Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-15
Librarian Carver Talks About
the travelling Libraries.
A Bic Bunch Of New Corporations File
--s-' - -" 'Papsrs. .-'-.---


Hon: =. D.! Carver, State librarian. re-
garding travelling libraries. The IL tier
was written to the chairman of the
section, Of travelling libraries, and; is as
follows:
=" Dear Madame: Enclosed find a list
showing the places to which travelling
Libraries have been sent from Sept. /.
1901, TO Sept. 1. 1902. You will also note
the names of the persons to whom these
libraries have been sent. These names
constitutes roll Of honor in the library
work OF Maine durihg the past year,
since in nearly every instance 1t will be
found that such persons have unset
fishiy given their time. labor care and
money TO the cause: for the benefit OF
the neighbors and. for the cause of a
wider education Of the community in
which they live. The amount appro-
priateds two years ago for the travelling
libraries, has not proved quite enough
forithe work. You will'see by the dates
given that the call for these libraries
has been almost continuous except DUR
ing July and August. doubt not that
if IScouid have given my entire time
to this branch Of the State library
work the number Of libraries sent out
could have been easily doubled. The
movement is in its infancy now. since
l have not attempted to force its growth
by the usual aid Of circulars, letters,
lists Of books and other Incentives Of
like character. The study clubs of the
state and high schools. as well as the
grange are manifestinE desire for IL
braries suited to their wants and pur-
poses. We NOW have several historical
lfbrarfes:; One on Russia. the gift Of
the Dial club Of Fairfield. one on Ger
many. two Of English history, art and
literature. and one on Rome and Italy.
We have five libraries on natural
history. science and literature. There
seems to be a call for still more special
libraries. There has been some crifi-
cism, Of the tendency to let out these
libraries to clubs, oranges and associa-
tions ola like nature. :,
THE objection is raised that tbs pri.
mary purpose wac to supply all citizens
Of the town with books free. a library
Of fifty books. cannot circulate among
al the people even Of q snail town in
six months. "A library sent to grange
or club. receives fully as large p:tren-
age as one sent to ritizeis MT large in
the same town. In fact libraries sent
TO these associations appear to be more
thoroughly real and are usually, re-
turned in better condition--so that any
theoretical objection to the exclusive
use of "a library has no real basis in
practice and in the good results OBJ
taine6. Heretofore We have been often
the libraries to applicants. We shall
quests OF this l,ature IA. the printer is
now at work on the titles Of all books
in the tilvelng libraries. Such lists
Will be Of little practical value since
there is. rarely more than one or two
libraries not in use. at any one time.
1T often happens when list is sent
out showing what libraries are on hand
and the person sends 4 request for a
certain library. 1t viii be on It's way to
some applicant w!lo 'hos called for it in
the meantime. We are obliged to make
frequent changes in these libraries. es-
pecially in the fiction department ow-
ing to the wear and tear OF the books.
so our lists now being printed will be
very misleading Il year hence. since
nearly one-third OF the books will have
to go to the -bindery and be replaced
by others Of different titles, and later
date. The calls for libraries OF all
fiction are quite frequent now. At the
present time our travelling libraries
contain fully 40 per cent. OF fiction and
ii becomes 4 grave question whether
that proportion should be. increased
The study clubs and oranges call Tor
books of a more substantial character
while not entirely ignoring fiction
am inclined to think that II the travel
ing Libraries rises above. fiction In the
desires and tastes of its patrons such
Improvement must be worked OUT
through tile influences OF these ALSO
Citations. The local free library, the
won,an's club and the grange are the
best possible guardians and, directors
of the, reading Tor their several COM
munities. For these reasons l nope
your federation will not cease IN work
!! or interest in this department OF tnelr
former invaluable service ana ara.
The statement: should have been
made yesterday, in connection. with tne
geographic, sketch ef the late f'osernor
samuel Cony.s. that. the portrait pre-
sented to the State was the 'glft Oh non 'l.
j. H. Maniey. df,Aususta- -
The Maine library Association will
meei,in FAIRFIELD, today. It IS expectea
that the attendance will be large.
The foiiovlns is an. abstract Of the
ANNA, report Of the washington 'coun-
ty Railroad for the year ending june
80. 1909:
~ INCOME ACCOUNT.
Cross earnings from operation 20 9is 20 %
Operating expenses.
$3.50. - 2.90s. -
Interest on funded ue'' ~ io.sss.sc
taxes.
Deficit for year eloi's '' $3.50 Il
pefici. June 50. 1901. l.o..s..o.
| % ,oo, - s19s, O6c. &c
Deficit Sung o. revenue. SlsS,c60.:O
| Total mail revenue. IA -
Total express revenue, S's,S ss
! Extra baggage and storage, ,n5 "a Il
| Total freight revenue, sSo =
Ofher revenae. 1sS
| - .nua,.t sa6l 81. "a
If.,ts -. SKI, ASSETS a MO 40 %