has been very generous in giving and keeping up four sets of Ohio State Reports. These gifts, taken in connection with the purchases made with money appropriated by the Board of Trustees, form a very good working library in law.

The use of the library has greatly increased during this period, and with the increased facilities that will come when a building specially designed to fit library needs has been placed on the campus we may hope that the library will become what it ought to be, the center of university life.

NOTE. The history of the first period of the library's development was written by Professor J. R. Smith, that of the second by Professor S. C. Derby, and that of the third by Miss Olive Jones.

COLUMBUS.

PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY.

The origin of the Public School Library, or rather that of its predecessor, the Ohio School Library, is lost in obscurity and doubt. Experimental in its nature at the beginning, as similar enterprises are very apt to be, the early records were loosely kept and in time disappeared, so that they cannot now be consulted. It would be extremely interesting to know the precise date of its organization, to look over the first list of books placed on its shelves, or to have access to many of the minor details embraced in library work, but in the absence of the aforesaid records, this satisfaction is denied us.

Since all the school libraries in Ohio were called into existence and were provided for by the general laws of the State, to within a comparatively recent period, the history of one is that of all-or nearly alland becomes, of necessity, a general sketch of them during that time. The necessity of a popular education as the foundation of American citizenship and the safest means of perpetuating American institutions, was recognized at an early day by our forefathers, and was wisely met by the establishment of our public school system, which has been gradually developing and approaching nearer to perfection since that time, until now it offers an almost universal education to the American youth. Ohio began making provision for this system soon after admission intothe Union; and the desire to aid and improve it led our legislators to frame a law authorizing the collection of money by taxation for the purpose of furnishing the schools library facilities. As early as 1838, educators and others interested in education began agitating the question, until the legislature finally passed a law on February 28, 1846, which provided in

SECTION 1. "That each legally constituted school district in the State is hereby authorized to raise money for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a common school library and apparatus for the use of the children and youth therein."

SECTION 2. "No greater sum than thirty dollars the first year, or ten dollars in any subsequent year, shall be expended for the purpose aforesaid."

SECTION 3. "Any sum of money raised by virtue of this act, shall be raised at a meeting of tax-payers of said school district, called for that purpose, and shall be assessed, collected and paid over as other school taxes are."

SECTION 4. Such library and apparatus shall be used by said children and youth, under such rules and regulations, as from time to time shall be adopted by the directors of the proper district."

It required considerable courage to enact such a law under the commercial and financial conditions existing at that time. Great credit is due to the men who rose above the complaints and objections that were brought against it; who gave an impetus to popular education that continues to carry the system to a more elevated standard; and whose influence for good is still active at the present time.

From 1846 to 1852 the records are silent. In the annual report of Mr. William Trevitt, Secretary of State, on the condition of Common

*Cut furnished through courtesy of the Columbus Railway Co.

Schools for the year 1852, there is printed a table of statistics giving, among other things, the value of district libraries (as they were then called) and of apparatus. For Columbus the value of the district library is fixed at $500, and that of maps and apparatus at $550. In going over these records, it is surprising to find so many districts negligent in making their reports, although required by law to make them, so that it is almost if not quite-impossible to follow the development and growth of these libraries.

In the report of the same officer for 1853, the amount of the school library fund (assessed), as far as returned was $59,339.69 for the State of Ohio. In the same document appears the first definite statement of the libraries and apparatus in Columbus, under the "report of the Board of Education of Columbus, to the auditor of Franklin County for the school year 1852-3, ending June 30, 1853.

$450 00

The High School has some 200 volumes of text books, and works of reference worth $150, and a choice library of general reading of 450 volumes, just purchased at a cost of $300..... The first grammar school has a library of 370 volumes purchased at a cost of $152, and 160 text books valued at $38........ 190 00 The second grammar school has 360 volumes purchased at a cost of $140, and some 50 text books worth $30.....

170 00

The third grammar school has a library of 200 volumes and some 40 text books valued at.

90 00

The year 1853 was one of great importance to school libraries. A law passed on March 14 of that year created the office of State Commissioner of Common Schools, modified the law of 1846 in many particulars and provided under Sec. 51: "As soon as the revenues, to be raised as hereinafter provided, for the purpose of furnishing the common school with libraries and apparatus, will admit, it shall be the duty of the said commissioner (the State Commissioner of Common Schools referred to above) to purchase the same, and the books and apparatus so purchased shall be distributed, through the auditor's office of each county to the board of education in each township, city or incorporated village according to the enumeration of scholars."

SECTION 58. For the purpose of furnishing school libraries and apparatus to all the common schools of the State, and for the purpose of sustaining and increasing such libraries, and keeping up a supply of school apparatus in the schools as aforesaid, from time to time, as may be considered necessary, in order to offer equal facilities to the said schools in this respect, as neraly as practicable, there shall hereafter be assessed, collected, and paid annually in the same manner as the state and county revenues are assessed, collected and paid on the grand list of property taxable for State purposes, a State tax of one-tenth of one mill on the dollar valuation, to be applied exclusively for the purpose aforesaid, and the at

tendant expenses, under the direction of the Commissioner of Common Schools. In purchasing the libraries for the common schools, no books of a sectarian or denominational character shall be purchased for said libraries.

