The Wilderness Library years

President Franklin Roosevelt issued a proclamation late in 1941 supporting libraries as "essential to the functioning of a democratic society".

In 1956, the Library Services Act was passed allowing federal funding for libraries.

By the time President Roosevelt issued his proclamation, Ted had been operating his library for almost ten years and by 1956 he finally abandoned the project after the failure of his newly incorporated library organization. Penniless by now and no promised donations coming in, he was left with few options and spent his remaining time with his newly wed wife.

Ted was often criticized for the un-organized structure of his library by "Librarians" and it was said that legitimate libraries were available to the mountain residents long before the Wilderness Library was established. However, the central regional library system of Arkansas was only established in 1944 and did not offer free books to the mountain folks who had no means of traveling miles to the nearest town.

Jefferson L. Raney continued operating the JL Raney branch of the library until his death in 1977. Jefferson was the libraries biggest supporter.