第129章 JAMAICA,LONG ISLAND

One playground has been opened in the Borough of Queens.

Storytelling was introduced into the branches of the public library in 1908and was at first carried on entirely by the supervisor of work with children as a means of putting herself in touch with the children and library assistants.An experience of some years at the head of the children's department in the public library of Portland,Oregon,had given her a full sense of the social opportunities presented in telling stories.

The branch libraries of Queens Borough are situated chiefly in separate towns and at seaside resorts.The children in some of these communities are inclined to be lethargic and lacking in initiative;or,the commercial instinct is abnormally developed in them.Habits of visiting a library for pleasure had not been established except in the case of older girls and boys who regarded it as a meeting place.

Girls whose reading was as flippant and as vulgar as their conduct on the streets have become interested members of "AGirl's Romance Club."Stories appealing to their love of romance have been told and books have been familiarly discussed with them.Library assistants as well as the supervisor of children's work now hold weekly story hours.There has been a great improvement in the quality and extent of the reading done by the children.Storytelling visits have been made to public schools and to the Jewish Home for Crippled Children.A library storyteller is sent to the playground opened in Flushing in 1910.