An efficient county library contemplates maximum service for money expended. Situated at the county seat or at some other centrally located place within the county, its book stock is carried to every resident of the county through a system branches, stations, and school deposits, and the services of an automobile and the parcel post. A trained librarian cooperates with school, farm, and other official leaders of the county in administering to the book needs of the communities. This study was initiated to discover the extent and character of service extended rural schools by county libraries. Such a study seemed necessary because of the library needs of rural schools, the adequacy of the county library as an agency for supplying these needs, and the lack of information showing the service extended rural schools by the major portion of the county libraries in the United States. Its facts and findings herein presented should be of interest and help to those desiring to improve rural schools by means of county libraries, and to those wishing to conduct further research in this field. This study is based largely upon replies to a questionnaire from 144 county libraries located in 32 different States. This is approximately 55 per cent of the entire number of county libraries in continental United States. Contents of this bulletin include: (1) Letter of transmittal; (2) Introduction; (3) County library branches in school buildings; (4) County library staff members; (5) Rural school problems of county libraries; (6) Chief sources of revenue of county libraries; (7) County library practices with reference to book expenditures, lending and instruction; (8) Transportation of books by county libraries and growth in book circulation; (9) Visual aids, magazines, music, and other material loaned to schools by county libraries; (10) Efforts of county librarians in stimulating interest in libraries; (11) Summary and conclusions; and (12) Some important references on county library service to schools. (Contains 7 tables and 6 footnotes.) [Best copy available has been provided.].

Schools were never so dependent upon adequate library facilities as they are at the present time. This condition has come about largely through modern school curricula which demand for their execution large collections of books, magazines, and other reading matter relating to many subjects. At the present time much stress is being placed upon the necessity for well-trained teachers and supervisors of instruction. It is poor economy to provide a highly trained teaching personnel and withhold the tools necessary for good instruction. Libraries, like maps, globes, blackboards, and laboratory equipment, are tools of instruction. The need for better library facilities for children living in the rural areas of the country is very great. Those persons who are concerned with ways and means for the improvement of library facilities for rural schools in their respective States should have a knowledge of what is being done along similar lines in other States. This study shows for each of the 48 States, the principal State agencies that are directing library service for rural schools and describes the administrative machinery that these agencies have set up for the performance of their duties. It also discusses the chief rural school library activities of the agencies. Knowledge of the contents of the study will be of great assistance to State educational and library officials, members of State legislatures, leaders in educational, civic, and farm organizations, and all others who are responsible for improving library service for rural schools. Contents include: (1) Letter of transmittal; (2) Introduction; (3) Present rural school library situation; (4) Principal State agencies directing library service for rural schools; (5) Activities of State educational and library agencies; and (6) Summary and conclusions. (Contains 3 tables.) Individual chapters contain footnote. [Best copy available has been provided.].