Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-17

OF all the benefactions Of the modern
library movement not one is more ap-
preciated than the travelling library. This
reaches out to people who are not able
to come to the library building for books.
In the rural districts. where there are few
diversions and few opportunities to Sc
cure new thoughts and ideas. the travel
ing library is a Godsend to many an
isolated farmhouse. Its books are fire.
quently better appreciated than those cir
culating from the city library, where the
multiplicity Of interests frequently tends
to distract the mind from reading.
The first travelling libraries on record
were those established in Scotland in
1910. where they were used principally
for religious purposes and circulated
from parish to parish. In 1871 the pub
lie library of Melbourne, Australia, lent
books in cases Of fifty each to out-of-
town branches. circulating in this way
about 5000 volumes. The first education
al travelling library was sent out from
Oxford University in towns where the
university extension lectures were given.
1t Is thus shown that the origin Of the
travelling library idea is essentially Brit
1sh. although the United States has de-
veloped 1t and put it more broadly into
use.
The Seamen's Friend Society of the
United States began the work Of travel
Ing libraries on board ships about the
middle Of the nineteenth century, and
about the same time the United States
government provided the various light
houses along tho Atlantic coast with COL
lections OF books which could be ex-
changed at intervals.
+ y
These were small efforts, however. and
New York was the first state to adopt
the travelling library idea
Adoption by as 1t now prevails
~ cA~. throughout the country.
SAAS oS"s~s' The sending out of Ii
braries to the rural districts was author
ICED in New York In 1880, but the first
library was not issued until 1893. Under
the New York state library commission
there are now nearly 1000 libraries CTR
culating in villages and towns throughout
the Empire state.
In 1895 Michigan and Montana enacted
travelling library legislation and in 1919
Iowa passed law providing Tor this
means of book circulation. Several other
states promptly fell into line. but Kansas
was the first state to recognize the inn
portance of travelling Libraries to the ex-
tent of the appointment OF travelling
library commission, whose duties consist
In the management anu ScicCIAoA VI huA-
dreds of travelling collections of books
provided by the state, to meet the needs
Of all classes of readers.
The use of good books has now become
recognized as essential to the comfort OF
every American citizen. Last year Mrs.
Russell Sage set aside sum OF money to
be used annually to- provide travelling
libraries to circulate among the fire sta
tions of New York city. as the leisure
time of fireman gives him opportunity
for seIf-improvement Through other
sources provision has been made for
travelling Libraries at telegraph stations
for the messenger boys. who. through the
inspiration of books thus supplied, fire.
quently are able to prepare themselves
for something more than the blind al
ley occupation Of the messenger service.
The rural travelling library, however. is
the one receiving most attention. espe-
cially now that conservation OF the social
and educational resources Of the country
is receiving so much consideration. In
1903 the New York state library commits
sion began Offering home libraries Of ten
volumes to any rural residents desiring to
receive them, and each year the circula
ton of these small book collections in
creases.