Winning Essay on Topic of Public Library
Mrs. L. R. (Helen) Bringgold's Paper on "Why We Should Have a Public Library"
Wins over Six Entries
Some time ago the
local Study Club sponsored a contest, for members only, on the subject, "Why We
Should Have a Public Library." Six
entries were received and the judges agreed unanimously in proclaiming Mr. L. R.
(Helen) Bringgold's as first. We
publish this in full below.
Why We Should Have a Public Library
In order to feel
a need for a public library we must first be able to realize the values derived
from reading.
We, as adults,
have already formed our likes and dislikes in the world of print.
We choose our books with these ideas in mind.
But, the minds of our children are still unformed.
We must see that their horizons are broadened.
We cannot always do this from experience and travel.
Therefore, we must rely on books to give us a greater knowledge and a
broader outlook upon the world in which we live.
Books widen our horizon in thee ways; first, by giving us an appreciation
of different points of view, second, by maintaining a flexible attitude toward
customs and beliefs and third, by awakening desires for wider surroundings.
The great
literature of our world offers magnificent moral teaching.
In it are reflected the highest thoughts and noblest feelings of men and women
who had much to give and who gave the world the best that was in them.
Fine company these for our children.
Keeping high
company with the book heroes of his choice is a rich experience no child should
miss. We find a character that is
the direct answer to our own inner wishing- it satisfies our inner needs.
As parents, it is for us to introduce our children to heroes and heroines
who may prove worthy company, to writers whose idealism may serve them well.
Our talk is to offer them a wide range, not in hope of molding their
characters in the shape of this hero or that, but rather to give them the
opportunity for finding their own unformed thoughts and hopes and strivings,
formulated and given sanction on the printed page.
But a very small
majority of the people in this world can afford to own such a complete library
for their children.
And here we
discover a wonderful luxury of these modern times-the public library.
A library is actually provided for us and our children, where we may find
this wide range of material so necessary for a satisfactory mental development.
If we in our own childhood were deprived of opportunities for the pursuit
of literature, we are anxious that our children shall enjoy this luxury that we
have missed.
A town should no
more be without a library than without a post office or a grocery store.
Just as our boys
and girls cannot eat unless food is placed before them, so they cannot read
unless books are available to them.
They must depend upon adults for their very sustenance, in reading, as in other
necessities of life. They need to
have books provided for them.
Through the
public library we can give this fine coming generation the kind of literature
which will stimulate thought and action, give a broad view of life and enable
them to form a balanced judgment of contemporaneous happenings.
Let us, by all means see that they have access to the best and keep all
roads open.