Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-02

MI d D. OEADpAc Z
q" Mrs. B. White 3
& Col. Chas. Whittlesey l vol.
" 4. switzer l
&" A. Colwell, Jry q
" Hon. R. C. Parsons, 6 d"
" F. J. Prentiss, Esq, l /"
And of public documents.
By Ansel Roberts, Esq, County Auditor,
8 vols.
8. o. Griswold, Esq, l vol.
Secretary oil the Interior, l vol.
Hon. R. P. Spalding, 80 vols.
In magazines and periodicals the Library
is especially rich, embracing many of for
eign publication.
The present facilities for the aceommoda-
ton of so many books, in classified depart
ments, are entirely inadequate, and unless
some more spacious and suitable apart
ments be secured, speedily, serious incon-
~venience and confusion are certain to re-
suit. The shelves are overcrowded, and
valuable books, for want of accommodation
in the cases, are, too many of them, lying
loosely about, tempting, in many instances,
evil disposed persons to avail themselves of
the.oppOrtunities toffered to appropriate to
their own uses rare and valuable works.
Several very valuable and costly publica-
tons have been distracted during the
present year. 1t is hoped that the libra
rian may yet detect the perpetrators and
that they may be suitably punished.
An Act has been passed recently by the
State Legislature, making the DETACHMENT
or mutilation of books, periodicals or news
papers belonging TO institutions like this a
misdemeanor, and punishable by a fine not
to exceed one hundred dollars, or imprison-
ment or both. It is hoped that a knowl-
edge of the existence Of this law may have
IL oasr,A - -n-frosr Dora1-, f-o- ,-EL.-
mutilating the property of the Association.
It is to be regretted that not more of the
members have awaited themselves of the
catalogues. 225 copies still remain on hand.
The price at which they are furnished
($I.50l is less than the cost of publication ;
and considering that it is impossible for
any member to be acquainted with the
character of the library without a classified
catalogue, it is a matter of surprise that
they are not in more common request.
At the commencement of the present
year there were as reported by the former
Board SIS members. There has been an
increase since that period of 10, making
the present number 6s5. There are also
200 persons who, by the payment of pro
rata rates, are admitted to The privileges of
the rooms, some for six, others for three
months, but who are not members of the
Association.
While it is gratifying To know that our
numbers are steadily increasing, it is never
theless true that that increase is not in pro-
portion to the rapid advance of our City in
population, wealth and business. The pres
ont population can scarcely fall short of TO- I
900, of whom only l in 100 is q member of
this Association 1t is not ereditable to our
city, distinguished though it be for the en-
lightened iberslity of its people, that it
should be SO unmindful Of the importance
of fostering such an institution as this-that
its only public library should be left to
struggle along in a sort of precarious exist
ence, and its managers from year to year
in constant apprehension lest, owing to this |
neglect, it should decline and finally cease
to exist.
Itscurrent yearly expenses Requirement
including the purchase Of ~books-nearly
81 200 over and above the sum received for
memberships. This deficiency is wholly
dependant upon the lectures-a source Of |
so extremely uncertain as to make
it vitality necessary that, having no perma-
nent fund upon which to draw, the number
of members should be sufficiently large to
the institution in case Of a failure
Of the lecture course to yield a handsome
profit. It is true that for two or three years
psst the lectures have been successful. But
can be more tickle than the public
regarding popular lectures. Even
in favor their success depends Upon
many contingencies. A succession of stormy
other public amusements at the
lame time, dictate to the lecturer, or his
may, and often do, conspire to pro
luce q failure Of the lectures.
The Board Of Directors, desirouso Of adopt
ng some plan by which the public interest
n the Association should be increased, COM
the subject to q special committee.
That committee, among other things, rec
lmmended certain changes in the constitu-
ion, which changes you have already made.
The time Of holding the annual meeting
Tas changed with the hope that a larger at
at that meeting would be secured,
nd the interest in the annual election be
Members can do much by attending the
meetings.
They should understand the history and
ituation Of the Association, aud they can {
OF then fail TO feel a deeper interest in its J
Until they do feel more interest !
cards of Directors cannot d o very much :
} increase the number of memberships.
Vere each individual TO interest himself !
nough to secure q single additional mem )
er BY personal solicitation, our Association !
'ould at once be placed in a comparatively
position, its field of .usefulness
and it enabled to take that rank
nong cur public institutions to which tits 8
lirly entitled. 3
The following is, in brief, q statement of
le receipts and disbursement of moneys 5
uring the year: !
RECEIPTS.
seeiyed from former TressuIer--..-S Ice co
or Aemoerships lSS) and permit. s...-.... 2,420 c. :