v ‘v READING IN THE RUIlAL COMMUNITY: A SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY Of READING AND LIBRARY use m LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN 1946 .1947 Thesis for the Dome of Ph. D. MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE Gus Turbevillo I948 _ I ':' . - 0V I I l J ' I- 1 T” r'r-c— I Thisistoeertifgthatthe -._ thesis entitled , ‘ "Reading in the Rural Commuty: ;; 5 , A Social Psychological Study of Reading and . . Library Use in Lenawee County, Michigan, 19h6-19h7." O ‘ p - I presented by .‘- -. .. Gllfl. Turbaville has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for Maw 11.43;;le ‘ W i. VMajor professor Date Sejtember 11;, 19148 . I '1 ’ . .‘_.. --— -- - a ..-__4‘. - p-w—ugm —‘ —— fl—‘r M» I; am - - , I III I '!. .fl " l‘1":":,\€ a , r,_ _'_1 'h] I 3., .,l‘ 4' V t :93!“ *‘_"" 3?, -_ ,. . «WW. . fi“ ' ‘93“ II I 5‘1, .- ; ’5’. .j‘.‘ ”AEL ”4"; ,' . x . . . ‘-‘. I' ‘_. , I» - . . - ___, , "” “i. 3* “In :91} I . 5:5 I 3i“ gt? 'r l . 1"! . — "Lu, ‘0316‘4U4v ,yfir 3” £21m? ”"13”: w? A?” ”’3‘" 1:14). 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W; “A" «\‘F ‘2; LVN _ ‘ MIA"- \” l(' t. 0‘" 1‘ §\ READING IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY: A SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF READING AND LIBRARY USE IN LENAMEE CCUNTY, MICHIGAN, 1946-1947 By GUS TURBEVILLE A THESIS Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Sociology and Anthropology 1948 DEDICATION This thesis is respectfully dedicated to Dr. Vernon J. Parenton of Louisiana State University. Although Dr. Parenton lost his eyesight in the service of his country during the recent great war, he has never lost faith in his ability to teach and write like the expert sociologist that he is. 11 rt?tfi{wn-m i v. . ‘1 ‘« f‘l ~g’ :- v -.’ fly ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To Dr. Edgar A. Schuler the writer is particularly in- debted for advice, guidance, and encouraeement throughout the course of the present study. To his other professors at Michi- gan State College, eSpecially Drs. Charles P. Loomis, Duane L. Gibson, Paul Honigsheim, Solon T. Kimball, J. F. Thaden, Charles R. Hoffer, Judson T. Landis, J. Allan Beegle, Paul A. Miller, Harold H. Anderson, and Jack H. Gibb, he is grateful for instruction and suggestions. The Ienauee County Librarian, Mrs. Aileen Lindbert, was most helpful and coonerative throughout the duration of the project. And, of course, the innumerable residents of Lenavee County who gave varying bits of information were indispensable for the work. One of the instigators of the present study was Mr. J. Donald Phillips who is in charge of the Adult Education Department at Michigan State College. While speaking of those persons who were instrumental in getting this work underway, mention should be made of the enthusiasm and helpfulness of the County Library Section of the Michigan Library Association. Many other persons also made contributions to this project. Mr. Francis B. Martin was of great help with his instruction and aid in the use of the International Business Machines. Mr. J. D. Cruise of the Planning Commission of the Michigan iii State Highway Department made available to the writer data on traffic flow in Lenawee County. Miss Barbara J. McDonald had the responsibility of typing the thesis. And finally, the writer wishes to thank again his parents and brothers and sisters for the way in which they have encouraged and stimulated him to pursue further the quest for knowledge. iv DEDICATION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABSTRACT CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER ' CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAP ER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER III IV VI VII VIII IX XI XII XIII XIV XV TABIE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION SOCIAL AND CULTURAI CHARACTERISTICS OF IENAVEE COUNTY POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF LENA— WEE COUNTY ~ THE IENAWEE COUNTY LIBRARY PHASES CE THE STUDY AND THEIR INTEL- RELATIONSHIPS VARIATICNS IN RESPONSE BY RANDOM AND IEADERSHIP SAMPLES VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY RANDOM AND LRADNRSRIP SANIIRS (Continued) VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY OPEN COUNTRY AND TOWN RANDOM SANPLES VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY IIBRARY USERS AND NON—IIBRARY USERS VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY BOOK READERS AND NON—ROCK READERS .VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY EDUCATION VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY AGE VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY NUMBER OF CHILDREN AT HOME VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BV NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS TO RHICH BELONGED DELINEATICN OF TRADE AREAS V PAGE ii iii xviii 16 30 46 67 154 177 192 211 226 238 254 PAGE CHAPTER XVI SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP 265 CHAPTER XVII SUNNARY, EVAIUATION, AND CONCLUSIONS 279 A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 294 APPENDIX SOO vi Table 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. LIST OF TABLES* Percentage Distribution of Employed Workers, Male and Female, Fourteen Years Old and Over by Major Occupation for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940 Ten level of Living Neasures for Michigan and Lenamee County, 1940 Population Changes in l\‘Lic‘ripan and Lenawee County, 1850-1940 Population of Incorporated Places in Lenamee County, 1940 Population, by Residence, for Michigan and Lenamee County, 1940 POpulation, by Race and Nativity, for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940 Age and Sex Composition of Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940 Sex Ratios, by Age, for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940 Sex Ratios, by Residence, for Michigan and Lenawee- County, 1940 Fertility Ratios of Michigan and Lenawee County, by Residence, 1940 School Attendance for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940 Number and Percentage of Persons Twenty-Five Years Old and Over, by Years of School Completed, for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940 Number and Percentage of Persons Twenty-Five Years Old and Over, by Years of School Completed, by Sex, for Lenawee County, 1940 Total Number of Volumes at the Lenawee County Library, 1941—1947 titles, the cnapter needinrc are 27 29 C21 CO 42 44 0'1 C13 To av01d repetition 01 too same varieole 1n toe table (9" tables concerned with the main body of tfl? study. vii iven preceding eecn set of Table 15. 16. 17. 18. 20. 21. 22. CHAPTERS VI and VII. VARIATIONS IN RESPONS B 25. 24. 25. 26. 27. Total Number of Registered Borrowers at the lena- wee County Library, 1941-1947 Circulation of Books, by Types, at the Lenawee County Library, 1941-1947 Total Circulation of Books at the Lenawee County Library, by Headquarters, Branches, and Deposits, 1944—1947 Circulation of Books for Adults at the Lenamee County Library, by Readouarters, Branches, and Deposits, 1944-1947 Circulation of Books for Children at the Lenawee County Library, by Headquarters, Branches, and Deposits, 1944-1947 Circulation of Books and Hours Open per Week for Headquarters and Branches of the Lenawee County Library, 1947 Total Operating Expenses for the Lenavee County Library, 1940-1947 Amount Spent on Books, Periodicals, and Repairing and Binding at the lenawee County Library, 1940- 1947 BY RANDOM I? ..J Q U AND LEADERSHIP SAMPL' Age of Female Heads, by Random and leadership Samples for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946-1947 Marital Status Place of Residence Length of Time in Community Highest School Grade Completed Occupation of Male Head Occupation of Female Head Total Number of Living Children viii Page 55 57 59 61 62 62 82 82 82 85 85 85 84 Table 51. 52. 59. 40. 41. 42. 45. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 50. 51. 52. 55. Number of Children at Home Ages of Children at Home Number of Organizations to Nhich Belonged Organizations to Which Belonged Eyesight for Reading Socio—Economic Indices Type of Nevspaper Taken Parts of Newspaper in Which Female Read Most Interested Parts of Newspaper in Which Male Read Most Interested Number of Magazines Read by Female Read Number of Magazines Read Regularly by Female Head Number of Magazines Read by Male Head Type of Favorite Magazine of Female Read Type of Favorite Magazine of Male Head Specified Favorite Magazine of Female Read Why Favorite Magazine Liked Best Female Reads Reporting the Reading of One or More Books during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Total Books Read during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Length of Time Since Reading Last Book Type of Book Read Last Type of Book Enjoyed Most during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Reasons Given for Most Enjoying a Particular Book Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit during Preceding Twelve Months Period ix 0') ‘1) Table Page 54. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile 105 55. Number of Books in Home . 105 56. Books Read or Referred to Frequently 104 57. Homes Raving Experiment Station Bulletins or Other Government Publications 104 58. Attitudes Toward Experiment Station Bulletins or Other Government Publications 105 59. Types of Reading Matter in hhich Interested 109 60. Problem or Subject on Which More Reading Matter Is Wanted 114 61. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable 114 62. Amount of Time Spent Reading during Preceding Week 117 65. Library Publicity or Advertisements Cbserved 119 64. Library Users Checkino Books from Library because of Advertising 119 65. Is Location of Library Convenient 119 66. Are library Hours Convenient 120 67. Distance from Nearest library, Branch, or Deposit 120 68. Where are Books Cbtained That Are Read by Non— Library Users 121 69. Reasons for Not Using library 121 70. Non—Library Users Knowing Name and location of Nearest Library, Branch, cr Denosit 121 71. Reasons Why Non—library Users Rho Previously Used library No Longer Do So 124 72. Did Other Members of Non-library Users' Families Use Library in Past 124 75. Reasons Why Cther Members of Non—library Users' Families Have Not Used Library 124 74. Library Users Reporting Where Books Are Obtained That Are Read 126 9‘2. Name or Location of Library, Branch, or Deposit Used by Library Users Who Goes to Library for Library Users T How Are Books Selected by Library Lsers How Are Books Found by Library Users Strong Points About Library, According to Library Users Weak Points About Library, According to Library Users Suggestions Library Users Have for Improvement of Library When Did Library User First Begin Using Library CHAPTER VIII. VARIATICKS IN RESPCKSE BY CLAN COUNTRY 84. ‘85. 86. 97. PF. 92. 95. 94. AND TOYN RANDOM SALPLES Age of Female Heads, by Open Country and Tovn Samples for Lenavee County, Michigan, 1946-1947 Length of Tire in Community Highest School Grade Completed Total Number of Living Children Number of Children at Home Number of Organizations to Which delonged Socio—Economic Indices Eyesight for Reading Type of Newspaper Taken Number of Naeazines Read Regularly by Female Head Lumber of Magazines Read by Male Head Female Heads Reporting the Reading of One or More Books during the Preceding Twelve Months Pepiod xi 127 128 128 Table CHAPTER 110. 111. 112. 115. Total Books Read during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Hesrondonts Wanting a Bookmobile Number of Books in Home Homes Having Experiment Station dulletins or Other Government Publications Where Does Male Head Go About Farm Problems Types of Reading Matter in Thich Interested Problem or Subject on Which More Reading Matter Is hanted Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable Amount of Time Spent Reading during Preceding Week Is Location of Library Convenient Are Library Hours Convenient Respondents tho Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit during Preceding Twelve Months Period there Are Books Obtained That Are Head by Non- Library Users Reasons for Not Using Library Library Users Reporting Where Books Are Obtained That Are Read IX. VARIATIONS IN RFSPCNSE BY LIBRARY USERS AND NON-I IBRARY USERS Age of Female Heads, by Library Users and Non- Library Users of the Random Sample for Lenamee County, Michigan, 1946-1947 Place of Residence Length of Time in Community Highest School Grade Completed xii 142 142 145 145 146 148 148 148 150 150 152 156 156 156 157 Table 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 154. Total Number of Living Children Number of Children at Home Number of Organizations to Mhich Beloneed Socio-Economic Indices Eyesight for Reading Type of Newspaper Taken Number of Magazines Read Regularly by Female Head Number of Magazines Read by Male Head Female Heads Reporting the Reading of One or More Books during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Total Books Read during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Length of Time Since Reading Last Book Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile Is Location of Library Convenient Are Library Hours Convenient Distance from Nearest Library, Branch, or Deposit Types of Reading hatter in Lhich Interested Number of Books in Home Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable Amount of Time Spent Beading during Preceding Week X. VARIATIONS IN BOOK READERS RESLCNSE BY BCCK READERS AND NCN— Age of Female Heads, by Book Readers and Non-Book Readers for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946—1947 Highest School Grade Completed Number of Children at Home xiii 165 165 165 168 168 168 175 175 174 174 178 180 180 158. 159. 140. 141. 142. 145. 144. 145. CHAPTER 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. Number of Organizations to Nhich Belonaed Socio-Economic Indices Eyesight for Reading Type of Newspaper Taken Number of Naaazines Read Regularly Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested Number of Books in Home Types of Reading Matter Found ijectionable Amount of Time Spent Reading durinv Preceding Week XI. VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY EDUCATION Age of Female Heads, by Eighest School Grade Com— pleted, for Ienawee County, Michigan, 1946-1947 Total Number of Living Children Number of Organizations to Which Belonged Socio—EConomic Indices Number of Magazines Read Regularly Does Respondent Read Books Total Books Read during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile Number of Books in Home Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit during Preceding Twelve Months Period Types of Reading Matter In Erich Interested Types of Reading Hatter Found Objectionable Amount of Time Spent Heading during Preceding Week xiv 198 202 202 202 Table CHAPTER XII. 159. 160. 161. 162. 165. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. 169. 170. 171. 172. CHAPTER 175. 174. 175. 176. 177. 178. VAfiIATICNS IN RESPCNSE BY AGE Total Number of living Children of Female Heads, by Age, for Lenavee County, Nichipan, 1946-1947 Number of Organizations to Vhich Selonaed Highest School Grade Completed Socio-Economic Indices Number of Magazines Read depularly Does,Hespondent iead Books Total Books Read during the Preceding Twelve Nonths Period Resgondents Ranting a Bookmobile Number of Books in Home Respondents Ibo Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit during Preceding Twelve Months Period Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable Amount of Time Spent Heading during Preceding meek Eyesight for Reading XIII. VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY NUNBER CF AT HOME CHILDREN Age of Female Heads, by Number of Children at Home, for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946-1947 Highest School Grade Completed Number of Organizations to Which Belonged Socio-Economic Indices Number of Nagazines Read Regularly Does Respondent Read Books XV Page 215 215 218 218 218 219 220 225 225 182. 185. 194. 185. CHAPTER 186. 187. 188. 196. 197. 198. Total Books Read during the Preceding Tvelve Months Period Heepondents Wanting a Bookmobile in Home Number of Books Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit during Preceding Twelve Ronths Period Types of Reading Matter in Mhich Interested Types of Reading Matter Found Cbiectionable Amount of Time Spent Reading during Preceding Week XIV. VARIATIONS IN RESPCNSE BY NUNBER CF ORGANIZA- TIONS TO WHICH BELGNGED Age of Female Heads, by Number of Organizations to Which Belonged, for Ienawee County, Michigan, 1946-1947 Highest School Grade Completed Total Number of Living Children Socio—Economic Indices Number of Magazines Read Reaularly Does Respondent Read Books Total Books Read during the Preceding Twelve Months Period Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile Number of Books in Home Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit during Preceding Twelve Months Period Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested Types of Reading Matter Hound Objectionable Amount of Time Spent Reading during Preceding Meek xvi Page 252 252 LIST CF FIGURES Figure ‘ Page 1. Map of Lenawee County 17 I 2. Delineation of Trade Areas in Lenavee County, Michigan, 1947 260 03 Location of the Neighborhoods in the Addison Trade Area, 1947 267 xvii F". n: purpose of this stud; is to bring scciel [sycuo— logicsl techniques to bear Upon a survav of rsadin; and library use in s rural c unty of s uthasstwrn Kicnigsn. Tot only are data gathgred on such factors as number rnd «’2 'Kinds of nequwffi“rs, m;ghzinc¢, onéllxxflis reed, tut sl 0 3n attempt is mode to get at tne attitudes of too resfond— ants toward Vsrious sorts of reading natter and toward tn? County Liorary and tun snrvicss it offers. fisCOgniz— in: the fact thpt any scrt of social stuiy becomns noon— ihéfUI oniy if observed from too fullnst possible sociz1 setting, efforts hzvs bnen :ut fortn to vinw tns cornty ;soéra;hical conni— ’ During the summers of 1946 and 1947, intervisns were raid witn 205 femiliss residing in ooen country areas, and with eighty—four femiliss living in those towns of the county servnd by a branch of tho County Library. In ad— dition interviews were held with 100 families who wore selectad on too basis oi certain lesfiersni characterise on», tics. An Open—ended tyne scnsdulc calling for botn oe— naviorsl and attitudinal information was used in all tnsse interviets. Aside from tnis rnase or tne work (irsctly L related to rssding, otnsr osrts oi toe study necessitated l. thn dslineetion of tno trade areas wit in tne County; and xviii the identification 0: the local neighborhood leaders within one of the delineated trade areas. It was found in this study that there are rather shar; differences in rrgard to reading behavior and attitudes between the leaders and those rrStondents chosen in a ran— dom manner. It was ascert ined, Ior instance, that the ('1‘; former read sore magazines rnd books than the latter; that they are more interested in the various IElePE matter; that they fredominate in the nrogortion of library users; and that tney sjend more tire rea ing. A number of other variables were scrutinize , and it was learned tn:t resoundents vary si;nificently Irom even other in some asoects OI their reading behavior and attitudes according to place of residence; librzry use; readersain of booKs; education; ape; number of Children at home; and number of organizations to woicn belonged. also Certain differences, sugcestive of varying social classes, were noted. Considering the random samole as a whole, it was learned that sli¢htly less than fourteen oer cent of the reapondents reported the use or the library durirf the preceding tWelve months. tn the other hand, thirty-one U) U) per cent of these restondent .tated thft they read one or more booKs during the past year. This indicates thzt even if only boon readers are considered as potential li— brary users, there is considerable room for expansion of xix library service in tne county. Carrying this hypothesis sort of reading are con- \‘ =rther, if persons on do any f ( sidered to be potential Users of the library, then the (I) D *1 <3 H. O (D U (.0 e for improvement and extension or library rang- almost boundless since this survey shows that rest of the reapondents do read at least newseapers and UL; XX CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Plans for the present study were made at Clear Lake, Iichigan, in June of 1946.. At that time the Adult Education Department of lichigan StatsCollege sponsored a joint work- shop which pooled the efforts of its own department with that ‘of the County Library Section ofthe Michigan Library Associ- ation and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at lichigan State College. The seeds for this workshop, however, were sown the year previously when Dr. Charles P. Loomis, Head of the Department of Sociology and AnthrOpology at Michigan State College, made an address before the county librarians in which he outlined the potentialities of sociological tech- niques in improving hnd extending library service to all the segments of a given society. The response of the county librarians was to enlist the aid of the Michigan State College Adult Education Department in organizing and holding the above-mentioned workshop. One of the results of the workshop was the decision to have the writer, a graduate assistant in the Department of_ Sociology and Anthropology, make, under the direction or Professors Judson T. Landis and Charles P. Loomis, an intensive sociological study of one of the counties of the State having a county library. The Survey Committee, consisting of representatives of all three of the previously mentioned groups, considered several types of counties as 1 possibilities for this pilot study. One kind considered was a sparsely settled county; another type was a fringe county, or one that was dominated by a large city; and the final type was a rural county which had some industrial areas. The first type county was eliminated because it was realized that economic conditions would be, to a considerable extent, con- trolling factors in the kind of library service that could be offered. The second kind of county was not studied since it is not typical of the counties of Michigan having a county library. This narrowed the choice to the third type of county, namely, a rural one with some industrial areas. Inasmuch as several counties of this type were recipients of Kellogg funds, thereby making them atypical, the list of eligible counties was reduced to three. It was then thought advisable to choose Lenawee County from this group, since, in addition to meeting the above requirements, it was within less than a three hour's drive from the College. The county librar- ian of this selected county, Mrs. Aileen Lindbert, kindly assented0to the survey's being held in that county, and.more- over, assured the Survey Committee of her full cooperation. Shortly after the exploratory stages of the survey had begun, it was learned that Dr. Edgar A. Schuler, a social scientist in the Bureau of Agricultural Economics in the United States Department of Agriculture, and one who had taken an active part in the Clear Lake workshop, had accepted an appointment to come to Michigan State College as a full- time member of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Owing to the pressure of other research in which he was actively engaged, Dr. Landis relinquished his role as immedi- ate supervisor of the survey to Dr. Schuler, but agreed to act as consultant from time to time. Purpose. The primary purpose of this study is to bring social psychological techniques to bear upon a general study of reading and library usage. It is felt that it is of vital importance to know what both random.and select samples of people think of the library; what they think of reading; and what their activities are in this regard. Only in this way can a realistic program be inaugurated that will actually meet the needs and wishes of the residents. But not only does this study aim to get at such attitudinal factors as the foregoing, but also it is interested in developing techniques which can be followed by other researchers who may be stimulated to make shmilar studies in their own locales. It is believed, in addition, that if Lenawee County be typical of other moder- ately prosperous agricultural counties in the Midwest, the factual information gathered, such as number and kinds of books read, number of magazines to which subscribed, etc., will be indicative of possible similar propensities in this general region. Having this factual information will, of course, be of considerable help to the librarian in defin- ing her problem and in knowing in what direction to commence any kind of action program. Finally, this study prOposes to delineate the functional trade areas in the county, and then to investigate the informal leadership structure of one of the trade areas. The implications of this phase of the study are far reaching. Only by knowing where the trade areas of a county lie can the county librarian know Where is the most strategically located position for a branch library or a book collection. Only by knowing who are the informal leaders of a given community can the county librarian enlist the sup- port of those members of a community to whom others look for suggestions. Only by recognizing and taking into account these factors can a county library program be started or improved that not only will be an integral part of the community, but also will have the active financial and moral help of all. members of the grouping. lgggpg. Any element ofga society which is taken out of its context for study runs serious danger of having its original meaning distorted. For this reason an attempt has been made in this investigation to study several facets of life in the county so as to get a comparatively broad setting in which to look at reading and library usage. Basically there were five studies: the Open country sample; the town random sample; the town formal leader sample; the informal leaders of one trade area; and the mapping out of the functional trade areas of the county. Each one of these phases of the study will be described in detail later on in this work. Iethod. The specific method employed in each part of the work will be described rather fully in the apprOpriate chapters, but it is not amiss here to get somewhat of an overall view. Whenever respondents were interviewed on what they were reading and what they thought of the library, etc., a uniform, pre-tested schedule was used. Essentially the same schedule was used for all respondents, but minor modifications were made forlibrary users and townspeople.’ Likewise, a time-tested schedule, with some modifications, was used for the delineation of functional communities. In the study of the informal leadership structure, however, the interviewing to determine the identity of these leaders was done on a.more or less informal, relatively elastic manner. The necessity for that type interviewing might have been due to the nature of the study, or it might have been due to the fact that more exacting techniques, in comparison with the other parts of the study, have not yet been evolved. Limitations. Limitations of time and resources prohib— ited the making of as complete a study of community life as would otherwise have been possible. It would have been highly desirable to have made an additional study exclusively of library users since, in a random.sample, the number of library users is quite small. It would have been of value to have studied the informal leadership structure of each of the functional trade areas of the county so as to have obtained some basis of comparison for the study actually completed. It would have been informative to have made studies of those towns having an independent library to see if they had better or poorer library service than those towns having a branch of the county library. Speaking sociologically, a fuller and more accurate picture of the county as a whole could have been obtainedif it had been within the means of the available resources to have made a thorough study of the various sources of recreation available to the people; of the employment oppor- tunities; of the schools; of the churches; of the various social and fraternal clubs; and of those activities of life, whatever they may be, that are held.mest dear by the people as individuals. But, of course, one must be practical, and a study which would include all of the above mentioned ideals would entail a number of trained field workers, sizeable financial assistance, and considerable time. Thus, it is felt that this study-falls within certain minimum bounds of accur- acy, pertinence, meaningfulness, and practicality; and if it in any way proves useful to county librarians, it will at least be a partial success. Review 23 the Literature. Although, so far as can be ascertained, there have been no surveys identical with the present study, there have been a number of investigations which, in varying degrees, have pertinence to the present work. In this review mention will be made briefly of the methodology employed, and of the conclusions reached by these works. Then, in the apprOpriate chapters of the present '7 monograph, the applicability of each of these studies mentioned will be demonstrated. Preceding the 1944 presidential election, Berelsonl interviewed 700 respondents at intervals for a number of months in an attempt to ascertain what books the respondents had read and how their Opinions had changed. He concluded_ that there was a pronounced tendency for people of the same kind to hold similar political opinions regardless of whether they read a large number of books or none at all. During the four weeks period from January 15 to Febru- ary 10, 1934, Carnovskyz made a study of book circulation among adults in Hinsdale, a suburb of Chicago. The author, title, and type of every book borrowed during this interval from the adult collection were cOpied onya card. Also on this card were written the name, age, and occupation of the borrow- er. It was found that housewives and students predominated among those using the library; and that these users most often were between the ages of fifteen and nineteen, and twenty-five and thirty-nine. Fiction made up two-thirds of the circula- tion, and the average number of loans to each borrower was about four. 1 Bernard Berelson, e Public Library,VBook Reading, and Political Behavior," Library Quarterly, XV, (October, 1945), pp. 281‘2990 ' 2 Leon Carnovsky, "00mmunity Studies in Reading, II, Eins- dale, a Suburb of Chicago," Libragy Quarterly, V, (January, 1955). pp. 1-30. 3 on Prince A study was made by Chandler and Croteau EBward Island in an attempt to determine the uses made by a rural population of a library that was set up specifically for the needs of the local people. Over a period of five years, the reading habits of 25,000 peOple who read a total of 1,000,000 books were analyzed. Readers were classified according to their age, sex, education, occupation, and resi- dence. The writers found that a large majority of the fiction circulated by the library was a comparatively small number of volumes of the lighter classes of fiction. They also discov- ered that sixty per cent of the registered library users lived within one mile of the nearest branch library; that eighty per cent lived within four miles; and that eighty-nine per cent lived within six miles. Gray and Munroe4 interviewed some 300 respondents, select- ed from clubs and large dwelling units, concerning their read- ing activities. This group, which was a better educated group than would have resulted from a random.samp1e, spent more than ninety minutes per day reading. Fifty per cent of them.read books; seventy-five per cent reported the reading of magazines; and ninety-five per cent said that they read the newspaper. 3 H. 5. Chandler and 3. T. Cr oteau, A Regional Librggzm md its Readers, New York: American Association for Adult Edu- cation, 1940. 4 William.S. Gray and Ruth.lunroe, The Reading Interests T32 Habits g£_Adults, New York: The Macmi an Company, 29. In a study which is more comparable to the present one 5 used than any other encountered in the literature, Hodgson three chief approaches: (l) How much reading matter is there in the rural homes? (2) How much is available from other sources? (5) Where does it come from? He made visits to 300 rural homes in Illinois and Indiana, about half of which were farm.and about half non-farm. _In addition, half of the homes were in an area which was served byva rural library, while the other half were in a territory which did not have any kind of free local library service. He found that on the basis of availability, newspapers were the most important .source of rural reading; magazines were second; pamphlets third; and books a poor fourth. He also reported that the prevalence of newspapers, magazines, and books in the hmme was closely connected with the educational status and the economic conditions of the homes covered in the study. Humble6 made a study of the educational aspects of the work done with adults by rural libraries. She spent from two to three months visiting many different sections of the country in an attempt to see all the major types of libraries that serve rural areas. She concluded that the people of rural America do read, and that they are eager for books. The purposes for which people read in America's rural districts James 3. Ho dgson,tThePrinted Page in Rural Ho omes, Un- published.manuscript borrowed from the_ author, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1947. ' 6 larion.Humb1e, Rural America Reads, New York: American Association for Adult Education, I938. 10 "are as varied as those of readers at all times and in all places." In a study that was concerned chiefly with school boys and girls, Iriegv analyzed the number and types of books withdrawn from the library in Alliance, Ohio, by the age, sex, and grade of the respondent. This survey occupied the four weeks between February 25 and March 23, 1935. He found, among other things, that school girls borrowed nearly twice as many books as school boys; that both boys and girls bor- rowed more books per capita than.men or women; and that per capita reading for boys and girls showed increments for the first six grades, declined in the seventh and eighth grades, and then reached a new height in high school. Under the direction of Link and Hopf,8 a broad and comprehensive study was made in the spring of 1945 of book reading activities and reading interests of 4,000 respondents. The results of this study showed that people in the highest economic level read the most books, but that this factor was not so important as that of education. Respondents between the ages of fifteen and nineteen did more reading than any of the other age groupings, but they also had more education. During the course of a study conducted in 1934 by Ridgway? T raurel KFieg, "CommunityStudies in "Reading. IV. A liddlewestern.lanufacturing Community," Libragy Quarterly, IX, (Jmuary, 1939), pp. 72-86. I 8 Henry C. Link and Harry A. Hopf, Peo le'gng Books, New York: Book Manufacturers' Institute, T946. 9 Helen A. Ridgway, "Community Studies in Reading. III. Reading Habits of Adult Non-Users of the Public Library," Library Quarterly, VI, (January, 1936), pp. 1- 33. 11 interviews were held with 225 non-library users in an election district servedby a branch library in Flushing, New Ybrk. About ninety-five per cent of the respondents said that they read newspapers; sixty per cent said that they read magazines; and forty-three per cent reported that they were book readers. In a study reported by Sohon}O charts were made of econo- mic conditions in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for the years 1929-1939. These charts were based on such factors as saving deposits, consumption of electricity, weekly average payrolls, average working hours per week, etc. It was found that there is a decrease in number of books circulated in good times because more people are returning to work. Also, in depression years there is more "escape" reading than formerly (circula- tion of fiction goes up and non-fiction down). 11 and a co-worker spent seven weeks in New York's Naples Lower East Side during the summer of 1932, during which time they made a survey of sources and distribution of reading matter. They found that newspaper sales in the district in— dicated that approximately eighty per cent of those residents over fifteen years of age could be classified as newspaper readers. In addition they found that sex and occupation scarcely affected the total amount of borrowing at either of IO JuIIan I. Sohon, "Workers and Readers: ‘Tfie Correlition between Economic Trends and Library Statistics in Brid e- port, Connecticut," Librgry Quarterly, XI, (July, 1941 , pp. 334-356. ‘ ll Douglas Naples, "Community Studies in Reading. I. Read- ing in the LOwer East Side," Libragy Quarterly, III, (Janu- m, 1933), Pp. 1’20. 12 the library branches in the area. In an analysis of reading conducted by Waples and Car- 12 a total of 2,990 questionnaires were obtained during novsky, a two weeks period in 1937 from.high school students, teachers of all grades, and parents of high school students in a suburb of New York and a suburb of Buffalo. Concerning the students, a tendency was found for the quality of their reading to improve with age. Among the teachers, it was learned that the magazines most widely read were professional, digests, and weekly news magazines. As for the parents of high school students, the findings showed that they read fiction and non- fiction books inalmost equal amounts. In still another study, Waples, in collaboration with Tyler,18 prepared "a representative list of all questions discussed in magazines addressed to the general reader and published in the United States during the last decade” (1920- 1930). The questions having elements in common were classi— fied, and appropriate headings were given to each class - the headings serving as representative tOpics. Ratings on the topics were secured from "typical groups of readers to indi- cate the relative interest of each group in the 117 topics listed." No attempt was made to get a cross-section of pOpulation since, admittedly, "the groups chosen were in most 12 Douglas Waples and Leon Carnovsky, Libraries and Readers in the State of New York, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1939.'—— 13 Douglas Naples and Ralph.W. Tyler, What PeoEle Want to Read About, Chicago: Universityo of Chicago ress, 1931.— 'a (1' 'l In. 1; ‘\~ ‘I- .l ‘1 'I n- ‘1— ‘— ‘o 13 cases those easiest to reach."j It was found that adult groups expressed a real interest in reading about important subjects, but that these subjects and the amount of interest expressed in each varied from.group to group. Another important find- ing was that people are interested in reading about themselves, and that the more closely a subject is tied up with the in- dividual, the greater is his interest in it. Using a social anthropological approach, Warner and Lam:14 report some of the findings er the "Yankee City" study. In thiswork data on the social behavior of approxi- mately 17,000 residents of a small city ("Yankee City") in the Northeast were gathered by a number of trained field workers who used various research techniques, such as inter- views, schedules, questionnaires, social participation, observation, etc. Among the mass of data which they obtained (there are six volumes in the Yankee City Series), they found that the upper classes have a larger percentage of magazine subscribers than the lower classes. They also found that the upper-upper class had fewer library users” among its members than any other class, and that there were more library users in the upper-middle class than in any of the others. _ Wilson15 presents the findings of a rather wide survey 14 i. Eloyd Warner and—Faul S. Lunt, Egg Social Life 23.3 Iodern Community, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1941. 15 Eouis . 'son, The Geo ra h g£_Readin , Chicago: American Library Association and niversity of Chicago Press , 19380 14 of the distribution of libraries and library services in the several states and regions of the United States. He found that those areas that rankedlow in library service also tended to rank low in telephone service.p He also noted that this proclivity was present for the radio and motion picture theater as well. He concluded that all three of these media for the communication of ideas were more prevalent in urban areas than in rural districts, and implied that there may be a causal relationship between these factors and library service. The Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago was asked to review the activities and evaluate the achieve- ments of eleven county libraries, located in seven southern states, which were financed in part by funds from the Julius . Bosenwald Fund. ‘After securing reading reports from.a number of individuals in each of the demonstration counties, Wilson and Wight,16 who Jointly conducted the study, concluded that "southern libraries have placed too great emphasis on the 'literary' aspects of the library and too little on its func- tion as an agency for the conveyance, through print, of ideas which are applicable to everyday living." This may be a criticism that can be directed at libraries in general. A final study to be mentioned is one that was made under the general directionof the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Michigan State College. With the coopera- Iifi Louis R.UW?lson and E. I. Wight, County LibraryUService ‘12 the South, Chicago: University of Chicago ress, 1935. 15 tion of county librarians in twenty-three counties, Wylie17 made a survey during the first two weeks of December, 1946, of library users in Michigan. All persons who came into certain library branches (chosen in such a way as to make relatively uniform such factors as hours and size of collection) during this time interval were interviewed by the local county lib- rarian. The questions asked were designed to elicit such information as how library users differed from the general population; what kinds of reading matter the library users liked; distance from library; etc. In this study it was found, along with other things, that among library users over twenty-five years of age, 29.1 per cent completed high school; whereas the corresponding percentagefor all residents of Michigan over twenty-five years of age was 15.2. It was also learned that 64.1 per cent of the adult library users lived within one mile of the library; that 81.6 per cent lived within four miles; and that 90.6 per cent lived within six miles of the library. 17 iargaret Hurray Wylie, A;Survey‘§zfflichigan County Lib- rar Users: A Cooperative Pro ect, master's Thesis, TUnpub- Iished), lichigan‘State_College, I948. CHAPTER II SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LENAWEE COUNTY This chapter on social and cultural characteristics ‘serves to give one a picture of the county as it is function- ing. In order to see how a county is functioning, it is helpful to know something of its past development. For this reason, some of the steps in the settlement and growth of Lenawee County are enumerated; and, in addition, a description isgiven of the county as it is today - its geography, land use, form of settlement, occupations, and general level of living. An awareness of these facets in the life of a given area serves to give the librarian information that will enable her to meet the needs of the local populace more efficiently than would otherwise be the case. Lenawee County is located in the southernmmflztier of counties in the State, next to Monroe, which is the farthest east of this tier (see map, page 17). It has an area of 760 square miles, of which six are water. In 1940 its pOpu- lation was 53,110, which represents an increase of 3,261 over the 1950 census.1 History. Two French Jesuits, Fathers Charles Rymbault and Isaac Jogues, visited the territory of Michigan at the Sault St. Marie in July, 1641, but it was sometime later before missions or settlements were begun. Father Marquette I» A detailed analysis of the population diaracteristics of the county will be found in Chapter III. 16 LEGEND ROADS PRIMITIVE ROAD UNIMPROVED ROAD GRADED AND DRAINED ROAD SOIL SURFACED ROAD m METAL SURFACED ROAD m BITUMINOUS SURFACED ROAD um PAVED ROAD — ROAD SYSTEM DESIGNATION UNITED STATES HIGHWAY @313 STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM FEDERAL AID HIGHWAY SYSTEM FA FEDERAL AID SECONDARY HIGHWAY SYSTEM FAS END OF FEDERAL AID DESIGNATED ROUTE __J FA {OR FAQ fl @ __ AIRWAYS ___+_.___ ARMY,NAVY OR MARINE CORPS FIELD © AIR ROUTES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE O INTERMEDIATE FIELD COMMERCIAL OR MUNICIPAL FIELD Q MARKED AUXILIARY FIELD AIRPLANE LANDING FIELD MARKED OR EMERGENCY . RAILROADS RAILROAD (ANY NUMBER TRACKS) —I—+—+— USED BY SINGLE OPERATING COMPANY RAILROAD (ANY NUMBER TRACKS) I=*==I=I=I=I=I USED BY MORE THAN ONE OPERATING COMPANY ON SAME OR ADJACENT RIGHTS OF WAY (NOT TRACKAGE RIGHTS) RAILROAD ,i STANDARD GAUGE -+- —I—- —I— PRIVATELY OWNED INARAow GAUGE ‘L fi— —‘— RAILROAD STATION H—I— RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING -—+——III~—I— RAILROAD ABOVE ROAD —+——3:———+— RAILROAD BELOW ROAD —+—)l|£—+— RAILROAD TUNNEL —+—z:::i—+— HIGHWAY BRIDGES (20 To 300 FT LENGTH) GENERAL 231:3: DRAWBRIDGE :fi: (300 FT. LENGTH OR OVER) GENERAL DRAWBRIDGE ’ SUSPENSION TRUSS OR GIRDER :ergin: DAMS __.I.I._ DAM WITH ROAD , DAM WITHOUT ROAD 4+ CITY AND VILLAGE STATE CAPITOL COUNTY SEAT OTHER CITIES AND VILLAGES INCORPORATED CITY OR VILLAGE UNINCORPORATED COMPACT GENERAL CULTURAL FEATURE S INUSE INUSE FARM UNIT I D DWELLING (OTHER THAN FARM) Rows OR GROUPS OF DWELLINGS (CLOSELY SPACED) STORE OR SMALL BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT SEASONAL DWELLING SEASONAL DWELLINGS (CLOSELY SPACED) POST OFFICE TOWNHALL, GRANGE OR COMMUNITY HALL HOTEL CHURCH (OTHER RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS) SCHOOLHOUSE (OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS) CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION HOSPITAL FACTORY OR INDUSTRIAL PLANT SAWMILL (STATIONARY) POWER PLANT RADIO STATION STATE ROAD GARAGE SEASONAL INDUSTRY MINE SHAFT OPEN MINE GRAVEI. PIT C7 STONE QUARRY W STOCK YARD II OIL OR GAS WELLS oo WELL (BRINEJ o. TANKS 83:? CLUBS (CC—GOLF OR COUNTRY CLUB. H.C.—HUNTING CLUB, F.C.—FISHING _ CLUB, S.C.-GUN CLUB) IE] ATHLETIC FIELDS OR AMUSEMENT PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, ETC. A INTENSIVE RECREATION AREAS A SMALL PARKS (SP-STATE, an C.P.-COUNTY, M.P.—MUNICIPAI_) IE3 FAIR GROUND, RACE COURSE, SPEEDWAY © CEMETERY Vii} STATE POLICE SUBSTATION INDIAN RESERVATION CAMP 0R LODGE CAMP GROUND TOURIST CAMP PICNIC GROUNDS OR ROADSIDE TABLE BATHING BEACH SCENIC SITE BIRD SANCTUARY GAME FARM GAME PRESERVE FISH HATCHERY C C C — CAMP LIGHT (NAUTICAL) LIGHTHOUSE AIRWAY BEACON LIGHT LANDMARK LIGHT BEACON FOREST RANGER STATION FOREST SERVICE LOCKOUT STATION GAUGING 0R PUMPING STATION ROADSIDE SPRING FOREST NURSERY-EXPERIMENTAL STATION U.s.c.G. STATION U.s. LIFE SAVING STATION PIPE LINE. GAS PIPE LINE, OIL WAT ERWAYS G! V53 Us >§ISLT>CIAEFL+EP I+ I-D I- f" r lo ##o H®®m+#&§%m¢0e:p>>>ubs HHHGD—‘HH OPERATED SHIP AND BARGE W M L|NE5 45:“— DOCK, PIER OR LANDING FREE FERRY TOLL FERRY HEAD OF NAVIGATION (SEASONAL) NAVI GA BLE STREAM 42°—o T.7S. TO HILLS 4I°_50’ T85. of DALE HILLSDALE TO SOMERSET CENTER TO U.S. 20 84920’ JACKSON FULTON 849-20’ ADDISON 452) (FOR 23eII ROLLIN 6-A POSEY L. TO US. 20 SENECA O N STED (POP. 375I CADMUS e4"— Io’ s4°_Io’ CO. PLERS \QKE / I z 5 Z 0 0 II (D o *- WAS HTENAW smut-rid G L. e4‘loo’ I3064I TO SEWARD 84°—oo' SEE SUPPLEMENTAL SHEETS A AND 8 FOR ENLARGED AREAS RIBS 6 -t- v v-21. *5 334185!" " 3 I m tin-£351.")? J O JUNCTION FIELD (POP. 2Io3I 83'-50’ C Ir-, \3, I\.,’ V I ., 4 1 5. I I :1 ‘ 1:15:11” I‘ 4I°-50’ 70 r04 MONROE KEY TO COUNTIES GENERAL HIGHWAY'MAP LENAWEE COUNTY MICHIGAN STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT CHARLES M . ZIEGLER STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER DATA OBTAINED FROM HIGHWAY PLANNING SURVEY SCALE SHEET GENERAL HIGHWAY MAP CONDUCTED IN COOPERATION WITH 0 I 2 l940 POLYCON IC PROJECTION LENAWEE... COUNT FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY PUBLIC ROADS ADMINISTRATION 3 MILES am I OF I MAP SHEET AND 2 SUPPLEMENTAL SHEETS MICHIGAN '45; I3. 18 in 1668 founded a mission at Sault St. Marie, and in 1671 founded one near Mackinaw. It was in this latter year that the King of France assumed formal control over all of the country between Montreal and the South Sea. The part of this territory which is now called Michigan was, at that time, occupied chiefly by Ottawas and Chippewas, but there were some Pottawatomies, Miamies, Sacs, and Foxes. On July 24, 1701, De La Motte Cadillac landed on the site of what is now the city of Detroit, and began the erec- tion of Fort Pontchartrain. This settlement enjoyed a steady growth, and by 1761 had a population estimated at 2,500. Two years later France relinquished control of Michigan to Eng- land, and frOm this territory during the Revolutionary War, Indian raiders set out to attack settlements in western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky. Michigan became a part of the United States in 1796, and its governor was General St. Clair. But it was not until April 30, 1802, that an act of Congress organized the Terri- tory of Michigan and vested legislative power in the governor and judges. On July 2, 1805, the first legislature commenced its session. TheYMbnroe Survey was made in the years 1818-1819, and one Joseph Fletcher surveyed that part of Michigan which is now Lenawee County during 1819. Colonel Lewis Cass, who had been appointed governor of the Territory of Michigan on September 9, 1813, issued a proclamation in 1822 which 19 defined and altered the boundaries of several of the counties of the Territory. Bythis proclamation Lenawee County was attached to Monroe County. At this time there was not a single white person in the county although the Indian pOpu- lation was rather pronounced.2 A Quaker from the State of New York, Musgrove Evans, came, in the summer of 1825, into the wilderness of Michigan in an attempt to find a suitable place in which he and his family could settle. One of the men he met during this excursion was Austin E. Wing of Monroe. Mr. Wing was a very influential man at that time, and afterwards was a member of Congress. He told the New Yorker of a desirable location on the Raisin River in Lenawee County, which, he said, was a fertile region and one in which transportation would be adequate because of the river.3 After looking over this site, Evans became convinced of its possibilities, and returned to the East to interest other settlers and also to bring back his wife and children. The following spring (1824) Evans, with his wife and six children, together with fourteen other men, two women, and 2 jft is interesting to note that the settlement 0? Michi- gan by whites proceeded very slowly, partly because of the reputation of the Territory in the East. It was said that the climate was severe and the soil unproductive. Also, the land was reputed to.be inhabited by savages, venomous snakes, and beasts, and all manner of diseases lay in wait for prospective settlers. 3 The foregoing account of the early history of Michigan and of Lenawee County has been largely adapted from James J. Hogaboan, The Bean Creek Valley, Hudson, Michigan: Jas. M. Scarritt, Ffiglisfier, 1876, pp. 7-11. 20 five children, set out for Lenawee. Upon arriving at Detroit, the party was increased by the addition of another man and wife. From there the homesteaders pushed on to their desti- ’nation, which was the site of present-day Tecumseh. They arrived at this location on May 21, 1824, and thereupon established the first white settlement in Lenawee County.4 Perhaps the first task facing the men upon their arrival in Lenawee County was to prepare a shelter of some sort. They responded by bringing from the village of Monroe, thirty-three miles away, forty men to assist in the construc- tion of a log house and a-sawmill. Thus the settlers prepared for the coming lonely winter and for the houses needed by the homesteaders.5 Beginning in 1825 the lands of the county began to be rapidly taken up, most of the settlers being former residents 'of the eastern states. By the following year the county had become so well-developed that it was thought best to separate it from Monroe County, and the act making this a fact was approved December 22, 1826.6 Concerning the meaning of the word "Lenawee," the fol- lowing passage from.Bonner (p. 68) is pertinent: The name "Lenawee" is said by some to have been 1’ GeorgeTFTTFEIIer, Ed., HiStoricMicfiigan, Vol: TTIZ‘Lans- ing: National Historical Association, Inca. 1924, pp. 69-70. 