The problem selected for the study in the recent research project was to determine the effectiveness of the Sour Lake, Texas, High School library program as it was reflected through the reading experiences of the thirty-one first-year high school pupils for the year 1945-1946. These reading experiences were analyzed on the basis of the number and the classifications of the books charged from the library by the pupils for use in the various academic subjects. For the purposes of the study, the books were grouped in accordance with the arrangement of the Dewey Decimal System of classification, which is the system used by the school librarian in classifying and cataloging all library materials. Although the principal phase of the investigation involved a study of the books circulated, an analysis was made also of the books and other library materials used for factual information and for special classroom assignments.

The main body of this thesis is composed of four chapters: Chapter II is concerned with the development of the oil industry in Texas prior to the discovery of Spindletop; Chapter III deals with Spindletop; Chapter IV sets forth the later developments of the oil industry in Southeast Texas or Railroad Commission District No. 3; Chapter V is the concluding chapter, complete with summary, evaluation present status and future possibilities of the oil industry in Southeast Texas.