sympathetic with congressional probes, such as Burnham's Web of Subversion, are rarely recommended. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the journal described the Castle book as "an intemperate attack, often bordering on the histerical *** unfortunate * ** noisy manner of presentation. **** Librarians were advised to "await demand," meaning they should keep Castle out of their libraries unless the demand was overwhelming. By giving such advice, the journal has arrogated for itself the powers of a censor. If anyone else presumed to tell librarians what not to buy, the journal undoubtedly would accuse him of "book burning." The journal's influence is enormous, according to Boston's chief librarian John M. Carroll. In order to accommodate local tastes, Boston's library system supplements the trade papers with its own reading system. This consists of "five representative branch librarians, advised by ministers and other community leaders," Mr. Carroll said. The committee decides on a book's merits or lack of them—on the basis of trade reviews, as well as one submitted by a local reader. The committee's analysis then is sent to the various branch libraries. Here's what was sent out on Billions, Blunders and Baloney: "This book is substitled "The fantastic story of how Uncle Sam is squandering your money overseas.' It might be well to note that the emphasis in this statement should be on the word 'fantastic.' If Mr. Castle had been a bit less fantastic and a bit more factual his book would have carried greater weight. In this sound and fury treatment he pulls no punches and is impartial in his criticism from the President down. "Before deciding to buy this item, it might be well to read the following reviews: New York Times Book Review, February 13, page 22; New York Herald Tribune Book Review, February 20, page 5; Saturday Review, February 26, page 14. "An important subject not too adroitly handled. Undoubtedly there will be calls for this title; in fact there have already been many calls, but by with caution. Not for replacement." Mr. Carroll frankly admitted this comment was "not designed to encourage purchase of the book." He said it was not unusual to cite reviews appearing in the two New York newspapers. Mr. Carroll was unaware that New England's best-known newsman, the Boston Herald's Bill Cunningham, had devoted a Sunday column of some 4,000 words to high praise of the Castle book. Or that both the Boston Globe and Boston Post had warmly recommended the book. "Local newspaper appraisals generally are not profound,” Mr. Carroll explained. "Moreover, we seek guidance in noncommercial sources." The fact that, as reported by the library itself, "there have already been many calls" for the Castle book was unimportant. "This occurs from time to time," he said. "A newspaper will refer to a book, or Walter Winchell might mention it, and there is phenomenal interest. Which is what happened in the case of Castle. Librarians know what the public wants to read. We seek to avoid deadwood, books not likely to have permanent value." Mr. Carroll voiced bewilderment in the interest shown in the circular carrying comment on the Castle book. "After all," he said, "we can't read everything." That, of course, is not the issue. The issue concerns the objectivity of those empowered to recommend books. In Boston, at least, that objectivity is questionable. Consider the Boston analysis of Emily Hahn's sympathetic biography of Chiang Kai-shek. This recent book was described as "designed for the China lobby appeal. * * * Not all readers will agree with her interpretation *** there will be a demand, but it is not a first choice. *** A more unbiased interpretation may be forthcoming." The clichéd phraseology clearly reveals that leftward thinking of those who have a lot to say about what is purchased by Boston libraries. Obviously the hoped-for "more unbiased interpretation" of Chiang's life would be the traditional one picturing the Gismo as a scoundrel. However, Edwin O. Reischauer's Wanted-An Asian Policy was recommended. In urging eventual recognition of Red China, this book takes the Lattimore line. As stated, the merits of these books are not the issue. The real issue is whether librarians should be permitted to put their own form of "thought control" over on the American people; and whether those in high places, from the White House down, will take cognizance of this form of insidious "book burning" as they did so forthrightly when a Wisconsin Senator sought to remove Communist books from the United States overseas propaganda libraries. STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS A. JENKINS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO Mr. Chairman, in the 17 counties of south-central Ohio which comprises the 10th Congressional District of Ohio which I have the honor to represent, and the 6th Congressional District, there are only 6 cities, 3 in each district, having more than 10,000 population. Twenty-two libraries are located within the 17 counties, which have a total population of about 570,000. One county has no library at all. For the region as a whole, the average per capita tax income of the libraries is just under 45 cents, with 1 receiving as little as 11 cents per capita, and 3 others under 30 cents. The best-supported library in the area, on the basis of per capita income, is the Gallia County Library, at 95 cents. Most of the libraries of south-central Ohio are very small and are open only a few hours weekly, and are totally unable to give any sort of public-library service outside their own immediate vicinities. It is no exaggeration to say that half a million Ohioans in these two congressional districts are without adequate public-library service. Even the small villages which have so-called libraries cannot give the service which Americans need and deserve. The rural areas, outside the villages and towns are the most neglected. Five bookmobiles operate in the area, which comprises well over 8,000 square miles, but even in the counties where they operate they cannot bring books to all of the citizens who would use them, if they could be had. Much of this region is composed of low-income areas, where the tax return is too small to give adequate support to libraries. The people, not having had adequate library service in the past, are not yet willing to tax themselves to support a library which would give them the service they would welcome, once they became aware of it. The library-services bill, now in committee in the House, is designed to give a stimulus, through aid to the States to public libraries which are now inadequate, and to establish libraries where none now exist, so that the rural population may have equal opportunity with their city cousins to informational and recreational reading. It is