Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-17
DAILY HINTS ON
FARM TOPICS
Reading Circles for Country Com.
.... munitieS
Ely K. A. Kirkpatric (

|
. munitieS.
| A reading circle differs slightly
from any of the organizations which
have been described in the preceding
articles. However, the objects of tht
reading circle are much the same as
In any Of the other enterprises, be.
ing directly those of study and sci.
Improvement, and indirectly tht
improvement OF the farm and the
community.
A reading circle may be organized
along the same lines as a farmers
club and the constitution given tol
any OF the clubs that have been des
cribed would serve, with few VAR,
lations for use in ~ reading circle.
TO organize reading circle few
OF the families or persons who arc
interested should confer and decide
upon a suitable place to keep thu
reading material. This may be at u
school house, country church or al
the home of some one of the fam.
lilies. The County Crop Adviser will
be glad to extend his services in
meeting with any such clubs and IN
securing suitable reading material
for their use.
How the Meetings Are Conducted.
| There are several ways Of con,
Quoting the meetings of reading
circle. One of the best probably lie.
In assigning a certain book or bui.
letin to each one of several member,
! TO be read before the time of some
| coming meeting. At that time eac,,
| person who has been thus assignee,
should give brief review of tn;
| publication which he has read This
review may be written or it may b.
| given orally. The one giving the
review should endeavor to presen,
the leading points and to summarize
the topics discussed in the publica.
ton. In the case of works OF fiction
| or Of these of general nature II
! would be we'll to give some thing OF
the plot or theme of the book oc.
| casionally brief extracts from the
| passages in it.
! Another way of conducting read,
! ing circles Is to select limited mum.
Der of choice works and take these
up in detailed study. For instance
single chapter may be taken up a.
one meeting. This chapter could bt
read as a reading exercise by the
members and then could take UP the
different thoughts treated by the au.
! thor and discuss the bearing which
! they have upon local problems.
Free Libraries May Be Had.
The State Library Commission a,
| Des Moines has prepared a number
Of travelling Libraries which may be
| had by reading circles, individuals:
| IF farmers clubs upon their comply,
| ing with certain requirements. The
| following are the conditions:
l. Agreement must be filed will
the Library Commission before tn.
library can be shipped. Write tn,
Library Commission, State Histori
cal Building, Des Moines, for agree
ment cards.
2. The library must be kept in .
convenient place, open for the de
livery and return of books, at such
'ime as is determined upon by tia
! ocal library or organization, OF
hich due public notice shall Ne
| given; provided. 1t hall be open a.
! least three hours each week. Tho
location Of the library is important
It should be kept at a central acccs.
| Hible point, where people will have
10 hesitancy in going.
8. No fee shall be charged TO-,
he use of these books. Arrange
ments should be made in advance by
subscriptions or pledges for the pay
ment Of the necessary lost of transl
J 2ortation, etc.
4. Transportation must be paid
IN the libraries both in receiving
md returning. The books are loaned
| rec by the state on this condition
| s. The period for which the reg
| llar Libraries are loaned is three
months, but when an extension OF
time is desired, it will be given upon
application. -a
6. Shelving should be provided
| or the books, SO that their care and
! safety may be assured.
The Makeup of the Library.
Considerable latitude may be ex.
srcised in the choice of the books
hat are to compose a library Of this
sort. Recent fiction or books of
| general nature may be included by
| he committee having the matter H.
charge. The following agriculture,
J books are also to be had in the Ii,
brary. Any Of these books may be
,hosen in making up the lot.
| General Agriculture.
Bailey, l.. H. Rural Hygiene
| - ---. Training of farmers.
| .----. State and the farmer
Butterfield, X. l.. Chapters il