Highlights THIRTY MILLION RURAL PEOPLE now have new or improved public library services available to them as a result of State plans under the Library Services Act. State funds for the development of rural public library service in all rural areas have increased 54 percent since 1956, a significant and impressive gain. Local appropriations for all rural public libraries have increased 45 percent since that date. County and regional library developments have brought public library service for the first time to over 1 million rural children and adults and substantially improved service from specific area projects to 7.6 million more. Some 65 rural counties and an equal number of New England towns formerly without any public libraries are now receiving library service. Approximately 200 new bookmobiles have been placed in operation in rural areas under Library Services Act projects. More than 5 million books and other informational materials have been added to the resources of rural communities. State library agencies have been able to strengthen their staffs by adding some 90 field consultants, which represents an increase of 80 percent over total field personnel in 1956. Over 280 separate project activities to extend and develop rural public library service were included in the 50 State plans in the third year alone. Large increases in library usage have resulted from the availability of new books, films, recordings, more library staff, bookmobiles, and added library branches and stations. Major effort in State plans has been the demonstration and development of county and regional library systems. Over 400 counties and 645 New England towns are participating in such projects either to introduce library service where it has never been available or to improve inadequate book and information services. This publication on progress during the first 3 years of the Library Services Act was prepared by Helen Luce, Library Extension Specialist, Herbert A. Carl, Research Librarian, and L. Marion Moshier, Consultant, under the general supervision of John G. Lorenz, Director, Library Services Branch. Credit is given to the following for photographs listed by page: For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D.C. Price 60 cents |