oao-7ii I Z9 Vi icV,=\ “VV«L V>^V■va.>ru^ ■^N-orT\ ~W.e_ ~\_V^\r\\ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates i ) https://archive.org/details/universityofilli00unse_0 THE ILLINI (OFFICIAL PAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY) VoL. XXVIII. urbana and Champaign, Illinois, Friday, January 13, 1899. No. 15 EVENING. Across the tired, weary world The sun g-ave one long- look, As in the misty, darkening- East The robe of nig-ht he shook. Then far and wide so silently, With deft and practiced hand. He drew the darkness from the sky And spread it o’er the land. He paused upon the ocean’s rim To g-aze o’er everything-. Before he crossed the world’s threshold. And then remembering-. As he heard the low, sleepy hum From forest, hill and deep. He kissed the summits of the hills And left the world asleep. A. N. D. 230 THE ILLINI: JANUABY 13 , 1899 . UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY SCHOOL. HISTORY. From September 14, 1895, to July 1, 1897, this school was known as the Department of Library Science of Armour Institute of Technology, Chicago. It started with only a short elementary course to meet a certain demand which was felt in the Middle West, and its connection with a technical school was at first consid- ered peculiarly fortunate. As conditions changed, or were more fully appreciated, the course was extended, but it soon became evident that the school could not meet the demands upon it without larger quarters and more generous equipment. The offer of the University of Illinois in 1897 to adopt the department, its students, and its technical equipment, and to make it the State Library school, presented a wel- come opportunity. The decision to move was not made hurriedly nor without consul- tation in the east and in the west, and when the transfer of the school and its property was made, with the good will of Armour Institute of Technology, in September,^ 1897, the friends of the school felt that a new era for it had begun. It was suggested that the school should omit all instruction during this first jear in the new quarters, because of the great amount of library work. This condition seemed, however, a reason for having the school, as the experience in organizing would be invaluable. It -was considered unwise, also, to allow the school to lapse, even for a year. Those students who had entered when requirements were lower, with the expecta- tion of completing the course, were given an opportunity to take advanced work this year, but this year only. No effort was made to secure a new class, but those who were prepared to meet the new requirements were accepted. This year was considered a transitional year, and was devoted to a care- ful study of university conditions with their reference to the library school curriculum. The result was many changes in the inter- ests of thoroughness, system and harmony with university terms and methods. EQUIPMENT. The State of Illinois recently erected for the University, at a cost of $160,000, one of the most beautiful and convenient library buildings in the country. The library is 167x113 feet. The main floor contains the reference room, the peri- odical reading room, the conversation room, the library school lecture room and the delivery room, which opens into the second story of the book-stack. The second floor contains the library school class room, four seminar rooms and the administrative offices of the University. The basement contains well-lighted rooms, which are at present used for various collections. The book- stack forms a rear wing to the building,, separated by a fire-proof wall. This will eventually contain five stories, accommodat- ing 150,000 volumes. At present only three stories are fitted with shelving, while the upper portion is floored to form a class room for the library school Here each student has a desk specially fitted for library work, and has easy access to the collections of the school in this room and to the book-stack directly below. The libraries now embrace about 40,000 volumes, and the last Legislature appropri- ated $20,000 for additions within two years. This affords unusual opportunities for the library students. The library school has the complete col- lection of manuscript notes and problems which have been prepared since the school opened in 1893, and as the number of text books is so small, this collection is invalua- ble. A collection of library reports and catalogues, of mounted samples and of me- chanical devices is carefully classified and is continually increasing. REQUIREMENTS. The requirements for admission from 1893-97 were a high school course or its equivalent. Candidates were required to take examinations in general history, gen- eral literature and general information. In 1897 they were obliged to take examinations also in one year each of French and Ger- man. College graduates whose records were satisfactory were admitted without examination. As these were admitted first, and others in the order of their preparation, and the number in each class was limited, there were very few students who had only a high school preparation. In 1898 candidates for