The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-06-20

There are many people within Nez
Perce county who do not know what the
free library law passed by the last legis-
lature is, nor how much good it contains
for the moral and intellectual develop
ment OF the people Of the state. This
does not mean that our people are ig.
norant, but simply that the details OF this
excellent measure have not been brought
properly to their attention.
The law provides that the governor
shall appoint three persons who, with
the state superintendent of public in
struction and the president Of the state
university, shall constitute library
commission. 1t also defines the duties
of the commission. 1t appropriates
5000 for the purchase of books and ex-
penses, making 5000 for current
year and a similar sum for 1902. The
governor appointed Mrs Samuel Hays
and Mrs. Edward Dockery Of Boise, and
Mrs. Eliza Kercheval of Rathdrum, as
members of the board. by virtue Of
their official positions. Miss Permeal
French, state school superintendent. and
J. A. Mclean, president of the state uni
versity. became members, ex-oficio. Of
the commission. At the organization of
the board Miss French was chosen chair
man and Mrs. Dockery secretary. Both
reside at Boise.
The commission is empowered to re-
ceive bequests. Twenty gifts of fifty
dollars each will mean twenty new sta
tions. Any individual or club that do
mates $50, or the value Of one case, may
secure the benefits Of the gift to particu-
lar community by attaching condition
to the effect that library station be es-
tablished in that locality
These travelling libraries are cases of
books containing about 50 volumes Of
standard books. divided a. follows: One
third Juvenile books, one third fiction
and one third miscellaneous. A case Of
books Is sent by the commission to .
given town, where the books are circu-
lated for four months; the case is then
forwarded to some other place and case
Of entirely different books is substituted,
thus giving to the community securing
place on the circuit excellent reading
matter absolutely free Of cost. The
object Of the law is to enable every school
district in the state to ultimately own I
free library. s
The manner Of obtaining free library
is simple and quite Inexpensive. "A
library organization should BE- organized
composed Of not less than six person.
who are taxpayers, interested in librar,
work, the purpose Of this organization
being to provide, for the control and saf,
keeping Of the books. Afer the officer,
are elected the secretary may then max,
requisition to the secretary Of the fre,
library commission for % applieatios
blank to have that community made ,
station to receive cases Of the free travel
Ing ibrary. On the association's receip
Of the blank the name of the librarian
Iselected by the association to have chare,
Of the books. i to BE inserted in th,
space ard the application signed by ii,
respousible persOns of the association
ard the same returned g the secretar,
q Boise. Al soou thereafter = possibi'
the community Will. be nsade library
lstation."
i Persons intesested ID this class of wosl
should addfess the secretary It Bois
|. and secure copies Of the ~, . IT. PRO
i visions are e long 10 -. reprinted IN, th'
7Lpppce, devoted "a the article. /,
e Nes Perce q I larSs county. Il hA