The activities of life which are informed by public education and public libraries are not divided by State boundaries. Americans are always moving on. They take their education with them and it matters a great deal what one State gives them and what they find in another. Hence the need for Federal assistance to States to extend their library services to rural people.

New York State.-Here are some facts about the extent of public library service in New York State and its need for help.

New York's population is 14,830,192, of which, according to the census definition, 14.5 percent, or 2,147,746 are classified as rural. Detailed current data on the New York State libraries show that 10.3 percent of the people, or 1,530,211, have no libraries which they are legally entitled to use, or have only token service.

Approximately 400,000 more people are served by libraries open less than 15 hours weekly, many only 6 hours weekly. These little libraries have the most meager book collections, and can purchase less than 300 volumes a year, including replacements, duplicates, and newly published titles. They have no trained consultants.

Of the 62 counties in the State only 11 have countywide service and 5 of these counties are in the Metropolitan New York area.

(Data: (5) New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, and Richmond are served by the New York public and the Brooklyn public libraries; (6) Erie (Buffalo), Monroe (Rochester), Chemung (Elmira), Schenectady (Schenectady), Clinton (Plattsburgh) and Essex. The last two are served by a new twocounty system.)

The other 51 counties embrace a population of 5,233,333. Here live the 1,530,211 who have no libraries at all, as well as the 400,000 who have very meager ones. Thus 36.8 percent of the population of most of New York's counties have nothing, or next to nothing, in library service.

29.2 percent of 5,233,333.

36.8 percent of 5,233,333–

1, 530, 211

400, 000 1,930, 211

Forty-five percent of the towns have no libraries or provision for library services.

Three-quarters of the total number of existing libraries in the State serve communities under 5,000 population and can provide only limited service.

Small communities have found it difficult to provide adequate library service at reasonable cost. Yet these small libraries have valuable assets: local pride, prestige, and citizen interest. Hampered by limited local appropriations, lack of sufficient effective leadership, and absence of trained librarians' services, they are restricted to minimums.

Recent theory and practice of library administration demonstrate the advantages of larger library units, to serve larger areas and populations, supported by larger tax bases than in the past.

Local interest and initiative must be preserved and the improvement of local libraries encouraged. At the same time provision is needed to make it possible for local libraries to take advantage of the benefits which can be derived from working together. They can then make improvements for present users and extensions of service to new users.

Federal aid would provide the means to bring this about. County and regional libraries now in operation in New York are proof of positive gains.

For example in the northern counties of Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence, to take a large rural section, the largest city has a population of less than 35,000 and only 5 libraries of the total 72 outlets serve places of more than 5,000. Here a regional library service organization has operated in the past few years with modern cooperative methods under professional leadership. It has produced the following results:

Circulation has increased 80 to 100 percent.
Pride and interest has increased.

Two new library buildings have been erected.
Seven libraries have moved to better quarters.

Thirty-three have improved their book collections by eliminating obsolete and useless material.

Reference service has tripled.

Two-thirds of the libraries have voluntarily taken advantage of centralized cataloging and book buying.

Leadership has brought about new services: story hours, discussion groups, and research services to industries.

What do the residents of these counties think of this? One mother wrote: "This is a community with almost no recreational services available. The library serves a vital need. When I first came, 11 years ago, I was amazed and disquieted at the youngsters who considered reading a chore. Since we have had more books for them it seems to me that their interest is whetted. As a mother I am deeply appreciative. We are building better citizens of tomorrow through the regional library service."

A contractor operating a gravel pit borrowed books on testing materials: "I found traces of white powder and feared it would harm the gravel's sale value. The powder turned out to be a form of limestone that made the product even better. This improved service is a godsend."

A comment from a community of less than 2,000 people where there were library When in the discussion groups: "The service has been a wonderful thing. world of today even a few people are made more aware of their heritage and the necessity of preserving it, a great service has been done."

A contrasting situation exists in Suffolk County at the far end of Long Island. The 1950 census gives this county 276,129 people, of which well over half, or 154,246, live in rural areas. There are 34 libraries but 30 of them serve communities of less than 10,000. There are still over 15 villages without library outlets and some 50 or more unincorporated communities that need service; 35 percent of Suffolk County people are served by no public library. Its nearness to New York City, fast-growing population, increased birth rate, and housing shortages create acute problems.

In 10 years the number of children under 18 years of age attending school has more than doubled: 1953, 70,951; 1943, 33,099. They need more and better library service.

A sample of occupational groups indicates the need for a wide variety of books:

With help in countywide or regional library planning; with aid for its union listing of book resources; improved facilities for interlibrary lending, strengthened reference resources, and trained librarians, this area would be able to meet the demands of the changing and increasing population. It would also be able to reach the 96,578 or 35 percent not served.

New York library law.-New York State public library law is the most advanced in the country. It authorizes up to $4 million a year aid to libraries which join in county or multicounty systems. Thus there is real economic motivation to cooperation among local libraries. This law can generate a great future development for public ibrary servilce to the people of New York, and by example, let it be hoped, in other States too.

