The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-05

years was found in its place in the ref
erencs room. The library stamps had
been ingeniotsly covered with the "sor-
rowers'' initial.
Seven hundred and thirty three volumes
have been withdrawn, making the net
gain !, zig.
The volumes purchased exceed by over
500 the purchases of last year. They IN
cludo many Of the best new publications
and large number OF popular and stand
ard works needed to replace or duplicate
those in demand by general readers ana
Htudsnts Twenty -one volumes have been
added to the Jesuit Relations and 10
volumes 20 Warmers Library OF the
Worlds Best Literature. completing that
set. The Dictionary of National Biogia'
ply has reached the 9th volume. Inc
Library Of Choice Literature 90 vols. },
edited by Spofford and Gribben. Bells
Cathedral Series Us vols, }; Windows, by
Lewis Day; set of Baedeker's Guide
Books. rhe Stoddari Lectures 90 vols };
Nasari Lives of the Painters "a vols. },
and Napereau's Diotionaire universal
Contemporaries, are u few OF the acces.
sions which have proved TO be of especial
value and interest.
A little has been done towards compiet-
ing the poole" periodical sets. Twenty
one volumes of the Magazine OF Ameri-
can History have been purchased and sew.
eral volumes needed to fill gaps In sets
of Nature, Congregational Quarterly and
the English Illustrated Magazine. Among
the gifts are sets of Harvard Graduates
Magazine, Quarterly Journal of Econ ,inics
and American Historical Review. The
Army and Navy journal and Literary
Digest have been added to the list of cur
rent periodicals.
REGISTRATION.
Up to March 0, 1,523 new names had
been added TO the list of hook
On that day residents of the annexed
wards of Portland were admitted to libra
ry privileges, and in the remaining weeks
of March, 46l names were recorded, max
ing the total registration for the year
1884, an excess of 547 over that OF the pre-
yious year. Within the ten years OF the
library's history, Is, $50 names have been
registered,
CIRCULATION.
Eighty five thousand three hundred and
seventy books have been circulated for
home use daily average of $50. These
figures show decrease in the circulation
which may be accounted for in rart, at
least, by the increasing use of the bicycle
and the growing fondness for out-of-door
sports. Beginning with May the cirou-
lation RAPIDLY fell off until In August
the height of the vacation season, there
was decrease of 1874. Since October the
Increase has been constant and exclu-
sive of the summer months the daily
ayerags was 1926, a considerable gain over
thai Of the corresponding months of last
yenr. The largest number of books is
sued in enc day was 1872, on March 25;
the smallest number was 81 on February
10.
A bout GOO volumes were drawn on
teachers cards.
circulation and juvenile literature 20 per
cent.
READING ROOM AND REFERENCE
ROOM.
The work in these two departments Is
so closely connected that it can best be
considered as a whole. The record shows
an attendance of 81, 1876 persons, gain of
10, e53 over that of last year. Open shelves
in the two rooms contain about 1000
volumes of reference works. bound peri
odicals and government, state and city
documents. These with the current num-
bers of foreign and American periodicals
may be used at the pleasure of the pub
lie, and books, without limit, from the
circulating department may be had for
the asking. The recorded use for the year
was IA, It's.
All through the winter an art class
| from one of the private schools has hal
| weekly meetings at the library. This
plan has made it possible for the teacher
| anu DupllS iOSelIl6T " uSt JAt ger anu
more valuable art books which could
| not be taken from tine rooms
SUNDAY OPENING.
Sunday opening, which was 3iscontin-
Ged through July, August and Septem-
| Der, was resumed on the first Sunday of
| October. Che reference room, as well as
| the reading room, was opened to the pub
| lie and the hours extended to O'Clock
! D. m. The movement may be considered
a success as, on an average, 81 persons
| have awaited themselves Eof the library
privileges each Sabbath.
The largest attendance, 157, was on
February 10. or this number 1909 visited
the reading room, and As the reference
room. The reading room attracts by far
the larger number of visitors, and peri
odical literature is most in demand. Very
few books are called for, 1868 being the
recorded number for the entire isix
months.
YOUNG PEOPLES READING ROOM.
This depar tment, which was opened in
December, 1897, has had liberal patronage
from the first, and the experience of the
past year has proved the wisdom OF set
ting apart one of the largest rooms in the
building for the use of the children.
Wenty-four thousand four hundred and
seventy mine boys and girls have visited
the room within the year daily average
of so. Exclusive of summer months tbs
average attendance was 100, and on many
days in mid-winter it exceeded 200.
While the unru1y element has not been
altogether lacking, the children have as
| a rule beeniwell behaved and appreciabiye
of their privileges. One boy showed his
interest and GOOD will by a gift OF eight
books. Two hundred ana seventeen chill
dren have signed cards. thereby pledging
| themselves to be quiet and orderly and
| to handle the books carefully.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice G. Kurdish, Librarian.
ApEVUT Adv