5 Hogaboan, 2%. 213,, p. 11. 6 Richard I. onner, Ed., Memoirs of Lenawee County, Michi- ‘559, Madison: Western Historical Association, 1909, pp. 67- 68. Considerable of the subsequent historical treatment of the county is taken from.pp. 67-80 of this work. 21‘ taken from a Shawnee word meaning "Indian," but Abel Whitney, a longétime resident of the county, and who gave the subject study, advanced the fol- lowing theory, which seems a quite plausible one: "Lenawee appears to be a compound of the words Lena and wee, the etymology Of Lena being 'a sluggard,‘ as applied to man; to a stream, small, slow, sluggish, shrunken; and wee, vile, wretched. Therefore, the small, slow, sluggish Raisin, or sluggard men who inhabited the region embraced within the limits of Lenawee county (the Indians); the presumption is that the name was given this region of country by the French from the above reasons, and adOpted by the Territorial Council, in giving name to the county."_ In 1825, before Lenawee had become separated from.Mon- roe, county officers with the exception of the judiciary had been.made elective, but the records of these elections and of the business transacted by the county were destroyed when the court house burned in 1852. At best, therefore, only con- jecture can be made concerning the politics of the county. While the East in general supplied almost all the sett- lers to Lenawee County, the majority of these came from the states of New YOrk, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. As a rule they followed the overland trek, and brought with them teams, cows, chickens, dogs, and usually a sizeable number of children. Their early homes were made of the readily accessible logs, "chinked and daubed with mortar, roofed with shakes, with a huge fireplace and a chimney of wood on the outside of the house." The homes also generally had looms, for the women had to make the cloth used in preparing clothing for the entire family. 22 One of the earliest industries to arise was that of preparing maple sugar for sale. The income from this was supplemented by the proceeds derived from the sale of wheat and of hogs. Wild fruits and nuts, together with quail and deer, helped to augment the food supply. For entertainment there were dances in a one-room.house. It is said that the bowery dance was the favorite form of amusement on all public occasions. The entertainment was not complicated by the presence of class lines because the pres- sure of circumstances forced upon all a certain sense of equality. Those settlers who had come to Michigan were neither lazy nor were they wealthy. Had they been lazy they would not have undertaken such a perilous and exacting journey. Had they been wealthy they would have had no desire to leave com- fortable surroundings for what reputedly was a wilderness. From this background present-day Lenawee County evolved. As can be seen from the chapter on population, growth was steady and sure. In the 1870's there was an influx of Ger- mans into the county, their immigration being due to troubles in the homeland. A few Negroes came to the county shortly before the Civil War, and a few afterwards. As a whole they were a superior lot, and integrated themselves well into the community. When there became a shortage of sugar in the United States during the recent war, efforts were made to increase the production of sugar beets. This resulted in a number of Mexicans, mostly from the vicinity of San Antonio, 25 coming to Lenawee. At first they went back and forth between Michigan and Texas, but later they began to settle perman- ently in Lenawee County and to seek employment in the local factories. The war also was a factor in bringing in a number of poorly advantaged Southerners from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Some of the older and more established members of the county have been heard to say that these recent migrants have not become very civic minded and hence are not the assets that they could be to the county and to the local communities? Certainly this is a challenge to those librarians who feel that~the library, fulfilling its role as a civic institution, should cater to the reading interests and needs of all the residents withinits service area. It may be that the new community arrivals will exhibitcivic Spirit to a greater degree than previously when they realize, possibly with the help of the library, how important they can be to the county. At the present day Lenawee is considered perhaps the foremost agricultural county in the State, "ranking first (in 1939) in corn, wheat, alfalfa, sheep, and hogs, second or third in milk and chickens, and first in number of trac- tors owned and in total farm income." It also ranks high in production of horses, cattle, sugar beets, and oats.8 As a whole it can be seen that the county is oriented toward 7 Information in this paragraph obtained from Miss Agnes Jewell, librarian of the City of Adrian Public Library. 8 M110 1. Quaife, Condensed Historical Sketches £23 Each of Michigan's Counties, Detroit: The J. L. fiudson Company, ‘T§4D, Ipp. not numEéred). 24 agricultural interests, so it will be interesting later on to look at the county library in this light. Geoggaphy. The county is comparatively level with the exception of the rolling Irish Hills of the northwest, and the altitude of thecounty averages around 700 feet above sea level. The ubiquitous Raisin River covers many sections of the county, and to supplement it are a multiplicity of lesser streams. The Raisin, itself, is quite shallow and narrow and is useful mainly as a source of drinking water and for elec- tricity. There are six square miles of water in the county which are taken up largely by the twin bodies of water, Devils and Round Lakes. These two lakes attract a large number of vacationists every year, many of them coming from Toledo, which is only about an hour's drive away. The land in Lenawee County is, as a rule, very fertile. Sixty-eight per cent of it is considered as first class land; twenty-eight per cent as second class; three per cent as third class; one per cent as fourth class. The county is tied with three others (Sanilac, Clinton, and Eaton) for second place in percentage of land that falls within the first two classes.9 These two classesare considered to be suitable for general farming, but the third and fourth classes 9 Top honors go to Huron County where ninety-eight per cent of the land falls within the top two classifications. This information on soils is taken from J. 0. Veatch, Agricultur— ‘31 Land Classification and Land Types of Michi an, Michigan State College lgricfiltural Experiment’STatlon, East Lansing, Special Bulletin 231 (First Revision), October, 1941, passim. 25 are at best suitable only for a small amount of agriculture and for varying amounts of grazing. The principal soil types found in Lenawee County are Berrien, Coloma, Conover, Miami, and Plainfield. During the seventy years for which records have been kept, the annual mean temperature for Lenawee County has been 48.8 degrees. The average for January has been 24.1 degrees, and for July it has been 73.1 degrees. For this same length of time the average annual rainfall has been 33.84 inches, with April and May usually being the wettest months.lo Land Use. For Michigan as a whole slightly over half (50.4 per cent) the land is in farms, but for Lenawee County the percentage is 90.4, thus giving the county ninth rank in the State in this respect. During the five-year period from 1940 to 1945 the number of farms in the county declined by 4.3 per cent (from.4,186 to 4,005), but the average size of farms increased by 6.2 per cent (102.6 acres to 109.0 acres). The average value per farm (land and buildings) in the county for 1945 was $10,229 (fifth in the State) while the corres- ponding figure for Michigan was $6,845. Also, for the year 1945 the average value per acre of land in the county was $93.90 (a rank of seventh), and for the State $65.21. In regard to stability of residence among farm people, Lenawee County does not have a very desirable position. As 15 United States Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau, Climatological Data, Michigan Section, 1947, pp. 50-52. 26 concerns farm residents who have been in their present loca- tion for less than one year, only twenty-five of Michigan's eighty-three counties have more persons within this category than does Lenawee.' As concerns farm residents who have been in their present location for ten or more years, sixty—six of Michigan's eighty-three counties have more persons within this category than does Lenawee.11 Form.2£ Settlement. In Lenawee County, as in most parts of the United States, the predominant mode of settlement in rural areas has been that of the scattered farmstead. This form of settlement was encouraged by the land laws of this country, and has been a factor in the relative isolation of the farmer. It has necessitated the construction of many miles of roadways to reach the scattered settlements, and perhaps has been a deterrant in preventing an active community life from flourishing.12 This form of settlement is one that faces most county librarians, andperhaps is one of the fac- tors in causing them to be more and more conscious of book- mobiles. Occupations. Table 1 on page 27 shows how Lenawee County 11 The factual infbrmation contained in the above two para- graphs is taken from the Enited States Census of agriculture, 1945, Volume II. ‘ 12 For an enlightening discussion on the subject of forms of settlement see T. Lynn Smith, The Sociology of Rural Life, Revised Edition, New Yerk:~ Harper & Brothers, 1947, pp. 209-244. 27 compares with Michigan as,a whole in regard to employed work- ers by major occupation.1§ It can be seen that most of the employed women in the county are professional workers, and as may be expected, most of the employed men are farmers and Table 1. Percentage Distribution of Employed Workers, Male and Female, Fourteen Years Old and Over by Major Occupation for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940.* *EIEHICZNF , LENAWEE Employment Category Male Female Male Female Per cent Per cent Per-cent Per cent Per Cent Employed (ex- 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 cept on public relief work)** Professional workers 4.2 12.9 5.1 52.5 Semiprofessional workers 1.2 0.9 0.9 1.6 Farmers, farm.managers ' 9.9 0.8 26.8 0.9 PrOprietors, managers, etc. 8.8 5.6 ' 8.7 5.5 Clerical, sales, etc. ' 12.4 55.0 8.5 20.6 Craftsmen, foreman, etc. 19.1 1.5 12.5 0.7 Operatives and kindred 25.2 16.0 17.1 12.1 workers " Domestic service workers 0.2 14.6 0.2 14.5 Service workers, except 5.6 15.7 2.8 9.4 domestic ' " Farm laborers and farm 2.8 0.1 7.8 0.5 foreman “ Farm laborers, unpaid 1.7 0.5 2.0 0.2 family work Laborers, except farm 8.5 1.5 8.2 1.5 Occupation not reported 0.8 1.5 1.6 2.8 ‘i;Source: Sixteenth Census gifthg‘Unit d States, Second Series, Michigan, 1940. ** Total number of cases (reading columns from left to right): 1,427,459; 397,494; 14,610; 4,551. 15 Unfortunately, it is not possible to include the sample taken in the present study fer purposes of comparison. The reason for this is that the census figures from which the county data were obtained contain the data for Adrian, the largest city in the county. Since Adrian is served by an independent library it was not included in the survey. 28 farm.managers. The percentages for both of these are consid— erably higher than they are for the state. On the other hand, the state has a higher proportion than does the county in the categories of clerical, sales, etc}, and craftsmen, foreman, etc. The reason for this, of course, is that Lenawee is an agricultural county and hence would not have so much need for workers in these categories as would less agricultural ”68.8. General L3! 1.2: Living. Table 2 on the following page has been prepared to show how Lenawee County compares with Michigan as a whole in regard to certain level of living meas- ures. Since the county is considerably more rural than the state it is not surprisingto notice that in certain of the measures,'1i§., per cent homes with radio, mechanical refrig— eration, central heating, electric lighting, running water, not needing major repairs, and in average value of homes, it ranks lower than does the state. In the matter of per cent homes occupied by owners, per cent homes with less than 1.01 persons per room, and per cent persons 25 years of age and over having completed more than six years of school, however, the county ranks above the state average. If the average level of living of the state is assumed to be 100, then the average level of living for the county is 108 (see Table 2 29 for explanation).14 Table 2. Ten Level of Living Measures for Michigan and Lena- wee County, 1940.* Lenawee Level of Living Measure Michigan County Per cent homes with radio 95.4 91.7 Per cent homes with.mechanica1 refrig. 51.0 59.8 Per cent homes with central heating 62.2 52.4 Per cent homes with electric lighting 92.1 89.5 Per cent homes with running water 77.7 57.9 Per cent homes occupied by owners 54.4 62.9 Per cent homes not needing major‘repairs 86.0 70.4 Per cent homes with less than 1.01 persons 87.0 95.6 per room. ‘ Average value of homes * $2790 81956 Per cent persons 25 years of age and over 79.8 90.2 having completed more than 6 years of school Average level of living** 100 108 .3USource: State Hospital Study Manual, BookUIV, Social and Economic Factors in Hospital Planning, Chicago: Commission on Hospital Care,—Tn.d7), pp.w47-52. ** This consists of the unweighted average of the above ten level of living measures. The computations were made by the writers of the above mentioned manual. 14 Margaret Jarman Hagood has prepared rural level of living indices for all of the counties of the United States, based on 1940 cenSus data of population, housing, and agriculture. Using the number 100 as the average of all counties, she found that the composite rural level of living index value for Michigan was 114, and that for Lenawee County it was 155. Only three counties in the state had a hi her index value, these being Kalamazoo (145), Oakland (142 , and Calhoun (157). When only the rural-farm population was considered, Lenawee's index value of 150 tied Oakland County for first rank in Michigan. As for the rural nonfarm population, Lenawee's index value Of 157 tied three other counties for sixth rank in the state. See Hagood's Rural Level g£_Living Indexes {25 Counties 2;.thg‘United States, 1940, Washington: United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Ec- onomics, October, 1945, pp. 22-25. In addition see her Farm gperator Family Level of Living Indexes for Counties of the nited States, l'9"“""4o and-1945, Was'h'i—ngton: United States—mout- ment of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, May, 1947, pp. 18—19, which shows that the farm operator family level of living index in 1945 was 154. This figure tied Oakland County for second rank among Michigan's counties - Washtenaw being first with an index of 160. The average for the state as a whole wasll7. CHAPTER III POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF LENAWEE-COUNTY Census data provide valuable clues to aid in understand- ing a given society, and the population characteristics of a county are of particular importance to a county librarian. These characteristics tell the librarian whether or not the county's population is aging; how much schooling the popula- tion has had; the sex ratio; the proportions of various ethnic groups; place of residence; occupations; etc. By knowing and taking into account these factors, it is possible to plan and carry out a more realistic library and educational program that will more nearly fit the needs and desires of the people than ‘would otherwise by possible. ‘ Although Lenawee County was not settled by whites until the early 1820's, it experienced a very rapid growth in the first two and~one~ha1f decades following this settlement. Probably the fertile land was the greatest inducement offered by this county, but certainly the presence of navigable streams was not to be overlooked. As has previously been mentioned, these colonists came largely from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Yerk, and for the most part, they were descendents of, or were themselves, immigrants from northern and western EurOpe. By 1850 the population of Lenawee County had reached 26,572. (See Table 5 on next page). For the next two decades the pOpulation of the county continued to increase rather rapidly, although not so greatly 30 31 as that of the state as a whole. Then a slump occurred in the rate of increase for two decades, only to be followed by three decades in which there was a slight dmfline in population. In the decade of the nineteen-twenties the decline in population ceased, and a noticeable upward trend once more began. The following ten-year span witnessed a slight augmentation of this trend. Perhaps the most significant thing about these changes Table 5. Population Changes in Michigan and Lenawee County, ‘MICHIGIN’ LEMIWEE_CUUNTY- Hear Per Cent Per Cent Number Change NUMbOP Change 1850 397,654 ---- 26,372 ---- 1860 749,113 88.4 38,112 44.6 1870 1,184,059 58.1 45,595 19.6 1880 1,636,937 38.2 48,343 6.0 1890 2,093,890 27.9 48,448 0.2 1900 2,420,982 15.6 48,406 -0.1 1910 2,810,173 16.1 47,907 -1.0 1920 3,668,412 30.5 47,767 ~0.3 1930 4,842,325 32.0 49,849 4.4 1940 5,256,106 8.5 53,110 6.5 '73 Sources: Seventh Census Lffthe United States, 1850; Tenth Census Lf the United States, 1880; Twelfth Census Lf the“ United dStates, 1900; Fourteenth Census Lf the United States, 1920; “Sixteenth Census L? the United States, 1940. in the population of Lenawee County is that the population of Michigan, rather than fluctuating around a relatively constant number, showed comparatively sharp increases each decade. There are several possible explanations to account for this anomaly. For one thing it may be that the good land in Lenawee 32 County was settled quite early, and that later settlers had to seek elsewhere for suitable land. For another thing, it should be borne in.mind that Michigan early became an industrial area, and for that reason, attracted thousands of new residents. These immigrants would, of course, go to the cities in which there were industries rather than to relatively rural counties such as Lenawee. There are no large cities in Lenawee County, but there are eleven incorporated centers of varying size. (See Table 4 on page 55). The only two classified as urban are Adrian, the county seat (14,250), and Tecumseh (2,921). Altogether these eleven centers account for only slightly over half of the pOpu- lation of the county, so this should give one some indication of the rurality of the area. Actually only 52.5 per cent of the county's population is classified as urban in contrast to the 65.7 per cent of the state's population that is so classified. (See Table 5 on p. 54). The county, however, has a considerably larger percentage than does the state in the category of rural non-farm, and an even larger percentage in the category of rural-farm. This would indicate that a library program in Lenawee County to be most effective shoudliperhaps be geared to a rural population. It also indicates that any state-wide program would have to take seriously into account the vast individual differences that are to be found in the several counties. Computed statistics indicate that Lenawee County is 33 Table 4. Population of Incorporated Places in Lenawee Coun- ty, 1940.* Place POpulation Adrian 14,250 Tecumseh 2,921 Hudson 2,426 Blissfield 2,144 Morenci 1,845 Clinton 1,126 Deerfield 569 Addison 465 Onsted 414 Britton 409 Clayton 575 ;?Source: Sixteenth Census 9; the yhited States, Population, First Series, Michigan, 1940. inhabited largely by native-born whites. (See Table 6 on p. 54). Whereas Michigan has in its population 15.0 per cent who are foreign-born whites, the comparable percentage for Lenawee County is 5.6. Of Michigan's total pepulation,_ 5.9 per cent are Negroes, but for Lenawee County the proportion of Negroes is only 0.5 per cent. In regard to other races, neither Michigan nor Lenawee County is noticeably pOpulated by non-white persons - the percentages being 0.2 per cent and 0.1 per cent for the state and county reSpectively. Table 7 on page 55 shows the age and sex composition of Michigan and Lenawee County. For any type of social planning, be it library, public welfare, or selective service, a knowlage of these two factors is of importance. A predominantly male society will perhaps have different values from a predominantly 34 Table 5. Population, by Residence, for Michigan and Lenawee -County, 1940.* RURAL TOTAL URBAN NON-FARM RURAL-FARM Per Per Per Per Number Cent Number Cent Number Cent Number Cent Michigan 5,256,106 100,0 3,454,867 65.7 941,037 17.9 860,202 16A Lenawee 53,110 100,0 17,151 32.3 16,569 31.2 19,390 315 * Source: J. Allan Beegle, Michigan Population: Composition and Change, Michigan State College Agricultural Experiment Sta- tion, East Lansing, Special Bulletin 542, November, 1947, pp. 76- 77. Table 6. Population, by Race and Nativity, for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940.* ‘4 FOREIGN350RN_I 7“ NATIVE-WHITE WHITE NEGRO OTHER RACES Per Per Per Per Number Cent Number Cent Number Cent Number Cent Michigan 4,556,615 82.9 685,050 15.0 208,545 5.9 8,118 0.2 Lenawee 51,002 96.0 1,910 5.6 181 0.5 17 ' 0.1 7 Source: 3. AllanBeegle, Michigan Population, Cdmposition and Change: Michigan State College Agricultural Experiment Sta- tion, East Lansing, Special Bulletin 542, November, 1947, p. 79. female society, and either of these two types may have different values from.those found in a society having a relative equal number of males and females. Also, one may expect to find different activities in a society having a predominance of young people from what one would find in a society having a predominance of elderly people. It can be seen from the table on age and sex composition 35 Table 7. Age and Sex Composition of Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940.* NICEICAN LENAWEE COUNTY Age Total Male Female Total Male Female Per Per Per Per Per Per Cent Cent Cent Cent Cent Cent Total Per Cent** 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Under 5 years 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.0 8.5 7.6 5't0 9 years. 8.0 7.9 8.0 7.1 7.4 6.9 10 to 14 years 8.8 8.8 8.9 8.2 8.2 8.2 15 to 19 years 9.1 8.9 9.5 9.5 9.1 9.6 20 to 24 years 8.7 8.4 9.0 8.5 8.4 8.5 25 to 29 years 8.5 8.1 8.6 7.7 7.7 7.7 50 to 54 years 7.8 7.7' 7.9 6.8 6.7 6.9 55 to 59 years 7.5 7.6 7.4 6.5 6.5 6.5 40 to 44 years 7.0 7.2 6.8 5.8 5.7 5.8 45 to 49 years 6.7 7.0 6.4 6.1 6.0 6.2 50 to 54 years 5.7 6.1 5.4 5.6 5.6 5.6 60 to 64 years 5.4 5.5 5.5 4.7 4.7 4.8 65 to 69 years 2.6 2.5 2.6 4.1 4.2 4.1 70 to 74 years ‘1.8 1.8 1.8 5.2 5.2 5.1 75 years and over 1.9 1.8 2.0 5.5 5.5 5.7 * gource: “Sixteenth Census g£_the‘finited_§tates, Population, Second Series, “Ichigan, 1940. ‘ »** Total number of cases (reading columns from.left to right): 5,256,106; 2,694,727; 2,561,579; 53,110; 26,291; 26,819. that in what are probably the most productive years of all - namely, those from.twenty to fifty - the state as a whole has a larger proportion of inhabitants than does the county. The table further shows that in the older, and what are frequently dependent, years, the county has a larger pr0portion of resi- dents than does the state. Certain implications may be drawn from this. It may indicate, for one thing, that many of those who are in the productive classes must produce enough to support both themselves and those who are unable to do productive 36 work.1 It indicates, too, that perhaps the county is somewhat more conservative than the state if it be assumed that older people tend to be less liberal than younger persons. A reason for the fact that the state as a whole has a larger percentage of its population within the so-called pro- ductive years than does the county is that the state is pre- dmminantly urban, whereas the county is predominantly rural. It appears that it is characteristic of urban areas to have more people within the productive ages than rural areas because of the selective migration of rural young people to industrial areas.2 There they have more opportunity for what they consider to be more adequate remuneration. Thus, it would seem that Lenawee County is not noticeably different from other rural counties in regard to its disproportionate number of compara- tively old people. At birth there are about 105 males to 100 females, but because of the higher mortality rate of males, the ratio of males to females (at least, in the United States) is nearly normal, being 101.5 But for Michigan, the sex ratio, based ‘on the average of all ages, is 105, while for Lenawee County l The idea should n6t be gained, however, that all people in the advanced ages are dependent upon others for financial sup- port. Many of them, of course, have ample financial resources, and a number of them are still active workers. 2 J. Allan Beegle, Michigan Population, Composition and Change,'lichigan State College Agricultural Experiment Station, East Lansing, Special Bulletin 542, November, 1947, p. 57. 5 Ibid., p. 52. 37 it is 98. ’(36e Table 8, page 58). Usually it is found that sex ratios (the pr0portion of males to females) are compara- tively low in urban areas, and are comparatively high in rural regions. Since the antithesis is found in Michigan and Lenawee County, it h: well to look for possible explanations. By far the most urban area in Michigan is the locality in and around Detroit, and this region is noted for its heavy industry, especially the automotive. For heavy industry, of course, men are more frequently employed than women, and it may be that this accounts for the rather high sex ratio in the state. It should be added that an examination of Table 9 on page 59, which shows the sex ratios by residence for Michigan and Lenawee County, indicates that although the urban areas of the state have a sex ratio,of 101, actually it is the rural-nonfarm and rural-farm localities that largely account for the ratio of 105. It is quite possible, of course, that many of the workers inthe heavy industry found in the state live in suburban areas that are classified as rural-nonfarm. In Lenawee County it can be seen from Table 9 that the rural-farm areas characteristically have a high sex ratio, and that the urban areas have a typically rather low sex ratio. But the factor that accounts for the surprisingly low sex ratio (in view of its predominantly rural population) is the extremely low number of males per female in the rural-nonfarm centers. This is quite a different situation from that which is found in the state where the sex ratio is 107 for the 38 Table 8. Sex Ratios, by Age, for Michigan and Lenawee Coun- ty, 1940.“. Age Michigan Lenawee County Total 105 98 Under 5 years 105 109 5 to 9 years 105 104 10 to 14 years 105 98 15 to 19 years 101 92 20 to 24 years 98 99 25 to 29 years 100 98 50 to 54 years 102 95 55 to 59 years 108 98 40 to 44 years 111 96 45 to 49 years 116 95 50 to 54 years 118 98 55 to 59 years 114 101 60 to 64 years 109 96 65 to 69 years 105 100 70 to 74 years 100 105 75 years and over 95 85 ‘iisource: 'Sixteenth Census 9: the United States, Pepulation, Second Series, Michigan, 1940. rural-nonfarm population. Perhaps this can be accounted for by the fact that there are no large cities in Lenawee County which.have suburban areas classified as rural non-farm. Rather, the rural-non-farm.localities in the county are, to a considerable extent, small towns which almost universally are known as convenient dwelling locations for unattached 4 females who, for one reason or another, leave the farm. In describing the papulation characteristics of any grouping, it is of importance to know how well the grouping 4 Cf. T. Lynn Smith, The Sociologng£_Rural Life, Revised Edition, New Yerk: Harper and Brothers, 1947, p. 75. .. 39 Table 9. Sex Ratios, by Residence, for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940.* Total Urban Rural-Nonfarm Rural-Farm lichigan 105 101 ' 107 120 Lenawee County 98 95 85 116 iISburce: 5. Allan BBegle, Michigan Population, Composition and Change, Michigan State College Agricultural Experiment Station, East Lansing, Special Bulletin 542, November, 1947, p. 95. \ is reproducing itself, whether it be by a high birth rate, constant immigration, or both. A society which is amply reproducing itself will have different situations to confront from those which are steadily dying out. Merely by an analysis of census figures over several decades, one can get some idea of the changes in a given population. But this examination, however, does not give too clear a conception of what is caus- ing the change. In an effort to obtain some measure that would get at the fertility of a given population, the fertility ratio was devised. The formula for it is number of children under 5 11000. Thus it can be seen that number of women 15- 44 only females in the child-bearing ages are used in the calcula- tions, and this introduces a refinement that is little affected by age and sex differences in population compositions. It is generally thought that a fertility ratio of about 570 is required for the p0pu1ation in the United States to 4O reproduce itself.5 This figure will, of course, vary slightly among the several ethnic groups since their life expectancy is different from each other, but for the purposes of this study, it will serve as a convenient measuring rod of how well the population of Lenawee County is reproducing itself. From the data given in Table 10 on page 41, which shows the fertility ratios of Michigan and Lenawee County by resi- dence, it is evident that both apparently are depending upon immigration for the maintenance and increase of their popula- tions. The fertility ratio for Michigan is 545, and that for Lenawee County has the larger figure of 556. Both of these figures are below the replenishment level. For Michigan, the urban group has the lowest fertility ratio (295), but for Lenawee County the lowest ratio (507) is found in the rural- nonfarm group. Perhaps the unusually low sex ratio in the rural-nonfarm group of the county accounts to a censiderable extent for this low fertility ratio. As is commonly the case, the rural-farm groups of both the state and county are well above the replacement levels, and serve as a reservoir from which the other areas may draw inhabitants. But it is interesting to note that the rural-farm areas of the Itate as a whole have a larger (467 to 455) fertility ratio than does the county, which indicates that if the state were as rural as the county, its fertility ratio would be higher instead of 5 0. E. Baker, IThe Effect of Recent Public Policies on the Future POpulation Prospect," Rural Sociology, II, (June, 1957), page 129. “"‘ 41 Table 10. Fertility Ratios of Michigan and Lenawee County, by Residence, 1940.* Place Total Urban Rural; Rural- nonfarm farm Michigan 545 295 454 467 Lenawee County 556 555 507 455 ifgSource: J. Allan Beegle, DiTTErential Birth Rates 12 Michigan, Michigan State College Agricultural Experiment tation, East Lansing, Special Bulletin 546, February, 1948, pp. 26 and 54. lower than that of the county. In America it is sometimes thought that education is a panacea for the various social and economic ills which seem to be always present, though in varying degree. Undoubtedly education has done much to alleviate many of the country's blights, and certainly it is of importance in regard to read- ing, but for education to be most efficacious, it must be goal-directed. From available data, unfortunately, there is no way of measuring this, but perhaps some indication of the value for which people hold education can be obtained by show- ing in tabular form certain statistics on school attendance and years of school completed. On page 42, Table 11 shows the school attendance for Michigan and Lenawee County. It at once becomes apparent that for all of the ages given, Michigan has a higher propor- tion of its inhabitants in school than does Lenawee County. This is what a population analyst would expect because, as a general rule, urban pe0ples attend school in greater 42 Table 11. School Attendance for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940.* Classification Michigan Lenawee Persons 5 and 6 years old 162,628 '1,472 NMmber attending school 115,450 955 Per cent attending school 69.8 64.7 Persons 7 to 15 years old 625,201 5,715 Number attending school 610,565 5,541 Per cent attending school 97.7 95.5 Persons 14 and 15 years old 191,559 1,955 Number attending school 180,290 1,697 Per cent attending school; 94.2 87.7 Persons 16 and 17 years old 188,616 2,055 Number attending school 157,790 1,428 Per cent attending school 75.1 70.2 Persons 18 to 20 years old 282,545 2,859 Number attending school 64,726 576 Per cent attending school 22.9 20.5 Persons 21 to 24 years old 567,794 5,549 Number attending school 16,975 145 Per cent attending school ”4.6 4.1 3 Source: Sixteenthfgensus g: the United States, Popula- tion, Second Series, Michigan, 1940. proportions than do rural peOples. The implications of this are that one may expect to find the population of the county less well-educated than that of the state; and perhaps one will find that a less-educated group is less interested in a library and its program than a group having more education. But, of course, as will shortly be seen, school attendance is not the entire story as regards a given group's education. Although.Michigan consistently has a larger proportion of its inhabitants who are between the ages of five and 43 twenty-four in school than does Lenawee County, the median number of school years completed by inhabitants of the county who are twenty-five years of age and over is 9.1 as compared with 8.6 for the state. A possible explanation for this finding is that perhaps many of the adult migrants to Michigan do not have so good an education as the natives of the state. Since most of the migrants go to the large industrial cities of the state, the county would not be so much affected by this influx. Table 12 on page 44 shows the number and percentage of persons 25 years old and over, by years of school completed, for Michigan and Lenawee County. Among those inhabitants who have completed six or less years of school, the state has a higher prOportion than does the county; but among those who have completed seven or more years of school, the county has a higher proportion than does the state. Within the county itself, it is informative to note (see Table 15 on page 45) that among the residents who have completed eight or less years of school, the males have a larger proportion than do the females; but among those who have completed nine or more years of school, the females have a larger proportion than do the males. The median number of school years completed for the females is 9.8, whereas for the males it is 8.7. That may be an indication that women are assuming a somewhat more dominant position in society than formerly, and, of course, 44 Table 12. Number and Percentage of Persons 25 Years Old and Over, by Years of School Completed, for Michigan and Lenawee County, 1940.* MICHIGAN LENAWEE COUNTY Classification Per Per Number Cent Number Cent Persons 25 yrs. old and over 5,006,579 100.0 51,501 100.0 No school years completed 72,149 2.4 145 0.5 Grade school: 1 to 4 years 255,024 7.8 974 5.1 ' 5 and 6 years 295,664 9.8 1,878 6.0 7 and 8 years 1,082,156 56.0 12,485 59.9 High school: 1 to 5 years 556,526 18.5 6,181 19.7 4 years 456,404 15.2 5,074 16.2 College: 1 to 5 years 158,090 5.5 2,405 7.7 4 years or more 121,201 4.0 1,596 5.1 Not reported 51,565 1.0 565 1.8 Median school years completed 8.6 --- 9.1 --- iéSOurce: Sixteenth Census pf the United States, Population, Second Series, Michigan, 1940. there is evidence to support such a view.6 In this chapter, then, the practical importance of the studying of census data by librarians has been indicated. The census volumes are extremely valuable - yet readily accessible - sources of information. They are of use in almost any sort of social investigation, and by the data which they make avail- able, obviate the necessity of each independent researcher's having to make certain basic enumerations of population. 6 ‘Egr example: woman suffrage, women holding political offices, women physicians, lawyers, etc. 45 Table 15. Number and Percentage of Persons 25 Years Old and Over, by Years of School Completed, by Sex, for Lenawee County, 1940.* MALE FEMALE Classification Per Per Number Cenp Number Cent Persons 25 years old and over 15,584 100.0 15,917 100.0 No‘school years completed 85 0.6 60 .O.4 Grade school: 1 to 4 years 594 5.9 580 2.4 5 or 6 years 1,051 6.8 827 5.2 7 or 8 years, 6,782 44.1 5,705 55.8 iHigh school: 1 to 5 years 2,890 18.8 5,291 20.7 4 years 2,251 14.5 2,845 17.9 College: 1 to 5 years 854 5.4 1,571 9.9 4 years or more 580 5.8 1,016 6.4 Not reported 557 2.2 226 1.4 Median school years completed 8.7 --- 9.8 +-- * Source: Sixteenth Census gifthe United State§,UP0pulation, Second Series, Michigan, 1940. CHAPTER IV THE LENAWEE COUNTY LIBRARY Before going into a discussion of the empirical results found in the present study, it may be of value to trace, some- what briefly, the development of the Lenawee County Library. In order to see the library in a comparatively broad setting, some mention will be made of the development of county libraries in the United States. Finally, some of the services rendered by the Lenawee County Library will be brought to light. First Counteribraries. At the time of the adoption of a constitution by Indiana in 1816, provision was made for county libraries: 7 The General Assembly, at the time they lay off a new county, shall cause at least 10 per cent to be reserved out of the proceeds of the sale of town lots in the seat of justice of each county, for the use of a public library for such county, and at the same session they shall incorporate a Library Com- pany under such rules and regulations as will Rest secure its permanence and extend its benefits. By 1818 special legislative enactments had provided for the establishments of county libraries in seven of the coun- ties of Indiana, but numerous defects of the system caused it to fail in its purpose. There was a lack of transportation and communicating facilities as well as a lack of personal supervision of the librarians. 1 Quoted in Harriet C. Long, County Library Service, Chicago: American Library Association, 1925, p. 15. Much of the fol- lowing historical discussion of the county library is taken from.pp. 15-45 of this book. 46 47 The original constitution of Michigan, adOpted in 1855, made provision for township libraries. Article X, Paragraph 4, reads: As soon as the circumstances of the state will permit, the legislature shall provide for the estab- lishment of libraries; one at least in each town- ship; and the money which shall be paid by persons as an equivalent for exemption from.military duty, and the-clear proceeds of all fines assessed in the several counties for any breach of the penal laws, shall be exclusévely applied for the support of said libraries. As a result of this legislation a number of township libraries were established in the state, and a number of them.are still in existence. Many of them, though, became incorporated into county library systems when it was ascertained that in most cases the township was too small a unit to support a library. The territory of Wyoming passed a law in 1886 providing for county libraries, but no particular activity followed this enactment. Six years later, in 1892, action was taken in the state of New Yerk to provide for a traveling library service - a precursor of the bookmobile. When this plan met with suc- cess, other states, including Michigan, followed suit. A general act authorizing the establishment of county libraries was passed by Ohio in 1898, and by 1901, the first county library building there was dedicated. In that same year nine stations were Opened, and since that time, service has been continuous. 2 The Revised Statutes of the State of Michigan, Passed and Approved Ma a1 18, 1846, Detroit: Bagg~ and Harmon, Printers to theta e, 1846, p. 25. 48 The first state to develop county libraries for the state as a whole was California. The County Free Library Law was passed by the 1909 session of the California Legislature in an attempt to coordinate the existing libraries in the state as well as to establish new ones. It was felt that only through coordination would it be possible for books to freely circulate among the several libraries, thereby causing the books to be of maximum service. Before long, well over half the counties in the state had libraries, and one of the features of the county library was the mobile service. Following the successful demonstration of county library service by California, a number of other states set up similar provisions for the service. In 1952 a.Michigan County Library Law was passed (a revision of an original law passed in 1929) which enabled the board of supervisors of a county to estab- lish a county library either with or without financial support from the state. This led to the establishment of a nwmber of county libraries in the state. Th2 Lenawee County Library.‘5 At the time of the passage of the Michigan County Library Law, Lenawee County did not feel that it was in a position to support a county library. But three years later, in January, 1955, Lenawee County was selected as one of the twelve counties in Michigan in which a demonstration of county library service was to be conducted in 5 For the infermation contained in this section the writer is indebted to Mrs. Aileen Lindbert, the Lenawee County Librarian. 49 the form of a Federal Emergency Relief Administration project. The project in Lenawee County met with an immediate response, and six.months later when the project was ended, eighteen outlets had been established and were Operating successfully. The FERA paid for the salaries of the county librarian and the six custodians, while the books were supplied by loans from local libraries and the State Library at Lansing. When the Lenawee County Board of Supervisors met in March, 1955, they voted upon and approved the county library - thereby legalizing it. At this meeting a county library board was appointed, consisting of five members whose duty it was to help the librarian administer the business of the library. At the June, 1955, meeting of the Board of Supervisors, a motion to apprOpriate $200.00 to help maintain the library was passed. Following a three months interim during which the entire county library organization was run by voluntary help, it was learned that the county library service would be con- tinued as a Works Progress Administration project. This meant that the salaries of the supervising librarian and branch cus- todians were to be paid with federal funds. For six years this arrangement with the WPA was in operation, and during this time the Lenawee County Board of Supervisors appropriated $500.00 annually for the maintenance of the library. With the demise of WPA aid at the close of June, 1941, the county was compelled either to accept responsi- bility for the library or else to let it disband. The decision 50 was to support it, and an appropriation of $250.00 per month approved for the library. Although the Lenawee County Library had its inception in 1955, there was no money available to buy new books until 1940 when state aid began. The library had started with duplicates (and sometimes discards) from the Adrian Public Library, and had existed on what were called "hand—me-downs" and gifts from individuals. These volumes were distributed among the branch libraries and deposits4 scattered throughout the county. Within a year following the organization of the county library, branches were established at Blissfield, Addison;5 Deerfield, Cement City, and Clayton. The main headquarters of the library was in the basement of the Public Library at Adrian. When WPA help was cut off in 1941, the branch library at Clayton was discontinued because of little local interest, small circu- lation, and the fact that the Adrian headquarters was easily available to the peOple of Clayton. Four years later, in 1945, the Cement City branch library was closed because of little use, poor housing, and lack of local interest. On the other hand, Onsted, which in the beginning had only a deposit collec- tion, displayed such interest and initiative that in 1945 a 4 Among librarians a deposit is spoken of as a small collec- tion of books deposited for public use in some central place, such as a store, factory, home, etc., and not staffed by the library. 5 There was a public library in Addison for a number of years preceding the establishment of the county library, but this public library readily joined forces with the county library when the occasion presented itself. 51 branch library was placed there. In addition, the Clinton Township Library, which is self-supporting, joined the county library system the same year, in part to augment its book stock. During the first year's Operation, as has been mentioned, the county library had eighteen outlets — most of which were deposit collections. At one time there were deposit collec- tions in Britton, Tipton, Lime Creek, and in several Granges, but these had to be removed after a time mostly because of the lack of interest on the part Of the person in charge. There' was a high rate of loss at the collections found in public stores, and since the Granges usually met only once in two weeks, service there proved to be unsatisfactory. At the present time there remain only three deposit collections: those at Clayton, Jasper, and Morenci. Clayton, ‘ of course, at one time had a branch library, but when this closed, a deposit collection was put into one of the local stores. The prOprietors of the store have taken an interest in the collection, and consequently have done much to make it a success. The collection at Jasper is in the post office, and the county librarian reports that the post master there seams to be as efficient as a branch librarian. He pulls out the book cards, stamps them, and in general does a very adequate job. The deposit at Morenci is found in the town's public library, and the local librarian has charge of the books. There is some exchange of books between the library at Morenci and the county library, and on occasion, reference 52 material is sent by the latter to the town's library. According to the county librarian, the real growth of the library began in 1940 when state aid began to be available. Only then did the library have money for new books, and funds for the rebinding of Old ones. Table 14 on page 55 shows the total number of volumes at the Lenawee County Library from 1941 through 1947. From this table it can be seen that, in spite of fluctuations caused by periodic retirement of unused and outmoded books, the number of volumes at the library has had an upward trend. During the seven-year span in question, there has been an increase of almost 4,000 books until in 1947, there were 15,706, or about two-fifths boom per capita of population served. The American Library Association recommends two and one-half books per capita for this size of population.6 During the first years of the library borrowers were registered on an indefinite time basis, but in 1944 there ensued a complete re-registration of borrowers on a seven-year basis. The number of registered borrowers at the library is given in Table 15 on page 55; and, of course, there has been a steady accumulation in this number with the exception of the year (1944) in which re-registration began. The number of registered borrowers in 1947 was 4,446 out of a potential county library population of 50,150. This latter figure includes all the population of the county, including babies 6 Committee on Post-War Planning, Post-War Standards for Public Libraries, Chicago: American Library Association, 1945, p. 71. 53 Table 14. Total Number of Volumes at the Lenawee County Library, 1941-1947. Number of Year Volumes 1941 9,857 1942 9,275 1945 11,050 1944 10,748 1945 12,004 1946 12,865 1947 15,706 Table 15. Total Number of Registered Borrowers at the Lenawee County Library, 1941-1947. Number of Regis— Year tered Borrowers 1941 5,089 1942 6,641 1945 8,428 1944 1,985* 1945 ' 2,791 1946 5,741 1947 4,446 * In 1944, there was a complete re-registration of borrow- ers, thus accounting in part for the sharp drOp in number of registered borrowers. Also, contrary to procedure since adopted, the pupil census of schools using county library books was included in 1941-1945 figures. 54 and young children, that is not served by independent town libraries. Hence the proportion of registered borrowers actually is more than the raw figures indicate - especially when it is considered that one borrower may get books for sev- eral people. Table 16 on page 55 gives the circulation of books at the Lenawee County Library, 1941-1947.7 Perhaps the most striking impression gained from.thisr table: is the lack of a definite trend in regard to the number of books circulated. Part of this fluctuation is undoubtedly due to the influence of the late war, and part of it is perhaps due to the varia- tions in the amount Of money available each year for the pur- chase of new books. The largest differences by years are those of fiction books and children's booka? but for adult non-fiction there seems to be a steady upward trend, at least since 1945.9 7 TaEle 16 shows that in Lenawee County the circulation Of adult nonfiction is less than half that of adult fiction, but in a study made in New YOrk State, it was found that among adults (parents of high school students), as many non— fiction books as fiction were read. Cf. Douglas Waples and Leon Carnovsky, Libraries and Readers in the State Lf New York, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1959, p. 96. 8 Partly explained by the fact that the County Library has no delivery service to schools. Therefore, circulation of children's books depends to a large extent upon the interest and initiative of teachers in visiting the library or one of its branches for books. In regard to circulation of books to children, it is interesting to note that a study by Laur- el Krieg entitled, "Community Studies in Reading. IV. A Middlewestern Manufacturing Community," Librapy Quarterly, IX, (January, 1959), pp. 72-86, shows that in Alliance, Ohio, both boys and girls borrowed more books per capita than men or women. 9 It was found by Julian A. Sohon in "Workers and Readers: The Correlation between Economic Trends and Library Statist- ics in Brid eport, Connecticut, "Library Quarterly, XI, (July, 1941 , pp. 554-556, that in good times, the circula- tion of non-fiction increased. This trend seems also to be true of Lenawee County. 55 M e.as 0mm.am m.as msr.am e.ha 0mm.ma o.ooa mmm.m~ Nara m.N4 eoa.mm ”.mq woo.mm a.MH Hee.oa o.ooa emm.ma heme h.mq hem.mm :.m4 eme.om m.HH Nmm.~ o.ooH mem.me msma m.mm mom.~m H.mm emo.mm ~.w mam.e o.ooa asefiae rhea m.rm emr.em :.©m emm.ah H.m oo~.~ o.ooa mgm.ae mama H.mm hmm.am e.oo moo.rm m.h mwa.q o.ooa hmm.qe Name 0.0m -H.ON N.Ne mee.as . m.e .mmm.m o.ooa -zha.