New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-03
A FREE LrBRARY,s GOOD WORK
NEARLY 100000 VOLUMES CIRCULATED
LAST YEAR.
THE LIBRARY Or THE UNION FOR CHRISTIAN
WORK NOW ENTITLED TO $4,000 FROM THE
CITY TREAsrRY-PoINTs ABOUT
THE YEARS RECORD.


THE YEARS RECORD
For several years the free lending brary.ma'n-
tanned by the Union for Christian Work has been
entitled to appropriation from the city treasury
because of the large number OF books circulated
by It, and the amount named In the statute re-
ferrng to this matter-s5, 0O0-has not been with
held by the city authorities The appropriation IL
made In pursuance Of an act OF the Legislature
passed in 1886. entitled IAN act to encourage the
growth OF free public libraries and free circu-
lating libraries In the cities OF the State. 1t pro-
vides that when such library circulates books to
the number Of 5000. the proper city authorities
are empowered. in their discretion. to make 1t a
grant Of 5000. and when the circulation OF the
library is 100000 in addition to the 75o0o an addi-
tional 5000 may be asked for.
This year, for the first time the library Of the
Union for Christian Work Is large enough TO en-
title 1t to $4,000 from the city treasury. In case
the Board of Estimate sees 1T to make the allow
ance There Is nothing mandatory In the law.
and, in fact II Ia not yet known that the officers
of the library have any intention OF applying for
than they have received In the past. In 1885
the circulation Of the library was 1S777l The year
1926 has shown a steady increase month by month.
and when the figures for the year were reckoned
up the total found to be close to 10000.
One passing along Schermerhorn-st., between
Court-st and Boerum Place, will note on the left
hand side sign indicating the existence OF free
lending library. 1t is In front Of the building occu-
pied Jointly by the Union for Christian Work and
the Brooklyn Bureau of Charities. Passing up a
single flight OF broad steps In the middle OF the
building, the visitor finds himself at once In the
rooms occupied by the library. with the delivery
desk near the head OF the stairs. One side OF the
main room and the whole Of the front end are h!ed
with stacks containing books, the total number In
the library being at present 1920. Tables are pro-
vided for those who wish to consult reference
books or to read magazines and weeklies.
There o number Of setteeo Tor the use OF
applicants who waiting to have their orders
filled. and the card catalogue on one side Is OF
inestimable value In enabling them to make their
selections Printed lists Of the newest books placed
on the shelves may be consulted by any who de-
sire to do this and the desk. protected by
wire network twenty or thirty OF the recent books
are arranged. No works OF fiction are exposed In
this conspicuous place. as II Is the hope that read
ers. seeing moro solid works. may be tempted to
take them out. The library Is at Its busiest on
Saturday mornings. when the half dozen or more
attendants rarely have a moment for resting
Many children In the public schools make regular
use Of this library, which Is free to all residents
of Brooklyn more than twelve years OF age
Persons wishing to take out books are required to
refer one and In cases where doubt exists as
to their responsibility the reference is looked up
This precauton Is necessary for the sake OF SELF
protection. The library Is In need OF more room to
carry on Its work properly and especially to provide
for the wants Of those who wish TO use the reference
department. There Is no such department properly
speaking, although there is good supply Of works
OF reference but they have 10 be consulted on tne
tables in the main library room and the opportunities
for careful research are thus somewhat restricted
Miss Fanny Hull. the librarian In speaking OF the
books In 1896 1sS SS. increase Of loss over 1893
and the circulation In 1896 was an Increase Of 1881.
compared with the previous year. This growth IL
very gratifying. In 1895 we added 3.240 new BOOKS.
creased by 1906 making total of 2os2s The library
Is largely used by pupils In the public schools ana
also by the teachers Teachers are allowed TO take
out six extra books for use In connection with their
in their classes assist them in the work they are
doing. One teacher told me not long ago that the
scholars had been standing ten deep In front OF her
desk waiting for chance to get the library books
MANY pupils come here and consult the reference
books to get material for use In writing their compo.
sons. One girl the other day found what she wanted
in ono Of the volumes Of the Century Dictionary.
and wanted TO take II home with her She was
greatly surprised and disappointed when told that
she could not We do keep an extra copy Of Web
sters Dictionary, which allow people TO take out
as they would any other book. Very few books arc
lost. When they are not returned on time we send
out notices to the borrowers. and after q while try
to hunt them up. II they have changed their ad-
dresses we endeavor TO reach them through the per-
they have given references II Is only In rare
cases that we unable to get the books back again.
THE work and efficiency OF the library could be
greatly increased IL resources were enlarged. 1t
has been suggested that endowment of the library,
making 1t Il memorial of the late Professor Robert
Foster would be fitting thing Professor Foster
was president OF the Union for Christian Work for
more than twenty years and always took the deepest
interest in the work Of the library. For several
years the library has received aid from the city, and
nearly all the money from that source has been
used In the purchase OF books. An assured income
Of $4,000 800 900 year is needed to enable 1t TO do