Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-21
EIGHTEEN DELINQUENT.

1t appears from the annual report
of the Iowa Library Commission that
there are eighteen counties in the state
which have not yet provided them
selves with free public libraries, not
withstanding the activity of the COM
mission and the generosity of Andrew
Carnegie. Adair. Allamakee. Audubon,
Butler, Clayton, Davis, Fremont, Han
cock. Keokuk, Louisa. Ringgold. Shell
by. Taylor. Union. Van Buren,, Wayne,
Winneshiek. and Worth are the back
ward ones in this regard. However. in
the other eighty-one counties there are
LOG free libraries, and some OF them,
such as the one at Upton, in Cedar
ty, have begun the development OF a
countrywide service by means of viii
lage and farm house branches
During the past two years the towns
Of Galva. Grundy Center. Patton. Sac
City and Sibley have all awaited them
selves of the right to levy taxes for
free library purposes, and Mr.. Car
negie has dealt out to Ciarinda Hum
boldr, Lake City. Laurens. New Hamp-
ton, Onawa, Red Oak, Rockwell City.
Sheldon, and Woodbine, library build
ings which are to bear his name, in
scribed in stone over the portals for at
least a century to come.
Al Onawa, however. Judge Addison
Oliver has given $4,000 to the public
library Of his home town which will
always stand as a monument to a
brilliant and public spirited citizen.
Very soon now Grundy Center Usage.
Osceola, Missouri Valley, Sac City and
Spirit Lake are to receive library
buildings from Mr. Carnegie, sixty
seven of which are now standing in
this state besides eight contributed to
colleges, and the above named six
either in process or being planned.
The members of the library com.
mission serve without pay because OF
their love for the extension of library
work and the fact that in the entire
state there now remain only eighteen
counties in which free public library
has not been established speaks vol
urnes for the broad distribution Of in
telligence accomplished by the COM
mission The number OF applications
from debating societies, women's clubs.
study circles and individuals for ref
<ha a'- $rop inc
libraries of reference has grown from
$4,000 in the former biennial period to
20, 900 during the period just passed.
and the extent Of this distribution of
ly $4,000 volumes in a two year period.
The result of the work has been to
bring the states immense collection Of
books within reach Of every citizen
who will take the trouble to inquire OF
the commission secretary as to what
he wants and who will pay the trans
portation charges both ways.
1t IS confidently predicted for the
commission that by the end Of another
biennial period there will not remain
a single county in the state Of Iowa so
backward as to be without its free
public library. Public spirited citizens,
presidents Of women's clubs, school SUI
Iperintendents, preachers mayors and
college graduates among the business
and professional men Of each OF the
above named eighteen dsliaauents
should meet early this Water and start
the public library moveme1t. The time
IL soon to arrive when the finger Of
public scorn can be pointed TO only one
or two counties in great state with