our State, and can bring a realization of modern America to children who have had no previous conception of it. Sad to say, comic books have penetrated these areas before good books. We have children in our State and Nation who are wholly conversant with the diets of ghouls and vampires, and with the activities of murderers and thieves, but have never held in their hands the books many of us take for granted. At this same hearing, another teacher from a northern mining town told of the people's interest in good books, and of their need for real library service. These people stress the need for the best in library service-informational and recreational books which are just not available on the newstand in the quantity and range needed or afforded by the average citizen. Citizens living in small towns or rural areas remote from the population centers of our Nation have interests no narrower than those of city people. The library as a center for the processes of education, dissemination of information, and recreation is as important to the citizen of Bouwawe, Nev., as it is to the man living in the heart of St. Louis. Our Nation has pioneered in free public-library service, and libraries are now considered an integral part of our public educational system. However, the larger number of our libraries are not equipped to carry on their work and nearly 30 million people remain without access to local public-library service. It is true that State and local governments, making the use of results of research in library economy, can afford adequate public-library service, yet they have not. The library-services bill will demonstrate the value of this public service so forcibly that it will be continued without Federal support after the 5-year period. Sincerely yours, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, NEVADA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, UTAH LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Chairman, Subcommittee of the Education and Labor Committee on Library Services Bill, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SIR: As president of the Utah Library Association, I submit this letter in support of the library-services bill. The cultural dividends from such a project will reward again and again the Congressmen and citizens who support this bill. Such a bill would do much to extend library services in Utah where it has been estimated that at least one-third to one-half of the population outside of the large centers of population do not have access to library resources. There is not a single library in Utah which has adequate library materials according to the American Library Association standards. Federal legislation is needed to start the ball rolling toward improvements. I want to qualify our support of this bill in requesting that (1) once funds are allocated, there is no Federal direction of fund expenditures; (2) each State must have a qualified supervisor who understands small libraries. We are looking forward to action in support of this bill. Yours very truly, JOHN G. CHURCH, President. MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY TRUSTEES ASSOCIATION, Hon. PHIL Landrum, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN LANDRUM: At a meeting of the executive board of the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association it was voted to endorse and support the Federal library-services bill (S. 205). Our organization is the largest independent State trustee group in the country, representing the trustees of libraries in over 200 Massachusetts communities, ranging in size from small rural libraries to the metropolitan Boston Public Library. It has long been apparent that some equalizing factor was needed to provide financial aid for rural towns where the tax base cannot support adequate library facilities. 63164-55--18 In recognition of this fact our association supported the extension of State aid to the so-called Greenfield Regional Library Service, which serves some 50 small towns in the northwestern part of the State. This service has proved eminently successful and represents a pattern which might well be extended to other areas of the State. The funds provided by this Federal bill would help make such extension of library service possible in the State of Massachusetts and, we are sure, would be even more needed and welcomed in other States where the standard of library service is not as high as here. Such Federal aid will stimulate action at the State level without depriving either States or local communities from control of the libraries themselves. We would appreciate immensely knowing of your support of this bill which, we understand, will go into the hearing stage before the House and Senate Education Committees in the near future. We would also deeply appreciate any action you might take in making our expressed views so recorded in the records. With best wishes and appreciation, I am Mrs. GEORGE R. WALLACE, President. Representative PHIL LANDRUM, VERMONT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: As president of the Vermont Library Association, I am writing to urge your support of the Federal aid bill for library services. The passage of this bill would enable our State, through its State library commission, to organize and demonstrate types of service which should be provided by modern library programs, and to initiate a more permanent and effective service for the 51 towns, with a population totaling 27,000, still without local library service, and receiving only the minimum of service from the State system. Such Federal aid would make it possible to demonstrate to libraries the numerous advantages of closer cooperation and the benefits, both financial and material, to be derived from the fullest operation of the State's larger units of service. In order to make the fullest and best use of Federal aid, the establishment of some new programs and the strengthening of some old ones would seem to be feasible. These might include enlarging of the present regional program with special attention to those