With today’s technology, anyone anywhere can access public library materials without leaving home or office—one simply logs on to the library’s website to be exposed to a wealth of information. But one of the concerns that arises is the lack of access for groups isolated by socioeconomic, geographical, or cultural factors. This problem is not a new one. For almost two centuries, public libraries and other organizations have been trying to bring library services to isolated populations. This book is a collection of fourteen essays examining the contributions of librarians, educators, and organizations in the United States who have endeavored to bring library services to groups that previously did not have access. There are three sections: Benevolent and Commercial Organizations, Government Supported Programs, and Innovative Outreach Services. The essays discuss reading materials for two centuries of rural Louisianians, shipboard libraries for the American Navy and merchant Marine, library outreach to prisoners, the Indiana Township Library Program, tribal libraries in the lower forty-eight states, open-air libraries, electronic outreach, and the use of radio in promoting the Municipal Reference Library of the City of New York, to name just a few of the essay topics.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ...Morton A comparison of the directories in this report and that of 1932-34 will show many changes in librarians, two association libraries no longer functioning, and service established in thirteen towns. ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT The Secretary-director has had to devote considerable time to other than Commission administrative duties. The organization of federal library projects required many hours while the program was getting started, and because of personnel changes much of the reference work of 1935-36 had to be done by the secretary and the head of the Traveling Library Department. Field work was reduced to a minimum partly because of press of office work and partly because of lack of travel funds. During 1934 three district library meetings were held, but none were scheduled in 1935. Attendance at two state library meetings, two North Dakota Educational Association meetings, one of the Federation of Women's Clubs, the organization of the Wahpeton Indian School Library, and conferences and board meetings at twelve towns completed the Secretary's field work. We have always felt that the small public libraries of the state were entitled to more help that it has been possible to offer them. Unfortunately the things they need most, money for supplies and new popular books to supplement the local collection are just the things the Commission's small budget will not provide. This lack was partially supplied as far as juvenile books are concerned through the generous cooperation of book publishers who donated sample copies of their new publications. These books were sorted, graded, and sent to the public libraries first as book week or special exhibits and later for circulation purposes. A collection of juvenile books was borrowed in the...