It is the peculiar position of the librarian to be so situated that
with the consent of his trustees he may, simply by virtue of his
office, be able to draw about him more of the elements of usefulness
than almost any other person. Even a librarian who is a stranger is
not taking matters unduly into his own hands in immediately availing
himself of this privilege, for he is placed in the community where he
can bring together those who have something to give and those who wish
to receive. His invitation is non-partisan, non-sectarian, and without
social distinctions.

The object of this article upon the librarian as a host is to
suggest methods of usefulness for the community through the forms of
entertainment at the disposal of the librarian. A surprising number of
people, not having attractive surroundings, and not having unbounded
resources within themselves, lead dull lives. The theater is
expensive, sometimes not available, often not attractive, and one of
the attractions of a library evening will be that it is "some place to
go," but does no violence either to their scruples or their ideas of
economy. Many who will not identify themselves with clubs, from an
aversion to organization, will appreciate the freedom from it here,
for there will be no officers, no rules, no fees.

If there is no especial note that the librarian thinks it would be
well to sound, he may let it be known that the first of a series of
entertainments to be given by the library, at the library, will
be, for instance, a talk upon the Child in History, Our American
Illustrators, or some attractive subject.

There are always a number of specialists, even in small places, who
can contribute liberally to these plans, thus relieving the librarian