Page:Library Legislation - Yust - 1921.djvu/11

Rh (2) The levying of a regular tax, the rate to be determined annually by the general tax-levying authority. This rate may be fixed by law as to its minimum or maximum or both. In either of these cases the latitude allowed the appropriating body makes an inadequate income always a possibility and frequently a fact. (3) The levying of a regular tax, the rate of which is determined by the library authority, as is the case in Indiana. This follows the school plan of the newer states and intrusts those best qualified to judge with the power to provide an adequate income.

The second question relates to government and control—whether the law should define in detail the method of organization and management or whether these matters should be left entirely to the local authorities. This gave rise to two types, the short law and the long law.

The short law prevailed almost exclusively in the New England states but found its briefest expression in the Texas law of 1874, which read, "Any incorporated city may establish a free public library and may make such regulations and grant such part of its revenue for the management and increase thereof as the municipal government may determine." Such a law allows the fullest freedom to the citizens in each locality to organize and operate the library according to their own views. It is therefore calculated to enlist a large measure of popular interest and its success presupposes a high intellectual and civic standard.

The long law on the other hand aimed to insure the establishment of the library according to approved methods and to safeguard it against too frequent change and political interference in its management. The best early illustration of this type of law is the Illinois act of 1872. It consists of twelve long sections, which fix a maximum tax rate, define the number, mode of election, powers and duties of the trustees, and prescribe various regulations for the management of the library. The