Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Monthly Bulletin Published monthly, except in August and September, by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Forbes Street and Bellefield Avenue, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pa. President, S. H. Church, Carnegie Library, Forbes Street and Bellefield Avenue; Secretary, J. D. Hailman; Treasurer, James H. Reed, 1027 Carnegie Building; Director, John H. Leete, Carnegie Library, Forbes Street and Bellefield Avenue. One of the most vital problems which the nation faces today is that of education. Thoughtful people recognize that to a large extent the future of our nation depends upon the kind of education given our citizens and our future citizens, and that changes in our present system are needed; but there is as yet no unanimity of opinion as to just what in education will best develop the character and ideals which will fit the people as a whole to be good citizens of the United States and good citizens of the world. Will education for efficiency or liberal education give to the people of the United States those enduring qualities and ideals which make for the peace and righteousness of the world? Or is a combination of the two types possible and desirable? If a combination, on which side of the scale shall the greater weight be placed? The eyes of the world have been opened to the evil results of the German system of education which before the war was gaining such foothold in America. But what shall replace that system? No thinking American to-day can afford to close his mind to this vital question; he should read and think on the subject and make it a matter of intense and intelligent national interest. Nations consist of individuals. Hence the character of a nation depends on that of the individuals composing it. Now although the influence of race, of heredity, is exceedingly powerful in man, as it is in animals, that of education in the widest sense of the term is at least equally potent. Surroundings and upbringing determine the character of individuals. An English baby, if adopted and brought up by Prussians, will probably become a typical Prussian, if brought up by Turks it will probably become an average Turk, if abandoned in China it will most likely become a Chinese. It will not only learn the German, Turkish or Chinese language but adopt the German, Turkish or Chinese habits, tastes, views and standards of life and behavior, although it may do so somewhat reluctantly. It cannot very well adopt English ways of thought and action, because it knows only those of the country of its upbringing. Only in very rare and exceptional cases would such a child possess enough strength of character and independence of mind to condemn the views held by all the people around, even by the best and the most exalted, and formulate views and principles of its own totally opposed to its surroundings. ' In so far as the tendency in education "is commercial and utilitarian in its aims, it is dangerous. We must frankly admit that the increasing of one's earning capacity is a legitimate aim, but when this becomes the dominant aim of education there is more than a danger of sacrificing some of the deeper and more worthy realities. We do not live by bread alone, and the man who is compelled, or who chooses to concentrate his mind on securing bread to the exclusion of the higher things of life, thereby narrows and dwarfs his soul and fails of his full development.' 992 A selected part of the more recent literature on this subject is given below, and this and the constantly increasing number of published articles, will be available at the Library. Books Dawson, William Harbutt, ed. 304 D33 After-war problems, by the earl of Cromer and others. [1917.] Macmillan. Contains "National education," by Viscount Haldane. 1J. E. Barker, "How education has degraded the German character," Nineteenth century, 1917. W. Farrand, "Readjustments in secondary education," Educational review, 1918. Dean, Arthur Davis. Our schools in war time, and after. 1918. Ginn. 370.4 D34 By the professor (1918) of vocational education at Teachers' College, who is also supervising officer of the Bureau of vocational training, New York state military training commission. qr 375.4 E64 England-Committee to enquire into the position of modern languages in the educational system of Great Britain. Report of the committee appointed by the prime minister. 1918. Very detailed study of British conditions, containing, however, information and conclusions important for consideration in the United States. Finley, John Huston. r 379.44 F49 Report of a visit to schools of France in war time, with messages to the universities, colleges and schools of America from those of France. 1917. Although mostly on war conditions, contains much of permanent interest on French educational methods and ideals. Flowers, Montaville, ed. 940.919 F67 What every American should know about the war; a series of studies delivered at the National Conference of American Lecturers, Washington, D. C., April 8-13, 1918. 1918. Doran. The section entitled "Education and general welfare during and after the war" includes "Education during and after the war," by G. D. Strayer, and "How shall we educate for the democracy of the future?" by P. P. Claxton. Munroe, James Phinney. What the war means to education; convocation address, George Washington University, Feb. 22, 1918. 1918. Pamphlet kept in Reference department. National Education Association. r 370.6 N15 Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1915-date. 1915-date. Contains many addresses on the various phases of education as affected by the war. National Institute of Social Sciences. Journal, 1918. v.4. 1918. r 305 N15 v.4 Devoted chiefly to problems of reconstruction. Contains "Educational preparedness for after the war," by A. C. Ellis, p. 129-136. New York (state)-University. Proceedings of the 53d convocation. 1917. r 370.6 N2612 1917 Contains several addresses of interest, especially "Safeguarding our education," by C. A. Richmond, p.73-86. United States-Education bureau. r 370 U25 1917 no.36 Bulletin, 1917, no.36: Demand for vocational education in the countries at war, by A. T. Smith. 1917. United States-Education bureau. r 370 U25 1918 no.18 Bulletin, 1918, no.18: Americanization as a war measure; report of a conference called by the secretary of the interior, and held in Washington, April 3, 1918. 1918. United States-Education bureau. r 378.7 U2533h Higher education circular, April 1916-date. no.1-date. 1917-date. Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 have subtitle "The work of American colleges and universities during the war." They give accounts of the conferences and work carried on through the coöperation of the Education bureau with the Council of National Defense, and tell the actual effects of the war on the institutions, their number of students and their finances. |
