(1) Although Michigan has made a substantial effort in the direction of State support of local libraries, Michigan's rural population is still inadequately served. Of the estimated 830,000 people in the State who are without libraries, about 735,000 live in rural areas. In addition, many others are served by libraries. which must still be classified as inadequate. (2) Although Michigan's tax base is high, like a number of other industrial States we have heavy demands upon the State treasury for support. As a consequence it has been difficult to persuade our legislature to appropriate more than $362,000 to State aid for public libraries for the last 10 years, even though the Governor has recommended substantial increases in order to meet increased library costs and larger populations to be served. For fiscal 1955-56 the legislature has upped the total to $400,000, a token increase. (3) It is difficult to predict the possibilities for increased library-development grants in future State budgets. Certainly we know now that our State will be called upon to provide increasing amounts annually for education (both local and State-supported higher education), mental hospitals, highways, corrections and many other socially necessary operations. In broad terms, the obvious answer is yes, the State of Michigan is capable of putting the necessary funds into its budget. However, because of the competition of some of these other services, it may be much more difficult, practically speaking. The library-services bill would certainly provide stimulation and assistance to demonstrate and establish county and regional libraries for Michigan's rural population at a more rapid rate. Although we have made a beginning along this line our efforts could use a little support. (4) The Michigan Legislature meets annually. It has just adjourned (sine die adjuornment comes about July 14 or 15) and will meet again in early January 1956. With the consent of the legislature, Michigan could qualify immediately for participation in the plan, because our State-aid-to-libraries appropriation now exceeds the amount Michigan would receive. We understand this would amount to approximately $240,000. (5) While we do not have information about organizations other than library and education groups that have passed resolutions about this specific bill, we do know that the Michigan library-development program is supported by the Michigan Federation of Women's Clubs and the American Association of University Women. Michigan's migrant and industrial labor markets attract large numbers of people from other States. Many of these have poor educational backgrounds. It is to the advantage of the State, as well as the Nation, to make any and all attempts at improving the educational level of these people. A good library service is certainly an important element in such an adult education program. I trust that the foregoing will be of some interest and assistance to you. Very truly yours, Hon. RALPH W. GWINN, FRANK M. LANDERS, Director. THE STATE OF UTAH, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 6, 1955. House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. GWINN: Your letter asking for certain information to be used in the hearings on legislation known as the Library Services Act addressed to Mr. Mulcahy, former Chairman who has retired, has ben referred to the writer for answer. Following is the answer to your query: 1. We are not in a position to answer this with any degree of accuracy; however, most of the cities and towns in Utah of any size, and some counties, are operating library facilities. The opinion of quite a number of people is that, with the exception of research libraries operated by educational institutions, the average person is depending more than ever on the press, radio, and television for information. However, it would require a check to see if the use of library facilities is gaining or losing in proportion to the increase in population. 2. The State of Utah is not presently sponsoring or assisting in the maintenance or operation of libraries, except where funds assisting educational institutions may be utilized for this purpose. 3. In this State the lower levels of government have a statutory power to levy a tax for library purposes, and we believe that the State should not enter into 63164-55-16 this activity. We know that all services are paid for by the taxpayers, and we believe that the smaller units of government can better determine the needs, demand, and what they can afford in the way of library facilities. 4. The State legislature will not meet again in regular session until January 1957 and, if favorable to this proposed program, it would be impossible for this State to participate until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1957. 5. We do not know of any organized groups in this State that could at the present time give testimony in the current hearing in the Congress on this matter. However, we doubt very much that the taxpayers of this State would support such legislation. I hope the above information will be helpful to your committee. D. H. WHITTENBURG, Chairman. STATE OF MARYLAND, Hon. RALPH W. GWINN, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND PROCUREMENT, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. GWINN: In reply to your letter of inquiry under date of May 25, I believe it can be stated safely that many rural areas of Maryland are adequately supplied with public-library facilities. It is largely up to the counties to take the initiative in providing such facilities. Under our law (sec. 178 of art. 77) (Annotated Code, 1951 edition and 1954 supplement), it is provided that whenever any county library is established or is in operation and the county commissioners levy a tax of not less than 2 cents on each $100 of assessible property for library support, the county is eligible to receive an annual grant from the State for books. The distribution of these State funds, based on the latest regular Federal census, is at the rate of 8 cents per capita for counties with populations of 30,000 or fewer; 6 cents for those with populations between 30,000 and 100,000; 4 cents for those between 100,000 and 200,000; and 2 cents per capita for those over 200,000. In addition, for those counties with public libraries, the State provides aid at the rate of 10 cents per capita toward current library expenses. In the budget for the next fiscal year, the State has provided for Baltimore City and the counties a total of $66,132 in the book fund, and $203,053 for current expenses-a grand total of $269,185. This will be expanded, of course, as more counties indicate their willingness to launch their public-library programs. I am in agreement with Governor McKeldin of this State, that Maryland would gain no advantage from the entrance of the Federal Government into the public-library field, but that, on the contrary, the Federal program probably would prove costly to our taxpayers. With kindest regards, I am, Sincerely yours, JAMES G. RENNIE, Director. Hon. RALPH W. GWINN, STATE OF TENNESSEE, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. Nashville, June 15, 1955. DEAR SIR: I have your letter of May 25 relative to the Library Services Act. In answering the questions which you have posed, I do not feel that it would be fair to give you my opinion inasmuch as my chief concern is the dollars expended for library service relative to the other programs of the State. At the same time, I would hesitate to allow the director of library and archives to answer these questions because of his deep concern for the program. My answers then will be my opinion based on the facts presented to me by our library personnel. The first question may be answered in this way: At present we have 15 rural counties with no public-library service. Such service is available to them, however, on a matching basis when they choose to come under the State-aid program. We have 66 counties participating in our regional library services and 10 counties who, although they do not participate in the regional library services, offer some public library service. The remaining 4 counties in our State are considered metropolitan counties, 1 of which has no service except that provided by the city. I would state that the 66 counties participating in our regional library services have improved public-library service during the past years. However, I imagine it could always be considered inadequate by those who are very close to this program. The second question relative to the State's ability to finance the necessary facilities without Federal assistance may be answered in this manner: At present we appropriate $200,000 per year for regional libraries and have an additional $50,000 available to match funds if additional counties wish to participate in the program. As to whether or not these funds are providing an adequate program is again a matter of opinion. I am sure that our regional libraries services could wisely spend additional funds were they made available by the Federal Government. Question No. 3, relative to the State's budget's capability of incorporating $114,599 as the State's share of a matching program for each of the next 5 fiscal years, may be answered in this way: As long as we are appropriating $250,000 per year for regional libraries, it would be highly questionable as to how much additional funds the State would appropriate if not on a matching basis. Obviously, if the $200,000 could be considered as matching funds, the State is more than providing what would be considered its share of such a program. In reply to question No. 4, our State legislature meets in January 1957. In answer to question No. 5, I would say that there are a great many influential people and organizations other than professional library and education groups who would give testimony as to the need and desirability of such a library program. I hope that I have sufficiently answered your questions and I am sorry to have delayed my reply to your letter. Please call on me if I can be of further service to you. Sincerely yours, EDWARD J. BOLING, Director of the Budget. WYOMING EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Hon. RALPH W. GWINN, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN GWINN: Pursuant to your request of May 25, I have explored this matter with our State librarian and have come up with the following answers to the inquiries made in your letter: 1. The rural population of Wyoming is fairly well served with public-library facilities; 22 of the 23 counties have county libraries supported by county funds. The remaining county, Sublette, has a community library supported by civic organization. There are 37 county branch libraries. 2. Counties may levy 1 mill for the support of public libraries. In most instances this amount would provide adequate library facilities. (Albany County has found the 1 mill inadequate.) 3. It is doubtful if the State budget could incorporate $56,759 per year for the next 5 fiscal years, inasmuch as the current biennial contingent for the operation of the State library is $67,000, or $33,500 per year. 4. Wyoming State Legislature will convene in 1957. 5. None that we know of; in fact, the State library, archives, and historical board has not endorsed the Library Services Act. I trust this is the information you desire. MILWARD L. SIMPSON, Governor. STATE OF CONNECTICUT, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND CONTROL, Hartford, Conn., June 17, 1955. Hon. RALPH W. GWINN, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I have delayed replying to your letter of May 25 because we were in the midst of a legislative session here in Connecticut and two bills bearing on the subject in which you are interested had been introduced. Under the circumstances I thought it would be best to withhold a reply until the situation had been clarified here. With respect to the first question which you raise as to the adequacy of library facilities for the rural population, the bureau of libraries of the State department of education estimates that there are some 443,000 people in towns with a population of 10,000 or less who are served inadequately or not at all by publiclibrary services. This is true despite the fact that many of these towns have one or more public libraries within the town. With respect to your second question as to the financial ability of the State to provide necessary facilities without Federal assistance, the answer definitely is "Yes." The question is not one of financial ability on the part of the State but rather one of the legislature determining that such a program is of more value to the State than other existing programs or contemplated programs. With respect to your third question as to whether the State's budget is capable of incorporating $145,358 as the State's share of the cost for each of the next 5 years, the answer again must be "Yes." May I suggest that the real question here is whether the State would be financially able to take over the Federal share of such a program after 5 years when the provisions of the present act expire. Here again the answer is "Yes" as far as out-and-out ability is concerned. Once more, I would suggest only that it would be a matter of legislative determination as to whether this program would be more productive than other competing programs. With respect to your fourth question as to when the State legislature will next meet, may I point out that we have just concluded a biennial