OF THE LOUISVILLE FREEPUBLIC 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 assistant 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 assured.
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 1,400books,to which have been added regularly,until now we have 7,533volumes 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 9to 14years of age,who visited our rooms frequently,was organized into the Boys'Reading Club.Their number increased to 27earnest,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 title,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.