~e Heme pceo hem aegis; name pom honeam pcoo sum pmnasa pace mom schema a-» 950m m _ 3343qu ZQHHQHn an saw wfiHrHD Hula? Hagan ”a 959m 41.,33 mzmaladma «humanflq ApQSQQ omawsmq map pm «momhe h; emxoom Mo soapmHSOaflo .wa magma 56 From.Table 17 it can be seen that during the four-year period, 1944-1947, the Adrian Headquarters did a larger circu- lation volume than did any of the branches with the exception of 1947 when the Blissfield Library surpassed it. The position attained by Blissfield is probably due in part to the fact that in 1947, because of strong local support, it was able to stay open longer hours than the Adrian Headquarters. It is note- worthy, too, that the circulation of books at the Adrian Head- quarters has diminished during the time interval in question; and this may indicate that the branches are assuming more and more importance, especially as they become more amply stocked. The branch library that does the second largest amount of circulation is the one found in Deerfield, but it is closely followed by the branches at Clinton and Addison. The library at Onsted is the newest one and has the least circulation, but numerically speaking, it does not run very far behind the last three named branches.10 The data in Table 18 show that the circulation of books for adults does not very much from the total circulation as concerns the prOportion of the trade done by each of the branches. The bulk of the circulation is handled by the Adrian Wtheee data it is interesting to refer back to Table 4 on page 55, which gives the population of the incorporated places in Lenawee County. According to size of population, the towns having branches rank in the following order: Blissfield, Clinton, Deerfield, Addison, and Onsted. Three towns in the county, in addition to Adrian, have inde- pendent public libraries. These are Tecumseh, Hudson, and lorenci. In addition there is a small library located in the unincorporated center of Ridgway. Table 17. 57 Total Circulation of Books at the Lenawee County Library, by Headquarters, Branches, and Deposits, 1944-1947. Description 1944 1945 1946 ~1947 Total Circulation 71,741 69,979 75,586 75,295 Per cent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Adrian Headquarters 40,096 50,880 26,574 25,102 Per cent 55.9 44.1 54.9 50.7 Addison Branch 4,086 5,577 6,540 5,585 Per cent 5.7 7.7 8.4 7.1 Blissfield Branch 10,904' 10,964 19,770 25, 395 Per cent 15.2 15.7 26.2 55.7 Clinton Branch 2,122 1,955 6,828 5,750 Per cent 5.0 2.8 9.0 7.6 Deerfield Branch 5,588 4,994 7,508 6,955 Per cent 7.8 7.1 9.7 9.2 Onsted Branch 1,099 1,949 5,522 4,891 Per cent 1.5 2.8. 7.0 6.5 Total Book Deposits 7,846 15,860 5,644 5,847 Per cent 10.9 19.8 4.8 5.1 58 Table 18. Circulation of Books for Adults at the Lenawee County Library, by Headquarters, Branches, and Deposits, Description 1944 1945 1946 1947 Total Circulation 54,259 58,455 45,479 45,975 Per cent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Adrian Headquarters 12,568 _ 15,904 15,021 12,459 Per cent 56.7 56.2 29.9 28.5 Addison Branch 5,619 5,225 4,256 5,488 Per cent 10.6 8.4 9.8 7.9 Blissfield Branch 8,205 7,074 10,551 15,855 Per cent 24.0 18.4 25.8 51.5 Clinton Branch 974' 956 4,907 4,145 Per cent 2.8 2.5 11.5 9.4 Deerfield Branch 5,575 2,972 4,586 4,555 Per cent 10.4 7.7 10.1 9.9 Onsted Branch 847 1,158 5,455 5,128 Per cent 2.5 5.0 7.9 7.1 Total Book Deposits 4,455 9,164 5,105 2,580 Per cent 15.0 25.8 7.1 5.9 59 Table 19. Circulation of Books for Children at the Lenawee County Library, by Headquarters, Branches, and Deposits, 1944-1947. Description 1944 1945 1946 1947 Total Circulation 57,505 28,546 52,107 51,520 Per cent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Adrian Headquarters 27,528 16,976 15,555 10,665 Per cent 75.4 59.5 41.6 54.0 Addison Branch 467 2,152 2,084 1,895 Per cent 1.2 7.5 6.5 6.1 Blissfield Branch 2,699 5,890 9,419 11,550 Per cent 7.2 15.6 29.5 56.9 Clinton Branch 1,148 999 1,921 1,582 Per cent 5.1 5.5 6.0 5.1 Deerfield Branch 2,015 2,022 2,922 2,600 Per cent 5.4 7.1 9.1 8.5 Onsted Branch 252 811 1,867 1,765 Per cent 0.7 2.8 5.8 5.6 Total Book Deposits 5,594 1,696 541 1,267 Per cent 9.0 5.9 1.7 4.0 6O Headquarters and the Blissfield Branch, with the latter having a somewhat higher volume of business in 1947 than the former. Table 19 gives the circulation of children's books at the various branches and deposits, and again the Adrian Headquarters and the Blissfield Branch lead the way. It is interesting to note, though, that the proportion of juvenile books circulated by the Adrian Headquarters has consistently and rather sharply gone down during the years under observa- tion; whereas at the Blissfield Branch the circulation of books for children has consistently increased. It may be expected that thelonger a library is open, the greater will be its circulation of books. That such is not the case in Lenawee County is shown in Table 20. Although the library branch at Clinton is open for almost a quarter of the total hours that the Lenawee County Library is available to the public, its circulation is only eight per cent of the total. On the other hand, Adrian Headquarters is open for less than fifteen per cent of the total hours; yet its circu— lation is almost a third of the total. This indicates that apparently the size of a community is an even more important factor than the number of hours that a library is open. Of course, there are a myriad of other factors, such as book stock, physical surroundings and location, personality of librarian, etc., that also affect book circulation. The total Operating expenses for the county library, 1940-1947, are shown in Table 21 on page 62. During the four 61 Table 20. Circulation of Books and Hours Open per Week for Headquarters and Branches of the Lenawee County Library, 1947. Library Hours Open Circulation Totals 1244' 71,446 Per cent - 100.0 100.0 Adrian Headquarters 18* 25,102 Per cent 14.5 52.4 Addison Branch 15 5,585 Per cent 12.1 7.5 Blissfield Branch 27% 25,585 Per cent 22.1 55.5 Clinton Branch 50 5,750 Per cent 24.1 8.0 Deerfield Branch 17 6,955 Per cent 15.6 9.8 Onsted Branch 17 4,891 Per cent 15.6 6.8 * Headquarters is now open 50 hours per week. 62 Table 21. Total Operating Expenses for the Lenawee County Library, 1940-1947. Year Expense 1940 5 656.91* 1941 1,414.00* 1942 4,079.71 1945 7,675.64 1944 9,795.47 1945 9,547.54 1946 - 9,620.22 1947 9,620.00 (approx.) * In 1940 the salaries of the library personnel were paid by the WPA, and the same situation prevailed for the first half of 1941. Table 22. Amount Spent on Books, Periodicals, and Repairing and Binding at the Lenawee County Library, 1940-1947. Repairing and Year Books Periodicals ‘Binding 1940 3 574.95 $ 17.50 9 50.00 1941 400.00 9.00 25.00 1942 1,247.96 26.25 50.65 1945 2,455.25 75.00 25.00 1944 2,119.91 179.02 150.00 1945 1,745.52 162.59 50.00 1946 1,595.54 211.95 119.50 1947 1,614.50 221.60 165.65 65 years from 1940 through 1945, there was a steady increase in funds for Operating expenses, but from 1944 through 1947, the figures remained relatively constant. This, of course, con- siderably cramped the activities of the library since the cost of books and salaries required by personnel were rising with the general increase in cost Of living. Library hours had to be curtailed, and a number of books and periodicals could not be repaired or bound. This situation was taken into cognizance by the Library Board and by the Board of Supervisors who, in the fall of 1947, voted for increased appropriations for the library. The effect of this was to enable the library to ex- tend its hours of Opening, and to increase both the quantity and quality of new accessions. But even with the increased apprOpriation, the county allows only about twenty-two cents (plus six cents from state aid) for each eligible user, and this seems rather inadequate when one considers that the American Library Association recommends a.minimum of $1.00 per potential library user.11 The county library spent in 1947 over sixteen hundred dollars on books, as can be seen.from Table 22 on page 65. Over two-hundred twenty-one dollars were expended for periodi- cals, and the amount used for repairing and binding was over one-hundred sixty-five dollars. The amount spent on books, 11 Committee on Post-War Planning, 22. git., p. 56. These recommendations were stated in terms Of the 1942 value of the dollar, which indicates that the minimum.wou1d, at the pre- sent time, be nearer two dollars than one. 64 though, was over eight-hundred dollars less than was the figure in 1945. Increased operating costs, without increased appropriations, account for this decline. It is interesting to note, however, that the amount spent on periodicals is at its highest level, indicating perhaps the increased signifi- cance that is given to this service Of the library. Aside from the classical functions of lending books, and.more recently, periodicals, most libraries have other activities. For instance, the Lenawee County Library has sponsored summer reading programs for boys and girls, and these have met with success. At two of the branches, story hours have been held on Saturday afternoons for the children. During the school year, the county librarian has had a fifteen— minute program three times a week on the radio station in Adrian. This program consists of a story for children, and is heard at 5:50 p.n., a popular time for many of the adventure stories for children. The librarian has received a number of letters from parents expressing their gratitude that there is a "wholesome” program for children on the air. The county librarian has also been active in addressing various civic organizations, and frequently has given news releases concern- ing the library and its activities to the newspapers. In addition, each year at the county fair an exhibit is sponsored by the county library, and this has served to acquaint many county residents with the existence Of the library. 65 The library has been active in furnishing materials for the boy and girl scouts, such as giving descriptions Of tech- niques utilized in earning merit badges. 'The library has had a particular interest in cooperating with teachers and rural schools, and in providing them with up-to-date reading lists as well as with books, periodicals, and other reference materi- al. Although the library has no bookmobile service (it hopes eventually to add this), it partly compensates for this by taking mail and telephone requests for loans, whifli are sent out by mail. The only charge for this service is the actual postage. Among the many requests which are filled by headquarters and branches, the following give some indication Of the wide 12 recent range of subjects in which the people are interested: developments in cancer control; tools and dies (machine shop); repairing an electrical refrigerator; transplanting small' evergreens; splicing a rOpe; refinishing a table; civil service jobs and sample questions; trapping foxes (bait); raising mink; and necessary equipment and floor plan for opening a photography shop.15 12 This list was prepared by the county librarian for the annual report that is presented to the Library Board. 15 So it seems that the criticism Of county libraries in the South by R. Wilson and E. A. Wight (Coun_y Library Ser- vice in the South, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955,— p. 205) is not particularly applicable to the Lenawee County Library: "...southern libraries have placed tOO great emphasis on the '1iterary' aspects of the library and too little on its function as an agency for the conveyance, through print, of ideas which are applicable to everyday living." 66 As a whole it can be seen that-the library has a vari- ety of activities, but also that it is lacking in some - for instance, a bookmobile, really adequate reading and rest rooms, records, films, etc. Naturally increased appropria- tions (probably at least to the minimums established by the American Library Association) will have to be forthcoming to make possible these increased services. But with the resources available, it seems that the peOple of Lenawee County are getting a type of library service that meets a number of their needs, and probably only as they demand more services will marked improvements result through increased funds and intelligent planning. CHAPTER V PHASES OF THE STUDY AND THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIPS In the Introduction it was mentioned that there are five chief facets to the present study: the Open country sample; the town random sample; the town formal leader sample; the informal leaders of one trade area; and the mapping out of the functional trade areas Of the county. In addition an attempt was made to survey the countywide organizations so that some idea could be Obtained concerning which organizations are most active and influential in civic affairs in the county. The present chapter will be devoted chiefly to the interrela- tionships of the first three phases of the study mentioned above, and separate chapters will be given to the informal leaders and countywide organizations on the one hand, and the functional trade areas on the other. Development) f 2.§£§2§El£° In the preparation of a schedule it was decided that the Open ended type would give more Of the Opinion and attitudinal factors that were desired than would other types. Also, this kind of schedule lends itself rather readily to a conversational tone that is desir- able in the breaking down of latent or overt hostilities. One disadvantage of it is that the interviewer must perforce do considerable writing and note-taking in front of the respondent, which would be largely obviated by the use of 67 68 precoded schedules.1 Since the interviewing was to be done largely during the summer months, it was realized that in most cases the men folk would not be at home during the day. In order to insure uniformity in regard to the respondent, it was decided to take the schedule from the female head of the house. This necessi- tated orienting construction Of the schedule in such a way that the female head would be the focus of interest, although the way was left Open for her to report on at least parts of the reading activities of other adult members of the household. During three different stages in the evolvement of the schedule it was subjected to pro-testing, which tended to eliminate a number of defects.2 This schedule was the one utilized in all interviews pertaining to behavioral and attitudinal patterns in reading. Since the schedule was originally develOped for Open country use, certain modifications were made for the town sample, and these changes are shown in the town schedule to be found in Appendix I. In the schedule there were a number of questions that were intended for exclusive use on either library users or non-library users, depending, of course, upon the respondent '1—_Ifiithe much discussed book by Albert 0.*KIE§3§77fiEafi:fir" B. Pomeroy, and Clyde E. Martin entitled Sexual Behavior in; the Human Male, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1948, p. _50, emphasis is given to the advantages of using a code for rapid recording. Naturally the relativegimportance of using a code will depend somewhat upon the nature of the sub- Ject in question. 2 The schedule in its final form can be found in Appendix H. 69 being interviewed. It was realized, however, that most of the respondents chosen in a random sample would be non-library users; therefore, the schedule was designed in such a manner that a rather comprehensive picture of one's reading behavior and attitudes could be Obtained regardless of whether or not the respondent was a library user. Taking the Schedule. For purposes of rapport it was decided that no inflexible approach would be used in request- ing an interview. Variations in Opening remarks were dependent upon the situation confronted. It seemed wise to use a differ- ent approach when the respondent was found working in the yard from what would be used when the respondent would come to the door in a housecoat showing every indication of having just been awakened. But although there were Of necessity a number of variations in approach, there was also some uniformity and perhaps the following introductory approach was the one most commonly used: How do you do? I'm from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Michigan State College. Our department is making a study of what rural and town people are reading about, and I'm wondering if you'd be so kind as to let me talk with you about this for a few'minutes. Usually this was sufficient to gain admittance although the interviewer frequently was mistaken for a.magazine or book salesman. When the latter condition occurred it was necessary for the interviewer to break down all suspicions or else the respondent would be hesitant and incomplete in her replies. 70 This was frequently done by laughing and saying that many other people likewise were mistaking him.for a salesman, but that he could assure her that he really was from the college on profes- sional business. When admittance was Obtained, the conversation at first would be rather informal and about the way crOps were looking or, as inevitable, about the weather. Then, continuing in a conversational mode, the actual interviewing would begin. As strictly as possible the actual wording of the schedule was used. When clarification was requested by the respondent, the question was repeated by the interviewer. Perhaps a greater clarity would have resulted from extended explanation, but it was realized that responses would vary according to the explana- tion. Therefore, comparison Of results would have been subject to this variation; so, in the interest of uniformity, perhaps some clarification was sacrificed. On an average the interviews would last for about thirty minutes, although variations were great. At times when the interviewer was not allowed admittance into the house, and when the respondent was Obviously hostile, the interview would con- sume only eight or ten minutes. But at other times the inter- view was known to last for several hours when topics Of mutual interest were touched upon. Those respondents who valued read- ing most highly were usually those who required the most time in the interviews since they were frequently anxious to discuss some of the material which they had been reading. Others, of course, were just lonesome and wanted someone with whom they 71 could talk. A few of the respondents had children Who were beginning college for the first time in the coming fall, and they wanted to know about college living conditions, study halls, and campus activities. 222.9222 Country Sampl . The sampling procedure employed for the Open country part of the study was to utilize the sample segment areas derived by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics in the United States Department of Agriculture. These areas have been prepared for all the rural counties of the United. States, and if each family in the designated sample segments is contacted, roughly there will be a one-eighteenth's sampling of Open country areas. In Lenawee County there were found to be 258 homes in these segments, and schedules were Obtained from.205 of them. At ten homes, although at least two trips were made to each, a suitable respondent was not present; and at twenty-three homes, or about ten per cent of the sample, the investigator was refused an interview. Most of those who refused to cOOperate were suspicious Of the study, thinking that it was a hoax to sell something. Others said that they were too busy or were not interested. 0f the 205 schedules taken in this phase of the study, 5 184 were Obtained during the summer and fall of 1946, and 5_A11 of the schedules in the entire study were taken by the writer with the exception Of eighteen open country schedules that were taken in the fall of 1946 by four members of a social research class at Michigan State College. These four students had been briefed thoroughly by the writer on the Procedure to be followed in the interviewing, and they did a creditable job. 72 twenty-one were gotten in the summer of 1947. As was previous- ly mentioned, the intention was to Obtain the schedules from the female heads of homes. It was possible to follow this procedure in 186 of the interviews;4 but in twelve cases interviews were held with the male head; in two cases schedules were obtained from widowers; in four cases from grown daughters; and in one case from an adult son. In all of these situations, excepting, of course, those involving the widowers, the respond- ents insisted that they were thoroughly familiar with the read- ing behavior and attitude of their wife or mother, as the case may be. This is subject to doubt, but at the time was the only hope Of getting reading information from the home in question. This facet Of the study is of importance partly because the county library is the only organization in the county that provides books at no cost to the Open country residents. Since most rural residents are dependent upon the radio, newspapers, and.magazines for information on major current issues, and since there is little evidence that many Of these media of communication.make any effort to present their audience with a 4—_In a few cases it proved embarrassing to ask the male head of the house if his wife were in. He wanted to know what the investigator wanted with his wife, and why he couldn't answer the questions. Then when questions were addressed to his wife, he would frequently give the answers. One rather emo- tionally unstable man ordered the interviewer out of his house toward the end of one interview, and said that he didn't want his wife wasting any more time answering such foolish questions. As a whole, though, when the writer was met at the door by men, he was mistaken for a salesman.much less frequently than when met by women. Many Of the men seemed accustomed to being interviewed by college representatives and were disappointed when the writer could not give them crop advice. 75 wide range of points of view,5 the way is left Open for the library to make available for its readers publications that present a variety of approaches to the understanding of vari- ous cultural situations. This, of course, assumes that the librarian is liberal enough in her point of view to obtain publications that do present a multiplicity of ideas on the major controversial issues. But even this is worthless unless this literature reaches the public, and this poses another problem for the librarian. She is hesitant to publicize material that may give both the library and herself an uncomp- limentary name in the community. Yet in a democratic society she may feel that duty compels her to rise above bigotry, and to present different viewpoints. This study of the reading behavior and attitudes of the Open country residents of the county is significant in regard to the above aims because it gives some indication of what the people actually are reading, and what they would like to read. It also determines the source of the reading matter, and any suggestions which they may have to improve local library ser- vice. It serves to show the librarian the status Of reading and library usage among the residents, and naturally, knowing. the present situation is essential to any kind of action program. Intelligent planning is dependent upon a thorough knowledge of existing actualities. ‘5 Edgar A. SEhuler and Gus—Turbeville, flThe Relation of Rural Reading and Library Use to Some Ecological Factors," Library Quarterly, XVIII, (July, 1948), p. 171. 74 The Egyn Sample. Random samples were taken in each of the five towns (Addison, Onsted, Deerfield, Clinton, and Blissfield) of Lenawee County having a county library branch. ' In the three smallest towns (Addison, Onsted, and Deerfield), ten per cent samples were obtained; in Clinton, a town of about double the pOpulation of any of the three smaller towns, the size Of the sample was five per cent; and in Blissfield, a still larger town (see Table 4, which gives the pOpulation of all of the towns Of Lenawee County) the size of the random sample was three and one-third per cent. As a result fifteen schedules were obtained in the Addison random sample; twelve in Onsted; seventeen in Deerfield; seventeen in Clinton; and twenty-three in Blissfield; making a total Of eighty-four. The procedure employed in determining the random sample was as follows: plat maps were Obtained of each of the five towns, and these showed, of course, the location of every lot in town. If, for example, fifteen homes were needed for the sample, these homes were picked at random in all parts of the town. No section Of a town was excluded from the sample, and since the houses were chosen before they were seen, no selective bias was allowed to enter. There were a total of seven respond- ents (eight per cent) who refused interviews, and four of these were in Blissfield and three in Clinton. In such a case the interviewer in each case went to the house next door that was the closestto obtain an interview. When respondents were not at home,at least two subsequent trips were made to try to find 75 them.at home; and in the four cases (five per cent) in which a respondent was never found at home (two in Clinton and two in Blissfield); the same procedure of calling on the closest home, as was done when refusals were present, was employed. All eighty-four of the random town respondents were women, and these eighty-four are considered as a unit rather than as separate samples from differait towns. This is subject to the criticism that the size of the sample was not the same for each of the towns, but this weakness is partly balanced by the fact that when tests of the significance of difference between proportions were applied to four key variables (book readers, library users, age, and education) in the random sample as compared with the same sample weighted in such a way as to make it a straight ten per cent sample, the differences .were not significant. When the town sample is taken as a unit, it is seen that a sample of approximately one-eighteenth was taken, which is the same sample rate as was taken in the open country. Since both Of these samples are random, it was felt that a combination of the two would give a reasonably accurate cross sample of the area that is served by the county library. For that reason, except for a breakdown according to place of residence, the two samples are combined into a random one. This phase of the study was conducted in the summer of 1947. From an impressionistic point of view, there did not seem to be too much difference between the town and Open country respondents. There were prOportionately more refusals in the 76 Open country sample, but the town women seemed to suspect chicanery about as much as did the Open country women. The men in the town were not at home so much as in the country, and interfered less with the interviewing. The Town Formal Leaders. The same number of schedules 6 as from the town ran- was taken from the town formal leaders dom sample, namely, eighty-four. In each town, at the conclu- sion Of interviewing the random sample, an equal number of interviews were held with the female head of homes in which there was a formal leader.7 The procedure followed in ascer- taining who were the leaders, and who should be interviewed was as follows: Interviews were held with the local librarian, newspaper editor, postmaster, and persons suggested by them in an effort to get a list of all the clubs and organizations functioning in the community, together with the presidents and secretaries8 of each for the five-year period, 1945-1947. Then lists were made of those persons who had been Officers (presidents or secretaries) of the largest number of organi- zations for the longest number of years. These lists were 6 The term "formal leader“ is used to differentiate between those persons who were arbitrarily picked as leaders by the investigator because they held or were holding office in one of the more prominent community organizations, and those per- sons ("informal leaders") who were chosen by residents in one trade area as being peOple to whom others went for advice and information. 7 Eleven of these eighty-four (12 per cent) had previously been interviewed in the random sample taken in each of the towns. Since the two samples do not overlap, these eleven schedules served for both. 8 This was an arbitrary selection, but it was believed that those two offices commanded the services of probably the more interested, prominent, and efficient members of the organizations. 77 made in descending order, with presidents getting preference over secretaries. Care was taken to put at least one Officer from each organization in the list of those who were to be interviewed. In the event that the person chosen was away (there were no refusals in this group), the next person on the list was substituted, care being taken that all organizations continued to be represented. Since community clubs and organizations are frequently backers and contributors to the library, it was felt that a knowledge Of the attitudes and behavior concerning reading and library usage of the officers of these groupings would be important. Perhaps these people set the pace for the community as a whole, and if such be the case, prediction of future trends could be indicated from the reSponses Of these organization officers. There is always the possibility, of course, that many of the most_respected and influential members of the community do not care to hold Office or belong to clubs, and it may be that some of them held office before the beginning of the five years preceding the interviewing. In addition it should be brought out that all Of the interviews were held with the female head of the house, and in many cases, the person inter- viewed was the wife of a leader - not necessarily one herself. But this was necessary in order to assure uniformity in the sex of the person giving the interview. In any event, it is well to stress the importance Of librarians' working with the organized groups in a community. By helping them (especially 78 the organization leaders) with programs and reading suggestions, the clubs may in turn give the library their full and active support. Other Phases 2; the Study. As was mentioned above there are some influential people in a community who do not become associated with the clubs and organizations to be found therein. In an attempt to learn who were some of these people in a par— ticular trade area, its informal leadership structure was studied in the summer Of 1947. Eleven "informal" leaders were unearthed in this manner, but a full description of this inves- tigation will be presented in Chapter XVI. Also in Chapter XVI will be found a description of the work done in listing the countywide organizations, as a result of which five additional nonduplicating schedules were obtained from the female head of homes having a countywide organization Officer. These five schedules, together with the eleven taken from the informal leaders, are combined with the eighty-four schedules taken from formal community organization leaders, thereby making a total Of 100. This rather arbitrary combination is in part justified on the grounds that they are all leaders, and hence have some commonality upon which to stand. If studied separ- ately, statistical significance would be lacking. The final facet Of this study is concerned with the delineation of the trade areas in the county. A description of this will be found in Chapter XV, but it is mentioned here in order to give a complete view Of the investigation. It was 79 necessary to make this study before the survey could be made of the trade area Of one of the communities have a county library. Otherwise it would not have been known where the boundaries of the community ended. Thus it can be seen that there is an interworking of all parts of the study. The town and Open country random samples give a picture of the reading habits and attitudes of a cross section of the population that is served by the county library; the three divisions of the leadership study give an indication of the reading behavior of the community and county leaders, both formal and informal; and finally, the delineation of the county trade areas shows the area that can be logically served by each of the branches of the county library. CHAPTER VI VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY RANDOM AND LEADERSHIP SAMPLES In this and the following chapter will be discussed the variations in response by the random and leadership samples. Since this variation is the major dichotomy in the study, detailed tabulations will be given for the several responses. This accounts for the fact that this breakdown occupies two rather long and complete chapters. Attention should be called to the fact that although this and the following chapter are devoted to leaders and to persons chosen in a random manner, probably there are also class diff- erences between the two groups. It was not the purpose of the present work to make a study of class differences since such an investigation would be a full-time project in itself. Never- theless, in any sort of social investigation the element of class cannot be ignored. For that reason attention will be called from time to time to certain variables, such as leaders and non-lea- ders, which may, to some extent, be indicative of class. But 1 as Davis, Gardner, and Gardner point out, no one factor - be it education, income, or what - nor a dozen specific kinds of behavior, makes for a particular social class. Rather the identity of a social class is dependent upon ...a complex pattern or network of interrelated characteristics and attitudes." Consequently, the references to class in this study will be 1 Allison Davis, Burleigh B. Gardner, and Mary R. Gardner, Deep South, Chicago: University of Chdcago Press, 1941, p. 75. 80 81 subject to the limitation that the variables employed are not sufficient in themselves definitely to establish a class, but merely point out a propensity in the direction of a class. Finally, it should be brought out that the various classes fuse into each other by nuances, and that to separate a given social structure into two or three classes is to put up relatively artificial dividing lines that may do an injustice to the full- est possible understanding Of the social relations of the peOple in question. In an effort to extend the gradations within a given society some investigatorsz have set up a six-fold class differentiation in place of the classic three: upper, middle, and lower. In the present work, however, the type of research done does not justify the establishment of the identity Of a number of classes; and in an effort to be on scientifically defensible grounds, classes, when used, will be spoken of as tending toward upper or lower. From Table 25 it can be seen that as a group the leaders are significantly older than are those respondents chosen in a random'manner.3 In regard to marital status (see Table 24), 2 CT. I. Lloyd Warner andfPaul S. Lunt, TheISocial LIfe of a Modern Community, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1941, passim. 5 Throughout this study the test applied to determine statis— tical significance was the significance of difference between proportions. Differences are referred to in the text as being significant only when the Odds were at least twenty to one against the differences being due to chance. In many instances the odds were 100 or more to one. For some of the tables chi square and the coefficient Of contingency were computed. ‘In each of these tables for which chi square was calculated, the Odds were 100 or more to one that the differ- ences were not due to chance. Consequently, when the coeffi- cient of contingency is given it may be assumed that chi square was computed, and found adequate, as part of the calculation. 82 Table 25. Age of Female Heads, by Random and Leadership Samples for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946-1947.* Age Total Samples Sixteenarthirty Thirty-one - fifty Fifty-one and over Not ascertained RANDOM LEADERSHIPS * Number Per Cent Number Per Gag; 299* 100.0 100* 100.0 59 20.4 5 5.0 108 57.4 50 50.0 121 41.9 45 45.0 1 0.5 0 0.0 * Unless otherwise specified, all of the tables in this and the following chapter will refer to the female heads and will have the same totals. Table 24. Marital Status Iarital Status RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Per cent Number Per cent Single 4 1.4 6 6.0 larried 252 87.2 86 86.0 Widowed 51 10.7 7 7.0 Divorced or separated l 0.5 1 1.0 Not ascertained 1 0.5 0 0.0 Table 25. Place of Residence ‘HANDOH LEADERSHIP P1100 Of Residence Number Per cent Number Per cent Open country 200 69.2 54 54.0 Village 89 50.8 66 66.0 there is little difference between the two groups; but concern- ing place of residence (Table 25), it is seen that the leaders predominantly live in the villages, whereas the members of the 85 Table 26. Length of Time in Community RANDOM LEADERSHIP Length of Tim Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than.five years 89 50.8 7 7.0 Five - 14.9 years 56 19.4 24 24.0 Fifteen - 29.9 years 59 20.4 22 22.0 Thirty years and over 85 29.4 46 46.0 Notvascertained 0 0.0 1 1.0 Table 27. Highest School Grade Completed RANDCHS ALEADERSHIP R°BP°n3° Number Per cent Number Per cent None - three years 0 0.0 O 0.0 Four - eight years 111 58.4 9 9.0 line - twelve years 159 48.1 61 61.0 One or more years of college 54 11.8 29 29.0 Not ascertained 5 1.7 l 1.0 Table 28. Occupation of Male Head RANDOH’ LEADERSHIP Occupation Number Per cent Number Per cent Agricultural 120 41.5 29 29.0 Industrial . 88 50.4 24 ~ 24.0 Managerial 15 4.5 18 18.0 Clerical 6 2.1 5 5.0 Not employed 25 8.7 6 6.0 Deceased 50 10.4 10 10.0 All other 6 2.1 10 10.0 0.5 O 0.0 Not ascertained 1 84 Table 29. Occupation of Female Head RANDOM LEADERSHIP Occupation Number Per cent Number Per cent Not gainfully employed 267 92.4 85 85.0 Employed 18 6.2 17 17.0 Not ascertained 4 1.4 O 0.0 Table 50. Total Number of Living Children RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number of Children Number Per cent Number Per cent None 42 14.5 20 20.0 Three - four 75 26.0 26 26.0 Five and over 47 16.5 7 7.0 Not ascertained 1 0.5 1 1.0 Table 51. Number of Children at Home RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Of Children Number Per cent Number Per cent None 114 59.4 57 57.0 One — two 118 40.8 59 59.0 Three - four 58 15.1 19 19.0 Five and over 18 6.2. 4 4.0 Not ascertained l 0.5 1 1.0 random sample reside predominantly in the open country areas. This difference is due, of course, to the manner in which the samples were selected. As may be expected, the leaders have lived for a significantly longer period in the community (Table 26) than have the others. In addition they are a better 85 educated group (Table 27) with more of their members having attended high school or college than is the case with the non- leaders. For this latter table the coefficient of contingency was found to be .50, which is rather high when one considers that for this size table (number of cells), a perfect correla- tion would be only about .80. For both groups the occupation of the male head is found more often in the agricultural category than in any other (Table 28), but this is truer for the random.sample than for the leadership sample. This is due in large part to the fact that the random sample more so than the leadership sample was taken from the open country. Not so many of the female heads of either sample work (Table 29), but more of them from the leadership category are employed than is the case with those in the random sample. Tables 50, 51, and 52, which are concerned with the total number of living children, the number of children at home, and the ages of children at home, show that the variations between the two groups are not great. The leaders, to some extent, have a larger proportion of their members in the category of no living children than do the others, and also they have fewer, proportionately, of their members in the category of five or more living children than do the random respondents. But this is somewhat offset by the fact that in regard to the number of children at home, the random sample has a slightly higher percentage of its respondents in the category of no 86 children at home than does the leadership sample. Also, the leaders, more than the non-leaders, have a larger prOportion of their respondents in the classification of two or more child- ren, both younger and older than eighteen. None of these men- tioned differences, though, are statistically significant, but are cited as possible tendencies. It is not surprising to learn from Table 55 that the leaders belong to significantly more organizations than do the others, eSpecially since most of the leaders were chosen by virtue of the fact that they were an official in at least one organization. It can be seen from Table 54 that the organiza- tion to which more of the reSpondents belong than any other is the church (or one of its auxiliaries). The second most popular organization, numerically speaking, is the Woman's Club; and this is followed by the Eastern Star and the Grange. For each of these the leaders have larger pr0p0rtions of their respond- ents as members than have the non-leaders. Concerning eyesight for reading (Table 55) it can be seen that most of the respondents reported that they had either good or average vision, but the members of the random sample have larger proportions of their replies in the good and the Poor categories than do the members of the leadership sample. Table 56 shows that in all six of the socio-economic indices (electricity, radio, automobile, home ownership, running water, and telephone), the leaders predominate over the random sample. It should be stated, however, that a strong factor 87 Table 52. Ages of Children at Home ’RANDOM LEADERSHIP Classification Number Per cent Number Per cent No children 114 59.4 57 57.0 One or more children, all' under eighteen 151 45.5 55 55.0 One or more children, all eighteen and over 27 9.5 18 18.0 Two or more children, both younger and older than eighteen 15 Notaascertained 1 10 10.0 2.0 0C." e e “U" N Table 55. Number of Organizations to Which Belonged RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 109 57.7 4 4.0 . One 95 52.9 16 16.0 Two or more 85 28.7 79 79.0 Not ascertained 2 0.7 l 1.0 Table 54. Organizations to Which Belonged RANDOM LEADERSHIP Organization Number Per cent Number Per cent Church 113 59 . 1* 74 '74. 0* Women's Club 55 11.4 54 54.0 Grange 28 9.7 16 16.0 Eastern Star 21 7.5 57 57.0 Farm.Bureau 21 7.5 7 7.0 Extension Club 21 7.5 4 4.0 Parent-Teachers' Association 15 4.5 10 10.0 Temperance Organizations 9 5.1 7 7.0 All other 7 55 18.5 57 57.0 Belong to no organizations 109 57.7 4 4.0 Not ascertained . 0 0.0 l 1.0 * The total percentages will exceed 100 since a number of—the respondents belonged to more than one organization. 88 Table 55. Eyesight for Reading Res onse RANDOM LEADERSHIP P Number Per cent Number Per cent Good 119 41.2 29 29.0 Average 105 56.5 54 54.0 Poor 64 22.1 16 16.0 Not ascertained l 0.5 l 1.0 Table 56. Socio-Economic Indices RANDOMS LEKEER§ETF“_" Index Number Per cent Number Per cent Have electricity 295 98.6* 100 100.0“ Have radio 280 96.9 100 100.0 Have automobile 256 88.6 95 95.0 Own home 212 75.4 89 89.0 Have running water 189 65.4 99 99.0 Have telephone 157 54.5 86 86.0 * In each case the percentages would equal 100 if the nega- tive instances were recorded, also. Table 57. Type of Newspaper Taken ‘RANDOH LEADERSHIP 01‘331f1°‘t1°n Number Per cent Number Per cent Daily only 168 58.2 10 10.0 Daily and weekly 92 51.8 89 99.0 Weekly only 5 1.7 l 1.0 No newspaper 24 8.5 O 0.0 89 Table 58. Parts of Newspaper in Which Female Head Most Interested RANDOM LEADERSHIP Classification Number Per cent Number Per cent All or most of it 157 54.5 75 75.0 General and local news 86 29.8 21 21.0 Features (editorials, etc.) 15 5.2 l 1.0 All other responses 8 2.8 2 2.0 Reads no newspaper 25 8.0 1 1.0 Table 59. Parts of Newspaper in Which Male Read Most Inter- ested RANDOM ‘LEADERSHIP Classification Number Per cent Number Per cent All or most of it 151 45.5 55 55.0 General and local news 48 16.6 19 19.0 Features (editorials, etc.) 44 15.2 12 12.0 All other responses 12 4.2 2 2.0 Reads no newspaper 25 8.7 2 2.0 Nb male head 29 10.0 10 10.0 Table 40. Number of Magazines Read by Female Head RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 59 15.5 5 5.0 One - three 97 55.6 16 16.0 Four - seven 117 40.5 55 55.0 Eight and over 54 11.8 28 28.0 Not ascertained 2 0.7 0 0.0 90 inducing the leaders to tend to have much higher proportions in the category of having running water and a telephone than the non-leaders is that a much larger percentage of the former live in villages than is true of the latter. As regards type of newspaper taken,4 Table 57 shows that the leaders rank significantly better in this respect than do the others. Eighty-nine per cent of the leaders take both a daily and a weekly newspaper, whereas slightly less than thirty- two per cent of the non-leaders take a daily and a weekly news- paper. Tables 58 and 59 attempt to show the parts of the newspaper in which the female and male heads are most interested; and the most significant finding to be brought out by these tables is the fact that a sizeable proportion of both the male and female heads indicate that they are concerned chiefly with all or most of the paper. Perhaps one of the more important findings to come out of this study is the fact that so many of the female heads in Lena- wee County read magazines.5 Table 40 shows that only 15.5 per cent of the random sample female heads read no magazines, while 4 Even the random sample ofzfenawee County shows up better than did New Yerk's Lower East Side in 1952 (a depression year) in regard to percentage of adult newspaper readers. For Lena- wee County the percentage is over 91, but for the Lower East Side it was only about 80. Cf. Douglas Naples, "Community Studies in Reading. 1. Reading in the Lower East Side,” Library Quarterly, III, (January, 1955), pp. 1-20. 5 James G. Hodgson found in his study of rural reading in Illinois and Indiana (The Printed PaE°.lE Rural Homes, unpub- lished manuscript, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1947, p. 95) that the most important sources of reading were (in order): news- papers, magazines, pamphlets, and books. This ranking, with the exception of pamphlets, for which no comparable data are available, applies also to Lenawee County. 91 only three per cent of the leadership female heads read none.6 It seems that many women prefer magazines to books. A number of respondents stated that once they picked up a book they couldn't put it down, thus causing them to neglect their house- work. Others said that in between sittings they lost the train of the story in a book. For these and other reasons many of the female heads chose magazines to read rather than books.7 The leaders significantly more than the non-leaders read four or more magazines regularly (Table 41), and considerably fewer of them read no magazines regularly than the non-leaders. Not only do the female heads of the leadership families read more magazines than do the corresponding respondents for the random.sample families, but also the same situation prevails in regard to the male heads (Table 42). Tables 45 and 44 give the type of favorite magazine for the female and male heads, and from these tables it can be seen that for the female heads, the most popular type of magazine is the kind pertaining to women and the home; and that for the 6 It is interesting to compare these results with the ones Loomis obtained in Wake County, North Carolina, in the summer of 1929. By combining some of his data it can be found that out of a total sample of 511 white owner and 256 tenant fans- ers, 52.6 per cent subscribed to no magazines; 57.5 per cent subscribed to one through three; and 9.9 per cent subscribed to four or more magazines. The three corresponding percentages for the random sample of Lenawee County are: 15.5; 55.6; and 52.5. This, of course, indicates that there is considerable more magazine reading in Lenawee County, Michigan, than there was in Wake County, North Carolina. See Charles P. Loomis, ”Educational Status and Its Relationship to Reading and Other Activities," Social Forces, XVIII, (October, 1959). 7 One seventy year old woman was slightly flustered when the writer asked her what magazines she read, and she replied that she read the Sunday Evening Post and the Woman's Eggs {923231. 92 Table 41. Number of Magazines Read Regularly by Female Head RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 55 19.0 5 5.0 One - three 105 55.6 22 22.0 Four — seven 105 55.6 54 54.0 Eight and over 26 9.0 19 19.0 Not ascertained 2 0.7 0 0.0 Table 42. Number of Magazines Read by Male Head fiRANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 52 18.0 10 10.0 One - three 125 45.5 25 25.0 Four - seven 67 25.2 45 45.0 Eight and over 11 5.8 9 9.0 No male head 55 11.4 ' 10 10.0 Inability to specify 1 0.5 1 1.0 Table 45. Type of Favorite Magazine of Female Head RANDOM LEADERSHIP Type of Magazine Number Per cent Number Per cent Digest 56 12.5 24 24.0 Faun 56 12.5 9 9.0 Fiction 14 4.8 2 2.0 General weeklies 14 4.8 4 4.0 News weeklies 2 0.7 5 5.0 Pictorial 14 4.8 5 5.0 Religious 15 4.5 10 10.0 Women and home 76 26.5 27 27.0 All other 5 1.0 4 4.0 No magazine read regularly 46 15.9 5 5.0 Undecided 52 11.1 7 7.0 Not ascertained 5 1.0 O 0.0 95 Table 44. Type of Favorite Magazine of Male Head RANDOM LEADERs‘Hfi“ Type Of Magazine Number Per cent Number Per cent Digest ' 24 8.5 20 20.0 Farm 7 55 18.5 15 15.0 General weeklies 24 8.5 11 11.0 News weeklies 5 1.7 4 4.0 Pictorial 18 6.2 7 7.0 Popular mechanics 12 4.2 0 0.0 Religion ‘ 7 2.4 2 2.0 Women and home 5 1.0 2 2.0 All other 28 9.7 8 8.0 No magazine read 51 17.6 10 10.0 Undecided 29 10.0 15 15.0 No male head 55 11.4 10 10.0 Not ascertained 2 0.7 O 0.0 male heads among the leaders the most popular type is the digest kind,8 and among the non-leaders it is the farm type. As for the specified favorite magazine of the female head (Table 45), the Reader's Digest is easily the favorite for both groups.9 The responses concerning why the favorite magazine is liked best 8 James West reports (Plainville, E. g. 5., New York: Colum- bia University Press, 1945, p. 15) that he found that men from the better class tended to buy such magazines as Life, Colliers, Liberty, and the Saturday Evening Post. These would be classi- fied, in this study, as general weeklies and pictorial (Life). There is a very slight, but far from significant, tendency for the leaders to prefer these kinds of magazines more so than' did the persons interviewed in the random sample. ' 9 In "Yankee City" (Warner and Lunt, pp, gl£., p. 580), it was found that the Reader's Digest did not rank in the ten magazines most widely subscribed to in the community. In that town the ten.most subscribed to magazines were (in order): Needlecraft, Pictorial Review, McCall's, Cosmopolitan, Bette: Homes 328 Gar- dens, National Geographic, Delineator, Ladies' Home Journal, Woman's Home Companion, and the Saturday Evening Post. It must be remembered, however, that the data for "Yankee City" were gathered during the 1950's. 94 Table 45. Specified Favorite Magazine of Female Head* RANDOM LEADERSHIP Magazine Number Per cent Number Per cent Reader's Digest 55 12.1 20 20.0 McCalls 18 6.2 9 9.0 Life 14 4.8 5 5.0 Better Homes and Gardens 12 4.2 7 7.0 Women's Home Companion 11 5.8 l 1.0 Farm Journal 10 5.5 5 5.0 Ladies' Home Journal 10 5.5 4 4.0 Saturday Evening Post 10 5.5 5 5.0 Household 10 5.5 l 1.0 Country Gentleman 7 2.4 O 0.0 Michigan Farmer 7 2.4 O 0.0 True Story 6 2.1 O 0.0 Parent's 5 1.7 1 1.0 Successful Farming 4 1.4 5 5.0 Colliers 4 1.4 l 1.0 American 5 1.0 2 2.0 All other 57 12.9** 27 27.0** Undecided 57 12.8 8 8.0 No magazine read regularly 46 15.9 5 5.0 Not ascertained 5 1.0 O 0.0 * The percentage differences in this table are too small to be significant, but are included to give some idea of the popu- larity of a number of the magazines read in Lenawee County. ' ** These percentages are rather high because there were almost fifty different magazines listed as being the favorite of at least one respondent. The sixteen listed in this table were the ones named by a total of at least five of the persons interviewed. 95 Table 46. Why Favorite Magazine Liked Best a A. RANDOM '__"_"LEKDER§HTF_’ Reason Liked Per Per Number cent Number cent Helpful for women 45 15.6 17 17.0 Varied and condensed articles 56 12.5 27 27.0 Interesting stories and articles 25 8.7 12 12.0 Religious 11 5.8 8 8.0 Helpful about farm and garden 11 5.8 4 4.0 Large number of pictures 10 5.5 5 5.0 Only one magazine read 18 6.2 2 2.0 No magazine read regularly 46 15.9 5 5.0 Any two or more reasons 21 7.5 l 1.0 Inability to specify 52 11.1* 9 9.0* All other 50 10.4 12 12.0 Not ascertained . 4 1.4 0 0.0 * There were a variety of unique answers in this category. Among them were such responses as: "clean magazine," "stories not so complicated," "more for your money," and "has continued stories." Table 47. Female Heads Reporting the Reading of One or More Books during the Preceding Twelve Months Period R RANDOM_ LEADERSHIP espondent Number Per cent Number Per cent Read one or more books 89 50.8 57 57.0 Did not read any books 200 69.2 45 45.0 are given in Table 46, and the three most popular responses for both groups are: varied and condensed articles, helpful for women, and interesting stories and articles. The difference between the prOportion of book readers10 lO Operationally defined as the reading of one or more bookgfi during the preceding twelve months period. 