Page:Traveling Libraries by Frank Avery Hutchins.djvu/11

Rh Traveling libraries must have books that will interest the people whom they are intended to benefit; they must be put in the right places, in charge of the right people, and they must be carefully supervised. The most needy places must have carefully chosen books. An habitual reader will read any respectable book rather than be idle, but the range of books that will hold untrained readers is very limited. Libraries made up of gifts from private libraries have rarely been permanently successful. The people who have tried to lay up treasures in heaven by contributing old books to traveling libraries have often injured a most worthy cause.

Libraries in country communities should be in homes or public places where people feel free to go. If the books are to help the families that need them most, they must be in charge of people who seek every opportunity to reach such families. It frequently happens that librarians who mean well weary in well doing. They need the encouragement of occasional visits from enthusiastic leaders. If personal visits are not practicable, they should receive frequent letters. Above all they need the stimulus of a hearty appreciation of their work, for their work is often trying. All this means that some one shall give the time for careful supervision. When a library has done its work at Station A, it should be examined and, if necessary, the books should be cleaned and mended before it is sent to Station B. If the books have been well cared for, the librarian and the patrons should be thanked. If they have been carelessly used, a very carefully worded statement of the fact should go with the next library.

The charging system should be as simple as possible. The librarians are unpaid, and all labor that can be saved them should be done at the central station.

In selecting, classifying, and preparing the books, in examining and mending them, the work will ordinarily be better done if it is under the charge of a trained librarian,