gates could not make the most of the discussions because they have not had opportunity to read the papers before their presentation. It is suggested that some such plan as this would greatly reduce the indifference of many attending the meetings and create an interest in the work of the association that would redound to the benefit of all concerned. PUBLIC LIBRARIES has advocated this measure before and fully indorses the points made by the correspondent. The writing of long papers, which oftentimes are necessarily dry, though important, tends greatly toward deadening the general interest and that spontaneity that gives life and value to a conference of any kind.

The suggestions are respectfully submitted to the Executive Board in preparing for the meeting of 1909.

Next meeting place of A. L. A.-There is evidence of preparation for holding the next meeting of the A. L. A. at another place than Louisville, as was voted by the council at the Minnetonka meeting. The director of the Bureau of publicity of Asbury Park, N. J., is sending literature and photographs showing vast crowds on the sea shore of that resort, and setting forth in the former, the opportunities offered for caring for conventions, and asking that this place be considered for the next meeting of

the A. L. A.

Asbury Park is convenient to New York city and the eastern part of the country, and the sea breezes would probably assist in tempering the atmosphere caused by the heated discussions that will likely come up on one subject

and another. But the fact that thousands and thousands of people choose this resort for their outings would seem

to be an argument against holding the A. L. A. meeting there, rather than serving as an inducement. Inasmuch as it was voted at Minnetonka to accept the Louisville invitation, it might seem fitting, in case sufficient reason existed for not carrying out that plan, to investigate the opportunities offered for holding the A. L. A. meeting in a locality not so far removed from Louisville as a place on the Atlantic coast. There are a number of resorts, such as Put in Bay, Ohio, French Lick, Ind., Mammoth Cave, Ky., or one of the many resorts on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, which would insure comfort, quiet and ample accommodation for a successful convention and keep it within the locality voted for at Minnetonka.

Nothing official has been given out in regard to the matter, but inasmuch as inquiries are being directed to the eastern resorts, it is not out of place to suggest that the resources in the neighborhood of Louisville have not been exhausted, and that a seaside resort in "the season" offers many drawbacks as well as attractions.

Later: A note from the association secretary announces that the meeting will be held in the White Mountains. A good place, but calculated to interfere. with the plans of those who wished the meeting might go to Ottawa next year.

The time chosen also will make it impossible for one to attend both the N. E. A. and the A. L. A. This is to be regretted, because of the great interest many have in both meetings. The N. E. A. meeting in Denver will be July 5-9, and the Library section. has much to offer of interest to libra

rians. It is strongly urged that libra

rians be found at one or the other meetings since it is impossible to be at

both.

New Director of Illinois Library

School

Phineas L. Windsor has been appointed director of the library school and librarian of the library of the University of Illinois.

Mr Windsor's home was formerly in Evanston, Ill., where he graduated from the Northwestern university in 1895, and then spent some time in the library of the Northwestern university before going to the New York state library school, where he was graduated in 1898. He spent the following year on the staff of the New York state library, going next year, 1900, into the service of the Library of Congress. From there he went to his present position as librarian of the State university of Texas.

Mr Windsor has been actively engaged in library extension in addition to his excellent work in the University library, and the State library association. of Texas owes much of its progress to Mr Windsor's work. For many public libraries in Texas, Mr Windsor's library and his responsive interest have taken. the place of the state supervision that is lacking in Texas. This sort of work waits his assistance in Illinois as well.

Mr Windsor is counted a strong man by those who know him and are familiar with his work. The appointment to the position in the University of Illinois meets with favor by those who know the needs of the school and the ability of Mr Windsor. The Illinois state library school has long stood in the front rank, and the addition of Mr Windsor to its faculty will greatly strengthen its position. Mr Windsor and his wife will be a distinct addition to the social life of the university, also. He will assume his new position at University of Illinois as soon as he can be released from his work in Austin without detriment to it.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES congratulates Illinois library school on its new director and welcomes Mr Windsor back to Illinois.

Tariff on Books

The conditions have not changed in regard to the desire in some quarters to deprive educational institutions of the right so long possessed of free importation of books for use and not for sale.

It is urged on the libraries of the ing against the proposal of the New country to take prompt action protestYork Typothetæ* to raise the tariff on books and lessen the free list allowed to libraries. The trustees of the New York

public library, on December 9, passed strong resolutions against the proposed action. It is suggested by Dr J. S. Billings that trustees of public libraries, generally, give unanimous approval to the same protest. The protest is as follows:

The trustees of the New York public library have learned with deep regret that an effort is making to increase the duty now levied on books and other printed matter imported into the United States, and to remove from the free list all classes of books now included therein.

The existing tariff imposes a duty of 25 per cent ad valorem on books, excepting, however, first, books printed wholly in foreign languages; second, books in English which have been printed more than twenty years; third, books imported for the use of the United States or the Library of Congress, or for the use of libraries, educational institutions or societies of a literary or scientific character.

