The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-04-14

Portland Institute and Public Library.
The annual meeting of the directors of the
Portland Institute and Public Library was
held yesterday afternoon at half past O'Clock,
President Putnam presiding:
The librarian, Mr.. S. Watson, reported as
follows
If we except slight difference in the sta
tistics, our report will not vary materially from
that of last year. The number of books circu-
lated this year is something below that of the
preceding, neither does the number of books
| used in the library come quite up to the record
of other public libraries find the same falling
off in the number of books used, ana account
ed for by the same reason which we gave last
year and must repeat this for the decrease
here. 1t is, that so many books and papers are
now published, and sold at so cheap a rate,
that many people buy rather than borrow them
The plays OF Shakespeare are published singly
and sold for three cents each, and in very good
type. The Vicar of Wakefield Life of Mary,
queen OF Scotts and similar works are sold at
the same price. Nearly all the new and most
Square style and can be purchased at from to-
to twenty-five cents each. Many works of
history, biography and travel are published in
the same way, yet most of the books mentioned
are fiction.
So, when we consider that only twenty per
cent. of all the books purchased for the library
are of this class, and that seveAty-five per
cent OF the books charged to patrons are of
the same Sort we can readily understand Why
less library books are read, and what books
are being less circulated. But while less Ii
brary books have been read, the number of bor-
roWers remains the same, and the number of
visitors to the library and reading room in
creases from year to year.
1t appears evident that the more substantial
literature which nearly all classes sometimes
want and which cannot be so readily obtained
elsewhere as at the library, is that which is
holding our readers. By consulting the late
reports of several public libraries, l find that
this ranks with those purchasing the smallest
per cent of fiction, SO that this is above the
average public library in its possession of the
better class of literature. l think the time is
not far distant when public libraries will dis
continue the purchase of fiction, except stand
ard works, and devote their attention more to
reference and educational books and leave
those which serve only to amuse to smaller cir
cuiating libraries.
Our card catalogue meets every expectation
in usefulness and proves a help in finding
many subjects called for, which could not 9TH
erwise be brought to hand. A good dictionary
catalogue is very much needed and the manu-
script for such is kept in readiness for printing
whenever sufficient appropriations can be furn-
ished for the work. We feel more and more
each year the need of additional room for the
stowage of books, for convenience in the deliv-
cry room, for consulting newspapers and maps
and the general business of the library. L can
not think that the close of another year will
lind the wants of the library in these respects
unsupplied. The following is the record for
the year: