Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-29
PUBLIC LIBRARY INTERESTS.

!
q Iowa Capital: This is library year in
Iowa. Once put upon a practical work
ing basis, the library interests of the
!. state will in the next ten years be im-
measurably advanced. Two bills OF
great Importance to those interests
have become laws, and both of them by
virtually unanimous yote.,
The consolidation bill, championed
by Mullen in the senate and Eaton in
the house, and backed by the library
ator Aldrich and State Librarian
/ Brigham, authorizes the creation of
two great libraries, separate and dis
namely, that OF the state librarian.
B One library, in the state rouse, will be
given up to law and Documents; the
other, in the historical building,
will be general reference library, es-
pecially strong in distinguishing the
term in very broad and comprehen-
ssiye sense. The travelling library, also
under the management of the state Ii
( brarian,. will continue to be operated
from the state house. This library re-
mains under the control of the state
library board, tho the state libra
rian is an ex-oficio member of the new
Il library commission, and the secretary
OF the commission will cooperate with
and assist, the state librarian in the
development OF the system in iowa.
This. law will give the state two great
libraries, both rejecting honor upon
the state and benefits upon its citi-
zens.
IA The state library commission law
creates a non-salaried commission OF
seven persons, three ex-oficio mem
beers and four appointees. With the
state superintendent, the president of
the tate university, and the state IL
ahrarian, who has charge of the trav-,
cling library system in Iowa, members
4 of the board by virtue Of their Office,
the library movement in Iowa is in
sured a valuable assistant in the
h beard. With four members to be APP
I pointed by Governor Shaw, we have
no fear but that the full commission
WILL be strong and helpful. The
Thought OF the joint committee that
Z framed the bill was that the governor
: would naturally select the four from
the four quarters of The state, and
from among the men and women
whose interest in and devotion to the
work of planting and building up
free public libraries has been largely.
Instrumental in giving the right di-
Tection to the library movement in our
state.
Right here it should be stated that.
those who have watched the growth
of sentiment in favor of this measure
in face Of a strong opposition to
commissions in general ARE as one,
in giving the largest measure of credit
for its success to the women of Iowa
especially the Federation of Women''s
clubs and the state association of p.
i E. 0. societies, the membership of
which includes many OF the leading
educators and library supporters OF
the state. The state library associa-
ton should not be forgotten in this
connection. 1t first occupied the field.
In response to the call for help, the
women of the clubs have made prompt
reply.
The measure is one which fourteen
other states have adopted and ap-
proved; and, with such commission.
as we are sure to have, and with a
secretary who should have in her the
elements of practical librarian, bus
mess woman and missionary Of Gull
ture, the measure will find hearty
4 approval in, Iowa.