The Portland daily press., 1872-04-04


Institute and Public Library.
Gentlemen Of the Portland Institute and Public
Library II IE
When there have already been laid founda-
tons so well laid as the foundations OF this in
stitution, 1t is delight and a comparatively
easy task to heighten the superstructure as has
been done during the season just closed. The
act OF the association which owned what was
COMMONLY known as the Girls High School
Library, in Incorporating the same with our
own, has placed that collection, than which
perhaps none was ever more wisely adapted
for popular uses, where it will be of larger pub
lie benefit; and this, in connection with the un-
usual increase which we have otherwise made
during the year, constitutes great advance in
the strengthening process necessary tebe com
pleted before we are capable of doing the whole
work of a free public institution Moreover
the Encouragement of our rooms to accommo-
date il creasing wants. the addition of numer-
GUS works of art and some literary curiOsities
and especially in behalf of the Library which
has been continuously exhibited by the Direc
tors as well as by the Librarian and his assis-
tants, have been agreeable incidents of the
year Just closed.
As will be seen by the Treasurer's report, the
receipts and expenditures of the last year have
been unusually large; while small deficit ex-
lists which we trust will be made up within
few days. Commencing a new year without
any certainty that our income will be as large
as it was the past year, it will be necessary to
use caution and economy. As every other por-
ton OF our work is already now upon the most
economical basis, We regret to say this economy
must be in the matter of purchasing books.
While there are so many calls upon our citizens
as now, our Directors hesitate to invite pecuni-
AIRY aid except from those who it is supposed in
advance would most willingly be thus invited;
and the field of public entertainments as a pro-
Queer of pecuniary profit, is already occupied
by other associations, against whom we ought
not to attempt interference. The result is, that
our only certain sources OF income at present
are the annual appropriations from the city and
the daily receipts for subscriptions and fines.
In selections of purchases the past year, the
line marked out i'll previous years and by other
similar institutions has been largely pursued
In consequence a large portion of additions has
been of works which are entirely ephemeral.
This is supposed to be in obedience to popu-
lar demand; but IT is a question whether on
fair experiment the popular demand would not
be in truth better satisfied with fewer of that
class of books, provided the Library duplicated
or sometimes trebled, the best of them and the
best OF some other classes. Though generally
pursuing tile usual course as already remarked,
we can vet say that during the last year
special effort has been made to keep up with
the higher order of publications, of WHICH the
year has been productive to degree hitherto
almost unknown. x~<
In room which is wholly disconnected from
our rooms in use by the public, is arranged our
very valuable collection of public documents,
and some other works, numbering in all about
1000 volumes. This disconnection and the ne
cessity of providing for the future growth of
the Library have caused some discussion, and
given rise to plans of annexation of other
rooms not yet fully matured, largely by reason
pense of radical changes Trusting, however,
that the future will develop full success ac-
cording to the plans and hopes of the founders
Of this institution, and referring you to the
very satisfactory reports of the Treasurer and
detain you no longer under this Article of the
call for this meeting ea ss. Xxi.
, WILLIAM L. PUTNAM, President
Portland, April1, 1872