Off to storybook land while a popeyed Yankee Doodle gazes in wonder. Books are delivered to this hospital every Tuesday to a volunteer worker by the North Central Regional Library, Wenatchee, Wash. A. The Whitman County Library was given an integration grant of $13,890 when three incorporated towns (Garfield, Oakesdale, and Rosalia) contracted with it for library service. The funds were allocated to books, both general and reference; staff for technical processes; supplies; furniture and equipment. Circulation has more than doubled, a successful summer reading club program was carried on, and a storytelling workshop held. B. An integration grant of $3,900 was given to the Grays Harbor County Library when the Oakville Public Library contracted with the county agency for service. A bookmobile now serves the children and the town library has extended its hours. The reference and general book collection in Oakville has been strengthened, and the quarters in the town hall have been improved with new shelving, furniture, and new lighting fixtures. Other Significant Facts The 1959 legislature authorized a total increase of $179,611 over the 1957-59 budget for the State library. This includes a $100,000 increase for local library development. Legislation was passed that allows for an increase in regional library board membership from five to seven members. This will provide wider representation on library boards when large areas are encompassed in a regional library service area. A color film, Yours for the Asking, on regional library service in Washington, prepared by the State library, has been widely used. WEST VIRGINIA Statistical Summary Services Counties now receiving library service which were unserved prior to program. People in these counties to whom this service is available. Field librarians.. Other professional librarians. Clerks and drivers.. Others. Total. Personnel added Number 0 0 23 243, 757 3 2032 7 Program Accomplishments, January 1, 1957, to June 30, 1959 The Library Commission's program has been expanded and strengthened with special emphasis on centralized ordering and processing, public relations, assistance to regional libraries, and preparation for new regional demonstrations. The State agency has continued centralized processing for the State collection and has initiated the processing of books purchased from regional funds in the Alpha Region. An active public relations project has been developed for interpreting the Commission's program. A film, Books-Lots of Books, was made by a local television station, and it depicts the organization, development, and services of a regional library. Quantities of the pamphlet What is the West Virginia Library Commission Doing? have also been distributed. Three bookmobiles have been purchased and used for exhibit as well as for demonstration purposes. The Commission staff has also worked actively with the "Operation Library” program of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The two regional libraries, Alpha and Harrison-Upshur, have jointly employed a qualified librarian. The Alpha Region has a collection of over 48,000 books, and use of the library has increased. The Harrison-Upshur Region terminated as a demonstration on June 30, 1959, and continues with local support. The first year of the demonstration in Marshall County in Region 1 resulted in wide acceptance by the general public. In the Panhandle section of this same region, some progress was made toward forming a federation of libraries. In preparation for development in Region 8, surveys were made in Raleigh and Fayette Counties in 1959. Books were processed, and a bookmobile purchased. A statewide 2-day workshop for librarians was held in May 1959 and five area trustee institutes were held. Other Significant Facts A survey of the technical processing services of the Commission was made by a specialist. WISCONSIN Statistical Summary Services Number Counties now receiving library service which were unserved prior to program. 0 People in these counties to whom service is now available.. 71 People in these counties to whom this service is available. 1,812, 852 Program Accomplishments, January 1, 1957, to June 30, 1959 I. There has been a strengthening of the State agency and expansion of services. The reference resources have been increased. A weeding and replacement program has been carried on and many essential titles added to the collection. The staff has been increased from 26 to 34 members. In addition to employees for processing, the augmented staff includes a reference librarian, a research associate, a bookmobile driver, a library consultant on a part-time basis to help local libraries improve their adult services, and a library management consultant to study the operations of the Traveling Library. A three-session conference on "Work Simplification in Libraries" was held. A four-session conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Library Trustees Association and called by the Governor to discuss "The Public Library—An Agency of Government" was attended by 106 trustees. The total attendance of 154 represented 35 counties and 61 communities. Several conferences, workshops, and series of talks have been held on national public library standards. The Wisconsin Library Bulletin has been enlarged and redesigned and a concerted effort made to enrich the contents. One of its purposes is to keep the profession informed on the State plan and program changes and progress. Several brochures on various aspects of library service have been published and distributed, and a Handbook for Wisconsin Library Board Members has been issued. A demonstration bookmobile with a collection of 2,000 books has been made available for exhibits or demonstration purposes. It has been used in Barron, Dodge, Jackson, La Crosse, St. Croix, Washington, and Waukesha Counties. In 1 year it was shown in 60 different locations. The Free Library Commission has worked intensively with 10 county library committees organized to survey and study library needs. One survey, on Chippewa, has been completed and published. II. Southwest Wisconsin Library Processing Center.-A library processing center has been set up in Fennimore for Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland Counties. The first combined book order for 18 member libraries was placed in February 1959 by the Commission. The center began full operation in April, and in May the 19th member entered the project. (Six of the twenty-five public libraries in the five counties are not participants.) III. Shawano City-County Library Improvement.—The project in connection with the Waukesha County Library did not materialize, and a 3-year demonstration extension program for the Shawano City-County Library has been substituted. The development has been in operation for 6 months, and the major activities have been recruiting personnel; selecting and acquiring books, materials, and equipment. The project bookmobile was ordered in April 1959. IV. Four-County Bookmobile Project. The planning and educational program for the Four-County Bookmobile Project, not yet in operation, has been the major phase stressed to date. Meetings have been held with county officials and local sponsors; two area library workshops have been conducted; and a monthlong bookmobile exhibit was held. V. Scholarship Project.-Fifteen study awards of not more than $50 have been made to qualified applicants for study of the course, "Introduction to Library Science" (University of Wisconsin Extension Division), and three scholarships of $1,000 were awarded for a full year of study in an accredited library school. Two have completed their courses. A scholarship winner on the job. Miss Barbara Buffett, bookmobile staff member of the Milwaukee Public Library, was awarded a LSA scholarship by the Wisconsin Free Library Commission in 1958 for graduate study in librarianship. In 1959, Miss Buffett joined the staff of the Milwaukee Public Library to work on the "Johnny Appleseed" bookmobile (also a project under the Wisconsin State plan), serving rural residents of Milwaukee County. VI. Statewide Public Library Study.-In May 1959, a grant of $10,000 was made by the Commission to the University of Wisconsin to be used by the Extension Division and the Bureau of Government for a statewide study on public library services in Wisconsin. An advisory committee has been appointed and plans for a statewide joint committee on public library development have been made to study the progress and plan an action program to follow the study. VII. Milwaukee Public Library Rural Service.-A grant of $38,000 has been made to the Milwaukee Public Library to be used exclusively for bookmobile service to rural areas in Milwaukee County. These areas are under contract with the Milwaukee Public Library for service. The grant was made in June 1958 and service started early in 1959. A bookmobile, stocked with 4,500 volumes and staffed by 2 librarians, 2 aids, and a driver-clerk, has been placed in operation. Other Significant Facts In 1957, the State legislature passed a bill authorizing a county board of supervisors to appoint a county library committee to survey and study the library needs of the county. The committees are composed of seven or nine members, with not more than one a member of the county board of supervisors. Annual progress reports are made to the Wisconsin Free Library Commission. To date, 10 county library committees have been appointed. |