Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1920 — GOOD BOOKS AT ALL CROSSROADS [ARTICLE]

GOOD BOOKS AT ALL CROSSROADS

American Library Association Urges Adoption of County ' Library System. IDEA PROVES SUCCESSFUL. California, the Pioneer —Other States Adopting the Plan. The American Library Association, in announcing its “Books for Everybody” movement, which is to be nation wide in its scope, advises and urges the extension of the county library system as a solution of the problem of supplying good literature to the rural districts. Its intention is to persist in advocating the nation-wide adoption of the idea as successfully applied in California, Ohio and Maryland until every one of the 2,964 counties in the nation have adopted the system and regular shipments of good books are being made from the central point in the county to the designated outposts. California stands out as the hlghpoint in the successful application of the idea. Of the 58 counties in the state 42 have adopted and are supporting the system at a trifling cost. This it urges as g part of its enlarged program which nims to promote a better citizenship and to combat the social and industrial unrest through the teaching of American ideals and traditions to the foreign born. . The book needs of the sixty million or more Americans who live outside of the big cities will be called to the attention of those in a position to serve them. County Libraries Urged. The county library system provides for establishing one central library at the coupty seat or in the largest town in every county. This does not mean necessarily the erecting of a library building and the stocking of Its shelves. In many cases the tools already exist. From this central station books will be loaned to designated outpost stations. The books will be delivered by trucks, parcel post or whatever jnethod may be adopted in any given county to the country stores, tollgates, post offices, schoolhouses and private homes. When one shipment has been circulated and returned another will be sent out. Also, in communities of any si2e In the county, branch libraries will be maintained. The American Library Association, with its 4,000 active librarian members and its 40 years of practical functioning, Is in a position to the needs of the country and in the fight for wider knowledge is a force to be reckoned with. The Enlarged Program calls for an expenditure of $2,000,000. There will be no drive or Intensive campaign. The money will be raised by the librarians, library trustees and friends of libraries. * The movement for better citizens and a well read population Is on and the slogan'is “Books for Everybody.”