Page:Traveling Libraries by Frank Avery Hutchins.djvu/5

Rh catalogs. The library was managed, as far as practicable, like a good small public library. The main purpose was to show people how greatly a library may benefit a community, and to create a desire for a local library. From the larger communities Mr. Dewey asked pledges that efforts would soon be made to establish permanent libraries.

The work in New York has been steadily growing, and in 1898 the State Library in Albany sent out 534 traveling libraries. There are now libraries for special students and study classes in many branches of literature, science, and art, as well as for the general reader. Lantern slides and pictures are sent under conditions similar to those made for books. A uniform fee of five dollars is charged for the use of a library of one hundred volumes. Smaller fees are charged for smaller libraries. Despite the fee the local managers must make the library free and accessible to all residents of the community.

In 1895 the legislatures of Michigan and Iowa made appropriations for traveling libraries to be purchased and managed by the librarians of the state libraries. In Michigan an annual appropriation of $2500 was made. In Iowa the annual appropriation is $2000.

In the former State the system was successful from the start. In Iowa it has been equally successful since Mr. Johnson Brigham became state librarian in 1898. Mr. Brigham's experience, however, has convinced him that the traveling libraries would be more successful in securing the establishment of permanent local libraries and in cultivating the "library spirit" in all parts of the State if they were under the charge of a state library commission, of which the state librarian should be a member.

In 1896 the State Library of Ohio was placed under the charge of a State Library Commission, which was given authority to use such volumes as could be spared to make traveling libraries. These smaller libraries are made up to suit the needs of the special organizations sending for them,