formed by Helen E. Haines will long remain to her credit. But her late espousal of communism, and her attempt to boost its literature, are to be sincerely regretted. To attempt to stack our public library shelves with the works of men and women who are dedicated to destroying our freedom-without clearly and unequivocally indicating this fact-is to undermine the very purposes of the American Library Association. Miss Haines has never given her name to any of the Communist front organizations. She has probably never even gone to any of their meetings-though she was registered in 1950 in Pasadena as a member of the Independent Progressive Party, under which virtually all Communists in California are now enrolled. She is the perfect "innocent." Like so many muddled European and American intellectuals, she has mistaken the fine and noble phrases of Communist propaganda for Communist reality. It is time that she and they-stopped living with books long enough to see the world as it really is. STATEMENT OF LUCY BURKHOLDER, PRESIDENT, KANSAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION For several years the Kansas Library Association has been struggling valiantly. to convince the people of the State that we should have better library services. There are about 811,000 people in the State without tax-supported library service. In many cases when the municipal officials are asked to provide funds for rural library service they challenge the requests with a demand to be shown that the people want such service. This forms a vicious circle because manifestly they cannot prove the people want such service until they know what it means, and they have no way of demonstrating efficient library service without funds. A monograph on third-class cities in Kansas has just been released by the Government Research Center of the University of Kansas and the first sentence is a shocker. This is it: "The average third-class city of Kansas spent more per capita in 1953 for its cemetery than for its parks or its library." Now, we are convinced this is not true because Kansas people care more for their dead than for their living but rather because they have not had the need for libraries and parks demonstrated sufficiently. All over the country there is a rising swell of interest among the citizens to secure ready access to reading materials for themselves as a result of conferences on rural reading and especially because of the women's rural groups, such as Farm Bureau and Home Demonstration units. The obvious source of such materials is the public library. It surely is not necessary to plead the case for an informed citizenry and how else can an informed citizenry be obtained except by the free and easy dissemination of books, magazines, records and films? The library-service bill would give Kansas the help it needs to demonstrate the effectiveness of rural library service. According to the plan Kansas would receive at least $40,000 per year for 5 years, plus a share based on its rural population. The State of Kansas would match the amount based on the rural population. This would be used to develop rural library service. We have already passed the necessary legislation that would make the Kansas Traveling Libraries Commission (our only extension agency on a State level), the administrator of the fund, if and when the bill is passed. According to present thinking a plan would be adopted, after consultation and with full cooperation of all educational and library organizations, and such plan would be submitted to the United States Commissioner of Education to effect the "further development of public library services in rural areas without such services or with inadequate service" and the Kansas Traveling Library would later administer the plan. No money so received could be used for buying buildings or ground; the State is prohibited from reducing appropriation to the Traveling Library Commission below that of the year previous to receipt of Federal funds; the Traveling Library Commission is to have complete authority in selecting books and personnel and in determining present inadequate service. After such demonstration of libraries with adequate bookstock, personnel, bookmobiles, and/or branch libraries with the attendant publicity and personal relations there would be no question of the result when the vote was taken on continuation of such service through local taxation. In all six district meetings of the Kansas Library Association this spring we had citizens in attendance promoting extension of reading facilities to rural areas. At the meeting of the Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers in Hutchinson on April 21, they passed a resolution urging that Members of Congress from Kansas give complete support to the library-service bill. When the people join the chorus we know the desire is there. More than 300 people attended the district library meetings, representing some 800 members; the Congress of Parents and Teachers has 163,099 members. Kansas definitely believes in the library-service bill. Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, VIRGINIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Chairman, Subcommittee, Education and Labor Committee, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: I understand that a hearing on the library-services bill is scheduled for May 25 and, on behalf of the Virginia Library Association, I would like to make a statement in favor of it. In 1952 our association, which is composed of approximately 700 members, passed a resolution endorsing similar Federal legislation, and we undoubtedly would have endorsed this specific bill had we known about it in time for discussion at last year's conference. As librarians, we are gravely concerned about the 1,277,651 Virginians (66 counties containing more than one third of our population) who are without library service. We, perhaps more than any other group, are aware of the potentialities of adequately financed public libraries in the field of education, and we feel that every citizen should have free access to books and other sources of information provided by public libraries. I am sure you will agree that an informed public is the most vital force we have for preserving our democratic way of life. Under our present State-aid plan an average of one demonstration library is being organized each year at a minimum cost of $35,000 each. At this rate it will take 66 years to develop a complete program of library service throughout the State. With the funds provided by the library-services