But a great deal of promotional work must be done to make people aware of the advantages of this new kind of library organization. Local leadership must be stimulated and guided. More experienced librarians are needed to advise and help in the planning, promotion, and operation of the new countywide and regional libraries.

New York is in a position to utilize very effectively the provisions of the library services bill, and to make permanent the gains which could be made under its 5-year terminal aid. The annual amount received under the bill would be $249,204.

How New York would use Federal aid. The program of the library extension division of the New York State library, under the library services bill, would be three-fold, to bring aid to all sections of the State:

1. An educational program to inform citizens of library needs, and possibilities, and to train personnel for effective administration.

2. Additional personnel and materials to strengthen existing libraries and to provide the incentive and leadership for organization of larger and more effective areas of service.

3. Set up statewide services to make readily available to the small libraries and unserved rural areas, reference service and special materials too expensive for local rural libraries to provide.

63164-55-2

The New York program would use the Federal aid exactly as it is intended to be used, as a stimulating influence to local self-development, as a leverage to local financing.

County of Erie, N. Y.-An example of the new library progress in New York is the Buffalo and Erie County library system, a large, cooperative system of 27 libraries, established in 1948. It has grown rapidly under the progressive New York State laws and State aid provisions. Its first 5 years produced a 41percent increase in book use; in the rural areas this percentage was 176 percent. The improvements in service were substantial and not only used increasingly, but the people backed larger budgets from the county of Erie. Bookmobile service was promoted to bring books to outlying areas and schools. This very popular service now takes 3 large vehicles to 80 locations and over 430,000 books a year are being borrowed from them.

Here are some testimonials of this system:

"Bookmobile service is the best thing that ever happened to our school." Collins Center, N. Y.

"The bookmobile at present services the entire East Seneca area. At present, the people of this area are dependent upon it for reading materials. In order to use its facilities many residents come by bus on bookmobile days.

"The children attending school look forward to bookmobile day because they are able to get books which will not only help them in some of their studies but also provide recreational reading." East Seneca School No. 7.

"We, both school and community, deeply appreciate the bookmobile service.” St. Marys School, East Eden, N. Y.

"May I take this opportunity to say what a wonderful thing the mobile unit is. I am expecting a baby shortly and having four children now, with my husband working nights, it has brought practically to my door a service and a source of entertainment I could not otherwise enjoy if it were necessary for me to go into the city for books." Reader in Tiorunda area.

Such is the appreciation of good library service in rural areas. The provisions of this bill will help to bring it to many more people.

Mr. HUSSEY. Next is a statement presented by the Honorable Elizabeth Kee, Member of Congress from West Virginia.

Mr. LANDRUM. Without objection, that may be inserted.
(The statement referred to follows:)

STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE ELIZABETH KEE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

Mr. Chairman and other distinguished members of the subcommittee, thanks you for giving me this opportunity to appear before you. It is a real pleasure to participate briefly in the hearings on the library services bill, a measure in which I have a tremendous interest as one of its sponsors. I am glad that action on this vital legislation is now underway in the Congress.

Library development in my State is moving ahead, but much too slowly. We still have well over a million persons living in areas of West Virginia where library service is not available. The passage of the library services bill would help to bring books to this large majority of people now without them.

There are many aspects contained in this measure which I like. I particularly approve of allowing the State library agency to develop the type of plan best suited for its individual use, to determine where the need is greatest, and to handle the selection of books and personnel, because all of our States differ and requirements are the same in practically none. It seems important too that in the 5-year period of its existence, the people will have an opportunity to see for themselves what good library service can mean to themselves and their communities. At the end of the period of Federal help, interested persons will work hard locally to keep it. What greater help can our Federal Government render than to stimulate more and better educational opportunities for our citizens?

Therefore I respecfully urge this subcommittee to act quickly and favorably on this important educational measure.

Mr. HUSSEY. Next is a statement of Hon. James H. Morrison, Member of the House of Representatives from Louisiana's Sixth Congressional District.

Mr. LANDRUM. Without objection, that will be inserted in the record.

(The statement referred to follows:)

STATEMENT ON HON. JAMES H. MORRISON, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

As a Member of the Congress from Louisiana I would like to make a brief statement on behalf of the library services bill, which for 5 years would make funds available to the States to extend and to strengthen the library services in rural areas.

I believe that this legislation would be particularly effective in stimulating State and county governments to provide properly supported and properly administered public libraries for their citizens.

There is an urgency about providing libraries for the 27 million people in the United States now without them and to improve the libraries inadequately serving millions of others.

This legislation would make available much sooner to our rural citizens the resources of the public library.

I consider that good public library service is essential to the educational and recreational development of a community. May I request an early and affirmative report on this important social legislation?

Mr. HUSSEY. And I have a telegram, sir, from Mr. Obed A. Wyum, who is unable to appear tomorrow, but has requested that this telegram be inserted in the record.

Mr. LANDRUM. Is he scheduled to appear?

Mr. HUSSEY. He is scheduled to appear tomorrow.

Mr. LANDRUM. Without objection, it will be made a part of the record.