hoped that Federal grants, for a limited number of years, will make it possible to extend and improve rural-library service, so that all of the American people may have access to books. As poor and inadequate as libraries are in much of southeastern Ohio, there are other parts of the Nation in even worse condition. The only remedy seems to be Federal aid, to encourage the States and areas within the States to be more willing to support adequate libraries themselves, once they have learned their true worth. STATEMENT OF ROGER H. MCDONOUGH, DIRECTOR, ARCHIVES AND HISTORY DIVISION OF THE STATE LIBRARY, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, NEW JERSEY The American free public library is a fundamental community service. It is a basic part of the fabric of democratic life as we know it and want it to be. It is founded on the American principles that every man has the right to find out, read, study, learn, and understand for himself; that all knowledge must be shared; that continuing one's education through life is necessary to steady, regular development and growth; that educational opportunities must be available to all our people; and that the right to vote implies an informed citizenry. The purpose of the public library is to provide each individual with the materials that will enable him to achieve dignity as an individual, help him attain his potential as a wage earner and help him contribute to the welfare of the community. Unfortunately, the potentialities of the public library have not been attained in many areas of our Nation. Many communities-primarily in our rural areas are without any library services of any kind. Many others have inadequate libraries. The Library Services Act of this Congress proposes to alleviate this situation through a limited grants-in-aid program-$7,500,000 for only 5 years. I believe it will go far toward (1) promoting the extension of library services in those rural areas lacking any service and strengthening the now inadequate services common in many rural ones, (2) accelerating State library programs by supplementing State and local expenditures with Federal funds, and (3) providing a means for the study of the methods employed in the several States to extend library services to their rural areas so that they may be employed effectively throughout the Nation. I recommend for your study the favorable report of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare of the 82d Congress on S. 1452 (Rept. No. 775, Promoting the Further Development of Public Library Service in Rural Areas, September 17, 1951). The bill under consideration at that time is similar to the one now under study. The highly convincing arguments presented in this 1951 report for the adoption of this program are equally valid for the bill now under consideration and as true in 1955 as they were in 1951. Under the proposed Library Services Act of 1951, New Jersey would have been eligible for a maximum Federal grant of $103,000, with $143,000 of State and local expenditures in the affected rural areas. Over a 4-year period, the total expenditure would have approximated $1 million. I believe that this expenditure of Federal, State, and local moneys would have gone far toward establishing adequate library service for the rural areas of New Jersey. Public library facilities are completely lacking or grossly inadequate in many of the 567 municipalities of New Jersey. Recent studies by State and local library associations and the inquiries of a special legislative investigatory commission attest to this. Serious efforts are now being made on a State level to devise a program to improve these facilities through a cooperative State-local enterprise. Four hundred and seventy municipalities in New Jersey-with populations of less than 10,000-could be eligible for Federal grants under H. R. 3310 and, I believe, this program would provide the impetus necessary to enact a Statesupervised and cooperative program of library development in these rural areas. In the Fifth Congressional District there are 59 municipalities with populations of less than 10,000; 12 support local libraries. All of these, however, are too small and too inadequately supported to be really effective. Forty-six of the remaining 47 municipalities must depend on the services of the county libraries. These are situated in the county seats, are inadequately supported, and do not meet the needs of the people. The remaining municipality has no library service available whatsoever. 'The adoption of the Library Services Act would spur the municipalities, the counties, and the State to expend the energies and funds necessary to improve the library facilities available to the people in these municipalities and in the other similar rural areas in New Jersey and throughout the Nation. ALABAMA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Representative PHIL LANDRUM, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. LANDRUM: For years we in Alabama have anxiously watched the progress of the public library services bill. Now it seems that perhaps our dream may come true. May I give you a little résumé of just what we have down here in the way of library service for our people. You can readily see how poor we are in facilities and how woefully wanting we are in being able to serve our people. Our spirit is right, but we can't make bricks without straw. If the bill passes, under the present conditions, Alabama would be eligible for its maximum allotment of the basic $40,000 plus the matching amount of $169,000 for a total of $209,000 for each of the 5 years. In Alabama we are a rural people and very poor. At present, we have only 5 regional (2 counties each) libraries with bookmobiles. Only 11 counties with bookmobiles, and 6 county libraries without bookmobiles. We have 26 counties with town libraries only and no countywide service. We have 14 counties without any public library service. In all of this broad expanse, there are only 20 bookmobiles of which 17 belong to county or regional libraries, and 3 belong to the public library service division. There are 4 bookmobiles which are operated by cities within the city. The picture looks dark and for that reason we need some help down here in the Deep South. Our people need to read, and they are eager to learn, but what are the librarians to do? It is small wonder that our State ranks so low in the educational ratings. We, the members of the Alabama Library Association, and we are nearly 600 strong, urge you to do all that you can to bring this bill from committee and help with its passage. We are willing to cooperate with you in any way possible to insure the passage of this legislation. It will be of interest to us if you would care to place our letter in the record of the hearings of the library services bill. |