96 among the random and leadership samples (Table 47) is rather striking and, of course, significant. Whereas only about thirty-one per cent of the random sample respondents read books, the corresponding figure for the Readership sample is fifty-seven per cent. A number of respondents gave some interesting sidelights on their own reading behavior as well as the reading behavior of other members of the family. One fifty-seven year old woman reported that she was a reader "by spells"; that she would read intensively for several days then get tired of it, and not read again for a number of days. A forty-six year old schoolteacher said that she reads several books along at the same time, so that when she gets tired of one she can pick up another. An apparently introverted woman of twenty-nine years gave the interviewer the impression that she liked the world of books much better than the world of reality. She reads no magazines or newspapers, but is a pro- lific reader of novels. Perhaps the most remarkable reader encountered during the survey was a thirty—four year old woman who said that on an average she read ten books a week. She reported that she read Gone With the Wind in one evening. She reads, she said, by pages rather than by words; and as perhaps would be expected, she is a strong supporter as well as user of the library. Table 48 gives the total number of books read during the preceding twelve months period, and in this the leadership 97 Table 48. Total Books Read during the Preceding Twelve Months Period RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number R°‘d Number Per cent Number Per cent One - five 40 15.8 25 25.0 Six - fifteen 24 8.5 20 20.0 Sixteen and over 21 7.5 15 15.0 Uncertain 4 1.4 l 1.0 Non-book readers 200 69.2 45 45.0 Table 49. Length of Time Since Reading Last Book RANDOMS —LEADERSHIP Length of Time Number Per cent Number Per cent Under one week 25 8.0 16 16.0 One week - under two months 15 5.2 14 14.0 Two months - under 6 months 27 9.5 14 14.0 Six months - under 12 months 15 4.5 15 15.0 Inability to specify 11 5.8 O 0.0 Non-book readers 200 69.2 45 45.0 sample again excels the random sample.11 In this connection it is perhaps informative to point out some of the obstacles which the reSpondents name that prevent them from reading so much as they would like. A thirty-seven year old woman said ll EIn this table if those respondents who are non-book read- ers and also those who specify uncertainty are omitted, the random sample has six per cent more in the category of those who read one through five books during the past year, and al- most eight per cent less in the category of those who read six through fifteen books than does the leadership sample. Among those respondents who read sixteen or more books, the difference between the samples becomes less than two per cent. 98 Table 50. Type of Book Read Last RANDOM LEADERSHIP B Type of 00k Number Per cent Number Per cent Total Fiction 46 15.9 44 44.0 Fiction: historical 10 5.5 l 1.0 Fiction: religious 6 2.1 9 9.0 Fiction: farm 5 1.7 10 10.0 Fiction: romance 5 1.7 4 4.0 Fiction: mystery 5 1.7 1 1.0 Fiction: adventure 4 1.4 7 7.0 Fiction: family life 5 1.0 9 9.0 Fiction: all other 8 2.8 5 5.0 Total Non-Fiction 11 5.8 4 4.0 Biography 6 2.1 2 2.0 Farm non-fiction 5 1.0 l 1.0 Current affairs 2 0.7 1 1.0 Inability to specify' 25 8.7 9 9.0 All other 6 2.1 O 0.0 Not ascertained 1 0.5 O 0.0 Non-book readers 200 69.2 45 45.0 that her young children prevented her from reading at the pres- ent time, but as they grew older, she wanted to increase her reading. On the other hand a sixty-three year old woman reported that she had enjoyed reading while young; but now that she has gotten older and her eyesight has dimmed, she does more “glancing than reading." Hobbies are at times competitors with reading, and a thirty-six year old woman replied that sewing and gardening took much of her spare time. It might have been an example of rationalization when a thirty—three year old woman said that she didn't read so much because it hurt her eyes and gave her 99 a headache, and besides, she continued, she preferred to sew and embroider. A forty-four year old female respondent said that she largely gave up reading ten years ago when she fin— ally realized that all of the romantic stories were just alike. One rather witty sixty-five year old woman reported that since her eyesight became poor she has had to content herself with "her radio, her dog, and her husband." But as an indication that some peOple can read even when confronted with a number of obstacles, the case of a thirty year old woman will be men- tioned. She has four young children, the oldest of whom is ten. She does the sewing for all of them; helps the children in their schoolwork; has canned dozens of quarts of food during the summer; has no electricity in the house; and still she loves to read, and does read about fourteen hours per week. The length of time since reading the last book is given in Table 49, and from this table it can be seen that there is little concentration at any particular time interval. Concern- ing the type of book read last (Table 50) there is again little clustering,although by a slight margin the most popular type of book read by respondents for the random sample was historical fiction; and for the leadership sample it was farm fiction. The type of book that was enjoyed most (Table 51) by female heads of the random sample was again, by a slight margin, historical fiction; whereas for the female heads of the leader- ship sample it was family life fiction. None of these differ- .ences, however, are statistically significant. Table 52 gives 100 Table 51. Type of Book Enjoyed Most during the Preceding Twelve Months Period RANDOM LEADERSHIP Type Of 300k Number Per cent Number Per cent Total Fiction 42 14.5 57 57.0 Fiction: historical 15 4.5 5 5.0 Fiction: religious 4 1.4 7 7.0 Fiction: farm 4 1.4 9 9.0 Fiction: romance 4 1.4 0 0.0 Fiction: mystery 11 5.8 0 0.0 Fiction: adventure 1 0.5 5 5.0 Fiction: family life 2 0.7 11 11.0 Fiction: all other 5 1.0 O 0.0 Total Non-Fiction 10 5.5 5 5.0 Biography 4 1.4 2 2.0 Farm non-fiction 5 1.0 5‘ 5.0 Current affairs 5 1.0 C) 0.0 Inability to specify 25 8.7 15 15.0 All other 12 4.2 2 2.0 Non—book readers 200 69.2 45 45.0 the reasons for enjoying most a particular book. For the ran- 'dmm sample the most popular reason was that the book was inter- esting or good. In connection with the reasons for enjoying particular books, maybe it will be informative to mention some of the reasons that people gave for reading. A thirty-three year old woman and her husband have no children, but they said that 'they keep themselves entertained evenings on the farm by read- 1ng, especially the books by Lloyd Douglas. A fifty-three year old woman whose twenty-five year old son had died the year Fu’eviously reported that she reads prolifically to quiet her 101 sorrow. She said that formerly she read very little, but that now she reads about thirty hours per week. One thirty—six year old woman stated that her husband cared little for reading before marriage, but that now he enjoys it very much. But a twenty—four year old woman who had been married for three months said that at the present time she was more interested in becom- ing a good wife than she was in reading. A sixty-two year old woman reported that she reads an hour in the afternOOn and about two hours in the evening to quiet her nerves, and get her mind off herself. Illness, too, can be a cause of increased reading according to a fifty year old woman who, two months before, had become bedridden. Before her illness she stated that she seldom read more than two books a year, but during the two months of her illness she had already read ten books. A thirty-two year old woman who apparently was in the very last days of pregnancy said that her incapacity had caused her to do much more reading than formerly. Her favorite t0pic of reading, strangely enough, was murder. Finally, the husband of a woman in the early forties said that-during the past year he had read about 500 books. He did this, he said, in spite of the fact that he runs a farm (very prosperous looking) without any help. When questioned about how busy farmers are, he said that of course they were busy, but that like everyone else, they found time to do what they wished. He wanted to read, so he said he found time to read. It can be seen from Table 55 that the respondents who are members of the leadership sample use the library more than twice 102 Table 52. Reasons Given for Most Enjoying a Particular Book RANDOM LEADERSHIP Reasons Given mfiwm_Number Per cent Number Per cent True to life 12 4.2 1 1.0 Interesting, good, etc. 9 5.1 10 10.0 Religious 6 2.1 5 5.0 Rural atmosphere 6 2.1 4 4.0 Historical. 4 1.4 l 1.0 All other 25 8.7* 21 21. 0* Undecided 26 9.0 15 15.0 Not ascertained l 0.5 0 0.0 Non-book readers 200 69.2 45 45.0 * Among the individual responses in this category were the following: "funny," "so different from most fiction." "saw play of it in New Yong" and "made you think.". Table 55. Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit during Preceding Twelve Months Period R 8 se ”RANDOM ‘LEADERSHIP ° pon Number Per cent Number Per cent Have used library 59 15.6 58 58.0 Have not used library 250 86.5 62 62.0 as much as do the others. Less than fourteen per cent of the members of the random sample are library users, while the cor- responding percentage for those of the leadership sample is thirty-eight. For this table the coefficient of contingency was found to be .26. In regard to those respondents wanting a bookmobile, it is obvious from.Table 54 that there is little difference between the responses of the members of the random sample and those of the leadership sample. Although over half of each sample 105 Table 54. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile* Response RANDOM LEADERSHIP _ Number Per cent Number Per cent Want bookmobile 159 55.0 56 56.0 Do not want bookmobile 59 15.5 16 16.0 Uncertain 90 51.1 28 28.0 Not ascertained l 0.5 0 0.0 * The exact question asked was: "Some county library systems in Michigan have a bookmobile or book truck which follows a regular route around the county. Would you like to see such an arrangement worked out in Lenawee County?" Table 55. Number of Books in Home Number RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Per cent Ngmber Per cent None 29 ' 10.0 1 1.0 One - twenty-four 72 24.9 2 2.0 Twenty-five - forty-nine 40 15.8 12 12.0 Fifty - ninety-nine 58 13.1 22 22.0 One-hundred and over 66 22.8 55 55.0 Uncertain 42 14.5 7 7.0 Not ascertained 2 0.7 l 1.0 expressed a positive interest in having a county bookmobile, the percentage of respondents who were uncertain about one was rather high. One reSpondent in stating why she didn't want a bookmobile said that if a person really wanted to use the lib- rary, he could get to one of the several branches to be found in the county. Another respondent, though, said that she was very much in favor of bookmobiles and thought that it would be a good idea if they were sent to the various Granges. She added that she was a member of the Grange. 104 Table 56. Books Read or Referred to Frequently RANDOM LEADERSHIP Kind Of 300k _mn~,mu __ Number Per cent Number Per cent None 142 49.1 29 29.0 Religious books 15 ‘5.2 4 4.0 Dictionary 14 4.8 4 4.0 Encyclopedia 17 5.9 15 15.0 Farm books 6 2.1 2 2.0 Histories 6 2.1 2 2.0 ‘Cook books 6 2.1 5 5.0. ; Any two books 41 14.2* 15 15.0?_ ’ Any three or more books 15 5.2* 16 416.0” All other 18 6.2 15 15.0 Not ascertained 9 5.1 l 1.0 * In these categories usually are found combinations of the above-mentioned books. Sometimes a book mentioned was a text book used in schools or some special book used in connection with a hobby. Table 57. Homes Having Experiment Station Bulletins or Other Government Publications Response RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Per cent Number Per cent Have none 192 66.4 47 47.0 Have some: one - ten 19 6.6 5 5.0 Have some: ten and over 56 12.5 29 29.0 Have some: number unknown 40 15.8 18 18.0 Not ascertained 2 0.7 l 1.0 Table 55 demonstrates rather conclusively that the lead- ership sample in Lenawee County possesses proportionately a larger number of books than does the random sample. Over half of the respondents in the leadership sample reported that there were a hundred or more books in the home, whereas the corres- ponding figure for the random sample was about twenty-three 105 Table 58. Attitudes toward Experiment Station Bulletins or Other Government Publications RANDOM LEADERSHIP Attitude ___ Number Per cent Number Per cent Favorable 65 21.8 49 49.0 Neutral or uncertain 25 8.7 5 5.0 Unfavorable 5 1.0 0 0.0 All other 5 1.0 O 0.0 Don't read bulletins 192 66.4 47 47.0 Not ascertained 5 1.0 1 1.0 per cent. This difference is statistically significant. Concerning the books read or referred to frequently, it can be seen from Table 56 that encyclopedias top the list for both the random.and the leadership samples, though in the ran- dom.sample they exceed religious books and dictionaries by only a small margin. It is noteworthy and statistically signi- ficant that about half of those belonging to the random sample refer to at least one book rather often, and that around seventy per cent of those belonging to the leadership sample do like- wise. From Table 57 it can be seen that about two-thirds of the homes in the random sample have no Experiment Station Bulletins or other government publications, whereas slightly less than half of the homes in the leadership sample also lack these publications. This difference, which is significant 12 One member of the leadership sample, a sprightly woman nearing seventy, when asked what books she read or referred to frequently, said that at least once a year she reads Swiss Egmily prinson. She added, almost needlessly, that it was her favorite book. 106 statistically, is even more striking when one realizes that considerably more of those in the random sample live in the open country than is the case with those who are in the leader- ship sample. According to Table 58 almost all of those who have the publications have a favorable attitude toward them. One of the extremes in regard to those who have a favorable attitude toward the bulletins is the husband of a twenty-five year old woman interviewed during the survey.’ She reported that he has 400 or 500 of the bulletins, and that he frequently sends to the State College for new ones; He constantly refers to them, she said, in his farm operations. One Of the three respondents who had unfavorable attitudes toward the bulletins was a fifty—seven year old woman who said that farm magazines give more up-to-date information than the Experiment Station Bulletins. One of the common criticisms of Experiment Station Bulletins in the past has been that they were unreadable by the lay public. The interviewer, realizing this, purposely asked those respondents who had the bulletins if they were clearly written. The universal affirmative answers indicate that this criticism.is now without foundation, at least in the portion of Michigan represented by Lenawee County. CHAPTER VII VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY RANDOM AND LEADERSHIP SAMPLES (Continued) In the first article to appear in the first issue of the 1 considerable emphasis was given to the Library Quarterly, importance of knowing the reading interests of the public. The writer of this article further stressed that it is import- ant that the librarian know the attitudes of the non-library users as well as those of the library users. In the present study an attempt was made to get at the reading interests of all of the respondents, be they library users or otherwise. Perhaps in some ways this is one of the most important facets of the study, since it is almost imperative that the librarian know the reading interests of her public if she is to satisfy their wishes. But, of course, the mere fact that someone states that he is interested in a particular subject is no sure sign that he will read on that subject if pertinent reading matter is made available. In addition it is perhaps necessary to say that there may be librarians who feel that even though respondents express an interest in some subjects, such as modern romance, it is best for the librarian to attempt to cultivate an interest on the part of the reader in more serious literature. But to discuss whether the purpose of the librarian is to merely pro- vide pOpular literature for the public, or whether the purpose of the librarian is to stimulate interest in new subjects (or a 1 C. C.rWilliamson,—1TEE_Place of Research in Library Service," Library Quarterly, I, (January, 1951), PP. 1-17. 107 108 combination of these extremes) is not the object of the present paper. Rather this study purports to describe a stituation as it exists, but at the same time, it is realized that the study becomes more meaningful as it more nearly comprehends the objectives and views of librarians in general. Table 59 shows the number and percentage of respondents specifying an interest in certain specified subjects. It is to be noted that for both the random and leadership samples, the subjects eliciting the greatest positive response were health and medical care, and cooking. This is somewhat in line with the findings of Waples and Tyler who report that their respondents were interested in reading about subjects closely tied up with their welfare.2 Perhaps equally important as this finding is the very noticeable fact that the members of the leadership sample consistently are more interested in each of the subjects, with the one exception of mystery, than are the members of the random sample. In all cases but three - care of household articles, care of young children, and mystery these differences are large enough to be statistically signifi- cant. I Among the least popular subjects were mystery, marital adjustment problems, and biography. A number of respondents blamed much of the current delinquency on mystery stories, both those that are printed and those that are on the air. The 2 Douglas Naples and Ralph W. Tyler, What Pegple Wang 39 Read About, Chicago: American Library Association and the Univer- sity of Chicago Press, 1951, pp. xxii-xxiii. 109 Table 59. Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested RANDOM LEADERSHIP Subject Number Per cent Number Per cent Health and medical care 174 60.2* 84. 84.0* Cooking 171 59.2 82 82.0 Remodeling the house 167 57.8 79 79.0‘ Fiction 157 54.5 80 80.0 Religion and relig. novels 151 52.2 71 71.0 Farming and gardening 150 51.9 68 68.0 Travel 151 45.5 72 72.0 Care of household articles 150 45.0 49 49.0 Hobbies and recreation 115 59.1 59 59.0 Financial problems 109 57.7 55 55.0 Care of young children 107 57.0 59 59.0 Personality and leadership 100 54.6 72 72.0 United Nations 98 55.9 55 55.0 Mystery 95 52.9 29 29.0 Russia and the Russians 90 51.1 51 51.0 Other foreign people 94 52.5 61 61.0 Music and art 89 50.8 55 55.0 History 86 29.8 47 47.0 Marital adjustment problems 70 24.2 58 58.0 Biography 68 25.5 46 46.0 * The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those per- sons not expressing a positive interest were included. In some instances those not expressing a positive interest said that they were uncertain, or else no response of any kind was obtained; but for the most part, the respondents said that they were not interested in the particular subject mentioned. subject of marital adjustment problems was a rather ticklish one, and some of those interviewed seemed to'think that a positive interest in this subject would indicate marital dis- cord. A not infrequent reply to this question was: "No, we get along all right." Also, there were several fairly young respondents who stated that they were very much interested in 110 ' this subject, and wondered where they could find some informa— tion on it. The low interest in biography may be partly explained by a lack of familiarity with the term. One elderly respondent, when asked if she liked biography, said that no, she'd never taken that in school. During the course of the interviewing, some of the inter- viewees gave evidence of wide reading interests. One forty- one year old woman with a tenth grade education stated that she was much interested in psychology, philosophy, and politi- cal issues. Along with these interests, she had developed an avid concern for the sex education of young people, and she said that she wished that she could teach sex to the children in the local high school, and that if she could, she would hold nothing back from them. As an indication that to some people age is purely a physi- ological phenomenon, the case of a seventy-seven year old woman may be cited. At the time of the interview this woman had a delightful sense of humor and a great love for life. And her chief reading interest was Little Orphan Annie. She stated that she held "Annie" in great affection, and that in spite of difficulties, "Annie" always came out on top. one of the persons interviewed during the course of the study was a nineteen year old girl who had finished only the fifth grade in school. In spite of her dearth of education, she appeared to be anything but dull. She reported that she read quite a bit, and that her favorite magazine was grue 111 §£g§y. She liked this magazine, she said, because from the stories in it she could learn many of the Problems of married couples, and consequently make an attempt to avoid them. She added that whenever she came across a "big word," she just skipped over it. Much of her reading time, though, had been cut down since the birth of her baby two months previously. As a further instance of the wide diversity of reading interests found in this study, attention will be focused upon a preacher's wife who is in her early thirties. She reported that because of her husband's position she had become very much interested in etiquette as she "always wanted to be prOper."5 One of the more interesting persons encountered during the study was a seventy—nine year old spinster who was president of a local chapter of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. During recent years she said that she had gotten rather inter- ested in the sociological and psychological aspects of alcohol- ism, and had come to the conclusion that drinking was a symptom rather than a cause of personal maladjustment. So it seems, she stated, that for most of her life she had been protesting the evils of alcohol without bothering to see what caused them. The table previously referred to on reading interests shows that one of the more popular subjects was religion. A 5 In spite of her wish "to be preper,” at no time during the interview did she ask the writer to come into her house or to sit down. At the opening of the interview, he made ' some motion as to come in, but this motion was quickly stifled when she responded: "Do you have to come in?" 112 number of the respondents gave the impression of being religi- ous fanatics, but perhaps the most extreme of these was a fifty-eight year old woman who stated that at one time she was a voracious reader of novels of all sorts. Then during the past few months she had become more or less sanctified, and hence could no longer read worldly literature. She said that she didn't even read the newspaper unless there were articles in it of a religious nature, and that she was the same way about radio programs. In this part of the study perhaps the subject which gen- erated the greatest amount of emotion was Russia and the Russians. Slightly over half of the leaders were interested in reading on this subject, but somewhat less than a third of the non-leaders were interested in reading on it. Many of the respondents were outspoken in their denunciations of Russia (and Communism), and one of the most vociferous of these was a fifty-three year old woman. She said that we are sending war materials to Russia just as we did to Japan before the last war, and that she thought we ought to leave the other countries alone. While one very pleasant sixty-five year old woman was being interviewed, her husband of approximately the same age came into the room. He was obsessed with Communism, and thought that it and godlessness had hit the country. For these two "curses" he chiefly blamed the colleges throughout the country because of their teachings. While lamenting 115 against the godlessness which was sweeping the country, he used a rich vocabulary of profane words even though his grand— daughter of about seven years was in the room. Not all of the respondents, though, were anti—Russian. One fifty-seven year old widow said that she thought that the United States was as much to blame as Russia for the several conflicts arising between the two countries. A thirty-seven year old woman said that she felt that.the world was ruled by dispositions, and that if dispositions could be improved, wars and conflicts would cease. There was at least one per- son interviewed Who was not particularly worried about the international situation, and that was a seventy—six year old woman who said that she was convinced that the world was in its last stages, so why worry about it. Although the preceding table showed that well over half the respondents expressed an interest in certain specified subjects, it can be seen from Table 60 that when the respond— ents were asked on what problem or subject they would like to have more reading matter, only a minority of them volunteered to name a subject. The leaders, significantly more than the others, expressed an interest in obtaining reading matter on some subject. The most popular subject for both groups, though not by a very large margin, was farming and/or gardening. Concerning the types of reading matter which the respond— ents found objectionable (Table 61), there are rather noticeable variations between the leaders and the others. Almost three- 114 Table 60. Problem or Subject on Which More Reading Matter is Wanted 3 b t“ W"“""""” " RANDOM ’“fiA‘DER'S‘HTP'W u j°°_u_“_ _ Number Per Cent Number Perflpent None 208 72.0 60 60.0 Farming and/or gardening 22 7.6 9 9.0 Domestic arts 14 4.8 5 5.0 Family relations 8 2.8 5 5.0 Any two or more subjects 6 2.1 7 7.0 All other 27 9.5 15 15.0 Not ascertained 4 1.4 1 1.0 Table 61. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable '_' RANDOM LEADERSHIP Objectionable Number Per cent Number Per cent None 170 58.8 27 27.0 "Trashy" romance 55 12.1 41 41.0 Murder and/or mysteries 51 10.7 7 7.0 Comics 9 5.1 6 6.0 Any two or more types 17 5.9 12 12.0 All other 21 7.5 6 6.0 Not ascertained 6 2.1 l 1.0 fifths of the members of the random sample said that there were no types of reading matter to which they objected, whereas only slightly over one-fourth of the members of the leadership sample who made a like answer. For each group, although significantly more so for the leadership group, the most objectionable type literature was the "trashy" romance4 kind. Z—The term "trashyII romance was one frequently used by res- pondents. Comparable terms used were: "filthy" romance, "sexy" stories, "dirty" love series, etc. 115 This was followed by murder and/or mysteries which ran a poor second. There are a number of interesting implications to this part of the study dealing with objectionable literature. For one thing, why is there such a great difference between the two groupings in regard to the first category, liE-a no type of reading matter to which objected? There is some evidence to indicate the existence of role playing. It may be that some of the leaders (as well as some of those from the random sample) gave the replies which they thought ought to be given under such a situation rather than revealing (perhaps even to them- selves) their actual views or behavior. As an example, the thirty-two year old president of one of the mother's clubs in one community listed, as an example of objectionable literature, The Razor's Edge. When probed somewhat on why she objected to this book, she finally admitted that she didn't object to it at all, but merely said she did because she had heard some of her associates say that it was an obscene book. Perhaps an extreme case of this role playing was a twenty- seven year old woman who was president of a temperance organi- zation in one locality. At first she said that she objected to modern novels, and instead liked.moralistic books such as those by Grace Livingston Hill. With encouragement, she admitted to having read God's Little Acre, The Postman Always Ring; Twice, The Strangg Woman, and other books pOpularly 116 reported to be on the "sexy" side. Several other respondents said that though they objected to many of the modern novels, they read them out of "curiosity." Some said that however objectionable the books might be, that they were "interesting reading." One woman seemed to be horri- fied when the interviewer noticed a copy of The Prodigal Women on a table by her chair. She said not to list that among the books which she had been reading because it was "awful." She was reading it solely, she said, because she had heard so much about it. Of course, the impression should not be conveyed that all of the people who say they object to certain types of reading matter are hypocrites. Certainly many of them are sincere in their beliefs. When asked if there were types of reading matter to which she objected, a sixty-nine year old woman said that there may be but that she really couldn't say because she didn't read things which she didn't think she would like. Many women were alarmed about the abundance of murder and mystery books. They said that it was their belief that many of these stories led directly to crime on the part of young, suggestible people. Several other women said that they hated to read magazines in which there were whiskey advertisements, and stories in which the leading characters smoked and drank. One rather liberal attitude which represented the senti- ments of some of the respondents was that voiced by a twenty- three year old woman. She said that probably there are types 117 of reading matter which children should not be allowed to read, but that adults should be allowed to read anything that they like. Somewhat more liberal is the view of a sixty-nine year old woman who lives on a farm. She said that she reads what she wishes, and feels that everyone else should have that same right. Perhaps one of the chief keys to a person's interest‘in reading is the amount of time he devotes to this activity. 5 and it can Table 62 gives this information on a weekly basis, be seen that the leaders spend more time on reading than do the others. This difference is especially noticeable in the category of "eight - less than sixteen" hours per week spent in reading. That there is a relationship between time spent reading and leadership is indicated by the fact that the coef- ficient of contingency for this table was .22. Table 62. Amount of Time Spent Reading during Preceding Week Time RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than one hour 51 10.7 1 1.0 One - less than four 69 25.9 12 12.0 Four - less than eight 75 25.5 27 27.0 Eight - less than sixteen 91 51.5 48 48.0 Sixteen and over 18 6.2 8 8.0 Not ascertained 7 2.4 4 4.0 5 The respondents interviewed by William S. Gray and Ruth Mun- roe (The Reading Interests and Habits 2; Adults, New York: The Macmillan Company, 1929, p. 262) read, on an average, about ten or eleven hours per week. About 60 per cent of the reapondents in Lenawee County who were selected in the random sample report- ed that they read less than eight hours per week. The sample employed by Gray and Munroe, however, admittedly had an educa- tional bias in the direction of more formal education than a random sample would have had, and this may account for the greater amount of time Spent reading in that study as compared with Lenawee County. 118 From Table 65 it is obvious that a considerable majority of the persons interviewed in the random sample are unaware of any library publicity. This issnmewhat in contrast to the leadership sample where a little less than two-fifths of the respondents are not conscious of any publicity concerning the library. As for the efficaciousness of this publicity, Table 64 shows that for each group over half of those persons who use the library and who were confronted with library publicity failed to check books from the library because of it. Tables 65 and 66 show that a sizeable majority of the respondents of both samples think that the location and hours of the library are convenient. This showing is offset partially by the fact that about twenty per cent of those in the random sample are uncertain of the location, and twenty—six per cent do not know the hours. The members of the leadership sample apparently are well-versed concerning the location and hours of the library. Because of the fact that the leadership sample was taken predominantly from towns having a county library branch, more of them live within less than a mile of the library than is the case with the members of the random sample. Within the random sample, as can be seen from Table 67, the respondents are almost evenly divided among the three distance categories. On the other hand, over nine out of ten of the leaders are to 119 Table 65. Library Publicity or Advertisements Observed RANDOM LEADERSHIP Classification Number Per cent Number Per cent Did not observe 251 79.9 57 57.0 Observed: newspaper 58 15.1 44 44.0 Observed: talks to clubs 8 2.8 5 5.0 Observed: displays 2 0.7 5 5.0 Observed: any two types 0 0.0 7 7.0 Observed: all other 1 0.5 1 1.0 Not ascertained 9 5.1 l 1.0 Table 64. Library Users Checking Books from Library Because of Advertising RANDOM LEADERSHIP Classification Number Per cent Number Per cent Total library users 59 100.0 58 100.0 Have checked books 8 20.5 12 51.6 Have not checked books 9 25.1 16 42.1 Observed no advertising 22 56.4 9 25.7 Not ascertained O 0.0 l 2.6 Table 65. Is Location of Library Convenient RANDOM LEADERSHIP Response Number Per cent Number Per cent Is convenient 221 76.5 97 97.0 Is not convenient 6 2.1 5 5.0 Uncertain 59 20.4 0 0.0 Not ascertained 5 1.0 O 0.0 120 Table 66. Are Library Hours Convenient RANDOM LEADERSHIP R esponse Number Per_gent Number Per cent Are convenient 194 67.1 95 95.0 Are not convenient 16 5.5 6 6.0 Hours not known 75 26.0 1 1.0 Not ascertained 4 1.4 O 0.0 Table 67. Distance from Nearest Library, Branch, or Deposit Distanc RANDOM LEADERSHIP ° Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than one mile 95 52.2 68 68.0 One - 4.9 miles 95 52.9 24 24.0 Five miles and over 101 54.9 8 8.0 6 be found within the first two distance categories. Table 68 shows where the non-library using book readers get the books that they read. For both the random and leader- ship samples the most common sources are book clubs and loans from friends. One of the most striking things about this table is the fact that less than two per cent of those in the random.sample buy the books that they read (aside from book clubs), and none of the members of the leadership sample reported the buying of books during the past twelve months. 6 For afi—analysis of the effects that distance has upon library usage in Lenawee County, see Edgar A. Schuler and Gus Turbeville, "The Relation of Rural Reading and Library Use to Some Ecological Factors," Libragy Quarterly, XVIII, (July, 1948), pp. 171-182. 121 Table 68. Where Are Books Obtained That Are Read by Non— Library Users RANDOMS ‘ LEADERSHIP Source Number Per cent Number Per cent Total Non—Library Users 250* 100.0 62* 100.0 Borrow from friends 15 6.0 5 8.1 Book clubs 14 5.6 8 12.9 Buy them 4 1.6 O 0.0 Receive as gifts 5 1.2 O 0.0 Any two sources 7 2.8 4 6.5 Any three sources 4 1.6 l 1.6 All other 5 1.2 5 4.8 Non-book readers 196 78.4 41 66.1 Not ascertained 4 1.6 0 0.0 * These totals will apply for all of the subsequent tables that are devoted exclusively to non-library users. Table 69. Reasons for Not Using Library Ra‘sons RANDOM LEADERSHIP Number Per cent Number Per cent No time 75 29.2 50 48.4 No need felt for library 60 24.0 16 25.8 Little interest in reading 52 12.8 5 8.1 Poor eyesight 25 10.0 6 9.7 No particular reason 24 9.6 O 0.0 Inaccessibility of library 7 2.8 l 1.6 Not familiar with library 5 2.0 O 0.0 Any two or more reasons 16 6.4 5 4.8 All other 7 2.8 l 1.6 Not ascertained l 0.4 O 0.0 Table 70. Non-Library Users' Knowledge of Name and Location of Nearest Library, Branch, or Deposit R ‘ RANDOM LEADERSHIP esponse Number Per cent Number Per cent Location known 191 76.4 62 100.0 Location unknown 55 22.0 0 0.0 Uncertain ‘ 4 1.6 O 0.0 122 Several of the respondents had comments to make about the book clubs. A twenty-five year old woman reported that she once belonged to a book club, but resigned because of the indecent language used in the books. She added that she much preferred the "old-fashioned" books, such as those by Grace Livingston Hill. A thirty—three year old woman said that she belongs to two book clubs, and that during the past year she read the twenty-four books that were sent to her. The unusual thing about her is that she reads no magazines at all. Usually the book readers also read a number of magazines. Certainly the most perplexing case of all concerns a fifty year old woman who belongs to three book clubs. She said that she didn't particu— larly care to read, but that the book clubs enabled her to lend books to her friends. The reasons given for not using the library (Table 69) are numerous, but the two most commonly employed reasons are that the respondents have no time or else that they feel no need for the library. Many of those in the latter category say that the magazines to which they subscribe amply take care of their reading propensities. In fact, one thirty-three year old respondent said that she thought the library was becoming decreasingly important because of the tremendous influx of magazines. It was her Opinion that the magazines carried many of the popular novels, and that the stories and articles were not so long as to cause the housewife to neglect the work about the home. In addition, she added that for those who 123 wanted to read books, the book clubs to a large extent met their needs. Perhaps this is an indication of the conception that most peOple have of library service, namely, that the library is supposed to have on its shelves books and magazines for people to read whenever the occasion arises for them to go there. Thus, the dynamic aspects and potentialities of the library and library service are overlooked. Table 70 indicates that among the leaders, all of the non-library users knew the name and location of the nearest library, branch, or deposit; but for those in the random sample twenty-two per cent did not know this information. Thus, it seems that knowledge about the library is reaching the upper strata of society to a larger extent than it is those who do not, in any great proportion, exercise leadership prerogatives. From Table 71 it is evident that over half the non—library users in the leadership sample previously had used the library, whereas only about twenty per cent of those in the random sample had previously used the library. The most popular excuses for no longer using the library, again, are that they are too busy or else that they have their own reading matter. The data in Table 72 show that only about one-fifth of the random and leadership samples had other members of the family who used the library in the past. As a general rule, few of the respondents could give any particular reasons why other members of the family had not used the library. Among those who did give reasons, the reasons most often given (Table 75) 124 Table 71. Reasons Why Non—Library Users Who Previously Used Library No Longer Do So Reasons RANDOM LEADERSHIP 1 Number Per gent Number Per cent Too busy 25 10.0 16 25.8 Own reading matter 10 4.0 10 16.1 Inconvenient to get to lib. 2 0.8 O {0.0 Any two or more reasons 5 2.0 l 1.6 All other 7 2.8 5 8.1 Not applicable 199 79.6 30 48.4 Not ascertained 2 0.8 O 0.0 Table 72. Did Other Members of Non-Library Users' Families Use Library in Past R s ons RANDOM ' LEADERSHIP e p e Number Per cent Number Per cent Did use in past 50 20.0 11 17.7 Did not use in past 197 78.8 51 82.3 Not ascertained 3 1.2 O 0.0 Table 73. Reasons Why Other Members of Non-Library Users' Families Have Not Used the Library RANDOM LEADERSHIP Reasons Number Per cent Number Per cent None 126 50.4 13 21.0 Little interest in reading 10 4.0 2 3.2 Own reading matter 9 3.6 3 4.8 Too busy 7 2.8 l 1.6 Not familiar with library 3 1.2 O 0.0 Any two or more reasons 3 1.2 O 0.0 Not applicable 89 35.6 43 69.4 Not ascertained 3 1.2 O 0.0 125 were that other members of the family had their own reading matter or else that they had little interest in reading. Table 74 shows where, in addition to the library, the library users get the books that they read. Well over half of the library users for both samples get their books from the library only, although friends and book clubs noticeably sup- plement this source.' Concerning the library that these respond- ents patronize, the pertinent data are shown in Table 75. It can be seen that within the random sample, more of the respond- ents patronize the county library headquarters at Adrian than they do any of the branches. As could be expected, among the leadership sample the towns wherein the interviews were held were also, with one exception, the location of the library used. Almost all of the library users go to the library themselves to get the books that they want (Table 76), and when they get to the library, usually they either have a book in mind or else they "browse around" until they find a book that suits them (Table 77). According to their responses, only occasionally do they get suggestions from the librarian concerning a book to borrow. Table 78 indicates that most of the library users are able to find the books that they want in the library without having to call upon the librarian for aid. Roughly one-fifth of those who use the library ask the librarian to get the book or books for them. It seems that a large proportion of those who use the lib— rary are well—satisfied with it (Table 79). Most frequently 126 Table 74. Library Users Reporting Where Books are Obtained That Are Read S ' RANDOM LEADERSHIP ource ___1. Number Per_cent Number Per cent Total library users 59* 100.0 38* 100.0 Borrow from library and: Library only 23 59.0 26 68.4 Borrow from friends 7 17.9 5 13.2 Book clubs 4 10.3 6 15.8 Buy them 3 7.7 O 0.0 Two or more places 2 5.1 1 2.6 ‘._-_ * These totals will apply for all the subsequent tables that are devoted exclusively to library users. Table 75. Name or Location of Library, Branch, or Deposit Used by Library Users Library Used RANDOM LEADERSHIP ---__1._l_lflsmba£_£aa.aasEfflumber Pen_cent Addison 4 10.3 10 26.3 Adrian 13 33.3 1 2.6 Blissfield 7 17.9 8 21.1 Clayton O 0.0 O 0.0 Clinton 2 5.1 4 10.5 Deerfield 3 7.7 8 21.1 Jasper O 0.0 O 0.0 Lime Creek 0 0.0 O. 0.0 Morenci O 0.0 O 0.0 Onsted 5 12.8 7 18.4 Hudson 1 2.6 O 0.0 Ridgway l 2.6 O 0.0 Any two or more places 2 5.1 O 0.0 All other 1 2.6 O 0.0 ..‘-..-. Table 76. Who Goes to Library for Library Users R RANDOM LEADERSHIP esponse Number Per centpNumber Per cent Goes self 34 87.2 36 94.7 Someone else goes . 4 10.3 2 5.3 All other 1 2.6 O 0.0 127 Table 77. How Are Books Selected by Library Users RANDOM LEADERSHIP Response _Number Per cent Number Per cent__ Has book in mind 12 30.8 12 31.6 "Browses around" 9 23.1 5 13.2 Hears about book 3 7.7 7 18.4 Librarian suggests book 2 5.1 2 5.3 Reads about book 1 2.6 4 10.5 Any two or more ways 7 17.9% 6 15.8% Not ascertained l 2.6 0 0.0 Not applicable 4 10.3 2 5.3 * This category represents almost invariably a combination of the above responses - the most common combination being "Has book in mind" and/or "Browses around." Table 78. How Are Books Found by Library Users Re sponge R‘ANDD‘M“ " "‘ LEADERSHIP Number Per cent Number Per cent Able alone 27 69.2 28 73.7 Help needed from librarian 7 17.9 8 21.1 Not ascertained . l 2.6 0 0.0 Not applicable 4 10.3 2 5.3 —-—-...-.1 .— .‘lu. ... ...a—.1- Table 79. Strong Points About Library, According to Library Users L "RANDOM - LEADERSHIP EPSPOnse Number Per cent Number Per cent No very strong points 5 12.8 1 2.6 Good service 11 28.2 4 10.5 Good library in general 9 23.1 23 60.5 Good librarian 6 15.4 6 15.8 Any two strong points 3 7.7 4 10.5 All other 4 10.3 0 0.0 Not ascertained l 2.6 0 0.0 128 Table 80. Weak Points About Library, According to Library Users Res onse RANDOM “ LEADERSHIP p __ “Number Per cent Number Per cent No very weak points 21 53.8 34 89.5 Books are inadequate 5 12.8 2 5.3 Need longer hours 4 10.3 0 0.0 Inadequate publicity 2 5.1 O 0.0 All other 5 12.8 2 5.3 Not ascertained 2 5.1 O 0.0 Table 81. Suggestions Library Users Have for Improvement of Library w"RANDOM LEADERSHIP Suggestions Number Per cent Number Per cent No suggestions 25 64.1 28 73.7 More adequate hours 3 7.7 2 5.3 More publicity 2 5.1 0 0.0 Building is inadequate 1 2.6 2 5.3 More cOpies of new books 1 2.6 1 2.6 Any two or more suggestions 1 2.6 3 7.9 All other 6 15.4 2 5.3 i .. - 1... . . . V-—--.-— -. Table 82. When Did Library User First Begin Using Library RANDOM LEADERSHIP Length Of Time _mNumber Per centwfiumber Per cegt Less than one year ago 6 15.4 0 0.0 One year - less than four 12 30.8 15 39.5 Four years - less than eight 9 23.1 4 10.5 Eight - ten years* 9 23.1 19 50.0 Uncertain 2 5.1 O 0.0 Not ascertained l 2.6 0 0.0 * At the time of the survey the library had been in active Operation for about ten years. 129 they comment upon the good service that they get; the competence of the librarian; and the fact that they feel that in general they have a good library. Very few of the respondents could, or were willing to, mention any weak points about the library (Table 80). But those who did mentioned most often that it was their opinion that the available books were inadequate. The suggestions that library users have for the improvement of the library are itemized in Table 81. These suggestions, to a considerable degree, fall around such platitudes as "more cOpies of new books" and "more adequate hours." Several res- pondents commented on the inadequacy of the present building of the library, and two respondents felt that the library should have more publicity. One fifty-three year old woman said she thought that it would be a good idea to consolidate the Adrian City Library with the county library. She said she resented the fact that she had to go inzo the basement of the Adrian City Library (where the main headquarters of the county library is housed) to get books, because it was her opinion that the people out in the county were just as good as the city peOple living in Adrian. Another respondent who lives in the country said that she solved this "problem" by paying a fee which enabled her to used the Adrian City Library. The other sugges- tions for improvement of the library, which are included in the "all other" category of Table 81, are: give synopses of some of the new books in the neWSpaper; send a bookmobile to the Granges; put more Christian literature in the library; keep the 130 reading room of the library quiet; have better children's books; have regularly scheduled reading hours throughout the year for children; and exchange books with the other library branches more often. Table 82 indicates that the leaders have been using the library for longer periods of time than have those respondents belonging to the random sample. Half of the leaders who use the library have been using it for at least eight years, where- as the corresponding figure for the random sample is twenty- three per cent. Important, too, is the fact that during the past year none Of the leaders started using the library although fifteen per cent of those in the random sample did. In this and the preceding chapter, therefore, it can be seen that as a whole the members of the leadership sample are somewhat more favorable toward reading and library usage, both in their attitudes and behavior, than are the members of the random sample. This may not only be a difference between lead- ers and non-leaders, but also may be a difference between, relatively speaking, an upper class and a lower class. In any event, if it be true that future trends can be indicated by studying the behavior of leaders, it seems likely that a greater percentage of the residents of Lenawee County will be reading and using the library in the future than is now the 0858. CHAPTER VIII VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY OPEN COUNTRY AND TOWN RANDOM SAMPLES Two of the chief facets of this study are the open count— ry sample and the town sample. Because of the rural nature of Lenawee County, chief interest, at least numerically, was given to the open country sample. In this sample 205 sched- ules were taken, whereas in the town sample 84 schedules were obtained.1 As has previously been mentioned, the towns used in the sample were chosen for the reason that they had branches of the county library within their boundaries. This might or might not have had effect upon the responses obtained, depend- ing, of course, upon whether or not the respondent used the library. Both from an impressionistic and a statistical point Of view, one of the chief differences between the two samples is the greater preponderance of people over fifty years of age in the town sample as compared with the open country sample. Table 83 shows that half of the persons interviewed in the town sample are over fifty years old, whereas the percentage for those in the open country sample is eleven and one-half per cent less. This difference, however, is not sufficient to 1 Out of the 100 schedules taken in the leadership sample, sixty-six were in the towns and thirty-four in open country areas. The tables in Appendix B show how the responses Of the leaders varied according to residence, but are limited in a number of instances by the fact that the items in various categories are too small to give statistical significance.a 131 131 Table 83. Age of Female Heads, by Open Country and Town Samples for Lenawee County, Michigan, l946-l947.* ._.___ __ Age OPEN COUNTRY ' ' "TOWN V Number Per cent Number Per cent Total Samples 205 100.0 84 100.0 Sixteen - thirty 38 18.5 21 25.0 Thirty-one — fifty 87 42.4 21 25.0 Fifty-one and over 79 38.5 42 50.0 Not ascertained l 0.5 0 0.0 ..~ ~ .a- . ,-_.. m.‘»-»‘r~’“ * Unless otherwise specified, all of the tables in this chap- ter will refer to the female heads, and will have the same totals. Table 84. Length of Time in Community OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Ength of Time __._______..__._._..Maggie;asstmfiusasrjiazmafi Less than five years 58 28.3 31 36.9 Fifteen - 29.9 years 41 20.0 18 21.4 Thirty years and over 59 28.8 26 31.0 be statistically significant. Somewhat in contradiction, there are more respondents in the town sample between the ages of sixteen and thirty than there are in the open country sample although the difference is not statistically significant. This latter finding may be a little surprising, but it seems to be generally known that small towns attract elderly people from the farm. Table 84 shows the length of time that the respondent has lived in the community, and the findings are roughly paral- lel to those just mentioned. The towns have a higher 132 Table 85. Highest School Grade Completed . OPEN COUNTRY“ TOWN Response Number Pe§_qent Number Per cent None - three years 0 0.0 0 0.0 Four - eight years 83 40.5 28 33.3 Nine - tielte years 99 48.3 40 47.6 One or more years of college 18 8.8 16 19.0 Not ascertained 5 2.4‘ O 0.0 Table 86. Total Number of Living Children OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Number Of Children _ wNumber Per cent Number Per cent None 34 16.6 8 9.5 One - two 79 38.5 45 53.6 Three — four 52 25.4 23 27.4 Five and over 39 19.0 8 9.5 Not ascertained l 0.5 0 0.0 u— .—.—n- >< -__ Table 87. Number of Children at Home ’ ‘"‘”‘OPEN COUNTRY ‘ TOWN Number Of Children Numbg§_Per cent Number Per cent None 77 37.6 37 44.0 One - two 84 41.0 34 40.5 Five and over 17 8.3 l 1.2 Not ascertained l 0.5 0 0.0 _ --- . ._ ..