The farmer and mechanic., 1912-07-30

served as medium Of exchange Of
experiences and suggestions which
have been in every sense helpful and
stimulating.
Publicity.
Eight years ago notices of library
activities were treated by the news
papers as dead" matter The local
reporter did not drop in the library
on his beats" Nor did the arranger
of programs for educational meetings
think it necessary to include in his
educational bill Of fare the discussion
OF some library topic. But that day
has passed and the press has splen-
oidly come TO the aid of the library.
1t recognizes it as one Of the large
forces making for the uplift Of the
masses, and the teacher has come to
rely on it as the laboratory in which
some of his best work is done.
Library Extension.
A movement which has recently
| forged to the front in North Carolina
( has been that OF University Extension.
| The State Literary and Historical AS
sociation has interested itself in this
| work and number Of teachers from
the various colleges Of the State have
endeavored to carry it forward. In
their undertaking they have had hear
ty support. The library and the
| woman's club have each contributed d
to this end. During the year the Lii
brary Extension Department Of the
Federated Women's Clubs appropriat-
ed $119 for books to be circulated
among the clubs as aids in special
! study and the North Carolina Library
Commission equipped and operated d
regular system of free travelling de-
bate Libraries for schools. The Uni
versity Library, in further extension
Of its services to the public. sent out a
number Of special collections for use
in the preparation of themes, ora
tons, and debates, and in doing this
its example was followed by many
other Libraries of the State.
What More?
The record, so far, has been splen-
did. But further progress is posi- bls
and must be had. To this end the Lii
: brary Association has defined for it
self a special library platform, tht
principal planks Of which follow
The cooperation of every librarian
and public minded citizen is asked t.
help bring about the desired results.
: l. Every town in North Caroline
having more than 1000 inhabitant
!. must have a free, tax-supported pub
lie library.
4 II. A definite, adequate fund mus
s be set aside by the county boards o
e education for the equipment an'
r maintenance of a good library in ever
State supported high school in Nortl
Carolina.
Y III. A course of instruction in sim
: pie library methods must be give
q every teacher who is to have charg
= Of a public school library in orde
q that the proper use Of the library ma
y be insured.
a ". An adequate system Of fre
g travelling libraries must be put int
: operation by the State SO that ever
l. rural community or school, or WI
lage may be able to borrow from tim
to time upon payment Of transporta
e ton charges a collection Of forty G
st fifty volumes for it's entertainment, il
y instruction, and the enrichment OF il
'r finer, inner life. The State mu:
r come, as the cities have, to recogniz
l. the importance Of having circulatin
State library free to all the citize1
'r under proper restrictions, just as
l. has a fixed reference collection for tk
le benefit of it's State officers, and tn
lg circulating section must be the di
ID seminator of sweetness and large
e light.
l. This platform will be presented
~ all North Carolinians who believe
the wider extension Of education
l. agencies. Can you stand on 1t?
r TOOK HIM FOR A FRIEND.