary to the general impression, is not composed entirely of children's books, but of a careful selection of the best recent books upon natural history in the broadest use of the terms. The range is from the simplest readers to technical manuals.

The library is thus unique in its way, supplementing the work of the museum in various ways, such as the following:

1. Providing books of information for the museum staff in describing the collections, and preparing lectures for children.

2. Furnishing information to visitors about specimens models or pictures in the museum, and giving opportunity to study the collections with the direct aid of books.

3. Offering carefully chosen books on almost all the subjects of school work, thus forming a valuable "School reference library,"

at the same time showing parents and teachers the most helpful and attractive nature books to aid them in selecting such as best suit the needs and tastes of children or students.

Although it is not a circulating library (for many of the books need to be on call for immediate use), there are, of course, many interesting stories of heroes, scientists, explorers, statesmen, and other great leaders among men, of great events in history, of child life in different countries, of birds and animals, and the great "world of outdoors." A constant effort is made to foster a reading habit in the children, even though the time for reading is very limited. Last summer some simple bookmarks were printed, by the use of which many children have been encouraged to read books continuously. The reverse side of some of the bookmarks show that individual children have read eight or ten books through recently.

In place of the "Story hour" which is so popular in children's libraries, the Children's Museum provides daily half-hour talks, ill.u.s.trated by lantern slides, which are given in the lecture room. The subjects are selected with relation to the school program, and include a variety of nature topics, the geography of different countries, history and astronomy. Twice a week a lecture is given on elementary science, and is ill.u.s.trated by experiments.

On some of the holidays such as Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays the lecture is naturally devoted to the national hero, whose birthday is thus commemorated. This year there were so many children who wanted to learn about Washington that the lecture was given nine times during the day. On Lincoln's birthday there were several repet.i.tions of the lecture, and the library was thronged with readers all day, at least one hundred children reading stories about him. The children looked with interest at the picture bulletins, comparing the pictures with those they had seen in the lecture. Hundreds of patriotic poems were copied during the month, the number being limited only by lack of s.p.a.ce and writing materials.

During the March vacation there were so many visitors that special lectures were given each day upon some subject pertaining to nature. It is proposed this season to give additional special lectures appropriate for "Arbor day" and "Bird day," and probably one with relation to the "Protection of animals."

Lectures are occasionally given for the benefit of Mothers'

Clubs, and members of the clubs accompanied by their children are shown the objects of interest in the museum. The library is also visited, and picture bulletins and books are enjoyed by mothers and children together. Last winter several Nature books were loaned for a special exhibit of Christmas books, which was arranged for a regular meeting of the Mothers' Club at a neighboring school.

A part of the museum equipment of especial benefit to boys in high schools is the wireless telegraph station, which was set up and is kept in working order by boys. It furnishes a good field for experimenting in sending and receiving wireless messages, and a good many boys have become so proficient that they have been able to accept positions as wireless operators on steamers during summer vacations.

The museum has considerable loan material, consisting of stuffed birds, boxes containing the life histories of common b.u.t.terflies and moths, also minerals, charts, etc., which are loaned to public and private schools whenever desired.

The question is frequently asked "What influence does the museum exert on the minds of growing children?" "Does it really increase their powers of observation and broaden their horizon?" The relation between the members of the staff and many children becomes quite intimate, and although all attendance is entirely voluntary, it is often continued with brief interruptions for several years.

The experience of one young man may be cited to demonstrate how the advantages offered by the museum are put to definite use, while friendly relations continue for a period of years. When quite a small boy, a frequent visitor became interested in collecting b.u.t.terflies and moths, learning how to mount them carefully, and using our books to help identify his finds. As he grew older, he commenced experimenting in a small way in wireless telegraphy, inviting the members of the staff, separately, to go to the bas.e.m.e.nt and listen to the clicking of his little instrument, which was the beginning of successful work in that direction. Throughout his high school course he continued to experiment along wireless lines, doing very creditable work. Upon his graduation, he received an appointment as wireless operator on a steamer. In this capacity he has visited several of the Southern states, Porto Rico, Venezuela, and portions of Europe.

He has improved his opportunities for collecting while on his various trips, as a creditable little exhibit, called the "Austen M. Curtis Collection of b.u.t.terflies and Moths" in the Children's Museum, will testify.

Some definite advantages gained in another field are worthy of mention. Last summer one of the high school boys commenced during the vacation to read all he could about astronomy; as the summer advanced, another boy became interested in the subject also, especially in the study of the constellations. Diagrams and star maps were carefully made and the names of all the important stars noted. In the fall a little club of eight or ten boys was formed.

The members meet almost every pleasant evening at the home of the founder of the club and make use of two telescopes which have been secured to the roof. (Incidentally, may we add, that one of the boys with considerable pride recently showed the books on astronomy in the library to his aunt who was visiting from another city.) No astronomy is at present included in the public school course, with the exception of a little elementary study in the grammar school, so that an opportunity is here provided to supplement school work.

Children frequently make long visits, sometimes spending the greater part of a day, and bringing their luncheon with them to eat in the park. Sometimes whole families come together, father or mother, or both, accompanying the children. Frequently the little "mother" of the family who is having temporary care of four or five little ones, is not much larger than her little charges, and yet is anxious to read some of the books. Under such conditions, when the little folks become too restless to remain longer in the library or museum, the privilege of reading in the park is occasionally permitted, the book being returned to the library before leaving for their homes.

The publication of a monthly paper was started in 1902 as a means of communication with the general public and especially with schools. In April, 1905, the Children's Museum united with the larger Museum of the Brooklyn Inst.i.tute of Arts and Sciences, in publishing the Museum News. This journal is sent not only to every public and private school in Brooklyn, but to every museum in this country and abroad; to every library in Brooklyn, and to libraries generally throughout the country.

