New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-16
TRAVELLING LIBRARIES.
HOW THE BOXES ARE FILLED IN THE
OFFICE OF THE STATE LIBRARY
COMMISSION.
FROM FIFTY TO ONE HUNDRE. BOOKS IN EACH
BOX - THESE ARE KEPT FOR SIX
MONTHS TINE.


BOX THESE ARE KEPT FOR SIX
MONTHS AT TINE
Travelling libraries to the small settlement
In tho scantily populated country districts "ha' '
free circulating library Is TO the large city-sood
readnK placed within easy access Of all. The sys-
tenn OF travelling libraries provides a number OF
email stout wooden boxes fitted with shelves ana
hinged doors each filled with from nifty to nun
bred books. the works OF standard writer's Each
box IL provided with catalogue and SET OF can
cards. so tina; the custodian may keep track OF the
outstanding books The boxes filed from one
general place usually the office Of the state IL
brary Commission, and then sent out TO the
various places asking Cor them.
The way OF obtaining them is simple and easy. A
few OF the inhabitants OF place write, request
ing that library put in their vicinity. and ap-
point a caretaker librarian. Often the post
master. tho storekeeper or tho schooi-teacher can
act in this capacity. Then the application Is sent
to the State Librarian. and in short time the
box will be received. 1t is placed in convenient
part Of tho chosen house. and becomes an at
tractive object for old and young alike. Each box
stays at Its station" six mon'hs, and with II IS
sent a list Of the contents OF other boxes that a
new one may be selected understandinsly. Ihen
the library travels on to another schoolhouse or
store and a different set OF books takes It's place.
The travelling library is considered an excellent
introduction to the permanent free library In the
smaller villages and where such free library has
been established by the local authorities the state
will supply the newest books and latest periodicals
BY means OF the travelling boxes OF books. These
Libraries are also o. great cid TO the Isolated
student, who can upon the payment OF a small
fee and express charges. procure set OF books
on any subject he may desire 10 study. They are
also used good deal by reading circles ana STUDY
classes especially when some particular subject is
TO be taken up. and many technical BOOKS OF rel
er,ace are needed. which would be expensive for
class IN Durchaee but which the library sup
piles.
In Georgia and in Tennessee numbers OF these
boxes OF good reading are kept circulating among
ths mountain people and the scattered farmers. inc
creator part OF the work IN these states has 50
far been accomplished through the efforts OF tho
State Federat.ons OF Womens Clubs. Nebraska
and Iowa have also accomplished much under tAe
same auspices. while In Now-Jrrscy. through tHs
earnest work OF the woncns clubs thronShout nc
State the last Legislature passed nIi ir ii,
for State maintcnance OF sucn syalch ~ vii I'll
has just been signed by tho Governor ana VIII
be in active operation. ,.,, &.
The great good resulting from these Libraries IS
looked upon as one o. the most potent forces toWu
the promulgaticu Of universal education II -
really system OF free-circuating libraries Win
fuous number Of books; for each box s'hSlnls
Is II docs SIX months Is tn9r2nsn my no ducars
Thus the cost - reduced 70 a minimum anu ''S
power Of usefulness IS Increased 10 MAXIMUM. IL,
This system OF gliding education must cveniualy
bring good results. For the greatest care Is AK
IN selecting the contents Of the boxesi only me
best literature In books and magazines Is permitted
Thus sort Of censorship Is practsed over ne
reading OF a large portion OF the growing popuIa
ton for experience and statistics point clearly 20
the fact that these libraries are most used ny 'r9
boys and girls who have outsrown schooi. ana
yet have not settled down 10 habits or INDUSTRY
thought,uness, and in this manner thelr h1s
are turned IN the right channels taey are na", ~,
acquainted with the master minds OF the "oiId OF
letters and they seldom turn back from inc CHOSEN
path Of good reading and the pleasant companion
ship Of books -, , ,,.,,
TIE travelling library does its work silently
steadily and worthily, and no State or community
ever having tried the system fails 10 acknowlent.
i's great power. It's work Is. OF course SLOW pu.
Sc is dstlnctvcly helpful as II opens the doors 10
80 many avenues Otherwise closed 10 the poor
farmer lad the hardworkcd mill gin. the over
tired school teacher and gives rest ana comfort 10
50 many WORKOUT, mentally half-starvcd fatiHefs
wives and daughters while II aids the farmer aHu
his sons TIL their ground so much boiler thrt
BY the State authorities well as by those lht,I
ested in public education and those receiving i'S
Greet benefits Il IS looked upon with great favor.
II establishes free day and night school wheI-
ever these boxes put. school which Is hi"ays
open and within the reach OF old ana yonnSi ono
tnat never closes for evenings. holidays or sunnays
ara whore something OF interest can Always ne
FOUND IL seems impossible % devise any system 81
popular education which will give so much enter
talnment and information so wei CHOSEN ana 70
,naasiy obtained small cost as the tTaVeiHhs