The herald., 1894-11-25
ALL WORK DONE BY WOMEN.
Facts and Figures on the Pub
lie Library.
Increase In Book Circulation Over
Last Year.
Some of tho Statistics and What They
6how-WoTk on the Librar-
ian's Annual Report.
New Books.

The city librarian, Miss Kelso, and
assistant, Miss Hasse. are engaged in
getting out the annual library report,
work on which is progressing eatisfac-
torily. AS yet the work has but reached
the stage of compilation of statistics
made up from the reports OF the heads
OF the various departments. The fig
ures to date chow an increase of over
100000 volumes in the general circula-
ton of the library during 1884.
A very significant commentary which
may be made upon this tremendous cir
culation of books is the traffic built up
on this part of Broadway by the library
and the influence OF this traffic upon
the business in the neigh borhood OF the
city hall. 1t is a reasonable proposition
to suppose that an institution visited by
100000 persone in the course OF IL
months would throw off considerable
business on neighboring stores, shops.
etc., and for this reason alone the wei.
fare of such an institution ought 10 be q
matter of vital importance to the eur
rounding merchants. Tourists have
very often been heard to say: "Oh, |
can't take a room very far out, because
l must get books from the library to
read in the evenings; there 10 nothing
else to do at night" And 80 during the
past five yeare the library has exerted a
beneficial influence upon the mercantile
business and upon the lodging houses
in its vicinity. while at the came time it
has been carrying on an uuueually large
business OF its own.
The figures of the report as compiled
to date, not taking into account the five
days still remaining before the close OF
the library year, show that the circula-
ton of books will amount to nearly 50D,.
600 volumes, the average daily home
circulation being 1920. The entire home
circulation of the year to date figures up
299, 720 volumes, and the number of
books used in the reading and reference
rooms during the same time amounts to
1852.
The number of persons drawing books
from the library at the time the last re-
port was made was Is, 495, and the in
crease during the year to date has been
4019 persons, making at present q bust
ness patronage of II .504 persons
The amount of money provided by
the city to carry on this institution dur.
ing that time amounted to $4,000 to
cover the entire expenditures, including
salaries, repairs and additions to shelly
ing, books, etc. The staff last year at
this time numbered 10 persons and has
been increased this year to rs, accord
ing to civil service rules. i.e., each APP
pointee will have served required APP
premiership at the time OF appoint
ment.
One part OF the work OF the library lie
deserving of particular mention, and
that ia the periodical circulation OF
books TO the schools. This system has
been in operation for two years,
ana each year shows a growing in
crease in the use of the books in
the schools. During the first year $500
volumes were issued to the schools,
against 1882 this year. not counting
the November issue at all. The teach
ers are permitted to come to the shelves
and make all selections. which are, of
course, according to the grades they
teach and the age OF the pupils for
whom selected.
The books added during the year,
numbering closely on 5000 volumes.
have been largely in the literature, his
tory and travels classes. and quite q
number have been novels which re-
placed those that were worn out.
Miss Kelso is engaged upon the COM
pilation of q very interesting table,
which will show the comparative popu.
larity of different authors and books in
fiction, and also OF magazines.