The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-01-14

ain districts. ut was ttrsly stated %.
one Of our miners WREN the little libra..
room was opened, Now We can hav'
some better way OF getting a little re
creation than going to Jellico and get
ting drunk Our seats are empty
powder kegs; the tables made from ole
doors fastened on top OF barrels; bu,
even with these homely surrounding
good work is being done and aside from
the intellectual advantages there is q
moral one as we'll" After reading thi;
report and similar ones, one would
hardly ask the question-of what bentil
is womans cubs?-and in Kentucky
this organization of women is an educa
tiOnal factor whose power is felt from
east to west in this Old commonwealth
Turning from the sunny southland
let us see what the women are doug in
the pineries OF Wisconsin.
In her report before the annual meet
ing in 1897. Miss Stearns said: 1.-The
Wisconsin Free Library commission de-
ponds upon the woman's clubs more
than upon any and all other agencies
combined to aid in its work Of establish
ing free libraries in Wisconsin. Since
the State Federation was organized, nc
less than eighteen free public libraries
have been established, within our
bOrders and the organization OF SIX of
these may be directly attributed to the
interest aroused by womans clubs. Four
OF the Libraries in the state are being
maintained by these bodies"
Mr.. F.. A. Hutchins Whose name is
familiar to every librarian) of the Wis.
consin Free Library association says:
"ln most OF the states OF the Union
woman's clubs are doing mo than the
librarians in the establishment and
spread Of travelling libraries
Ii there was time might speak of the
good work Of club women in other states
along this line of library interests, in
New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan. Minnesota,
Kansas and Missouri but ! wish to call
your attention to the work in your own
state. You are all familiar with the
workings OF the circulating library sup.
ported by the Nebraska Federation OF
Women's clubs, that have sent books TO
the homes OF women living in isolated
communities. Women who rarely catch
glimpse OF the higher level of what
seems to them LIES rugged road: it has
sent reference books to members az
country clubs who do not have acces
to public Libraries, enabling them to
pursue certain lines OF study in their
clubs which would be impossible with
out these books and at the same time
they have created a desire ia the minds
OF Other members Of the family to Dos
sess good books"
Who shall say that this club move.
ment Is not missionary in spirit and
while procaims no creed, it is willing,
yes eager, to help those who are less
fortunate than themselves.
What can the womans club do for
the public library 10 our small towns?
] know OF no better answer to this cues.
ton than the practical workings of the
Monday club in Wayne, Nebr. Ten
years ago little band OF women. twelve
IN number organized womaus cluh
There was no public library in the town
and but few private libraries. The club
dues are one dollar for initiation fees
and ten cents for monthly dues, The
lines are twenty. tive cents for unexcused
absences and five cents for Hardness
Ihese dues and fines together with a
small amount made by giving one or two
entertainments each year repre SCENTS
their income. But all the money thev
make has been used to purchase books
ior their public library. Today thew
nave between seven and eight hundred
volumes. These books are used nv
country people as we'll as town peopIe
The fee OF five cents per we * is CHARGED
Tor use OF books and they may be retain.
ca Two weeks. All the money made in
ms way goes to the purchase of new
books and replacing old ones. A mem.
per or this enterprising club wrote me a
rev weeks s'nce-"We aim to buy only
the best books and am sure we have
zone little towards cultlvating the
pubic taste for good reading besides
pIsclng many good books at the disposal
OF those who nnull 81 -