vised is open to all the children in the Siouxland area. "How can we get the books that are discussed?" "How can we take part in the program since we have no library?" are questions coming in with each mail delivery.

We have an excellent opportunity for comparison of counties with and without library service. Our own county (Woodbury) is 1 of the 6 in Iowa with a county library. When groups of rural children from this county tour our library we see gratifying evidence of the 4 years in which they have had books in abundance. Children from other nearby counties come in, too. They have not only missed all the charm and fun of the picture books from their early years but they have missed such books as Laura Ingalls Wilder's saga of pioneer life which makes that period of history come alive; Clara Judson's well documented biographies of Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, and others which show our country's heroes in relation to their times; the science books which open the world of nature and bring wonderment and appreciation and great happiness along with understanding-all this enrichment has passed by the children who have not been provided with books. The affairs of the heart are equally as important as those of the mind. Children and young people everywhere need books which further understanding in human relationships.

When mothers will drive 40 miles after a busy day to attend evening classes where they may learn about books for children we know they are eager to provide the best for them. Once citizens have had a sample of good library service they would be unwilling to give it up. The library services bill can provide that sample for the areas now without libraries. Our States are dotted too, with small communities which have libraries unable to give adequate service. It is well that the bill provides a measure to help existing libraries in towns under 10,000 population.

Families with opportunities for books which they may share together are families which become resourceful within themselves and are bound together by common interests. We need more such family solidarity as statistics show. We cannot afford to neglect any area of service which will help our greatest asset-our children and our families.

Thank you.

FLORENCE W. BUTLER, Director of Work With Children.

Mr. HUSSEY. And a statement of Edmon Low, librarian, Oklahoma A. and M. College, Stillwater, Okla.

Mr. LANDRUM. Without objection, that may be inserted in the record at this point.

(The statement referred to follows:)

STATEMENT OF EDMON LOW, LIBRARIAN, OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE, STILLWATER, OKLA., IN BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND REFERENCE LIBRARIES

The Association of College and Reference Libraries represents most of the libraries in colleges and universities, and also other libraries of a research nature, throughout the United States. These libraries generally are serving institutions which are engaged primarily in educating the youth of America at the college and graduate levels.

It is quite evident in our work of the influence of books on people, and especially on young people. The students who come to our colleges with a good knowledge of books and wide experience in reading have an enormous, and almost unfair, advantage over those who, through no fault of their own, have not been so fortunate. The first group have a broad knowledge of facts, a facility in writing and speaking, an ability to read rapidly and organize information, and a perspective on the complex problems of our day which the second group may need the greater part of their college career to acquire, if they ever acquire at all. And, in general, the second group come from those areas where there has been little or no public library service available.

In the group of institutions represented by the libraries in our association are those known as the land-grant colleges and universities, among whose duties is the special commission to carry technical knowledge and aid in the applied arts to the rural areas of our country. It is probable that these institutions, and consequently these libraries, have a better opportunity than most to observe and to

feel the effect of the appalling dearth of books and reading of the proper kind in these rural areas. Individuals come to college actually never having read a book or magazine of merit. Yet many of these have excellent minds, the ability and courage to think rigorously and clearly, and the sturdiness to stand by their convictions in the face of opposition-young people who above all need the help and inspiration books can give and whom above all the Nation needs for its leaders today.

This writer serves in one of these land-grant institutions and in a State (Oklahoma) which, like several of our Western and Southwestern States, is predominantly rural. The percent of our counties (31 percent) without any public library within their borders and the percent of our population (47 percent) with no library service of any kind are about twice the national average. In our extension work, and especially through our home demonstration work, we have tried to bring books to these rural people. Everywhere they have been enthusiastically received, we simply are not able to do enough, and soon enough.

It is a truism that people want things about which they know or with which they are acquainted. People want good roads because they know their advantages. They want good cars because they have driven or have ridden in them and know the pleasure and assistance they can give. But they know these things because they have had salesmen to bring and demonstrate cars to them and cars in turn to demonstrate the value of good roads. Likewise we need demonstration libraries to educate people to their worth and to secure their wholehearted support which will make their functioning possible.

State legislatures are aware of this problem and are sympathetic to these needs. But they are also made aware of other needs in very tangible ways. The Federal Government offers to match portions of their funds by various methods to build highways, to provide old-age assistance, to provide vocational education, to make possible reasonable unemployment insurance, to encourage conservation of natural resources, to aid in establishing airports, to make available certain hospital services, these are some of the very worthwhile activities now being encouraged in this way. The States are naturally inclined to place their available funds where it seems they will achieve the most, and a modest Federal grant-in-aid is a most effective argument for the activity proposed. This library services bill proposes such assistance.

The Association of College and Reference Libraries believes in the tremendous influence on the education of youth exerted by the public libraries of America, and earnestly hopes the advantage of public library service may be extended to all young people, whether or not they plan to attend college. It believes this library services bill will be a major step in extending such opportunity. The association therefore respectfully urges the kind consideration and approval of this bill by your committee.

Mr. HUSSEY. And a statement from the West Virginia Library Association.

Mr. LANDRUM. Without objection, that may be inserted in the record at this point.

(The statement referred to follows:)

STATEMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

West Virginia is in desperate need for more public library service. In 1954 less than half of its residents had access to public library service. There are over 1 million persons who cannot walk into a library for books, magazines, and pamphlets or other library services.

