The A. L. A. Section for Children's Librarians held two sessions during
the Waukesha conference. In the absence of Miss Annie Carroll Moore,
chairman of the section, the chair was occupied by Miss L. E. STEARNS,
who presided as honorary chairman.
_FIRST SESSION._
The first session of the section was called to order at 2.15 p.m.,
Friday, July 5.
The secretary read a communication from the chairman, Miss Moore, who
extended her cordial greeting to the Children's Librarians' Section, and
expressed regret that she was unable to be present. She also expressed
her satisfaction that the meetings should be conducted by one whose
contributions to the work of children's librarians, both by the pen and
the power of her magnetic personality, have been so far-reaching in
their influence. Miss Stearns' paper given at the Lake Placid
conference, 1894, she believed to be one of the most important
contributions to the development of work with children, as it set people
thinking and talking, and stimulated activity along the lines indicated.
In regard to the establishment of a separate section of the A. L. A.,
Miss Moore said: "It is most encouraging and gratifying to feel that we
have the support of those whose interest in library work for children
precedes our own, and whose wise counsel may be counted upon in
considering the problems which have arisen out of a practical
experience.
"It has been the chief object in the construction of this first program
to define certain phases of our work in order that we may proceed with a
clearer vision of its significance and with a better idea of how we are
to accomplish the results at which we seem to be aiming. It is hoped
that succeeding meetings may be rich in profitable discussions of
practical problems, but let us plan our programs with the utmost care,
that we may gather a body of matter which shall prove valuable for the
future as well as enlightening in the present.
"Most hearty thanks are due to all who have assisted in the making of
the program, and to those who have volunteered to carry it to a
successful issue.
"We feel especially grateful to the librarians at large who have so
generously responded by the preparation of papers, or by participating
in the discussions, to this special claim of ours upon their time and
thought."