Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1920 — FARM DWELLERS ASK FOR BOOKS [ARTICLE]

FARM DWELLERS ASK FOR BOOKS

Announcement of the “Books for Everybody” Movement Brings Letter Flood. INFORMATIVE WORKS SOUGHT Requests for Reading Matter Range From Volume on Drainage to Collins' “Book of the V Stars." The announcement of the entrance ®f the American Library Association Upon the “Books for Everybody” movement and still later news accounts of the activities of the organization along these lines resulted in a widespread appeal from residents of the rural districts of the country for books on farming. Whether the American farmer is simply evidencing his ambition to do a good job better or whether the better cror>s of his neighbor, who has attendjA&n agricultural college or school, has M-urred him on is a matter difficult to determine. But the fact remains the farmer Is asking for books. The great majority of American farmers are either without libraries and book service or they are Inadequately served. One of the points which the American Library Association in its “Books for Everybody” movement is strongly prging is the extension of the county library system In states where enabling acts have been passed —some twentyone in number —and the proper legislation in others which have not yet takCn the step. The system, with its cenitral library and radiating lines to stations in the remotest sections of the county, assures good books to every knan, woman and child who cares to reach out a hand and grasp one. Letter* Show Need of Service. ‘ The American Library Association la tot giving Its entire attention to the jurban dweller, nor is it neglecting the (centers of population for the rural dlsItricts and communities. It is, however, eager to create a steady (flow of informative reading to rural (America. That the need for such serv|ice exists and that it is anxiously (sought Is evidenced In every letter of (this nature received by state library (commissions and by the A. L. A. A few (excerpts have been selected because Ithey seem to express most truly the (needs of thousands of others. i When Lydia Carlson, whose farm its beyond Mason, Wis., asked for copies (of “Productive Farm Crops,” “Pro(ductlve Vegetable Growing” and “Principles of the Practice of Poultry Raising” she echoed the book needs of her (neighbors. Then she revealed the fact (that her eyes are not always in the (furrows by asking for a copy of Colilns’ “Book of the Stars.” What Other* Desired. ( There was a pressing need behind (the letter from James Dunn, who lives (ten miles from Convent, La., the nearest town, which has a population of only 500 people. He asked for a copy (of “Practical Farm Drainage.” The (task of keeping hl* acres dry was beyond him. Walter Williams of Osseo, Hvis., wanted te know if he could make kuel alcohol from frozen potatoes and spoiled fruits, and If he could, were (there any books on the subject The (requests run the whole range of farm Some wish to know how (to treat scale, others desire fact* on (hog raising. Books giving Information on crop rotation are In demand. # The American Library Association Jis raising a $2,000,000 fund to finance ithe “Books for Everybody” movement which during the next three year* will foe carried on In co-operation with exl*tIng libraries and library agencies. The «noa*y Is not being raised through the » me'dlum of an Intensive drive but (through the individual efforts of the librarians, library trustees and friends •f libraries.