In 1942 an advisory board to the Library of Congress drafted a proposal for a national program of cooperation among research libraries, aimed at acquiring "at lease one copy of every book published anywhere in the world, ... which might conceivably be of interest to a research worker in America." And thus was born the Farmington Plan, which began operation in 1948 under the sponsorship of the Association of Research Libraries. In 1972 the failing plan was abandoned. This is the first in-depth study of the plans shortcomings and achievements.

Ninety-nine men entered the cold, dark tunnels of the Consolidation Coal Company's No.9 Mine in Farmington, West Virginia, on November 20, 1968. Some were worried about the condition of the mine. It had too much coal dust, too much methane gas. They knew that either one could cause an explosion. What they did not know was that someone had intentionally disabled a safety alarm on one of the mine's ventilation fans. That was a death sentence for most of the crew. The fan failed that morning, but the alarm did not sound. The lack of fresh air allowed methane gas to build up in the tunnels. A few moments before 5:30 a.m., the No.9 blew up. Some men died where they stood. Others lived but suffocated in the toxic fumes that filled the mine. Only 21 men escaped from the mountain. No.9: The 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster explains how such a thing could happen--how the coal company and federal and state officials failed to protect the 78 men who died in the mountain. Based on public records and interviews with those who worked in the mine, No.9 describes the conditions underground before and after the disaster and the legal struggles of the miners' widows to gain justice and transform coal mine safety legislation.

A public domain book showing small town life in America a few years following World War II. A history of the towns of Flat River, Elvins, Desloge, and Farmington, Missouri in 1953, including a history of the lead mining industry in the area from the 1720s to 1953.

The story of a notable children's institution founded at the turn of the twentieth century, this book looks at the lives of troubled children and those who helped them, and illuminates major shifts in America's child welfare system.

Diamond in the Desert by Myles Schrag chronicles 35 years of Connie Mack World Series excitement in Farmington, New Mexico. It is the first extensive look at baseball's profound impact on this unique region of America. Diamond in the Desert is a must-read for true fans and anyone interested in the limitless possibilities of the civic spirit.