Newark post., 1913-06-25
The Wisconsin Idea
Lc0ntinued ION &c 3 J

who do not graduate from college.
Another speaker Of the extern
sion division told Of the Packet
library system which is popular in
Wisconsin. These libraries are, in
part, clippings from books. maga-
zines, papers, and, in some cases,
the written opinions of experts on
live, up-tO-date. popular subjects.
\ feature of this work which has
grown to be indispensable of late
is that Of aiding citizens or business
men who have been called upon to
address civic leagues in their home
towns upon important questions of
the day. The department sends to
such men, and others who are to
discuss papers, such material as will
aid them in the study of their par
ticular subject, the material often
including typewriter excerpts
from authorities. Many of the sub
jects studied for these addresses
are comparatively new. or upon
new phases of old topics, and in
vOlve considerable research by
members of the department. The
correspondence Of this department
clearl V reveals some noteworthy re-
suits in supplying to clubs and de-
batting societies good material on
the important questions of the day.
The debating societies have dis
carded fruitless themes for ques-
tiOns of municipal, state, or ma
tional policy which are demanding
settlement by the electorate. With
abundant material for the study Of
live topics have come new inter-
est in these societies. They are
steadily growing in number and in
interest, bcause the meetings are
more stimulating and helpful.
Many schools which formerly or
ganized societies at irregular in
tervals now maintain them as per-
manent features. During the past
few years the number of civic clubs
in the small communities has great
ly increased (now numbering more
than 276 in Wisconsin, and they
are becoming great force in the
moulding Of public opinion. Many
Of these leagues have gratefully ac-
knowledged the fact that their con-
tinued success is largely due to
their ability to secure data from the
library Of the department. The
growth Of this work and its pop
ular appreciation is shown by the
statement that. in 19JS-09, 524
Packet Libraries We're sent out,
and in 1911-12. 2450.
Another worker gave an idea Of
what the University gave an idea Of
providing lecture and entertain
ment courses through the state.
This department endcavors to keep
in touch with the high schools,
churches, oranges and Iyceums Of
Wisconsin. and, by suggestion and
instruction put the lecture and en-
tertainment courses Of these va
rious agencies upon a higher plane.
The people Of the state are thus en-
abled to secure better lecturers and
the music is greatly improved. The
Bureau furnished many high school
commencement speakers, loaned
many lantern slides for illustrated
lectures upon given topics, and so
took those factors, which we have
come to look upon largely as aes-
thetic, out of commercialism.
Through this agency alone last
year the University reached $50,
900 people, and the work is rapid
" growing.
One Of the most important de-
partments Of the extension division
is the Municipal Reference Bureau.
This Bureau has now an accumula-
ton of Approximately 10000 docu-
ments including city charters, re-
ports, books, periodicals, special
articles, and clippings touching
upon the various effects of civic
government, and it is seldom that
a request is received for which some
reference cannot be found in the
files of the library of this depart
ment. During the two years end
ing July 1, 1912, nearly 5000 re-
quests were received and answered.
The subjects upon which requests
were received covered almost every
phase Of city administration and
government, but the largest number
have been received upon the prob
lens of practical administration
and finance. More requests came
in on the subject of commission
government than upon any other
one; street oiling, garbage collec-
tions, sewer cleaning, city accounts
and municipal markets have been
some of the others upon which the
largest number of inquiries have