An excellent "Guide to the trees in Bedford Park" has been printed in a separate leaflet, being at first a contribution to the Museum News. It may be noted here that a series of lectures upon Trees will be given at the Children's museum commencing April 11th by Mr. J. J. Levison, arboriculturist, the author of the "Guide"; and that a fine collection of the best tree books may always be consulted in the library.

In connection with the "Hudson-Fulton Celebration" in the fall of 1909, a handsome "Catalogue of the historical collection and objects of related interest at the Children's Museum" was prepared by Miss Agnes E. Bowen. It furnishes a concise outline of American history, is printed in attractive form, and ill.u.s.trated by photographs of the historical groups already mentioned. Special picture bulletins were also exhibited in both museum and library, and objects having relation to Hudson and Fulton and their times were indicated by a neat little flag. It is perhaps needless to add that many teachers and children found great a.s.sistance by consulting the "Hudson-Fulton Bookshelf," and that the museum exhibit was very attractive to the general public.

The library has prepared various short lists from time to time whenever needed, but has thus far printed only one. This was prepared at the request of the Supervisor of Nature Study in the Vacation Schools of Greater New York, and is a short annotated list ent.i.tled "Some books upon nature study in the Children's Museum Library." The list will be sent free to any librarian or teacher upon application.

The Children's Museum is open daily throughout the year, the hours on weekdays being from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. The library is open on the same hours as the museum with few exceptions, such as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and the Fourth of July, and Sunday afternoons during the summer, from June 15th to September 15th.

To sum up, the Children's Museum constantly suggests the added pleasure given to each child's life by cultivating his powers of observation, and stimulating his love of the beautiful in nature by means of attractive exhibits, half-hour talks, and familiar chats with groups of children. The library calls attention of individual children and cla.s.ses to the flowers, birds and trees through its picture bulletins and numerous books; and children are urged to visit the Aquarium, the Zoological Gardens at Bronx Park, and see the natural beauties of Forest Park, whenever opportunity offers.

WORK WITH CHILDREN AT THE COLORED BRANCH OF THE LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Many of the generally accepted methods of children's libraries have been adapted to work with colored children, whose particular interests are described in the following article by Mrs. Rachel D. Harris, contributed to the Library Journal for April, 1910.

Mrs. Rachel D. Harris was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1869, and was graduated from the Colored High School in 1885. She taught in the public schools for fifteen years, and was appointed a.s.sistant in the Colored Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library when it was opened in 1905. At the time this article was written she was in charge of the library work with colored children.

About five years ago, when it was proposed to establish a branch for colored people, it was regarded apprehensively by both sides.

We knew our people not to be a reading people, and while we were hopeful that the plan would be a success, we wondered whether or not the money and energy expended in projecting such an enterprise might not be put to some other purpose, whereby a good result could be more positively a.s.sured.

The branch, however, was opened in the early part of the autumn of 1905, in temporary quarters--three rooms of the lower floor of the residence of one of our own people. We began with 1,400 books, to which have been added regularly, until now we have 7,533 volumes on the shelves of our new building, which we have occupied since October, 1908.

The problem at first which confronted us was: How to get our people to read and at the same time to read only the best. We used in a modest way the plans of work already followed by successful libraries--the story-hour, boys' and girls' clubs, bulletins, visits to the schools, and public addresses.

A group of boys from 9 to 14 years of age, who visited our rooms frequently, was organized into the Boys' Reading Club. Their number increased to 27 earnest, faithful little fellows, who were rather regular in attendance. They met Friday afternoon of each week, elected their own officers, appointed their own committee on preparation of a course of reading for the term, the children's librarian always being a member of each committee appointed. There were only a few boys in this number who had read any book "all the way through," except their school books.

The first rule made for the club was, that at roll-call each boy should respond by giving the t.i.tle, author and a short synopsis of the book read the preceding week. This proved to be the most interesting part of the meeting, and was placed first on the program to insure prompt attendance. Often the entire period was taken up with the roll-call, the boys often calling for the entire story of a book, the synopsis of which appealed to them.

This method was thought to be a good way to get the boys interested in the books on our shelves.

Our first course in reading was Lamb's "Tales from Shakespeare."

Much profit was derived from the discussion brought about by a.s.signing each character to a different boy and having him give his opinion of the same. We modified the program to include several debates during the term, using the "Debater's Treasury"

for topics. The following year we read the plays "Merchant of Venice," "Macbeth," "Midsummer night's dream."

A large per cent of this first club are still patrons of the library. Six of the original number are now in college, and most of those remaining are connected with the Boys' Debating Club.

Shortly after the organization of the Boys' Club the girls of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades insisted upon having a club, and a Girls' History Club was organized with about 30 girls.

At the urgent request of some pupils of the freshman and soph.o.m.ore cla.s.ses of the High School a club was formed for them, and also one for the members of the junior and senior cla.s.ses for the study of mythology. Very few of the members of any of these clubs had read much beyond their cla.s.s books and the same general plan was followed in each, with the result that the library has been successful in creating a love for the reading of books that are worth while.

The story-hour has outgrown itself and our limited supply of a.s.sistants. We started with a very small group of little folks, and now we tell stories to between 150 and 180 children each week in our building. The story-hour begins at 3 p.m., and children who are dismissed at 1:30 p.m., come directly from school and wait patiently till the children's librarian returns from her station work at 3 p.m. The majority of our children have never had stories told to them, their parents being compelled to work out from home all day, and during the evening they have not the time, though they may have the stories to tell, and the little ones have been deprived of every child's birthright--a generous supply of good stories. Boys and girls from the High School have begged for permission to come to the story-hour, and have come from long distances to hear the stories and enjoy them as much as the younger ones do.