Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-10
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Book Takers Increased Fifty Per Mont
During the Year.
BIG RUN ON WORKS PERTAINING TO CUBA
Question Of Providing New Funding
Districts IL Up and COnsid-
cred, but No Action In Taken
In the Provisions.

The annual report Of the librarian, Miss
Peterson, submitted at the regular monthly
meeting of the Board of Trustees Of the
public library yesterday afternoon, shows
that the increase of book takers averaged
about fifty a month, although the circula-
ton of books has not increased in proper
ton to the accession of book takers. The
library was open from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.
3O5 days during the last year and the read
ing and reference rooms were open on sun
days and holidays from 2 to 6 p. m. with
the exception Of during three months In the
summer. There was considerable more
studying in the library than during the
previous year and the reference department
was made more use OF.
During the last year the books on art and
architecture, which are limited in number,
were withdrawn from circulation and re-
tanned in the library, that the members
Of the many different women's clubs might
have access to them. This change Miss
Peterson reports was found to be most sat
isfactory, although it reduced the number Of
books In circulation in a very desirable de-
partment.
The library and the schools are working
together, the report says, and the teach
ers Of literature In the city schools are
permitted to take twenty to thirty books
bearing on the period the class is study
ing and to keep them until each pupil has
had the use Of them. This arrangement
| was also found to be an advantage to the
library, as 1t relieved the attendants at the
desk at the busy hour after school for the
crowds Of pupils from the higher classes.
Comparatively few books were purchased
during the last year, owing to a lack of
funds. By gift the library received lS9
books and EGO pamphlets,
The war with Spain caused a run on all
books bearing on Cuba and Porto Rico and
in consequence these books were almost
worn out.
There Is a continuing increased demand
for the more popular magazines and the
library cannot meet the call for this class
Of reading matter.
Trustee Troutman introduced a resolution
providing for the purchase Of additional
| copies of the most called for magazines, but
1t failed to carry as other members OF the
board were Of the opinion that 1t would be
better policy to spend the funds of the
library on books OF a more permanent char
acter. Miss Peterson reports that many
complaints were registered about the finding
lists which have not been revised for four
years, during which time some 1000 new
books have been added to the library. The
| QuCotloh VI piIitih6 Z hhuih6 A'SN "N
discussed, but no action taken.
During the past year IS, 1928 persons visited
the library and 79, 1873 books were issued for
home use. The number Of visitors on Sum
days during the year was 2,092. The list
Of magazines and papers kept at the library
numbers 119 and during 1898 no less than
Gill magazines were issued for home read
ing.
The annual report of the trustees, which
covers much Of the ground gone over in the
librarians report, shows that the receipts
during 1898 were 81 ,S71.46 and the disburse-
ments $4,313.51, leaving a balance of 81, 80
on hand. The report concludes with the eX-
, pressed hope that the time will come when
a building suitable for a library and the
establishment Of a museum connected with
it shall have been erected in the city, either
by private or public funds.
For the next year the running expenses
of the library win be reduced $500.
Mr.. Merriam. the owner Of the building
in which the library Is located, appeared be-
fore the board and offered to reduce the rent
from 1850 to 5000 for the year and in addi-
ton to include ~janitor service. The last
year the board paid the ~janitor $50 pei
month, so in this respect $24O will be saved
The board had been offered the second story
Of the Masonic temple for the use of the
library and at a rental of $500 per annum
the board providing Its own %janitor, but il
was decided to accept Mr.. Merriam's Offer
and keep the library where it is.
The book committee was directed to pre-
pare a list Of new books to be purchased
in the near future and submit the same a,
the next meeting Of the board. For the frs,
time In over a year all the members of the
board, with the exception Of one, were
present at yesterdays meeting. Rev. Father
Smyth, the newly appointed trustee, took hi,
place on the board.