Book reading Quote by Francis Beauchesne Thornton
““If everyone could learn how to read books properly and how to use them as effective tools for daily living, the facilities of colleges could easily go out of existence without any loss to society.' -From a speech by the president of Mount Holyoke College, as reported in the Philadelphia Public Ledger, May 13, 1938””
About This Quote
Source Speech: President of Mount Holyoke College, Philadelphia Public Ledger, May 13 1938
If everyone could read and use books effectively, colleges might become unnecessary without harming society.
In simple terms: Effective reading could reduce need for colleges.
Key Takeaway
Promote critical reading skills.
Themes
education
reading
technology
societal change
efficiency
Mood
optimistic
thoughtful
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- library programs
- online courses
- self‑directed learning
- public workshops
Key Concepts
Pedagogy
information literacy
democratization of knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- What functions do colleges serve beyond teaching?
- How can we preserve community in self‑learning?
A Different Perspective
The quote underestimates the social role of colleges beyond knowledge transmission.
