The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-09-18
THE LIBRARY Epoch.
Awakening Of Public Interest Of Late
for Good Reading.

Awakening OF Public Interest of Late
for Good Reading.
We are living in what may be
called the library epoch Of our coun-
try, observes the Mortified News.
Recent years have seen a great
awakening Of public interest in
efforts to put good literature within
the reach Of all classes of persons
who can read it and who wish to do
so. The first step in this movement
was taken by individuals in the
community interested; the next by
various literary organizations which
made the library one object of at
tention; the next by associations
formed expressly for the establish
ment and maintenance of libraries
in their respective towns; the next
by sytematic cooperation of public
and private instrumentalities, in
which the individual, the voluntary
organization. the local government
and the state work together for the
common end. So rational is this
movement, and so important, that
the library now ranks with the news
paper and the school as an indispen-
sable means of enlightenment, and a
test of the intellectual status of a
community.
Minnesota is conspicuously promi-
Inent in the movement. The state
has done its part in providing wise
and efficient laws under which IL
braries may be established and main
tanned. and under which their inter-
ests are safely guarded, and in
creating public library commission,
Ito assist local effort, by diffusing
information, promoting unity and
efficiency, and furnishing expert in
struction and aid whenever it is
desired. A library school is held at
the state university each summer.
for the study Of library science,
theoretical and practical, and an
nual conventions give opportunity
for conference and discussion among
the workers.
The last half-dozen years have
witnessed a wonderful development
of enthusiasm in this work. In 1900
there were 80 public libraries, there
arenow 20. There were libraries
supported by associations; there are
now, 20. There were then Z library
buildings in the state; there are now
AZ, costing in the aggregate three
quarters of a million dollars. Be-
sides the public and free association
libraries, there are eleven supported
by subscription, bringing the total
number of libraries in the state up
to 81 Many of these are in small
towns having from 200 to 1000 in
habitants. There are but A towns
in the state of over 1000 inhabitants
in which there is not some library
movement in progress.
The greatest lack in the present
system is of income for the purchase
of books and other expenses. Only
Is libraries in the state, including
Minneapolis, having endowments.
Mortified is one of these, having
the M. C. Skinner legacy of $500,
and at present receiving the income
from the Herman Server legacy of
a similar amount. The principal re-
lance for regular income in libraries
organized under the state law is the
tax levy, which varies in different
towns from one-half mill to two
mills. Mortified with a population
of $500 raises not quite $780, Alex
andria, Fairmont, Hutchinson, Litch-
field. Luverne, Marshall. Morris,
Pipestone, Sank Center, Worthing-
ton. Austin, Owatonna and Moor
head thirteen towns with an aver
lage Of $500 people, raise an average
of 81 ,29O.
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