The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-11-05
IBRARY EXTENSION
IN NORTH


A"o E1isSfAitls iAasH irsl1 Inc Ia
PRODUCTION Of the Report OF the Com
missioner OF Education OF the United
states for 1911. ~sumuarizsa. the
progress in library extension through
out the country. s~t forth a picture
OF library conditions prevailing in tho
various states which. In view Of the
near completion of the new State la
brary building ard tho approaching
meetings OF educational and civic
betterment associations in tho State.
IL worthy OF North Carolin.'s ce-t
consideration.
The library extension movement
outside the public school system ct
had been & there ~eariieFl was
given definite impetus rs the cstlA-
lishInent OF the Siate-supportei Ia
br;lrT CoriniSsion in 1909. Results
have been piisiled through this
body which have been Of far rcach-
ing significance. but In order that
North Carolina fnay receive the fu:l
benefits which fnay be derived from
this special work. the public must
larger appropriation must ha set
aside with which To prosecute II. The
paragraphs showing what IL being
done In other states follow:
The modern conception OF the
duties Of the public library extends
~ ~
curing the library to find a reader
for every book on its shelves and
provide a book for every reader. and
In all cases to bring book II reader
together. NOT merely the residents
Of cities and towns where libraries
are located, but also the inhabitants
Of the rural districts. however re
mote, are entitled to this service. The
public library is made an essential
factor in the educational SYSTEM. both
H. ap~ 20
all classes OF people throughout life.
and also because OF its corporation
with the public schools, which con
Stantiy becomes more intimate ana
useful. The functions OF tho library
extend beyond the storing and pro-
vision OF material for reading anu
study. and include, beside photography
and reference, the use Of It's building
as a place Of deposit for collections
in science, art, or history. and as a
place of assembly for lfcturea club
meetings. exhibitions. and all inter
ests outside the schools which pro
mote education and culture. The
) present movement to broaden tho
scope OF library activities Is notice
able in nearly all civilized lands.
"In his country the t~ax-support"d
) public library. like the public schooi
5 is now the accepted type. because ootn
. are recognized as integral parts OF
! our system Of public education. Fur.
thermore, following the example OF
: the public school systems, which have
s developed under State care and sup.
port, the aid and encouragement OF
| the State Is now accorded 70 puol.'
: library systems TO a them 70
fulfil their function Of furnishing free
books to all the people. ThIrty-hVo
states are now conducting library ex
!, tension work, either through com
missions or through other bodies
.~.1 tCEnffP
differences in organizations and meth
y DDS. the common aim Of these state
agencies is to the eStab
lishment OF libraries in all com
munities able to support them ana
to promote the efficiency OF libraries
: already existing. In Twenty-Five
states books are made more Wldeis
accessible by means OF travelling u
: braries. designed especially to reach
the rural population. large portions q
which are still unprovided with book
facilities
North Carolina's annua appToprld
ton for this kind Of work Is ]i,ooo
hich. obviously. IS too small 70 carry
il on adequately. For similar pni
poses IndiIna ~appropriates
$4,000: Tennessee, $500. Kentucky.
a SIS 900: Nebraska. 5000: hcd Is
land, $4,000; Maine, 10000 Min
!. nesota. $1,000: New York. $4,000.
Viewed in the light OF these para
:. graphs and from these statistics TAKEN
> from the Body OF the Report IN which,
the extension activities OF eacn stat"
/. are given, it becomes clear that North
: Carolina should strive To secure:
u |. More Unsupported pubic u
> braries hich would not only s|rNe
| tho inhabitants Of the town or H}s
9 IN which they arc situated, Our tf'
I surrounding country IS we'll
Q 2. Larger appropriations Tor the -
go, ~ :SSinr nv means OF Hnl4f
. i could extend its work ta) In oPtrtl
: ing a complete system Of dehAte stoay
I club. and travelling libraries -, -
aiding in the crgani2Ation q 8"
public libraries; tc} IN lGtheS
: .f.ranca- 70 inuf.ir.ra for information
= on any subject. ID, in giving TRAN
ing at normal schools and teachers
n institutes in library adtnInistra,i"h
;, and lei in disseminating. through II
onarterly bulletin. l~nf"rlni'ioh wiz
- Z5-Sr p. AN t4EFfFR HfF.-