Rural libraries. Page: 16
ii, 50 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
16 FARMERS' BULLETIN 1559
shells, ship models, and old newspapers of historical value, all of
which are labeled.
The library is in charge of a board of five members who appoint
the librarian. The expense of maintaining the library from June 5,
1925, to June 5, 1926, was $1,262.86, which included expenses of
reconstructing the new building. The important ordinary annual
expenses are librarian's salary, $144; janitor's salary, $60; interest,
$120; insurance, $15; fuel, $15; water and light, $26; and new books,
$60. These expenses are met regularly by various kinds of local
entertainments participated in by town and country women.
The women are undaunted by the $2,000 debt. They regard it as
a stimulus. They know that continued work, more community effort,
and mutual aid by town and country people will eventually
wipe it out. It must be liquidated, for they see in the future a new
library building on the same spot. They also see illiteracy wiped
out, rural book-hunger satisfied, children's mental wants supplied,
a higher level of general intelligence, and better town and country
cooperation.
COUNTY LIBRARIES
A recent development is the county library. The first county free
libraries were established in 1898 in Van Wert County, Ohio, and
Washington County, Md., as original county libraries, and in Hamilton
County, Ohio, through extension of the privileges of the Cincinnati
Public Library to the people of the county. Two-thirds of
the States have passed laws permitting the establishment of such
libraries. Two hundred and forty-five counties are financing some
form of county service. Since the State law was passed in 1920 the
people of one-third of the 21 counties of New Jersey have voted to
establish county-tax libraries, which are now in successful operation.
Of the 58 counties in California, 46 have county libraries. Two
counties, Mariposa and Plumas, have recently contracted with the
neighboring counties of Merced and Sierra for library service.
The county library is a central free library for the whole county
with more or less extensive and changing collections of books established
throughout the county in the form of branches (fig. 7) or
station libraries or school collections. Books are transported from
the central library to these branch or station libraries near the people
to be served (fig. 8) or to the people direct by book automobile, by
mail, or by other mode of transportation.
The central library is open to all, and individual book service is
available by mail. The central library may be a newly established
one, or the county may contract for county service with an existing
city or neighboring county library. It is established by vote of the
people or their representatives, the county governing body, and is
maintained bv a small tax or money voted from the county fund.
It may be a gift to the county. It is governed by the county board
or by a library board appointed by the county board and is operated
by a librarian who is trained in a library school and who is assisted
by a competent staff, some of whom make frequent visits to the
country branches. Existing libraries usually may come into the
system or remain independent.
County libraries are now circulating not only books and periodicals
but phonograph records, pictures, films, lantern slides, sheet
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Nason, W. C. (Wayne Crocker), b. 1874. Rural libraries., book, April 1928; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5941/m1/18/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.