session. Consequently, the next regular session of the State legislature at which consideration could be given this matter will be in 1957. I might add that at the recently concluded session of the legislature a bill was passed appropriating $80,000 for the 1955-57 biennium for this purpose. With respect to your fifth question, I know of no organization in the State other than the Connecticut Library Association, consisting of librarians and library trustees, which would have any particular interest in such legislation. I trust the foregoing will give you what you want but, of course, if there is any further information you desire we will be happy to supply it to you. Sincerely yours, FRED A. SCHUCKMAN, ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY, Hon. RALPH W. GWINN, Committee on Education and Labor, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Your letter dated May 25, addressed to Hon. T. R. Leth, budget director, State of Illinois, requesting certain information in connection with the Library Services Act, has been referred to me for reply. I offer the following comments and facts with respect to the State of Illinois : 1. It is true that a large portion of the rural population of our State is inadequately served with public-library facilities. There are no public libraries in 3 counties (Calhoun, Gallatin, and Henderson). In fact, only 28 public libraries serve a population of more than 25,000 people, which is the minimum population recommended by the American Library Association standards in order to carry on the most efficient library service. Many of the other 399 tax-supported libraries are giving good service but they could give better service if they received more adequate local support and spread over a taxing area large enough to make the "adequate support" no hardship on any one. 2. The State of Illinois, being one of the richer States, should be able to adequately support public libraries without financial aid from the Federal Government. However, it is possible that with Federal assistance some of the small libraries could be encouraged to cooperate to form larger units of service by federation and, thereby, provide adequate financial support locally when the Federal assistance is withdrawn. 3. It is impossible to answer this question inasmuch as the legislature in Illinois must appropriate the State library funds every 2 years. However, if the support of the State library remains at its present level, then the State's share, as outlined in your letter, can be met within the present budget. 4. The State of Illinois already has a law on the statute books which would enable our State to participate in the library services bill, assuming favorable legislation at the Federal level. This statute is chapter 128, section 12.12, paragraph 12: "(Federal aid) * * * The secretary of state is hereby authorized and empowered to do all things necessary and proper to fully cooperate with the United States Commission of Education in the administering of any act heretofore, or hereafter enacted for the purpose of appropriation of funds for the payment of salaries, books, periodicals, library supplies, equipment and for the maintenance of the expense of public library services" (S. H. A. 128, 12.12 J. A. 73.88). 5. Library and educational groups are most active in supporting this plan. However, we understand that farm groups and women's clubs are also interested in the legislation at the national level, although no support has been given the bill in Illinois as far as we know except by the Illinois Library Association. Yours truly, Hon. RALPH W. GWINN, DELAFAYETTE REID, Acting Assistant State Librarian. THE COLLEGE LIFE INSURANCE CO. OF AMERICA, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. GWINN: Several days back I had a telephone call from Don Clark at the statehouse, indicating that you had been making certain inquiry about the library situation in Indiana, which I presume was provoked by the recent appearance before your committee of Mr. Schacter. I am enclosing an editorial from the Indianapolis Star, which followed Mr. Schacter's testimony and which is, I think, a very refreshing approach to the whole problem. A year or two back I got mildly interested in the library situation, and in reviewing the newspapers found some interesting items about what has been done in the past by local communities to solve their own problems. I am sending along several which may or may not be of help to you in this particular debate: Indianapolis News, August 28, 1941: "Vevay clubwomen are justly proud of their part in obtaining for their comunity a large, beautiful, well-equipped Carnegie library ($12,500), the first in Indiana to extend library service to the entire county. * * * "Starting with a nucleus of 2,500 books solicited by clubwomen who fairly robbed their own private libraries and provided voluntary service as librarians. *** The institution has grown to an annual circulation of 65,000 volumes throughout the county with 42 county stations served by truckloads of books, and this library is now known as the Switzerland County Public Library and claims it ranks first in service for its size in the State of Indiana. * * * Indianapolis News, November 21, 1942: "After nearly 41 years of service, Mrs. Sam Matthews has announced her resignation as librarian of the Tipton Public Library. * * * "The story of the Tipton Public Library is largely the story of Mrs. Matthews' endeavors and achievements. She organized this library association and obtained funds for its erection more than 40 years ago. *** "December 9, 1901, Mrs. Matthews was named librarian and a book shower brought 700 books with which the new library opened in a room on the third floor of the courthouse." Indianapolis News, October 1, 1943: "The old copybook maxim about 'Where there's a will there's a way' was never more clearly illustrated than down in the town of English, in Crawford County. It seems the county has been the only one in the State without a library. Mrs. H. S. Roberson, a former teacher, enlisted the aid of Girl Scouts belonging to Tunnel Hill Church and together they have achieved what seems impossible at first. "Through gifts, their own contributions and tireless effort, they managed to rent a room at small cost, and stock it with books contributed or bought secondhand. "A lumber company built shelves for them, and the girls themselves made a library table. The fact that the legs are not quite the same length doesn't bother anybody, especially if they do a little further carpenter work on it from time to time. ** ** Indianapolis Star, April 8, 1950: "Beech Grove, only fifth-class city in Indiana without a library, organizes Beech Grove Library and Civic Center, Inc., to raise $50,000." |