Page:The Question of Library Training by Lutie Stearns.djvu/4

2 of the latest and best methods of accessioning, shelf-listing, classifying, and cataloging. In this connection it would be a revelation to many trustees were they to ask the librarian to show them the fourteen processes through which a book must go from the time it is published until it is placed on the library shelves for circulation. In addition to this technical side, the librarian must have executive ability, the power to organize and to delegate work and to utilize what Melvil Dewey calls the four m's that produce results—materials, machinery, methods, men. On the mental side, she should have an excellent memory, accuracy, dispatch, and prompt decision, grouping important points to the exclusion of the unimportant. As a scholar, she should possess the best education obtainable. She should have a general knowledge of literature and of what constitutes good and bad style in authorship. A knowledge of languages will prove of the greatest assistance. As for social qualities, she should be tactful and should be at ease with strangers. She should not be condescending nor patronizing. She should not be afflicted with "a smile that won't come off," nor should she have Cheshire proclivities, but she should possess a sense of humor—in library work, unless she be a cataloger, she is hopeless without it. Physically, she should possess good health, be able to endure strain, for "it is dogged as does it." Morally, she should be earnestly altruistic, of great, big heart and tender sympathies, a woman of character, of steadfast purpose and faith. She should not despise present opportunities in the vaulting ambition for larger ones. Unflinching fidelity in a low estate is the discipline for larger duties in a larger life. One of the great lessons of life is to learn not to do what one likes, but to like what one does. The library drudge ofttimes has conscience and devotion, but lacks insight, freshness, power, joy, and the ability to grow. The library world has many painstaking, overburdened people; what it needs is a corps of enthusiastic workers that are full of the spirit of joy in work. Work done for individual ends, for personal gratification, or work done which one would not do if one did not have to—all this is unworthy the modern librarian. Recognition of the true nature of her work, with a glad acceptance of its noble responsibilities and possibilities will lift her fast and far out of difficulties and cause her to realize in full measure the joys and power of life. As Hugh Black says in his book on "Work," "The true nobility of life is honest, earnest service, the strenuous exercise of our faculties, with conscience in our work as in the sight of God who gives us our place and our tool and our work. At the end of life, we shall not be asked how much pleasure we had in it, but how much service we gave in it; not how full it was of success, but how full it was of sacrifice; not how happy we were, but how helpful we were; not how ambition was gratified, but how love was served; for life is judged by love; and love is known by her fruits."

You may think we have wandered far afield from the question of library training; but what we are endeavoring to emphasize is that to fit one's self for the high calling of librarian, there must be a training of head, hand, and heart—all are essential. The ideal we have placed before you may be too high, though we are by no means ready to concede the point. The trustees of a large eastern library in quest of a librarian, three or four years ago, set forth in printed form the qualifications which they exacted. They would not consider as candidate any school teacher who seemed to have missed his calling; any minister who had missed a parish; any book-worm, who, under the name of librarian, had delved among library shelves, instead of making the library that he served a living fountain of knowledge and culture to the community about him; any one who had been trained for any other profession than that of librarian, and who had not had valuable experience as a successful librarian. The board would accept no man who was not in the prime of life, who had not many years of work ahead of him rather than behind him. They wanted a man with a thorough elementary, secondary and collegiate or university training; a living interest in science, art, literature, and philosophy as a means of educating and uplifting society; a deep sympathy with the physical, intellectual, ethical, and religious needs of all social conditions; breadth of vision and depth of conviction on important religious, social, scientific and philosophical questions; excellent