St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-04

i, 167 are males and 1,725 are females. The
number of books loaned out in fourteen
months is 62, 244, of which 5,043 were history
and biography, 900 poetry and drama, 1884,
voyages and travels, 4S, SAB fiction and ju-
Teniles, Ar science and arts, and 3,6SS
were miscellaneous, besides 4, 125 not CLASH
fed. The reading room is Low supplied with
slxty-four magazines and newspapers, and
will be added to as the funds admit. Its fire.
quenters show, in their quiet and orderly be-
havior that they duly appreciate the value Of
this provision of the city government. The
number of persons who make use of the
privileges OF the library is in excess of the
anticipatious of its friends; under the old
organization there were less than 400 reader
ships. Further particulars will be found in
the report of the Librarian, hereto annexed.
The necessity of securing larger accommo-
dations, preparing the hall for our occupancy,
and the necessary assistance for the library
service, has shown that the first appropria-
ton of one-eighth of mill was insufficient
for the purpose, and, consequently, the war
rants we have issued have been in excess of
the receipts, and must continue to be so I'M
til the proceeds of the tax of 1888 can be
made available from the June settlement.
The larger part of the outstanding warrants
are held by our fellow director, Henry p. Up
ham, and to him the public thanks are due
for keeping the credit of the Board in the
best condition, without any charge for inter-
est for the money advanced.
In our previous report we informed the
Council that lease had been made with ID.
W. Ingersoll, Esq, for five years for our
present quarters. For this lease we are to
pay the sum of twelve hundred dollars year.
The directors consider themselves very fortu-
nate in securing this hall; it is roomy, well
lighted, well proportioned, with commando
ing view, and in every respect the most de-
sirabe accommodation that could at present
be obtained in the city.
The terms of the transfer of their books,
made by the Library Association. required
that the directors of the Public Library should
assume and provide for the outstanding liza
bilities of that institution, and the Seeretary's
report shows that the sum of S146.7S was
the total amount required for that purpose.
The number of volumes in the Association
Library was S,05l, for which we paid at the
| rate of about one cent and four-tifths of a
cent volume, and these S,051 books have
! furnished the greater part of the G2 PA cir
culation of the past fourteen months.
| We have taken the precaution to place in
surance on the books and fixtures to the
amount of ten thousand dollars.
reference department was opened when
| the Library was removed, and large num-
| Der OF persons have awaited themselves Of its
| privileges, including many pupils from the
higher grades in our public schools. In all
advanced cities the public library is becom-
ing necessity, and besides being
the elimination of the school system,
| it is the peoples university, and here
all persons of good department and habit, rs
required by our bylaws, can add TO their
ctg Of t.1,I,r 4
vanced scholars the collection is yet weak,
but every department will be augmented, and
the time will soon come when the specialist
will be able to here find the books he desires.
! Our readers are drawn from every class Of
society, and they come regularly from the
! remotest suburbs of the city and carry home
! its volumes with the highest satisfaction.
! The younger classes of our population who
| grow up under the influence of this beneti-
cent institution will have their pride and
their local patriotism stimulated by these
| helps, and will advance with Il growing graf
| itude for the liberality of the council that has
provided so generously for all, and especially
for that large body who in the absence of this
aid would have been without reading re-
sources.
That the library was a needed want in our
city is proved by the use that has been made
of its volumes during the past year. The
census of 1850 gave St Paul population Of
II, ALB and Chicago SOB, 1S5. The years cir
culation of the Chicago public library for 1882
was $40, or, while our library circulated last
year 59,612. As Chicago largely increased
in population during the two years subse-
quent to 1880 and if the two cities have the
same proportion of readers to its population,
! then the census of st. Paul at this time must
| be nearly 100, 900, as otherwise our pOpula-
ton must largely excel that of Chicago in
| the desire to read 1t has been prophecied
in regard to the relation that the public libra-
| ries hold TO populations that ''the library viii
| stand side by side with the school, the press
and the church, as one of the four great in
tellectual and moral forces which are mOuld-
ing the community and our people seem to
be encouraging its fufllment.
We have every reason to be satisfied with
the intelligent devotion to their duties by the
librarian and her assistants.
As the rooms now occupied will be too
small before the expiration of our lease in
1888, it is a proper time to suggest to your
honorable body that it might be well to Sc
cure, if possible, a large portion of the upper
story in the contemplated new city hall for
the public library, which would answer until
the collection was large enough to require a
home in building of its own.
In conclusion, the best judgment has been
exercised in the selection Of the new pur-
chases, and we shall be gratifcd to have the
assistance of the council or city authorities,
or the public, in the further additions to the
| library.
On behalf of the directors.
ALEX. RAMSEY, President.
/ VIM. H. KELLEY, Secretary.
ST. Paul, March 26 1884.
Secretary's report of receipts and disburse-
ments from October 1, 1882, to February 20,
1884.
RECEIPTS.
Fines collected ...... S4s1 %
Lost books paid for ........ IS 50
Old shelving and other
| teral sold. .............. 81 IS
S568 "a
Credited to Library fund
March, 1888. PAP "a
Credited to Library fund
June, 1888. 1851 O8
Credited to Library fund
| Sept, 1855. 200 %
EXPENDITURES.
Rent ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $1,000 90
Liabilities of ST. Paul Libra
ry Association 14G rs
Salaries, librarian, and four
assistants, janitor and sec
rotary ............... 2,427 70
! 54S 81
fuel. ............... 0lO ~
Books. Observation-Disclosures. 377 IS
scription) ................ 1863 OF
| Postage and eXpressa9e..... Is 80
Furniture, including fitting
up room. 1850 is
Stationery and printing..... 273 40
Insurance 1.-TWO years. ...... 159 10
| Binding books ....-........ 3I5 80
/ liz, ,;I y