(The telegram referred to is as follows:)

[Telegram]

SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIBRARY SERVICES,
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR,

RUTLAND, N. DAK., May 25, 1955.

Washington, D. C.:

Due to a combination of circumstances, it is now apparent I shall be unable to appear before your committee this week in person. However, I hereby earnestly request the enactment of the proposed library services bill as a muchneeded encouragement to increased library service for rural people in America. We greatly lack facilities to bring the services of libraries to both young and old on the farms and in small rural towns. There is a vital need for these services. The provisions of this bill could be the spark and incentive to help bring parity of service to more than half the population of North Dakota (350,000), and 25 million rural folks in the Nation presently without library service. Perhaps no investment can be made that will give such good return in the long-time comprehensive defense, education, and development of a better and stronger democratic America than the comparatively small amount of funds proposed in this legislation. To further amplify the needs of agriculture for such a measure as you are now considering, permit me to refer you to the statement on pages 480-483, October 1954, of American Library Association Bulletin and suggest including same, if you see fit, as my testimony proffered for your committee's consideration.

Respectfully submitted.

OBED A. WYUM.

(The article referred to is as follows:)

[From October issue of the American Library Association Bulletin]

AGRICULTURE AND LIBRARIES

(By Obed A. Wyum)

Do farmers read? Should farmers read? What do they read? What should they read? Are farm families too busy to read? Where do they get their reading material? Has agriculture anything in common with libraries? Do those engaged in agriculture have any interest in using library service? Should they

have more? Why? These and many more questions come to one's mind when agriculture is mentioned in connection with libraries.

There is no time nor space available to go into any detail as to the complexion of agriculture—its multitudinous problems, trends, income, uncertainties, risks, regional differences, differences in commodities produced, shortcomings of the marketing and distribution system, farm organization, cooperatives, legislative programs, political complexities, and interdependence with all other segments of society. Rather, we'll try to be general and objective as to the 5 million farm families as a whole, making up one-sixth of the Nation's population.

But, it is fundamental when taking a studied view of agriculture to realize (too many do not) there is a continued constant struggle going on (which promises to become even more intense) as to the future type of agriculture tenure in the United States. That struggle and it outcome is of vital importance to the relationship and function of libraries. The issue although often beclouded and dimmed-is whether our agriculture is to be a family-type agriculture with the land owned and operated by families who till and live on the land with a decent American standard of living-or whether it is to go the way of other and bygone civilizations—absentee landlordism, feudalism, large factory-type holdings and operations, with all the consequent social evils this implies. Much of the farm program which has and continues to embroil Congress has portents and overtones in this conflict.

In this connection, it should be recognized that the rural individual owned and operated farm and home has been and should continue to be the backbone of American democracy. It is one of the greatest heritages of our economic and political policy which has come down to us from colonial days—given impetus through our independence era-and through one measure after another of our subsequent constitutional democratic republican form of government. It is based on a rural democracy where the dignity of the individual has real opportunity to flower, bloom, and make seed in this age of commercialism, economic concentration, and materialism-still a remaining tangible example of individual meaning in this confusion we call civilization.

But, democracy in itself is dependent upon its citizens measuring up to the responsbilities of democracy. Some years ago, I heard one of the leading educators in this Nation state that democracy could not survive unless the great majority of its citizens had the equivalent of a liberal arts college education. He went on to say that did not necessarily imply a college degree. But he said it did imply ability to read, write, and pass judgment on what one reads and writes.

Agriculture is almost pathetic in its lack of college-trained personnel actually operating and living on the land. In my county we made a survey some years ago, and out of one-thousand-one-hundred-odd farms found less than 10 farmers with a college education. Many other counties in America are not much better. I will not go into the reasons for this at this time. It is improving. But, it does point up the necessity for rural people to overcome in other ways this implied handicap and threat to continued democracy. Reading and study in the home and on the community level points the way.

Let us go back and take a look at our first question. Yes, nearly all farmers read something. Cursory checks indicate most farm familites keep a daily paper. They usually have one or more local weekly papers that covers the news and activities of the local community. Then there is the farm press-once a month or every 2 weeks. Very few farm homes but what get their farm organization press-1 or more cooperative newsletters or papers, and at least 1 or 2 other farm journals. Then there are radios and soon TV will be almost as prevalent. Nearly every home has a few books-a few homes, quite a few. For those latter, income is usually the limiting factor. Or time.

Many a farm family will frankly tell you that the above-mentioned items that nearly every farm home has and receives is just a whole lot more than they ever get time to use and read. One of the paradoxes of our mechanical age is that the more labor-saving equipment we devise and secure, the less time we seem to have at least for the finer arts of living. Can libraries help solve that sort of sphinx? One could stop at this point and make a case for leaving matter as is. "Farmers already have more to read than they get around to. There is no need to change or improve what they read so far as their farming is concerned, for already they are producing more than is being used. So, they must be getting plenty of tech. nology. Maybe they are too busy with their present mode of operation to read. But why be concerned about that? Instead of losing any sleep about reading or