technical library work had to present satisfactory credits for two years of university work. High school candidates must now enter as freshmen -in the University, and take the course outlined in one of its colleges for two years. Candi- dates are urged, however, to complete *a general college course before taking the / 231 / ^ STATE LIBRARY SCHOOL. technical work, and an encourag-ing* num- ber of g’raduates are applying^. LENGTH OF COURSE. The course at first was so planned as to offer but one year of instruction, so arrang-ed that it could be supplemented by a second year of advanced work if desirable. In 1895 a second year was added, and has been g-iven ever since. Now the course covers four years beyond the hig-h school, consisting of two years of regular college work. It has not seemed wise to restrict admis- sion to the graduating class by extra exam- inations or by personal decision, and it seems quite impossible in a State institution to refuse promotion to those who have won that right by their records, although strenu- ous efforts are made to deter those who seem personally unfitted for the work and to turn their energies in other directions. ' degree. The degree of Bachelor of Library Sci- ence (B.L.S.) will be conferred on those who complete the course outlined. At Armour Institute of Technology no degree was given. Former graduates who possessed the present requirements will be counted as alumni of the University of Illi- nois, but they can not receive the degree, because they have not been in residence. INSTRUCTION. The course at first was modeled after the junior year at the New York State Library School, although English literature was required, owing to the lower standards of admission, and later typewriting was added. As long as the course was limited to one year, the tendency was to crowd into it as much advanced work as the students could carry. When a second year was added, no change was made in the first year, and the uneven division of work was soon manifest. The effort now is to restrict the instruction to library topics, according to the recom- mendations of the A. L. A. Committee on Library Schools in 1895, and to more evenly divide the work. The earlier tendency was to magnify technical details. The effort in the future will be to give a broader knowl- edge of books. Cataloguing . — Instruction is given ac- cording to Dewey’s “Library School Rules” and Cutter’s “Rules for a Dictionary Cata- logue.” At first the course taught the con- struction of a classed catalogue, and the classed catalogue of Armour Institute of Technology afforded practice throughout the year. Dictionary cataloguing was taught later in the year for a period of six weeks, but there was no practical opportu- nity to apply it. Experience showed that nearly all of the students went out to libra- ries for which the dictionary catalogue was more convenient. Therefore, without any intention of decid- ing in favor of one form in preference to the other, but rather for practical reasons, the main instruction was given on dictionary cataloguing, and the Armour catalogue was changed to this form to afford practice for the students. This course has proved much more satisfactory than the former method. All details of author cataloguing are given before subject headings are touched upon. Then full cataloguing is required to give a review of details. Each student has at the end of the course a sample dic- tionary catalogue with an index by princi- ples which it illustrates, e. g.., “Compound names, see Baring-Gould, Lane-Poole;” “Series card, see American statesmen.” Students are required to make a classed catalogue for a certain number of books, in order to learn the arrangement, but further practice is considered unnecessary. Advanced cat^aloguing has been taught in various ways. Until last year a study of principles was based upon a comparison of ten codes, ranging in date from the British Museum to the latest edition of the “Library School Rules.” Last year the study was based upon a proposed code for cataloguing government documents. This will be con- tinued, and a course on preparing a printed catalogue will be added. The students will prepare for the printer the complete list of books used for instruction in dictionary cat- aloguing, with the index by principles, will select the paper, decide upon the type and read the proof. Throughout the course practical experi- ence is given in cataloguing. At Armour Institute of Technology the students made the greater part of the card catalogue, but the books were not very difficult. At the University there have been plenty of diffi- cult foreign scientific books and continua- tions, and the advantages have been satis- factory. Formerly cataloguing was given first in the course, partly through following prece- dent and partly because it gave a better foundation in detail work. This arrange- ment was changed at the University, be- cause it brought the heavy instructional work of the cataloguing department just when the entire force was needed to cata- logue the large invoices of books in the fall. This year the instruction follows the logical order of the work, beginning with the order 232 THE ILLFNI: JAXUARY 13, 1899. LIBRARY HALL. STATE LIBRARY SCHOOL. 