The Advocate and news., 1898-12-21
Kansas Needs TrnyelInR LlbrarIes.

gests plan which should be brought be-
fore the regular session Of the Legisla-
ture. She makes plea for the establish
ment of a system Of travelling Libraries in
connection with the State library.
cat the next session of the Legisla-
ture Kansas library laws should be
amended" says Mrs. Ruggles. They
should be adapted to the needs of an
ever active and intelligent people. The
toiler, and especially those of the rural
districts, are asking for this expansion
that they may have the advantages Of
study and research accorded at the Capt.
tai and larger cities. Under the system
of travelling libraries, large apprOpria-
ton from the state is not needed. AS
the books only remain a short time in
place they will successfully move on
to new place, where they will again do
service.
"The State Agricultural Society, the
State Federation OF Clubs, the Common
wealth Club and many smaller clubs, as
we'll as many ambitious boys and girls
scattered over the State, are pleading for
library extension.
lTdVGlluB uAV AlO iOh5NA III
the experimental stage, having for years
been successful method of education In
England, as we'll as in the United States.
In the early seventies several railroad
companies in the Eastern States fur
nished libraries for their employees, NOV
ing them from place to place as the
change was needed. About ten years
ago the Boston Aid Society established
libraries for their waits and INDECENT.
They were moved frequently thus keep
ing up a fresh supply. There are now
over seventy of these nomadic libraries
doing missionary work in Boston. In
1892, by the efforts of Neville Dewey, and
under the auspices Of the regents Of the
State University of New York, system
Of travelling libraries was put in opera
tion, with certain restrictions and guar
antics, making it possible for the State
to secure itself and send Libraries to
every district and hamlet as they de-
sired and complied with the law in ref
erence to it. Libraries Of hundred vol
umes each were sent out to be returned
in six months.
"Since then, differing in minor partic-
ulars, this system has been established
in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Iowa,
Montana and Wisconsin. all supported
and under the control of the states.
The federated clubs Of several states,
feeling the need OF books of study, are
sending out libraries in the states of
Colorado, Wyoming, New Jersey, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Kan
sas. All are doing excellent service and
increasing in numbers and efficiency.
"It is the duty of the state to educate
her citizens. 1t should not stop when a
few Of the elementary branches are mas
tered But many rustic youth can go
no longer to school when he is only
partially fitted to discharge his duty as a
citizen A we'll selected library would
give him the opportunity to discover for
himself his aspiration and his goal. 1t is
with a degree of humiliation that Kan
sas, with her boasted enterprise and in
telligence, has to admit her tardiness in
establishing libraries to those who need
them. The Peoples party, by its SYM
pathy and profession, ought to enact
such a law at the present extra session.
If they do not, the regular session elect
will surely do so. Womens clubs of all
characters are clamoring for it, They
have a power behind the throne, and, in
all kindness, they will exercise it.