Literature for Adult Education

Abstract

AN important factor in the success of discussion groups or public lectures as a means of education for citizenship is the provision of books and other suitable material for reading. A pamphlet, “Printed Page and the Public Platform”, which has recently been issued by the Office of Education, United States Department of the Interior (Washington, D.C.: Gov. Printing Office, 20 cents), analyses the different factors involved and gives an account of experiments and experience in the United States which should be highly useful to those interested in adult education in Great Britain. The necessity for close co-operation between libraries and such discussion groups is emphasized, and a number of practical suggestions are detailed to facilitate co-operation. The scope and functions of reading lists are critically discussed and the importance of having the reading material as accessible as possible to those taking part in the discussions or attending lectures is recognized. Equally important is the suitability of the material, and while the criticism is not specifically directed at scientific literature, it applies equally to that intended for the general public. Able exposition is a first condition of success, involving an understanding not only of the subject handled but also of the readers to whom the book or article is addressed, and if pamphlet literature admittedly presents special difficulties, the problem is one which deserves greater attention because of its greater appeal to many readers in spite of the distribution difficulty.