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Wisconsin Traveling Libraries

Traveling Libraries began in New York under the leadership of Melville Dewey in 1892.  These small libraries were state funded and allowed libraries to extend their services to rural areas.  Often these collections of 30 to 100 books were cared for by a volunteer.

Two views of the replica Wisconsin Traveling kept in the Menomonee Falls Public LIbrary.

Traveling libraries began in Wisconsin in 1896.  Senator J. H. Stout of Menomonie, Wisconsin privately funded the project and provided 500 books to be divided into collections of 30 volumes each.  The Wisconsin Free Library commission which began in 1895 assisted with the selection of books to be included.   

Senator Stout along with Lutie Stearns and Frank Hutchins were instrumental in starting the Commission.  Lutie Stearns in particular was instrumental in establishing hundreds of traveling libraries around the state.  Lutie was a passionate advocate for literacy, community organizer, and campaigner for women’s rights.  In 1903 the Wisconsin Free Library Commission established a Department of Traveling Libraries with Lutie Stearns running the organization.  Lutie was at the first meetings when the Menomonee Falls Public Library was first approved on March 26, 1906. 

The Traveling Library pictured on this webpage is a replica of what early Wisconsin Traveling Libraries looked like.  This replica can be found to this day in the Maude Shunk Local History Room.