The evening times., 1900-02-07
The TrareIing LIhrnr,.

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
Our population is subject to peculiar con
ditiCns. In the irst place e majority OF
the people are eager that their children
should have educa' 'i0nal 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 gooI and enjoyable thing
They recognize the fact that the educated
man has a hundred resources which the H.
ltJerate has nor. 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 ease Of wo-
men. When a oman's lot is cast in "A
lonely place. or among unconsenisl 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 70 look out into the world through
the medium of books and magazines. and
enables her TO instruct her children IL they
are deprived OF other advantages. This
general reverence for education among the
working people Of this country has had
something TO do with their collection in
cities and towns. They are willing to en-
dure some disadvantages for the sake OF
giving Jhsir children the advantages of the
public schools.
one OF the best things which can happen
20 any village is the gift Of a library with
small fund for the establishment
or a reading room II is b no
means necessary to put zap d sep
aratt building for this purpose. Ia every
country town there is somebody generally
a spiaster or widow living alone-who Will
be glad 10 act as Librarian and spare oae
room Tor this purpose or II 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 90 buy
good selection Of standard books and supply
from time 20 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. A consignment OF
books is sent to a certain town. and left
there for a certain time, when &c Is re-
placed by another consignment. and ten
thousand volumes are kept in circulation in
the State o. Wisconsin alone. Thus the peo-
pie get chance to read the best OF the new
books. and can decide what 10 purchase IL
they have any money 10 spend on such lux
uries. II almost seems as II it 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 20 the people and a falling-on
in the sale Of subscription books to far
mers and villagers