Most government publications are written in a formal, often dry form of English that reflects the duties of government in informing others in government and the public of the workings of elected officials, agencies, institutions, task forces, etc.  But every now and then we come across a government document that exudes pride and a genuine love in accomplishments made in serving the needs of the people.

This pride of service can be found in "Kansas Rural-School Bulletin, 1922."  Issued by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Lorraine Elizabeth Wooster, this publication touted not only the accomplishments of the Kansas Department of Education, but included stories, photographs, architectural plans, poetry, statistics, quotations and stirring statements on professional conduct.

The photographs in the book display school buildings, students, educators and general day-to-day activities across the state.  Here is a list of some of the locations/school districts photos to give you an idea of the geographical extent of the graphics.

Iola, (Buffalo) Scott County, (Benedict) Wilson County, Midian (Butler County), Miami County, Anderson County, Republic County, Coldwater, Ellsworth, Fort Hays Experiment Station, Douglas County, Kearny County, (Salt City Business College) Hutchinson, Holcomb, Cimarron, Ingalls, Cloud County, Zenda, Thomas County, Burdick, Assaria, Copeland, Crawford County, Havensville, (Kansas Industrial and Educational Institute) Topeka.

Finally... a statement at the end of the book by State Superintendent, Lorraine Elizabeth Wooster:

"Our educational ethics should carry a spirit of sympathy, humane fellowship, honesty, square dealing, and a straightforwardness of which no person could have doubt. Our faces should shine with the smile of cheerfulness and love for children. We should honor our vocation and be grateful that it gives us an opportunity to serve. Our vocation affords the greatest opportunity of all, and we should be happy to serve in the highest calling known to man—the calling of the teacher."

You can view this book online at KGI Online Library:

KANSAS RURAL-SCHOOL BULLETIN, 1922

The State Library’s KGI Online Library has built up a small collection of scanned documents by or about the State Penitentiary (some scanned from the Kansas Historical Society’s duplicates collection)

 Publications by the Lansing Correctional Facility / Kansas State Penitentiary
•General Publications
•Kansas State Penitentiary Annual and Biennial Reports (1861-1972, Incomplete)
•Concept Magazine (1975-1979) and The Stretch (newsletter) (1961)

Publications about the Prison by other agencies
Report of the Joint Committee Appointed to Investigate the Affairs of the State Penitentiary, appointed under authority of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2. [1889?]
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll38/id/22

Contract convict labor and prison reform. [1894]
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll116/id/310

Report of the committee appointed by Governor Stubbs to examine the conditions and management of the Kansas State Penitentiary [1911?]
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll114/id/16

The official report by the State Accountant relating to the State Penitentiary : covering efficiency, finance, prisoners' account and twine plant : from June 30, 1914 to July 1, 1916.
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll114/id/66

Report on State penitentiary. Preliminary information. [1935]
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll8/id/425

Industries at the Kansas State Penitentiary, fiscal years, 1911-1917  [published 1938]
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll8/id/815

Report of inspection : Kansas State Penitentiary coal mine, Lansing, Leavenworth County, Kansas [1938]
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll112/id/15

The Prison Labor Problem in Kansas [1938]
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll8/id/649 (full document)
http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16884coll8/id/737 (summary report)

Within the well dusted shelves of the State Library of Kansas' virtual KGI Online Library is an incomplete collection of newsletters, "Kansas Schools," covering the years 1952-1969.

These publications, issued by the then Kansas State Department of Public Instruction, could be seen as historical reflections of the changing face of public education and society in general in the Sunflower State during the post-WWII decades.  These were changes that shaped the coming of age of the Baby Boomer generation... The Korean War, school integration, suburban development, the Vietnam War, the turbulent 1960s, gender equality, etc. 

The collection is a great tool for social, historical and casual researchers interested in the development of public education and American society in the 1950s and 1960s.  You can find "Kansas Schools" online at the State Library of Kansas' KGI Online Library at:

"KANSAS SCHOOLS" newsletter,  1952-1969