Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-04-13
ABOUT TRAVELLING libraries.
INTERESTING ARTICLE. FR0M THE ABLE
PRESIDENT OF WOMANS CLUBS.
A Mode Of Library Work Which Is Being Sys.
IL. tematIzed by the Good Women. .

A Mode OF Library Work Which Is Being Sys.
tematIzed by the Good Women. .
Having received great many in-
quiries as regards a mode of library
work known as the travelling library,
which is being systematized by the
Federation of Woman's Clubs, I ask
that you will give space to the fol-
lowing, in order that the propaganda
of this work may be fully understood
and appreciated by the people of our
State
A great awakening is being felt
throughout the length and breadth
of this broad land to the Importance
of more general diffusion of lknowl-
edge to tho ,r;;sses, and cut %of this
awakening has grown this work,
which is missionary.in the broadest
sense, as its raison- da- ete is tho plac.
ing of good literature in the reach
of small towns, rural schools and
villages. the carrying Of good honks
into isolated communities where
library privileges and benefits are
unknown.
The travelling library is not re-
cent experiment, but as evidenced
by other States is entirely a practi-
cal and successful project.
In the State of Wisconsin we find
record of eight years successful
operation. A work that is support
ed by State aid, and is controlled by
library ommission, consisting of a
board of five persons, viz: The pre-
sident of the State university, the
State superintendent of schools, the
secretary of the State historical
society, With two others, appointed
by the Governor. A State annro-
priation supports and carries out this
plan of the free travelling library.
Ohio follows close in the lead of
Wisconsin and other States, North,
East, South and West are catching
the inspiration. Our sister State,
Georgia, with her usual enterprise, is
abreast of the times.
The Georgia Woman's clubs have
been sending out libraries as ind-
vidual clubs for two years. The
most important travelling library
work, however, in the South, and
which is unique in its inception, is
that of the Seaboard Air Line rail
road, under the superintendence of
Mrs. Eugene Heard, of Middleton,
Ga, and which, by her earnest efforts,
has been systcmizcd.
Mrs. Heard is an ardent member
Of the Georgia Federation, and is
also chairman of the library commit
tee of the general federation. The
territory over which che has control
(the Seabord railroad) extends from
Norfolk, Va, to Atlanta, Ga. This
line of road, through its vice presi-
dent, Mr.. E. St. John, hes contribut-
ed books used on the lie and cases,
transports the agents aid book cases
free of charge, and o. .,erwise assists
in the successful carrying out of this
project. Mrs. Heard's territory en-
braces rs South Carolina towns or
stations on the said railroad. These
towns will be reached by the travel
ing library of the South Caroiira
Federation, through Mrs. Heard
and her agents. 1t is projected to
make Clinton, Chester, Chcraw and
Abbeville distributing points for the
adjacent territory on this line of
road.
And now q word as to the method
of this work. II certain number of
books are denominatcd q library
say so or morc-52 is the number
adopted by the Scabord ,ilroad.
These books arc labeled and num-
bered and placed in case made spc-
cially for the purpose, with stout
doors, locks and handles, ready for
transportation at II moments notice.
A local organization must be formed
in towns and villages or communities
desiring the use of the library--a
librarian appointed who vii! be re-
sponsible for tho safe return of the
books. The books arc then sent out
for the free use of the public in the
villages applying for the library.
The books will be returned after the
a m m nm