Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-01


longing to the public school library.
These books were placed on the shelves
and the following agreement made with
the board OF education: Each teacher
may draw not to exceed twenty books
at one time, a requisition being made
upon the library by the teacher. The
books may be retained four weeks. The
schools of the city to be divided into
four districts; one district exchanging
on each Wednesday of the month.
| The teacher is required to
send to the librarian the names of the
pupils drawing books at the school in
order that they may not draw books
from the library at the same time. The
| board of education to replace any books
lost or damaged. The librarian to fur
nish copy OF the finding list to each
school, copy of the juvenile list to be
furnished to each teacher; the entire
resources OF the library to be at the dis
posal of the schools. An arrangement
OF this kind will be of the greatest as
sistance to the teachers in rendering the
| contents of the library available for
supplementary reading, and in bringing
children and families in contact with
books that would otherwise never make
use of library, and above all, to direct
and in a great measure control the
character of the reading of the young.
The delivery room at the library is en-
tirely inadequate to accommodate the
crowds in constant attendance. The
question for consideration during the
coming year is the urgency of a build
ing for library purposes. The space at
Command for the storage of books will
suffice for this year, since there is no
fund for the purchase of books, but the
space to accommodate the public is now
totally insufficient.
PRESIDENT DoBINsoN's REPORT.
The report of President Dobinson, on
behalf of the library board of directors,
contains many excellent suggestions
from which the following excerpts are
made:
ABOLITION OF DUES.
The abolition of dues, which had pre-
viously been reduced to 80 cents per
quarter, made an immediate increase
in the demands upon the library's re-
sources, and this board feels amply JUS
titled in having made the library en-
tirely free to all residents of the city.
BY resolution it has also extended the
privileges of the library to non-residents
who are taxpayers in this city.
NEW REFERENCE ROOM.
We have to note the opening of the
reference department, in which are kept
about 5000 volumes. This has given
great relief to the library force, mas
much as the books for reference are
placed on shelves free of access to all
students. 1t was owing to the courtesy
OF the board of education in surrender
ing the room formerly used by them for
their semi-monthly meetings that we
were enabled to extend this accommo-
dation to the public; and not a day
passes but ample testimony is borne to
the fact of its great usefulness; indeed,
so large is the patronage that the pres
desirous to read and study and make
notes, is so limited that some additional
facilities must soon be provided.
NEW WORK ROOM.
We have also to note the addition of
the work room, which has been made
by partitioning off portion of the cor
ridor, for which accommodation we tender
body. The new room has proved very
useful, affording retired place where
the mechanical work of the library can
be carried on without interruption.
LIBRARY PUPILS.
There are thirteen people on the staff
pay roll without counting the janitor,
and this number is insufficient to carry
on the library work on account of the
enormous increase that the figures will
show in the demands upon their time.
The board has adopted the expedient Of
engaging pupils, of whom six in number
are now serving and giving their time
for six months without pay, tor the
space of three hours per day each, and
are being taught the routine of library
work. These pupils were appointed
after examination, and have exhibited
an interest in the work which encour-
ages this board to anticipate good re-
suits from its new departure.
LIBRARY STAFF.
Owing to the great increase in the de-
mands upon the energies Of the staff
caused by the rapid increase of circula-
tion, the librarian, assistants and at
U6uuduUS udVO Otcu tdASu w all cA
that was not anticipated, and it is but
fair that their earnest and enthusiastic
work should be recognized, and we take
great pleasure in doing SO.
The librarian, Miss Kelso, has demon
strated her possession OF excellent ex-
ecutive ability, and to her knowledge of
the wide range of resources that can be
made helpful in each department, and
to her energy and quick intelligence is
owing no small share of the lbrary's
present prosperous condition, She has
been ably and faithfully helped by her
assistants, Miss Hasse and Miss Fenner
the former of whom has done excellent
service in the notation and classification
of public documents on an original plan
to make their contents more easily avail
able to the public. The Jealous work of
the Misses Haines, Gleason, Reville and
Kimball is also deserving of special COM
mendation.
PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
Among other changes, the public
school libraries have been turned over
to this board, under agreement, for cir
culation, and we find that this change
affords much greater facilities for the
use of books, and more satisfaction to
book borrowers than was possible under
the system before practiced.
BULLETIN.