The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-23

IMPROVING THE BRANCH LIBRARIES

"The greatest good to the greatest num-
Der is the aim of the trustees" said
Librarian Clarke of the San Francisco Free
Library yesterday in conversation on the
subject of recent and prospective changes
in the library.
Zone of the marked innovati ons," said
he, ''will be the issuance of a monthly
bulletin, about the 10Th of each month. In
this will be given a list of the new books
purchased by the book committee during
the preceding month, and its publication
will be for the convenience of patrons, who
will be saved the trouble Of asking, Is
there anything new?'
''In this bulletin will be published ref
erence list; that is, this will show what
books there are in the library that relate to
any particularly live topic, and those who
are in search of information will not have
to pore over ali the catalogues in order to
know if we have anything bearing on the
subject. For instance" said Mr.. Clarke,
with a far-away look in his eye, "if you
came here and wanted to know what we
had on Korea you would have to go through
every catalogue in order to find out what
we have that might enlighten you; a
glance at the reference list would show the
list of books on hand.
GAS to changes in the personnel, said
the librarian, ''there have not been any in
the matter of individuals, but these have
been assigned to different duties. The
force has been so rearranged that we hope
for more effective work"
The great demand at this time, in the
line of fiction, by those who visit the
library, is for "Trilby," for everybody
wants to read about Du Maurier's bare
footed heroine, and then comes demand
for the works of Hall Game.
As to the Juveniles they make such de-
mand for the creations of "Oliver Optic,
Horatio Alger and Harry Castleman that
the supply is insufficient, and these books
are used so much that they frequently
have to be replaced.
"By the way" said the librarian, after
he examined list to see who are the pop
ular authors, 1--WE have large number of
very good books for boys and girls, and the
attention of the young readers will be
called to these through the monthly bulle-
tin. In this way it is hoped to draw atten-
publish list of books we have on hand to
meet the suggestion of supplemental read
ing for the pupils Of the public schools"
There are many new readers who call for
the standard books of long ago, such as the
writings of Dumas, Mrs. Braddon and Cap
tain I. Mayne Reid, while the young
women, or rather girls, not the little giddy
SlIIS- CIdllOT lOI bIlt MOIkS VI NILS. OOubu-
worth and those of Mrs. G. NJ. Braeme, for
they love to read OF Lady Gwendoline's
Dream "Thorns and Orange Blossoms.
"The Shattered Idol" and the like.
"The public schools" said Mr.. Clarke,
Through their principals, draw number
of the books of reference for use in the
schools, but the amount withdrawn is not
so great as to drain the shelves in the ref
erence- room; and then these books all go
ont nil h hn of COT hot
case book is wanted particularly it is sent
for and delivered to the applicant, conse-
quently there is but little Inconvenience"
Another thing that has been done of late
with view to benefit those who live in the
vicinity of the branch libraries is the plac-
ing in each of from 1000 to 1900 first-class
books of fiction-such that if an applicant
calls for book and it is not on the shelf
the assistant in charge may turn to those
mended." In time the number will be in
creased and each collection made more
Some people have found fault with the
system Of loaning the books of the library
to the school children, but the librarian
explained that it has been found to be an
on the system previously in
Of the High School or the Normal or other
school had card which entitled him or
her to draw books. When a topic was
given at the school there was rush for
che particular books wanted and those
who drew them kept them for the time al
lowed by the rules and deprived others of
The use of them. Now the teacher draws
them and the pupils are allowed to have
them only over night, so every one has
chance to see them; then the teacher in
addition is sort of guardian of the works
who can obtain them at short notice if
there is an urgent demand at the library.
In closing the conversation Mr.. Clarke
said: cit might be well as an item of inter
EST to announce that the branch libraries
nave all been supplied with books of refer
snce, such as Chambers Encyclopedia, the |
of Names and others, which |
viii be found useful to the people in the |
1icinity who have not such volumes |
landy."