March, '95]

date of return, that no book will be reissued to the same applicant or to a member of the applicant's household until two days after its return, and that the rules as to guarantors and applications are rather minute in restrictions, etc.

Milwaukee (Wis.) P. L. (17th rpt.) Added 6322; total 75,162. Issued, home use 281,795 (fict. 42.1%; juv. 21.8%); no record of reference use is kept; reading-room attendance 92,162 (Sunday visitors 6467). No. cardholders 17,220. Receipts $49,755.72; expenses $32,698.89.

is

The statistics show a very large increase over any previous year in the home use of books. The absolute gain over the preceding year 122,182, being a relative gain of 77%. Miss West's report is so admirable and so full of interest that space alone forbids extended quotation. It should be carefully read by all librarians, who will find it full of suggestion and inspiration. A lucid summary is given of the delays and difficulties that have arisen to prevent the erection of the much-needed library building which was undertaken in 1893. Lawsuits, municipal quarrels and lack of public spirit among the city authorities have brought the matter to a standstill and prevented progress. The work with the schools, which has been systematically conducted by the library since 1888, proves year by year more valuable, and 15% of the circulation of books belongs to this department. During the year an author catalog of the library has been completed and placed in the circulating department, and three numbers of the quarterly index to additions have been issued. The bindery established by the library has proved most satisfactory and is "to the librarian one of the most satisfactory experiments ever tried."

inclusion in full of Miss West's paper on "Li-
Reading
brary building" and the report on
for the young," by Miss L. E. Stearns, both of
which were among the notable features of the
Lake Placid Conference of the A. L. A. in 1894.

New Hampshire F. P. L. Commission (2d rpt.).
This report covers two years - 1893 and 1894
- and is a most gratifying record of progress in
the direction of establishing town libraries. Of
the 233 towns in the state 60 had town libraries in
1891. Since then 113 have been established,
making a total of 173. Sixty towns have no
town libraries, but in many of these there are
subscription libraries, or libraries established
the report shows that there are in the state 262
through private generosity. The summary of
libraries, with a total of 576,961 volumes, ex-
clusive of reports and pamphlets. These include
14 free libraries other than town, 40 subscrip-
tion, two circulating, 24 school, two college, six
state and department, and the library of the
New Hampshire Historical Society. Carefully
tabulated statistics present these figures, and
the report shows painstaking and accuracy. Pp.
26-56 are devoted to short historical sketches
of various libraries, with illustrations of the
buildings, and the report contains some admi-
rable suggestions as to library methods" ac-
companied by illustrative forms, etc.

New Orleans, La. On Jan. 31 the city council unanimously voted to establish a free public library in the vacated criminal court building, the nucleus of the library to be the Lyceum Library, heretofore housed in the city hall, and the Fisk Free Library, now in Tulane University. The Fisk Free Library, was established in 1845 by a bequest of books and real property from Abijah Fisk, and was for years in charge of the Mechanics' Institute. In 1882, after the dissolution of the Institute, the collection was placed in the custody of the University of Louisiana. Later, when the State University was incorporated with Tulane University, the library passed under the management of the latter institution, where it has since continued. The removal of Tulane University to its new building in a remote quarter of the city brought up the question of the transfer of the Fisk Library. It was generally thought that the library should be centrally located, and through the efforts of the mayor and others interested, steps were taken towards making it the nucleus of a general free public library. It was decided to remodel and alter the criminal court building, in the heart of the city, for library purposes, and to transfer there the Fisk Library and the Lyceum Library, to be conducted as a free public library. The remodelling of the building is estimated at about $20,The Fisk Library has an income of $2000 000. yearly, which it is proposed to increase by city appropriation to about $12,000. The books of the two libraries number about 25,000 v., but the collection will have to be thoroughly overThe hauled, weeded out and increased by new additions before it is ready for circulation. movement has the general support of the local press, and it seems probable that the work of The report is made still more valuable by the organization will soon be in vigorous operation,

Referring to the increasing appreciation and usefulness of the library, Miss West says: "The real efficiency of this or any other library must always be dependent upon the ability and courtesy of those officials who come into closest relations with the public. No excellence of regulation by the trustees, no direction or inspiration by the librarian, can ever overcome incapacity, dulness and indifference on the part of the assistants. The view which regards their work as a mere mechanical routine is far aside from the truth. They have constant need of every resource that culture and courtesy can supply. Their hours of work are long, and busy days, which are almost incessant now, are exhausting in the extreme, not only to the body, but to mind and nerves as well. It is my firm conviction that the funds of the library can be used in no way more effective for its best interests than in the gradual increase of salaries paid for efficient service of this kind. The library needs to be able to tempt into its service and to retain by some other chain than their love for the work, able, original and kindly women. An increase of salaries based on experience merely, which has been the rule in the past, is not entirely satisfactory, as it has been granted to the ambitious and indifferent alike and has offered no reward for special effort."

