James Madison once wrote, "A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a tragedy or a farce, or perhaps both."

Wisconsin lawmakers felt the same way 100 years ago. They knew that informed citizens were essential to democracy, but most residents at the time lived on remote farms. Dirt roads, long distances, and winter weather kept them away from cultural institutions in towns. Lawmakers decided that if farmers couldn’t travel to libraries, then they would send libraries into the countryside.

In 1895, state senator James H. Stout (1848-1910) wrote a bill authorizing traveling libraries and Lutie Stearns (1866-1943) was hired to oversee them. Stout bought the first 500 books with his own money.

These were divided among 16 small collections of about 30 books each: "Each library was put up in a strong book case which had a shelf, double doors with a lock and key, [and] a record book for loans…," Stearns wrote. Over the next 20 years, more than 1,400 of these were sent to crossroads post offices, log schoolhouses and general stores all over the state.

When a village showed sufficient interest, Stearns would help it apply to philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to construct a public library. With her help, between 1895 and 1915, more than 150 public libraries were begun in Wisconsin. The rest is history.

If you’re reading this in a public library, thank the Progressive Era visionaries who believed that everyone needed easy access to information for America to succeed.

— Wisconsin Historical Society, www.wisconsinhistory.org

Odd Wisconsin
Look for Odd Wisconsin on Wednesdays in the Local section. Let us know what you think: justaskus@madison.com; 608-252-6192; Just Ask Us, P.O. Box 8058, Madison, WI 53708.