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Bulletin of the American Library Association

Publishing Information

Proposed New York State Project

1. The following project, which would profitably employ some thousands of professional workers, has been submitted in New York State by the state library extension division, and is now under consideration by education and relief authorities.

2. It is proposed to organize with unemployed librarians, teachers, and survey workers, a large extension of the present educational services of libraries. The project--or group of related projects--includes:

3. I. PREPARATION OF ADULT EDUCATION MATERIAL
   1. Preparation of additional lists of readable books in various subjects, especially in the social and political sciences.
   2. Preparation of short study outlines on subjects of current interest and importance
   3. Evaluation of recent and current books, periodical articles, government publications, pamphlets and published radio talks to form basis for 1 and 2 above and to facilitate advisory work with individuals
   4. Unemployed authors to be invited to prepare brief, popular but authoritative brochures on important topics of today, to be issued under the imprint of the larger city libraries
   5. Making of recordings (books, discussions, debates, etc.) for the "talking book" to be used in the special groups and in adult education meetings
   6. Selection of suitable plays, stories, music, instructions for games, sports, etc., for adult education groups and study organizations

4. To plan and carry out such a state-wide group of projects as is here proposed, it is desirable to assemble and study the needs facilities and limitations in the field of library adult education. Surveys and studies are needed such as the following:

5. II. SURVEYS AND STUDIES
   1. Surveys of library service, reading and educational opportunities in selected rural counties and districts
   2. Same in certain metropolitan districts
   3. Study of present library system of New York State as a potential agency in a state adult education set-up
   4. Preliminary surveys of existing large central rural school districts, to determine their book needs and book facilities for adults
   5. Attitude studies of typical rural groups and rural communities in relation to the world of ideas, books, reading, libraries and education
   6. Comparative study of reading interests and needs of residents of selected rural and urban areas
   7. Studies of educational programs of state organizations such as the grange, home bureau, 4H clubs, etc., to plan more effective cooperation with these organizations by the libraries and to develop better book and library service to such organizations.

6. III. LIBRARY EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS
   1. The organization of readers' advisory service to readers in small communities by a regional library staff serving many local libraries
   2. Appointment of neighborhood representatives of the libraries in cities and large villages to introduce the library service to non-users by group meetings, house-to-house visits, book talks, etc.
   3. Organization of adult education activities and groups in libraries having necessary equipment and rooms, under supervision of a regional advisory staff. This work should include directed reading, advisory service to individuals, discussion groups, popular talks on current problems, book discussions, radio study groups, etc.
   4. Extension of adult education services in large libraries, by the organization of adult education work in branch libraries, with readers' advisers, lectures, talks, discussion groups, etc.
   5. Supplying librarians to administer libraries for emergency colleges, night schools and permanent large adult education centers
   6. Organizing special library services to groups or classes in the community as:
      1. Special library services to parents in field of parent education
      2. Special library services to unemployed youths, in CCC camps and elsewhere, in vocational opportunities and in the wide fields of youth problems
      3. Special library service to voluntary adult education organizations, civil service institutes, adult education councils, teachers' study groups, etc.
      4. Training of librarians in adult education methods to ensure success of the broad program by organized conferences, suggested reading, plans for adult educational activities, etc.