The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-21
Annual Report Of the Librarian to
to the Directors of the Free
Public Library.
An Interesting Document Giving q
Detailed Statement Of Facts
Worthy of Perusal
Description of the Library and the
Amount Of Good it Is Doing
Business of Year.

growing and prosperous institution. He
says:
ut is with feelings of pride that call
your attention to the record made for the
library during the past year. Remarkable
as was the growth for the year previous, re-
corded in my first report, over that of
former years, yet it falls so far short of
the advancement made during the year
port seems phenomenal. In my previous re-
port I urged the necessity of having the
done, and the result far exceeded my ex-
pectations. 1t was also stated that the want
of room, which even then was being
felt, would before the end of the
year become an imperative one and adj
ditional space to be provided. 1t was
thought at first advisable to move, but this
was happily avoided by securing two adj
ditional rooms adjoining those already oc-
cupied. These rooms have been suitably
fitted up and the entire library remodeled
at considerable expense, and the whole suite
Of rooms thrown open to the public during
the last month. The present location of
the library being central one, is very de-
sirable and convenient, and it is doubtful
if there is another city of the size of this
one that possesses a public library that lis
more comfortably situated.
A room for the especial use of ladies who
visit the library to read has been provided
and handsomely decorated with some choice
works of art loaned by the members of an
art club of this city.
The number of visitors to the library has
been enormous The number of those TAX
ing out books foots up 1886. and those
who called for books in the rooms was 4, 498,
and fully as many were present in the rooms
who came to read the papers. of which
there is no record. The number of books
in the library at present is 1901. The books
purchased during the year cost 81, 1888.
The list of those holding cards for books to
be read at home is 2O48, of which number
$50 were added during the past year, which
is gratifying indication of the growing
influence and usefulness of the library.
The circulating department. has been
open for the delivery of books 359 days
o. during the year, being o open on Sundays for
crease in the circulation the past year is
emphatic evidence of the popularity of the
library and certainly settles for all time the
question of its advisability as free pub
lie institution. The practice Of reserving
books, which has been abolished, has
resulted in far better feeling and has en-
tirely done away with that sense of proprie-
torship which some of the former members
of the subscription library had towards this
library, and all are aware now of the fact
that if a book is on the shelves that the first
it is because it is out.
1t is with pleasure I notice that the
younger children are beginning to read a
great deal, and this is really the most de-
sirable class of readers. If properly direct
ed they will in time become the mainstays
only the best grades of books.
There have been several applications for
books from without the city, but these had,
Of course, to be refused. / think, though,
that as this is the only institution of the
kind in the state that those who live near
here might be given slight advantage over
those not SO we'll situated and be allowed
for slight monthly consideration the priv
ilege of taking books upon filing the same
application that is required of citizens.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FROM 1888 TO 1ss9-9O
Statements 1888. 1889. 1SS9-9O
Total circulation 1888 1854 36,526
Daily Circulation: 2ss SIS io1. s
Smallest month. 507 8A 2,412
READING ROOMS.
This department was open at the same
times as the library, which was 359 days last
year. The attendance of visitors has in
creased very much over the number given in
last years report, the number being then
estimated, and as a matter of conjecture
was stated as not entitled to any authority.
During the past year, however, there has
been slip list Of all who have applied
either for books or periodicals and the re-
port is in consequence accurate. The three
new rooms, the reception room being used
as one very often for reading purposes, are
splendid addition to the library and will
serve all wants for some time; but as the
attendance will grow I think that in an
other year more room will be needed. Very
few of the loafers who generally frequent
public rooms are ever found here, it is a
TN1nngnrQ mi NoHv 70 k~l
from the furnishings of the new rooms and
ino!eum taken in place thereof, with the
result that they are more easily kept clean
and are far healthier than with dust-hold-
ing carpets.
There are plenty of seats and enough
The papers are placed on files and also laid
on the tables. but this latter practice will
be abandoned, as the wear and tear has
been too great, and before long all the pa
pers will be filed properly and placed on
racks within the eye of the librarian. and
articles will be rigidly enforced The maya
zines are kept within the library and given
out on application with properly filled out
slip. This enables those who want these
magazines to obtain them with certainty
and in decent shape. But two magazines
have been lost during the past year and
these will be replaced in time to have ali
of the completed volumes bound The To-
cal papers vii! also be bound. This should
have been done from the first for there is no
one article connected with public library
which will prove of more value as time
passes on than these local papers contain
ing as they do the daily history of events
and placed in an institution like this where
they can be readily inspected. Books can
be duplicated at almost any time, especially
the larger number that this library will
have on the shelves for many years, but
once destroy the files of daily papers and
there is loss which can never be replaced.
The number of persons who read the pa
pers every day is more than equal to those
VINO take out books and periodicals to read,
put as there is no certain way of keeping
the statistics on this subject it has not been
tried, but for the next year a new plan will
be tried which will give fair degree of &C
curacy to the results. The magazines will
hereafter be enclosed in suitable file covers
SO tnat they may be better preserved and
made me re convenient to handle.
The illustrated papers will as soon as
the suitable file cases arrive be kept in the
library and be subject to call. but without
the necessity of fling slip for their use.
The destruction during the last wear has
been 80 great that some effort will be made
to save these valuable papers and while
handed out with all freedom the fact that
they are called for will entail some re-
stralnt and imposes some responsibility on
those wanting to use these articles.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS ron 1sss-ao-Rr,prss;
ROOM
NO: OF Magazlnes OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 2.aa2