— proportion than do the Open country districts in the category of those living less than five years in the community, and also those living there for thirty years and over. The differ— ences in these categories, however, are too small to be significant. 133 Concerning the highest school grade completed, Table 85 indicates that the respondents in the town sample are more advantaged than those in the Open country sample, although the differences are not large enough to be significant. Approximately one-third of those in the town sample have com- pleted from four to eight years of school, whereas two-fifths of those in the Open country sample have done likewise. Also, 2 of the members of the town sample about ten per cent more have completed one or more years of college than is the case with the members of the Open country sample. Since indications are that younger people are getting more education than did their elders, it may be that the larger proportion of young peOple in the towns partly accounts for this differential. In addition, almost all towns have high schools, whereas many rural areas are lacking in this service within their immediate communities. From Table 86 it can be seen that there are more child- less families in the open country sample than in the town sample. And somewhat contrariwise, there are more families in the former sample having five or more living children than is true with the latter. When the variable between the two samples is number of children at home (Table 87), the situation is partly different. More of the town families than Open country have no children at home even though fewer of the town 2 ThrougHOut this study the eXpression*“per cent morefi Tor "less?)will mean percentage points more (or less). 134 families than others have no living children. This finding may be due partially to the fact that there are more people over fifty years of age in the towns as compared with the coun- try. The superiority of the open country sample over the town sample as regards five or more children holds for the number of children at home as it did for total number of living child- ren. In neither of these tables, though, are the differences statistically significant. The differences are not significant, but Table 88 indicates that the respondents in the Open country sample belong to a greater number of organizations than do those in the town sample. There is little difference between the two samples in regard to those respondents who belong to no organizations, nor is there much difference between the samples as pertains to those respondents belonging to two or more organizations. What difference there is, though, favors the Open country sample. The data in Table 89 show that slightly more of the res- pondents in the town sample own their homes than do the respond- ents in the open country sample. All the homes visited in the towns have electricity, and ninety-eight per cent of those in the Open country also have this convenience. It is not sur- prising to note that forty-one per cent more of the town homes have running water than do the country homes, but it may be unexpected to find that there is no significant difference between the two samples in the matter of homes having telephones. In this connection it could be that the open country residents, 135 Table 88. Number of Organizations to Which Belonged "OPEN OOUNTEY’ TOWN N b r um e __ Number Per cent Number_Per cent None 76 37.1 33 39.3 One 65 31.7 30 35.7 Two or more . 62 30.2 21 25.0 Not ascertained 2 1.0 O 0.0 Table 89. Socio-Economic Indices ~- a-"- a“ aw- ...a—...- OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Index ..1. Number Per cent Number Per cent Have electricity 201 98.0“ 84 100.0* Have radio 197 96.1 83 98.8 Have automobile 194 94.6 62 73.8 Own home (farm) 147 71.7 65 77.4 Have running water 110 53.7 79 94.0 Have telephone 113 55.1 44 52.4 * In each case the percentages would equal 100 if the nega- tive instances were recorded also. Table 90. Eyesight for Reading R,s ens OPEN COUNTRY TOWN e p 6M_ “ Number Per cent Number Per cent flood 93 45.4 26 31.0 Average 75 36.6 30 35.7 Poor 36 17.6 28 33.3 Not ascertained l 0.5 O 0.0 136 Table 91. Type of Newspaper Taken _"-.'- —— Classification U?EN COUNTRY TGWN _. _#hfi§ymper Per cent Number Per cent Daily only . 143 69.8 25 29.8 Daily and weekly 41 20.0 51 60.7 Weekly only 4 2.0 1 1.2 NO newspaper 17 8.3 7 8.3 Table 92. Number Of Magazines Read Regularly by Female Head OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 28 13.7 27 32.1 One - three 77 37.6 26 31.0 Four - seven 77 37.6 26 31.0 Eight and over 21 10.2 5 6.0 Not ascertained 2 1.0 O 0.0 -.- -———-ov....-~_ .— m.--.~————-—-_ Table 93. Nwmber of Magazines Read by Male Head N b OPEN COUNTRY’ TOWN— _injf:l-,_____l_l__.__llll"FEm§ E R9? ceaElEumber Per cent None 36 17.6 16 19.0 One - three 94 45.9 31 36.9 Four - seven 51 24.9 16 19.0 Eight and over 10 4.9 1 1.2 No male head 13 6.3 20 23.8 Inability to specify 1 0.5 0 0.0 by their relative physical isolation, feel a greater need for the telephone than do the town residents even though local exchanges may make it easier for the latter to have this service. By the same token it may be that the open country residents feel a greater need for an automobile, thus accounting 137 for their rather obvious superiority over the town residents in this respect. An overwhelming prOportion of both samples have radios, and the difference between the two is not significant. Ordinarily it would not be expected that residence has an effect upon one's eyesight, but Table 90 shows that there are significant differences between the two samples in this respect. The town respondents reported poorer eyesight, but it is probable that this difference is due in large measure to the larger proportion of respondents over the age of fifty found in the towns as compared with the Open country sample. Concerning the type of newspaper taken, Table 91 shows that almost forty-one per cent more of the respondents in the town sample take both a daily and a weekly newspaper than do the respondents in the Open country sample. This difference, to a considerable degree, can be accounted for by the fact that each of the towns in which samples were taken is served by a weekly newspaper. All of the towns except Deerfield have local weeklies, and Deerfield is served by the weekly of a town only five miles away. In the classification, weekly only, it can be seen that only four respondents in the Open country sample take just a weekly paper, and only one in the town sample does likewise. All in all, on the basis of circu- lation, it seems that the weekly newspapers do a much better job of printing materials of interest to local village resi- dents than they do of printing articles of interest to Open 138 country residents who reside within the trade area, and who do much to contribute to the prosperity of the towns. A significantly larger prOportion of the town sample than the open country sample has respondents specifying that they read no magazines regularly (Table 92). For each of the other categories, the members of the open country sample outrank those of the town sample, but the differences are not signifi- cant. Thus, it seems that in spite of the higher education attained by the town residents as compared with the Open country residents, the latter have a tendency to read a larger number of magazines regularly. This superiority of the Open country residents in regard to the number of magazines read seems to carry over to the male heads also. Table 93 shows that although the differences are not large enough to be significant, the male heads of the town sample have a larger proportion of its members in the category Of reading no magazines than do the male heads of the Open country sample. In addition the male heads of the town sample have a smaller proportion of its members in the cate- gories of number of magazines read than do the male heads of the open country sample.3 5*It is noteworthy that when Tehle 95 is computed without including those homes having no male heads, the town sample has an even greater proportion, but still not significant, of male heads who read no magazines regularly (25.0 per cent as compared with 18.7 per cent for the open country sample). When the data are examined on this basis, however, the diff- erences in the other categories are largely eliminated. 139 Table 94. Female Heads Reporting the Reading of One or More Books During the Preceding Twelve Months Period b - ~’—.-——_ "‘OPNN COUNTRY " TOWN Reaponse .Nlmpcealliaa9.8212.-anhar Per cent Read one or more books 64 31.2 25 29.8 Did not read any books 141 68.8 59 70.2 Table 95. Total Books Read During the Preceding Twelve Months Period ‘ OPEN COUNTRY TOWN"“‘" 1...... Number Read Number Per cent Number Per cent One - five 27 13.2 13 15.5 Six - fifteen 18 8.8 6 7.1 Sixteen and over 15 7.3 6 7.1 Uncertain 4 2.0 0 0.0 Not applicable 141 68.8 59 70.2 Table 96. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile R n OPEN COUNTRY PTOWN espo se Number Per cent Number Per cent Want bookmobile 123 60.0 36 42.9 Do not want bookmobile 25 12.2 14 16.7 Uncertain 56 27.3 34 40.5 Table 94 shows the prOportion of book readers (Operation— ally defined as the reading of one or more books during the preceding twelve months period) for the two samples, and it 'is obvious that the difference between the two samples is not significant. Roughly about thirty per cent of the respondents 140 of each sample may be classified as book readers.4 As for the actual number of books read during the preced— ing twelve months period, Table 95 indicates that again the differences between the two samples are negligible. Perhaps the most striking thing about this table is that almost half ofithose respondents classified as book readers reported that during the past year they had read only from one to five books. Only slightly over seven per cent of the respondents of the total sample replied that they had read sixteen or more books during the preceding twelve months period. Probably it is not surprising to learn from Table 96 that significantly more of the open country respondents than town respondents want a bookmobile. It is not surprising because all of the town reSpondents are served by a local library and hence do not feel the need for a bookmobile that is felt by people residing some distance from a library. The actual per- centage of respondents not wanting a bookmobile is not high, but there are a fairly large number of respondents in both samples who were uncertain about a bookmobile. They were not familiar with this type of travelling library, and did not want to pass judgment upon it. As regards the number of books in the home, the differ- ences between the two samples are not significant (Table 97). 4 Contrary to the statements of Marion Humble in Rural America Reads, New York: American Association for Adult Edu- cation, 1938, p. 93, it does not appear that the rural people in Lenawee County are very eager for books. 141 More of the Open country homes have no books than is the case with town homes, but the percentage in both cases is not high. About twenty-two per cent of the homes in the open country have 100 or more books, and slightly over twenty-six per cent of the homes in the town have likewise. Table 98 gives the data concerning those homes that have experiment station bulletins or other government publications. As could be expected, significantly more of the homes in the town sample report havingynone of these bulletins than is true with the homes in the open country sample. The impression should not be given, though, that all experiment station bulle— tins and government publications deal with rural subjects. Many of them have to do with the various household arts and with insect control (among other things), and certainly sug- gested aids to confront these situations apply both to town and Open country homes. Still the impression lingers that these bulletins are almost exclusively for rural peOple. Probably the fact that many Of these bulletins are distributed by county Agricultural Extension Service officials helps to further this feeling. Perhaps one of the most significant observations concerning this table is the fact that even in the Open country areas, over half the homes have failed to take advantage of these free publications.5 5 J. G. Hodgson, in a comprehensive study of rural reading in Indiana and Illinois, reports that out of 300 homes visit- ed, 166, or 53.4 per cent reported that they had used pamph- lets. A number of these, however, no longer had the pamphlets in their homes. See his The Printed Page in Rural Homes, un- published manuscript, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1947, pp. 107-108. 142 Table 97. Number of Books in Home Number OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Number Per cent Number Per cent None 23 11.2 6 7.1 One — twenty—four 52 25.4 20 23.8 Twenty-five - forty-nine 27 13.2 13 15.5 Fifty - ninety-nine 25 12.2 13 15.5 One-hundred and over 44 21.5 22 26.2 Uncertain 32 15.6 10 11.9 Not ascertained 2 1.0 0 0.0 .-—o - . r»_-—~<— u.- _»- -—_ ___~- — ‘ -——— Table 98. Homes Having Experiment Station Bulletins or Other Government Publications R ' OPEN COUNTRY TOWN esponse . ““Numben Per cent Number Per cent Have none 116 56.6 76 90.5 Have some: one - ten 16 7.8 3 3.6 Have some: ten and over 34 - 16.6 2 2.4 Have some: number unknown 37 18.0 3 3.6 Not ascertained , 2 1.0 0 0.0 Table 99. Where Does Male Read Go About Farm Problems "" "'" “ OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Response ._. “__ Number Per cent Number Per cent_# Nowhere 28 13.7 -- -- Neighbor 15 7.3 -- -- Extension Service Official 13 6.3 -- -- Father or other relative 11 5.4 -- -- Farm publications 10 4.9 -- -— Two or more places 34 16.6“ -- -- All other 5 2.4 -- -- Inability to specify 13 6.3 -- -- Does not farm 74 36.1 -- -- Not ascertained 2 1.0 -- -- * Usually in this category is found a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned responses. 143 One of the questions on the open country schedule asked the reSpondent where the male head of the house went for information aboutiarm.problems (Table 99). In a little over a third of the interviews, the question was not applicable, usually because of the fact that the male head was not a farmer. Almost fourteen per cent of the respondents said that the male head went nowhere about farm problems, or that "he figures it out himself." About seventeen per cent of the respondents said that the male head went to two or more places - the two most usual ones being a neighbor or one of the county agricultural officials. For a study concerned with reading, it is interest- ing to note that only about five per cent of the respondents said that the male head referred to literature for information about farm difficulties. The literature usually mentioned was an experiment station bulletin, a general farm book, or one of the farm magazines. ,None of the respondents mentioned that the male head ever went to the library to seek information on farm problems. In Table 100 can be found the data concerning the types of reading matter in which the respondents were interested. As a general rule the differences between the two samples are not significant, but there are several exceptions. The differ- ences are negligible for the following subjects: travel, remodeling the house, farming and gardening, marital adjustment problems, religion and religious novels, personality and leadership, Russia and the Russians, other foreign people, 144 biography, care of young children, and music and art. It may come as a surprise that the town respondents are fully as interested in farming and gardening as the open country respond- ents. Perhaps the fact that so many of the town homes have gardens partly accounts for this fact, and also many of the town respondents have a rural background. There are noticeable, but not significant, differences between the two samples for the following subjects: cooking, history, health and medical care, fiction, hobbies and recreation, and mystery. It is rather interesting that this study shows that the town respond- ents are more interested in reading about cooking than are the open country respondents. For three Ofthe categories (care and repair of household appliances, financial problems, and the United Nations), the differences between the two samples are significant. The town respondents are more interested in financial problems than are the Open country respondents, while the respondents from the Open country sample more so than the respondents from the town sample are interested in reading about care and repair of household appliances and the United Nations. It can be ascertained from Table 101 that comparatively few of the respondents of either sample care for any mamareading matter on any particular problem or subject. This is especially so for the town sample where slightly over seventy-seven per cent of the respondents said that they are not interested. The corresponding figure for the Open country sample is almost seventy per cent. The most pOpular subject for the Open 145 Table 100. Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested Subject OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Number Per cent Number Per cent Health and medical care 117 57.1* 57 67.9* Cooking 117 57.1 54 64.3 Remodeling the house 116 56.6 51 60.7 Fiction 116 56.6 41 48.8 Religion and relig. novels 108 52.7 43 51.2 Farming and gardening 116 56.6 49 58.3 Travel 93 45.4 38 45.2 Care Of household articles 101 49.3 29 34.5 Hobbies and recreation 75 36.6 38 45.2 Financial problems 68 33.2 41 48.8 Care of young children 75 36.6 32 38.1 Personality and leadership 68 33.2 32 38.1 United Nations 78 38.0 20 23.8 Mystery 74 36.1 21 25.0 Russia and the Russians 66 . 32.2 24 28.6 Other foreign people 68 33.2 26 31.0 Music and art 60 29.3 29 34.5 History 65 31.7 21 25.0 Marital adjustment problems 47 22.9 23 27.4 Biography 47 22.9 21 25.0 * The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those per- sons not expressing a positive interest were included. In some instances those not expressing a positive interest said that they were uncertain or else no response of any kind was obtained; but for the most part, the respondents said that they were not interested in the particular subject mentioned. Table 101. Problem or Subject on Which More Reading Matter is Wanted OPEN COUNTRY TOWN“‘ Subject _ " Number Per cent Number Per cent None 143 69.8 65 77.4 Farming and/or gardening 19 9.3 3 3.6 Domestic arts 10 4.9 4 4.8 Family relations 5 2.4 3 3.6 Any two or more subjects 5 2.4 1 1.2 All other 19 9.3 8 9.5 Not ascertained 4 2.0 0 0.0 146 Table 102. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable _OPEN COUNTRY “W“‘TOWN Objectionable Types Number Per cent Number Per cent None 132 64.4 38 45.2 "Trashy" romance 17 8.3 18 21.4 Murder and/or mysteries 20 9.8 11 13.1 Comics 6 2.9 3 3.6 Any two or more types 10 4.9 7 8.3 All other 15 7.3 6 7.1 Not ascertained 5 2.4 1 1.2 Table 103. Amount of Time Spent Reading During Preceding Week Town OPEN COUNTRY TOWN Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than one hour 26 12.7 5 6.0 One - less than four 34 16.6 35 41.7 Four - less than eight 57 27.8 16 19.0 Eight - less than sixteen 69 33.7 22 26.2 Sixteen and over 13 6.3 5 6.0 Not ascertained 6 2.9 1 1.2 country sample is farming and/or gardening, and for the town sample the most popular subject, by a slight margin, is the domestic arts. Concerning the types of reading matter to which the res- pondents object, the pertinent data are given in Table 102. It can be seen that significantly more of the open country respondents than town respondents stated that there are no types of reading matter to which they object. Considering the terrific uproar that is created when certain risque books are published, it is almost astounding that sixty-four per cent of 147 the respondents in the open country areas of an agricultural county in the Midwest would say that to them there are no objectionable types of literature. Of course, it must be kept in mind that it is probably easier, while being interviewed, to simply give a negative reply to this question than to bother to enumerate certain distasteful literature. For those members of the Open country sample who do object to certain types of reading matter, the subjects most often named are murder and/or mysteries, and "trashy" romances. For those in the town sample, the most objectionable'types also are "trashy" romance, and murder and/or mysteries, but in a higher proportion than is the situation for the Open country sample. The amount of time that was spent reading during the pre- ceding week for both samples is given in Table 103, and from this it can be seen that a higher proportion (though not sta- tistically significant) of those who read less than one hour during the past week reside in the Open country than in the towns. The town respondents significantly predominate in the category of "one - less than four" hours of reading during the past week, but for the larger time categories, the open country sample is superior, although not to a significant degree. In the final category, that of sixteen hours and over of reading, the difference between the two groups is only three-tenths of one per cent, and is, of course, negligible. Although this table shows that about nine out of every ten respondents replied that they read for one or more hours during the preceding week, 148 Table 104. Is Location of Library Convenient OPEN COUNTRY TOWN ReSpénse __ .____-_--lN.‘¥“Ee_.P Per cenfifluméea “P933291 Is convenient 140 68.5 81 96.4 Is not convenient 6 2.9 O 0.0 Uncertain 56 27.5 5 5.6 Not ascertained 5 1.5 O 0.0 Table 105. Are Library Hours Convenient --..-m.——-. —. . Response OPEN COUNTRY ‘NTOWN _- Afipmber Per cent Number Per cent Are convenient 124 60.5 70 85.5 Are not convenient 10 4.9 6 7.1 Hours not known 67 52.7 8 9.5 Not ascertained 4 2.0 O 0.0 Table 106. Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit During Preceding Twelve Months Period R s onse OPEN COUNTRY TOWN e p Number Per cent Number Per cent Have used library 25 12.2 14 16.7 Have not used library 180 87.8 70 85.5 it is obvious from Table 106 that they are not dependent upon the library, in any large proportion, for their reading matter. Rather, as can be gathered from Tables 91 and 92, they read mostly newspapers and magazines, and to a lesser extent, books (Table 94). But it should be mentioned that for Table 105 as a whole, the coefficient of contingency was found to be .27, 149 meaning that there is a moderately high positive correlation between Open country residence and amount of time spent reading. Table 104 indicates that for most of the persons inter- viewed, the location Of the library or branch is convenient. Around twenty—seven per cent of the respondents in the open country sample were uncertain of the location of the library, but only about three per cent of them said that the actual location is inconvenient. None of the persons in the town sample thought that the library is inconveniently located, although three and six-tenths per cent of those in the sample were uncertain of its location, and hence were not in a position to speak of its convenience. The results are somewhat different as pertains to the convenience of the library hours (Table 105). In this table it can be seen that almost five per cent Of the respondents in the Open country sample said that the hours are not convenient, and that almost thirty-three per cent replied that the hours are not known. For the members of the town sample, it can be seen that about seven per cent thought that the hours are not convenient, and that almost ten per cent admitted that they do not know the hours of the library. Inasmuch as each of the towns in which interviews were held had a branch of the county library, it may be expected that a significantly larger percentage of the members of the town sample would use the library than would members of the Open country sample. Such, however, is not the case (Table 106). 150 Table 107. Where Are Books Obtained That Are Read by Non- Library Users Source OPEN COUNTRY "TOWN Number Per cent Number'Per cent Total Non-Library Users 180* 100.0 70* 100.0 Borrow from friends 11 6.1 4 5.7 Book clubs 10 5.6 4 5.7 Buy them 5 1.7 1 1.4 Receive as gifts 5 1.7 O 0.0 Any two or more sources 9 5.0 2 2.9 All other 2 1.1 l 1.4 Non-book readers 158 76.7 58 82.9 Not ascertained 4 2.2 O 0.0 * These totals will apply to this and the subsequent table, both of which are devoted exclusively to non-library users. Table 108. 'Reasons for Not Using Library OPEN COUNPRY’ TOWN! Reasons _*f,_ Number Per cent Number Per cent No time 51 28.5 22 51.4 No need felt for library 47 26.1 15 18.6 Little interest in reading 22 12.2 10 14.5 Poor eyesight 8 4.4 17 24.5 No particular reason 22 12.2 2 2.9 Inaccessibility of library 6 5.5 1 1.4 Not familiar with library 4 2.2 l 1.4 Any two or more reasons 15 8.5 1 1.4 All other 4 2.2 5 4.5 Not ascertained l 0.6 O 0.0 ...- Only four and one-half per cent more of the members of the town sample as compared with members Of the Open country sample use the library, and for neither sample is the percentage of library users very large - being only about twelve per cent for the Open country sample, and a little less than seventeenIBr 151 cent for the town sample. Table 107 shows where the non-library users who read books get the books that they read. For both samples the most popu- lar sources are loans from friends and book clubs. One of the findings of this study is that, according to the reSponses Obtained, less than two per cent of the respondents buy the books that they read (with the exception of purchases through the book clubs). The reasons given for not using the library are to be found in Table 108, and from this table it is apparent that the most popular explanations are "no time," "no need felt for the library," and "little interest in reading." For the town sample, almost a fourth of the non—library using respondents said that they were hindered from using the library by their poor eyesight. This is a more or less insignificant factor for the members of the open country sample, and, as has been mentioned, it may be that the fact that there are more respond- ents fifty years of age and over in the towns is a decisive factor in the poor eyesight to be found there among some of the respondents. As can be seen from Table 109, most of the library users report that the library is their chief source of books, but the percentage of respondents so specifying is much higher for those in the open country than for those in the towns. In fact, as many of the library using town respondents as get their books exclusively from the library, borrow books from 152 Table 109. Library Users Reporting Where Books Are Obtained That Are Read S OPEN COUNTRY? TOWN wource Number Per cent Number Per cent Total library users 25 100.0 14 100.0 Borrow from library and: Library only 17 68.0 6 42.9 Borrow from friends 1 4.0 6 42.9 Book clubs 5 12.0 1 7.1 Buy them_ 5 12.0 0 0.0 Two or more places 1 4.0 l 7.1 —-——. -A.——-—o- friends. All of the figures in this table, it must be pointed out, are subject to great variation because of the smallness of the number of library users, and also for this reason, too much confidence should not be put in them. In this chapter it has been shown that there are differ- ences between the reading behavior and attitudes of Open country and town respondents. One fact which stands out is that, although the stereotyped opinion may be that town residents are much wider readers than are Open country gBOple, this com- parison is not consistently favorable to either of the samples. This fact becomes even more prominent when it is realized that the towns were selected for the reason that they had branches of the county library within their confines. Perhaps there are some who would say that the library is not fulfilling adquately its functions when it does not cause the residents within its service area to surpass other areas in reading activities. But in any controversy of this nature, it must 155 be remembered that there are numerous other factors, such as amount of education, leisure time, facilities for recreation, etc., that may account for differentials in reading behavior. Before the library can be properly assessed, either in a posi- tive or negative manner, full account must be taken of the numerous other factors at work. CHAPTER Ix VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY LIBRARY USERS AND NON-LIBRARY USERSl In a study of reading and library usage, one of the most significant variables is that between library users and non— library users. For the librarian it would be of value to know what types Of persons do not use~ the library as well as those types who do. By knowing this she would be in a position to cater to the needs of the various segments of a population in a more meaningful way than would otherwise be possible. Table 110 indicates that there are no significant age differences in Lenawee County between the users and non-users.2 Since many peOple first become exposed to a library while in school, it may be expected that the most frequent users of the library would be those persons who have only recently finished school. Actually there are prOportionately as many non-users among the younger age groups as among those who are older. 1 The variations in response by library users andnon-library users in this chaper refer to the random sample. In Appen- dix C will be found tables showing the same breakdown for the leadership sample. 2 This is a somewhat different situation from that reported by Leon Carnovsky in "Community Studies in Reading. II. Hinsdale, A Suburb of Chicago,’ .ibrary Quarterly, V, (Janu- ary, 1955), pp. 1-50. He found that library users tended to predominate in the younger age groupings, especially between the ages of fifteen and nineteen, and twenty-five and thirty- nine. The findings of Margaret Murray Wylie (A Survey 2: Michigan Count Librar Users: ‘A Cooperative Project, Master's Thesis, (Unpublished , Elohlgan State College, 1948, p. 60) tend to corroborate the data found by Carnovsky. In her study it was ascertained that almost half of the library users were between the ages of ten and nineteen, whereas less than twenty per cent Of the state's population was in this age grouping. 154 155 As was brought out in the preceding chapter, a higher proportion of the library users live in the villages than in the Open country areas. This information, in a somewhat diff- erent form, is given in Table 111.5 Concerning the length of time that the respondents have lived in the community, the pertinent data are to be found in Table 112. This table shows that the non-users more than the users are to be found in the category Of "less than five years" in the community, although the difference is not a significant one. Apparently after this time interval, the reSpondents be- come familiar with the library if they plan to use it,for among the other categories the differences between the two groupings are much smaller. The library users are considerably, and significantly, better-educated than are the non-library users, according to the data in Table 115.4 Whereas only about one-eighth of the users have completed from four through eight years of school, over two-fifths of the non—users fall into this category. About ten per cent more of the users have completed from nine through twelve years of school than have the non-users, and twenty-two per cent more of them have completed one or more 5* It is realized that some of the tables on control data are duplicating from chapter to chapter, but it is felt that this repetition makes each chaper a more meaningful entity than would otherwise be the case. 4 In the study of Wylie, pp. 213., p. 64, it is brought out that among library users over the age of twenty-five, about twenty-nine per cent completed high school; whereas in the state as a whole, only about fifteen per cent of the residents over twenty-five years of age completed high school. 156 Table 110. Age of Female Heads, by Library Users and Non- Library Users of the Random Sample for Lenawee County, Michi- gan, 1946-1947* .. —-—-.. LIBRARY USERS "NON-USERS A ge ._,"-11_nu Number Per qggt_Number Per cent Total 59* 100.0 250* 100.0 Sixteen - thirty 7 17.9 52 20.8 Thirty-one - fifty 16 41.0 92 56.8 Fifty—one and over 16 41.0 105 42.0 Not ascertained O 0.0 l 0.4 “fl” - .— ..."—.-p—- -.' _- . * Unless otherwise specified, all of the tables in this chap- ter will refer to the female heads, and will have the same totals. Table 111. Place of Residence Place of Residence "”“”-LIBRKRY“USERS "MNON:USER§“' Number Per_cent Number Per cent Open country 25 64.1 180 72.0 Village 14 55.9 70 28.0 Table 112. Length of Time in Community LIBRARY USERS NON-USERS Length Of Time Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than five years 9 25.1 80 52.0 Five - 14.9 years 9- 25.1 47 18.8 Fifteen - 29.9 years 9 25.1 50 20.0 Thirty years and over 12 50.8 75 29.2 157 Table 115. Highest School Grade Completed v— —m~W——. wig—«-a-v>~u. ‘- — n..— R ””"TTRRIRY USERS NON-USERS esPonse NREEsEWBerlssREUNumRealignmsaaa_. None - three years 0 0.0 0 0.0 Four - eight years 5 12.8 106 42.4 Nine - twelve years 22 56.4 117 46.8 One or more years of college 12 50.8 22 8.8 Not ascertained 0 0.0 5 2.0 Table 114. Total Number of Living Children LIBRARY USERS PRON-USRRS Number Of Children Number Per cent NEEEQEHEQEIEEQE_. None 6 15.4 56 14.4 One - two 19 48.7 105 42.0 Three — four 10 25.6 65 26.0 Five and over 4 10.5 45 17.2 Not ascertained ', 0 0.0 l 0.4 Table 115. Number of Children at Home LIBRIRY‘USERS NON-USERS Number of Children _“Ngmber Per cent Numh63132£_222§._ None 12 50.8 102 40.8 One - two 19 48.7 99 59.6 Three - four 7 17.9 51 12.4 Five and over 1 2.6 17 6.8 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.4 —___ no“. 158 years of college. Since it is apparent that the five respond- ents who are library users, and who have completed only four through eight school grades, are decidedly atypical in compari- son with other respondents within this educational category, it may be of interest to say something about these persons. One of the reSpondents was a forty-three year old farm woman who completed the eighth grade. She had six children, three of whnnwere at home. During the past year she stated that she read fifty books, and obtained most of them at the library. She replied that she particularly enjoyed reading, and two of the books which she had recently read with interest were Legzg Her £9 Heaven and A Tree Grows in Brook1y_. One of the most remarkable women interviewed during the survey was a seventy- four year old woman who had a seventh grade education. At the time of the interview she was in excellent health, and reported that she frequently read to her husband (six years her junior) whose age was beginning to tell on him. She replied that she read thirteen magazines regularly, and that mystery stories were her favorite. Her book reading was confined to only two books, both of which she obtained from the library.5 None of the other three respondents who completed four through eight school years did much reading; and in fact, two of them were 5 It would be interesting, and prehably significant, to make detailed case studies of both of these respondents in an attempt to discover what factors encouraged them to develop such a keen interest in reading in view of the fact that most of the respondents with a comparable amount of education did little reading. 159 considered library users only because some other adult member Of the family used the library. Thus, with these meager ex- ceptions, it is obvious that the library is patronized by the better-educated community members (although even a minority of these use it),6 and the implication is that the service of the library has enormous room for expansion in the direction of meeting the needs of the comparatively poorly educated residents. As for the total number of living children, the data in Table 114 indicate that this is not a particularly important factor in whether or not the library is used. The proportion Of users and non-users having no children is virtually the same, but for those having one or two living children, the ‘users have almost seven per cent more. On the other hand, among those respondents having five or more liVing children, the non-users predominate by about seven per cent. Concerning the number Of children at home, it can be seen from Table 115 that among those respondents having no children at home, the non-users are in a majority by ten per cent. Among those respondents having one through four children, the library users have a larger percentage, but among those having five or more, the non-users are superior. Thus, it seems that there are neither consistent nor significant differences between the two groupings, although the trend seems to be that whereas two or three children may increase the chances of using the 6 The coeffi°1ent 0f contingency Showing the relatiOhShlgflfl between education and library use was found to be .26. 160 library, the point of diminishing returns is reached at about five. Library users are far more organization-minded than are the non-users, according to the figures in Table 116.,7 Almost twice as many non-users as users belong to no organizations, and over twice as many users as non—users belong to two or more organizations. When it is realized that one Of the most commonly employed excuses for not using the library is that the respondents have no time to spare, it is especially note- worthy to see that the respondents who participate in clubs and organizations are also the ones who patronize the library, at least to a greater extent than do the others. In other words, it would seem that people find time to do what they really wish to do. .The data in Table 117 show rather pointedly that the lib- rary users rank higher in the several socio-economic indices than do the non—library users. Thirteen per cent more of the users than non—users own their homes; almost twenty per cent more of them have running water; twenty per cent more of them have telephones;8 and seven per cent more of them have 7 If the data in Wylie, 9p..git., p. 74, are arranged so as to eliminate the relatively large percentage (20.8) Of instan- ces in which no response was obtained, it can be found that out of a resulting sample of 508 library users, 26 per cent belonged to no clubs; 22 per cent to none; and 52 per cent to two or more. - 8 In The Geogrgphy 23 Reading, Chicago: American Library Association and University of Chicago Press, 1958, p. 252, Louis B. Wilson points out that library service tends to be poor or lacking altogether in those areas that rank low in telephone service. Although no section of Lenawee County is entirely without telephone service, it is significant that 20 per cent more of the library users than non-library users have this convenience. 161 Table 116. Number of Organizations to Which Belonged f Number LIBRARY USERS NON—USERS Number Per cent Number Per cent None 8 20.5 101 40.4 One 10 25.6 85 54.0 Two or more 21 55.8 62 24.8 Not ascertained O 0.0 2 0.8 Table 117. Socio-Economic Indices LIBRARY USERS_ NON-USERS Index Number Per cent Number Per cent Have electricity 59 100.0* 246 98.4" Have radio 58 97.4 242 96.8 Have automobile 57 94.9 219 87.6 Own home (farm) as 84.6 179 71.6 Have running water 52 82.1 157 62.8 Have telephone 28 71.8 129 51.6 * In each case the percentages would equal 100 if the negative instances were recorded also. Table 118. Eyesight for Reading Res onse LIBRARY USERS NON-USERS p Number Per cent Number Per cent Good 22 56.4 97 58.8 Average 15 ' 55.5 92 56.8 Poor 4 10.5 60 24.0 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.4 162 automobiles. For the other two indices, electricity and radios, their prevalence is so common among all groups that they cease to be differentiating variables. As a whole, then, it appears that the library has a greater appeal for those enjoying a relatively high level of living than it does for those who do not rank so highly. Respondents who use the library rate themselves as having better eyesight than those who don't use it (Table 118). Eighteen per cent more of the users than non-users say that their eyesight is good for reading, while almost fourteen per cent more of the non—users than users reply that their eyesight is poor for reading. This finding is somewhat in opposition to the common stereotype that people who use the library wear thick lensed glasses, and ruin their eyes by reading. Of course, the mere fact that a person uses the library is not necessarily an indication that he is a voracious reader; or the fact that a person does not use the library is not a reliable clue that the individual in question is a light reader. From Table 119 it can be seen that all of the library users take some sort of a newspaper, whereas not quite ten per cent of the non-library users fail to take any kind of paper.9 9 In Helen A. Ridgway, TrCommunity Studies in Reading. III. Reading Habits of Adult Non-Users of the Public Library," Librapy Quarteply, VI, (January, 1956), pp. 1-55, it is point- ed out that hbout 95 per cent of the non-library using respond- ents in Flushing, New York, were newspaper readers. The cor- responding percentage for Lenawee County is about 90 per cent. 165 Table 119. Type of New3paper Taken Classification LIBRARY USERS NON-USERS Number Per cent Number Per cent Daily only 25 64.1 145 57.2 Daily and weekly . 12 50.8 80 52.0 Weekly only 2 5.1 5 1.2 No newspaper O 0.0 24 9.6 Table 120. Number of Magazines Read Regularly by Female Head LIBRARY USERS NON-USERS Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 5 7.7 52 20.8 One - three 7 17.9 96 58.4 Four - seven 20 51.5 85 55.2 Eight and over 8 20.5 18 7.2 Not ascertained l 2.6 l 0.4 Table 121. Number of Magazines Read by Male Head N b LIBRARY ‘I’J‘S'ERS NON-USERS um er _“~WNpmber Per cent Number Per cent None 5 7.7 . 49 19.6 One - three 16 41.0 109 45.6 Four - seven 12 50.8 55 22.0 Eight and over 4 10.5 7 2.8 No male head 5 7.7 50 12.0 Inability to specify 1 2.6 O 0.0 —4—- ..- .—. .__—__._-...—._ ~-—----—- There is almost no difference between the two groups in regard to those taking both a daily and a weekly newspaper; but among those taking only a daily paper, the library users predominate over the non-library users by about seven per cent. 164 Table 120 demonstrates that in this study the users read more magazines regularly than do the non-users. About thirteen per cent more of the non-users than users read no magazines regularly, and slightly over thirty per cent more of the non- users than users read only one through three magazines regu- larly. 0n the other hand about eighteen per cent more of the users than non-users read from four through seven magazines regularly, and about thirteen per cent more read eight or more magazines regularly. The male heads of homes tend to follow the reading behav— ior of the female heads as can be evidenced from Table 121, but it must be added that none of the differences in this table are statistically significant. Almost twenty per cent of the male heads in the non-users classification read no magazines, whereas the correSponding figure for the male heads in the users category is slightly less than eight per cent. The two groups have about equal prOportions among those reading one through three magazines, but among those reading four and above, the male heads of library using respondents predominate by about eight per cent. Naturally it would be expected that library users far more than non-users would be book readers, and Table 122 shows that such is the case. It may come as a surprise to see that almost ten per cent of the library users failed to have read any books during the preceding twelve months period, but it 'must be borne in mind that not all people use the library to 165 Table 122. Female Heads Reporting the Reading of One or More Books During the Preceding Twelve Months Period R q LIBRARY USERS NONTUSR'RS esponse Number Per cent NumbgrnPer cent Read one or more books 55 89.7 54 21.6 Did not read any books 4 10.5 196 78.4 --rmr—g Table 125. Total Books Read During the Preceding Twelve Months Period LIBRARY USERS NON—USERS Number Read ”Number Per cent Number Per cent One - five 14 55.9 26 10.4 Six - fifteen 5 12.8 19 7.6 Sixteen and over 14 55.9 7 2.8 Uncertain 2 5.1 ' 2 0.8 Non-book readers 4 10.5 196 78.4 Table 124. Length of Time Since Reading Last Book LIBRARY USERS NON—USERS Length of Time m_ Number Per cent‘Number Per_gent Under one week 10 25.6 15 5.2 One week - under two months 6 15.4 9 5.6 Two months - under 6 months 11 28.2 16 6.4 Six months - under 12 months 4 10.5 9 5.6 Inability to Specify 4 10.5 7 2.8 Non-book readers 4 10.5 196 78.4 ‘M get books. Several respondents used the library either chiefly or exclusively for magazines; and there were two respondents who did not actually use the library themselves, but some other adult member of the family did. Among the non-library 166 users it is interesting to note that almost twenty-two per cent of their number reported the reading of one or more books during the past year. In actual numbers this means that there were slightly over one and one-half times as many book readers who did not use the library as there were book readers who did (fifty—four to thirty-five). For hypothetical purposes, if it be considered that all book readers (eighty-nine) are the potential library using public, then only thirty-nine per cent of this public has been won over to using the library. As regards the total books read during the preceding twelve months, it is obvious from Table 125 that the library users far overshadow those who do not use the library. The percentages are somewhat distorted by the fact that there are so many non-book readers in the non-library users sample, but in a later chapter the book readers will, figuratively Speaking, stand alone. One thing that particularly stands out in this table is that almost thirty-six per cent of the library users read only from one through five books during the preceding year, thereby iniicating that the task of the librar- ian in getting people to read more does not end when the person does get around to using the library. Rather, if this be one of the aims of the librarian, efforts may well be instigated to stimulate those people who do patronize the library to use it even more. The length of time since reading the last book is given in Table 124, and there it can be seen that among the library users, over one—fourth read their last book during the preceding 167 week. The corresponding percentage for the nonflibrary users is slightly over five per centJD.For about ten per cent of the users, it had been anywhere from six months to one year since they had read their last book. Almost seventy—two per cent of the library users are in favor of a bookmobile for Lenawee County (Table 125), whereas less than fifty-three per cent of the non—library users favor this service.11 There is not much difference between the nega- tive responses of the two groups, although the non-users are somewhat higher than the users in this respect. But in regard to those who are uncertain about their feelings toward a book- mobile, almost a third of the non-users are in this classifica- tion as compared with about eighteen per cent of the users. This would not be unexpected since library users more so than the non-library users would have known or read something about a bookmobile, thus putting them in a better position to make either a definitive positive or negative reply. Table 126 shows that far more of the users than non-users think that the library is located conveniently, but this should not be taken to mean that many of the non-users think that it is inconveniently located. Rather, in this case the '10 In the study by Henry C: Link and Harry A. Hopf entitled Peoplg and Books, New York: Book Manufacturers' Institute, 1946, p. 56, it was found that among 4,000 respondents, thirty-one per cent had read a book during the past week. 11 Another way of looking at this table: Out of the 159 respondents who want a bookmobile, slightly less than eighteen per cent of them are library users. 168 Table 125. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile gami— “LIBRARY USERS NON:USERS Response ..mmw“ Number Per cent Number Per cent_ Want bookmobile 28 71.8 151 52.4 Do not want bookmobile 4 10.5 55 14.0 Uncertain 7 17.9 85 55.2 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.4 Table 126. Is Location of Library Convenient ” ‘" LIBRARYIUSERS.-"—NUN:U§ERS""'" Response Number Per cent Number Per cent Is convenient 58 97.4 185 75.2 Is not convenient 1 2.6 5 2.0 Uncertain O 0.0 59 25.6 Not ascertained O 0.0 5 1.2 .._— .. -... .. # —.. w—.--- ...n- —F*-~--- .. ..._ *~ Table 127. Are Library Hours Convenient ”’”'”” " " LIBRARY 65‘ 3 NC —U BRB“" Response Numbggflfier cent Ngmber Per cent Are convenient 51 79.5 165 65.2 Are not convenient 7 17.9 9 5.6 Hours not known 1 2.6 74 29.6 Not ascertained O 0.0 4 1.6 Table 128. Distance from Nearest Library, Branch, or Deposit LIBRARY USERS NON—USERS Distance Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than one mile 15 58.5 78 51.2 One - 4.9 miles 16 41.0 79 51.6 Five miles and over 8 20.5 95 57.2 169 data show that it means that a comparatively high proportion (25.6 per cent) of them were uncertain as to the location of the library, and hence Were in no position to speak of its relative convenience. That this same situation prevails in regard to the library hours can be seen from Table 127. Although about fourteen per cent more of the users than non-users agree that the hours are convenient, it should be observed that almost thirty per cent of the non—users replied that they do not know the hours of the library. Only one of the respondents in the library users category made such a reply, and that was one of the re- spondents who did not use the library herself, although some other adult in the family did. To some extent, as Table 128 shows, ecological factors influence library usage.12 About seven per cent more of the library users than non—library users live within less than a mile of the nearest library, branch, or deposit, and not quite ten per cent more of them live from one through five miles from the library. In contrast, almost seventeen per cent more of the non-users than users live five or more miles from the 12 Wylie, pp, p}t., p. 67, found that around sixty-four per cent of adult library users in her studv lived within one mile of the library; that almost eightywtwo per cent lived within four miles; and that slightly under ninety-one per cent lived within six miles of the library. 170 nearest library, branch, or deposit.13 This indicates that perhaps a bookmobile would be a factor in equalizing ecological conditions as they pertain to the library when the distance from the library is five or more miles. That the relationship between library use and the ecological factor of distance is not a particularly strong one, at least in Lenawee County, is indicated by the fact that fine coefficient of contingency was found to be only .15. Library users vary significantly from non-library users in regard to a number of types of reading matter in which they are interested. Users, as can be seen from Table 129, are consid— erably (and significantly) more interested than non-users in reading about travel, remodeling the house, history, health and medical care, fiction, music and art, and mystery. In addition, users are somewhat more interested (but not signifi- cantly so) than non-users in personality and leadership, Russia and the Russians, other foreign people, hobbies and recreation, and in biography. On the other hand, non-users have a tendency, although not a significant one, to be more interested than users in reading about farming and gardening, financial prob- lems, and care of young children. The differences between the two groups as pertains to cooking, marital adjustment problems, 15 For a more complete picture of ecological factors as they pertain to library usage in Lenawee County, see Edgar A. Schu- ler and Gus Turbeville, "The Relation of Rural Reading and Library Use to Some Ecological Factors," £1233§1_qu§§g{ly, XVIII, (July, 1948), pp. 171-182. It should be mentioned that the data in this article are concerned only with the open country sample, whereas Table 125 also includes the data from the town sample. 