New York. Aguilar F. L. (6th rpt.) Added been reduced to five and a half cents, and at 5036; total 25,848. Issued 253,349 (fict. varies one of the libraries to four and a half cents, infrom .555% to .777% at the three libraries); | cluding all expenses. The salaries account has reading-room attendance 184,144; no. borrow-been slightly increased at the expense of the ers 4665. Receipts $14,257.58; expenses $12,

049.29.

The year has been a gratifying one at each of the three libraries. The library committee say: "The proportion of circulation to the number of volumes in the library is shown in a reporting work last winter called for a large addition of the state library department. In this it appears that the proportionate circulation of the Aguilar Free Library is the largest of any library in the state, being about 10 to one.

|

cataloging department. The librarian-in-chief reports: The economies practised this year present unique features-some, indeed, which I sincerely hope will not have to be resorted to during the coming year. The greatly increasto the working force, but we had no money with which to hire help. The relief committees came to our assistance and sent us six girls and one man, whose wages they paid for a term of three to seven months of service. Some of these persons gave such satisfaction that they were retained and placed on our pay-roll when the committees closed their work. Still, they are not just the kind of assistants that we wish to employ in large number, and the wages paid are far too small. The first assistants in all cases should be such women as can be properly advanced to the highest place, and should receive an adequate salary.'

"Aid is given to readers, as far as possible, by lists and by personal advice. During the past year juvenile lists have been issued at the East Broadway and Lexington avenue libraries. A new fiction list at the Lexington avenue library and a biography list for the East Broadway branch are almost ready to be issued. The card catalog of the East Broadway branch is complete, and should be printed as soon as a few more additions are made. Lists of biography, of books relating to lectures and special events, from time to time posted on our literary bulletins, are used with success in calling the attention of readers to the books on our shelves. Visits are constantly made to schools to main-themselves classes of instruction in English tain the co-operation of the school and the library. As far as possible, books are purchased that can supplement school-work."

An appeal is made for additional money support, permitting the securing of better quarters for the Lexington avenue branch, an increase of the library force, and extension of the work generally.

New York F. C. L. Total 76,860. Issued 636,043 (fict. averaging from 27% at Bond street branch to 56% at Ottendorfer branch); readingroom attendance 180,778; Sunday circulation 41,641; no. borrowers 57.645. Receipts $34,586.98; expenses $34,139.06.

There has been an increase of 105,006 volumes over the circulation of the previous year. The increase in the expenses of the year has been but $1561.17, of which $1217.53 was spent in books, "leaving an increased cost of $243.74 in administration for the increased circulation of 105,006 v." At each of the six libraries the record is the same increased use, extended

"In spite of the unusual heat of the summer and the many extra demands upon them, the librarians have continued to take the greatest interest in their work, have organized among

history and literature and in the German language and literature, in hours when not employed, and have voluntarily joined a cataloging class under the charge of the librarian-in-chief and the cataloger, from which results of great value to the library are sure to follow."

An earnest appeal is made for more adequate financial support for the library. The trustees say that they "feel sure that if the work of the library were only sufficiently well known, the income from contributions alone would go far towards furnishing an adequate support for the existing libraries. In other cities the expense of supporting a free circulating library is a public charge, and yet, with the slight assistance given by public funds for this purpose in New York, the circulation of books from the six branches of the New York Free Circulating Library is exceeded only by the libraries of Boston and Chicago."

New York Mercantile L. (74th rpt.) Added 5556; total 246 514. Issued, home use 176,873 membership 5104. (Eng. fict. 48.48%); ref. use 45,885; reading-room attendance 24,636. New members 97; total Receipts $26,164.34; ex

penses $24,979.12.

lack of funds. The increase in use was largest opportunities, and development hampered by at the time of the greatest financial depression, and has lessened materially during the last two months. The use of the reading-room has The yearly exhibition of the art and illustrated books contained in the library was held been about the same, although certain restrictions have been made in its use "excluding interest heretofore displayed in the exhibitions on Wednesday, February 7, 1894, and the ina great measure the tramps - by which the rooms have been rendered much more useful to students, the character of the attendance much

improved, the reading more satisfactory, and the books of reference more frequently and intelligently consulted. To those having no quiet homes the reading-rooms have been places of rest and comfort in many a trying hour."

The chairman of the library committee says: "The average cost per volume issued has

was fully maintained.

The two most popular publications of the year, judged by the demand and the extent of our purchases, were "Trilby," of which 100 copies were purchased, and the "Manxman," by Hall Caine."

New York. Y. M. C. A. L. On Washington's Birthday the library of the Y. M. C. A. invited the art schools of New York and Brooklyn, and

other interested people, to an exhibition of art books, belonging to its collection. The books displayed were those that would be especially interesting to designers and decorators. There was a large attendance. The free use of notebooks and the eager attention of the visitors showed that such an exhibition had a special value to those in attendance. This is the seventh annual art exhibition held by the Library

on Feb. 22.