233 and accession department, and this brings cataloguing in the winter term, when in- struction will not interfere with library service. Order and Accession. — In teaching meth- ods of ordering books, a list of American and foreign requests, with several inaccu- rate items, is given to the students. They must verify this and prepare orders and write any necessary instructions to the agent. In a short time the American books are delivered, with a bill which needs cor- recting and necessitates correspondence. Later a custom house affidavit is sent to each one, and this is executed before a nota- ry public. The foreign books, with bill, are then delivered and all records of the trans- action are completed. The same books are accessioned. Formerly trade bibliography was taught before students took this work. Hereafter it must be combined with the order department because of the change in the course. Classification. — The Dewey Decimal Class- ification is taught in the junior year, with merely an introduction to the Cutter Ex- pansive Classification for the sake of com- parison. This latter system is carefully studied in the senior year, together with other well-known systems, for an under- standing of principles rather than for details. Both at Armour Institute of Tech- nology and at the University the practice of the students is with the Dewey Decimal System. Shelf. — Instruction is given upon sheet and card shelf lists, book numbers and care of the shelves. A section of shelves is assigned to each student for practical care, and experience is given with a card shelf list. Loan. — At first students were required to memorize the details of a number of systems. Now they study the principles of single and double entry, and of the two-book system in preparation for class or individual visits. In the senior year, after having seen several dif- ferent systems in operation, they make a comparative study of the principles of guar- antee, age limit, fines, renewals, reserves, etc., in connection with regulations for readers. Binding. — Instruction in binding treats of materials and processes, and is followed by visits to binderies. Instruction is given also in practical mending. Refej'cnce. — Lectures in the junior year are given on reference books in groups, such as indexes, dictionaries, cyclopedias, atlases, handbooks of history, handbooks of general information, quotations, statistics. etc. At the risk of losing interest because of infrequent recitations, this subject has been carried through the year rather than grouped in one term, in order to familiarize the students as early as possible with the most used reference books, while studying other subjects. Prom the very opening of the school great stress has been laid on the actual preparation of reference lists for posting, and students have had opportuni- ties to show their ingenuity in suggesting and preparing timely lists. Their speed has also been tested by the preparation of class and society lists needed at a specified time. Advanced students study govern- ment, state and society publications. They have also a short practical course in in- dexing. Bibliography is a tendency to merge in other subjects the work formerly given under this head. Instruction is given in the junior year in the trade bibliography of America, England, France and Germany. Reading lists and short bibliographies are included in reference work. In the senior year subject bibliographies have been given by specialists, and an original bibliography has been required of each student before graduation. The students have in this way received many valuable lists, but they have not had enough class exercises upon them to make them familiar with them. This omission was excused for lack of time, be- cause the original bibliography was so absorbing. The F acuity has finally reached the conclusion that it is better for the stu- dent to have more of these special bibliog- raphies from authorities, with time for class drill after each, than to become very famil- iar with one subject to the exclusion of all others, or at the risk of extreme superfi- ciality. Thesis. — The library school will hereafter require only a thesis with list of references, although a bibliography or reading list may be substituted. A thesis will be preferred in order to cultivate the power of written expression. It has always been claimed that preparation in general subjects must be gained before entering the library school, and that the latter was in no way respon- sible for them. The experience of this school has shown that college graduates, and others who have good preparation other- wise, are deficient in English composition. The library school can not introduce this subject, but it can provide for it in a certain measure. For this reason, this year the school will require from the juniors a writ- ten book review each month, and from the seniors a written outline of topics discussed 234 THE ILLINI: JANUARY 13, 1899. THE ROTUNDA OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING. STATE LIBRARY SCHOOL. 