Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882 [PAGE 47]

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41 eluding original researches, essays, criticism, proof-reading and other work intended to illustrate the studies pursued, and to exercise the student's own powers. It is designed to give to all the students voice culture and a training in elocutionary practice. A prominent aim will be to teach the right use of books, and thus to prepare the student for self-directed investigation and study, which will extend beyond the curriculum of his school and the period of his graduation. With this view, constant use of the already ample and continually enlarging stores of the library will be required and encouraged. As a further aid in this direction, members of the advanced classes are usually selected to act as assistant librarians. In this service they are able to obtain much valuable knowledge of various departments of literature and science, of prominent authors, and to the extent and scope of their writings. Of special value, as an incentive to, and the means of practice in, English composition, should be mentioned THE ILLINI, a semimonthly paper edited and published by the students of the several Colleges, each of which is appropriately represented in its columns. A printing office has been provided in the Mechanical building, and is furnished with all requisite material.

THE LIBRARY.

This is a general collection of books and papers for the use of all departments of the University. It contained September 1, 1882, thirteen thousand five hundred and ten volumes, an increase in two years, since the last report of the Trustees of the University, of one thousand and sixty volumes. There are also between two and three thousand pamphlets. The number of the latter varies, since the more valuable ones are bound from time to time. The library receives regularly, at present, eight periodical publications, divided as follows: Agricultural, e t c . . . . Natural Science Engineering, etc All other 21 17 18 . .24

Of the last class, the most are free contributions, including the papers of Champaign and some of the adjoining counties. The amount expended in the library has been fifteen hundred dollars a year, for the two years, being the State appropriation for the library. The fine Library hall is used as a reading room, from which, however, students are not allowed to take books, except by special permission. It is open five days in the week, from eight A. M. to five P. M., and Saturdays from two to five P. M. The use of the library is urged upon students in all the classes; and any person is welcome to consult the books, under the same conditions as are imposed upon students.

GENERAL STUDIES.

Mathematics, History, Philosophy and Logic, are more or lessmcluded in all the courses of study in the University; they are aa appropriately mentioned here as elsewhere.