The evening times., 1900-02-07

one CT the brightest ideas lately de-
veloped in connection with public educa-
tiol is that of travelling. libraries. which
originated in the State Of New York. but
has proved particularly successful in the
Northwest In a country so large and
sparsely settled as ours the library prob
lem has been rather difficult to handle,
Oar population is subject to peculiar con-
ditiCas. In the first place, a majority of
the people are eager that their children
should have educational advantages Some
of them are ignorant and believe that
With book knowledge the American man
may attain almost any position. Others.
mere intelligent, desire to educate their
children because they see that knowledge
in itself is a good and enjoyable thing
They recognize the fact that the educated
man has hundred resources which the il
literate has not They know that a love
of books is a safeguard against many forms
of temptation and offers harmless enter
tainment at comparatively little cost. This
is perhaps most evident in the case of wo-
men When womans lot is cast in "A
lonely place. or among uncongeniai people.
or when she is confined to her home by
Illness or family cares, she is better and
happier for an education which gives her
a chance to look out into the world through
the medium OF books and magazines. and
enables her to instruct her children if they
are deprived OF other advantages. This
general reverence for education among the
working people of this country has had
something 10 do with their collection in
cities and towns They are willing TO en-
dure some disadvantages for the sake of
giving their children the advantages of the
public schools.
One OF the best things which can happen
to any village is the gift of library. with
small fund for the establishment
of a reading room. 1t is b no
means necessary to put up sep
aratc building for this purpose. In every
country town there is some body generally
spinster or widow living alone-who will
be glad to act as librarian and spare one
room for this purpose; or. if nothing bet
ter can be devised. the church or school
house can be used for the housing of the
books. But many villages cannot afford
even the small sum necessary 10 buy
good selection of standard books and supply
from time TO time the best of the new nov
els. This is where the advantage of the
travelling library system comes in.
In Wisconsin the people themselves have
supported such libraries. without aid from
the State; in other States an appropriation
has been voted by the Legislature. The
scheme is borrowed frem that of Nudes
library in England but varied to suit the
needs of the people. consignment OF
books is sent to a certain town. and left
there for a certain time, when it is re-
placed by another consignment; and ten
thousand volumes are kept in circulation in
the State of Wisconsin alone. Thus the peo-
pie get a chance to read the best of the new
books, and can decide what 20 purchase il
they have any money 70 spend on such lux
uries It almost seems as if il would be
worth while for some publisher or book
seller to start such an enterprise since it
would certainly result in an increased sale
of books to the people. and a falling-on
in the sale of subscription books. TO far
mers and villagers.