Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-16
STATE LIBRARY.
Its Rapid Growth During Past
Two Years.
The Development Of the Travelling
Library Has Been Large.
Interesting Summary Of State Libra
Ass-siaw's Coming Report.

rent year, W0lcnrWlIl SOon De Teduy
for the printer. In this report Mr..
Carver will review the true condition
and the immediate needs and wants
of the library. so that the people of
Maine may be able to appreciate the
extent and value of it's educational
work.
The rapidity with which the library
has been developed and extended in all
it's departments during the past two
years is little known by any one out
side its walls. and scarcely realized
and comprehended even by those who
carry on its work. Even at this time.
in reviewing the work of the last two
years, Mr.. Carver himself has been
startled and surprised beyond express
sion at the rapid growth of this de-
partment.
The section of the library work
which evidently is of most interest to
the public, though not most valuable
and enduring. is that connected with
the travelling libraries. When the
last Legislature met. there were AZ OF
these libraries, containing 80 books
each. Of a total of 200 volumes. There
are now 50 of these libraries in active
use. or 1000 volumes. These books af-
ford entertainment and instruction to
10000 readers, annually, as indicated by
records returned to this office. They
are increasing in use in the small
towns. neighborhoods, and even in the
lumber camps of Maine. They are
sought after by high schools, and prove
very helpful to study clubs and
oranges. They supplement the local
libr aries in their efforts to give COM
plete and satisfactory service to outly-
ing districts in their several towns. In
this State there are 325 oranges with a
total membership of "a, 900 persons. The
Woman's Federation comprise 1O5
clubs. with a membership of nearly 5000
students The other clubs and literary
associations i'm the State represent
nearly 5000 more persons. Our high
schools. academies, colleges and small
libraries representing 500 organizations
contain 10000 students. Altogether
and institutions in the State. represent
ing over $4,000 readers, which have
free and equal right to demand the use
of these libraries. or of any single VOL
unle that can be safely loaned from the
library. When these facts are reflect
Cd upon and it is considered that the
tendency of all classes of persons and
institutions is to rely upon the good
offices of the State to supply their
wants. there can be but little doubt that
this branch of the State library is des-
tined 70 sustain an almost Unlimited
growth and expansion. 1t must be
easily apparent to any one who has OBJ
served in any degree the growth or
this part of the library, that the travel
ing libraries will have to be doubled IN
number within the next two years to
meet the demand that now comes for
them.
If the Legislature shall consider it
wise and Just to place limitation upon
the use of the State library in educat-
ing the people, and shall restrict within
a narrow limit the books that may be
loaned. and the number of travelling Ii
braries that may be sent out to the
people. this growing demand upon the
time. labors and resources of the Ii
brary will be checked and retarded. 1t
is reasonable to believe. however, that
the time is near at hand when the
State will be called upon to furnish
every citizen. at his home. with good
reading. This work will have to be
undertaken and carried on by the
State library. acting in cooperation
with the free libraries and literary or
ganizations above mentioned.
1t is not alone in this section of the
library work that the department has
been largely increased. The exchange
of public documents and reports has
nearly doubled since January. 1900.
Exchanges have been effected with
twelve states. whereby Bowdoin Col
lege. the University of Maine. and
The Maine Historical Society receive
the publications of these states in eX-
change for those sent out from this
State. Exchanges have also been
made with the Provinces of Canada
Germany Hawaii. Porto Rico. and with
the leading universities throughout the
land. The distribution of documents
has been largely increased and re-
duced to system. Over 200 Libraries
and other institutions of this State are
now receiving. regularly, every publ
cation issued. The Maine Historical
collections are now placed in these To-
cal libraries and cannot fail to create
III tue Stuus VI tiit hiotpi
of Maine. and of her resources. ant
of her unrivaled beauty. Owing t.
the large increase in this section o
work. Mr.. Carver thinks it will b'
necessary to ask the Legislature to Sc
apart for the use Of the library an in
creased number of each publication
Not less than 400 copies should be 81
reserved for our use instead of one
half that number. now received for ex
change and distribution.
Fight thousand packages have beel
sent out by express since the las
Legislature adjourned. and as man
letters and. PARCELS have been trans
mited through the mails. The librar
has grown very rapidly in the perma
nent acquisition of books and othe
works suited to historical studies. an
in it's legal section. During the pas
two years 10000 books and pamphlet
have been added to the library TIL
library now contains over $4,000 La
reports. digests and statutes. embrac
ing decisions of every court in tn
United States. Canada. England. Ire
land and Scotland. The reports {
Australia. Van Diemansland and Ir
dia. when secured. will complete
collection of decisions of every coul
OF the world that are printed in ii
English language. The library is no
receiving histories OF every state an
oil