The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-27
Clty Librarian Smith Files Annu-
al Report With the Mayor.
GAIN IN BOOKS FOR HOME USE.
AZ the Beginning of the Present
Year There Were Over $4,000
More Volumes in Circulation
Than in 1898 - Library Ranks
Among First HaIf-Doxen Institu-
lions West of Mississippi River.

growth of the city library, the I'M
provements that have been under
taken and completed during the
IL year 1893. and In the general COM
ments upon the influence and work.
ing OF the Institution. the annual report
of Librarian C. w. Smith is one OF the
most interesting documents filed with the
mayor and council in recent years. Mr..
Smiths report contains a narrative OF
the progress and changes in the institute
ton for last year. and has just been hied
1T the city hall.
One of the striking facts in the report
IL that at the beginning of the present
year there were in circulation for home
use 1877, 9H books. an increase OF 2s,5Zf vol
umes, or 26 per cent, over 1873. IN the
amount of income, size of circulation, as
well as in other important respects the
library. Mt. Smith says, now ranks with
the first half dozen public Libraries west
Of the Mississippi river.
A very full abstract of the report FOL
lows:
The year Is seeing II whole, far the
most Interesting and prosperous the IL
brary has yet had The income from
established sources reached Sl4.VoI No Inc
circulation of books for home use was
1874 volumes. gain over 1873 OF 2s'ozi,
or 20 per cent. The increase In the use
of books for consultation in the building
has been much greater in proportion. ow-
ing to the fact that this was the first
year that Il has been possible to man the
reference department adequately. The
number OF persons who, under an open
shelf system, come to the library and sit
down to read a book or magazine at will
runs into the hundreds daily, for often
every seat is taken. of which we have
over 200, and people are standing. We
still lack the means OF keeping statistics
of this use but an inspection of the
rooms during the busy portions OF any
day would perhaps be equally telling.
In the amount of its income. size of It's
circulation, and, In short, all that goes to
indicate the Importance of a library to
communicative only In the number of
volumes II possesses and in the fact of
its having no home--our library now
ranks with the first half-dozen public
libraries west OF the Mississippi river.
These two needs will be again referred
to further on.
Beyond question. the foremost cause Of
Increased interest and activity this year
was the securing of such desirable new
quarters as are afforded by the Yesler
mansion. On January IL the library was
thrown open In this building, having been
closed for removal since December 25
Resourceful in consequence of its we'll
known itinerant habits, the institution
managed with practically no change the
adaptation of the large residence build
Ing to Its use--or of itself to the building
uncertainty OF tenure again making ex-
pence for alterations inadvisable. 1t has
proved n cheerful. homelike place, and
the location Is satisfactory to most OF the
patrons. The one drawback of the site is
It's elevation. compelling climbing of hill
and steps. 20 difficult for the delicate
The grounds taken charge of by tho
park department. have been beautifed
and kept 80 as to win the admiration of
the whole city. Probably no other public
the people. citizens and strangers to-
gether. who enjoy this central beauty
spot. This department II but echoing
what II hears constantly from its visitors
for tat
tiating, and the park department for
carrying out, this choice Improvement
Our lease upon this property is for but
two years, expiring with the year 1900.
] recommend renewal. II 1t can be OBJ
tanned until such time as there appears
tangible hope of securing a permanent
library building. and advise that, in my
opinion, we can adapt ourselves to this
building until thus relieved--if the relief
IL not too long In coming with a little
alteration 1t can be made to suffice for a
Few years at least.
could not easily overpraise the work
ers who have made possible what has
been accomplished In this and other
years. More of the credit IL always due
them than appears often In print Tho
ideal of public service among our assist
ants is high, They neither weary nor are
ashamed of doing the duties that come
20 them as servants of the people. but re-
gard duty as opportunity, the inquirer as
a friend ] believe the public appreciates
this fact. Tor | have almost never heard a
syllable of complaint.
The working force has been increased
hy one desk clerk and one page. as a re-
suit OF increased business and the ncces-
sity OF overseeing a large building much
cut up into separate rooms. This neces-
sity has proved blessing. however. for
having TO scatter the work throughout
this building has led to departmcntIzing
II. while the slight increase In the STAN
has enabled us TO man the different de-
partments and do them approximate Jus
tice, neither OF which things could ever
be seriously attempted before. The heads
OF departments acquire skill in their spc-
stantly serving as understudies with each
The Improvement In quality OF work has
been out OF atl proportion 10 the Increase
OF expense, 10 say nothing Of the greater
quantity handled We are also able to do
more work OF a permanent nature max
ing our materials accessible and effective
for all time 20 come. This IS work which
should never stop, indeed. "a fast as our
means permit u should he accelerated
The children's department. which should
have an attendant in personal charse
constantly but which has none at an as
Yet. IL the only part OF the work not now
fairly Well cared Sor Here il our great
est present need. and our opportunity no
less.
The aeeessions by classes for the year
are As follows;
bihN0Snrhy. periodicals .,................... a,
fhHoHotAN .-.......-,,..... .....,.,...... g.
Religion .......... Observation-Disclosures. r.
rs .--'..+......... ...,............. leo
iNi'i"s' ..--.'. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Naiu1Nl f0fneo ls
ts"tH A'fA ~
lNHr arts .-... "a
Literature leclrs lSttfr, foreign. ,i.....,.' ~
fusilsh acttDp ...... -......... ~