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

The Cnfe1 Justice Oh the supreme
Court of Wisconsin said recently in
an address: In this great educational
forward movement, it is very plain
that the library is having every day
a greater share. - With every
properly equipped library which
throws open its inviting door TO the
public or makes its way in its snug
box to the rural community. there
is a distinct addition to the teaching
forces Of the State. for every library
is a school. and every competent libra
rian is a teacher This conception
OF The library as a means of educa-
ton and as a school is
in striking contrast to the old idea
that libraries were Of two kinds those
~frequented by scholars and book
worms and those which circulated
and children.
The aim of the modern library is to
educate all the people all the time,
and because the w~ell-equipped and
well-administered library does this.
the progress of library extension in
North Carolina is Of great importance
in the educational advancement Of
of the State.
Has Gone Forward Rapidly.
The development Of libraries in the
United States has been SO rapid that
VIC O. z - W ,
and how very new the library move
ment really is. At the beginning Of
the nineteenth century there were
only about $4,000 volumes in all the
public libraries in the whole United
States. now there are over 100000 In
the public libraries in North Carolina
alone. Although the movement is stu
in it's infancy in this State, marked
progress has been made. In 1900
there were few libraries; the last re-
port OF the Library Commission lists
seventy-1ve, thirty-nine OF which are
public libraries
It is now generally recognized that
the community which does not main
tain q public library lacks n Of the
most important factors making for
social and intellectual advancement.
The public library is no longer regard
ed as a luxury but as a necessity in
every w~el-ordered town; neither is
it considered a private or charitable
Institution to, be supported by indi-
viduais or donations, but as a public
institution to be maintained by public
funds. 1t is just as necessary for
people to work together In the matter
Of books and reading as in looking
!. after their schools, streets and other
: public enterprises
, More Money Is the Need.
: Few libraries have adequate in
{ comes pUt fortunately people are De-
: ginning to realize the value Of the lib
rary and the possibilities for the ex.
: pansion Of its work, and are there
S fore giving them better support
Every year a few report increased ap-
4 preparations. During the past yeal
: Charlotte secured an increase of ST..
500 from the city and $500 from
M~ecklenburg county. The Olivia
Raney Library, Of Raleigh, has re
q Gently received an additional appro
: priation of $1,000 for its regular worl
d and for the maintenance of q chill
! dren's room. Two Of the smaleI
towns. ReidsviIle and Mooresville
have also obtained appropriations.
= There are now sixteen libraries il
y North Carolina supported in who'll
h or in part by the town Or count
Beaufort county makes an appropria
ton for the Public Library Of Wash
ingtOn: Mitchell county for the Good
Will Free Library Of Ledger: an,
M~ecklenburg for the Carnegie Iibrar
Of Charlotte. In return the librarie
II extend their privileges to all the PEG
>, pie Of the county in which the librar
is located. This extension Of 1ibrar
privileges to country people is tn
- most recent development Of the Ibray
"a movement, and is meeting with re
&c markable success IN various parts q
js the country.
Nv Library Buildings on The Increas,
t. During the year Waynesvine. Cor
1g cord and New Bern have acquired ne
Nv homes for their libraries. Concor
Of raised 5000 by public Subscription
purchased a building, and made sue
repairs as were necessary Ia conya,
n it into a suitable and attractive bon,
ne Tor the library. Waynesyille sne,
liy $1,000 for its library building. and n
rack Memorial Library Of Ashevi1
received about $500 from the pac
ianiIiy ior permanent improvements
Wenty-seven libraries arc NO
re housed in homes Of their own AZ
"a anotner Carnegie building is in conr.
o. constructor at Hendersonvil,e. "
. Sarheele mas promised $4,000
Charlotte to e~nLar,e its building Az
ms month announcement has bee
made that he would give $40 ooo
- greensboro for a library for neera.
me total amount Of DIR. Catneeie
'g1fts to North Carolina hbrar:., !,