FRANKLIN COUNTY FREE TRAVELING SCHOOL

LIBRARY.

TWO YEARS' RESULTS OF A FREE TRAVELING SCHOOL LIBRARY.

A Free Traveling School Library for the use and benefit of children in rural schools,—is such an idea practicable? Yes, for Franklin County, Ohio, has had one in successful operation for over two years.

Under the law of Ohio the Probate Judge may be said to be at the head of the rural school system in each county, in that upon him devolves the duty of appointing the Board of County Examiners who have charge of the regulation and control of the county schools.

Having been fortunate enough to be elected Probate Judge of Franklin County, I desired to do what little I could to advance and improve the country schools in this county. Investigation showed me that whilethe school children in Columbus, the county seat of Franklin, had accessto many excellent libraries, those out of the city, even a short distance, were almost destitute of literature of any kind. The more I gave the subject attention the more I found that even in the families of farmers well-to-do, the stock of literature consisted mainly of the Bible. a hymnal or two, possibly Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress and some agricultural papers, rarely anything more. Being familiar with various systems of traveling libraries in this country, I determined that a free traveling library should be established for the school children. To my aid I called the three Franklin County School Examiners, Messrs. J. A. Wilcox, L. L. Pegg and C. L. Dickey, men devoted to the development of school work and school usefulness, who ably assisted me. Of course the first thing needed was money. Strong in the faith that generous friends. would be forthcoming I immediately began ordering and selecting books, and preparing for their enterprise. Nor were they disappointed; Mr. William F. Burdell, the President of the States Savings Bank and Trust Co. in Columbus, a very public spirited gentleman, immediately raised by subscription a large sum of money, so that there might be no embarassment on account of lack of funds.

We began our work by sending out 19 cases. Gradually these havebave been increased to the number of 57 with the immediate prospect of more. The object is ultimately to place a case in each school district in the county, about 150 in all. When we use the term "Circulating" Library” we mean one which circulates in reality. The cases do not come back to a common starting point, but after remaining at a station about six weeks or two months, they are all moved on the same day to other stations.

The cases are filled with the best books on history, travel, biography, science and good fiction. Each case contains 35 to 40 volumes suited to

children between 10 and 16 years of age. Through the liberality of the members of the Legislature from Franklin County, copies of Howe's Historical collection of Ohio have been placed in every box.

Strange as it may seem the only opposition with which the scheme has met has been from rural boards of education in certain places, who feared that they might be put to some trouble or expense. Happily now, our success has removed this and we are teaching the children that the library is theirs, theirs to enjoy and develop. Through their efforts by entertainments, etc., cases marked as their contributions have been added, and Washington's Birthday has been set aside as Library Day for the purpose of encouraging the children in their work. Had the writer not already transgressed the space allotted this subject, a fund of interesting and pathetic incidents might be related of the good accomplished and the actual, pratical results. We can only say that our plan has surpassed our fondest expectations and our only difficulty is to satisfy the cry which goes up all over the country, "More books, more cases." Truly can we agree with Col. Higginson's assertion that the spread of free libraries represents the same popular impulse in the 19th century that the cathedral represented in the 13th. Both stand alike for the spirit of the age.

Any county in the state can have a similar School Library. The cost of instituting it is not great and of maintaining it, almost nothing. The care of the cases and their transportation is wholly voluntary on the part of those who gladly lend their assistance to a movement so philanthropic in its purpose. A complete catalogue is furnished each caseand a system of card reports keeps the superintendents of the library informed as to the location and condition of each case. One of the most encouraging features in connection with the idea is that the demand on the part of the children is continually for the best literature, particularly biography, history and travel. In this age of cheap and excellent books for children, the filling of cases should not be a difficult matter.

Once the school authorities of other counties realize the benefit of Rural Free Traveling Libraries for children, they will not stop until the whole state is covered with these instruments for moral and mental improvement. TOD B. GALLOWAY.

AKRON.

AKRON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The Akron Public Library has its rootage in an earlier organization, the Akron Library Association, this being the outgrowth of the Akron Lecture Association.

Through series of lectures which continued for many years, membership fees and generous donations, the association grew vigorously. In

1873 the library had assumed such proportions that it required more care than the association felt inclined to give, and it was offered to the city, rovided it received proper support. The proposition was accepted in January, 1874. The library began its career as a public one in March of the same year. The city bought three rooms on the second floor of the Masonic Block and the library occupied these until October, 1898. It now occupies the entire second floor of a new block. One room is devoted to a fine library of music. The reading room, reference room, delivery counter and stacks are in one large bright room. Gifts to the library have not been many. A bequest of $500.00 by Robert Henry, a carefully selected library of music by the Tuesday Afternoon Club, statuary and pictures for the decoration of the new rooms secured through the efforts of Mrs. Wm. Murdoch, sets of books given by the Century Club or Daughters of the Revolution and occasional volumes given by generous patrons, comprise a too brief list. The City Fathers, forgetful of their pledge of support, sometimes neglect the library for the advancement of sewerage, or it offers a shining mark to the seeker after retrenchment. The growth of the library has been slow. It contains some 19,500 volumes and has an active circulation. MARY PAULINE EDGERTON.

BEREA.

LIBRARY OF GERMAN WALLACE COLLEGE.

The date of foundation is that of the college, 1865. Its growth has been very slow, the principal increase dates back but a few years. The books are mostly German, imported from the Fatherland. They are to a great extent theological, philosophical, and historical. Many of the books have been donated; others have been purchased for the library by friends of the college. A friend of the school presented us with $500 last year, to be used for a fund, the interest of which will be used to purchase books. There is also an association of former students, the object of which is to contribute books and funds toward the support of the library. At present the library is growing rapidly.

This memorial building is a gift to the University by Mr. and Mrs. John Baldwin, Jr., in memory of their daughter, Philura Gould Baldwin, who died March 6, 1892.