235 in seminar each week, and a written paper with references on some library topic once in two months. This oug’ht to secure better theses at the close of the course, and pre- pare the g-raduates to write clear reports and addresses. Selection of hooks. — Study is based upon the Publishers’ Weekly and the Publishers’ Circular, with a view to making- a selection of books each month. The leading- critical mag-azines are divided among- the class for examination. Particular books are assig-ned to individual students, who are required to orally review them with reg-ard to author, subject, edition, series, etc. Briefs of books are frequently required, and once a month a carefully written review must be presented. During- the fall term, before reviews of the fall books are available, the students study children’s books by classes and contempo- rary authors by g-roups, so that each student becomes familiar with a larg-e number of writers. Throug-h the year each student is required to carefully read at least twenty of the new books. The broad side of the work has been developed, so that the cutting- and mount- ing- of items from the Publishers’ Weekly is now only an incident, whereas formerly it was magnified to an unprofitable degree. General Library economy. — During the fall term an effort is made to give the new students information on general topics about which they are often questioned; such as library schools, library associations, travel- ing libraries and library economy publica- tions. Later, in the junior year, general talks on each subject are given while the technical work is in progress, instead of being scattered through the year. During the senior year advanced subjects are taken up by the seminary method. The library staff and library school have organized a library club for the discussion of general topics. This meets once a month during the college year, and affords a means of social intercourse. Bookmaking. — This subject was first treated in a few scattered lectures by Dr. Gunsaulus, when the antiquarian side was emphasized; next it was given in a long course of lectures by Mr. Irving Way, when the modern and practical side was empha- sized, and later an attempt was made to use text books for class study and to combine the two features. Another year a course of lectures will be given, illustrated by lantern slides, and this will include the history of printing and the history of binding. History of libraries. — In this course libra- ries are studied by types and by countries. Library visits. — This school, like those in the east, has made a practice of visiting libraries annually for comparative study of methods. While in Chicago, one visit was made and discussed each week. Last year the class spent one week in Chicago, mak- ing two visits a day, and devoting many days to discussion on their return. It is doubtful if these visits will be repeated, at least in the same way. The plan now is to have a member of the staff thoroughly revise the library school notes, on a much more thorough basis, and to keep these up to date. These will be supplemented by pho- tographs and models, if possible, and will be made the basis of comparative study of principles at the University during the jun- ior year. This will give the students a clearer idea of details, and it will relieve librarians of the task of minute explana- tions which they have so graciously repeated for several years. If it seems best, later, the seniors may visit Chicago to study broad questions, and to obtain final material for their theses. Laboratory work. — This term for practi- cal work has been adopted since the connec- tion of the school with the University. Formerly this work was done at pleasure during the day, and it was of a very miscel- laneous character. This lacked system and did not give satisfactory results; it wasted the time of the staff and inculcated irregu- lar habits on the part of the students. Now regular laboratory hours are assigned; defi- nite work is distributed beforehand, and an instructor is in charge; tardiness or absence from laboratory is as serious as from a reci- tation. In order to learn the details of office work which cannot be taught in class, each stu- dent acts as assistant for a time to each member of the library staff in turn. Each member of the staff has a senior assistant and a junior assistant at the same time. Formerly these worked independently, but now the senior has charge of the junior’s work and makes a report upon it each week. This was devised as a slight test of the executive ability of seniors, as trustees always ask about that quality when engag- ing librarians. NOTICE. nomirratiim for football man- agei«*N£or be received until Tue5d«^vening7'3'al^^!U^;^ J. K. Ho^G^^tND, Pres. Athletic Association. 236 THE TLLINI: JANUARY 13, 1S99. THE MAIN ENTRANCE. THE LIBRARY IN DETAIL. 