171 religion and religious novels, care of household articles, and the United Nations are more or less negligible. As a whole, therefore, it can be seen that for most of the subjects, the library users have a greater interest than the non-library users. This perhaps means that the users have wider reading interests than the non-users, although on some of the subjects, such as farming and gardening, financial problems, and care of young children, the proportion of non-users expressing a posi- tive interest exceeds the corresponding proportion of users. In view of the rather wide sale that some of the biographies have, it may come as a surprise to note that only about thirty- one per cent of the library users (and twenty-two per cent of the non-library users) expressed an interest in this type of reading matter. There is always the possibility, though, that some of the people who enjoy reading the lives of various people do not realize that those books are called biographies. Not only do the library users read more books than the non-library users, but also they have more books in their homes (Table 150). This table shows that proportionately twice as many non-users as users have no books in the home, and that over twice as many users as nonrusers have one-hundred or more books in the home. In the classification of one through twenty-four books, the non—users predominate over the users by eleven per cent, but for the other categories (besides those already mentioned), there are only small differences between the two. Apparently the persons who use the library also like to add books to their own collections, perhaps thereby 172 stimulating even more their interest in reading.14 It is interesting to point out, though, that slightly over twenty per cent of the library users have less than twenty-five books in the home, and this may be a factor in causing thirty-six per cent of the library users to have read less than six books during the preceding twelve months. According to the results recorded in Table 151, the respondents who read the most books, the library users, are the ones who most object to certain types of reading matter. Three—fifths of the non-users stated that there are no types of reading matter to which they object, whereas among the library users only slightly over half made such a reply. But even so, these differences are not statistically significant. By about six per cent, the non-users more than the users object to murder and mystery stories; but by almost twelve per cent, the users more so than the non-users object to the so-called "trashy" romance stories. Perhaps the library users, by their comparatively wide reading, are more exposed than the non- library users to certain types of reading matter which they find objectionable. The data in Table 152 show that the library users spend more time reading than do the non—library users. Almost ten per cent more of the non-users than users read less than an hour a week, and over twenty-one per cent more of them read 14 Link and Hopf, 2p. cit., p. 100+, also point out the connection between readership and ownership of books. 175 Table 129. Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested s b LIBRARY USERS “NON-USERS u ject .11 ___ Number Per cent Number Per cent Health and medical care 29 74.4* 145 58.0* Cooking 25 59.0 148 59.2 Remodeling the house 28 71.8 159 55.6 Fiction 51 79.5 126 50.4 Religion and religious novels 22 56.4 129 51.6 Farming and gardening 18 46.2 . 152 52.8 Travel 28 71.8 105 41.2 Care of household articles 16 41.0 114 45.6 Hobbies and recreation 18 46.2 95 58.0 Financial problems 15 55.5 96 58.4 Care of young children 12 50.8 95 58.0 Personality and leadership 22 56.4 78 51.2 United Nations 14 55.9 84 55.6 Mystery 19 48.7 76 50.4 Russia and the Russians 15 58.5 75 50.0 Other foreign people 17 45.6 77 50.8 Music and art 19 48.7 70 28.0 History 25 59.0 65 25.2 Marital adjustment problems 11 28.2 59 25.6 Biography 12 50.8 56 22.4 * The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those per- sons not expressing a positive interest were included. In some instances those not expressing a positive interest said that they were uncertain, or else no response of any kind was obtained; but for the most part, the reSpondents said that they were not interested in the particular subject mentioned. Table 150. Number of Books in Home LIBRARY USERS NON-USERS Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 2 5.1 27 10.8 One - twenty-four 6 15.4 66 26.4 Twenty—five - forty—nine 6 15.4 54 15.6 Fifty - ninety-nine 6 15.4 52 12.8 One-hundred and over 17 45.6 49 19.6 Uncertain 2 5.1 40 16.0 Not ascertained O 0.0 2 0.8 174 Table 151. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable -- -— ---~ -——-~- LIBRARY USERS NON-USERS Objectionable Types -_ Number Per cent_Ngmber Per cent None ' 20 51.5 150 60.0 Murder and/or mysteries 2 5.1 29 11.6 "Trashy" romance 9 25.1 26 10.4 Comics 0 0.0 9 5.6 Any two or more types 2 5.1% 15 6.0 All other 6 15.4 15 6.0* Not ascertained 0 0.0 6 2.4 * Some examples of the responses in this category: "fanati: H I cal religious pamphlets, "communistic literature,' and "New Deal publications." Table 152. Amount of Time Spent Reading during Preceding Week Time LIBRARY USERS NON—USERS Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than one hour 1 2.6 50 ‘ 12.0 One - less than four 2 5.1 67 26.8 Four - less than eight 9 25.1 64 25.6 Eight - less than sixteen 21 55.8 70 28.0 Sixteen and over 6 15.4 12 4.8 Not ascertained" O 0.0 7 2.8 from one to four hours during the preceding week. For all classifications above eight hours of time spent reading during the preceding week, the superiority of the users is obvious. For instance, almost twenty-six per cent more of the users than non-users read from eight to sixteen hours during the past week, and almost eleven per cent more of them read six- teen or more hours during the preceding week. This finding, of course, is not surprising in view of the fact that 175 consistently the library users have read more books and maga- zines than the non-library users; and also, they have more books in their homes. This accounts for the fact that the coefficient of contingency for this table was found to be .25. Throughout this chapter, the superiority of the library users over the non-library users in certain rather significant aspects has been apparent. The library users have been shown, in comparison with the non-library users, to be better edu- cated; to belong to more organizations; to rank higher in the several socio-economic indices; to read more magazines regular- ly; to read more books, to be more interested in most of the various types of reading matter listed; to have more books in the home; and to spend more time reading. It is hardly likely that these findings are accidental, and for that reason, it seems that, whether willful or not, the library is associating itself and is being associated with those members of the com- munity who tend to belong to a higher social class than do the average respondents encountered in a random survey. If the librarian wishes to serve the eighty-six per cent of the sample that does not use the library, the data in this chapter show that most of the respondents within this category are readers - and hence are good prospects for the library. For instance, ninety per cent of the non-library users reported the reading of one or more neWSpapers; almost eighty per cent stated that they read one or more magazines regularly; and twenty-two per cent replied that they read one or more books 176 during the past year. In addition, eighty-five per cent of the non-library users answered that they read for one or more hours during the preceding week. In View of these findings, it does not seem unreasonable to suppose that the library could meet at least part of the reading needs of those respond- ents who at present are not patronizing the library. CHAPTER X VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY BCOK READERS AND NON-BOOK READERS Persons who read books vary sharply from each other in their reasons for reading. In the course of the present study some of the book reading respondents were heard to say that they read to pass away the time; others that they read because it took their minds off themselves and prevented nervousness; and still others responded that they read purely for the enjoyment of the stories and information contained in the books. Aside from these personal reasons for reading books, there are those who feel that books supply certain progressive thoughts that are too seldom found in the more widely circulated magazines and news- papers that are controlled by monied interests. For this reason, book reading - at least if the books have a modicum of substance to them - assumes a number of values that are not at once apparent.1 Thus, it may be of value to see if the book 2 readers as contrasted with the non—book readers predominate 1: The study by Bernard BerelSon entitled "The PublicLibrary, Book Reading, and Political Behavior," Library ngrtgrly, XV, (October, 1945), pp. 281-289, indicates, however, that there is a tendency for the same class of persons to hold similar political opinions regardless of whether or not they are book readers. 2 Following the definition previously mentioned, book read- ers are Operationally defined as those respondents reporting the reading of one or more books during the preceding twelve months. The data for the leadership sample can be found in Appendix D. It should also be mentioned that by referring to Table 47 in Chapter VI, the percentage of book readers in the random sample can be seen to be 50.8. 177 178 Table 155. Age of Female Heads, by Book Readers and Non—Book Readers for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946—1947* BOOK READERS NON-BOOK READERS Age Number Per cent Number Per cent Totals 89* 100.0 200* 100.0 Sixteen - thirty 18 20.2 41 20.5 Thirty-one - fifty 40 44.9 68 34.0 Fifty-one and over 50 55.7 91 45.5 Not ascertained l 1.1 O 0.0 * All the tables in this chapter will refer to the female heads, and will have the same totals. in certain characteristics. Table 155 shows that among those respondents between the ages of sixteen and thirty, there is virtually no difference between the book readers and the non—book readers. But for those persons interviewed between the ages of thirty-one and fifty, the book readers predominate by about twelve per cent, although even this difference is not significant statistically. On the other hand, the non-book readers more than the book readers are to be found in the category of those fifty—one years of age and over. These findings indicate that, in Lena- wee County at least, the intermediate ages of the thirties and forties have a proportionately higher number of book readers than do either the younger ages or the older ones. From Table 154 it can be seen that the book readers are a significantly better educated group than are the non-book read- ers. Almost thirty per cent more of the latter than former 179 completed only from four through eight years of school, whereas about fifteen per cent more of the former than latter are to be found in the categories of completing nine through twelve years, and of completing one or more years of college. Thus it seems that perhaps book reading habits are formed in school to some extent,3 and that more education is required for ordinary book reading than just the ability to read and write.4 It should not be overlooked, too, that as one goes up the educational ladder, very probably there is a selective elimination of per- sons vho do not form book reading habits. The relationship between education and book reading is further demonstrated by the fact that the coefficient of contingency for this table was found to be .60. The data concerning the effect of varying numbers of children at home on book reading are given in Table 155. From this table it can be seen that five per cent more of the non— book readers than book readers have no children at home, and 5 It is interesting to see that book reading increases about four fold (14.4 per cent to 59.0 per cent) as one goes up the educational ladder, whereas library use increases over seven times (4.5 per cent to 55.2 per cent). This may indicate that books obtained from the library tend to be on a more advanced level than those ordinarily obtained elsewhere. It may indicate, too, that the farther one goes in school, the more familiar he becomes with the facilities of the library. An implication would be that if libraries wanted to make book readers out of its comparatively poorly educated potential clientele, they would do well to stock, and publicize the ac- quisition of, adult books that are written on a very plain and simple level. 4 It is pointed out by Paul F. Lazarsfeld in Radio and Print— ed Page, New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1940, p. 290, that many adults are unable to read even the simplest kinds of read- ing matter. He suggests that the radio may be a good medium for teaching the techniques employed in correct reading. 180 Table 154. Highest School Grade Completed. BOOK READERS NON-BOOK READERS Response Number Per cent Number Per cent None - three years 0 0.0 O 0.0 Four - eight years 16 18.0 95 47.5 Nine - twelve years 52 58.4 87 45.5 One or more years of college 20 22.5 14 7.0 Not ascertained 1 1.1 4 2.0 Table 155. Number of Children at Home BOOK READERS NON-BOOK READERS Number Of Children Number Per cent Number Per cent None 52 56.0 82 41.0 One - two 55 59.5 85 41.5 Three - four 18 20.2 20 10.0 Five and over 5 5.4 15 7.5 Not ascertained 1 1.1 0 0.0 that slightly over ten.per cent more of the readers than non— readers have three or four children at home. None of the diff- erences in these categories, however, are significant. One interpretation for this possible tendency is that children request their parents, especially their mothers, to read to them. By getting books for the children, particularly if from the library where there is no charge, it may well be that the mothers decide to get books for themselves. Then, too, the presence of children often stimulates the mothers to read books on child care and other activities related to children. The book readers, according to Table 156, belong to 181 significantly more organizations than do the non-book readers. About twelve per cent more of the non-readers than readers belong to no organizations, and slightly over eight per cent more of them belong to just one organization. But among those respondents belonging to two or more organizations, the book readers predominate over the non-book readers by almost twenty- two per cent. It seems that those persons who like to read are also those who belong to organizations, and there is the possi- bility that some of the clubs and organizations, by their book reports and emphasis on current events, encourage members to read books. The data in Table 157 indicate that there is no significant difference between the book readers and non-book readers in regard to any of the socio—economic indices with the exception of those respondents having telephones. What differences there are show that almost seven per cent more of the readers than non-readers have running water; about seventeen per cent more of them have telephones; and slightly less than twelve per cent more of them have automobiles. Of course, these differences may be a concomitant of the higher education and consequently probably higher income of the book readers, but the configura- tion of education, possibly higher income, library usage, relative high standing in the socio-economic indices, and book reading activities is an informative and suggestive one. Per- haps it indicates that book readers, as well as library users, tend to belong to a higher social class than do others. 182 Table 156. Number of Organizations to Which Belonged BOOK READERS NON—BOOK READERS Number _ __fi Number Per cent Number Per cent None 26 29.2 85 41.5. One 24 27.0 71 55.5 Two or more 59 45.8 44 22.0 Not ascertained 0 0.0 2 1.0 Table 157. Socio-Economic Indices BOOK REAOERS NONLBooiuREADERS' Index Number Per cent Number Per cent Have electricity 88 98.8% 197 98.5* Have radio 87 97.7 195 96.5 Have automobile 86 96.6 170 85.0 Own home (farm) 65 75.0 147 75.5 Have running water 62 69.7 126 65.0 Have telephone 59 66.5 98 49.0 * In each case the percentages would equal 100 if the nega- tive instances were recorded also. Table 158. Eyesight for Reading BOOK READERS NON-BOOK READERS Response Number Per cent Number Per cent Good 48 55.9 71 55.5 Average 29 52.6 76 58.0 Poor 11 12.4 55 26.5 Not ascertained 1 1.1 0 0.0 ”*— ”...a..- 185 The respondents who read books are also the ones who have good eyesight for reading, according to Table 158. Around eighteen per cent more of the book readers than non-book readers rate themselves as having good eyesight, whereas about fourteen per cent more of the latter than the former rate themselves as having poor eyesight for reading. There is the possibility, of course, that some of those respondents who said they were unable to read books because of their poor eyesight were merely rationalizing. For those persons who do have poor eyesight there are books with eSpecially large type,5 and this may be a way of meeting the reading needs of those persons with faulty vision. Concerning the type of newspaper taken, it can be seen from Table 159 that there are only small differences between the book readers and the non-book readers. As a matter of fact the non-book readers have a slightly higher prOportion than the book readers of those respondents taking both a daily and a weekly newspaper, but it must be added that none of these differences are statistically significant. Table 140 shows that the book readers read more magazines regularly than do the non-book readers. Almost twenty—three per cent more of the non—readers than readers read no magazines regularly, and about eleven per cent more of them read only from one through three magazines regularly. On the other hand, 5 A list of such books is given in Charlotte Matson, Bookg for Tired Eyes, Chicago: American Library Association, 1940. 184 Table 159. Type of Newspaper Taken BOOK RRADER‘S‘“NON—BOOK READERS Classification Number Per cent Number Per cent Daily only 54 60.7 114 57.0 Daily and weekly 27 50.5 65 52.5 Weekly only 2 2.2 5 1.5 No newspaper 6 6.7 18 9.0 Table 140. Number of Magazines Read Regularly BOOK READERS NON-BOOK READER?“ Number Number Per cent Number Per cent None 5 5.4 52 26.0 One - three 25 28.1 78 59.0 Four - seven A 46 51.7 57 28.5 Eight and over 14 15.7 12 6.0 Not ascertained 1 1.1 1 0.5 Table 141. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile " “""' “" BOOK READERS NON-BOOK RBADBRS"’ Response Number Per cgntmNgmber Per cent Want bookmobile 65 70.8 97 48.5 Do not want bookmobile 8 9.0 51 15.5 Uncertain 18 20.2 71 55.5 Not ascertained 0 0.0 1 0.5 about twenty-three per cent more of the book readers than non- book readers read from four through seven magazines regularly, and almost ten per cent more of them read eight or more maga- zines regularly. Thus it seems that magazine reading, rather than competing with book reading, actually stimulates it, or 185 vice versa.6 In other words, persons who read at all seem to receive some impetus to do further reading, and anything, broadly speaking, that encourages reading as a whole, tends to encourage the use of the various types of reading matter, including those available at public libraries. The data in Table 141 suggest that the book readers are more in favor of a bookmobile than are the nonfbook readers. Naturally this is what one would expect since the book readers certainly would benefit more from this service than would the non-book readers, unless of course, the service would be suc- cessful in stimulating the non-book readers to read books. Roughly, twenty-two per cent more of the readers than non-readers stated that they wanted a bookmobile; and six per cent more of the latter than the former said specifically that they did not care for this service. Rather high percentages of both groups expressed uncertainty about their views, apparently because of unfamiliarity with this mObile type of library service. One or two respondents, in making negative replies, said that the taxes in the county were high enough as it was without further assessments which they felt that a bookmobile would cause. 6 It is not meant to imply that there is a direct and per- fect causal relationship between the two, since both obvious- ly are dependent upon, and related to, a number of other factors. But to give additional weight to the statement that magazine reading stimulates book reading, and vice versa, Henry C. Link and Harry A. Hopf found that as the amount of time spent reading books increases, so does the amount of time spent reading magazines and newspapers. Cf. People Egg Epoks, New York: Book Nanufacturers' Institute, 1946, p. 115. 186 Many more, though, said that in spite of the fact that they had never heard of a bookmobile, the idea sounded "wonderful." Concerning the types of reading matter in which the re- spondents are interested, Table 142 shows the pertinent data. From this table it can be seen that for each of the twenty categories, with the two exceptions of the subjects of cooking and the United Nations, there are rather noticeable differences between the proportion of the two groups making affirmative responses. And the important thing about this is that for each of the ten subjects for which there are significant diff- erences, the book readers more than the non-book readers are the ones who are interested. The differences between the two groups are significant for the subjects of health and medical care, remodeling the house, fiction, travel, hobbies and recre- ation, personality and leadership, mystery, foreign people other than the Russians, music and art, history, and biography. The differences, while not significant, are apparent for the subjects of rehgion and religious novels, farming and garden— ing, care of household articles, financial problems, care of young children, Russia and the Russians, and marital adjust- ment problems. The most striking difference concerns the subject of fiction where almost forty-five per cent more of the book readers than non-book readers expressed a positive interest. The fact that only about two-fifths of the non-book readers said that they were interested in fiction (almost three-fifths of them expressed an affirmative interest in 187 Table 142. Types of Reading Matter in Mhich Interested BOOK READERS NON-800K READERS Subject _”___ H Numb§r_Per cent Number Per cent Health and medical care 65 70.8* 111 55.5* Cooking 55 59.5 118 59.0 Remodeling the house 67 75.5 100 50.0 Fiction 76 85.4 81 40.5 Religion.and religious novels 52 58.4 99 49.5 Farming and gardening 52 58.4 98 49.0 Travel 56 62.9 75 57.5 Care of household articles 45 48.5 87 45.5 Hobbies and recreation 45 50.6 68 54.0 Financial problems 50 55.7 79 59.5 Care of young children 59 45.8 68 54.0 Personality and leadership 40 44.9 60 50.0 United Nations 50 55.7 68 54.0 Mystery 46 51.7 49 24.5 Russia and the Russians 54 58.2 56 28.0 Other foreign people 58 42.7 56 28.0 Music and art 56 40.4 55 26.5 History 45 48.5 45 21.5 Marital adjustment problems 27 50.5 45 21.5 Biography 50 55. 58 19.0 * The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those per— sons not expressing a positive interest were included. In some instances those not expressing a positive interest said that they were uncertain, or else no response of any kind the respondents said that they were not interested in the particular subject men- was obtained; but for the most part, tioned. reading about cooking) reflects some of the mistrust which was encountered among a number of the respondents in their attitudes toward fiction. said that they would not allow a fiction book in the home, Two or three of the respondents and that when they were young, their parents had the same views. From some of the comments, the impression was gained that the respondents, at least to some extent, were using 188 fiction synonymously with the so-called "sexier" types of modern novels. It is possible that some of these persons would not consider as fiction such novels as gen Run and_§§g 21222. As would be expected, the book readers have more books in their homes than do the non-book readers (Table 145). Almost ten per cent more of the latter than former have no books in the home; slightly over eight per cent more of them have only one through twenty-four: and about four per cent more of them have from twenty-five through forty-nine books in the home.. On the other hand, almost nine per cent more of the book readers than non-book readers have from fifty through ninety—nine books in the home; and significantly, slightly over twenty-five per cent more of them have 100 or more books in the home. Although the superiority of the book readers over the non—book readers in regard to the number of books at home is not surprising, it may be unexpected to see that twenty-two and one—half per cent of the book readers have less than twenty-five books in their homes. This indicates that if the respondents in question do much reading of books, they are dependent upon loans, either from the library or from acquaintances, as a source. As for the types of reading matter to which the reSpond- ents object, the appropriate data are to be seen in Table 144. Although there are some differences between the book readers and the non-book readers as regards their objections to certain 189 types of reading matter, none of these differences are statis- tically significant. This finding, while a negative one, is of value in indicating that book reading pg; fig does not seem, to any measurable degree, to influence one's perSpective as to what is or is not objectionable reading. It is only natural to assume that book readers spend more time reading than do non-book readers, and that such is the case is shown in Table 145. In that table it can be seen that about twelve per cent more of the non-readers than readers spent less than an hour during the preceding week reading; that about twenty-three per cent more of them Spent only from one to four hours reading: and that almost nine per cent more of them spent from four to eight hours in reading during the past week. In contrast, almost thirty-nine per cent more of the book readers than non-book readers spent from eight to sixteen hours during the last seven days in reading; and just over seven per cent more of them spent sixteen or more hours during the preceding week reading. Thus it seems that those persons who do not read books do not compensate for this lack by reading heavily other materials, such as magazines and newspapers. This statement is further substantiated by the fact that the coefficient of contingency for this table was .54. In this chapter it has been shown that the book readers as contrasted with the non-book readers are characterized by certain traits, such as a comparatively high education, a membership in two or more organizations, a relatively high 190 Table 145. Number of Books in Home BOOK READERS NON—BOOK empress Numbe:_-~-- Number Per cent Number_?er cent None 5 5.4 26 15.0 One - twenty-four 17 19.1 55 27.5 Twenty-five — forty—nine 10 11.2 50 15.0 Fifty - ninety-nine 17 19.1 21 10.5 One-hundred and over 56 40.4 50 15.0 Uncertain 6 6.7 56 18.0 Not ascertained 0 0.0 2 1.0 Table 144. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable BOOK READERS NON-BOOK READERS Objectionable Types Ngmber Per cent Number Per cent None 50 56.2 119 59.2 "Trashy" romance 15 16.9 21 10.5 Murder and/or mysteries 6 6.7 25 12.5 Comics 5 5.4 6 5.0 Any two or more types 4 4.5 15 6.5 All other 11 12.4 10 5.0 Not ascertained O 0.0 6 5.0 Table 145. Amount of Time Spent Reading During Preceding Week Time BOOK READERS NON-BOOK READERS __ Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than one hour 2 2.2 29 14.5 One - less than four 7 7.9 62 51.0 Four - less than eight 17 19.1 56 28.0 Eight - less than sixteen 52 58.4 59 19.5 Sixteen and over 10 11.2 8 4.0 Not ascertained l 1.1 6 5.0 191 socio-economic standing, and a greater interest in various types of reading matter. Some conjectures to be formed from this are as follows: reading habits in general, and book reading habits in particular, tend to be developed and encour- aged as one progresses through the various school grades; the various clubs and organizations, perhaps by their discussion periods, seem to give impetus to reading; persons who read books do not necessarily thereby improve their socio-economic standing because this standing is related to a number of other factors (§,g. education), but there is a definite tendency for the better read persons to rank higher than others in the sev- eral socio-economic indices (and perhaps in social class); and the more books that one reads, the more interested he becomes in a variety of subjects. In other words, there seems to be a sort of circular response: one reads because he is interested in a particular subject, and his interest in the particular subject is reinforced because he reads about it. CHAPTER XI VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY EDUCATION In the United States, at least, education is so closely tied up with the printed page that attimes the two become almost indistinguishable. For this reason, it seems highly appropriate to compare reading behavior and attitudes of reSpond- ents according to the highest school grade that they have com— pleted.1 In this way some light may be shed upon at least one facet of the influence of one of this country's most valued institutions. Not to be ignored, too, is the fact that usually class is identified to-a noticeable extent with education. Roughly, the members of the upper class will tend to receive more formal schooling than members of the lower class.2 In this chapter, therefore, it may be well to bear in mind that reading diff— erences which vary according to amount of education possibly also reflect class differences in reading. Table 146 shows the age of the respondents according to the highest school grade completed, and from this it can be seen that among those reSpondents between the ages of sixteen l The corresponding data“fSF“EE€”ieadéh§516”§amp1e will be found in Appendix E. 2 A study by Edgar A. Schuler entitled "Social and Economic .Status in a Louisiana Hills Community," Rural Sociology, V, (March, 1940), pp. 69-83, showed that education is one of the factors closely associated with socio-economic status. 192 195 Table 146. Age of Female Heads, by Highest School Grade Com- pleted, for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946—1947* 4 - 8 GRADES 9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES Age Number Per cent Number Per cent_Ngmber Per cent Total 111* 100.0 159* 100.0 54* 100.0 Sixteen — thirty 8 7.2 46 55.1 5 14.7 Thirty-one-fifty 40 56.0 52 57.4 12 55.5 Fifty-one andcma‘65 56.8 40 28.8 17 50.0 Not ascertained O 0.0 l 0.7 O 0.0 o--.. * All the tables in this chapter will refer to the female heads, and will have the same totals. In addition it should be explained that the totals of the three breakdowns in these tables equal 284 instead of the usual 289. The reason for this is that for five of the respondents in the random sample, the education was not ascertained. Table 147. Total Number of Living Children Number of 4 — a GRADES 9 - 12‘5H15Es ”EVER 12 GRADES Children -nNumber Per cent anbeg Eer cent Number Per cent None 18 16.2 18 12.9 6 17.6 One - two 54 50.6 '69 49.6 18 52.9 Three - four 51 27.9 55 25.2 8 25.5 Five and over 28 25.2 16 11.5 2 5.9 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.7 O 0.0 Table 148. Number of Organizations to Which Belonged 4 - a GRIDES 9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES— Number Number Per cent Number Per_centfiflggber Per cent None 50 45.0 51 56.7 6 17.6 One 44 59.6 42 50.2 8 25.5 Two or more 17 15.5 45 52.4 19 55.9 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.7 1 2.9 _. ~“K -—. .n —- . _-—--- .———_ —‘ .-——- ~— 194 and thirty, the largest percentage is to be found in the cate- gory of those completing nine through twelve grades of school. Among those between the ages of thirty-one and fifty, the diff- erences in amounts of education are not significant; but among those fifty-one years of age and over, the highest percentages are to be found in the categories of completing four through eight grades, and over twelve grades. One reason for this, of course, is the relatively high percentage of respondents who are fifty-one years of age and over. The data concerning the total number of living children are given in Table 147, and this table shows that the respond- ents having no living children are relatively evenly divided among the three education categories. Among those respondents having five or more living children, the highest percentage is in the category of four through eight school grades completed; the next highest percentage is in the nine through twelve grades completed; and last in rank is in the category of com- pleting over twelve grades of school. These findings are in general accord with the research of demographers who state that the more highly educated groups are those who have the lowest rates of reproduction.3 Rather significant results are shown in Table 148, which ' is concerned with the number of organizations to which the __ 5 For a concise and cogent discussion of differential fertil- ity, see T. Lynn Smith, Population Analysis, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1948, pp. 208-221. 195 persons interviewed belong. Among those reSpondents complet- ing four through eight grades of school, forty-five per cent belong to no organizatknug among those completing nine through twelve grades, not quite thirty-seven per cent belong to no organizations; and among those completing over twelve grades of school, slightly less than eighteen per cent belong to no organizations. Although the differences are not so large, the same educational rank prevails for those belonging to only one organization. But for those respondents completing four through eight grades, only about fifteen per cent of them are in the category of belonging totwo or more organizations. This is in contrast to the finding that just over thirty-two per cent of the respondents completing nine through twelve grades belong to two or more organizations, and that well over half the re- spondents completing over twelve grades likewise belong to two or more organizations. Therefore, it is apparent that in Lenawee County those respondents with the most education are also those who belong to the largest number of organizations. As for the relation between amount of education and the several socio—economic indices, the pertinent data are shown in Table 149. There it can be seen that as concerns home ownership, electricity, owning an automobile, and having a radio, the differences among the three categories of respond- ents are not significant. The most consistent differences are those which pertain to running water and telephones. About eight per cent more of those in the intermediate 196 educational category have running water than those in the lowest category, and almosg thirteen per cent more of those in the highest educational category have this convenience than those in the intermediate (nine through twelve grades) category. This, perhaps, is indicative of the higher economic level which the more highly educated people attain as compared with those who are not so advantaged in this report. That the respondents who have completed the highest number of school grades read more magazines regularly than do the others is indicated by Table 150. This table shows that among those persons interviewed who had completed four through eight grades, almost twenty—eight per cent read no magazines regular— ly; among those who had completed nine through twelve grades, the corresponding percentage was not quite sixteen per cent; and among those completing over twelve grades, only slightly less than six per cent read no magazines regularly. This same ranking is in force for those reading one through three maga- zines regularly, though the percentage differences are naturally not the same. The situation changes, however, in regard to the percentage of respondents reading four through seven magazines regularly. For this category, just under twenty-one per cent of the respondents completing four through eight grades are to be found; forty-one per cent of those completing over twelve grades are found.4 This ranking continues for those respondents 4 Cf. W. Lloyd Warner and Paul S. Lunt, Thg'figcial Lifg gf‘g Modern Community, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1941, p. 587.F They report that "As the rank of the class decreases the percentage of magazine subscribers decreases." Apparent- ly a comparable situation holds true for Lenawee County. 197 reading eight or more magazines regularly, although the diff- erences are not so sharp. To further corroborate this rela— tionship between education and number of magazines read regularly is the fact that the coefficient of contingency for this table was ascertained to be .31. Table 151 shows that education is directly related to book reading. Less than fifteen per cent of the reSpondents in the category of completing four through eight school grades reported the reading of any books during the preceding twelve months, while slightly over thirty—seven per cent of those in the category of completing nine through twelve grades read one or more books. This educational differential in book reading is again demonstrated when it is seen that almost three—fifths of the respondents completing over twelve grades stated that they had read one or more books during the past year. Thus, not only do the more highly educated read more magazines regu- larly than do the others, but also they predominate in the proportion of their members who are book readers.5 The coef- ficient of contingency for the relationship between book reading and education, as was mentioned in the last chapter, was found to be .30, thereby intensifying the significance of these statements. 5 Henry C. Link and Harry A. Hopf found similar results. Cf. their People and Books, New York: Book Manufacturers' Institute, 1946, p. 115. To further corroborate this rela- tion between education and reading, comparable findings are reported by James G. Hodgson in The Printed Page 12 Rural fiomes, unpublished manuscript, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1947, p. 95. 198 Table 149. Socio-Economic Indices ‘“‘4':‘§‘GRADE§""‘“9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES Index _ Number Per centhumbcr Per_ggnt Number Per cent Have electnkfity 110 99.1* 136 97.8% 34 100.0* Have radio 106 95.5 135 97.1 34 100.0 Have automobile 91 82.0 129 92.8 31 91.2 Own home (farm) as 74.8 100 71.9 26 76.5 Have running water 64 57.7 91 65.5 30 88.2 Have telephone 54 48.6 74 53.2 27 79.4 .- -H * In each case the percentages would equal 100 if the negative instances were recorded also. Table 150. Number of Magazines Read Regularly 4 - a GRADES ‘9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES Number Number Per cent Number Per cent Numbgr Pe§_cg§£ None 31 27.9 22 15.8 2 5.9 One - three 51 45.9 44 31.7 8 23.5 Four - seven 23 20.7 57 41.0 18 52.9 Eight and over 6 5.4 14 10.1 6 17.6 Not ascertained O 0.0 2 1.4 O 0.0 -W— Table 151. Does Respondent Read Books 4 - e GRADES 9"1‘i§’GRADES”"DVER 12 GRADES Number Per centgfipmp§g_fer cent Number Per cent Does read books 16 14.4 52 37.4 20 58.8 Does not read books 95 85.6 87 62.6 14 41.2 Response 199 Since the sixteen book—reading respondents who completed four through eight grades, and the fourteen non—boo-reading respondents who completed over twelve years of school, are atypi— cal of their groups in general, it may be of interest to look at them as individuals. Of the sixteen book—reading respondents in question, only tvo of them were found to be fairly wide readers of books. One of these was a thirty-one year old woman who com- pleted the eighth grade. At the time of the interview she had four young children, and her husband rented the farm which they worked. She reported the reading of five magazines regularly, and said that she read eighteen books during the past year. Of the books which she had read recently, her favorite was Upton Sinclair's A flggld £2 Elfi- She obtained most of her books from a book club, and stated that it was during the winter months that she found time to do most of her reading. Another book reader with an eighth grade education was a thirty—three year old woman who also had four young children. At the time she was contacted, her husband was a mechanic; they rented their home; had no run— ning water or telephone; and subscribed to no newSpapers or maga- zines. Yet she reported that in the last twelve months she read between thirty and forty books - and all of them were mysteries. She stated that she bought these books from nevsstends, and added that she didn't know anything about the library. It would seem that anyone who reads this much would certainly be a good pros— pect to use the library, provided that the library has available reading matter that would be of interest to this type reader. 200 Among the fourteen non—book-reading respondents who com— pleted one or more years of college, three have been chosen as having some interesting sidelights on their reading behavior and interests. The only college graduate among the fourteen was a sixty-five year old childless woman whose husband was a farmer. She reported that she was too busy to read books al-6 though she read the daily newspaper and four magazines. Her favorite magazine, she said, was the Reader's Digest, and she liked it because it was so educational. Another of these respondents was a fifty-five year old woman who finished one year of college. She stated that she took and read regularly I! Sexy" fifteen magazines, but did not read books because of the parts in them. It was her opinion that these parts of the books were inserted in order that the books would sell better than would Otherwise be the case. A final non-book-reading respondent was a sixty-five year old widow who finished two years of college. She replied that she read six magazines regularly, but that she didn't like fiction. She said that she was interested particularly in religious topics, and in that connection, stated that she was heartbroken over the "modernism" that has crept into the Methodist Church. She said that the Unitarians were getting control of it, and that she would be interested in getting some reading matter on this subject. Since there are more book readers in the most advanced educational level used in this study (over twelve grades) than 201 in either of the other categories, it is not surprising to learn from Table 152 that in each of the three classifications on number of books read during the preceding twelve months, the respondents in this category predominate. It should be mentioned, though, that in the category of from six to fifteen books read during the past year, the difference between those respondents in the intermediate educational classification and those in the most advanced classification is not significant. For the table as a whole, however, the coefficient of conting- ency as computed was .26. According to Table 153, those respondents who have com- pleted twelve or more school grades, more than either of the other two groups, want a bookmobile. Also, it should be pointed out that about eight per cent more of those who have completed from nine through twelve grades want a bookmobile than do those who have completed four through eight grades. Interestingly enough, only about eleven per cent of those in this latter category said specifically that they do not want a bookmobile, whereas the percentages for the other two groups are slightly higher. Instead, almost forty per cent of these respondents professed ignorance as to what a bookmobile was, and conse- quently refused to commit themselves either way on the question of a bookmobile. Slightly over a fourth of the other two groups gave similar answers. In regard to the number of books in the home, Table 154 shows the obvious superiority of those who have completed 202 Table 152. Total Books Read During the Preceding Twelve Months Period "“ ‘" 4‘- a GRADES 2’: 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES Number Read” Number Per cent Number_£er_gent Number Per cent One - five 8 7.2 25 16.5 9 26.5 Six - fifteen 4 5.6 15 10.8 4 11.8 Sixteen and over 4 5.6 10 7.2 7 20.6 Uncertain O 0.0 4 2.9 O 0.0 Not applicable 95 85.6 87 62.6 14 41.2 _-. —.—-. Table 155. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile 4 - a GRADRS 9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES Response Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Want bookmobile 54 48.6 79 56.8 21 61.8 Do not want bookmobile 12 10.8 25 16.5 4 11.8 Uncertain 44 59.6 57 26.6 9 26.5 Not ascertained l 0.9 O 0.0 O 0.0 Table 154. Number of Books in Home Number 4 - a GRADfis“ 9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES Number_fier cent Number Fer_pent Number Per cent None 11 9.9 15 10.8 2 5.9 One-twenty-four 54 50.6 55 25.7 4 11.8 Twenty-five - - forty-nine 15 15.5 21 15.1 5 8.8 Fifty - ninety- nine 11 9.9 25 18.0 2 5.9 One-hundred and over 12 10.8 52 25.0 19 55.9 Uncertain 26 25.4 15 9.4 5 8.8 Not ascertained 2 1.8 O 0.0 l 2.9 205 over twelve grades of school. Over half of these respondents have one-hundred or more books in the home, whereas the per- centages for those completing from nine through twelve grades, and those completing four through eight grades are twenty- three and just under eleven respectively. Although there are variations for the other classifications of number of books in the home, none are so Significant as those just mentioned. For this table, a rather high coefficient of contingency was found, the figure being .54. The data in Table 155 Show rather strikingly that the more education a respondent has, the more prone she is to use the library. Less than five per cent of the respondents who completed four through eight grades used the library during the preceding twelve months period, while almost sixteen per cent of the respondents who completed nine through twelve grades reported the use of the library during the past year. In addi- tion, slightly over thirty-five per cent of the respondents who completed over twelve grades of school said that they were library users. The implication is that there is a tendency for library using habits learned in school to carry over into after school and adult life; although even so, only a minority of the most highly educated respondents reported using the library. The data on thetypes of reading matter in which the respondents are interested are shown in Table 156. Although there are significant variations among many of the subject types according to the highest school grade completed, there 204 are some inconsistencies. These inconsistencies, however, do not overshadow the fact that for most of the categories, the higher the education of the reSpondcntS, the greater their interest in reading about the subjects in question. On the subject of travel, almost twenty per cent more of those in the intermediate educational classification eXpressed a positive interest than was the case with those in the lowest education- al category; and over twenty—Six per cent more of those in the highest educational classification than those in the intermedi- ate one expressed a positive interest in reading about this subject. Although the percentages are different, this same relationship (in regard to ranking) holds for the subjects of health and medical care, cooking, remodeling the house, religion and religious novels, personality and leadership, the United Nations, Russia and the Russians, other foreign peOple, music and art, history, marital adjustment problems, and biography. This connection between reading interests and education is quite clearly shown for the subject of biography which gener- ally was one of the least popular of all the subjects listed in this study. Less than thirteen per cent of the respondents completing four through eight school grades expressed an interest in biography; not quite twenty-six per cent of those in the category of completing nine through twelve grades also expressed an interest in this subject; and exactly half of the respondents who completed over twelve grades of school said that they liked to read biography. On the other hand, 205 Table 155. Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit During Preceding Twelve Months Period 4 - a GRADES 9“4“1'2"G““RADE"S—‘_OTRA’ T2 GRADES R esponse Numbgg Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Have used lihmuy’ 5 4.5 22 15.8 12 55.5 Have not used library 106 95.5 117 84.2 22 64.7 Table 156. Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested 4 - 8 GRADES 9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES .Subject Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Health and medi- , * cal care 52 46.8* 95 66.9 25 73.5” Cooking 56 50.5 89 64.0 24 70.6 Remodeling the ' ' house 50 45.0 89 64.0 24 70.6 Fiction 44 59.6 89 64.0 21 61.8 Religion and ' ‘ - relig. novels 55 47.7 74 55.2 20 58.8 Farming and gar- dening 55 47.7 80 57.6 14 41.2 Travel 55 51.5 71 51.1 25 67.6 Care of house- hold art 58 54.2 77 55.4 15 58.2 Hobbies and recreation 29 26.1 71 51.1 12 55.5 Financial problems 58 54.2 58 41.7 10 29.4 Care of young children 19 17.1 75 52.5 11 52.4 Personality and leadership 22 19.8 57 41.0 21 61.8 United Nations 55 51.5 47 55.8 14 41.2 Mystery 27 24.5 58 41.7 9 26.5 Russia and the Russians 52 28.8 42 50.2 15 44.1 Other foreign people 51 27.9 47 5. 15 44.1 Music and art 22 19.8 50 56.0 17 50.0 History 26 25.4 45 50.9 16 47.1 Marital adjust- ment problems 15 15.5 42 50.2 11 52.4 Biography» 14 12.6 56 25.9 17 50.0 ¥2The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those persons not expressing a positive interest were included. In some instan- ces those not expressing a positive interest said that they wgre uncertain, or else no response of any kind was obtained; but or the most part the respondents said_that they were not interested 206 for the subject of farming and gardening, the respondents who are most educated were those who expressed the least interest in reading about this subject. As for the general subject of fiction, slightly more of those in the intermediate education classification are interested in it than those inthe highest educational grouping. Both of these groups, however, rate much higher in their interest than the lowest educational cate- gory. This same ranking, though in varying degrees, holds true for the subjects of hobbies and recreation, care of household articles, care of young children, and mystery. 0n financial problems, however, those in the lowest educational bracket rank higher than do those in the top level although those in the intermediate class maintain their superiority. In general, therefore, it can be said that education tends to lead toward a greater desire to read on various subjects although exceptions do occur. Inasmuch as those persons completing the most grades of school are those who apparently do the widest reading, it may be expected that they would be more liberal than the others in regard to reading matter which they may find objectionable. or course, it could just as logically be stated that by virtue of the fact that this group reads on a comparatively wide range of subjects, they would be exposed to a greater variety of subjects to which to object. That this latter position is more accurate than the former is shown in Table 157. Almost sixty-five per cent of the respondents in the lowest education- al grouping replied that there are no types of reading matter 207 Table 157. