The San Francisco call., 1898-01-13
TRAVELLING LIBRARIES.

n SERIES of papers recently published in The / Call directed attention to the need of greater diffusion of standard books among the people of California and pointed out of the best means of supplying the need the establishment of travelling libraries upon plan similar that adopted in other States of the Union.
 The proposal is not new to those who have inter ested themselves in the promotion Of public libraries and augmentng the opportunities for intellectual culture. Some time ago the Library Association of Central California adopted resolutions declaring that travelling libraries essential to the diffusion of knowledge throughout the State and pedging sup port to the establishment of such system. The proposal, therefore, has good indorsement as well as good reasons to support it. It is that well deserves consideration in all parts of the State It should not be permitted to pass unnoted in the rush of general affairs. The establishment of such system will require legislative action, and in order that such action may be assured at the next meeting of the Legislature campaign of popular education on the subject should begin at once
 The issue IS in which we invite the co-opera- ton of the interior press. The smaller towns and more sparsely settled counties where library facilities scant, or altogether lacking, have special in- in the establish the proposedtrav cling library system. To them it would be a clear gain Tn every respect and would lead to the forma- ton of permanent libraries in many communities where under existing circumstances the creation of such institutions IS regarded among the things mote and improbable.
 The plan of the proposed system is simple. The State IS to provide number of 'traveling libraries containing from fifty to one hundred volumes each These to be carefully boxed and made ready for shipment to any part of the State where "a library association" is prepared to receive them, pay the
 freight circulate them and guarantee their safe return to the State authorities.
 The system has been adopted and operated with conspicuous in several of the more progress sive States in the East In New York upward of one hundred of these libraries carefully selected and un- der the control of the University of New York are travelling from one locality to another In Wisconsin the achieved has been SO great that of wealth have become interested in the movement and have made rich donations to pro- mote it.
 California possesses one of the finest State libra ries in the Union It IS, however, of comparatively little to the people, because the books are kept at Sacramento and are not to be read except by resi- dents visitors to that city The travelling system would enable the people in all sections of the State enjoy the benefits of the library they are taxed to maintain. It would place at the disposal of even the smallest community large number of standard books at greater than that of paying the freight, and the libraries would circulate from community to community that would be small
 The advantages to be gained are certainly great The movement now begun should be supported with such force in every county as assure the estab- lishment of the system when the Legislature meets
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