Connecticut western news., 1920-06-03
FARM JEWELLERS
 ASK FOR BOOKS
Announcement of the Books for Everybody" Movement
 Brings Letter Flood.
INFORMATIVE WORKS SOUGHT
Requests for Reading Matter Range From Volume on Drainage to Collins Book Of the
 Stars"

The announcement of the entrance of the American Library Association upon the Books for Everybody" move ment and still later news accounts of the activities of the organization along these lines resulted in a widespread appeal from residents of the rural dis tricts of the country for books on farm ing. Whether the American farmer is simply evidencing his ambition to do good job better or whether the better crops of his neighbor, who has attend ed an agricultural college or school, has spurred him on is matter difficult to determine. But the fact remains the farmer is asking for books. The great majority of American farmers are ei- ther without libraries and book service or they are inadequately served.
 One of the points which the Ameri- can Library Association in its Books for Everybody" movement is strongly urging is the extension of the county library system in states where enabling acts have been passed-some twenty one in number-and the proper legisla- ton in others which have not yet talk en the step. The system, with its cen- tral library and radiating lines to sta tions in the remotest sections of the county, assures good books to every man, woman and child who cares to reach out hand and grasp one. /, ,. Letters Show Need of Service. -
 The American Library Association Is not giving its entire attention to the urban dweller, nor Is it neglecting the centers of population for the rural dis tricts and communities, It is, however, unquestionably eager to create a steady flow of informative reading to rural America. That the need for such serv- ice exists and, that. 1t is anxiousiy sought is evidenced in every letter of this nature received by state library commissions and by the A. L. A A few excerpts have been selected because they seem to express most truly the needs of thousands of others.
 When Lydia Carlson, whose farm Is beyond Mason, Wis, asked for copies of Productive Farm Crops," "Pro- ductive Vegetable Growing" and "Prin- ciples of the Practice of Poultry Rais- ing" she echoed the book needs of her neighbors. Then she revealed the fact that her eyes are not always in the furrows by asking for copy of Col lins' Book of the Stars"
 What Others Desired.
 There was a pressing need behind the letter from James Dunn, who lives ten miles from Convent, La, the near est town, which has a population of only 500 people. He asked for copy of Practical Farm Drainage" The task of keeping his acres dry was be- yond him. Walter Williams of Osseo, Wis, wanted to know if he could make fuel alcohol from frozen potatoes and spoiled fruits, and if he could, were there any books on the subject The requests run the whole range of farm operations. Some wish to know how to treat scale. others desire facts on hog raising. Books giving information on crop rotation are in demand.
 The American Library Association is raising a $2.OOO,0O0 fund to finance the Books for Everybody" movement which during the next three years will be carried on in cooperation with exist ing libraries and library agencies. The money is not being raised through the medium of an intensive drive but through the individual efforts of the librarians. library trustees and friends of libraries.