L8J 7 '7iB5 r' j? YT17Ag i. ~~-TL.ftBJIPPL$IT;,.: r: '~ i"i:;;-~=s=L~r:,::~:` i':~:: r: i;-,.~~~ i r;-llcls-i23(DIILL* - EN!WS;Act"i"" ci u MFtri sueiil -1~ ~~, u~. ~~' r ~:.pr ~~-~~I::Cf'~' ~~ -::.T iii I.IIL:~. ~~;';.IC...~., —.CZ I ': ~j~r ~~. is!:L-?:::C ~~ ~ —~,;- -~~~.~r-.:~~~s II I I MICHIGAN B0 STATE AID TO LIBRARIES TRAVELING LIBRARIES REGISTERED LIBRARIES LANSING, MICH. WYNKOOP HALLENBECK CRAWFORD CO., STATE PRINTERS 1905 i I 0 __ _ ~, Il Iru a I It ~ II - rr ~ -s I'~ 'I I-~~ STATE AID TO LIBR A T RAV E LIN G R EG I STE RE D R~IES LIBR~ARE L I BR A RIES LANSING, MICH. WYNKOOP HALLENBECK CRAWFORD CO,~ STATE PRINTERS 1905 INTRODUCTORY. In this pamphlet there has been an endeavor to give as simply and concisely as' possible, a full explanation of the methods devised by the State of Michigan fQr the organization and extension of libraries. The scope of the plan is broad and comprehensive; under it every resident within the borders can have the privileges offered by the State Library and by the Board of Library Commissioners.. It is for the people of this commonwealth to decide whether she shall keep the lead in this great educational work, or whether through neglect and indifference, she shall fall back to a minor position among the states where she is now a leader. Illinois, Ohio, Wis — consin, Indiana, all close neighbors, are appropriating generously and devoting much time and energy to the problem'of library extension. Michigan, with the means at her disposal, should not fall behind these states with which she is 'so closely connected historically, politically and socially. STATE AID TO LIBRARIES. The object of this publication is to make as clear as possible to the people of this State the rights which they have, and the privileges to which they are entitled in the State Library and from allied organizations, under the laws which have been 'enacted in the interests of library extension in the State -of Michigan. There are two plans by which the State is aiding in the organization and extension of libraries. 1. The traveling library system, which is under the direction of the-State Librarian; 2. The registration system which is under the control of 'the Board of Library Commissioners. 0(.) TRAVELING LIBRARIES. The traveling library has for its object the introduction of good books into localities where there are no libraries, and where it is difficult to procure desirable literature. These libraries are educational in their character and are made up with direct reference to the wants of students, especially of young people, by whom they can be used.in connection with their school work. They consist of fifty volumes, selected with great care, and with a view to interesting both adults and young people. They are arranged under the following subjects: Fiction, history, travel, literature, biography, ethics, religion and science. FOR WHOM INTENDED. The traveling libraries are intended for farming communities and small villages where there are no public libraries; for towns and villages which should support a public library, the loan of the libraries being for the pur-. pose of arousing public sentiment, which will result in the establishment of a permanent library. In all cases it is hoped and expected that the traveling library will be the entering wedge to the establishment of a free public library in the community where the books are placed. HOW TRAVELING LIBRARIES ARE SUPPORTED. The libraries are purchased by an appropriation made by the legislature for this purpose. The first appropriation was made in 1895 and has been 5 continuous since that time, the legislature making the appropriation every two years, and increasing it gradually as the importance of the work has been more and more appreciated by legislative bodies. ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH TRAVELING LIBRARIES ARE SENT. - (1) TAXPAYERS' APPLICATION. For towns and villages the taxpayers' is the most desirable form of application. Twenty or twenty-five taxpayers may unite in an application for a traveling library, naming the trustee, and the trustee naming the librarian. Papers for this purpose will be sent by the State Librarian upon request of any individual. This is a desirable method for a village, town or thickly populated district, as it brings a larger number of people in actual contact with the libraries. (2) ASSOCIATION APPLICATIONS. Farming communities where it is difficult to obtain the necessary number of signatures of taxpayers may apply for a traveling library under the following organizations: Oranges, farmers' clubs, reading clubs, Epworth Leagues and similar organizations, women's clubs and any society organized for the purpose of study. Association applications for libraries will be sent by the State Librarian. The papers must be signed by the officers of the association, the librarian and the endorser. SPECIAL LIBRARIES. To aid the club women in the state, special libraries are prepared and are made up of books bearing on the subjects studied by the club. In preparing,these libraries the program of the club work is followed as a guide. These libraries are —sent to women's clubs under the association application. Special attention is paid to the women's clubs working in the rural districts, and in the small towns and villages. FEES. The only expense attendant upon the traveling library system is the annual fee of $5.00, which pays the transportation expenses both ways on four libraries if takenr-,during the year. - For the convenience of the borrowers this sum is-divided into a fee of $1.25, which pays the transportation charges both ways on one library, and which must be sent with the' application. TRANSPORTATION. The traveling libraries are sent in boxes made for the purpose, the covers - of which screw down. Each library and case has its own box. These boxes should be carefully stored, and the library returned in the box in which 6 it is sent. Libraries are shipped by freight, the charges both ways being paid/by the State Librarian. LIBRARIES ARE FREE. The traveling library books must be loaned without charge to any person in the community who will observe the rules made by the trustee and librarian. If necessary, money enough to pay the fee may be collected from the patrons of the library, and fines may be collected for books kept over time. These fines may be