It was evidently assumed that the State Commissioner of Common Schools was best fitted to make the selection and purchase of the books for these libraries. The number of books issued in those days was limited and the selection was not very difficult. Nevertheless Mr. H. H. Barney, then Commissioner, did not feel like assuming the entire responsibility in this matter, as will appear later on. Today, the large number of publishing houses, the tremendous output of publications of all kinds and on all subjects, and the different and ever-varying conditions existing in cities, villages and school districts in all parts of the State, would multiply the difficulties and bring out many serious objections to such a plan.

In his first report-1854-Mr. Barney says:

Two thousand copies of each of the following books were distributed in 1854 to the counties of the State, in proportion to the number of youth of school age residing in each:

The Swiss Family Robinson, or Adventures of a Father, Mother and Four Sons, on a Desert Island. Engravings. 2 vols.

Adventures of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky Rifleman. By the author of "Uncle

Philip."

The Young Sailor. A Narrative Founded on Fact. By Mary S. B. Dana.
The Sunshine of Greystone, a story for girls. By E. J. May. Engravings.
Adventures of Hernan Cortez, Conqueror of Mexico. By "Uncle Philip."
Masterman Ready; or. the Wreck of the Pacific. By Capt. Francis Marryat.
Abbott's History of Alfred the Great. Engravings.

Conquest and Self-Conquest; or, Which is the Hero? By Miss Mackintosh.
Abbott's History of Madame Roland. Engravings.

Live and Let Live; or, Domestic Service Illustrated. By Miss C. M. Sedgwick. Benjamin Franklin: His Autobiography, continued by Rev. H. H. Weld. Copiously illustrated.

Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. By Benson J. Lossing. Howe's Mechanics. Lives of Eminent American and European Mechanics. By Henry Howe. 50 engravings.

Hallam's Middle Ages. View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages. By Henry Hallam.

Alice Franklin. By Mary Howitt.

Frank. By Maria Edgeworth. 2 vols.

Russia as it is. By Count A. de Gurowski.

Elements of Geology. By Professors Alonzo Gray, and C. B. Adams.

Layard's Ninevah. A popular Account of Discoveries at Nineveh. Engravings.
Curran and his Contemporaries. By Charles Phillips.

The Crofton Boys; a Tale for Youth. By Harriet Martineau.

Adventures of Captain John Smith, the Founder of the Colony of Virginia.

By the author of "Uncle Philip."

The Adventures of Henry Hudson; by the author of "Uncle Philip."

Life of Francis Marion. By William G. Simms. Engravings.

The Merchant. Illustrative of Success in Life. By Mrs. Louisa C. Tuthill.

The Sketch Book. By Washington Irving.

Life of General Lafayette. By William Cutter. Portrait.

History of Ohio. By James W. Taylor. First Period, 1650 to 1787, or from the Earliest Indian and French Occupation to the Organization of the Northwest Territory.

Similar editions of the following books have also been transmitted to the County Auditors, being a portion only of the distribution for the year 1855:

History of England. By Charles Dickens. 2 vols.

History of Hannibal, the Carthagenian. By Jacob Abbott. Engravings.

Moral Tales. By Mrs. Maria Edgeworth. 2 vols.

Rodolphus; a Franconia Story. By Jacob Abbott. Engravings.

The Vicar of Wakefield. By Oliver Goldsmith.

Sanford and Merton. By Thomas Day.

Abbott's History of Marie Antoinette. Engravings.

Boyhood of Great Men; Intended as an Example for Youth. Engravings.
Two Years before the Mast; a Personal Narrative of Life at Sea. By R. H.

Dana, Jr.

Letters to Young Ladies. By Mrs. L. H. Sigourney.

Life of Washington. By Jared Sparks.

Dr. Smith's History of Greece. From the Earliest Times to the Roman Conquest. Edited by Prof. Geo. W. Greene. Engravings.

Tyler's Universal History. From the creation of the world to the decease of George Third. 6 vols.

Ranke's Civil Wars and Monarchy in France, in the 16th and 17th Centuries; a History of France principally during that period.

Hildreth's Theory of Politics: an inquiry into the Foundations of Governments, and the Causes and Progress of Political Revolutions.

Life and Letters of Barthold George Niebuhr. By the Chevalier Bunsen.
Elements of Agriculture. By E. Waring, Jr.

Life of Nelson. By Robert Southey.

Richardson's Arctic Searching Expedition; a Journal of a Boat Voyage through Rupert's Land and the Arctic Sea, in Search of Sir John Franklin.

Life and Travels of Mungo Park.

The Lawyer. By Louisa C. Tuthill.

Pioneer Settlers of Ohio. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of the Early Pioneer Settlers of Ohio, with Narratives of Incidents and Occurrences in 1775. By S. P. Hildreth, M. D.

Monasteries of the East; embracing Visits to Monasteries on the Levant.

Curzell.

By

Marco Paul's Travels and Adventures. City of New York. By Jacob Abbott. The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties; its Pleasures and Rewards; illustrated by Memoirs of Eminent Men. By George L. Craik. 2 vols.

Abbott's History of Queen Elizabeth. Engravings.

Life of Sir Isaac Newton. By Sir David Brewster. Engravings.
Ellen Linn; a Franconia Story. By Jacob Abbott. Engravings.
Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. By Daniel Defoe. Engravings.

Abbott's History of Julius Cæsar. Engravings.

Never too Late. By Charles Burdett.

The Son of a Genius. By Mrs. Hofland.

Plutarch's Lives; translated by Langhorne. 4 vols.

Creasy's Decisive Battles. The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World. By E.

S. Creasy.

Life of Christopher Columbus. By Washington Irving.

Abbott's History of Cyrus the Great. Engravings.