Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1905 — TRUE OF THE RENSSELAER LIBRARV, AT LEAST. [ARTICLE]

TRUE OF THE RENSSELAER LIBRARV, AT LEAST.

An examination of the records of our Indiana Public Libraries reveals a fact the importance of which should not be underestimated. It proves that the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie is succeeding in one thing at least —the distribution of trashy literature. Most of these libraries’ patrons are of immature age —school girls and boys, and if you investigate you will find that the books of the Laura Jean Libby type, and the worse than foolish boys’ books by Alger and his clan, are worn to tatters. You will also perceive that the condition of the better class literature plainly shows that it goes a-begging for readers. The first class of books is making Young Americans sickly sentimental, and the second type gives our boys false ideas of life. This is certainly deplorable and should be remedied.—St. Joseph’s Collegian.