Many rural libraries depend almost entirely on voluntary °library associations) or educa tional and social clubs for their support. In an increasing number of cases the library is aided by the tax funds obtained from State and local sources. The rural libraries entirely supported by funds raised by public taxation are as yet in the minority. This, however, is the only logical means by which library facilities can be supplied adequately to rural districts and State support of libraries must increase with a growing interest in rural edu cation. Trolley lines, better roads and the automobile have made it easier for the smaller towns and villages to act as library centres for the surrounding rural population. Book-wagons with definitely planned routes have been used to supplement the work of the local library (e.g., at Hagerstown, Md., and by the library commissions of Connecticut and Delaware).
Rural libraries are of great educational sig nificance because of their direct contact with the people they serve. The material they cir culate becomes a force in the community to an even greater extent than it does in larger places. Numerically, the rural library exceeds any other type. No library movement which does not take into account the rural library can have more than partial success.
The great needs of rural libraries are more money for more and better books and for the payment of salaries which will attract and hold librarians who are not only socially-minded but who have education and book sense enough to get the books most needed for the specific communities the libraries serve.
The State library commissions are aiding the small libraries to get better books, through bul letins, book lists and other publications whose purpose is to advise the library in the selection of suitable books. The Wisconsin Free Library Commission regularly includes in its monthly 'Bulletins a ((Selected list of current books. The New York State Library issues an annual 'Best Books for a Small Library.) The Book list of the American Library Association serves a similar purpose for larger libraries. In the matter of salaries, the chief force at present is a growing realization, on the part of rural library boards, of the need of competent li brarians. This is aided by a tendency, clearly apparent at present, toward the requirement of definite minimum educational and professional qualifications for all librarians engaged in pub lic libraries of all types.
Bibliography.— The literature of rural li braries is relatively scanty. Valuable material is listed in Cannons, H. G. T., 'Bibliography of Library Economy) (London 1910) and in 'Library Work) (cumulated, Minneapolis 1912). The Library Journal and Public Libraries con tain much material on the subject of rural and other small libraries. The most direct source of information is often the bulletins of the different library commissions, since these are chiefly devoted to the interests of small libraries.