The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-02

Library and of tke University OF Texas"
This Is a distinguished but we'll deserved
compliment to Mr.. John p. Kennedy,
state librarian. Mr.. Kennedy has, indeed,
rovolutlonlzed tho State Library and put
1t In shin-shapc. In addition to the cx-
cellcnt work he has done within tho
building, he has established travelling
othcr parts of the State.
Under n recent net Of tho Assembly, tho
virginln state Library Is empowered to
equip and maintain libraries of this char
actor, but, unfortunately, the bill nppro-
priating five thousand dollars necessary
to carry this law into effect, failed to
receive sufficient mid to secure it's pas
snge. This condition OF affairs, however,
has not caused q cessation Of the efforts
to pncn. books In tho rural districts. So
clctics, clubs, and In many Instances,
individuals have donated sufficient lltera.
turc Of tho highest order to enable the
State to equip several libraries. which
have already been pluced in the field.
Collections arising from this philanthroplc
source have far surpassed expectations.
The literature received Is most excellent,
clearly Indicating tho great caro- and
purpose Of the donors.
A travelling library usually contains fifty
volumes of assorted books selected as
people whom 1t Is intended to serve.
1t Is an itinerant collection OF books and
pamphlets. serving nowhere permanently
and maintaining It's distinct identity and
purpose. It constitutes in part a unit
Of education, originated TO meet tho de-;
inands Of the people living within zones
nffordng no literature Of advantages, and
In following In the path of other nligra-
tory agents, its office Is to revitalize,
through individuality, the interest in books
stimulated by It's predecessors. Each
collection Is numbered and placed at a
given point. When the books in the sew
eral collections have been read, there is
an interchange, and so on until each col
lection has gone TO every location.
III order to secure the benefits Of this
system, which the Virg Ma State Library
now extends to hundreds OF citizens
throughout the Commonwealth, it is l,rst
necessary that application be made by
ten taxpayers, who sign blanks for
warded them for that purpose. These
Taxpayers form q library board, who in
turn elect Il librarian. who serves at the
discretion Of tho board.
That the purpose OF the State to elmi-
nate all cost In connection with these
libraries may be successfully carried into
effect all railroads deliver to any sta
ton along their respective lines such
collections free of cost. 1t is only neces-
sary, therefore, that an interest be shown
IN the project in order to secure State
aid in this work of education. a book
case, neatly finished, accompanies each
collection. and remains at tho station for
all time; the books travel In separate
form, and after serving as long as the
community desires to make use of the
library, q new collection Is Immediately
forwarded to take It's place. In this
way the barriers heretofore existing,
which prevented the State from giving
help to those desiring it. have been re-
moved. and it Is only question Of
short time until every county will receive
books purchased by the State with tho
purpose of improving its citizenship.
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