Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-04-17
Report Of the LfbFaTian or the Cleveland
TFhrurw

1 Library A1neciation.
/ TO The Members Of he Board Of Directors,
CiepeldEd Library ASSOCIATION. GHHfLR-
NES:-It has been expected Of me as Librs-
riAR 70 make a report for the Annual Meet
/ ing, embracing the present ntate of the
Rooms, both Of the Reading and Library
Departments. In tbs absence Of e Report
Of the Library committee it might be nee
essarys bat with such report It would le-
/ gidusteiy come under that head. This year,
perhaps, II would seem less called for, as 90
little has been done in the rooms; but as
that lately devolved mainly on The Libra
risn, it would be considered oniy right Tor
him 70 report il, meagre as il may sppear.
The Reading Room proper, has kept up
its full amounts Of interest among sne mem
bors, more Gssing in and cut than on any
previous year, and many lady members,
spending portion Of Their time IN It, with
apparently good satisiacti0n. think the
growing interest Of the ladies in this depart
ment OF the Association should be eueour-
sged, and they be made to feel At home
there, as intended for their use and conve-
nisnee a for gentlemen. The same liberal
smoznt Of newspapers and periodicals,
dsdy, weekly, monthly and quarterly, have
oeen constantly supplied 20 the Reading
Room ss IN former years, and q very good
~~-~~f---A Va N--eA anu ~ VI NAd Glasses
named, for the purpose for which thsv were
obtained. And here allow me to add one
word with respect tr the newspapers on file,
to correct any erroneous ideas which may
have crept IN, through articles lately appear
ing with regard 70 the political bearing Of the
paPers- They were placed in the Reading
Room without the slightest view to politics.
The committee before obtaining them re-
teTr:ng their selection to mem bers Of the
Board Of Trade" and men Of business, gen
orally, without considering Of what psrtv
they were identified. They advised The
present list almost without exception. Lest
year the question had rehearing, and the
Library Committee, composed Of two Dem
oerats and one Republican, again concluded
that the flist" could not be msteriailV i'm
proved. So much for this question, which
may have Its inhuencs in some quarters
where the facts are not known.
The Library proper, when compared with
former Tears, has been more generally visit
ed BY the members, either By themselves q
some portions Of their families Thus man
itesling an interest By those who are its true
patrons. We have had no now books
worthy Of mention, not even Hthe
last novels" which is sad calamity
% many Of our readers, and has had is ef-
feet in lessening The mem bsrship list, which
at this writing has only amounted to $50.
There has also been tEenty-eight young Ia
dies and gents, who have had six months
subscriptions TO the Library alone, who
would not otherwise have been able 70 have
obtained its privileges. The latest current
hserssure Of the day, must be supplied 70 3
circulating Library, or its success, from all
experience, iS doubtful.
Some seVenty-twO books have been re-
bound, and eighty volumes Of magazines
bound during the year. Over ons thousand
have been covered and labelled; and while
mentioning this fact, the iBiuring Of books
must nOs be left unnOticed. The inexcusa-
bic careieBsness in their treatment, and
even Wanton abuse Of many Of them, seems
yearly 70 increase. A large number, espe-
elally Of fiction, / am aware are getting old,
but still the mutilating ofcoyers and leaves
ls not the less admissible, and the guilty
parties should be severely dealt with
Members could do much in protecting the
Library In this matter, If they felt disposed.
Many thanks are due to the following
persons for books and sundry courtesies ex-
tended 10 the association:
Dudley Bald win, Dr.. A. MAYNARD, Harvey
Rise, William Case, ". P. Fogg. Hon. A.
g. Riddle, Hawks 4 Bro, s. o. GrisWold,
Hon. B. F. Wade, s. L. Msther, and 70 the
publishers aud editors Of the city press, for
their papers, and for kind and encouraging
notices from time 70 time
The books cannot be put in readiness for
drs HIng-out again IS soon as usual, an ae-
count Of the Librarians time having been
90 much occupied the last week in calling
upon those whose membership had expired
and soliciting reneEEls- Saturday morning
next, a. 10 o'clock, he hopes % be psrpared
foE visitors. Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAH J. TAR, Librarian.