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable Objectionable 4"‘-’-‘"a‘ GRADES 9 - 12 GRADES OVER 12 GRADES Types Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None 72 64.9 84 60.4 11 32.4 "Trashy" romance 11 9.9 15 9.4 10 29.4 Murder and/or ' mystery 15 11.7 14 10.1 5 8.8 Comics 2 1.8 6 4.5 0 0.0 Any two or more types 4 5.6 s 5.8 5 14.7 All other 5 4.5 12 8.6 5 14.7 Not ascertained 4 5.6 2 1.4 0 0.0 Table 158. Amount of Time Spent Reading During Preceding Week 4 - 8 GRADES 9 — 12 GRADES CVERwl2 GRADES Time Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Less than onelmmm 25 20.7 7 5.0 1 2.9 One - less than ' four 50 27.0 55 25.2 5 8.8 Four - less than eight 27 24.5 56 25.9 9 26.5 Eight - less than sixteen ' 21 18.9 51 56.7 16 47.1 Sixteen and over 6 5.4 7 5.0 4 11.8 Not ascertained 4 5.6 5 2.2 1 2.9 to which they object; and just over sixty per cent of those in the intermediate classification also hold to such a view. But, in contrast, less than thirty-three per cent of the respondents in the highest educational class admit to such a view. The most objectionable type of literature to this latter grouping is "trashy" romance, whereas the leader for the other two groups is murder and/or mystery. Perhaps the 208 group.that is most highly educated is more conscious than the others of the sexual factor in reading,6 and feelsthat this subject must be shunned. And, of course, it is rather widely held (by those who are relatively well-educated) that the less educated people are the ones who buy the "cheap" romance maga- zines from the newstands. If it be true that such is the case, one would not expect a very high percentage of the poorly- educated respondents to say that they think that this is an objectionable type of reading matter. In addition the mere fact that the better educated peOple associate this type of reading matter with those persons who have not had so much schooling may be sufficient reason to cause a number of the former to object to the romance stories that are widely publi- cized as such.7 Since the respondents who received the most education were the ones who read the most magazines regularly, who read the most books, and were most interested in many of the various types of reading matter, it is not surprising to learn from Table 158 that they are the ones who spent the most time read- ing during the preceding week. Slightly less than three per cent of their number spent less than an hour reading during the previous week; only five per cent of those in the 6 It is brought out in the Kinsey Report TAlbert C. Kinsey, Wardell B. Pomeroy, and Clyde E. Martin, Sexual Behavior 1g the Human Male, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1948, p. 5657 that upper class males are more conscious than lower class males of the sexual factor in reading. 7 In Warner and Lunt, pp. 313., p. 580, it is pointed out that when lower-lower class readers in "Yankee City" prefer a particular magazine, upper class readers avoid it. 209 intermediate category did likewise; and almost twenty-one per cent of those in the lowest educational class admitted reading less than an hour during the preceding week. In contrast, about nineteen per cent of the respondents who completed four through eight grades said that they read from eight to sixteen hours during the last week; not quite thirty-seven per cent of those persons who completed nine through twelve grades gave a similar answer; and just over forty-seven per cent of those respondents who completed over twelve grades of school said likewise. So few of the respondents in any of the educational categories read sixteen or more hours during the preceding week that the percentages lose much of their significance; but even so, for this category, there were prOportionately twice as many respondents in the highest educational bracket.as in either of the other two. In addition, a coefficient of contingency of .51 was found which further shows the connection between edu— cation and amount of time spent reading. The data in this chapter have shown quite clearly the close relationship existing between education and reading behav- ior and attitudes. This finding is fraught with significance for the librarian who is anxious to expand and improve library service since it serves to Show that perhaps the library would do well to work closely with the school. Another implication may be that the library, by stimulating adult education, can cause an even greater interest in its own activities. Finally, 210 it perhaps is not amiss to mention that education itself is so closely tied up with other variables, such as social class, socio-economic standing, parental and community background, club activities, etc., that it is next to impossible to iso- late it completely and thereby be in a position to say defin- itely that a certain effect is caused by education. For this reason, it may be well for the present findings to be accepted with this qualification in.mind. CHAPTER XII VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY AGE Perhaps there are age differentials in reading. It may be that as age increases, there is available more leisure time than formerly, thereby making for more reading. 0n the other hand, there is the possiblity that with advancing age, there is a diminution ofinterest in current events or in romantic stories, thus cutting down on the amount of time spent in reading. And, of course, it should be added that eyesight tends to weaken with advancing age, and this may be a potent factor in determining the amount of time utilized in reading activities. These cursory glimpses of possible age variations in reading may serve to indicate the importance of the age factor, and act as an introductionib the present chapter.1 Table 159 shows the total number of living children according to the age of the respondents, and the results are not surprising. By this it is meant that the respondents in the youngest age grouping (sixteen through thirty) predominate over the other two groupings in regard to those persons having one or two children living; and that the respondents in the oldest age classification have a greater percentage of their members in the category of having five or more living children than do either of the other two classifications. One factor l The data on eg;“f69“the leaderSEip Sample can be found in Appendix F. 211 212 accounting for this is that the older respondents have had more time to bear children than have the others, and another factor is that there was a tendency for older families to have a larger number of children than is true of modern-day families. The data concerning the number of organizations to which the persons questioned belong are given in Table 160, and from this table it can be seen that whereas slightly over half of the respondents in the Youngest age classification belong to no organizations, the corresponding proportions for the other two categories are just over a third. Concerning those respond- ents who belong to one organization, the differences are not significant, but for those who belong to two or more, those belonging to the youngest age group have only a little over half as large a proportion as the two older groups. This indicates that as persons grow older, they are more apt to be members of organizations than they were when younger. Also, probably as they grow older they are more called upon than for; merly for help and advice in various activities which, too, would be conducive to organization joining. Although the younger respondents do not belong to as many organizations as the older respondents, they have had more formal schooling, according to Table 161. Slightly less than fourteen per cent of the respondents between the ages of six- teen and thirty completed less than eight school grades, while thirty-seven per cent of the respondents between the ages of thirty-one and fifty, and fifty—two per cent of those fifty-one 213 Table 159 Total Number of I_iving Children of Female Heads, by Age, for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946—1947* Number of 15'- 50 51 — 5o ”"51 AND OVER Children Number Per cent Number Per gent Number Per cent Total 59* 100.0 108* 100.0 121* 100.0 None 11 18.6 9 8.3 22 18.2 One - two 36 61.0 49 45.4 38 31.4 Three - four 9 15.3 31 28.7 35 28.9 Five and over 3 5.1 18 16.7 26 21.5 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.9 O 0.0 * All the tables in this chapter will refer to the female heads and will have the same totals. In addition it should be explained that the totals of the three breakdowns in these tables equal 288 instead of the usual 289. The reason for this is that for one of the respondents in the random sample, the age was not ascertained. Table 160. Number of Organizations to Which Belonged Number 16 - 50 51 - 50 " 51 AND OVER “H_m Numbgr Ear cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None 31 52.5 37 34.3 41 33.9 One 18 30.5 35 32.4 42 34.7 Two or more 10 16.9 35 32.4 37 30.6 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.9 1 0.8 Table 161. Highest School Grade Completed Response 16 - 50 51 - 50 51 AND ovaa "«— Number_Pgr cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None - three yeamsO 0.0 O 0.0 O 0.0 Four-eight years 8 13.6 40 37.0 63 52.1 Nine-twelve years 45 76.3 52 48.1 41 33.9 One or more years college 5 8.5 12 11.1 17 14.0 Not ascertained l 1.7 4 3.7 O 0.0 214 years of age and over fell within this category. On the other hamd, over three-fourths of the respondents in the youngest age category completed from nine through twelve school grades, whereas slightly less than half of those in the intermediate age category, and just over a third of those in the oldest age classification did likewise. Though the differences are not large enough to be significant, the tendency seems to be pres- Ient for the lamgstproportion of respondents who attended college to be located in the oldest and intermediate age groupings. This is somewhat in contradiction to the first part of the table, which showed the youngest age group to have significantly fewer of its members in the category of completing less than eight years of school. This may indicate that those respond- ents in the oldest age classification who did go beyond the eighth grade in school had a greater tendency than those in the other age groupings to continue on to college; but too, it may be that a number of the young people from the towns and country who did go to college did not return to their home communities to live. From Table 162 it can be seen that there are noticeable differences among the age groupings in regard to those respond- ents Who own their homes. Over twenty—five per cent more of the persons in the intermediate age grouping reported that they own their homes than those in the youngest age category; and seventeen per cent more of those in the oldest age bracket than those in the intermediate age groupings said that they 215 Table 162. Socio-Economic Indices Index 16 - 3O 31 - 50 51 AND OVER Number Per cent Number Per_cent Number Her cent Have electricity 58 98.3* 106 98.1* 120 99.2* Have radio 59 100.0 103 95.4 118 97.5 Have automobile 56 94.9 106 98.1 93 76.9 Own home 27 45.8 77 71.3 107 88.4 Have running water 32 54.2 78 72.2 77 63.6 Have telephone 18 30.5 63 58.3 76 62.8 * In each case the percentages would equal 100 if the negative instances were recorded, also. Table 163. Number of Magazines Read Regularly N b 16 - so 31 - 50 “51 ANfi*OVER um er Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None 14 23.7 20 18.5 21 17.4 One - three 29 49.2 31 28.7 42 34.7 Four - seven 14 23.7 42 38.9 47 38.8 Eight and over 1 1.7 15 13.9 10 8.3 Not ascertained 1 1.7 O 0.0 1 0.8 —— Table 164. Does Respondent Read Books .H~~_“----.’ - R n 16‘- so 51 - 50 51 AND OVER espo 38 Number Per cent Number Per gent Number Per cent Does read books 18 30.5 40 37.0 30 24.8 Does not read books 41 69.5 68 63.0 91 75.2 .-.. _—.—.. .m..—-—.—. own their homes. Since most couples take a number of years to accumulate sufficient funds to purchase a home, this finding is probably what one would expect. The other differences in 216 regard to the socio—economic indices are not so obvious. Those respondents in the intermediate category predominate over the other two in the matter of running water, whereas again the oldest age grouping ranks first as pertains to respondents having telephones. That those persons in the grouping of fifty—one years of age and over do not have auto- mobiles to the extent that the other two groupings do is appar- ent from the table. The reason for this is not necessarily that they have not "accepted" the automobile, but may be due to an inability to handle a car in their present state of longevity. Table 163 shows that the respondents in the youngest age classification do not read as many magazines regularly as do the others. For instance, about fifteen per cent more of the respondents in the other two categories replied that they read from four through seven magazines regularly than in the youngest age grouping. In addition it can be seen from this table that less than two per cent of the respondents in the latter bracket reported that they read eight or more magazines regularly, whereas for the other two groups the percentages are slightly under fourteen and just over eight. Differences, while present, are not significant among the three age classifications in regard to book reading respondents (Table 164). The lowest percentage of book readers is to be found among those respondents fifty-one years of age and over, while the highest percentage belongs to those 217 respondents between the ages of thirty—one and fifty. Occupy- ing an intermediate position among book reading respondents is the grouping whose members are between the ages of sixteen and thirty. Since the highest proportion of book readers are from thirty-one through fifty years of age, it would be expected that this group would show dominance over the other two concern- ing the total number of books read during the past year. That such is the case is shown in Table 165, but the number of cases is so small and the differences are so slight that not much significance can be attributed to this table. Interestingly enough, in spite of the fact that the young- er age groups have a larger proportion of respondents possess— ing an automobile than the oldest group, Table 166 shows that the former groups predominate over the latter in regard to the respondents wanting a bookmobile. There are no significant differences in the matter of negative replies toward a book- mobile among the several age groupings, but almost sixteen per cent more of the reSpondents in the oldest age category than those in the youngest classification replied that they are uncertain about their views toward a bookmobile. Inasmuch as books tend to accumulate within a home as time progresses, it is not surprising to learn from Table 167 that the youngest age grouping lags behind the other two in the number of books in the home. Slightly under nineteen per cent of the respondents in the youngest group said that they 218 Table 165. Total Books Read During the Preceding Twelve Months Period Numb r R d 16 - 50 51 - 5O 51 AND OVER e ea Number Per cent_Npmp§rwfer cent Number Per cent One - five 7 11.9 14 15.0 19 15.7 Six - fifteen 5 8.5 11 10.2 7 5.8 Sixteen and over 5 8.5 15 12.0 5 2.5 Uncertain 1 1.7 2 1.9 l 0.8 Not applicable 41 69.5 68 65.0 91 75.2 ‘7 o.- .- Table 166. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile We” 16 - so 51 - 50"” 51 AND om p Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Want bookmobile 38 64.4 63 58.5 57 47.1 Do not want bookmobile 7 11.9 13 12.0 19 15.7 Uncertain 14 25.7 52 29.6 44 56.4 Not ascertained O 0.0 O 0.0 l 0.8 . a.._< ——~—- Table 167. Number-of Books in Home Number 16 - 5O 51 - 50 51 AND OVER Number Per cen§_Number Per cent Number Per cent None 11 18.6 9 8.5 9 7.4 One - twenty-fbur 25 59.0 ‘ 25 23.1 25 19.0 Twenty-five - forty-nine 2 5.4 18 16.7 20 16.5 Fifty - ninety- nine 9 15.5 16 14.8 15 10.7 One-hundred and over 8 15.6 28 25.9 50 24.8 Uncertain 6 10.2 12 11.1 24 19.8 Not ascertained O 0.0 O 0.0 2 1.7 —— 219 Table 168. Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or De- posit During Preceding Twelve Months Period o... a n 16 - so "" " 231‘- so 51 AND OVER espo se _fl Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Have used libnuy 7 11.9 16 14.8 16 15.2 Have not used library 52 88.1 92 85.2 105 86.8 _. “V ~~ have no books in the home, whereas the corresponding percentage for the oldest age group is a little over seven per cent. In contrast, about eleven per cent more of the latter than former reported having one hundred or more books in the home. Table 168 shows that age does not seem to be a particular- ly important factor in regard to those respondents who use the library. The highest percentage of library users is in the intermediate age classification, but in no case is there a statistically significant difference among the three age categories. There are a number of significant differences among the age groups in regard to the types of reading matter in Which the respondents are interested (Table 169). For instance, as pertains to interest in reading about remodeling the house, about twenty-nine per cent more of those in the youngest group expressed a positive interest than did those in the oldest group. As concerns marital adjustment problems, it is signi- ficant that about seventeen per cent more of those in the youngest group are interested than those in the intermediate 220 Table 169. Types of Reading Matter in Vhich Interested 16 - so 31 - 56" 51 AND OVER 81 ' ‘ 1b3ect NUEPEEMEQF,CGQEflNEmPBEHERr cent Number Per cent Health and med- ical care 68 64.4% 76 70.4* 60 49.6% Cooking 40 67.8 70 64.8 61 50.4 Remodeling the house 42 71.2 75 67.6 51 42.1 Fiction 58 64.4 71 65.7 47 58.8 Religion and relig. novels 27 45.8 55 50.9 69 57.0 Farming and V gardening 55 55.9 61 56.5 55 45.5 Travel 5 50.8 51 47.2 50 41.5 Care of house- hold art 54 57.6 58 55.7 57 50.6 Hobbies and recreation 52 54.2 50 46.5 51 25.6 Financialrxodbms 54 57.6 47 45.5 28 25.1 Care of young children 45 76.5 56 51.9 5 4.1 Personality and leadership 51 52.5 45 59.8 26 21.5 United Nations 22 57.5 57 54.5 59 52.2 Mystery 52 54.2 41 58.0 21 17.4 Russia and the Russians 20 55.9 51 28.7 58 51.4 Other foreign people 22 57.5 54 51.5 57 50.6 Music and art 27 45.8 56 55.5 25 20.7 History 17 28.8 50 27.8 58 51.4 Marital adjust- ment problems 28 47.5 55 50.6 9 7.4 Biography 15 22.0 26 24.1 28 25.1 * The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those per- sons not expressing a positive interest were included. In some instances those not expressing a positive interest said that they were uncertain, or else no response of any kind was obtained; but for the most part, the respondents said that they were not interested in the particular subject mentioned. 221 group; and that about twenty—three per cent more of those in the latter group are interested in this subject than those in the oldest age group. Rather large differences, varying dir— ectly with age (youngest most interested and oldest least interested), are present also in the following subjects: care of household articles, hobbies and recreation, financial prob- lems, care of young children, personality and leadership, mystery, and music and art. The greatest difference of all is found between the youngest and oldest age groups in the matter of being interested in reading about the care of young children. Only four per cent of the latter expressed such an interest, while slightly over seventy-six per cent of the former did. Concerning an interest in mystery, it can be seen that over three times as high a pnmxnrtion of the respondents between the ages of sixteen and thirty as those fifty-one years of age and over said that they are interested in this subject. The tvo younger groups are considerably more interested in fiction than is the older group, and this same relation holds also for health and medical care. In contrast, on the subject of religion and religious novels, somewhat over eleven per cent more of the oldest than youngest group expressed a positive interest. For some of the subjects, namely, the United Nations, Russia and the Russians, other foreign people, history, and biography, there are only slight differences among the three age groups. As a whole, though, it may be said that the youngest age group expressed a greater interest in most of 222 the subjects than did either of the two older groups: and that the intermediate age group expressed more interest in the various subjects than did the oldest age group. It can be seen from Table 170 that those respondents in the youngest age grouping (from sixteen through thirty) are more lenient than either of the other two groupings as concerns the types of reading matter that are found objectionable. Almost seventy-five per cent of the persons in the youngest category said that there are no types of reading matter to which they object, vhereas the apprOpriate percentages for the other two groups are fifty—three and fifty—six. Since such a small number of respondents stated that there are types of reading matter to which they object, the percentages fer the various types of objectionable reading matter are not high; but for what they are worth, the two younger age classifica- tions objected most (by a very small margin) to murder and/or mysteries, and the oldest age category objected most to the more risque types of romantic stories. A possible explanation for this finding vould be that the younger groups would be more prone to have young children around the home than would the oldest group, and hence they may not want to have sugges- tive (of violence) literature around. On the other hand, the oldest group might have lost much of the flair for the romantic after a number of years of marriage and child—bearing, and for that reason have a negative feeling toward that type of literature. 225 Table 170. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable Objectionable 16 - 5O 51 - 5O 51 AND OVER Types _ Number £22.233E1EHE22?_EQEMQQDt Number Per cent None 44 74.6 57 52.8 68 56.2 "Trashy" romance 5 5.1 12 11.1 20 16.5 Murder and/or mystery 4 6.8 16 14.8 11 9.1 Comics 1 1.7 6 5.6 2 1.7 Any two or more types 5 5.1 5 4.6 9 7.4 All other 5 5.1 10 9.5 8 6.6 Not ascertained 1 1.7 2 1.9 5 2.5 * -.- Table 171. Amount of Time Spent Heading During Preceding Week Time “‘16 - so :51 - so 51 “KN‘D’”C>VER—“' - .Numbea_§samsaafiifisaaar Per cent Number Per_gent Less than onelrmr 8 15.6 ‘12 11.1 11 9.1 One - less than four 16 27.1 25 25.1 27 25.5 Four - less than _eight 15 22.0 50 27.8 50 24.8 Eight - less than sixteen 19 52.2 55 52.4 57 50.6 Sixteen and over 5 5.1 5 4.6 10 8.5 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.9 6 5.0 Table 172. Eyesight for Reading R 16 - 50 51 - 50 51 AND OVER esponse Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent_ Good 45 76.5 62 57.4 12 9.9 Average 11 _ 18.6 57 54.5 57 47.1 Poor 5 5.1 8 7.4 52 45.0 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 0.9 O 0.0 224 The data in Table 171 indicate that in spite of the fact that the younger groups more than the oldest group expressed a positive reading interest in a number of types of reading matter, and in spite of the fact that the older groups more than the younger read four or more magazines regularly, there is little difference in the amount of time that each group spent reading during the preceding week. Thus, it seems that age, in Lenawee County, at least, is not a very important fac— tor determining the amount of time that a person will spend reading. This finding is even more significant when it is realized that a number of the younger respondents said that when they got older and did not have to care for young child- ren, they would read far more than they were doing at the present. At the same time a number of the older respondents were heard to say that they did not care for reading now as they did when they were younger. In other words, with indivi- dual exceptions, it seems that respondents do not vary the amount of their reading very much with advancing age. By the very fact of the degeneration of the body with increasing age, it would be expected that the older respond- ents more than the younger would be troubled by poor eyesight. Table 172 indicates that this is true, for forty—three per cent of the respondents in the oldest classification said that their eyesight is poor for reading, while only slightly over five per cent of those in the intermediate age grouping, made such a statement. Over three-fourths of the respondents 225 in the youngest age grouping said that their eyesight is good forreading, whereas not quite ten per cent of those in the oldest age bracket still felt that they have good eyesight for reading. By virtue of the fact that the oldest age group spends as much time reading as the youngest age group it is indicated that perhaps the oldest group has more time avail— able for reading than does the youngest group. This would seem to be the case since the youngest group stated that it was more interested in various types of reading matter than the oldest group, and this fact, coupled with superior eyesight (in comparison with the oldest group) seemingly would cause the youngest group to read more than the oldest if both had the same amount of leisure time available. In this chapter, therefore, the importance (or lack of it) of age for reading has been discussed, and the results seem to indicate that those persons who like to read do so, regardless of age. Perhaps an important conclusion to draw from this discussion is that reading interests which are devel- oped fairly early in life tend to propagate themselves, thereby causing an individual to do about as much reading above the age of fifty as was done in earlier years. CHAPTER XIII VARIATIONS IN HESPCNSE BY NUMBER OF CHILDREN AT HOME During the course of the present study, one of the most commonly employed excuses for not reading was that the respond- ent was too busy with her children. Some of the persons inter- viewed went into lengthy explanations to clarify the fact that before the arrival of their children, they were prolific or at least fairly heavy readers. Many of these persons would add that as soon as their children were away from home, they planned to resume previous reading habits. On the other hand, some respondents replied that their ovn interest in reading was stimulated by reading to the children, or else that hav- ing to care for children caused them to become interested in reading about this subject. These responses indicate that the presence of children in the home may cause more reading or less reading, depending upon the particular circumstances involved. In this chapter will be discussed some of the char- acteristics of respondents having varying numbers of children at home,1 and also the effect of children upon their reading behavior and attitudes.2 Table 175 indicates that among those respondents having no children at home, the largest proportion by far are fifty—one 1 In this study “children" refer to all the offspring - re— gardless of age - of the respondent. In most cases the child- ren at home are not adults, as was shown in Chapter VII 2 The corresponding data for the leadership sample will be found in Appendix G. 226 227 Table 175. Age of Female Heads, by Number of Children at Home, for Lenawee County, Michigan, 1946-1947* A 8 NO CHILDREN owe 0R Two THREE OR woes g Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per_gent Total 114* 100.0 118* 100.0 56* 100.0 16 — 50 11 9.6 56 30.5 12 21.4 51 and over as 77.2 31 26.5 2 5.6 Not ascertained O 0.0 l 0.8 O 0.0 .q __—__-..—. * All the tables in this chapter will refer to the female heads, and will have the same totals. In addition it should be explained that the totals of the three breakdowns in these tables equal 288 instead of the usual 289. The reason for this is that for one of the respondents in the random sample, the number of children at home was not ascertained. Table 174. Highest School Grade Completed Nesponse NO CHILDREN ONE CR TWO THREE OR NONE Number Per cent Number Per cgnt Number Per cent None - 5 years 0 0.0 O 0.0 O 0.0 4-- 8 years 55 48.2 55 28.0 25 41.1 9 - 12 years 42 56.8 69 58.5 27 48.2 One or more years . of college 16 14.0 15 11.0 5 9.9 Not ascertained 1 0.9 5 2.5 1 1.8 ..._.—-. ., 9...... o- b --.- Table 175. Number of Organizations to Which Belonged Number NO CHILDREN ONE OR Two THREE OR moss” ___ W~_Npmber’§er cent Number Per cent Number Pegfigggt None 59 54.2 44 57.5 26 46.4 One 40 55.1 58 52.2 16 28.6 Two or more 54 29.8 55 29.7 14 25.0 Not ascertained 1 0.9 1 0.8 O 0.0 __ - ~,. --. r—_.-.—._ - 228 years of age and over; whereas the smallest proportion is among those respondents between the ages of sixteen and thirty. The obvious implication of this is that the children of the older respondents, upon reaching adulthood, leave home to establish families of their own. Among the respondents having one or two children at home, as vell as those having three or more, the highest percentage is to be found in the age category of from thirty—one through fifty. From Table 174 it can be seen that among those respond- ents having no children at home, the largest majority (almost half) fall within the category of completing four through eight school grades; whereas for the other two groupings based on one or two children at home, and three or more at home, the largest proportion is to be found in the category of complet- ing nine through twelve grades of school. Of course, the preceding chapter on age variation indicates that age, not number of children at home, is probably a more important fac~ tor in this educational lag since the older respondents are in a sharp majority among those respondents having no children at home. This reservation should be kept in mind during the discusSion which follows in this chapter. Concerning the number of organizations to which the respondents belong, the pertinent data are given in Table 175. Those respondents having three or more children at home pre- dominate, but not significantly, over the other two groupings in regard to those persons belonging to no organizations. 229 But for those respondents who stated that they belong to two or more organizations, the number of children at home does not seem to be an important factor. This indicates that though children unquestionably take much of the time of mothers, still the latter find time to belong to, and perhaps keep up with, the organizatiors in the community. Those respondents who have no children at home predominate over those who do in regard to home ownership (Table 176). They lag somewhat, but not significantly, behind those respond- ents having one or two children at home as pertains to running water, but are about even in this respect with those respond- ents having three or more children at home. In addition those respondents who have no children at home lack by sixteen per cent having as large a prOportion of those persons having an automobile as do those respondents having one or two children at home. Perhaps having children at home enhances the desira- bility of having this means of locomotion, although it lessens the possibilities of home ownership. maybe this represents a difference in values. According to Table 177, having three or more children at home enhances, although not significantly, the chances of read— ing no magazines regularly, but somewhat in contradiction, also increases the possibilities of reading eight or more magazines regularly. The superiority of the respondents having three or more children at home over the two other categories in the matter of reading eight or more magazines regularly is not Table 176. Socio—Economic Indices Index NO CHILDREN cm ca TEE-O Heifer??? RE Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Have electricity 115 99.?" 117 99.2% 54 96.4* Have radio 111 97.4 117 99.2 51 - 91.1 Have automobile 89 79.1 lll 94.1 55 99.2 Own home 95 81.6 84 71.2 54 60.7 Have running water 71 62.3 83 70.5 54 60.7 Have telephone 68 59.6 58 49.2 50 53.6 * In each case the percentages would equal 100 if the negative instances were recorded also. Table 177. Number of Magazines Read Regularly N b NO CHILDREN ONE OR TKO THREE OR_NCRE um 8P Nuppgf Per cent Number l“er cent Number Per cent None 19 16.7 21 17.9 15 26.8 1 - 5 43 37.7 43 56.4 17 50.4 4 - 7 40 35.1 45 69.1 18 32.1 8 and over 10 9.8 9 7.6 6 10.7 Not ascertained 2 1.8 O 0.0 O 0.0 Table 178. Does Respondent Read Books 8 NO CHILDREN CNE CR THO THREE CR MORE esponse Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Does read books 52 28.1 55 29.7 21 57.5 Does not read books 92 71.9 83 70.5 35 62.5 231 a statistically significant one, but may serve as an indicator that the presence of children in the home affects the reading behavior of different respondents in diverse ways. Table 178 shows that there is a higher percentage of respondents having three or more children at home who read books than for either of the other two classifications. There is virtually no difference,though, in the percentage of respond— ents who read books between those persons interviewed who have no children at home and those who have one or two children at home. This, along with the fact that the first difference men- tioned was only about eight per cent, indicates that probably the differences are due more to chance than because of the presence of any given number of children in the home. From Table 179 it can be seen that there is a slight tend- ency for the respondents having three or more children at home to predominate over the other two groups in the matter of total books read during the preceding year. Since this group also predominated in the proportion of book readers, this finding would be expected to follow. Concerning desires for a bookmobile, it is apparent from Table 180 that children are at least a minor factor in causing a positive response toward this service. Almost twéwe per cent more of the respondents having three or more children at home than those having none at home replied that they would like to see Lenawee County get a bookmobile. Probably it is a part of the American culture for mothers to wish that reading 232 Table 179. Total Books Read During the Preceding Twelve Months Period "v. Number Read NO CHILDREN ONE’OE Two THREE ca MORE .___ .u_i Numbe§_Per cent Number fer cent Number Per cent 6 - 15 8 7.0 9 7.6 7 12.5 16 and over 5 4.4 9 7.6 7 12.5 Uncertain 2 1.8 l 0.8 O 0.0 Not applicable 82 71.9 83 70.3 55 62.5 ‘q -‘ .\ ...a.— Table 180. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile Response NO CHILDREN ONE OR TWO THREE OR MORE Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Want bookmobile 58 50.9 65 55.1 35 62.5 Do not want bookmobile 16 14.0 17 14.4 6 10.7 Uncertain 40 55.1 35 29.7 15 26.8 Not ascertained O 0.0 l 0.8 O 0.0 Table 181. Number of Books in Home Number NO CHILDREN“ ONE CR Two THREE OR MORE Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None 7 6.1 15 12.7 7 12.5 1 — 24 29 25.4 27 22.9 15 26.8 25 - 49 18 15.8 17 14.4 5 8.9 50 - 99 14 12.5 16 15.6 8 14.5 100 and over 24 21.1 28 23.7 14 25.0 Uncertain 21 18.4 14 11.9 7 12.5 Not ascertained 1 0.9 1 0.8 O 0.0 233 matter (of a library sort, at least) be made easily available to their offspring, or at least that would be one interpretation. of this finding. As for the number of books in the home, the data in Table 181 show that the differences among the three groups are not consistent. Although slightly over six per cent more of the respondents having children in the home than the others have no books in the home, there is practically no difference among the three groups in the matter of those having one—hundred or more books in the home. Table 182 shows that while the presence of children in the home is not a potent factor in making for library usage, what- ever tendency there is points slightly in that direction. Only slightly above ten per cent of those respondents with no children in the home reported the use of the library, whereas about sixteen per cent of those respondents with one or two children in the home, and just over fourteen per cent of those having three or more children in the home, said that they use the library. . The data in Table 185 show the types of reading matter in which the persons interviewed are interested. For the sub— jects of travel, foreign people oiher than the Russians, and history, the differences among the groupings are negligible. But for the other subjects, there are differences - and some are quite significant. As probably would be expected, the greatest difference occurs for the subject of care of young 234 Table 182. Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or De- posit During Preceding Twelve Months Period R NO CHILDREN ONE OR Two THREE CR MORE 63pm” -_fisheries.-czesafiumber Per cent N'UEEeE,..Psr__cx-22_t. Have used librmy'l2 10.5 19 16.1 8 14.3 Have not used . library 102 89.5 99 85.9 48 85.7 —-.~-—.—_———-—_.. ._‘ children. Only seven per cent of those respondents who had no children at home said that they would be interested in reading about this subject. For those respondents having one or two children at home, the corresponding percentage is fifty-two and a half, and for those respondents having three or more children at home, the percentage is slightly over sixty-four. Moderate, although not always significant, differences between at least two of the groupings were discovered for the following types of reading matter: health and medical care, cooking, remodeling the house, religion and religious novels, farming and gardening, care of household articles, the United Nations, Russia and the Russians, and biography. Rather sharp and significant differ- ences between at least two of the age groupings were found for the following subjects: fiction, hobbies and recreation, fin- ancial problems, care of young children, personality and leader- .L ship, mystery, music and art, and marital adjustment problems. As a whole it may be said that this table indicates that those respondents with children in the home are interested in a wider variety of types of reading matter than are those with no child- ren in the home. 235 Table 185. Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested NO CHILDREN ONE OR Th0 THREE OR MORE SUbJECt Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Health and medi— cal care 55 48.2% 79 68.9* 39 69.6% Cooking 59 51.8 77 65.5 54 60.7 Remodeling the house 55 48.2 72 61.0 59 69.6 Fiction 51 44.7 70 59.5 55 62.5 Religion and re- ligious novels 62 54.4 64 54.2 25 44.6 Farming and gar- dening 56 49.1 59 50.0 54 60.7 Travel 51 44.7 52 44.1 27 48.2 Care of house- hold art 40 55.1 60 50.8 29 51.8 Hobbies and recreation 54 29.8 48 40.7 50 85.6 Financial probkmus27 25.7 57 48.5 24 42.9 Care of young children 8 7.0 62 52.5 56 64.5 Personality and leadership 29 25.4 52 44.1 18 52.1 United Nations 54 29.8 42 55.6 22 59.5 Mystery 24 21.1 46 59.0 25 44.6 Russia and the Russians 54 29.8 42 55.6 14 25.0 Other foreign people 56 51.6 59 55.1 19 55.9 Music and art 25 20.2 47 59.8 19 55.9 History 54 29.8 56 50.5 15 26.8 Marital adjust- ment problems 12 10.5 45 56.4 14 25.0 Biography 24 21.1 27 22.9 17 50.4 _ -——~ --- * The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those persons not expressing a positive interest were included. In some in— stances those not expressing a positive interest said that they were undertain, or else no response of any kind was obtained; but for the most part, the respondents said that they were not interested in the particular subject mentioned. Table 184. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable Obj-actionable -1 NO CHILDREN ONE‘OR Two THREE OH NOH‘E“ _~_Types Number Per cen§_Number Per cent Number Per cent None 67 58.8 69 58.5 33 58.9 "Trashy" romance 18 15.8 15 11.0 4 7.1 Murder and/or mystery 12 10.5 11 9.5 8 14.5 Comics 2 1.8 4 5.4 5 5.4 Any 2 or more types E3 7.0 7 5.9 2 5.6 All other 7 6.1 10 8.5 4 7.1 Not ascertained O 0.0 4 5.4 2 5.6 Table 185. Amount of Time Spent Reading During Preceding Week Time NO CHlLDREN ONE'O'E’TNO Ti'iaafif‘o‘afi'idk‘af‘ m_ Number Per cent Number Per cept Number Per cent Less than 1 hour 11 9.6 10 8.5 10 17.9 1 - less than 4 29 25.4 28 25.7 12 21.4 4 - less than 8 26 22.8 52 27.1 15 26.8 8 - less than 16 57 52.5 55 29.7 18 52.1 16 and over 7 6.1 10 8.5 l 1.8 Not ascertained 4 5.5 5 2.5 O 0.0 Table 184 shows an almost remarkable uniformity in the percentage of respondents in each of the groupings who said that there are no types of reading matter to which they object. A fraction less than fifty-nine per cent of the respondents in each of the categories of children at home or not at home made this statement. There is a slight, but not statistically sig- nificant tendency for those respondents with no children at home to object more to the so—called "trashy" romance type of reading than for any other kind.' On the other hand, there is 257 a tendency among those respondents having three or more child- ren at home to object more to murder and/or mysteries than to any of the other varieties of literature. Those respondents having one or two children in the home by a very slight mar- gin (not in the least significant, but mentioned only as an observation) object more to the romantic type of reading than to any of the other kinds. It can be seen from Table 185 that aside from the fact that about eight per cent more of the respondents in the group- ing having three or more children at home than those having no children at home said that they read less than an hour during the preceding week (and even this difference is not statisti— cally significant), the differences in this regard are unim- portant. Apparently children do not cut down so much on the reading time of respondents as they are popularly reported to do, which gives rise to the conclusion that perhaps other factors, such as education and socio-economic status, are more important as determiners of amount of time spent in reading. The findings in this chapter have, to a considerable extent, been of a negative nature; and have further been limit- ed by the fact that the element of age, fully as much, if not more than the factor of number of children at home, has entered into the results. But, of course, to the scientist, negative findings are just as much to be looked for as are posi- tive findings. By clearing up false conceptions the way is open for more positive research than would otherwise be possible. CHAPTER XIV VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE BY NUMBER CF ORGANIZATICNS TO WHICH BELONGHD It seems almost axiomatic to state that belonging to org- anizations probably consumes time which might have gone for other leisure time activities, among them, reading. Yet it may be that the very fact of belonging to a particular club, which sponsors book reviews and encourages its members to give special reports, stimulates a person to do more reading than would otherwise be done. A number of respondents complained of the fact that their several activities so completely occupied their spare time that there was little time left for reading; while other respondents said that they first used the library when it became necessary for them to gather data for a special club report. These conjectures and observations, while per- haps being suggestive, are not conclusive, and serve to show the need for presenting the actual figures on reading behavior and attitudes for a sample that is varied according to the number of organizations to which the reapondents belong.1 In examining these figures, it will not be amiss to be aware of lfmflshgllyG—fbr the several variables used IE this‘gtad§T“EE§ data for the leadership sample have been shown in the Appen— dix. Inasmuch, however, as there were only four respondents in this sample who belonged to no organizations, and only six- teen vho belonged to just one, it was realized that results based upon such a small number of cases would not give sta- tistical significance. Consequently, they are omitted from the Appendix for this particular set of variables. 238 239 Table 186. Age of Female Heads, by Number of Organizations to Which Belonged, for Ienavee County, Michigan, 19 46-1947* Ape NO ORGANIZATION ONE ORGANIZA. Two OR MORE C Number Peg cent_Ngmber_§gr cent_Numher Per cent Total 109* 100.0 95* 100.0 95* 100.0 16 - 3O 31 2O. 4 18 18.9 10 12.0 31 - 50 37 33.9 35 36.8 3 42.2 51 and over 41 37.6 42 44.2 37 44.6 Not ascertained O 0.0 O 0.0 l 1.2 * All the tabl_es in this chapter will refer to the female heads, and vill have the same totals. In addition it should be ex- plained that the totals of the three breakdowns in these tables equal 287 instead of the usual 289. The reason for this is that for two of the respondents in the random sample, the number of organizations to which belonged was not ascertained. Table 187. Highest School Grade Completed Response NO ORGANIZATION ONE OHGANIZA. TWO OR MORE ’ __ Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None - 3 years 0 0.0 . O 0.0 O .0.0 4 - 8 years SO 45.9 44 46.5 17 20.5 9 - 12 years 51 46.8 42 44.2 45 54.2 1 or more years of college 6 5.5 8 8.4 19 22.9 Not ascertained 2 1.8 l 1.1 2 2.4 the fact that members of the upper class tend to belong to more organizations than members of the lower class, although the relationship is not a perfect one. Class differences will probably be sharpest between those respondents who belong to two or more organizations and those who do not belong to any.2 2 The frequency of membership in the various clubs and organi- zations in Lenawee County is discussed in Chapter VI. 240 Table 186 shows that there is a pronounced, although not sharp, trend for those reSpondents in the younger age brackets to belong to fewer organizations than those in the upper age levels. For instance, while approximately twenty-eight per cent of those respondents who belong to no organizations are between the ages of sixteen and thirty, only twelve per cent of those who belong to tvo or more organizations are within this age grouping; and this difference is statistically signi- ficant. On the other hand, seven per cent more (not a signifi— cant difference) of the respondents fifty-one years of age and over are to be found in the category of belonging to tvo or more organizations than are in the classification of belonging to no organizations. Education seems to be a factor, also, in determining to how many organizations a person will belong (Table 187). Almost forty-six per cent of the respondents who belong to no organizations completed from four thrbugh eight years of school, while less than twenty-one per cent of those reSpond- ents belonging to two or more organizations completed the same number of school years. In contrast, less than six per cent of the respondents belonging to no organizations completed one or more years of college, whereas almost twenty-three per cent of those belonging to two or more organizations completed a like number of years.‘ For those respondents who completed nine through twelve grades, the percentage of their members who reported belonging to no organizations and to one 241 Table 188. Total Number of Living Children fifib§"6f”” N‘o CRGANIZATICN ONE ORGANIZA. T‘Jio“ ca MORE Children Number Pe£_cgnt Number Per cent Numbgr Per cent None 15 13.8 13 13.7 13 15.7 1 - 2 46 42.2 40 42.1 37 44.6 3 - 4 25 22.9 25 26.3 25 30.1 5 and over 23 21.1 16 16.8 8 9.6 Not ascertained O 0.0 1 1.1 O 0.0 organization is about the same. But the percentage of these respondents increases by about ten per cent for the category of those who belong to two or more organizations. Thus, it seems that the more education of a formal nature that a reSpondent obtains, the greater the likelihood of that person's belonging to a number of organizations. That this is a statis- tically sound statement is indicated by the fact that the coefficient of contingency for this table was found to be .29. The data concerning the effect of the total number of living children upon organization membership are given in Table 188. It seems from this table that the number of living children is not a particularly important factor in this regard although there is a tendency for those respondents having five or more living children to have a larger proportion of their members belonging to no organizations than either to one organi- zation or to two or more. Table 189 shows that in regard to the various socio-econo- mic indices, the respondents belonging to two or more organiza- tions definitely rank higher, in most cases, than the others. 242 Table 189. Socio-Economic Indices - _. NC OHGANIZATICN ONE OdGANIZA. TWO OR MORE Effffl.-n Numbermfer centufiughg§_figg_cent Number Fer cent Have electricity 105 96.3* 95 100.0* as ico.o* Have radio 103 94.5 93 97.9 82 98.8 Have automobile 95 87.2 82 86.3 77 92.8 Own home 71 65.1 73 76.8 66 79.5 Have running water 62 56.9 60 63.2 65 78.3 Have telephone 46 42.2 52 54.7 57 68.7 .- . ...- * In each case the percentages would eoual 100 if the negative instances were recorded also. Table 190. Number of Magazines Read Regularly NO ORGANIZXTION CNE—OROENIZA. EE?EE:~_ Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None 26 23.9 22 23.2 6 7.2 l — 3 52 47.7 29 30.5 22 26.5 8 and over 5 4.6 7 7.4 14 16.9 Not ascertained 2 1.8 O 0.0 O 0.0 Table 191. Does Respondent Read Books Response NO ORGANIZATION ONE OHGAKIAA. TWO OR NORE Does read books Does not read books 26 83 Number Per cent 23.9 76.1 Number Per cent Number Per cent 24 71 ~m--——- -— - —... ...a- 25.3 74.7 39 44 47.0 53.0 243 Over fourteen per cent more of these respondents own their homes than do those belonging to no organizations, and about four per cent more (100 per cent as compared with just over ninety—six per cent) have electricity. The table further shows that over twenty-one per cent more of the respondents belonging to two or more organizations have running water than do those belonging to no organizations, and that over twenty- six per cent more of them have telephones. The superiority of this former group over the latter is not so apparent in regard to those reSpondents having automobiles and radios, but even so the percentage of their members having these conveniences is higher by five and six-tenths, and four and three-tenths. This comparison, of course, has been between the two extreme groups - those belonging to no organizations and those belong- ing to two or more. Yet, for almost each index those respond- ents who belong to one organization, outrank (and in some cases by a rather large percentage) those who do not belong to any. From these statements it seems obvious that the respondents who belong to organizations are on a higher economic level than those who belong to no organizations; but it almost goes without saying that probably these respondents belong to a number of organizations because of their economic status, and not the reverse. The indication is quite clear in Table 190 that those persons who belong to two or more organizations read more magazines regularly than do those who don't belong to any organizations. For example, only about seven per cent of the 244 former stated that they read no magazines regularly, while almost twenty-four per cent of the latter admitted that they read no magazines regularly. In addition, about twenty-seven per cent more of the respondents belonging to none replied that they read from four through seven magazines regularly, while about twelve per cent more said that they read eight or more magazines regularly. Although the differences are not so pronounced as these, there is a propensity for those respondents belonging to one organization to read more magazines regularly than those who do not belong to any. Table 191 shows that there is little difference between those respondents who belong to no organizations and those who belong to one in the matter of book readers. The percentage for each is in the neighborhood of twenty—five per cent; but for those respondents who belong to two or more organizations, the percentage of book readers is forty-seven per cent. Thus, there is additional evidence that persons who read a compara- tively large number of magazines are more prone than others to read books. This seems to indicate that books and magazines, rather than competing with one another, actually serve to stimu- late interest in the other. Since the largest proportion of book readers is to be found among those respondents belonging to two or more organi- zations, it follows (Table 192) that they read more books during the preceding twelve months than did either of the other two categories. That most of the book readers among those belonging 245 Table 192. Total Books Read During the Preceding Twelve Months Period NO CRGANIZlTiofi"“5Na“6aeAN12A. Two 03 MORE Number Read limiaeajiea C99.§..NUEb.”F -.P_e.r._.aaa§__1{a:maar_11913222 1 — 5 8 7.5 12 12.6 20 24.1 6 - 15 8 7.5 6 6.5 10 12.0 16 and over 8 7.5 5 5.5 8 9.6 Uncertain 2 1.8 l 1.1 1 1.2 Not applicable 85 76.1 71 74.7 44 55.0 Table 195. Respondents Wanting a Bookmobile NO CRGANIZATICK ONE ORGANIZA. TWO OR MORE Response Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Want bookmobile 55 50.5 55 57.9 48 57.8 Do not want book- mobile 22 20.2 10 10.5 6 7.2 Uncertain 51 28.4 50 51.6 29 54.9 Not ascertained 1 0.9 O 0.0 O 0.0 Table 194. Number of Books in Home NO ORGANIZATION ONE oadKNIZA. TWO OR NOKE Number __Number Per cent Number Ber cent Number Per cent None 16 14.7 7 7.4 5 6.0 1 - 24 26 25. 29 50.5 17 20.5 25 - 49 14 12.8 15 15.7 15 15.7 50 - 99 15 15.8 15 . 