Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-12-22
ON TRAVELLING LIBRARIES.
State Librarian Believes System No
Advisable For Maine.
He Is in Favor Of Free Public Libraries
State House News.

Regarding the reported move, to be
made at the coming session of the
Legislature for the establishing of a
travelling library system for Maine
there seems to be some objection, in
that the expense of maintaining such
is rather greater than generally sup
posed
Hon. l.. d. Carver, the State libra
rian, when asked for his opinion on the
subject by a Journal representative
said:
cannot say that l think it would be
successful in Maine. at any rate at
this time, either in its workings or in
its results. The proposition is, l be-
lieve, to have the State appropriate
$4,000 for this purpose. In the first
place | think it would require at least
$4,000 to $4,000 to obtain suitable re-
suits
I'm the second place, the proposition
is to have the books in circulation
among clubs, literary societies and or
3anizations of this nature. Better re-
this $4,000 were to be placed towards
7 the regular library fund, for the benefit
of free Libraries that are accessible to
the public. | do think the best results
| cannot be obtained by coniining the
circulation to any individuals or class
| of individuals
How has the travelling library sys-
tems worked in other states?" was
asked.
They have been successful mostly
in some Western states and New York
where appropria lions have been suffi-
cicnt to keep them properly conducted
The system was first started about six
years ago.
Il don't think it advisab BILE to start it
in Maine, at present anyway. There
should be, at least 800 books in each
set, which should be changed at regu-
lar intervals. AS | said l believe it
better to put the money into libraries
that are free and within reach of the
public
what's your opinion Of the open
shelf system, Mr. Carver?"
That is a question which each To-
cality must settle for itself. Crcum-
stances alter cases.
How is the State library arranged
in this respect?" was asked.
THE law and most of the fiction vol
lmes are open to the public, also refer
ence books in the line of dictionaries
encyclopedias, etc, including indices to
magazines. All other works, biog-
raphy, history, science, etc, are not
under the open shelf system.
Mr.. Walter |. Neal of Pittsfield, who
has been mail carrier for the Legisla-
ture for several years, was in the city.
Monday, and visited his friends at the
State House, in company with Mr..
Stevens Of Ioittsfield. Mr. Neal is a
candidate for the position this coming
session.
The following new corporations filed
their papers at the secretary of States
office, Monday:
The Wire Grip Fastening Company
organized at Portland. for the purpose
Of manufacturing and doing general
business in machinery for holding in
place several parts of composite pro-
ducts relative to various manufactur-
es. with sl,50o,o0O capital sock. of
which $50 is paid in The officers are: /:
President. w. S. Henderson of Chi
cago treasurer, Rudolph Matz of
Chicago.
The Farmers Product Company of
Maine, has been organized at Bangor,
for the purpose of buying. selling. and
siaughtering stock and converting
| same, with S1,oo00o0 capital stock. of
| hich nothing is paid in. The officers
| are: President, George w. Maxfield Of
| Chicago treasurer, Frank l.. Phillips
| of Bangor.
| The Golden Mining Company, or
ganized at Wcstbrook. for the purpose
| of carrying on Il mining business for
| gold, silver. mica. etc, etc, and all
manufacturing pertaining thereto. with
$4,000 capital stock, Of which nothing
| is paid in. The officers are: President,
| George Warren Wheeler of Braintree,
Mass; treasurer, J. F. Libby of Cor
! ham, N. II.
election OF Officers knights OF Honor.
| At recent meeting of Capita
Lodge, No. 2SS. Knights of Honor, the