237 THE LIBRARY IN DETAIL. Government Documents. THEIR ARRANGEMENT AND THEIR INDEXES. The library of the University of Illinois is a “designated depository;” that is, it is designat- ed by law to receive all government publi- cations which are issued in the congressional or sheep-bound set. The library, however, does not possess a complete set. Many of the early volumes were never supplied, and doubt- less some of the later volumes were lost be- cause of inadequate provision for storage. The government documents which are in the library are arranged as follows: Unbound and cloth bound documents are classified and arranged with other books on the same subject, sheep bound documents if limited to a special subject are classified and arranged with other books bn that subject- Sheep bound documents which are of miscel- laneous contents, or which are duplicated in the cloth volumes, are arranged on the first floor of the stack room in the order of the “Check list to public documents,” which is issued by the superintendent of documents at Washington. This check list is a catalogue of documents by congress, session and document. It further tells where in the sheep bound set any particular reports may be found. It is supplemented each month, and should be con- sulted before trying to use the documents, unless the number of the desired volume is known. Copies may be consulted at the loan desk, the reference desk or in the document room. This check list does not index special articles. This work is covered by the document index, which is issued at the close of each session, and by the document catalogue, which is issued at the close of each congress. These publications are with the other indexes in the reference room, and their use will be explained at any time by the reference librarian. Perodicals. THEIR ARRANGEMENT AND THEIR INDEXES. Current periodicals are all recorded in the main library, but they are deposited wherever they can be the most conveniently used. All periodicals which are not sent to the depart- ments for use, are filed in pigeon holes in the reading room. A list of periodicals posted at the end of the periodical case tells where any magazine may be found. Usually the last three numbers of periodicals are on file, other numbers are in the stack room with the bound volumes. In the stack room all periodicals are on the third floor, arranged by subject. If the desired volume is not found inquiry at the loan desk will tell where it is. The library possesses a full line of periodi- cal indexes, and most of these are duplicated in the reference room of the College of Engi- neering. Poole's Index covers general perodical liter- ature from 1800 to 1897 and is continued by the Annual Literary Index down to January of each year. This is supplemented b}^ the Cumulative Index^ which is issued monthly, and by the brief lists in each number of the Review of Revietvs. Magazine articles may be found for any subject by looking under the subject word, where will be found title, some- times author, volume, page, and date. The Cumulative Index also indexes portraits and reviews of new books. Indexes to German periodicals and French periodicals will soon be added to the library. Technical periodicals are indexed in the same way, though less thor- oughly, by Galloupe's Engineering Index., the Descriptive Index to Engineering Literature and by the monthly indexes in the Engineering Magazine; also by the lists in Electrical World., and by the Repetiorium der technischen Litteratur. Familiarity with these indexes will lighten the work of faculty and student. The refer- ence librarian is ready at all times to explain their use. Agricultural Experiment Station Library. In 1887 the U. S. government appropriated $15,000 a year to each state for the purpose of establishing and maintaining agricultural ex- periment stations in connection with colleges founded upon the act granting public land to to them. The Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station spent a large part of its early appro- priations for books, and the result was nearly 5,000 titles, including pamphlets and clippings. 238 THE ILLINl: JANUARY 13, 1899. which were deposited in the main library last spring. Among the most valuable possessions in this library are the bulletins and reports of the agricultural experiment stations of the differ- ent states of the union. The collection is unusually complete, includ- ing in many cases also the publications of sta- tions supported by the state. This collection was made through the painstaking efforts of Mr. Pillsbury, when secretar}^ of the station, and is now carefully continued by Professor Davenport, director of the station. Each station is required to publish a bulletin at least once in three months, and these bul- letins give the result of local experiments. scriptions, and in publications which can be secured through exchange. The Library Classification. It is an aid in finding books on the shelves if one has some idea of the meaning of the numbers on the book. In the University library the numbers on the first line of the label denote the subject; the letter and figures below denote the author. This brings all books on one subject together, and arranges them by authors. Tlie plan is that of the Dewey decimal classification and supposes all knowledge to be divided into nine main classes marked by the digits 1 to 9, with 0 assigned to those works which are too general for