he use of a room and the other
necessities. It is not desirable to solicit donation of books. The
random inclination of people to pass on to the public library books they
do not care for on their own library shelves is damaging to the library
receiving them. In another column the report of the Audubon Club
mentions this point. The books should be selected with the greatest
care.

The most important feature of such an enterprise is to have some one in
charge of the room who shall be suited to the work,--a woman of culture
and character, of pleasing manners and one who loves children and
delights in aiding readers. Such a librarian gives an "atmosphere" to
the whole undertaking.

In many towns club women and others who are interested have volunteered
to serve as librarians, without compensation, and if a head librarian is
selected to whom these volunteer workers shall report and who is
responsible for the work, this arrangement seems a good one until such
time as funds will permit of the employment of a paid librarian.

At Audubon, Exira, Glenwood, Guthrie Center, Laurens, Leon, Tama and
other places in the state, the women are most courageously carrying on
this work, with the hope that the town will eventually take the
responsibility off their shoulders by voting a tax to support the
library.

If any attempt has been made to vote a municipal tax and it has failed,
or if there seems to be little sentiment in favor of the measure, there
is no need to feel disheartened. A beginning may be made by securing a
travelling library of 50 volumes from the Library Commission at Des
Moines, without other cost than transportation, and these books, may be
exchanged for a similar collection every 3 months, thus making 200
volumes accessible during the year.

This collection with the few books the local association is able to buy
and a few good magazines should make it possible to open the room for
reading and the issue of books two afternoons and evenings each
week--preferably Wednesday and Saturday.

The small beginning will gather to itself strength if the workers are
persistent; the collection of books will increase, sentiment will grow
more favorable and eventually the movement will be popular.

In making such a beginning the Iowa Library Commission should be called
upon for the use of the traveling library, form of constitution and
by-laws, book lists and other printed matter, and the secretary will be
glad to render any