The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-08-12

ClUullE ne Ab4C@0Ilk - iAS4t.t n
distributed % twelve Ill raricS.
Work of The Library COmmi~Siop
Nothing Is ~ more impcrttrce -
the library interests of the State. res-
ever. than the appropriation mace -
the recent Legislature for the stab
lishment and operation Of a State syS-
tenn Of travelling Hhrar4es. No.fn Gar
DINA. following The examrl. .f
number of other States, establ.ah9l a
Library Commission in 1908 t. We
State aid and announcement To III
rary extension. Briefly the Dbl.c- Il
the commission is th-eefold:
l. To encourage and assist In rs
establishment Of new libraries anc
the Improvement Of Libraries nlfeaq.
established.
2. Tho serve as Il enter for re
collection and distributor - n4f.r-
nation relating to books and libra
rleS.
3. To supply the country people
with books.
Unfortunately the commission APP
preparation was wholly Inadequate
and it was impossible for ii to carry
out all the objects for which Il "a
created; it did not nave Suficter.
funds to supply the ra-al population
with books. But with the additional
appropriation above referred to. the
commission will be able to undertake
this work on a small scale.
The welfare Of the country Is the
welfare Of the whole nation. Dean
Bailey, speaking Of some Of the things
which should be lone for the general
betterment Of country life. says that
we need to spread the reading habit.
and that every social or educational
organization that exists in the country
should be a means to this cad Expe-
rience has proved that the cheapest
and most efficient method Of supply
ing country people with good literal
ture is by means Of q state system
Of travelling libraries and the report
OF the Country Life Commission spcci-
hca1ly mentions travelling libraries AS
one OF the agencies contribntin. 10
the welfare of the open country. A
the population OF North. Carolina il
largely rura1-over IS per cent accor4-
ing to the last census@the7e is a large
field and a wonderful opportunity iur
the travelling library system which WIN
be put into operation. October ]. 1919.
The Libraries on Their Travcls.
A-travefng library, as its name IN.
plies, s a collection Of books which
travels from place to place. the num-.
Der and character of the books ,arv.
A travelling library may contain Only
BOOKS on agriculture and country life:
It may consist entirely Of liternturo IN
some political or social question:
sometimes it is a collection for mo
use or study clubs. the collections
sent to schools consist entirely Of
books for children; bat the usual ~
cling library is nothing more OF los
IMAM a miniature public library con-
tanning books on all subjects for ooth
l adults and children.
limited appropriation,
n travelling library principle may
pc utilized IN various ways but the
a lAlhH4 nv NAVp m ~
: lAmiteo appropriation, will confne It's
Work TO the following phases OF trav-
e1lhg library service: General travel
ing nbrarles; Debate or package lib
rarfes; the General loan collections:
e ana Special collections on special sub
jects.
The general travelling libraries VII
contain forty or fifty volumes, about
twenty being fiction, fifteen books for
u chlIoren, and the remaining volumes
y me most attractive and popular books
5 oi geography, travel. science. etc. The
BOOKS Will be shipped in a stout case.
} euuipped with shelves in order that
, ! may serve as a bookcase when II
e reaches IT'S destination.
Y The rules governing the loan "A
tneSe libraries will be as few and sim
PIE as possible. Borrowers will agree
- Apply all transportation charges. Il
axe good care Of the books and TO re
: urn them promptly, and to lend then
y ~i'hout charge 20 all responsible per
q sons In the community. A library ma,
: De Kept three months or six months
II desired. 1t win then be returned t.
me COMMISSION office, and another
containing an entirely different col
u iectlon Of books will be sent 10 tax,
he its place.
- General Loan Collection.
X Inc General Loan collection vii
supplement the regular travelling lib
~ raIies. winch, as has been explained
ID will be made UP into fxed pronns
sc hle the fixed collection affords IN
T. best service for general reading othe
70 DOCKS are needed to satisfy indiyId.a
III calls Tor teacher and for clubs. An,
TINS IS the object Of the General l1a.
20 coIectlon. The books have been *
=. lected With the view Of meetino !, r
- everyday practical peeds Of Nort