any one AMONG THE BOOKS. The bulletins of this library were bound last spring as far as they were complete. They can be easily found in the library, as they are arranged by states alphabetically. If a reader wishes to find material on a given agri- cultural topic he will use the Handbook of experiment stations published in 1893, and the Experiment station record since that time. He will also find a card index to these bulletins and reports in the station office and in the main library. The idex, however, is not up to date. The Illinois Experiment Station needs all of the government appropriation now for experi- ment work and publishing, so that it will not add to the library except in periodical sub- class. Each class is divided ten times if desir- ed. Each division may be divided ten times and so on as far as practicable. The classes are — 0 General Works; 1 Phil- osophy: 2 Religion; 3 Sociology; 4 Philology; 5 Natural Science; 6 Useful Arts; 7 Fine Arts; 8 Literature; 9 History. The number of a book remains the same re- gardless of location. For example, 942 means the history of England; 9 is for history, 4 is for Europe and 2 is for England. 943 means the history of Germany; 9 is for history, 4 is for Europe and 3 is for Germany. Library Club. The Library Staff and the Library School THE LIBRARY US DETAIL. 239 form a library club which meets once a month throughout the college year. The club con- siders topics which are allied to library work, but it does not deal with the technical sub- jects which are included in the Library School course. During the present college year it has been addresssed by Professor Frederick on “Modern Methods of Illustrating,” by Professor Ricker on “Library Buildings,” illustrated by a large collection of lantern slides, and by Professor Dodge on various editions of Shakespeare. The club has no constitution and no regular officers. Its programs are arranged and its business conducted by an executive committee of three, composed of one member from the staff, one from the senior class, and one from the junior class. Evening Use of the Library. Evening use of the library has steadily in- creased, but there is room for many more read- ers. The demand for this privilege was met by the University authorities upon entering the new library. Last year the light was in- sufficient. This year the rooms are well light- ed and every convenience is afforded as in the daytime. The hours are from 6 :30 to 9 on Mon- days, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Library Catalogue. The catalogue of the library is written on cards which are filed in cases in the delivery room, where they may be freely consulted. Each book is represented by one or more cards. These cards are arranged alphabetically by authors, titles and subjects. If a student is looking for a book by a particular author he has only to look under this author’s name; if he wishes to see what the library has upon a given subject, he should look under the sub- ject word in its alphabetic place. The num- ber in the left hand margin of the card is the call-number, denoting the subject and author of the book and showing where it may be found on the shelves. The John Crerar Catalogue. The John Crerar library in Chicago was opened to the public about two years ago in temporary quarters at 87 Wabash avenue, in the Marshall Field annex, sixth floor. Its trus- tees decided to make it a special library of science and its applications in the broadest sense, but to keep it for reference only. At the same time they decided to print their card catalogue and, to distribute duplicate cards to such libraries as could most profitably use them. During the first year the cards were assigned to six libraries in Chicago and its suburbs. Last year the University of Illinois applied for these cards and received them, while all other applicants were refused. These cards are now arranged for free use in a case in the reference room. It will be valuable for the faculty and students to know whether or not they can find certain scientific works at this library before making a trip to Chicago. Cards will be filed as soon as re- ceived. The arrangement is alphabetical by authors. Reference Department. The reference room is situated at the right hand side of the entrance to the library, and in it are placed books of such general interest that they are frequently consulted, as dic- tionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, indexes, alma- nacs, year-books, books of quotations, collected biography, etc. These books are classified in the same manner as the rest of the library and are so arranged upon the shelves. In addition to the reference books, which are kept permanently in the reference room, are also a large number of books reserved for a specified time at the request of the professors and instructors for the use of their classes. These books are compared each day with a list which was made up at the time when they were placed upon the shelves of the reference room, and any missing book is promptly re- ported to the instructor. The work of the reference department is developing along two distinct lines, first, the answering of a number of questions of the moment, such as: What is the cost of keeping our naval reserves? What is the greatest alti- tude in Illinois? Where find what corres- pondence has passed between the United States and Great Britain in regard to the release of Mrs. May brick? and second, the bringing together of all or part of the material which the library contains, upon any desired subject. 