The record-union., 1896-12-09
HHE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY.
Secretary AnderSon'S Report as to Its
Condition.
He Thinks the County Should Pay
the Small Salary of the
Librarian.

w. A. Anderson, Secretary of the
Board OF Trustees of the County Law
Library, yesterday filed with the Su-
pervisors the following report:
no the Honorable Board Of Super
Observation-Disclosures: The Board OF Sac
ramento County Law Library Trustees
makes the following report, covering
the time since the organization or the
library:
Number Of books on hand belonging
to the library, III; journals of the AS
sembly, 63; total amount of receipts or
the Law Library fund since the organ
ization of the library, $3,394; total
amount paid out for books, S2,O93 20;
total amount paid out for librarian,
1910; total amount paid out for Incl
dental expenses, $94 81 amount on
hand, 1896 A. The Law Library Is in
debted to Bancroft, Whitney & Co.,
$12; West Publishing Company,
$143 So; Lawyers Cooperative Pub
fishing Company, $37 90.
The trustees have administered the
library funds in the most economical
manner, so as to secure as many val-
liable works as possible. The income
is only a trifle over $50 per month, and
from this the Board Of Supervisors in
sist on deducting S25 per month for
the Librarians salary.
In my judgment, and from a fair and
liberal construction of the Act creating
the County Library, the salary Of the
Librarian should be paid from the
county general fund.
The Board of Supervisors have been
frequently requested to pursue this
course, but have UP to this time con-
IL 10
library fund.
We are gradually, however. increas-
ing the value of the library by the
addition of the latest text books and
reports. Our Librarian, Fred c. Van
Walbeck, has been efficient and atten-
tive to the duties, and at all times
ready and willing to accommodate the
courts and members Of the bar, as well
as all who seek information from Ii
brary sources.
perior Judges the Board Of Library
Trustees will be changed to that ex-
tent. Judges E. c. Hart and ]. w.
Hughes will on the 1st of January be-
come members of the board, in place Of
Hon. A. P. Catlin and Hon. A. c. Hink-
son, and the Board of Trustees will
consist of the following members: Hon.
Matt. F. Johnson, Hon. E. c. Hart,
Hon. ]. w. Hughes, w. A. Anderson,
j. NJ. Morrison and Frank D. Ryan.
AT the first meeting Of the board, as
newly constituted, there will be an cleo
ton for President, Secretary and Lii
brarian.
There can be no doubt Of the great
value of the County Law Library to
the courts and the profession, and 1t
will be only a matter of time when we
will have one Of the best law libraries
in the State.
There has never been any tax imposed
on the members of the bar for the in
crease of the library, although 1t might
be advisable to levy small amount
on each member, at least for a year, in
order that we can be able to secure
some new and valuable additions to
the library. This, however, is a matter
for the consideration of the new Board
of Trustees. If we can prevail on the
Board Of Supervisors to pay the salary
of the Librarian out Of the general fund
there will be no necessity for any fee
from attorneys. With $50 per month
we can keep up our reports and sub
scriptions, and have a library fund
from which to purchase new books. A
catalogue of books is hereto appended.
w. A. ANDERSON, Secretary