The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-15

of our most. fertile valleys, there is
but one up-to-date, influential free
library to be found-the one OF 10000
volumes at Santa Cruz. This deficiency
is not wholly owing to lack OF public
! spirit, but in part to want OF knoWI-
! edge of the existence of law provid-
! ing for the support of libraries by tax
alton. Still there is widespread indif-
/ ference upon the subject; even frozen
Siberia, where George KEENAN, d1scoV-
cred well equipped public libraries, can
give points to many a California town
which prides itself on it's standing and
attractions.
The beneficial results attending the
Introduction of travelling libraries in the
East viii be realized here, providing al
ways that sound judgment in the selec-
! ton Of books and business sense IN
management are exercised. Miracles,
however are not performed by these
| circulating Libraries, and it cannot be
expected that the adult of 40 years,
! who, from choice or necessity, has not
acquired the reading habit, can genu-
| inely appreciate books. To all Others
the children, the young people especial
~, and the older readers, the travelling
| library has a mission of supreme value
| in bringing the best that has been
thought and said in the past and pres
ent before their minds. Emphatically
! is it the boon of the age to the distant,
neglected dweller in the country's soil
tude.
Specifically, the use of travelling
Libraries in California would insure the
starting of a large number of free
| libraries in our incorporated cities and
towns, which alone have the mower to
tax for their creation and maintenance.
In scores of other towns which are not
incorporated, particularly in the mining
counties, where there are very few
places with corporate powers, these Wis
its would secure the establishment. of
reading rooms, and, gradually, of local
Libraries. Numerous are the wrecks of
little subscription Libraries ali over the
State which have failed solely for want
of regular supplies of such fresh, at
tractive books as travelling libraries
would provide.
No greater want for our young peO-
pie in the country exists al present than
a chance to continue the education be-
gun in the common schools. Obtaining
the rudiments of knowledge, they now
needs the acquisition of power. Over
50 per cent of the scholars in the State
have no instruction beyond the gram
mar school, and Of these a large per-
centage do not graduate. Leaving
school, the country boy, when work
fails, has nowhere to go, has nothing to
interest him, and, sadly too often, be-
comes a Ioafer. A few thousand dol
libraries will save. untold numbers of
our youth from idle, dissOIute living.
Says President Eliot lin referring to
university endowments), Whoever
wishes to do some perpetual good
in this world, whoever hopes to
win that finest luxury. must exert his
influence upon the young, the healthy
and the prOmising."M
Some striking testimony of the worth
of libraries was given At a recent gath
ering Of librarians in Sacramento, when
a prominent visitor stated that at the
age of y he was obliged to become a
breadWinner, and as~ibed much Of his
success in life to the aid afforded by
the public library.
1t is plainly evident that California.
cannot now undertake a State system.
Of travelling Libraries. That will fol-
low in due time. Private liberaIityi|
must be relied on for means with which
to prosecute this great work Of home
education in our midst These means
Will not be wanting, as past experience
in other phases of educational work
among us abundantly proves. It is one
OF the interesting features in this move
ment that, once understood in its scope
and it's bearing upon the welfare of the
country people. who before have been
neglected in all other library develop
ments, helping hands have been held
out to aid them. The work in our State
can be begun in many directions. With
the Los Angeles public library as
base, the donation of $1,000 will equip
twenty travelling libraries as the first
installment for that region. In Stock
ton, the strong WOman'S Club can find
a field of exceeding usefulness by sup
plying destitute towns in that vicinity.
In Ell Dorado County the work of send
ing out few libraries into adjoining
hamlets has already been started by
one fits honored men. The new Fed
Grafton of WOman's Clubs in the San
Joaquin Valley can, in their own neigh /
bOrhoOd, make common cause with
their Eastern sisters, who are pressing
this missionary labor so effectively in a
score of States.
Perhaps no finer philanthropy could
now be devised for the State at large
than for some interested person to do
nate $4,000 or $4,000 to the State Univer-
sity for the purpose of beginning in a.
systematic manner the supply of trav-
cling Libraries to destitute localities. |
Those willing servants, the Regents, /
would doubtless accept the trust and
experienced librarians would attend to
it's performance.
The Library Association of California. |
of which Mr.. F. J. Teggert, librarian of
the Mechanics Institute in this city, is
secretary. is earnestly interested in pro
noting the cause, and will cheerfulIv
furnish needed information.
President Jordan, in one of his ad-
dresses, pithily says that The ,unedu-
Gated man looks out upon life through
narrow windows" Gladly does the
State of California annually spend
81. 900 900 on schools and university
that her boys and girls, her young men
and maidens, may view life through
broad Windows The travelling library
comes to increase the horizon by wider
outlook upon the beautiful worlds of
nature, art, poetry and song, by CON
tact with men in history, science and
literature, by never ending progress in
preparation for complete living"
GOLDEN GATE