The discipline of the Boys'Club Room is,however,a different matter,it really is hard to discipline,but the reason is that we never yet have gotten just the right kind of an attendant to care for the room,we need one who is interested in boys,who can mingle with them and teach them games,etc.We now have a young man,well educated and a good man but he is lax in discipline and careless about the room.Nevertheless I think the Boys'Club room a success,for during the months of February and March we have sometimes between fifty and seventy boys in attendance at one time and they seem to enjoy it.
Miss Ella T.Hamilton,Whitewater,Wis.
I suppose I have found much the same difficulties as others in regard to discipline.Our High School pupils,especially when working on their school debates,for which they get much of their material from the library,do sometimes find it easy to work together to the annoyance of their neighbors,but as they are,on the whole,well intentioned young people they usually take kindly the reproof.I do not mean to say that they do always after remember and act accordingly.Who of us do?And my experience as a teacher has taught me that some lessons have to be often repeated.There is,however,a kindly feeling between the young people who use the library and those who have charge of it,for we try to help them to whatever they need and they appreciate the fact;and this fact I think helps in the matter of discipline.
The main reading room seems sometimes rather full with them,but there are places for but sixteen at the tables and that partly explains it.I have had occasionally the difficulty of young people making the library a meeting place.Only two weeks ago,Itold a young Miss and her attendant,that we could dispense with their presence in the library;they have both been back since,but not in any way to our annoyance.
We were at one time much troubled by some boys from ten to fourteen.Sending home didn't help for very long,and I finally went to the parents of the ring-leaders with very good results.
Perhaps the fact that complaints came to them from several other sources helped.But I am sure parents can aid the librarian as well as the teacher.The only notices I have ever had up in my library in regard to order are two neatly printed signs,"Silence is golden."I think they have been more suggestive and effective than the ordinary sign.
Miss Grace E.Salisbury,Whitewater,(Normal School.)In answer to your circular just received,I hardly know what to say.We have practically no disciplining to do.Of course conditions are not the same as in a public library.At the beginning of the school year every evidence of disorder is nipped in the bud,and after a few weeks we are entirely freed from any annoyance from visiting or other disorder.The children from the model school some times show a little inclination to talk too much in getting their books.If a word does not quiet them,the ring leader as it were is sent down to his department room which is the worst possible punishment as they love to come to the library.This never happens more than once or twice a year.
The greatest help I have at the opening of the school year in creating the spirit I wish in the library,is the small work room opening out of it.If students visit,or get to talking over their work,I ask them if they will please take their work into the work room where they can talk things over without disturbing any one.They never resent that,when many times they would resent almost anything else in the way of reproof.If they talk too loud in there or seem to be still disturbing,I call attention to the fact that others are trying to work,and find it difficult to do so under the conditions.
After the first few weeks of the year,I think I have to speak to a student not oftener than once in several weeks if that.
I think the student body recognize the library as a place where they can find absolute quiet,and welcome it in that light,and most of them are glad to help to keep it so.
Mrs.Alice A.Lamb,Litchfield,Minn.
Our library opened four years ago.An acquaintance,through teaching,with most of the children of the town has been of great assistance.Possibly,mature years with a reputation for strict order in school have been of value.
At any rate disorder is almost unknown.We started with the idea of perfect quiet in the building.The text "Be gentle and keep the voice low"was given a prominent place on the walls of the children's room for the first year and I'm sure was helpful.