sections of the State now lacking local service; demonstration of the advantages of cooperation between towns; more intensive and extensive service to children through local libraries and small rural schools; well-organized adult-education programs geared especially to very small villages, and strengthening of the programs of larger ones; a continuing statewide program covering books and book facilities of the State through regular use of radio, television, etc.; intensive series of workshops or in-service training programs for libraries, trustees, and book custodians. Although local communities in Vermont are rightfully proud of their public libraries and what they stand for, there can be no denying the fact that there is still a decided lack of local service. Stimulation in the form of financial and material aid is needed to protect the service which now exists and to extend its services to meet increased present-day demands. Various important factors in library service on a statewide basis have had to be neglected in the past, due to insufficient funds. In Senator's Hill's words: "Rural America lives in a rapidly changing and extremely complex world. As responsible citizens, our rural people must have the same opportunity as their city friends to keep abreast of the rapidly changing developments in the Nation and the world." In a State which is predominantly rural in character, such equality is of the utmost importance. For these reasons, I sincerely urge your wholehearted support of this very vital legislation. Yours very truly, (Mrs.) MARGARET L. FAYER, President. Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, NEW JERSEY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. My Dear Mr. LANDRUM: I am writing in support of the library-services bill, which is to be considered by your subcommittee May 25, 26 and 27. As president of the New Jersey Library Association, I speak for our entire membership in expressing the deep interest we have in this important measure. We are convinced that by using Federal funds in New Jersey, we could hasten the improvement of many of our substandard municipal and county libraries. I wish to request that the following information become part of the record of the hearings. At the present time there are 300,000 persons in New Jersey with no local public-library services. As might be expected, the majority of these individuals live in the more sparsely settled areas of the State. In addition, more than 2 million of the 5 million residents of the State are receiving library support at 99 cents per capita or less. We believe $1.50 per capita (as recommended by the American Library Association) is the very lowest minimum figure at which adequate service is to be provided. Of the 12 county libraries in New Jersey, only 3 receive as high a per capita support as 75 cents. One is as low as 18 cents per capita. The funds provided under the library-services bill would help to stimulate the library-development program in New Jersey which seeks to raise the local level of support and to help equalize library service. The Federal project would tie directly into our long-range plans for improving library service in our State. The funds could be used in several ways but two steps that appear particularly desirable would be (1) a demonstration of library service in an area not now served; (2) assistance in the establishment of new county libraries. We urge that your honorable body will report favorably on this vital educational measure that would mean so much to public libraries throughout the United States. Very truly yours, DOROTHY VAN GORDER, President. WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: The Washington Association of Library Trustees urges favorable consideration of the library-services bill on which you are now conducting hearings. For your information, this rapidly growing State has 267,000 people, 10 percent of its population not served in any way by public libraries; 22 of the State's 121 public libraries have incomes of less than $500; 82 of the public libraries operate on incomes under $10,000. This will indicate to you the great interest of proponents of library service in the State of Washington in favorable consideration of the library-services bill. The recently adjourned session of the Washington State Legislature voted a $50,000 grant to be administered by the State library commission to help new libraries get started. This, however, is less than one-fifth of what might possibly be required in the next biennium. We all know that the State of Washington is growing more rapidly than the rest of the Nation. Its need for cultural and educational facilities are lagging a little behind its program. Therefore we urge that you consider favorably the library-services bill now before you. Yours sincerely, Mrs. I. G. GIMLETT, President. SOUTH DAKOTA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, Chairman, Subcommittee on Library Services, Washington, D. C. DEAR. MR. LANDRUM: I am writing to ask that your subcommittee give special consideration to the bill, which will come before your subcommittee soon, providing for Federal assistance to stimulate State and local interest in improving the public-library services to rural areas, now without such services or where services are inadequate. About 33,000 children attend 1-room rural schools in South Dakota, taught by about 3,000 teachers. Another large segment of our school population attend small graded schools, with 2 grads to a teacher, 4 grades to the elementary school. Small high schools with less than 100 enrolled is typical of our State. Library services for our rural youth is almost nonexistent or at best very inadequate. Those have been of concern and valiant efforts have been made to secure the necessary State and local appropriations to at least make a beginning in furnishing some services. So far these efforts have had very little success. It is not that the people do not want it or that they are not willing to pay for it. The people do not know about it and there is no organization that can finance