Library:
In our park libraries it is important, as in our museum exhibits, that we do not go beyond our scope. Books in the library should have some application to the park or immediate vicinity. It seems to me that all science books should be available for those who desire them. It has been my experience that the ranger naturalists are constantly desiring books during the summer and do much reading along scientific lines. It seems to me of great importance that we make a special effort to obtain all books relative to the park. Many of these are old and are being gathered industriously by collectors. It is a good idea to have all the available book stores send catalogues. These catalogues should be carefully scanned for books relative to the park. In Yellowstone we are constantly on the alert for books and we have built up a very presentable Yellowstone library. Just before I left the park, we sent in an order amounting to over $60 for old books. There are several ways of obtaining these books. A fund of $200 is available for the service which, as Mr. Hall has stated, should be increased. We rely on our income from the sale of publications for the purchase of our books in the park. Another method of obtaining funds is the writing of leaflets on birds, animals, geology, etc., and selling these at our information offices, the proceeds being put into a so-called “book fund.” Still another method is the organization of Associations of Natural History as Yosemite has done.
The policy of opening those libraries to the public is a yet disputed point. My personal opinion is that, if a librarian is available, the less valuable books should be at the disposal of the tourists. They should not, however, be permitted to take them out of the library.
Naturally the books should be accessioned, catalogued and filed. as in any library. In connection with this a system for the entire service should be adopted and adhered to in each park.
Publications:
Publications are one of the important means by which a tourist can keep in touch with the park after he is out of reach of our naturalists. Certain policies are necessary relative to quality, distribution, etc.
Our publications reflect the standard of our organization. They should, therefore, be of the highest type. The material should be presented in an interesting manner and should be reliable in every detail.
There is one policy concerning Nature Notes which I should like to present. I should like to have the present policy of each park issuing a separate publication continue. If a combination of all Nature Notes is effected, as a whole they will lack local atmosphere and individuality.
Discussion
Following Mr. Yeager’s paper there was an active discussion of whether or not it is ever desirable to accept exhibits “with strings attached.” It was concluded that some exhibits are so essential to park museums that they cannot justifiably be refused, even though it may be necessary to accept them under certain definite agreements with the donor. The chief reason for this situation occasionally being warranted is that the field of park museums is exceptionally limited and very often exhibits, especially in the historical field, can never be duplicated. Furthermore, conditions will often later be altered so that such conditions can be readjusted.
It was agreed that gifts are preferable but that exhibits may often have to be accepted as loans — again, because of the local field of the museum and the scarcity of material. Whether a loan should be accepted or rejected will depend chiefly upon the desirability of such a loan as an exhibit. The purchase of exhibits may be justifiable if such accessions cannot be obtained by gift or loan and if the objects are of sufficient importance.
***previous*** — ***next***
