New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-26
TRAVELLING LIBRARIES.
WORK OF THE MINNESOTA FEDERATION
OF woMEN's CLUBS.
MOST IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL EFFORT CAR
RIEn OFT WITH PERFECT sIrccEss-PLANs

MOST IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL EFFORT CAR
RIED OUT WITH PERFECT sUccEss-PLANs
OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE.
At the first convention OF the Minnesota Fedora
ton OF women's Clubs in the resolutions formulat-
ing a plan OF work was pledging the support
OF the society 10 promoting the library interests
OF the State and especially to securing system
OF travelling libraries for the many frontier towns
that are yet unable to help themselves to many Of
the essentials OF culture.
The determined effort begun at that time has
Just borne fruit in the passage the last day Of
the Minnesota legislative session just closed OF
the long-desired Travelling Library BILL for which
the federation has stood sponsor through three
sessions Of the Legislature before winning VIC
tory. Much educational work had 10 be done, for
the whole Idea was new even to cultivated and
intelligent people when II was first proposed.
The seed planting was done by Miss Gratia
Countryman assistant librarian OF the Minneapolis
Public Library. who received her inspiration from
the success OF the New-York system. and she has
perseveringly followed the idea up until It has
received the sanction OF the State.
The travelling library will be administered by a
library commission created by the same bill, and
Miss Countryman is the federations candidate for
a place the commission which she has fully
earned by her faithful work. The commission OF
five includes the president OF the State University.
the librarian OF the State Historical Society, the
PRESIDENT OF the state AGRICULTURAL SOcicty anu
two appointve members. This makes II nom
partisan board. and much is hoped from It's infu-
ence in behalf OF library extension. for the
travelling library will be used as means OF edu-
eating public sentiment and creating desire for
better opportunities.
The only lack in past legislative experience
found by the federation library and legislative
committees was OF knowledge in regard to the sys-
TEN. To overcome this the customary literature
campaign employed. and every club was en-
listed personally present the matter to the less-
lative representatives OF the towns. In conse-
quence even the "backwoodsest" OF them could
not tell the earnest lobbyist that they had never
heard OF such a thing. -
The most important educational work, however.
library centres in widely separated parts OF the
State by the federated clubs, 10 show what tney
were circulated by each and they were con-
elusive argument wherever they were placed one
,hess samPe sar wa ,ba isgslatiye session
and proved valuable object lesson 49, $3.50
The federation also succeeded in doing some
Provision was made for the completion OF the
work Of acquiring the land about the headwaters
the name OF Itasca Park This will be a tract Of
some ten thousand Of beautifully watersd
2nd w9o of tb snf forestry the
State Government has consented 10 wlthnold from
same vicinity lying between Leech and Cass lakes.
belonging TO the Chippewa Indians. with view 10
making another park. A.. =. -.
Norway spruce standing in the State. and the Gu
ratve properties of such forests are so great that
with the women TO have this growth preserved
The coming two years will be employed by the
in af 6e TIE expense now would
be large but in time its value would be such as
10 10 max NIX ,baf he two parks should be connected
by a broad boulevard on each side OF a road