bill, plus the minimum which would be required from State and local agencies, these demonstrations could be set up at the rate of 10 a year-a total of 50 over the 5-year period. It has been our experience here in Virginia that the local authorities have readily assumed the cost of operating the libraries at the end of the demonstration periods. We, therefore, have every reason to believe that they will continue to do so at the end of future demonstrations which would be conducted under our present standards. As you will note, the administration of the funds is left to the library administrative agency of each State, thus, eliminating the possibility of any Federal interference or control. I hope that you and the members of your committee will report favorably on the library-services bill, not only because of the benefits Virginians will derive from it, but also because of the impetus it will give to library development all over the United States. Very truly yours, FLORENCE B. YODER, President. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE LIBRARY BOARD, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, Chairman, Subcommittee, Education and Labor Committee on Library-Services Bill, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: The South Carolina State Library Board is greatly interested in the library-services bill and hopes to see it enacted by this Congress. We believe that with 5 years of Federal assistance that our public libraries will be able to extend and improve their services until public-library service is available to all the citizens of the State. What is even more important, we believe that once good service is demonstrated that it will receive adquate local financial support. We hope that you will give a favorable report on the bill. Sincerely yours, ESTELLENE P. WALKER, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, NORTH DAKOTA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: On behalf of the North Dakota Library Association, I wish to urge the passage of the library-services bill, which will be of definite value to the people of our State, as well as to the Nation as a whole. According to a national survey, 59.1 percent of the people of North Dakota have no local public library service. These people are served by the State library commission, which reported in its last biennial report a 66 percent increase in circulation of library materials in the past 5 years, indicating the increasing demand for library service in the State. The library-services bill will provide funds for expanding and enlarging the services of the State library commission, provide them with a full-time ruralservice librarian to assist communities in developing local library programs, and enable them to help existing libraries expand their services. The inauguration of the first bookmobile service in the State last year was a good beginning, and this service might be expanded with adequate funds. The benefits of the library-services bill will be of inestimable value to our rural people. Will you kindly include this letter as a part of the record of the hearings of the Special Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee on the library services bill? Sincerely yours, CAROLINE G. LYBECK, President. Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, NEW YORK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: As chairman of the Special Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee on the library-services bill, will you please work for an early and favorable report by your subcommittee on this extremely important measure. I am sure you know that almost 27 million people in the United States are without local public-library service. The public library is basic to education, assisting in providing books for children and public school teachers as well as giving adult citizens access to important sources of information. The library-services bill will aid in the development of public-library service in the rural areas of our country now without such service. counting on your support. Yours sincerely, We are MARY L. TARBOX, President. OHIO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: Probably you'll agree that every American child should have an opportunity to use a good library, and to form the useful habit early in life of consulting reference books for facts. And I'm sure you'd agree that part of the essential nature of the American way of life is the citizen's access to all sides of current questions, to the history of controversial past periods, and to information on which he can base his judgment, his home and business plans-all the things he can get from libraries and from nowhere else in gathered and indexed form. Now, there are some 27 million Americans who have no such access to libraries, especially in rural areas. Pending in Congress and before your committee are bills, called library-services bills, which would at least help the States extend library services to rural areas. Three Representatives from Ohio-Representatives Thomas Jenkins, Frances Bolton, and Ludlow Ashley-were among the sponsors. In Ohio this bill would mean a very modest expenditure of about $271,000 of Federal funds each year for 5 years, to help existing libraries in rural areas to give better service, and to help the localities establish new libraries where none exists, all under State, not Federal, supervision. This small appropriation ($7,500,000 for the whole country each year for 5 years) will work no miracles, and will not fully provide for the present deficiency in library funds. But it will give an enormous stimulus, far beyond its ordinary money value, to the movement to provide adequate libraries for all Americans. We in Ohio, where some hundreds of thousands of rural residents now have no access to libraries, are hopeful and confident that Congress, if it examines this proposed legislation thoughtfully, will see to its passage. In a total Federal budget of $70 billion or $80 billion, this legislation of course represents a relatively insignificant amount. But, in the long run, it could be just as valuable in its production of better informed, better educated Americans, than some of the billions we've spent for other purposes. Sincerely yours, ROBERT D. FRANKLIN, President. Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, STATE OF WISCONSIN FREE LIBRARY COMMISSION, Chairman, Subcommittee, Education and Labor Committee, DEAR MR. LANDRUM: The Free Library Commission wants you to know that it firmly endorses the Federal library-services bill. A brief survey would reveal that Wisconsin has much to be proud of and much to be ashamed of insofar as its library services are concerned. What I mean by this is that many of our cities and counties offer some of the best library service in America, but on the other hand Wisconsin ranks 24th among the States insofar as the proportion of the people who are served by public libraries is concerned. This past year 634,000 people were not served and, as you might suspect, the large share of these people live in our rural areas. The average Wisconsin county or community can afford to support good library service once it has been started. However, the original costs for establishing service to our rural people is quite high and for this reason most of our counties have been unwilling to appropriate the necessary funds to get good library service established. The Federal bill which was referred to the House Education and Labor Committee would furnish Wisconsin with $181,000 a year for a 5-year period. All of us who are interested in libraries believe that with these funds good library service could be established in every county of the State. In accordance with the Federal bill, a State plan has been prepared for the distribution of such funds. Knowing your interest in this form of public education, we sincerely hope that you will give this legislation your favorable consideration. Respectfully yours, WALTER S. BOTSFORD, Secretary. OKLAHOMA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: The Oklahoma Library Association would like to give a strong endorsement to Senate bill 205, relating to the development of library service in rural areas. It is our hope that this statement of library needs in Oklahoma may be incorporated in the hearings on this bill scheduled for May 25. Library service is well established in most of the urban areas of our country. It is recognized as a necessary and vital supplement to the educational facilities for young people, as a source of reliable information for the adult population, and as a means of continued education for persons in professional and other skilled ccupations. The need for these opportunities is universal if this country is to maintain an intelligent and informed citizenry. Yet the majority of persons living in rural areas receive no library service of any kind or only very inferior service. Place of residence bears no relationship to the need for educational opportunities. It has been amply demonstrated that rural areas will support good library service when the opportunity is provided. The library situation in Oklahoma will perhaps illustrate why Federal legislation is so urgently needed to bring about a more equitable distribution of library services. Oklahoma is primarily an agricultural State, with the majority of its people living in cities and towns under 25,000 in population. Provision of library service in this State, as in most States, is considered a responsibility of local government. However, all but 5 or 6 of our cities and all but 7 of our 77 counties are too small in population and too deficient in revenue to support adequate libraries. As a result approximately one-half of our population receive no library service and the majority receive only inadequate service. It is recognized that cooperative agreements between a number of cities, towns, and counties must be arranged before better service can be achieved. At the same time a revision of tax structure is necessary before local communities can support better libraries as well as other governmental services. We in Oklahoma are well aware of the problem and the solution required. We are exerting every effort to bring about needed improvements as we have for the past 25 years. However, progress is slow at best. We regard passage of the library-services bill by the Federal Government as highly desirable in demonstrating the value of library service to the people of this country. Such action would stimulate States to accept the responsibility for library service, which they must accept if it is to be made available to everyone at a level which will promote understanding. We urge that Senate bill 205 be given favorable consideration at the earlist possible date as a means of encouraging States to establish better facilities for library service in rural areas. Cordially yours, (Mrs.) ALLIE BETH MARTIN, President. OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Eugene, Oreg., May 23, 1955. Representative PHIL LANDRUM, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE LANDRUM: I am writing you on behalf of the Oregon Library Association in support of the library-services bill. In many respects, this bill could almost have been drafted with Oregon's needs in mind because it fits our situation so well. However, we also believe it is important for the welfare of our Nation as a whole. According to the latest official reports, approximately 350,000 Oregonians have no local public-library service whatsoever; 16 of our 36 counties spend less than 50 cents per capita for library service. The fact is reflected in that nearly half of our counties do not have even one professionally trained librarian in their public libraries, and that over 40 percent of our libraries are open 10 hours or less per week. Three counties have no tax-supported library service at all. The reasons for this state of affairs are several-a large geographical area which is sparsely populated in many sections, a few cities of any size and great variations in wealth of the different regions. All of these things point toward the need for the development of newer patterns of service in the form of more county libraries and even regional libraries. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to convince people of the benefits which can accrue from access to books when they have never had them. The Oregon Library Association believes that demonstration of improved services are an essential step in developing this important aspect of our democratic way of life with its emphasis on equality of educational opportunity for all. We believe that once individuals have had an opportunity to observe and use the facilities provided by modern library service they will work for their support at the local level. Within the 5-year period specified in the bill it is thought that many Oregon counties and regions will be stimulated to the point where they would be unwilling to return to the present substandard situation. Your support, and the support of your subcommittee, is earnestly desired. Sincerely yours, CARL W. HINTZ, President. |