Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-06-27
LIBRARY COMMISSION
PASSES THIS WEEK
Work of Commisson Will Be TAX
en- Over by Board Of
Regents.
COMMISSION ESTABLISHED
BY LEGISLATURE IN 1907
Prominent and Influential Citi-
zens Were Members at Var
ions Times.

One result OF the new laws which
90 into effect July lst is the passing
Of the public library commission and
ne transtereDce OF supervision OF IL
braly work in North Dakota to the
BOARD Of regents.
The North Dakota library commits
sion was established by act OF legfs-
.aIuTe in 1907, and consisted OF the
state superintendent OF public instrus-
lion, the president OF the state Ii
)rary association and n member to
De appointed by the governor. An an
aua! appropriation OF $500 was made
Tor expenses. The duties of the COM
mission were outlined in four depart
ments-educa.ional, reference, trav-
cling libraries, legislative reference
and field work. Two years later the
appropriation a. materially increas-
ed, and two members were added to
the commission-the secretary Of the
state historical society and one ap.
pointed BY the governor.
Appropriation Too Small.
Since the appropriation in 1907 was
insufficient to maintain an ofnce for
he biennium, non Ia opened until
4 year later, when quarters were as
signed the commission in the capitol,
and a secretary with training in H.
brary science-Miss Zana K. Miller,
from the library school of Wisconsin
was employed to organize the work.
Too much credit a not be given
Miss Miller for the mastery way IN
which sch started the different de-
partments, laying firm foundations
which have needed no change. No
amendments Of note have been made
to the North Dakota library law since
1909, until the 14th legislative assem-
bly, abolished the commission by
transferring its duties to the newly
created board Of regents. This &C.
ion was in line with the %consolida-
ton of educational agencies and econ.
omizing state funds by reducing the
number Of small commissions.
Members Of the Commission.
The commission was fortunate in
having as its first members such en-.
thusiastic library workers as Frank
]. Thompson, Fargo, president of the
library association, and w. l.. Stock.
we'll, superintendent of public instruc.
ion, from whose Office travelling Ii
Draries were already being sent for
distribution to rural schools. Mrs.
Minnie Clarke Budlons was the third
member, appointed by Governor
Burke to serve two years.
Mr.. Thompson was president OF the
commission from its organization,
March IA, 1907, until the election Of
a new president Of the North Dakota
library association in November,
1908, made BY Dr.. ~. G. Libby, Grand
Forks, ex-officio member in his place.
Dr.. Libby was president of the library
commission from December, 1908, un-
til January, 1919, when A. f. Sheets
Of Lakota was eelcted. He "a the
last 10 hold the office.
w. L. Stockwell retired from the
commission when his term as state
superintendent of public instruction
expired. He was succeeded by Z. j.
Taylor, Grand Forks, who remained
an ex.officio member until the COM
mission ~disbanded.
Amended Laws.
The legislature Of 1909 amended
the law by adding two members to
The commission. These were the sec
| rotary of the state historical society
and one to be appointed by the COVER
nor. AS Dr.. Libby, secretary of the
state historical society, was already a