The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-15
4 SPLENDID SHOWING.
The Norfolk Public Library Holds an Elk.
tTsmeIy Interesting Annual Meeting,
FINE WORK DONE DURING TIRE YEAR
Reports orOAiccrs-AtteDd ~, 5IS
Number OF SIcmbcrs-Nced Of
such an Neutrality-suspicious. APP,
probation of tho l.irbarinn's Er-
forts Directors re. Elected.

forts Directors re. Elected.
The annual meeting of the Norfolk
Public Library was held last night at
the library rooms, on CRANKY. street,
with Mr.. Il. Z. Loyal presiding in the
absence of President William Lamb
and the librarian, Mr.. w. ii. Sergeant,
acting us secretary. The reports of
the officers are of such an interesting
nature that they are given practically
III full. President Lambs was as fol-
lows:
TO the Subscribers to the Norfolk Pub
lie Library:
The past year has been most
gratifying one to all Interested in our
PuoHc Library The City Councils
generously continued the annual an
preparation of sl.50O. which has en-
anled us to add additional books to
the library. to have many rebound
when needed 1t and to add to the COM
forts of the rooms.
There were 2O,160 books issued for
the year ending January 3Ist, 1898.
Which is so per cent. more than the
previous year and double the number
issued two years ago. or these 1854
were fiction, SS7 biography and trav-
els. 692 history and metaphysics, All
Dcie ietlres, lS2 scientific and 1434
magazines. 1t will be seen that of the
DOORS taken from the library by pat
rons is per cent. were other than
fiction.
Ihis year the attendance has been
iE.oiS, ~ per cent more than last year
FROM January 31st. 1897 there were 651
emitted TO draw books, 255 subscribers
ana 396 on the free list On the 3lst
or January, 1885, there were 74S en-
titled to draw books, 272 subscribers
and a12 on the free list.
Our institution is beginning TO. he
more and more appreciated by our
clpiZens generally. and the confidence
which the City Councils, by their APP
preparation, has established in the per-
manency of 1t, has caused us to re-
ceiVc a large number ne books in the
past year as gifts, The number donated
being Alb to $50 Purchased. making
10? books added in the last year.
| trust II will not be long before
some public spirited citizen will pres
emit this institution with sufficient
funds to enable uB 10 have our own
building. e" riH'r- ,t:l.r,'. I.iihf -...,.
No city can regard its public school
system as. thoroughly equipped. with
out.a public"library,-'ansi ain .institution
where cirihens can. cd forDrt ference in
historical and sci>s tiiic subjects. and
Tor. lufraryt entertainment and diver
sion. ..has:.bec0mes'a 4, NECESSITY for our
American civilization. $50:
invite ,the attention Of the sub
scrthers to the reports of the secretary
and treasurer.
We. are indebted TO the librarian and
his assistant for their faithful services
SO courteously rendered during the
year.
Here is the. report of the librarian:
Norfolk Public Library, Jan. 81, 1898.
To the President and Directors:
Gentlemen-While the number of
paying members has increased only
10 per cent, during the year, the free
list is 10 per cent. larger than in Jan
uary, 1897. The attendance at the
rooms has been 20 per cent. larger
than last year and &C per cent larger
than the year before. The number of
books issued has been 80 per cent.
greater than during 1896 and 100 per
cent. greater than during 1895. This
steady progress in the work of the
library cannot help being satisfactory
both TO yourselves, to whose manage
mcnt it is due, and to the public who
are directly Interested in the success
Of our institution.
AS you are aware, we have made
large additions to the number of our
books of reference during the past
year. We have now on our shelves
five general encyclodaedias. compris
ing l62 volumes. besides fun set of
Poole's Index to periodical Literature
set of AllibOnc's Dictionary of Brit
ish and American authors and numcr-
Gus other cyclodacd!ag. dictionaries and
concordanccs devoted to special sub
jccts-hiography, literature. science
etc. Thus we are fairly well equipped
TO satisfy the demands of the ever in
crcasing number Of those who Depend
upon the library as a store house of
information on all sorts and kinds of
subjects. | recognize this as the most
valuable feature in the work iHat the
library is accomplishing. 1t makes nc
feel that it is not merely 4 distribut
ing agency of transient light literature
or pleasant place to pass an hour
or so over magaHne-but in truth
and reality an educational power in
the city.
On January 3lst. 1897. there were Cal
persons entitled to draw books from
the library; Pa subscribers and 800 on
til" free lis',. The number has increased
this year to ISL. go subscribers and
5l2 on the free list All of the students
of the high school without regard to
age, and all scholars over IL years in
fhe either public schools, all teachers
clergy and members OF the press are al
lowed to draw books free. The use of
the rooms is opSn to every person in
the city who cares to avail himself Of
the privilege. The attendance at the
rooms during the year has been 42.54S.
Last year HI was 35,Si9, and in 1895 it
was 2S,Oa. We really need larger quar-
ters hcmc Of our own with more
room for the storage of our books and
more convenience for the uSe of o,,r
members.
tNhn lacr 1.f laanl.c.