NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY SCHOOL.

the graduates of the school continues. Nearly all of the members of the senior class have se

ruary of its new rooms, on the fifth floor of the capitol. These are directly over the old quarters, 60 feet higher. They are reached by three elevators, and besides the finer view, the quiet and freedom from dust — because so much further from the street-they have a much better ventilation and light and more abundant room. Instead of the tables heretofore used the students are supplied with standard desks, each with an electric student - lamp. Large new coat and toilet rooms have been provided, and otherwise the school begins its second decade by occupying quarters vastly better adapted to its work than it has ever before enjoyed.

On account of the American Library Association's trip to Europe this summer, and also because of the extra labor involved in moving the Library School from the third to the fifth floors of the capitol, the second session of the summer school will be postponed till July and August, 1898.

Much disappointment has been expressed by the librarians and assistants of the smaller libraries of the state at the omission of the summer school, thus showing that the work met a real want.

During the first session of the summer school the number of students was limited to 20, but two others took part of the work. Of these 22, all but one were engaged in library work, and 10 were in New York libraries. At the examinations 14 passed, four of these with honor, i.e., with a marking above 90 per cent.

The class of 1897 is the first to graduate since the change of policy in regard to the senior class went into effect. According to this change the completion of junior work does not necessarily admit to the senior class. Class work, examinations and personal qualifications are weighed, and only those who seem likely to render important service to the library profession are admitted.

It is gratifying to note that the demand for

as the work of the school is finished.

The bibliographies and theses presented this year as a requirement for graduation show unusually good work, and the subjects seem to be of special interest. A list of these subjects is given in the Library Journal for June, supplementing the list which was printed in the March number.

The New York State Library bibliographic bulletins nos. 2-4 are almost ready for issue. These numbers contain the following bibliographies, compiled by Library School students: M. C. Wilson. Reading list on colonial New England, 1620-1754.

C. W. Plympton. Select bibliography on travel in North America.

G. F. Leonard. Reading list on the history of the 17th century.

A register of the New York State Library School, covering the first 10 years of its history, from January, 1887, through December, 1896, has been compiled, and will be printed in the New York State Library report for 1896. This register includes the names of all matriculated students with the positions which they have held and are now holding in the library profession.

Since its opening in 1887, the New York State Library School has had 74 students from New York, and has also drawn 137 from 29 other states, and six from England and Germany and Sweden.

From January, 1887, through December, 1896, its students have filled 243 positions in New York, 284 in 24 other states, and two in two foreign countries.

The visit to the libraries of New York and vicinity occurred April 13-23. The yearly visit of the school to New York or Boston libraries proves increasingly valuable. A marked improvement was noted this year in the written reports of the chairmen of the various student committees who reported on the visit.

Special mention should be made of the col

lections of notes and samples which are a part of the requirement for graduation. The material collected during these annual visits and throughout the two years of the course is most admirably arranged.

Mr. F. M. Crunden was chosen by the New York State Library School Association its alumni lecturer for 1897, but on account of the International Library Congress in London, he was obliged to postpone his lectures.

Owing to the most generous response to its request the Library School has, during the past year, added very largely to its collection of printed matter, issued by American and foreign libraries. English librarians especially have sent extremely interesting collections illustrating their methods.

The school is making a special collection of material in regard to national, state, and local library associations, and also to library training, and earnestly invites the co-operation of all interested. It has also a large and valuable collection of clippings relative to libraries, which it desires to make as complete as possible.

The catalog of the collection on library architecture, which was prepared for the comparative library exhibit at Chicago, has been increased in value this year by indexing the pictures of library buildings which are found in books and periodicals. All the illustrations in the Library Journal have been brought out in this way.

It is a great satisfaction to find that the various collections of the school are proving most useful, not only to its own students, but to outsiders as well. Numerous calls come from librarians all over the country for material which can be found nowhere else.

A special exhibit will be sent to the International Bibliographic Conference at Brussels.

PRATT INSTITUTE LIBRARY SCHOOL.

The work of the first-year class has been changed but little this year, except that more time has been given to reference work and bibliography.

The first-year class had the advantage during the past year of a course of lectures on printing and bookmaking, the reproductive processes, history of bookbinding, and special lectures on subject bibliography given to the second-year class.

The annual visit to libraries at a distance was made to Washington and Baltimore. During the third term one afternoon a week was devoted to visiting the libraries in the vicinity of New York.

A second-year course has been offered this year for the first time. The interest of the students, the courtesy and kindness of the director, Lenox librarian, and staff of the New York Public Library, and the good-will of the Grolier Club, have insured its success. It is a matter of great regret that the absence of the librarian makes it necessary to omit the course during the coming year.

The number of students enrolled has been: First year, 22; second year, 3; total, 25.

Not a member of the class has been obliged to give up the course during the year, this being the first class of which the whole number entering remained to graduate.

Reports have recently been received from 82 of the former graduates of the school. All but two of this number have held library positions. Of these there are 15 librarians and 24 catalogers, six are doing reference work, two are in charge of children's rooms, and the rest are general library workers.

There are a few corrections to be made to the report on Library Schools, published in the proceedings of the Cleveland conference. A very natural misunderstanding of the nomenclature used in the class schedule led to a misstatement of the amount of time given to some of the subjects studied. From the report it would be supposed that only the "three closing lectures of the year are devoted to bibliography," whereas trade bibliography is given in connection with the order department work, the more important indexes and subject bibliographies are taken up in the reference lectures, and a number of lists are compiled by the class, thus acquainting them practically with the bibliography of many subjects.

