The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-04-25
Fiction More Popular
Than Ever.
Report of President, Treasurer
and Librarian.

\
The following officers were elected!
President James p. Baxter.
Vice Pre- side nt-J Josiah ID. Drummond.
TreAsurer-Eu ward A. Noyss.
SscretAry-virgiI q. W1sDR.
The following reports Of Officers were
made:
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
To the Trustees of the Portland Public
Library:
Gsutlsmen-Y on will notice by the re-
port Of the librarian, that the library
has had a most prosperous year, having
added ., 200 to the number of volumes. A
like increase the coming year will give US
over TO GOO volumes. A glance at the
list OF the additions made will show
that 1t contains an unusual number OF
valuable works. The circulation of
books and Increased number Of visitors
to tho reading and reference rooms
show an encouraging incrsass in the use
of the library, which is doubtless large
~ Que to the extension Of our municipal
limits.
As our library 10 rapidly Increasing
we shall soon need additional shelf room
and would call your attention 90 the
feasibility OF carryin the shelves In the
general reading room to greater height
and removing to them books that are sell
dom called for. On the present shelves
are q large number, Of hooks Of this
character which could easily be placed up
on the higher shelves and the present ones
used for books that are more frequently
~l
but temporary purpose as In the near
future It will be necessary to add to the
present shelving capacity of the princi-
pal stack room.
You will notice by tie nbrarian's re-
port that It has been necessary to bind
and repair an unusually large number Of
books during the year, and 1t seems
proper to enquire II more care In ne use
Of books by persens enjoying the benefits
of the library cannot be praotloed. 1t
would seem that every one having the
free use Of the books Of the library ought
to feel 1t . duty to preserve them as
much as possible from unnecessary wear
and damage, and l think 1t will be well
20 call attention to this matter In the
public press. The continually increasing
cost Of repairing and binding books
makes 1t apparent that at NO distant day
It will be found necessary In the interest
OF economy to employ binder in the
library to do this work, In fact, one could
at present be employed to advantage.
In the ohildrsn's room there thouId be
some improvements. The shelving Is
not only OF inconvenient height, but is
not In kesping with the rest OF the IL
brary. AZ considerable addition to the
supply Of books in this department
would render 1t more useful and 1 would
also suggest the addition of q few
pictures.
While should regret above all things
to see the reference department in any
degree overlooked, as regard It's growth
as of prime Importance TO our people,
should like to see particular attention
paid to the circulating department. Ad-
ditionaI duplicates are nsedsd not only
OF the most popular novels, but OF more
substantial works in the line OF history,
biography and literature. The incrsas.
ing demand for such works by women's
clubs and literary students. renders this
almost necessary.
In closing wish to expr ess my appre-
citation OF the excellent work OF the
librarian and her faithful af s'stants.
(Signed) james p. Baxter.
LIBRARIANS REPORT.
10 the Trustees of the Portland Public
Library:
Gentlemen-The librarians eleventh
annual report. covering the work of the
year ending March 81. 1900, is herewith
presented. The year has bsen one Of the
busiest In the history OF tine library. Ths
growth has been large, and the increase
in both home and library circulation has
been satisfactory.
Aouessions.
The aOoessions for the year number
400; 1881 volumes were obtained By
purchase, 500 by binding and 3S7 by gift.
or the lattsr as were government pub
locations; $50 VOLUMES have been with
drawn. This net gain Of {, Sal raises the
total number Of volumes In the library
to 47,479.
A large number OF valuable works, in.
Guiding several sets Of scientific periodi-
calls, has been purchased with the Saw
yer fund. The aocesstons,es rule, have
been of such character as to very ma
terially strengthen the different depart.
ments of the library. The departments
OF natural science and fine arts have re-
oeiVed some of the most interesting ad-
ditiors. Some Of the most note worthy
Of the years acosssions are the follow.
ing; Hough's American Woods, Good
ale's American Wild Flowers, Dsnton's
Moths and Butterflies Of the United
States, Butterflies of North America, by
Edwards; marlborough, His Place In
English Art BY Armstrong; Leonardo