BRANCH LIBRARY NEWS TO BECOME A QUARTERLY EGINNING with this number the Branch Library News will be published quarterly, probably in February, May, August, and November. This will continue throughout 1919, and so long thereafter as the necessity continues. The Library regrets this change, but it is one of the retrenchments which are made unavoidable by the City's reduction of the appropriation for the Circulation Department. This number of the NEWS is larger than usual — containing twenty-four instead of sixteen pages and the hope is to make each succeeding quarterly number of thirty-two pages in length. Thus it will be possible to print a more nearly complete list of the new books, and, in general, not to omit so many articles and book-lists as would be inevitable if the publication retained its old size, while decreasing its frequency of appearance from twelve to four numbers a year. THE HE appropriation in the city budget for the Library for 1919 is $72,467 less than that for 1918. This has made unavoidable some readjustment of the schedule of expenditures. The high cost of living necessitated salary increases, particularly in the low paid positions, involving an aggregate increase of $66,000. In order to make this increase and still bring the expenditures within the budget allowance, the following changes, among others, have become necessary: The Staff has been reduced by fifty-five. The Bond Street Branch was closed December 31. The funds available for books have been reduced by half. Third floor reading rooms have been closed wherever possible. Seven reading rooms formerly open until 10 p. m. are now closed at 9 p. m. Jackson Square and Ottendorfer Branches are no longer open any Reserve privilege on fiction is 'discontinued. The purchase of supplies is curtailed. Branch Library News: Published Quarterly by The New York Public Library at 476 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as Second-Class Matter, April 5, 1915, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. Acceptance for Mailing at Special Rate of Postage Provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, Authorized. |