The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-09

states documents u9pOSlteu. DeuuCC-
ing the number worn out and lost dur
ing the year there is total of S0,5S1
volumes on hand.
The list of gifts and exchanges re-
ceived in 1897 includes $50 volumes,
1,740 pamphlets and current numbers.
The report says of the South Side
branch:
SOUTH SIDE BRANCH.
December 2 combined branch
| reading room and delivery station was
opened on the South Side at 141S Pitts
ton avenue. Funds sufficient for its
| maintenance during the next few
| months, have been provided by private
| generosity. The undertaking is in the
nature of an experiment in placing the
| benefits of this institution easily at the
| service of certain parts of the city more
| distant from the central library. 1t
| could also be equally we'll followed in
other sections than this present one
| il means for the purpose were at COM
mand."
| Also included in the general report is
the report made for the board of trus-
| tees by Vice President William 7.
| Smith. This, report includes the est-
mates of expenditures for carrying on
! the present years work. In full the
| report is as follows:
| TO the Honorable. the Select and Com
mon Councils of the City of Scranton:
The enforced absence of our honored
president. Hon. Alfred Hand, in search
| of health and strength, devolvcs upon me
| the duty of calling your attention to the
| progress and needs of the Scranton PUP
| lie library.
| That this institution has become most
| important part of our educational system,
| is we'll known to you all; and the record
| of an average distribution of $50 books
daily a total of 1Cl 6G6 volumes for the
| past year, ij evidence of how much 1t is
needed and how worthy it is of your gen
| erous support. The existence of liz
| brary where all who choose, no matter
| what their condition, may have access
| to the free use of a collection of books
| that the wealthiest Individual could
| scarcely make and control, is certainly
doing something for the masses in the
| right direction.
| DETAILS OF THE WORK.
The annexed reports of the treasurer,
| the secretary and the librarian, will give
you full details of the work of the past
year, and show you how wisely and we'll
| your appropriations have been used; and
| L am sure your deep interest in the gen.
| eral good of the community, and your
pride in this noble institution, will lead
| you to approve of the following esti-
mates for the year 1898. placed with the
| city controller:
For salaries ana labor (s4SO) per
| month ........................... !, 100 10
For incidentals (s25O) per month. 5000 90
For books (s25O per month"; ....... 5000 60
Total current expense ...........Sl1, ,I60 90
| For improvements recommended,
| viz:
| Stone, or asphalt, sidewalks on
| Washington avenue and Vine
street ............................ $500 10
The amount asked for current expense
is absolutely needed to keep up the ef-
| ticiency of the institution. The need
| for improvements may not appear so i'm
| perative, yet ii does not seem like ask
| ing too much of a city that has received
| so beautiful and so .munitcent gift, to
furnish 1t with an appropriate sidewalk.
| BY the aid of private generosity, the
| experiment of establishing a branch of
| the library has been made on the South
| Side of the city. 1t was opened Decem-
| Der 2 and will probably be continued for
| year; If found successful. and desir-
| able, il will be Incorporated into the gem
eral library system.
The trustees have nothing but the high
| est Commendation for the librarian, Mr.,
| Carr, and his assistants. The efficiency,
| courtesy and systematic business meth
| DDS of the librarian have been most
| important factor in the success of the in
| stitution.
And now, gentlemen, acknowledging
| with gratitude your appreciation of our
| needs in the past, and believing that you
| recognize the good influence the library
| eXerts in this community, we confidently
| ask your continued and generous support
In behalf of the board of trustees,
| William II. Smith, Vice President.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
| Treasurer Henry j. Belins report
shows a balance on hand to the begin
ming of 1898 the total Of $2,07S.S0, item
| lied as follows: From Citizens sub
scription fund, $60.15; from city appro-
priations, $1,1S4.Sl; from petit cash,
sSS3.S4. The rest Of the report is taken
up with tabulated statements of the
contents and growth OF the library.
Circulation and other statistics OF
work and the gifts to the library, mem
toned in total in the secretary's re-
port. The report has been filed with
city clerk and will be read at the next
meeting of councils.
|