Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-07-27
TRAVELLING LIBRARY
SUPPLIES BOOKS TO SPARSELY
SETTLED COMMUNITIES.
Country Public schools and Clubs
Benefit by This Excellent Institu-
tiOB-HOw the Plan Originated
Work of Women.

Benefit by This Excellent Institu-
tiOn-How the Plan Originated.
Work of Women.
Mrs. Annie L. Diggs, state librarian
of Kansas, describes the operation of
the system of travelling libraries In
vogue in the state. She says:
This beautiful impulse to share our
good gifts found expression in our own
time and country in an enterprise
which in the last few years has taken
on the name of the travelling library
The story of its genesis is this: In 1892
Mr.. Melville Dewey. librarian of the
New York State library, inauguratcd
the system in that state. Following
New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio
and several other states took up the
work as state enterprise. In a ma
1ority of the states there are now more
or less largely developed plans being
carried out by the wOmcns clubs
whereby books are sent to neighbor-
hoods which need or want them.
Our own travelling library system,
which the Kansas legislature two
years ago made Il part of the state IL
brary service, was built up to fine pro-
portions by the clubwomen of this
state. In 1897 the State Federation of
Women's Clubs undertook the collcc-
ton of books by donation and carried
on the work of sending them over til"
state for nearly two years At the time
the legislature adopted the travelling Ii
brary the federation turned over 5000
books and "a cases.
The clubwomen had paved the way
for Legislative adoption by tirelcss
work in acquainting the legislators of
the merits Of the system and of the
high appreciation of communities
which had been able to secure the
books. A law was passed In 1899 es-
tablishing the travelling libraries com
mission and appropriating $1,000
year for two years for the purchase of
books and cases. The work of caring
for these and serving the public was
turned over to the state library.
The Judges of the supreme court be-
came under this law the directors, with
power to name members of the COM
mission aside from the state librarian
and the president of the Women's Fed
Grated Clubs. These were specified in
the law. The commission as organized
in July, 1899. consisted of Mrs Annie
L. Diggs. chairman; Mrs. Mary "
Humphreys, Mrs. Lucy Il. johnson,
Mr.. Edward Wilder, Mr.. ii. G. Eari-
mer, with Mr.. James l.. King secrcta-
ry. There are now $500 books In the
travelling libraries. One hundred and
nine libraries are now out in various
parts of the state. There are on file
more applications than can be filled un-
til some of the libraries are returned.
The method of obtaining case Of
books is to address either the state IL
brarian or secretary of travelling libra
rics commission asking for the printed
blanks to be filled out by the applicant
The requirements are very simple
the only guarantee being the signature
Of one or more citizens who will an
Swer for the care and sa fe return of the
library. There are 30 books in each
case. A fee of So is asked to cover cost
Of transportation. This is the sole ex-
pense for the use of the so books for
six months time. The various tastes
and needs of various communities have
been thus far ascertained by asking
the parties sending for books to name a
list of books desired, and as nearly as
possible the request is granted.
The best literature of the world is
sent out, books of travel, biography,
history, poetry, popular science and fic-
ton. ~ large percentage of the libra
rio t,
country places. Some go to village
stores or postofIices, others to study
clubs and some to farmers houses. The
prime purpose of the enterprise is to
take the books to sparsely settled COM
munities where the thirst for reading
cannot otherwise be met. 1t is my very
earnest desire that the outcome of my
talk tonight may be the means of send
Ing to many Il Kansas farmers home
and fireside the books which will bless
and brighten the lives of both the old
and the young people of our state.
l have been told that the one great
reason for the dissatisfaction of young
people with farm life is the monotony
and lack of social pleasure. l can think
OF no greater remedy for this than the
reading of entertaining and instructive
books, and, oh, there is such a world of
good literature! There is no ailment of
soul or hardly Of body but that some
good book holds the message and mis-
sion of cure. Through books of travel
the reader may go around the world
and never stir from his "ain" fircSide.
Books of biography tell the stories of
the lives of the good and the great, the
men and women who have struggled
and succeeded. These lessons of other
lives carry great inspiration and serve
to shape the career of the young read
er.
Municipal Politics.
The Importance which the govern
ment of our cities is assuming In the