Page 16 - 1912 February - To Dragma

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 83

LIBRARY W O R K AS A PROFESSION

In many ways, library work offers an interesting field for women,
and up to the present time has not been as over-crowded as some
of the other professions. To those who are fond of books, the con-
stant handling of them is in itself a pleasure, in addition to the
information concerning authors, publishers, bindings and many oth-
er things which one is continually acquiring.

Of course in a large library there is a choice of several different
kinds of work. One young woman might prefer cataloguing, an-
other the classification of books—that is, deciding under what sub-
ject the book shall be catalogued—while a third would enjoy work
at the delivery desk, where one has to meet most of the people who
use the library-

Experience in the reference department is of great value to a l i -
brary assistant. One learns new and important facts every day,
finds out what books are of most authority along certain lines, and
gains a working knowledge of all that is best and most useful in this
branch of library work. I n many public libraries, the work with
children is especially emphasized, although a genuine fondness for
little people, together with a sympathetic understanding of their
needs, is indispensable for one who would be really successful in
dealing with them.

A librarian who has entire charge of a small library is at a great
advantage, as she is able to carry out her own ideas, provided the
trustees are willing to help her. Much good can be done by the
library in a small town as well as in the cities, by interesting people,
old and young, in good reading.

Illustrated bulletins, the publishing in the local papers of lists of
books on special subjects which would be of use to the townspeople
and of short articles calling attention to new books of particular
value, cooperation with the schools and women's clubs, and careful
attention to the right kind of reading for foreign population—all
these things help to make the small public library a real power in
the community.

For some reasons, women are better fitted for library work than
men, as women generally possess an aptitude for detail, which con-
stitutes a large part of the successful working of a library. Men
have little patience for filing cards, sending out notices, keeping
small accounts and looking out for the numerous little things which
must receive attention in the daily work.

In some of the larger libraries, one must pass a very difficult ex-