The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-08
LET THEM ALONE.
Hoped Legislature Won't Inter-
fere With Library Work.
What the Travelling Library
Has Done Since 1897.

1t is to be hoped that the legislature
will let the travelling library and re-
ference library alone, excepting to give
them generous appropriations. Both are
doing great work. The work of the re-
ference library has been set forth in
these columns.
The travelling library, situated in an
airy west wing of the capitol, is one
of the pIeasantest places in the state
house. 1t has grown phenomenally
since its organization in. 1897, and has
furnished libraries for every county in
the state except one. Mrs. Adrian L.
Greene, secretary of the association,
reports that the average circulation in
one year is 367, 1872 volumes, and that
$4,000 books are now out.
The life of librarian is an exceed
1ngly interesting One-au sorts of ex-
periences to keep her busy. The secre-
tary of the. travelling library has re-
ceived letters from all over the state
from people who love books, and people
who don't; from people who know lit
erature, and others who can't tell
whether the Canterbury Tales were
written by Shakespeare or Poe. A re-
cent communication from small-town
patron left the entire selection of his
library to Mrs. Greene-with a post
script petition beseeching her not to
send any "Ibsen or Browning,"-man
readers would sympathize with him.
Other versatile subscribers order vol
umes ranging from Conan Doyle to
Chaucer. One woman, who had vol
unteered to write a thesis on archae-
oIogy, and wasn't quite sure what it
was, declared that If the travelling
library would write the theme, she'd
munificently reward them.
The library was founded in 1897, and
has flourished since that time. Kan
coc h., firSt cto %0y ard
building an institution of great value
to the people of the state. In May,
1898, the Topeka branch of the state
federation of clubs pledged 500 books
and $40 to gin the work of dispatch
ing travelling libraries to Kansans lit
erarily inclined. Encouraged by this
help, the state federation determined to
donate 5000 books as the nucleus, of
a permanent system. The legislature
was then asked to assume further re-
sponsibility, the bill was introduced by
Justice Henry F. Mason, and was
passed in 1899.
The travelling library was established
forthwith as a state institution, with
an appropriation of $1,000 a year for
it's support. 1t was provided that GER
tain books in the state library be made
available for the use of the travelling
library department.
In compliance with the law, the
trustees of the state library appointed
the following persons as members or
the first commission: Mrs. Annie l..
Diggs, chairman; Mrs. Mary V. Hum
phrey, Mrs. Lucy B. Johnston, H. G.
and Edward Wilder. James
L. King was elected secretary.
The first library was sent out July
90, 1898, to Ottawa county During
the ensuing year, forty libraries were
and forwarded to various
parts of the state.
The first biennial report, made for
190o-1901, lists the number of volumes
at 5,565, and the number of library
trunks at III. |
The legislature of 1901 increased
the appropriation to $4,000, so that
the travelling library now uses $4,000
per year for the purchase of books, |
s2,10O for salaries for the secretary |
and assistant, and 500 for per diem
and expenses of commission.
There are $4,000 accustomed vol |
umes in the library, and 525 trunks.
Books have reached 104 counties and
$40 stations.
The travelling library, as most peo- /
pie know, is sent to debating societies, |
mostly in country and |
small town districts that have no To-
cal library facilities. The service has
been compared to that performed by
the rural free delivery-it's the viii
age library as the rural mail is the
farmers postoff1ce. The larger towns
Of the state have their own libraries
Tor reading and investigation, but no
facilities of this kind are afforded the
country districts except through the
travelling library system.
There are 80 other states in the
Union supplying rural communities
With books just as Kansas does-and
10 other state has surpassed Kansas
n the efficiency with which this work
has been done.