Thirteen West Virginia counties have no public library service at all. Twentynine more counties provide service for less than 50 percent of their residents. The present public libraries in West Virginia are giving service of a quality which, judged by prevailing standards, ranges from mediocre to very poor. The average per capita income for public libraries is 26 cents, but actual operating expenses after capital outlays are 19 cents. The per capita book supply is 0.3 book and the circulation of these few books averages 0.8 book per person. These figures as the attached chart shows, are pitifully low. Fourteen of the present public libraries are sponsored by volunteer clubs which can provide but a token type of service. These libraries represent 7 percent of the total people served.

At present the West Virginia Library Commission is attacking the problem of library service in a variety of ways. The main method is by the organiza tion of multicounty demonstration libraries with the aid of personnel and books from the commission. At present one such region is nearing self-support. The commission also serves present inadequate libraries by collections of books, professional counseling, and other miscellaneous services. Individuals are made direct loans.

The basic problems in extending library service in West Virginia are twofold. First, the residents in the many secluded mountain valleys and hills must be acquainted with the benefits which library service brings. Their isolation makes it necessary to bring the concept of service to them by a demonstration method. The second problem is the provision of financial support for the service. The support problem depends in large measure on the solution of the first problem. People do not willingly support a service which they do not understand.

The library services bill for West Virginia would supplement the present limited, but successful, efforts to acquaint the residents with the advantages of books, pamphlets, records, and other materials in their lives and communities. It would make possible 2 to 4 county or multicounty demonstration libraries simultaneously in a speedup of the present program. In a period of 5 years every West Virginia county without library service could have a self-supporting library, be a part of a demonstration library, or be well informed of the value of library service.

West Virginia has as much or more to gain from the library services bill than any other State. The State's progress hinges on the catalyst of good public libraries.

Comparison of West Virginia public libraries with national average and recommendation of the American Library Association

1 West Virginia Library Commission Report June 30, 1954.

U.S. Office of Education, Bulletin 1953, No. 9 as adjusted for total population.

* Adults.

• Minimum.

• Children.

1

The need for public library service in West Virginia, by county 1

Based on 1954 statistics from the West Virginia Library Commission.

Mr. HUSSEY. And a letter to the Honorable Phil Landrum, chairman of the Special Subcommittee on Libarary Services Bill, from the State department of education, Baltimore, Md.

Mr. LANDRUM. Without objection, that may be inserted in the record at this point.

(The letter referred to follows:)

STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,

Baltimore 1, Md., May 25, 1955.

Hon. PHIL LANDRUM,

Chairman, Special Subcommittee on Library

Services Bill, Education and Labor Committee, Washington, D. C. DEAR Mr. LANDRUM: Rural Maryland will profit greatly when the library services bill becomes law.

Since the impetus of Maryland State aid has increased the use of public libraries in 14 counties to 5 times the library use in those counties 8 years ago, that shows how the people like improved library service. Nine counties do not have countywide service. All counties need increased support. Demonstrations with the proposed Federal money should sell large area library service throughout Maryland.

I urge your subcommittee to recommend favorably the library services bill. Sincerely yours,

HELEN M. CLARK, Director, Division of Library Extension.

Mr. HUSSEY. And a statement from the extension division of the Indiana State Library, by Harriet I. Carter, endorsed by Harold F. Brigham, director, Indiana State Library.

Mr. LANDRUM. Without objection, that may be inserted in the record at this point.

(The statement referred to follows:)

STATEMENT OF THE EXTENSION DIVISION OF THE INDIANA STATE LIBRARY

INDIA

THE LIBRARY SITUATION IN INDIANA A RURAL PROBLEM ESSENTIALLY

Although with 243 active library systems in Indiana it might be thought that the State is well covered, it nevertheless is a fact that only half of the geographical area of the State is receiving service from local public libraries. Five hundred and ten townships of the total of 1,009 do not receive service, and an additional 54 are only partially served.

In these townships live more than 844,000 people, or 21 percent of the State's population. One hundred percent of these are people living in rural areas as defined in the library services bill.

A glance at the accompanying map shows that approximately one-third of the grayed areas are in the southwest section of the State, notable for its low assessed property valuations, the only tax support base for libraries in Indiana. There is little hope that library service will be established in such areas unless outside financial aid is secured.

The pressures for school support are so great in all areas of the State that local units of government, even though willing to provide library service, will be forced to give schools priority. But the public library, as a part of the educational system of the State, must keep pace with both population and school growth. Its ability to supplement educational facilities, formal and informal, for children, young people and adults, makes the presence of public library service mandatory if the tremendous investment in the public schools is to have real meaning beyond the classroom.

A PROPOSAL

Operating revenues of the State library have doubled in 6 years, from $137,000 in 1949 to $265,000 in 1955. Most of this increase has been absorbed by the steady rise in operating costs due to inflation--salary increases and increases in costs of books, supplies, equipment, travel, etc.

Additional funds which could be devoted exclusively to rural library development over a period of 5 years would effect a substantial improvement in the library situation over the State as a whole and give impetus to continuing improvement in years to follow.

Such additional funds, if applied as follows, would carry out longstanding plans for rural library development in Indiana which have failed of realization due only to the lack of sufficient funds which could be devoted to this specific purpose..