240 THE ILLINI : JANUARY 13, 1898. A careful list is made of such material and preserved for future use. For instance a year ago when the classes in Rhetoric studied Stev- enson, such a list was made of all the works by Stevenson in the library, and of everything which could be found concerning him. This list was consulted a number of times each day during the spring term. This year when the present class begins their study of Stevenson this list will be taken as a basis, but all the articles which have appeared in books and peri- odicals during the last year will be consulted, and if of sufficient importance added to it. Many such lists are being made continually, at the request of the various instructors and also of the students, for assistance in thesis and other work. It is the aim of the department always at beginning of each year these lists are com- bined to form the Annual American Catalogue. Once in five years these volumes are combined to form the American Catalogue. Through these volumes an American book may be traced from the present time back to 1876. In tracing earlier publications a librarian would better be consulted. Current English books can be found by con- sulting the Publishers' Circular. This peri- odical gives a list of books published in Great Britain each week. These lists are combined each year to form the Annual English Cata- logue, and these volumes are again combined at unequal intervals to form the English Cat- alogue. Through these volumes English books may be traced back to 1835. French and German books may be traced A LIBRARY VIEW. any time to be in readiness to find any infor- mation wanted to answer questions which arise at the moment, to prepare lists of books and periodical articles upon any topic, and to assist the students in learning to use the library intelligently. How to Find Publishers and Prices of Books. The American, English, French and Ger- man trade bibliographies are in the reference room, where they can be used as freely by the Faculty and students as by the librar}^ assist- ants. Current American books can be found by consulting the Publishers' Weekly. This periodical gives each week a list of books pub- lished in the United States, adding all trade details and descriptive notes. It also gives, in the first number of each month, a list of books published during the previous month. At the by similar lists, although they are not so well represented for current publications. General Reference Course. This year a course on the use of the library was offered to all students in the University, and was entirely independent of the courses in the library school. Its object was to help students in the different colleges to help them- selves in using the library. It^ comprised lessons on the classification, the card catalogue, general periodical indexes, technical and special indexes, encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks of history, biography and geography, hand- books of general information, book and peri- odical buying, book binding and repairs. The scope of the work and the size of the class made recitations impracticable. Students were tested by written work altogether. A list TAIL, 241 questions was given to the students to answer before the next lesson, and these an- swers could only be found by actually exam- ining the books which had been explained. The term examination tested the ability of the student to use the library aids, and it in- sured individual work. Each student was asked to select a subject of interest to him- self, then to find five periodical references on the subject, giving name of periodical, date, volume and pages; to find five books on the subject, giving author, title, publisher and price; to find if these periodical articles and books were in the University library; if they were, to explain the meaning of the call num- bers given on the catalogue cards; if they were not in the library, to assign to them probable call numbers (limited to three figures) using the decimal classification. Students were al- lowed to work at their convenience during three days, and the results were very satisfac- tory. It is hoped that more may take the course another year and that it may be prac- ticable to add new features. Urbana Public Library and Illinois State Library School. Beginning in January this year the Library School of the University will open the Urbana Public Library each afternoon during ten months of the year. The library in Urbana has been closed dur- ing the day because of inadequate funds for help. The director of the Library School, wishing to secure public library experience as a regular part of the course, offered the ser- vices of the school to the Library Board, and the offer was accepted. The