15.7 10 12.0 100 and over 17 15.6 15 15.8 55 59.8 Uncertain 20 18.5 17 17.9 5 6.0 Not ascertained 1 0.9 l '1.0 O 0.0 . —-—~_—v—————i.-.. L r..- _- 246 to two or more organizations are rather dilatory in their book reading habits is indicated by the fact that approximately twenty-four per cent of the respondents in this category read only from one through five books during the past year. There is not a great amount of difference among the three groupings in regard to those respondents wanting a bookmobile. Table 195 shows that slightly over half of those respondents belonging to no organizations said that they would like to see Lenawee County have a bookmobile, whereas about fifty-eight per cent of the respondents belonging to one or more organizations are favorable toward this service. Concerning the number of books in the home, the pertinent data are given in Table 194. About twice as many of the respond- ents belonging to no organizations as those belonging to one or more stated that they have no books in the home. As regards those respondents having one-hundred or more books in the home, there is virtually no difference between those who belong to no organizations and those who belong to one. But among those respondents belonging to two or more organizations, about Table 195. Respondents Who Have Used Library, Branch, or Deposit During Preceding Twelve Months Period NO ORGANIZATION ONE ORGANIZA. Two OR MORE Number Peg cegt Number Per cent Numbgr Per cent Have used library 8 7.5 10 10.5 21 25.5 Have not used library 101 92.7 85 89.5 62 74.7 Response 247. twenty-four per cent more of them than the others have one- hundred or more books in the home; and this difference is sta- tistically significant. The data in Table 195 show that by far the largest percent- age of library users is to be found among those respondents who belong to two or more organizations.5 About twenty-five per cent of their number are library users, whereas slightly over ten per cent of those who belong to one organization reported the use of the library during the preceding twelve months. The percentage of library users among those respondents who belong to no organizations is only a little above seven per cent. Taking an overall view, the coefficient of contingency as com- puted for this table was .25. As regards the types of reading matter in which the 5 Assuming that those respondents who stated that they be- longed to two or more organizations tend to belong to a higher social class than the others, it is interesting to note what Warner and Lunt have to say about class differentials in regard to library use at "Yankee City." (W. Iloyd Warner and Paul S. Lunt, Th3 §o§i§l_li£3 g: 3 Modern Community, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1941, p. 5827. They point out that the so-called "upper—upper" class had a smaller percentage of its members using the library than any other class; and that the "upper-middle" class had more of its members classified as library users than any of the other classes. Since no respond- ent interviewed in Ienawee County seemed (subjectively, of course) to belong to the "upper—upper" class (Warner and Lunt report that this class buys the books they want), it is not improbable that more of the respondents who belong to two or more organizations are members of the so-called "upper-middle" than is true with the other reapondents. In such a case, the findings of Warner and Lunt would tend to be corroborated. I 248 respondents are interested, it can be seen from Table 196 that for a number of the subjects listed, the differences among the three groupings are quite small. This statement applies to the following: health and medical care, cooking, care of house- hold articles, the United Nations, Russia and the Russians, other foreign people, music and art, and marital adjustment problems. For some of the other subjects the differences, while not sufficient for statistical significance, are interesting from the standpoint of possible tendencies. This statement is apropos for the following types of reading matter: fiction, religion and religious novels, farming and gardening, travel, hobbies and recreation, financial problems, care of young children, mystery, and biography. In this connection it is especially interesting to note that for seven of these nine men— tioned subjects, those respondents belonging to no organizations displayed more positive interest than did those respondents be- longing to one organization. As a rule, though, their interest, as expressed by affirmations of interest in the particular sub- ject mentioned, is not so high as that of the respondents belong— ing to two or more organizations. Another observation worthy of note is that about two-fifths of those reSpondents belonging to no organizations said that they would be interested in read- ing about personality and leadership, and this is about the same percentage expressed by those belonging to two or more organizations. But, and this may be contrary to that which would be expected, only about twenty—two per cent of the 249 Table 196. Types of Reading Matter in Which Interested NO ORGANIZATION ONE CRGANIZA. TWO OR MORE SUbJGCt Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Health and medi- cal care 65 57.8* 58 61.1% 55 65.9% Cooking 62 56.9 56 58.9 55 65.9 Remodeling the house 62 56.9 48 50.5 57 68.7 Fiction 58 55.2 47 49.5 52 62.6 Religion and re- ligious novels 51 46.8 52 54.7 48 57.8 Farming and gardening 54 49.5 54 56.8 42 50.6 Travel 51 46.8 57 58.9 45 51.8 Care of household art 49 45.0 45 47.4 56 45.4 Hobbies and rec- reation 45 59.4 55 54.7 57 44.6 Financial problems 47 45.1 55 54.7 29 54.9 Care of young children 47 45.1 52 55.7 28 55.7 Personality and leadership 44 40.4 21 22.1 55 42.2 United Nations 55 52.1 52 55.7 51 57.4 Mystery 40 56.7 52 55.7 25 27.7 Russia and the Russians 55 50.5 29 50.5 28 55.7 Other foreign people 56 55.0 29 50.5 29 54.9 Music and art 55 50.5 51 52.6 25 50.1 History 54 51.2 19 20.0 55 59.8 Marital adjust- ment problems 26 25.9 25 26.5 19 22.9 Biography 26 25.9 18 18.9 24 28.9 --- _. «I‘ —— ———.—— * The percentages in each case would equal 100 if those persons not eXpressing a positive interest were included. In some in- stances those not expressing a positive interest said that they were uncertain, or else no response of any kind was obtained; but for the most part, the respondents said that they were not interested in the particular subject mentioned. 250 respondents belonging to one organization replied that they would be interested in reading about this subject. Finally, for the subjects of remodeling the house, and history, the table shows that those respondents belonging to two or more organizations expressed significantly more interest than did those belonging to just one organization; and that the respond- ents belonging to no organizations, while lagging noticeably behind those belonging to two or more, showed more interest than did those belonging to one. It is apparent from Table 197 that those persons who belong to organizations stated that there are types of reading matter to which they object more so than did those who belong to no organizations. About two-thirds of those resnondents belonging to no organizations said that there are no types of reading matter which they find objectionable; three-fifths of those belonging to one organization made a similar statement; while less than half of those belonging to two or more organi- zations were willing to make such a statement. Perhaps one reason for these variations in response would be that at some clubs, the problem of objectionable reading matter and what to doabout it is presented, thereby causing the members to become aware of certain types of literature. Perhaps these club discussions also serve to stereotype responses about what types of reading matter are objectionable, and why. If such be the case, the fact that over twice as many of the reSpond- ents belonging to two or more organizations listed certain 251 kinds of sexy and romantic literature as any other kind of reading matter as being objectionable may be suggestive of the kinds of "distasteful" literature discussed at the clubs. Since the respondents who belong to two or more clubs or organizations read more magazines and books than did the others, it is only to be expected that they spent more time reading during the preceding week. That such is the situation is shown in Table 198. Less than five per cent of the reapond- ents belonging to two or more organizations replied that they read less than an hour during the past seven days, while the percentages for the two other groups were about fifteen and twelve. Among those reSpondents belonging to no organizations, twenty-two per cent said that they read between eight and six— teen hours during the preceding week; and among those belonging to one organization, the corresponding percentage was a little over twenty-eight. On the other hand, among those reapondents belonging to two or more organizations, forty—seven per cent said that they read from eight to sixteen hours during the last week. So few of the respondents of any of the three groupings read sixteen hours or more during the preceding weekly interval that the differences among the groupings are not signi- ficant. The fact that there is a relationship between number of organizations to which belonged and amount of time spent reading can be concluded by the fact that the coefficient of contingency for this table was found to be .24. In this chapter it has been shown that those respondents (‘3 ()1 N.) Table 197. Types of Reading Matter Found Objectionable ijectionable no ORGANIZATION ONE OHGANIZA. Two OR MORE Types Numbgr Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent None 72 66.1 57 60.0 59 47.0 "Trashy" romance 8 7.5 9 9.5 18 21.7 Murder and/or mystery 12 11.0 14 14.7 5 6.0 Comics 3 2.8 2 2.1 4 4.8 Any two or more types 4 5.7 4 4.2 9 10.8 All other 7 6.4 6 6.3 8 9.6 Not ascertained 5 2.8 5 5.2 O 0.0 Table 198. Amount of Time Spent Reading During Preceding Week NO CRGANIZATION ONE CRGANIZA. TWO CH NCdH Time Number Per cent Number Per centfifiumber Per cent Less than 1 hour 13 11.9 14 14.7 4 4.8 1 - less than 4 52 29.4 24 25.3 12 14.5 4 - less than 8 26 23.9 26 27.4 21 25.5 8 - less than 16 24 22.0 27 28.4 59 47.0 16 and over 8 7.5 ° 4 4.2 6 7.2 Not ascertained 6 5.5 O 0.0 1 1.2 who belong to two or more organizations are almost in a class (perhaps a social one) entirely apart from those who belong to one or to no organizations. These reSpondents rank higher in thelsocio-economic indices; they read more magazines regularly; they have a larger proportion of book readers and library users; they express more interest in the various types of reading matter; and lastly, they Spend more time reading than do those who belong to one or to no organizations. A number of clubs 255 and organizations have been active in supporting the library - both by funds and by usage - and this, of course, is a factor in the interest shown by the club members. It seems that when libraries enlist the support of the various clubs and communi- ties to be found within a community, a step toward-furthering reading and library use is taken. But, of course, the problem” remains of reaching those persons who belong to no organizations 'at all. At least this chapter has served to point up rather strongly where, relatively speaking, are to be found readers and non-readers. CHAPTER XV DELINEATION OF TRADE AREAS The first sociologist in the United States who developed adequate techniques for the delineation of trade areas was Charles J. Galpin. His classic work was done in halworth County, Wisconsin, in the second decade of the present century. His work consisted essentially of first making rough outlines of the areas of influence of the villages in the county, determ- ‘ ined by interviews with bankers, ministers, teachers, Operators of milk stations, etc. Then interviews were held with residents falling within certain specified areas, and they were asked which town the family patronized for banking, dry_goods, gro— ceries, milk factory, high school, church, village newspaper, and village library. It was found that each of the above services had at least slightly different zones of influence, but enough commonality was discovered to warrant the mapping of twelve trade zones. Roughly, in such a way was the first delineation of trading zones accomplished in this country.1 Probably the chief importance of delineation of trade areas to librarians is that it gives them an objective basis upon which to locate library branches and deposits. By knowing the natural service areas of the county towns, efforts can be - fig... lfiwCharles J. Galpin, The Social anatomy of an Agricultural L____—_-_'_-_.___ Community, Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 34, Madison, 1915. 254 255 instigated to have library service coincide with these natural areas, thereby making for a more adequate distribution of lib- rary resources than would otherwise be possible. In this con- nection, it may be discovered that two or more library branches service duplicating areas; whereas it may be that there are other areas that are in trading zones which contain no local library service. Pertinent changes could then be made accord- ing to the results of the community delineation survey. Each trade area has, of course, a community center where the interests and activities of the residents focus.2 This center has multiple services, and is relatively self-supporting. Thus, it is in a position to satisfy the needs of its residents and others in its service area. Usually a community center includes the following fifteen services: a four year accred- ited high school, a bank, a daily or weekly newspaper, a hard- ware store, an elevator, a lumber yard, a feed and grain store, a coal yard, a telephone exchange, a doctor, a dentist, a gar- age, a church, a meat market, and other shops and stores. The size of a center supplying these services varies greatly according to the distribution of population. In some sections 2 For most of the following discussion on what a community center is, and also the steps to be taken in trade area deline- ation, the writer is indebted to frequent conversations with Dr. J. F. Thaden. Also, a familiarity with his writings was helpful. See especially his The Lansing Region and its Tribu- tary Town-Country Communities, Michigan State College Agri— cultural Exoeriment Station, Special Bulletin 302, East Lansing, March, 1940. 256 of the country where population is sparse and cities few and far between, a community of one or two- hundred inhabitants may supply these services,zalthough several of the services may be\combined within one agency. In other sections of the country where population is dense, centers tend to offer specialized services, thus complementing each cther, and it may be that the population of each of these centers is several thousand. .The area between trading zones is Spoken of as the com- munity boundary, and consists of a belt which may vary in width from a railroad track to about three miles. The residents of this area divide their contacts between two or more of the nearby community centers, and may cross over the usual boundaries because of relatives, former residents, or other factors. The width of the belt depends upon a number of factors, the more important ones being a natural barrier, such as a river, moun— tain, or perhaps an artificial "barrier" such as a railroad track; the distance between community centers; and the number and size of intervening hamlets or partial service centers. The boundaries between communities usually have nothing to do with boundaries of political areas such as township or county lines, but are the result of the competitive struggle between towns, and the number, kind, and quality of services each has to offer. In order to ascertain what are the boundaries of a com- munity, there are two chief methods. Cne is to interview the 257 -town's merchants, tradesmen, and service agents, but this method is not accurate unless the service area that each of these persons outlines is verified by each of his competitors in each competing community center. It will usually be found that the conceptions of these service agents extend their ser- vice zones out to the farther fringes where only occasionally does a resident come to the particular agents in question for service. By checking these zones with competitors, however, some degree of accuracy can be established. The other method of determining community boundaries is based on the conduction of a number of personal interviews with an adequate and representative number of families who live :near the supposed periphery of the communities. They are asked where they do their trading for certain key services, and in this way, a rather accurate representation of the community “boundaries can be established. The latter method necessitates certain preliminary steps tx> determine the supposed periphery of the communities. For (nae thing, points may be put at the half—way mark between connnunity centers, but only rarely will this so-called line of ecpiidistance coincide with the actual community boundaries. lfor* that reason, while taking into account this line of equi- disrtance as a convenient measuring rod, it is well to estimate true relative drawing power of one community in relation to each of’ its competitors. It seems logical to assume, for example, truat a center of 5,000 inhabitants will normally attract 258 peOple from a greater distance than smaller places because of its larger number, variety, or quality of services: but in most cases it will not attract people from three times as far as a place of 1,000 inhabitants. After drawing the estimated boundary lines (in relation to the line of equidistance), the third and final step is the verification of this boundary line. This, as was mentioned above, is done by a series of personal interviews with persons who live in the vicinity of this pro- iected or estimated community boundary line. For the work in Lenawee County, Professor J. F. Thaden, who was intimately acquainted with this area, drew the estimated boundary lines among the ten community centers that are to be found within the county. Then interviews3 were held vith thirty—two families who lived in the vicinity of these esti- mated lines for the purpose of verification. The principal questions asked were concerned with the main source of farm income (if farmers); what was the main market for this produce; and where were purchased most cf the things needed in connec- tion with farming. Those who were not farmers were asked their occupation, and where they carried on this work. Then routine questions were asked to find out where most of the hardware was obtained; where the banking was done; where work clothing was bought; what newspapers vere taken; location of church attended; high school area; location of movies attended: 3 A copy of the schedule hEEa in this intervieWing_Vill be found in Appendix J. 259 which library was most convenient for local use; where most of the people in the locality in question did most of their business; what factors served most to pull the peOple together in the neighborhood; what hamlets or tovns wero visited as often as practically every day, every week, or overy month; and then, of course, the names and addresses of the respondents. When respondents replied that they had lived in the community for a number of years (at least five), they were shovn the map, and their aid was enlisted in getting the most accurate boundary lines drawn.4 Several persons, especially an inter- viewer formerly employed by the United States Department of Agriculture, were of invaluable assistance since they were so familiar with the surrounding community and their neighbors that they could say with confidence that families traded where. This aid diminished the number of interviews that otherwise would have been required.5 Inasmuch as the library service in Lenawee County is on a countywide basis and does not extend beyond this political boundary, no account was taken of the influence of trade centers '1? Although Either the male or female heads of thirty—two familbs were interviewed, stOps were made at four other Ihomes. Since the families occupying these four homes had only recently moved into the community and had not begun to make Inany purchases, they knew little or nothing about the various community centers, and felt that they were not in a position to answer the questions. 55 Precedent for this method of utilizing neighborhood knowledge (If respondents in mapping out community areas vas established 'by Irwin T. Sanders and Douglas Ensminger in Alabama Rural Conumnnities: A Study 23 Chilton County, Alabama College Bulletin 156, Montevallo, 1940. 259 that vere located in adjacent counties. Naturally for most purposes of a service nature, this would have been necessary - as it vould have been were the Lenawee library a regional rather than a county one. The map of Lenawee County on the next page shows both the estimated community boundary lines drawn by Professor Thaden and the actual verified lines. In addition this map has on it lines that show the points of least traffic flow between trade 6 By locating those places between trade centers that centers. have the least traffic flow ("null" points), it is possible to get some idea of where the trade area of one town ends and the trade area of another beains. But because of the numerous roads connecting communities, and because of the influence of many villages that are not complete trade centers, the lines that are drawn among communities are only rough approximations. In View of these limitations, it is surprising how closely the "null" lines correspond to the verified lines; but it should be mentioned that the crucial step in placing the "null" lines consists of finding the "one place" on the principal road or roads between trade centers that has the least traffic flow. For that reason, much is left to the discretion of the researcher in rounding out the trade area boundaries. As a whole though, this "one place" on the road or roads between trade centers 6 The data on traffic flow were compiled in 1956 by the IMichigan State Highway Department. The kindness of Mr. J. D. Cruise of the Planning Commission of the Highway Department in making these data available to the writer is gladly ack— nowledged. O GCLNTM I . I | T . 1— w/ r | / ' I I ' I J. ‘ % ONSTED : racuuszu I I ‘ l', Cb ADDISON aLJ-n- I I ' i (9 BRITTON ’ .1 I | I ’ . I \ I Is... - 1.1-"v ‘_ ., [L- f' n.- a ‘- ; . j ADRIAN ' I, ‘l ' ® @ e l' a I \ I I . \ (IERFIELD a ' ® CLAYTON I \ HUDSON ' ' s : I BLISSFIELD . ' .r ' <9 I: “ ' I IJ L @JASPER . If- 4 L5. I 1’ I ’_ .0 I ' MORENO! I | 009 i 7 — -——m mum's PROJECYED use @nm ma" 6) Laura 00 mm mum ——m menu In": 'uuLL' Lass WSIYED G) Lune: co soon meow ----- vtvrto LNES . ”0" @ INDEPENDENT mic mm" 7. D91 nation of TTeie irate in lenewee County: 261 was very close to the verified line. Aside from these lines, the map shows the location of the trade centers, library outlets, and the approximate location of the thirty—two homes visited. One thing that probably attracts the attention of the observer is how closely the estimated and actual boundary lines coincide. This shows how accurate the work of an expert who is thoroughly familiar with a situation can be. Even at that, though, the variations serve to show that there is no substitute for actual field work when a hiph degree of accuracy is desired. Another thing about this map that is worthy of note is that the boundary lines fluc- 'tuate considerably in varying directions, thus indicating the relative influence of the several trade centers. In Lenawee County, the county seat of Adrian, which is located almost in the geographical center of the county, is several times larger than any of the other trade centers, and hence tends to dominate the entire county. In a sense it could be said that the whole county is within the trade area of Adrian, but such a statement would ignore the very real influence exerted by the smaller community centers. This delineation of trade areas in Lenawee County, as has ‘been mentioned, shows that there are ten such areas. In five of these (Addison, Clinton, Blissfield, Deerfield, and Onsted) the County Library has branches; and in a sixth (Adrian) the library headquarters is located. In Hudson, Morenci, and Tecumseh are to be found independent town libraries which are 262 free only to the town residents, although the county library maintains a deposit, use of which is free of charge at the Morenci Library. At Britton, the tenth trade area, there is no library although at one time the County Library maintained a deposit at that location. This collection was discontinued because of a high rate of book loss.7 As a whole, then, it can be seen that the branch libraries of the county are stra- tegically located although it may be unfortunate that the independent libraries at Hudson and Tecumseh are not in a posi- tion to furnish books free of charge to the residents within their trade zones. If nothing else, perhaps this chapter serves to show the librarian a relatively easy and inexpensive way of getting very valuable information about her county. This work could, of course, be done much more thoroughly than it was if other pur- poses were involved, but for a general knowledge of the trade areas within an artificial political unit, such as a county, it is felt that the procedure employed was sufficiently detailed. In conclusion, it may be said that when Galpin began his now epic work on the delineation of trade areas in Walworth County, Wisconsin, he provided not only merchants, newspapers, ministers, and bankers with a very serviceable technique, but also, he gave librarians a useful tool. 7 The county librarian has informed the writer that, when adequate funds are available, the next branch library of the County Library will be located at Britton. CHAPTER XVI SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND IEADERSIIP Thus far in this study an analysis has been presented of the reading behavior and attitudes of varying segments of the population of Lenawee County, but only cursory mention has been made of the characteristics of the informal, or neighbor— hood, leaders. These latter people are frequently very influ- ential persons in the community even though they may hold no official positions, or for that matter, they may not even belong to any clubs or organizations. 'Unless one is an actual member of the neighborhood in question, he may be entirely mistaken in his views as to what person or persons other peOple go to see for information and advice about different programs or community activities. Without doubt many civic activities have come to nought because of the failure of the persons in charge to enlist the support of the informal neighborhood leaders. Therefore, for any library program that aims to have full community backing, information concerning the identity and characteristics of these leaders is almost indispensable. Officials in the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture realized the importance of these leaders, and wished to enlist their support for the vari- ous conservation programs. In order to do this, the Service developed techniques for determining the identity of the 265 264 neighborhood leaders.1 The methodology used in the present work is largely based on these techniques, although staff members of Michigan State College have made certain adaptations.2 Following the completion of the trade area delineation of the county, consultation was held with the county librarian to determine which of the areas to study as a demonstration project. For a number of reasons, which are not pertinent to the methodology, the Addison trade area was chosen. Visits were then made to several county officials located at Adrian, the county seat, to learn the names of some peOple in the Addison area who were thoroughly familiar with that part of the county. The officials visited were the county agent, the county school superintendent, the master of the Grange, and, of course, the county librarian. Together, they named four different persons in the Addison community who, they felt, thoroughly knew the neighborhoods composing the trade area. The persons named were the township supervisor, the local school superintendent, a woman active in the local Grange, and a woman active in the local Woman's Club. These people did yeoman service in sketching on plat maps ”...- l G§6u§"A¢tIEfi TE §§11 Conservation, United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, 3511 Conservation Service, Milwaukee, March, 1947, passim, and eSpecially pp. 13—15. 2 The work of Irofessor Paul A. Miller of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology has been especially noteworthy. The writer owes a debt of gratitude to Professor Miller for coming to Lenawee County to inaugurate the steps leading to this study of informal leadership. 265 what they considered to be the boundaries of the neighborhoods within the trade area. In addition they listed the one family in each neighborhood that they considered to be the leader of that particular grouping. In all they listed thirteen neigh- borhoods, and, of course, thirteen "leader" families. Naturally there were some differences in the boundaries and in the iden- tity of leaders among the four informants, but sufficient com- monality was present for a functional map to be constructed. Following this step, actual interviewing was done in the neighborhoods to verify the neighborhood boundaries and to establish the identity of the informal leaders. Care was taken not to visit the homes of the suspected leaders since the pur- pose of the interviewing was to learn whom the neighboring families considered to be the leaders. The homes visited were chosen from a plat map in such a way that clustering was avoided. When a family was called upon, the interviewing was done as follows: How do you do? I'm from the Department of Sociol- ogy and AnthrOpology at Michigan State College. We're making a study in Ienawee County of how the services of the County Library can be both improved and expanded. We feel that one of the best ways of making any kind of program successful is to work with the local neighbor- hood groups and their leaders. Now I'm wondering if you could tell me the name of someone in this immediate locality who you think would be a good person to con- tact ahbut such a matter? (If uncertainty is expressed in response, probing begins): Who would you say other families around here go to see if they want to get information about any kind of program? Is there a family that other families seem to like a lot, and one that other families visit with quite a.bit? 266 Whenever informants representing three families independ- ently named one person as being the neighborhood leader, that person was considered to be such. The responses obtained necessitated the revision of the tentative neighborhood bound- aries drawn by the Addison informants since the influence of some of the informal leaders extended into other areas. In fact, when the interviewing was completed, it was found that there were only eleven neighborhoods and leaders instead of the supposed thirteen.3 In all, thirty-six families were interviewed to determine these eleven informal leaders, and although there was little hesitation in naming the "leader" families, there were remarks to indicate that there was little consciousness of neighborhoods. Some of the respondents said that visiting was almost non-existent now, and that neighbor- hood.spirit was rapidly ceasing to exist. Others, however, were exuberant in their praise of the family they had mentioned as being the leader, and would lengthily explain that for any laind of program, the X family would be the one through which 'to work. Those neighborhoods that had a family which was Idnusually well-liked and respected usually were the ones that sueemed to be most conscious of themselves. Furthermore, in 'bhose sections there were no complaints about the dearth of \fiisiting, or about the fact that "folks aren't like they used to be." 5 .For the location of these eleven neighborhoods, see the Inap on page 267. '1. I'll. : l I l} t.§f.l . o o O O o ’ o o ‘ o o o o o o o o o O 0 ‘? D's % / o é DEVILS / N/ @M . LAKE o . o ROUND . . LAKE o o ’ o B‘igur e 3. LOCATsON OF TRADE AREA, LENAWEE co. NEmHsoeHooo BOUNDARsEs . HOMES VISITED TO LEARN {DENTITY OF NE‘GHBORHOOD LEADERS Location of the Neighborhoods in the Addlson Trade Area, 1947 268 After the identity of all eleven of the leader families had been ascertained, they were called upon, and the open country schedule on reading and library usage vas taken from the female heads. By themselves, the data on these eleven schedules are insufficient for statistical significance, so they have been combined (see Chapter V) with the other sched— ules talen from the so—called "formal" leaders. But in Spite of this lack of statistical significance for individual items, brief descriptions of each of these eleven families will show, at least to some extent, what type of persons play the role of informal leaders. speaking generally, it can be said without question that the eleven interviews held with the female heads of these eleven famifies were among the most pleasant of all those held during the course of the entire study. Whereas interviews for other facests of the study averaged about thirty minutes, interviews with these informal leaders occupied more than double that amount of time. At several of the homes the inter- viewer remained for a half day because of the difficulty in 'breaking away from such genuine hospitality as was manifested. ‘fhis extreme hospitality seems uniquely characteristic of the informal leaders since the ”formal" leaders did not appear to (differ too greatly from the random sample in regard to friendli- Iiess and graciousness. It was easy for the writer to understand ‘why'each of these eleven families vas so highly regarded by its Iieighbors, and if this situation be true in other places, the 269 establishment of the identity and personality characteristics of informal leaders would be extremely pleasant research work. The first of the informal leader families called upon consisted only of a fifty-three year old woman and her husband. Except for the church, neither of them belonged to any clubs or organizations; yet they were considered to be neighborhood leaders. The female head reported that she enjoyed reading magazines, especially those having religious articles. But the male head said that he read only when his wife picked out an article and "shoved it under his nose." Although the female head reported that she liked to read magazines, she said that she had read no books during the preceding twelve months nor had she used the library. In addition, she was uncertain as to whether Ienavee County needed a bookmobile. She stated that during the past week she read seven hours: and as for her edu- cation, she said that she completed high school. The second person called on was a forty-one year old woman who said that she much preferred to crochet in her spare time than read. She added, though, that she recognized the value of reading and the importance of having an adequate library. Although she had not used the library during the pre- ceding year, at other times she had used it to get materials :for club programs. This woman said that she had read no books ~ ~+~—- 91 - A.“ .-.— _ W'- _—. crews—2;”. uuuuu ~- ".‘:‘t‘..."7'.!u .----.-v-- C" “0". 1': {To be taken from henaowivau? a fies Higaigah Segre College. The eellage is interested in learning eta: term and town people like to road about. The roenita of this study viii be uwgi To sue vnfli one be done to make good reading matter more easily evailable tu5e7 end fun folk. i“d like to talk wlfi. ycu abeut this if yeu have a few ‘11? £13} 1,: ' 3.3 RY- p ‘0‘ 3 {.52. 3.113.: {L Ii (.‘i'iz't. $11243?" '7 E}. n Y '31:. . ;. ~"‘Z.. ‘52,“? 1T 1 '. '.“(’57 TI: 1 g; 4:.- 1 a Z. 't a .1523; 4.? 3?." a weekly ... e 1" dc ; u 1“ sag: 3 Do 1‘. n 7 x‘. '; ‘. . i ‘ 'r ' >‘ 1} .1 4‘ r; y ...a? 41; I}, fir-1135C A“) x;,. ”C: ...11 ...- ... .._. A- .—., m-zt-r WW ;{ agiLJ tr both} What pa;ts of the daily H6W¥PPP3P .re you most -s 3.5.111: ' ad 113' ( a, “has pgytg if the newspaper is your husband most interested in? %. .fio you toad magazines at all? a. Yes b. No 6. {if yes) whet magazines do you read? (List) 3. Which of these do you read regularly? y: Which of thauo is your favorite magazine? e. Why do veu ;?ke it beet? Th3 Q3 H ()3 ()3 CO .H' 1 (D 1“ " ‘ ' ‘ , -: ‘. Tami" f).1..113£f):‘;11d re ad any magazine's” u.-.An. g. 1 ) What magazines does he read? list ”I voecx €11 I which of these is his favorite magazine? What about the adult members of the family? Do any of them r35: magazines? A. 168 _b. No I» (if yes) (Identify by sex and by broad age groups m magazines read Person by person) Which.doea he tor aha: reg}? Y» You lika E? read emcee e1 ~,p‘ v x»~ 151,3 33.231 wines: are some ~33” try. H (bk-3 “i""u , tli e taEfi: yew r? iQLietK -zetrfliop twitn hrsfififa‘ a 4 » :.. 'y . : ~3 Torel read darir ”:7": e. r.’ ”r .‘F U .N.’th.I-.‘w‘l;.*u~u .-\ > ...—p ow-m.‘ . . .... . . t. .. :-. a. . Winch book di d you read lest“ How long ago did you read it? Which of these books did you enjoy the r* s.) it ... Wh y? 26. 27. 290 L LIE: 1117.171? v.41”) gift-:11" *3";an :1" I J‘ ”I. ~ ‘ ' 1:13 {(93 u: ”C: . (I? Yes) uh-t are the? or what W“Lii he exwh Lef;17 D-aes Vour husband or xny other adult veneer of 133 Sp ,“ read books? e1. Yes 1;. No _ {If yesp identifv by :ex and by broad age troupe end #6 titles and authors or at least typee of thv Pemfl) hhat are some of t*' E 1ks they have been readincf I Lhat types of nooks do thLy espeei 11y like. (If yes to 1?; or {3.5) Iihere 3.0 you get the 1131,5171; ‘5,“0’11 I H35? 301 BUY 31131:}. be Receivj‘.’ 83 (1.31.1 1,13 (3; 130“ "VFW, mmml friehfle e9 uo170w from yublie 31““1W W‘Puifi 0» 6pc) ”‘33. t K", O 230:3 r; C 3.111.) S .. “ f o 111127“‘I1H£)19Jez.23h: 1:4“; If publ 10 library, brunch er iezaos’1t is ventioned, go to 1, 3 m if public lioraz 3 not r‘nt‘oned(s ’d g“ ac Is there any pe:= 82183 rehash why-ng don’t borrow Tm rs " \, -‘ \ . " ‘ , . ( 9... ‘ ., ..-; 7. j VORS £17011 13.3.15: .2613" .A 1 t]..-. L. 1‘83? 9 L. \ {1130. 7’17 0;. fiztfijusm 15? Q ’ v and the other IDMLU'S oi ;foz;:r fem“ 7 {£1 Lm past jest “1‘2 13204.7. ‘ nelu ding, eel/107:1 3.; (If buy them is merdiose ' .owu hue much have 5m ‘ or Docks umerg ‘1 2.1 2:; “unto-w: In Ira-rim Do you happen to k 3w aha name or tke 11Ln-Lor cf‘ the library (breheh or deposit} that would 3e eaei-et for Vflu 30 nee? 31 YES be No Go Uneegfiein .. .2 - r, u; \I- .1.“ mm- Would you sev the lace ion is convenient ior 30m or would some other locat ion be bet eec ~30 Convenient . ho Lobe? . no. .u- a? location - epeoify 9 ‘ - .'_l_' K - 1 . ‘ - ' {2 ~ '. .5- . 1‘ \. t us ~.1 ~ \ ‘ r. .. J x" fl,l(“ \\ l ‘ ] r‘Vb' ' C ‘3; .. -..‘v 5,: '1? not. 9 \< \'§,,, ”van tho ycu usa cf it in u-:; . .n. Lan {f rip/‘3 has I}: DO U ccaid be ned Any other How (“011'I .C' ) ‘ll “: '1. 6' - 8 H}- J ‘,’ I O b“ ""5111" £ ‘1 not W663 usp :;e an ; help I! ‘ 5 MI gun-1.. . .' ‘3 fit t} 03 ()3 lb r- - - 3 3.,4-‘ , ‘u . .' . ~ u ( ‘ll .0- -m o f a ho yu- f") 3 up Ye What a we thw ms 1 (mid ,dees” d it h .. ) | U) ' J ’4 141617113 -, ,,.-- i, ,,_ 1,» .. .. , L a a : 4.8-.8 ' O C; (of) (D Cu up' 3 fixiaae Ln: -. , ,' ‘ -.. ..4" iLht to jfiDu? final». . (:3 4..n-_r‘.;.u MLDJ '. ‘ WIN} "”~ -;I ‘ '- v. I. ‘J r.) 1 . '~- .~ '7 fiiFr‘“10£31t1Mi bonfii” cal 113(3” 3 ‘5-..‘ :— ers of fflfi P -5 rmflu “(ma u r)_¢7 53. .. LT“ T 913 CH"(' '1 '3 "37‘ ’ 1" 2 --.l -y- 8 8 X5.“- I 23c 01 the 10031 libvarww .. ”y... 39. 40. A. ‘4' la: 43‘ r )1 ()3 U] ;. {'1’ r- 1 \ ' 1 \. I .. 1.. - \J 5 'k' : h 5:5 HE 112112223 (.7 3;) v'_ m ~ )P d efiw>er E : ’T311 ‘15 ? ' - «r 4' 4" 1 .' " ~ ‘1 - a, - _ Do you go to uhe llbrany ablaa-u ~‘ amneone else get tne eooxa lo? 09* w .7. .10 {ac "‘ s m—Aa He (f self) flow do you pick on: the - |. b. Are you able to find the boox from the librarian? an Able a‘ o. Other 1‘...“— 4 cc (If someone else} DO YOU C913 her vou want, or do you leave that mainly the librarian? a- T9 1 her 0? aim c; Librarian m “IT-...a.- How do you feel about the library and Are there any particularly strong poi: A, Strong points: - Ba Weaknesses: DD you have any glfifififiTlOfle ?Ofi finprow ’ '! library servicei When did you €308? start QPWflf ibis Would you say the p other location @: Fetterr W ltnvee€~l Specify? Some county library atene Jo Mzeajg truck wr oh follows M egr route like to see such an arranwemarw worn»: a) Yes be NO _ . o, rnucrraln F 3 14; I t: *‘S :1 w l I f, b ,u '3 1 It you want or d; you need bs fieed help frem le {tar hijnj xu‘atfty' nhlcfl vdmaf up to her {or him}, 0' ' ‘ 'V a a - « ~vs v ~I , L ,.-‘ or leave ue to her o C . .-. .a ' .4 v . t' 01’ W ‘3: :3. nnb‘ :3 E) 8 ‘; .’ ('3 t_'~ a ‘ 'I a m 3x ' - »’ web. it JSAL l every 3 ‘uf "»l ;r meal 3 «A f\ . ' .: ~ i u erher Jrrv ‘ ‘. A ‘ - . I _‘ ‘ _' l V i l :1 ‘1‘ .2323 ~.} j w, I; J CJ'Uflr ' L '4 ‘J 1‘ V: me Like mount} lflfib“ -_‘ ... 1 , .34 . {,1 f. :3. TA go‘pl ‘ a I": :‘x i! 1‘ I \ _ _. \ 1‘ inrary eer1lcee nere- s *7) P 336 I r “7' V)" is the library ope n at the houre th 1 are heat .onrenjeflt :or you? a: Yes _ be No ‘If not” specify preferred hours} Does the library have the kind of books yam are interested in“ a, 1'63 139 No -..—". {Ef DOt) What kinds Of bOOkS would 901 ifiha to sag added? Does the library have the kinds of magazinee you are intereese” in? ap'Yes_‘ in No filf not) What ki ads of magazines wou -d you like to see afljei? Does the librarian (branch librarian Pr Cagoeit librarian} giva you the kind of library service you want? aa Yes be No .s........u g»- ., .. ilf rot} What would you say needs imwnn.sww;m+ He‘e is a .131 at various tyres .; :«siinx laipwr. 13 J 3?»;1".‘71‘r'y i’lt‘li {fierials on all chug-.2. E:.':i...-f=;se:€-_ 1'421.,(;-.7 v:(,)i_;‘: ' ,. interest to you or some other manner 0f wown :aniiyi it w plus for yes; minu: for no; and for nicertain} a? Travel pc Courtship and prepara?*3w for marriage. b: Cooking q. Hobbies and recreatior ox Remodeling the house r. Cars and repair of house- d: Children‘s books hold appliances 6“ Farming & Gardening 8, Biography f. Adjustment problems of no Problems of saving and agar married peOple v, Buying insurance 5. History w, Care and training of babies h. Religicn and religious novels and young children is Health and medical are 23 The United Nations 3. Personality and leader- as” Music and art ship bbs Mystery 1c Russia and the Russians me Other foreign People no Fiction ”This section needs particular attentions espo from librarians and nixt - Sero w 01 :36 . Do you have any Expero Publications? --,.4. - . H" 7.“. . - i -. point of view) Stag Bulleso, a; Yes b, No About how many books does your family have? <9 Which of these do you read or refer to frequently” or other sovernment About how many?_ .-.-mus s ‘ 1 Cf .1959 the; you he”? found ‘tozlslfy ‘fi'l K . - 1‘ l . * do r {List - is tl:*e an; problem or subject on miien you would especia 3 C0 have acme reading matter? l. .1 y 1.: Are there any particular types of readin: matter you object P“. "P ' For farm families) When your nussand has some question or ntoblem snout farming. where does he usually go for the answers as Envwdsre else? About how much time did you spend reading during the the last news you observed any method being used by your county lib‘sry to adverzise its services? a, Yes b; No Ac. ‘v-gnn.‘ bum“. at did you notice? an Newspapers__mo bt bistributed reading ate 6: Talks to Clubs (PTA. Grange etc; d, Displays waive-“w ~ ' a. _‘,-‘_~ It... ‘— *J QENEBAL CONNEHTSE ou checked books from the library Hecatse of this advertist_ “ N (D U CJ C) x n {0‘ '1) ...a- ...... .. .. - . -,--...o_.-..-. a. ___,_, “3...-.. “.....-” ...u if, ‘ .. .. :Eew a~ male ”mm b; Female 697 Plane of resio -e) a; Open tomntry ”My 3 i is Name of Community _ww, - ’How long have you lived in this community _- Major oogxpation of head of household _wum-h__ Occupation of Respondent k ‘_ #_ .m Highest school grade completed (Respondent) - Marital Statusa a; Single ___ be Married “*m (.39 Widowed‘fim“ ea Divorced or separated Number of children livinga a. Total bu At home NM“ Ca Ages Of those at home --m—m a. ngm- -—__. —. How many organizations do you belong to? (List) General SociowEoonomio Level: AoHome {Farm} B? Electricity aoOwn m_“~_ as Yes be Rent “...-....- bo NO ...—...». Ca Runnihg Water Do Telephone E“ Automobile :13 Yes M__’ a0 Yes _N~_ as Yes ”N“ be No ‘ b3 No_m_~v b; No d Do you have a radio in working order? a, Yes b9 No “V“ Do you listen to the Mi Sr Co station? aa Yes he NC -‘ If yes, abOut how often? M_ A, __“__- --n i What programs do you like best _m _ _memml_l Name of nearefit library (branch or deposit Distance from library fbranoh or deposit; How do you rate your eyesight for reading? a; Gcod_hmv J“ a]: figs ‘~ Poor Distance to nearest all weatner highway m "_mmymflh‘w“u“lh or. “_Huw . , . . ‘-f‘ I ff' an A3 La! 1 'I.“."\b--' .' f— 1 fl'- ‘ J-W; . _ ».'..- Egan-a"...- -- APEERDIX J Saoial “g}“3?fl F3? L?YA?EE COURT? LIBRARY STUDY Research fig Service (To be taken from housewives) July 7,19h7 “£2344- *~ ’ D f1 1d ( z tgi.:ox. \ ) 4301' a ti: ofiuld ( ) Onsted ( ) C‘infni ( ) Tecumseh ( ) 33 you take a notepaper? 3° You bONo w a daily or a weekly. or do you take both? be Weekly cg Eoth v" Bwé 3.49 . 33 ‘ 't 3..) "'4 O ’1 (5’ C! d. :5‘ V -4 I :3? p4 Q?! C? ‘d {D ’2‘ c-z- m 0 W 6’ 23‘ 0 D m ...a- p ‘4 t3 0 a! m ‘d 9: ho F 0 '1 m m ’1 0 :4 O :1 3 0 Ch 6‘ t? g, {u '1 0 t!) c‘? 6 Q- A. "i What parts of the newspaper is your husband most interested in? .. ‘ , a ,0 you road.msgazire at all: a, Yes th0 m (;f gag}: What magazines do you read? (List) 3“ Which of these do you read reflalsrly? Eoich of those is gen? girorite manssine? Ely do you like it best? Does your husband read any magazines? safes b“ Re ' h'll m» m I g1? yes) what magarines does he read? 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News 3 LHI. ¢~.J.:~,.a8 J A - ‘ I'.‘ . ., - in a; (£13931 :3 b0' Sea: a ideal 53“....“ ‘l' t.» EEC-.170 Of ‘30:!!!31135‘1 ...v—l us- ”M O\ A: hmus'nfibhlfi m ...-— Va. avci “-11.. (“...-.6 >5-‘ m b"b.!\~'.—~-VI-'~i-J-ma m m~-a-u.oxo-u man- “...—‘5’ _I. sum“ nu. ..‘v‘a' n“ Huge-ouncrur unr- “IA-I‘M— an across; a, i‘ner.cr31n‘1‘ . «v a Q” vi Mia . “*9 -;-~-L~vx~n-. “ya.- m-‘v O 42:20.“- ‘u-qsnomm‘w-nm t I'm.- (i0 flow 1 ng :3ve yra lited in this oemfimnity ““_ fl_ 790 Major roufsti 1 of head of household __3 _ T3. Gooupetion of I torsiont _ _m~_~ ...-~14! :‘LMh h‘ I. mm.wla ...—~- \ . -..-A .~v~v--¥o «Juno-Lani» a r L. . ,_- .. - 3 ,~_' 3;. .. '1 in“ dimr~et so;~;-ol \rsme o: mloted Kresp Luann, ‘ meadow-um- ‘3‘. an» Ana‘s-it: 1‘0“" --4.-“n. as.” mm g. til—gm {It woo-Ivy H- r r‘ . I. - .. 9 . , ‘ fo Max:331 6nd$ur“ ... .. - . e -. ,. ; "1. . .. . -, «.3 .. ». : .... - .1 eabinxit a,ma.v1s1 c.nidoued 7 , oats est u 3! t»pu.;isd .. u... ll-I'I. c. —..--4 ~,.... OIMV IV.” (aw-‘9'! t‘l.‘ .-, f ”u . a .7} ”f I -3 i . . j {I'- “133’an M? 0.! CH1} '1. Tail 3.1.‘4 i 3'43.» '1 . - .3, x... .. .. 1 . , _~‘= ,.-_ , _ -. y z. _‘ a“ 3'0 {”3}. b.» 319 l:.‘.'.:;:‘=,~\’. C ,- 3.;3. . 31?) f '. 5”.) (3 a? 3'3; - ".JIICWCP‘ ‘ cymw”; nth—Ram. - vi. .. tun.— x .‘-uo+~.axr‘ a» i-‘J..‘-’LD'JL ‘7‘“ ' - . we a 3’ 2‘ " ' ' u, .7 . ' II. '9 ‘ T“ I (f‘ shat or L1.uhtl us CU VGA guaUhfl to” (Lifivg ‘ . L ' ‘ ' «a “as. tat-n14." fitfl--.\"“.i~1.’o .mnuras—mv n5- “nap-4" t“)"~‘ I '4'»..- ~ - “my“ “W'I‘ '0. *w. 4‘... 4‘5”” um“ '~-l' - —‘—"' xv.- ' O-wmsn-o vow—v-“ ~Q\.p ... go. ~~-1's.-—~wi ..v.u-.¢..o~—‘JI.7 :— _‘—‘ 3.x -V~.-i I p .. V—o-u-u>~u~—.-‘N-~—~fiba ‘Iz‘wx 1.9". ~~n~~u~wa ..--..“ ..-.—. .. '-”b~~'l.~-'—‘u “nun-1.; r. . ft. ’ t p I . '3 5&, non cal sooLOme'n wmic Efifidm: . '.\ .m - .- ‘e “9., . .:- “" 71:1 A Shh. A Four Bog: _~ov. rrzxti b~hdnfi‘lj $439? h.:o;vnr M3 , xrtéflcb no ".._N_ ..-.— ”.3 nun. ~v- -u -.. I~WI.F.-‘Jol. .- CM Orr-u... n I. Uta-ta. 'wIa—uu‘I-Q-wd d-I-t hfin'.‘ ~ ssVuo‘u 1' .z- '00 oufi-J. . o ...- bl.‘|~-1.. um .. if, . '-'..- , _ ggy ‘ a; gan a, (Q; :3: 1 do 5:... 3.313 ‘61:- a. we ...-no Wu; ..- ‘1 ‘ I'm-0.1.1.9 .mm:. “3.4,”... s - o- _ ' " v. ‘ ; ‘ 0 Rant b.30 u,uo hose Dino m‘u— w WWI-u uw- . .... up «an... ' ‘ v. j u ‘ O“ t 3 :3 . _ (.2! - 1 79“ Do you here a rteio in .u71 n3 order? 3,.o‘ o“ to a; ,.‘ no; ‘ '-‘ 5 3 t" 3. ’ rt': :3 a {I . :. .-‘ .f. 1‘ .fi ,3. "" ‘ .. :4 out o sou $ifiban t< ”a 33 ”spot euhuioh alts» u» U cymw ...-I :31 y A.“ . - ‘r :« ~ '23 '9 ~-’.' 1‘ A”. '5 3...“...- J03 dud-.111 1“ 3"“ l» 3' "‘U" ' v V‘A‘wqp“g ._“.m...‘u.‘,un..u~'u~hr ‘v his-Am- vm‘M’VV-flr‘b’ Q '1 tail“. ’\ .P m“ 31‘1"")3 a o'rt. -‘ 1 }" oft,- .... ‘ ‘..| '...e 01.x» )L “Ln'k‘ ~~ri '-* u- " “ ”" " U‘“ V o. s“- " . “ " l"" ‘ H .g‘ .- .., -.A t " "' '3' . ‘ ." ‘_ 1- . V ‘ 5' 1 . «a ". ‘-' '. 7‘ , i. 3 ‘ ’7 c. has)? On. 1- .4 i i V '3 '3 ‘-' ‘9‘" '~ '~ “‘ | "' ’4' ‘3 ,. ,. 7 ‘ c n—»‘ u-.. ", ‘1“ k. v; n ‘ ..’ v" V, .(e vx ‘ ) - a. ‘ " ' d‘ I, ‘ 't A ’ Tr" ' ‘1 a‘ ' J - ‘ {\ ‘ r , .. . f i , - t '- - . OF‘O‘I-u'v “A" --‘4 - -.--.n r m ,q 312‘; Vl-IZ‘IX J 93m 1337 1 2.21611: T 1: ’ S'GIAL STATE; 35:1?”me Q? 133 LL}: (”1" 3.3 13.532.11.103 bl! CE {(31 1. Addison 8. Detroit 2. Adrian 9, Hudson E. Blissfield 10. Morsnci ‘. Britfion 11. Onsted 5, Brooklyn 12. Tecumsoh 6. Clayton 13. Toledo 7. Doerficlfi 1. Do you farm for a living or not? You ( ) No ( ) 3.15221! . ' 2. What is your main ecurze of farm income? 3. Where in your main market for ......1 h. ?ha?e do you buy most of the things you need in éonnootion h taming? If unabl o to specirfly. 113% in order the thres trado contere moat; ’reqvenuly patron12e6.7 19 2. 3. 13......"21211 5._ What is your main occupation? 6. Where dd you carry on this occupation? 7, Wher; 30 you get most of the harfiwaro you use? __ 8. {here as you $0 most of your banRAngt .Ro regular bank (..) 9, Where do you get most of your wcrk,cloth1ng1 §;_ 10. What newcpawers do you get (daily & weekly)? . No newspapers ( ) 346. 11. 11+. 15. 17. 13. 21. 2.3.. 25- 26. _ What ofiuyoh do 7o1(or otfor family moobcyo) attamfl? W Kat can: ch attenoants ( ) 12. If you have (ha.d) childron of his 3h school are. where are thqy {:ould they be) eu.p sad to attend High Sc110011 13. In that High School the placo where you would.most like to have than attwfi7 ’33 ( \ N0( ) If I'no": "Whore?” A __H_ Where do you moot often attend.mov1981__ Do not attend ( ) Which library 16 most convoniont for your use? __ 16. szo you mzdo any use of this library ouring the past year? Yes ( ) No ( Whero would you say pooplo in this looality or noighborhood do most of t‘:1€1r b oo1nesz 1 #55 Ptoo 1315 locality or neighborhood go by any Special or certain name? What wsuld you say nulls t2 e paoole to5;othor in this noigkxborhood the moat? (1) Tfafle CEfluer ( ) (5) Other ornanisations ( )V (2) Sohool ( ) (spec ify) . (3) Churn h ( ) (6) Efchange of labor ander ma chincry( ) (1}) 'Farm orponizatioos ( ) (1) Other ( ) Spacifyfl‘ Is there any place you go to as offion as practically every day to do any buying or selling? Yea ( ) No ( ) 16 there any place you go to as often as once a.wnek? You ( |) No ( ) In there any plaoo you go to as often as once a mon‘h? Yea ( ) No ( ) Rama A - v I . 2’4. So: of Informant; Male ( ) 3.1213. moress_ 5 - .. , _ . . remalo( ) Township YI‘ I ‘ 1 . Q t . . . n ‘y . .. , | D. O ' .. 4. ... V1.1 . § . v - I 1 _ ‘ , x 1‘ ‘ .I D .. . 1,. ..x;. .l‘v'u o r , - x . . . . 5 . \- ‘ .17. - k d I)"J "| ., w . r, ,, , .11 . . ' n x A A ’7 . ' ,. ._. _ n ,7 «14\ 1th J 1 i . ' I o I . f .’ o. - ‘ n v . 1 1 6'1‘, -' ll 1‘ ' . .v ‘ .. .- . ‘ I - “ I 4 . J . '1 l . a . ’ . . . -'. ‘ \.r\~..‘“ 'n ‘3 , . \ \ ‘1 I l r .< I u\ I - , -1. . l‘ .' — 1". . 'I' .:\’L.- . ' ‘ . :5“: ']\, 1".“ '_. x.. ,. . .. .- .. . . .15. W». .A 1 . , _ ' ' 1 " ‘ V .., ' ' —‘ I. 1 . ' ' -- , - n. -' .- ' ._v 1] f ' 1 ‘ l. _ I826 '53- .. ' ' 1' * : . .5 ‘ . ,. .. _ ' ‘ _ ,l u ' .\ ' » ‘_ . 11 I ' - v ‘ . . ‘ a? y , 1" . . 1 .- 1 . _ I. 4' I . / ' ‘ _ , .. .I . ~ .' I .' -.-7 l" D .' f". _ . ’1... \ ‘- ’u. . -‘f ' n " ".: ’ . . ’ I A - ‘ 5 ' ' -I' : J6 ‘ J . . l‘ - » a, t ', 5’- h' I I . ~ . ". 1‘ l ‘ ' V I 'y 0.. .’ . . , ."- 514‘.» “MW“ WAN -- .122 z; v I 1.1/1924,” I 1 I I. ’ ".1! O I Q . D I I I t ‘ l ‘- | I . t - 1 —— \ , I | I t ' ' 'I R0 ‘ ' a l , . C [I I u o - I I ' ' a L | " ' ‘¢/ 1' IV a ' 1 Q . I. d‘ I AI ' >1. / ‘ I I. V '1 I, I ‘ I O ‘ ' . ‘ .' s'J ‘ ‘ I ’ ' ”‘11.. ‘I /\ 0‘ , , A; I Q “ 1 __V'¥'— - J ~n4-_' I _","I‘ " "'iiiifififij‘xufiimfi‘fmi’Iiflifl‘fififihiammliijuimmES 293 0311