people "something for nothing," but practically it is certain that there are communities, where libraries are woefully needed, which will not pay a cent for them; and if one is not hampered by state laws and inflexible rules, such communities can be helped even if a good theory does suffer.
If traveling libraries are advertised to be sent for a fee, even a moderate one, they will be drawn to the most intelligent communities where people are most willing to pay for library privileges and where they first hear of new opportunities. If, however, agents for traveling libraries can be sent out, they can find the most needy communities and the persons best fitted to be librarians. Such communities need personal, hand-to-hand work in the cause of education, and associations of individuals working near their own homes can do a work that cannot be done at present by state systems.
There seems, therefore, to be a great field for state systems of traveling libraries in securing the establishment of free public libraries, in strengthening such libraries in poor communities, and in developing the "library spirit" in all parts of a State. There seem to be other important fields for associations in sending out libraries: (1) to show their usefulness and create a demand for state systems; (2) to educate farmers to help support their neighboring city and village libraries; (3) to supply isolated communities beyond the reach of public libraries.
Strong state associations can also help isolated study clubs by sending out libraries on special subjects. As such libraries go to clubs of intelligent people, they do not need careful supervision to secure good results.
Persons who desire to establish systems of traveling libraries, and who wish further information and suggestions in regard to such practical details as the selection of the books, guaranties for the safe keeping of the libraries, fees for borrowers, charging systems, library-cases and catalogs, can