work will be considered a senior privi- lege. The plan is to open the library from 3 to 6 veach day, with two Seniors in charge. Each^one will give two hours a day, so that there will be two on duty at the busy hour at the close of the public schools. Each Senior will be on duty one month at least, and the terms of service will overlap, so that one expe- rienced person will always be in attendance. The students will have entire charge at this time, although they will serve under the direc- tion of the librarian of the public library, and will carry out the rules of the Board. The opportunity is an exceptional one for the Library School, and it is believed that it will be much appreciated by the patrons of the library. Annotated Catalogue Cards on English History. The library has just received catalogue cards for the most important books on English his- tory published in 1896, 1897 and 1898. The cards are edited by W. Dawson Johnston and issued by the Publishing Section of the Ameri- can Library Association. Books are not se- lected until six months after publication, in order to test their value and to profit by re- views. The cards bear full descriptive and critical notes and refer to reviews in critical journals. The library has for each book, one card for the author, one card for the subject and a slip to insert in the book for the aid of the reader. The titles for 1898 are also issued in pamphlet form for convenience. 242 JANUARY 13, 1899. JHemoriam. JONATHAN B. TURNER. At hour of gfoing- to press we are pained to^earn that the University has lost its life-lon^Bupporter and friend, Proft^ssor Jonathan B. ^urner. No particulars could be learned at that late hour concerning- his death, but owin\ to his advanced ag-e his death is no great\urprise. A full account of his life and wonis will appear in next week’s Ielini. NOTICI Regular meeting of Athl^c Association, Wednesday, January 18. J. K. HoagiNvnd, Pres. PEPE’S STORY. beat glanced sorrowfully on the scene him. Great piles of mangled slain lay ever where. Horses and men mingled with bursted caissons and broken cantion. A mist had fallen on the country y^nveloping the scene in a ghostly white shroud of fog. As the soldier gazed throi^^h the mist he saw a form rise up froiji a pile of slain and flit across the field. /^iVas it a spy or a prowling ghoul from the^'camp? “Again and again iP paused, and by the feeble rays of a lantern examined the faces of the dead. Nearer and nearer came the Thej^ often wondered in the hamle\ why old Pepe lived alone on the battlefield. True he had but a leg and had been p^- sioned by the government, and having m one to look after or care for he could live where he pleased. But why did he choose such a dismal, gloomy place as that? The very memories surrounding the slope upon which his humble cabin stood wer^ full of blood and carnage. And when he Tilled his garden in the spring he often turned up skel- etons of the victims of that d^y of slaugh- ter. It was a gruesome pl^te — that bat- tlefield — and no one knew w/hy Father Pepe lived there until they hac^/heard his story. One summer night as/the old soldier sat on the doorstep smoking, a party of peasant folk came across tlye field. “Give us a story. Father Pepe^/ one said as they seated themselves revere^tlj" at the old man’s feet. “Yes, give us ^story. Father Pepe, of the war,” cried a^^chorus of voices. And so Father Pepe/as he looked out on the battle- field flooded with silver light from the rising moon, be^an. “Gra/elotte had been fought and won and the held of battle was still from the sound of charging columns and roaring can- nod. A silence of death had fallen on the bloody field. A picket as he paced his lonely figure until the s^tinel challenged it. As he did so it be^ over a heap of slain, and with a wild cvj it fell to the earth. And the sentinel fired.” Pepe paused a moment and looked out on the battl^eld. “It was right over there,” he said/pointing to a hillock, “where they went and found it. It was a woman, lying dead, with her lips pressed to a dead car- bineer’s cheek — shot through the breast by the sentinel. Who they were no one could find out. Such is the fate of war. Were they lovers, or wife and husband? Who can ill. “But, Pepe,” said one of the listeners laughing,' “your story has no end. What of \he sentinel?” “I was the sentinel,” Pepe\eplied, still looking out on the battle- field. \ E. L. Now chfnes the farmer’s short course man, :h dignified expression, An 1 trie^o prove a single man Can make a whole procession. ATNTHE THEATER. They were from \he country and evidently never had been to vwy many plays. Before the curtain rose the;^at looking about in childish curiosity, andNvhen the orchestra struck up the prelude boTh leaned forward, scarcely breathing. Kver^hing was real to them. They clapped th^ hands with glee at the success of the hero^or sank back in despair as the villain produced another plot. They were happy — very h^py — and as the curtain dropped on the last ^t they followed the crowd aimlessly, withXtheir eyes fixed upon the floor. They were tnmk- ing — thinking over that brief play as an in real life. G. F.