Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1901 — Where Folks Read. [ARTICLE]

Where Folks Read.

In four counties of western Massachusetts no less than 120 public libraries are in operation, containing 825,000 books. The towns where they are located have a population of 307,000. One of these libraries was started with money from a dog tax, and another was begun with dollar contributions. Where a special building is lacking, the books are cared for at the town hall, engine house, school, or the residence of some public-spirited citizen. Some of the librarians give their time without salary. In several cases the pay is from 35 to S3O a year. One librarian bought a book with her own money, charged two cents a day for its use until the cost was covered, and then put the book in the public collection. The will and the way on the library \juestion have got together in Massachusetts. The total value of all farm animals and-live stock in the United States is more-than $2,000,000,000. More than half that value ($1,200,000,000) Is in cows, oxen and other cattle.