An import duty on books differs entirely in its effect upon the manufacturer from other duties in that the copyright laws afford protection to authors and publishers quite apart from the tariff.

The protection afforded, moreover, is extremely limited, affecting only such imported modern books and periodicals as are printed in English. So far as it goes, however, the duty is a tax on knowledge and education; an unwise tax in a republic, the existence of which must always depend on the intelligence of its citizens.

The removal of books for public libraries from the free list will be distinctly a backward step, as the exemption as now existing has been the law for many years, and the result will be the imposition of a serious tax upon a class of institutions which have always been favored or supported by all enlightened governments.

*See PUBLIC LIBRARIES, p. 38.

The board, therefore, respectfully protests against any diminution of the privileges that libraries now possess; and further expresses the opinion that all import duties upon books and other printed matter should be entirely abolished.

Resolved, That an attested copy of the foregoing minute be sent to each member of the committce on ways and means of the present House of Representatives and to each member of the House representing the state of New York.

That the executive committee be and it is hereby authorized to take such measures as it may think proper to have the views expressed in the foregoing minute presented to the committees of the present and the next Congress, either orally or otherwise, as may be thought most expedient.

A. L. I.

Some notes of the New York meeting The attitude of the meeting was very gratifying in its treatment of the question of its future. It was evident that there has already grown up a strong sentiment in favor of the continued existence of a body like the A. L. I. This was encouraging to those who have held that there is a place in the library world for a small deliberative body. The hearty expression of approval of the plan to make that body a component part of the A. L. A. was a sufficient answer to the suggestion a few have made that the new body will tend to lessen the loyalty of some to the parent body.

The discussion brought out certain criticisms of the present constitutionapplicable with almost equal force to a large part of the new-which would not doubt have been given expression to before if the general meetings of the association had furnished such an opportunity for give and take argument as this meeting of the A. L. I. afforded. Here, of course, is one of the strongest arguments for the existence of a small deliberative body as a part of our association. It not only permits a free and full interchange of opinion; it also, by virtue of the very informal and familiar character of its discussions, invites and even encourages the development of ideas and criticisms. This stimulus to expression is not any longer to be found in the gen

eral meetings of the association; and those meetings are too large and too hurried for such expression, even were they called forth, to be either very appropriate or very helpful.

The tentative outline of a constitution for the on A. L. A. quite new lines, which Mr. Dana offered,* brought out the fact that nearly all present favored a form of organization in which all the association's business affairs should be handled by one small body of directors with long terms of office for its individual members.

No question was raised, of course, as to the good-will and devotion to the general welfare of the A. L. A. officials, or as to the earnestness of their efforts to manage the affairs of a body which has outgrown the methods proper to its younger days. But there was no hesitancy in making plain the fact that the organization is unwieldy under the present scheme and that such a subordinate body as the Publishing Board, for example, finds itself constantly hampered in its work by the complexity of the association's whole plan of operation and its own ill-defined position in it.

The Institute is still in the experimental stage. Non-essentials still take too much of its time for discussion. Time and trial will remedy this and other faults. Whatever its relations to the parent organizations, it can hardly fail to prove a useful body, and that it shall be helpful to the A. L. A. itself is plainly the wish of all its members.

Contrary to the opinion of some, the discussion on libraries and schools showed that this subject is not yet one of the things on which all know the last word, if, indeed. there is any last word. The report of the school work of the Newark library was offered only as a point of departure. Figures were given. showing that in normal schools little is yet done to help the pupil-teachers to become masters of books. Other figures indicated that the colleges and universities of the country give almost

*See page 64.

went-we must start an educational reform; and educational reforms of this kind are most easily started in the institutions of higher education. If our college professors believe in our work, they will teach our doctrine to their students; these in turn will pass it on, through high and normal schools, to the rank and file of teachers. Meanwhile in the schools themselves, with the children, we can create a reasonable demand for books and library knowledge, which the coming teachers will know how to supfly.

hollow tile roof, and metal lath in walls and ceilings.

One of the most artistic features of the building is the pergola at the rear, encircling the semicircular stack room. The supporting wall of well-buttressed rock-work carries a series of massive stone columns, which in turn support a trellis for vines.

The building is the classic Greek architecture, conveying the impression of simplicity and solidity splendidly harmonized. The interior frieze and columns are more ornate, but equally clas

The chandeliers, beautiful works of art from the Tiffany studios, are of bronze and favrile glass. The furniture and stacks and all of the interior equipment were furnished by the Library Bureau of New York and were especially designed for this library. The cost of the building complete was

Sitting at the charging desk and facing the entrance there is, at the right, the librarian's office, 142x21 ft., and in front of it an octagonal children's room, 34x34 ft. On the left are rooms of corresponding size, the board room and the reading and reference room. The lighting is all from overhead.