A library means a collection of comprising variety--books of general literature, religious, dictionary, encyclopedias, etc. Be careful of the books you choose, consider them as company you keep. For they will influence your family's habits and character.

Every home should have a library, if possible. Books are as much part of a home as pictures and furniture or carpets. A home without books is desolate indeed. Nothing elevating or ennobling can come from such a place. If you have books lying around, your children will naturally take to them. Do not be content to have a few scatterings of books here and there, but have a bookcase, and put in it, from time to time, as you can afford, varieties of books. Let your children see that you take pride in getting books, and they will take a pride in reading them. The very sight of a library in an home is an inspiration.

Cultivate in your children a desire for reading. First be a reader yourself, if possible; this will enable you to advise and direct the tastes of your children in this direction. Reading is not only valuable for the information it gives, but, what is of more value to the young, it redeems the hours from idleness and mischief. The habit of reading will help keep your son in off the street at night, or from running over the country on idle days, in search of companions to help him kill time. Proper Christian books will turn the tastes of your daughter from the ballroom, and fit her for more cultivated society.

Books are good company for children as well as grown people. Carefully select your books and you will never fear to trust your children with them. No mother who has the welfare of her children at heart will neglect the important work of choosing the proper books for them to read while they are under her charge. She should select books which will instruct and interest; and this should be done before their minds are poisoned with bad books and novels. Go into a good reputable book store and find suitable works for your family. Do not mind the light expense. The joy of seeing your children around the fireside, discussing this or that which they have read about, instead of wanting to be out on the town in riotous company, will more than repay your time, money, and pains.