The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-07
Brief IOttiugs.

A boy named Charles Bertrand was struck in
the eye with SNOWFALL yesterday and severely
injured. 1t is feared he will lose the sight of
one eye.
1t appears that Martins Point bridge was
not burned. Some stubble afire near by gave
rise to the report.
Mud and slush resulted from the warfare of
snow and sun yesterday. The odds are in ia
vor of the sun, with no takers.
There were some beautiful floral decorations
at the New Jerusalem church Easter Sunday,
the ladies of the parish ralying at the last mo-
ment. and doing some commendable work.
Portland Institute and Public Library.
The annual meeting Of this corporation took
place at p. m. yesterday; the President, Hon.
VIM L. Putnam in the chair.
The following is the report of the librarian,
Mr. E. A. Noyes:
To the President and Directors of the Portland
Institute and Public Library:
Gentlemen-in presenting my annual report
have as usual to submit story OF partial
successes and defeats.
The total number Of books issued for the past
year was 81, 091 volumes. No one month largo
" exceeded another, showing a healthy de-
mand for the reading matter we are able to fur
past year was 1884 at So, and % members of the
High School Library at 81 per annum. Total
subscribers 359. The greatest change have to
record for the year is IN the number of persons
using the library free of charge. Our free list
last year showed total of 133, this year it
was 229. A classified list of subscribers, vol
umes issued, number of subscribers and
classified free list is appended, and marked
The number of volumes received during the
nd Al
value that of any previous year. The grant of
an annuity by the trustees of the Portland
Academy, will be felt by reference to the tabu-
lar statement of additions made by purchase
marked b. We have received a total of 346
volumes and 90 pamphlets as gifts, showing a
total of $50 volumes and 95 pamphlets received
during the year. A beginning has been made
in collecting library of the standard French
and German authors, and complete German
and French dictionaries provided. Some
changes have been made in the periodical
agency and considerable saving effected, and
the delay in procuring two OF our old tavortes
is due to this cause.
lam happy to report that the library has
been carefully arranged in every department
and that all departments are nearer being in
order than at any time before in the history ct
the library A system of cards for the delivery
of books has been adopted as an experiment IN
place of the ledgers formerly in use. By this
system it was hoped to obviate the wrongful
use of subscribers privileges, and prevent mis-
understanding as to the date of the loan and
number of volumes loaned to each subscriber
Complaint has been made by the assistants in
charge, of the needless disorder made by the
young people frequenting the rooms, they
coming rally to meet and talk, although as
they have the right to visit the library it has
been found quite difficult to check such dis
order, small rooms being the theatre of
much of the mischief.
In conclusion would ask the indulgence of
all our patrons for shortcomings, our force
being inadequate to maintain such discipline
and order as we could wish.
The foIlowino is the renort of the Treasurer.