To the loan systems our school is credited with devoting but two per cent. of time in the second term, as it was not understood that in the hours marked "Desk" the class had instruction and practice in all the routine work of the circulating department of the library, about nine per cent. being given to that in the first and second terms, and three hours a week of practical work in the third term. It is this ex

perience which is especially helpful in preparing the students for public library work.

It is to be noted as a matter of no slight interest that the examinations have been set and marked by the lecturers themselves in the second-year course, and a distinct step forward has been taken in the training of catalogers to adequately treat incunabula, manuscripts, and early Americana.

DREXEL INSTITUTE LIBRARY SCHOOL.

The course of instruction during the past year has been very similar to that of the preceding year. It is still found necessary to give attention to literature, owing to the relative ignorance of the candidates in this branch, which is so important to library assistants as well as to librarians. A very interesting feature of the course has been the discussion by subjects of the books contained in "The list of books for girls and women," comparing the selections with the A. L. A. catalog in the same subjects. The notes have been very instructive, and have given the students some knowledge of the most important and popular books in several classes. It is impossible in one year, with the study of the technical phases of library work, to devote much time to this side of a librarian's education, essential as it is.

The lectures on the " History of books and libraries," given by President MacAlister, of the Institute, were most enjoyable, and were illustrated with lantern slides representing styles of writing and printing, various forms of books, and noted libraries.

The class of 1896-97 began work on October 1, 1896, with 16 students enrolled. In addition there were eight special students (assistants in the Free Library) who attended the lectures on reference work and bibliography. The students came from the following states: Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

The graduating class in June numbered 13, of whom two have accepted positions in libraries. Of former classes, graduates are to a large extent engaged in practical work. Some students have taken the course without intending to use it as a means of livelihood.

During the year visits have been made to several of the Philadelphia libraries. The usual New York visit was omitted.

This spring the number of inquiries regarding the course, as well as the number of applicants for entrance examinations, has been larger than ever before, showing the evident spread of interest in the profession.

ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY SCHOOL.

Perhaps the greatest change which has taken place among the library schools this year is that which occurs at Armour Institute. This school has been formally transferred to the University of Illinois at Champaign, Ill., and the course has been both lengthened and broadened. Miss Katharine Sharp, formerly director of the school at Armour Institute, has been appointed professor of library economy and director of the Library School in the University of Illinois. Miss Mary L. Jones, formerly of the University of Nebraska, has been appointed assistant professor of library economy. Miss Margaret Mann, who was last year an instructor in Armour Institute Library School, has been engaged as cataloger.

The course of instruction is to cover the ordinary four years of university study, but only the last two years of the course are to be devoted to purely technical library work, the first two years consisting of the usual college course, with some general lectures and reference work. In other words, practically two years of college work will be required for entrance upon the course in library science.

The change to the University of Illinois has been made after mature consideration, and it is believed that the step is a wise one. The library is not yet large, but a very liberal appropriation for the purchase of books has lately been made, and the state has just built for the university at a cost of $160,000 a beautiful new library building. The various libraries of the university now include about 40,000 volumes.

The degree of Bachelor of Library Science (B.L.S.) is to be conferred on those who complete the entire course.

The work of the past year at Armour Institute has been similar to that of previous years. The students numbered 21, of whom three were seniors and 18 juniors. The usual routine of the previous year has been followed, and visits to libraries in Chicago were made a short time ago. Before the school year had closed the

arrangement for transferring the school to the University or Illinois had been completed, and the announcement made in such manner that the continuity of the school is not in any way interrupted. The sole difference is that the school has been transferred to another place, and the same work is to be pursued as heretofore, except that it is to be more extended and complete than has been possible up to this time.

At the dedication of the new building of the University of Illinois Mr. Dewey gave the address, and he is able to speak with certainty of the bright prospects for the new Illinois State Library School.

OTHER TRAINING SCHOOLS.

The training class heretofore instructed by Mr. Dana, at Denver, has been given up, because there positively was not sufficient space in the library to accommodate the pupils.

The Amherst Summer School, conducted by Mr. Fletcher, is to have its session of six weeks this summer, beginning July 5, and running to August 13. There is no special report to be made, because the session of last year had been held before the meeting of the Cleveland conference, and was covered by that report. The third session of the Wisconsin Summer School is to be held at Madison under the aus

pices of the University of Wisconsin Summer School, beginning July 5 and closing August 13, a six weeks' term. The work of previous years has been so successful that the demand for this summer term has been constantly growing. The course this year is to be under the direction of Miss Cornelia Marvin, who was last year instructor in reference work and bibliography in the Library School of Armour Institute. The course will follow the same plan as heretofore.

There have been conducted a number of classes within the past year according to university extension methods by various persons interested in the advancement of modern library economy. It does not seem best to make an inexact statement concerning this work. It is to be hoped that future reports may take cognizance of these features of library work, so recently developed. It has not been possible to make any adequate statement of them in this report.

Your committeeman greatly wished to revise and add to the tabular statement made by the Committee on Library Schools last year, and printed in the Library Journal, 21 : C96, so that it might be brought completely up to date; but the time allowed him for making this report has been so limited that it has been impossible to compile the necessary statistics for this table.

THE HE gifts and bequests reported since July of last year amount to more than $400,000 in money, nearly 50,000 volumes of books and pamphlets, buildings valued at more than $200,000, and manuscripts, books, and pictures worth nearly half a million, together with many other gifts whose value is not stated. The gifts to travelling libraries in Wisconsin are worthy of notice, and will do in

calculable good in the thinly-settled parts of the state.

The tabulated statement of the gifts and bequests for the period covered is given in the same form as last year. It should be remembered that the report made to the Cleveland Conference covered two years, a fact that explains the difference in extent between that report and the present one.