the initial steps that will bring to the rural people an understanding of what is needed. The experience in Federal assistance to extension, various vocational education fields, indicates that Federal assistance is a powerful stimulus for the development of rural services. This would certainly be true in the rural library field. Our school district organization will no doubt undergo some changes in the next few years, under laws recently passed by our State legislature. While this process is going on, it would be very stimulating to the rural people to have increased library services available to them. What we need is some funds with which to stimulate interest and leadership. I hope that your subcommittee will give serious consideration to doing something to assist libraries in rural areas. It is a program that has great possibilities in relation to the total cost. Thanking you in advance for any support you may give this matter, I am Sincerely yours, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, F. A. STRAND, Executive and Field Secretary. STATE TRAVELING LIBRARY, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: With 38 percent of the people in Iowa without library service, we are centering our hopes on the passing of the library-services bill as a means of getting something started to provide library services for them. I hope that your subcommittee will act quickly and favorably so that this may be done this session of Congress. I firmly believe that with this start, we will be able to carry on the work and that Iowa will take her place as a leader in library work. We have many wonderful people here who are working hard. This will give them the kind of help and encouragement they need to show what good libraries can mean in the lives of the people now without them. Sincerely yours, BLANCHE A. SMITH, Librarian. THE RENO YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, Chairman, Subcommittee on Library Services Bill, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: I would like to take this opportunity to commend the work of your committee on the library-services bill. There are vast areas in the western United States where both children and adults have little opportunity to informally improve their education through library services. Because of the economic factors, it is doubtful whether permanent libraries will be established in these small communities for many years to come. It seems to me that the bookmobile library-services bill is extremely favorable at this time for helping people in rural areas achieve some of the advantages that we enjoy in more urban centers. I am sure that any feasible action that your committee can take on recommending this bill to the Congress will be appreciated by hundreds of thousands of citizens all over the country. Sincerely, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, C. F. MARSHALL, Executive Secretary. LOUISIANA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Chairman, Subcommittee on Library Services Bill, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: On behalf of the Louisiana Library Association may I urge your favorable consideration of the library-services bill, scheduled for a hearing before your subcommittee on May 25? We in Louisiana are particularly interested in the legislation because passage of the bill would give our library program the impetus that is desperately needed. We recognize that the bill if passed would accelerate the development of publiclibrary service in rural sections throughout the country. We like the legislation because it is flexible and because each State will have sole control of its program. We favor the legislation because it is not a continuing Federal aid program but one which for 5 years will stimulate library interest so that more adequate local support will be provided. We are confident that your subcommittee will be sympathetic toward this bill which will help to provide a continuing education for all our people. Sincerely yours, ELIZABETH CAMMACK, President. SOUTH DAKOTA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Hon. PHIL LANDRUM, Chairman, Subcommittee on Library Services Bill, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE LANDRUM: Two hundred members of the South Dakota Library Association stand solidly behind the library-services bill and are eager to secure its passage. Bringing reading materials to thousands of South Dakotans who have no libraries in their midst is truly a worthwhile objective. Our State is primarily agricultural with the Missouri River dividing it sharply into two types of farming: east of the river, smaller farms and denser population; west of the river, large ranches and sparsely settled population. Fifty three and three-tenths percent of the State's people are without library service, and most of these are west-river people. Thirteen counties out here have no public library within their boundaries; this includes 60 percent of the westriver population. It would be redeeming if we were financially able to reach out farther with books, magazines, agricultural pamphlets, and certainly, good reading for boys and girls. The State library commission in Pierre, on its 1953–54 appropriation was able to purchase only 1 new book for every 125 people without library service. Since such funds are not available from the State, the money which the library-services bill would provide is needed in South Dakota. South Dakota, too, has a plan for library development fitting its own needs and resources. Missouri River development is influencing the future; the availability of power will tend to attract industries and, by the same token, population. This will call for more modern educational institutions, among them the library. The existing libraries will be able, financially, to expand and to cover wider areas with the assistance of the library-services bill. The broader the tax base, the lower the tax rate, is a known fact. Thank you for your continued interest in this important legislation. Yours very truly, Mrs. GEORGE BREWSTER, Jr., President. |