The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-11-01
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The annual report of Librarian stet- son to the Free Punblic Library direc- tors for the year ending September 30, 1894, presents many points of interest as follows: e|a- .r
 The number of volumes now in the library is 27,74s, 4,2OO being added dur ing the year and 216 withdrawn, mak- ing net increase of S,9S4. | There are besides several hundred of duplicates for sale and exchange, and | collections not belonging to the library deposited for purposes of reference. Quite number of sets of periodicals were purchased during the year, which have a permanent value for reference. Among them were included Catholic World, Lippincott's Magazine, North American Review, Dublin University | Magazine, Hardwic kes Science Gossip, American Quarterly Review, Journal of Franklin Institute, Illustrated London News, Journal of the Society of Arts | ond Athenaeum Nondon), Revere des Deuxmondes QS56-1SSS), Universal Re- view, American Monthly Review.
 An important purchase was that of the specifications and drawings of the United States patent office, so far as they could be obtained from the de- partment at an expense of $400. For music $20O was expended, which in- cludes some of the principal oratorios, masses and instrumental compositions. Quite large number of duplicates of works of fiction were added. When it is remembered that each work of fiction was issued on an average about thirty times, it is seen that of the most popular works many copies are requir- ed. This demand is not at all complete ly met, even now. For new works it probably never will be met, unless some one makes specific gift to the library for that purpose. So long as the funds of the. library are as limited as they now are it seems unwise to spend any more on fiction than at pres- ent, which amounts to perhaps 25 per cent. of the total book expenditure, besides a large amount for rebuild ing. The number of new cards issued was 5,543,5o1, or about 10 per cent. more than last year. Beginning September, 1894, extra cards were issued, allow ing the holders to draw an additional book, provided that 1t should not be book of fiction or current number of a magazine. It Is expected that this will lead to a larger use of non-f1ction and be a help to more serious readers, who can profitably use two books at a time on many subjects.
 The number of borrowers September 30, 1894, was 1O.061, about one in nine or ten of the population of the city. De- livery stations, or branch libraries, are needed to supply the increasing de- mand, especially by school work, which would be better served, and those at a distance better accommodated.
 The number of volumes issued each month was as follows: October, 1893, l5,- 27o; November, 16,176; December, 1920; January, 1894, ls,4D6; February. l9.195; March, 21, ,756; April. 1S.309; May, 16,00S; June, 15,055; July, M,960; August 16,424; September, 15. .3SS. Total. POI, ,242 volumes.
 The increase for the. year was 40,S75-- about 25 per cent. In two years the in- crease has been 7LS04 or over 6Q per cent. 3s's
 The proportion of fiction read Is less than last year. There has been g de- crease almost every year. amounting alt together to 12 per cent in seven years,
 Following the example of other li- braries, the provision that ichildren must be over twelve years of age in or der to take out Nbrary cards was re- pealed. This fact Is not generally known and consequently few younger than twelve have taken out cards as a ,re- suit of the theasire. Z { The library needs zrsatsr resources for all departmasts sQf its work. AlnonEl the larger cities Of New England there Is none so deficdsnt insIibtqa qa priy1legssi