used in paying the fee, otherwise there can be no charge for the use of the books. TIME LIMIT. The libraries may be kept for three months, and an extension of three months longer will be allowed if requested. Six months is the limit of time, unless some excellent reason exists for further extension. LOCATION OF LIBRARIES. A traveling library may be located in any place decided upon by the trustee and librarian, which may be convenient to the public. In a community where there is a public library the books may be placed with that organization, but should be kept in their own case, and the records carefully made upon the cards supplied for that purpose. The libraries may also be placed in stores, post offices, school houses, churches or private residences; but in all cases the convenience and comfort of the borrowers must be considered. The local arrangements are left entirely to the judgment of the persons in charge of the libraries, the state only insisting that the books shall be well cared for and returned promptly and in good condition; reasonable wear and tear, of course, is expected, but any mutilation or wilful abuse of the books should be charged for at once by the librarian in control of the library. (2.) REGISTERED LIBRARIES. These libraries are controlled by the Board of Library Commissioners, and are loaned for the purpose of aiding in the organization of new libraries, and of strengthening those already established, which may-need help, by furnishing them with additional reading matter. Under this plan any library which is free to the public,, and which has on its shelves one hundred books, not counting government and state documents, may borrow from the Board of Library Commissioners one hundred books to be kept for six months, when upon a further purchase of books, another loan will be made. This loan applies to township, district and school libraries, if free'to the public. -' 7 - -; VILLAGES AND TOWNS HAVING NO LIBRARIES. Villages and towns large enough to-support public libraries but which have none, are offered by the State Board of Library Commissioners, as an inducement to establish free public libraries, the loan of 100 books: Provided, That the town or village will establish a library, and can show to the board 100 books placed upon the shelves of the library. These books may be kept for six months, and at the end of that period if another purchase is made by the town or village the loan will be repeated; this arrangement to last until the library is self supporting. RULES. The rules governing this transaction are few and simple, and are as follows: 1. All registered libraries must be free to the public. 2. The libraries must have a suitable custodian, and be placed' in a room properly provided with book shelves and tables. They must be open to the public at least part of two days in the week. 3. A township library applying for registration must agree to use the fines as provided in the Compiled Laws, 1897, Vol. 2, chapter 11, section 11. COMPILED LAWS 1897 V. 2, Compiler's Section 4762. SEC. 4762. The clear proceeds of all fines for any breach of the penal laws of this state and for penalties or upon any recognizance in criminal proceedings; and all equivalents for exemption from military duty when collected in any county and paid into the county treasury, together with all moneys heretofore collected and paid into said treasury on account of such fines or equivalents, and not already apportioned, shall be apportioned by the county treasurer before the first day of June in each year, among the several townships in the county, according to. the number of children therein, between the ages of five and twenty years, as shown by the statement of the superintendent of public instruction provided for' in the preceding section; which money shall be exclusively applied to the support of the township and district libraries, and to no other purpose. 4. A yearly report must, be made to the State Board of Library Commissioners by the officers of the registered libraries. -Blanks for the report will be furnished by the board. 5. Lists of books on the shelves of the registered libraries must be filed with the State Board of Library Commissioners. This list not to include government publications or state documents. The main object of this plan is to stimulate the community to establish a free public library of its own, and to use the penal fines, as designated by law, for libraries rather than for general school purposes. VILLAGES AND TOWNS ALREADY HAVING LIBRARIES. Villages and towns having organized public libraries, but which through lack of funds have not been able to make frequent purchases of books, may also receive from the Board of State Library Commissioners the loan of 8 100 volumes, always with the understanding that the money raised by penal fines is to be used exclusively for the purchase of books-for their own libraries. In this case also the loan is kept for six months and a further loan made upon additional purchases. This loan also applies to ladies' library associations and other library organizations, but upon the condition that while the libraries are under their control, the books must be free to the public. LIBRARIES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES. Requests for books in foreign languages will be received. It will, however, take some time to prepare a library of this kind, after the application shall have been filed. In the loan- to towns and villages having established libraries, the books owned by the state will be under the charge of the local librarian, and the rules governing their use will be made. by that officer. TRANSPORTATION. In the transportation of the books loaned by the Board of Library Commissioners no fee is required, but the transportation expenses both ways are paid by the borrowers. FURTHER PRIVILEGES UNDER THE? REGISTRATION PLAN. Patrons of registered libraries have also the privilege of borrowing from the State Library individual books, as they may be needed by students pursuing certain lines of work. By this plan the State Library, with its thousands of volumes, is open to every person in the state who may be connected with a registered library. This arrangement is of vast importance to residents of Michigan who are pursuing special lines of study, without the advantage of the use of a good library.