The re

Plans are being prepared for a $500,000 building for the Y. M. C. A. It will be erected in 56th and 57th streets, between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and will have two frontages of 75 feet each. It is expected that work on it will be begun in May, and that it will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1896. The The building will be six stories in height. main entrance will be in 57th street. ception-room, two parlors, a reading-room, and a small lecture-hall will be on the first floor. In the basement will be bowling-alleys, a bicycle-room, shower-baths, a swimming-tank, 16 by 40 feet, and lockers. The boys' department, on the first floor and basement, will consist of a reception-room, gymnasium, and bath. On the second floor will be a lecture-room seating 664 persons. On the third, fourth, and fifth floors will be studios, class rooms, a smokingroom, and a dining-room and kitchen. Provision is also made for a large gymnasium, and for a number of bedrooms.

The greater part of the library now housed in the 23d street branch of the association will be moved to the new building, where it will occupy the fifth and sixth stories of the 56th street side. There will be room for 83,000 volumes. On the sixth floor will be a large reading-room, and this floor will be devoted to the reference department.

The building will cost in the neighborhood of $500,000.

Philadelphia F. L. The library was formally opened in its new quarters on the evening of Feb. 22. Among the speakers were Ainsworth R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress; Governor Hastings, of Pennsylvania, Senator Boies Penrose, Dr. William Pepper, and others. A large number of books have recently been given to the library. President Pepper, of the board of trustees, issued a general letter to the public before the opening, announcing that the library would be opened on Washington's Birthday and requesting all visitors on that day, and during the ensuing week to bring "one book or as many books as they can give." This appeal added a goodly number of volumes to the library's shelves. The work of altering and refitting the new rooms cost over $5000, which was defrayed from the income of the Pepper bequest; the library has now shelf-room for about 150,000 v., but possesses as yet only

20,000 v.

Plainfield (N. J.) F. P. L. Nine new peri-
odicals have been added to the list of those
regularly received by the general library, and
25 to the Babcock Scientific Library collection.
(49th rpt.)
St. Louis (Mo.) Mercantile L.

Added 4191; total 89,686 (excluding 569 v. of
Issued, home use 98,303
duplicate novels).
(fict. 75.2%); no record of reference use is kept.
New members 273; membership 3660. Receipts
$52,481.25; expenses $54,717.65. The floating
debt is now $18,559.71, having been increased
$2236.40 during the year.

"The experiment known as the 'duplicate collection' of popular novels, which are issued at 10 cents apiece, has been a marked success. It was begun in January, 1894, by the expenditure of $100. During the year 579 v. were purchased at a cost of $495.04; these were issued 7590 times, showing a total receipt from issues of $767.60, and a net balance of $272.56 besides 569 v. in good condition.

"We are now making a determined effort to bring together such a collection of Missouriana as will be not only creditable, but invaluable to students and writers. All books and pamphlets illustrating the history of Missouri which had been acquired were entered in a separate official catalog last winter, and additions have been made as fast as our resources and the opportunities of the market would allow. We now have a collection of about 2000 volumes and pamphlets relating to Missouri, and to the Louisiana Territory down to December, 1812, when the Missouri Territory was separately organized. A public catalog of these works is in course of preparation."

Stockton (Cal.) P. L. On Feb. 12 the library board was notified that the new public library building was finished and ready for dedication. The date of the formal opening has not yet been set. The building has cost about $50,000 and was erected from the bequest of $75,000 left for the purpose by Dr. Hazleton, of New York City, in 1892, $15,000 of the bequest being reserved for the purchase of books. The building is of brick veneered with white marble; the architecture is Greek, of the Ionic order. Along the main frontage is a portico, each column of which is 17 feet high between the base and capital. The entrance is flanked by columns of marble and opens on a vestibule 10 feet square, floored, lined, and ceiled in fancy marbles. The main reading-room is 39 feet by 74 feet, with a special apartment for ladies on one side and for men on the other. The central portion of the readingroom is open to the roof, and on each side there is a row of handsome columns arranged in half-circle, carrying a gallery. The rear half of the building is largely devoted to a stack-room, 36 x 41 feet, lighted by a skylight only. Across the front of the stack-room is a grille, subdivided by marble columns and resting on a marble counter. Every opening in this apartment can be instantly closed by a steel curtain, and cut off from the rest of the building. On the left of the stack-room are the librarian's offices and the hallway leading from the side entrance of the building to the ladies' reading-room. On the right of the stack-room is a newspaper reading-room, 20 x 48 feet, connecting with the Over the librarian's librarian's quarters by the hallway which deoffice is a trustees' room, and over the newspaper-room an art gallery.

taches the stack-room.

tion, is supported by the usual penny rate," which produces £1100 yearly, of which about £650 will be needed for running expenses, and opens with 6000 v. in the circulating department and 1000 v. in the reference department.

The various addresses made at the opening have been printed and issued in pamphlet form. The method on which the library will be administered is thus described:

"The system of lending the books, which the library committee has decided to adopt, had its genesis in America, and so far as this country is concerned has only been permanently adopted in one other public library. It is known as the 'open access' system, and in the opinion of the best library experts is likely to revolutionize the 'indicator' and other well-known methods. The only place in England where it has been thoroughly tested is at the Clerkenwell Library, where our librarian has himself been trained. The basic principle of this free access is that instead of presenting yourself at a counter in the library in somewhat the same fashion as you go into a grocer's shop, you will be admitted personally into the sanctum sanctorum of the books themselves. We have adopted it for three reasons. It was preferred for its simplicity, then we found it was more expeditious, and we also knew it to be more economical. There is much less formality than in any other system; it has been found possible in practice for one assistant to mark off and charge 55 books in 25 minutes; and in our own case we shall be able to work the library with a smaller staff than would be required under the old method."

20 %); reading-room attendance 16,432. New borrowers 226; total no. borrowers 1700.

The circulation showed a decrease of 2106, as compared with the previous year; this is wholly attributed to the unfamiliarity of readers with the books or the library during the first year of its existence, which resulted in frequent exchanges of books drawn. In fiction, the 63 volumes of Hackländer were circulated 1500 times, and the 62 volumes of Winterfeld 1488 times, there being no duplicates of either author. The borrowers are chiefly "students and laboring people." The trustees have opened several delivery stations in the immediate neighborhood of Zwittau. If these prove a success, similar branches will be established among the neighboring villages. Twenty-two free scientific lectures, concerts, and recitations were given during the year in the lecture hall of the library building.

Gifts and Bequests.

Champaign, I. Albert C. Burnham, of Champaign, Ill., has given to the board of directors of the public library of that city two lots, valued at $5000, opposite the city park as site for a new library building; $35,000 in cash to provide the building, which should contain library, reading-room, and lecture hall; and $10,000 as a memorial fund to be invested for the purchase of books. The building is to be known as the "Burnham Athenæum.' The aggregate value of Mr. Burnham's gift is $50,000.

building will cost $100,000, including books, and plans for it have been completed. It will be known as the Hatch Library.

A letter regarding the new system was received from J. D. Brown, librarian of the Clerkenwell Public Library. Mr. Brown says: Hatch, a wealthy citizen of Cleveland, has offered Cleveland, O. Western Reserve Univ. H. C. "You may claim practically perfect honesty to give a free library building to Adelbert Colfrom the public in the most thorough test of open access ever attempted. As a result of is-lege of the Western Reserve University. The suing 75,000 books to 3742 readers we have lost one small book on 'Boxing,' and one on Fencing'-this is very suggestive - total cost, Is. 4d. I cannot detect anything in the way of extra wear at all so that any deterioration which occurs will take years to manifest itself. From the reader's point of view, the system is practically perfect, as it affords a ready means of finding any given book, or a satisfactory substitute should what is wanted be out."

Hamilton (Ont., Can.) P. L. Added 1816; total 21,639. Issued, home use 130,029 (fict. 36.5%; "general literature" 30.05 %); lib. use (estimated) 83,575.

It was decided at the annual meeting of the board to keep the library open on holidays or on portions of holidays.

Toronto, Ont. Law Society of Upper Canada. (Rpt.) Added 1454; total not given. Attendance 4070. Receipts not given; expenses $7997.10. Work upon the library extension will, it is thought, be completed by April. This will afford much-needed space for book storage and for the convenience of readers.

Zwittau, Austria. Ottendorfer F. L. Added 980; total 8280. Issued 53,431 (fict. 64%; juv.

Doylestown, Pa. According to the will of the late Morris L. Fell, of Philadelphia, $30,000 is left-after the death of his wife and son, who are to have the use of it during their lifetime - for the establishment of a library building for the Doylestown Library Company. The sum is left in trust, $10,000 to be spent for a site and building, and $20,000 to be invested and the invided that no part of the said income shall be come devoted to the purchase of books, "proused in the purchase of such books or other reading-matter as shall have for their distinct or especial object the diffusion of the doctrine of infidelity or the sectarian belief of any particular religious denomination."

Greenwich, Ct. Mrs. Anderson, daughter of the late Mrs. Jeremiah Milbank, of Greenwich, has decided to erect, as a memorial to her mother, a library and reading-room in that city. It will be built of stone, and will contain, besides the library and reading-room, a hall for lectures and entertainments. The plans have been drawn and work will begin in the spring. The cost will be about $100,000.