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Show THE BEE THE TRAVELING LIBRARY. Written for Tho Boo by Mins Emma McCornick. In compliance with your request, I shall be glad to try to throw a little light on the trawling library scheme, hoping to arouse soma interest jn this great philanthropic, movement. It Is only a recent movement, but has been received with such enthusiasm, such ready and quick sympathy that we cannot but think It an outcome of our present needs. The object of this system is to send books to towns where there are i:o libraries. They are sent in hardwood chests, fitted up with shelves, and large, enough to hold from thirty to forty volumes. A chest remains a couple of months in a town, then is sent to another, the first town receiving a second installment. These bookcases, while in these towns, become actual small libraries, being subject to a fewr simple rules. For instance, books may only be kept a certain number of days, and must be cared for. The organization which establishes a traveling library defray all expenses, so the towns have only to enjoy, after a librarian has been found who will take the required interest. Sometimes a postmaster will volunteer to bo custodian; again, a grocery store will find a nook for the chest. There is always some one to be found possessing the necessary altruistic spirit, and oftentimes where one would least expect to find it. Now, as to what kind of works are needed for these libraries. Always some very simple ones, and, indeed, it is pathetic to read of the d farming folk pouring over and being enraptured by the quaint childlike stories of St. Nicholas and Youths Companion. Even when the elders do not crave reading themselves they instinctively feel the need of it for their children, and urge them to apply for the books. Coed, wholesome literature, be it said to the credit of our humanity, is the most popular in all libraries, and such is put on the traveling library shelves. To quote from a Wisconsin report, where the traveling library has flourished in the most gratifying way: There are the great standard and contemporary novels, the most entertaining books of travel, biography, history and science. There are books for children, for the busy housewife, for the farmer and mechanic, for the studious men and women. There are tho leading books of the day and the books of all time. The Farmers Ballads jostle tho Merchant of Venice. and Mrs. Lincolns Cook Book stands side by side with the Christmas Carol and Helens Babies. Such works docs Wisconsin send out. and the results are the very best. Not less successful than this State are a score or more of others. New York sends thousands of books to her hamlets. The Southern States are following the good example, as are the Middle West States, and now the Far West has become enkindled with the spirit. Hence, d here in Utah we are swiftly following the example of the and public-spirite- d citizens all over the land. We are following in a movement which has been tried and not found wanting in its good and widespread effects. It was only at the last meeting of the State Federation that the women decided to undertake this work under its auspices. We think the time is rine for sending books to our less fortunate sister towns, having seen with what avidity the new volumes in our public library are seized. We see better than ever before what the latent thirst for books has been all these years. Our idea is to send our chests to towns where there are clubs, so they may take care of them and make them known to all. We trust hard-worke- broad-minde- 7 pthat tho librarian in each place will lovo her work, that quaint herself most thoroughly with tho books, so that aim will ac- slio may bo able to coax tho Inexperienced into reading and, perhaps, thereby plant a lasting love for It Our difficulties for establishing such an undertaking are, of course, manifold. As ever, wo are confronted by and overwhelmed with tho question of dollars and cents. Wo must, therefore, appeal to tho generosity and philanthropy of our citizens. Surely many of you havo duplicate volumes which you would gladly donate, knowing tho good they would do, tho vast pleasure they would give. Surely many of you could spare a dollar, realizing how would bo tho good far-reachi- ng dono. d All we ask of the books Is that they bo and of a wholesome moral nature. As a nucleus to begin with, wo have twenty-thre- o dollars and from thirty to forty volumes. You will smile at so small a beginning, but with tho enthusiasm and earnestness of tho workers, with tho interest we hope to arouse throughout tho State, wo think it full of possibilities and feel convinced that success will crown our efforts. cloth-boun- J ; Mrs. C. S. Kinney, State Chairman for Utah of the G. F. W. C., kindly sends us the following upon the absorbing topic of the day the Denver meeting: Interest in the Denver Biennial is growing. The importance of this meeting to club women cannot be overestimated. For the success of the clubs of the State, of the State Federation and of the General Federation meetings should be held for conference and co ordination. Utah will send twenty delegatee, eleven alternates and at least twenty club women, of the Federated clubs will accompany the delegation. The apportionment is as follows: The Utah Federation W. C., five; Ladies Literary, Womans, Authors Club, Cleofan, Press, Reapers clubs and the Poets Round Table, two each. These with the State Chairman make a total of twenty votes. The rate to Denver, round trip, will be $20 over both roads. R. K. THOMAS DRY GOODS CO. 4S-S- O We L. S. JKIAIS STREET, SALT TAKE CITY. are Showing 2,000 Patterns in Wash Dress Goods at 20 cents per yard. Value, 20 cents . |