The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-10-05
Treasurer's Report,

anu OIl lAp-S 500 - - $780,
Sundries.. :. .......... 109.90 -4,224.21
Oct /, 1900, cash on hand.....s 15'02
Presidents Annual Report.
During the past year the work OF the
institute has gone forward with fair
success and without friction. The MEM
bership has steadily increased and the
receipts show q proportonate gain
The librarians report indicates the
usual addition to the number of books
on our shelves, most of which are
books of current interest. Our finances
do not warrant the purchase of many
books of reference, though we have
added recently a set of Warmers Best
Literature' and a copy Of the Cen
fury Atlas" and q few other standard
works The books are now all cata-
logued by author and title, and the
work of cataloguing by subject is in
progress
1t is a great satisfaction to report
that the stock of books which has been
! in disorder on the shelves In the ref
terence room upstairs for series of
years, has now been carefully sorted
and arranged by subjects, and will soon
4 be catalogued with the books on this
/ floor. In this work Mr.. Borden has
/ been greatly aided by Miss Abby Dunn,
who is taking lessons in library work
| with view of becoming a trained Il
/ brarian. In return for this training she
| gives her services to the institute. she
has already become q familiar figure
at the charging desk, and Is apparent
| ly favorite with our patrons. whom
she serves with tact and promptness.
1t occurs to me that 1t may be possible
In the future to increase the efficiency
of our service by the offer of similar
training to young people who may de-
sire to enter library service Most IL
brary schools now give the preference
TO candidates who have taken this
method of familarizing themselves
with books by handling them,
We are beginning to outgrow our
shelving capacity, and the time Is not
far distant when IL will be necessary
to construct two new alcoves opposite
the office. We have made a beginning
with the renewal of our furniture, some
of which looks far from attractive A
few new chairs have been purchased,
and one of the tables recovered. 1t
seems to me q matter of prudence to
make our reading room as attractive
as possible, so that any stranger would
at once be pleased by its inviting ap-
pearance. A little money spent In prop
err decoration and modern furniture
would when we can afford 1t, prove a
good investment for us.
BY the liberality Of one OF our drec-
tors Mr. Sizer, we have been enabled
to make an attractive display, Of pho
tographs In our parlor every month
These are sent to us by the Library Art
club of Boston, and have been admired
by our mmbers and the outside pub
lie, who have been gladly welcomed |
A glance at the beautiful pictures of
Alaskan scenery now displayed on the
wall will convince our members that
we are greatly indebted to the generous
donor whose liberality will lenable us
to continue the exhibition for another |
year.
I cannot speak too emphatically in
praise Of the services of the landies'
committee.
At their regular meetings they care |
fully revised lists OF books with which |
they are conversant discuss their merits !
and their fitness for our library, and |
present a carefully selected list to the |
book committee which they feel safe |
in approving. Their duty is only made |
difficult by the lack of funds and not |
by the question as to the fitness of any |
book which the ladies have recommend |
ed. Such careful culling prevents the |
accession OF any questionable book.
The members os the various commit |
tees have rendered me great service |
by their advice and counsel, and by the |
assumption of responsibility in many
matters which require their attention |
The extensive improvements recent-l
ly made by the owners of the adjoin- |
ing property have necessitated the re- |
moval Of the attractive sign recently !
placed by us on the walls Of the build
Ing. To replace it now ON our proper
ty in front Of such a beautiful window
would be an act far from neighborly;
yet we need some sign to attract the
attention of the public An artistic
porch would help in this direction
swinging doors with our
name prominently inscribed thereon ,
would serve for this purpose, as well as
for keeping the hall in better condition.
BY every means in our power we
need to keep the public advised of our
existence. In my judgment, generous
advertising would yield an ample re-
turn. In spite of the proximity of the
Free Public library, there are many
people who would Join US If they knew
If our existence and the facilities for
reading which we furnish at low coat |
For example, to magazine reader it
IS a great advantage to be one of our
members. Our annual fee is only three
dollars, which is the average subscrip-
ion price 70" one magazine. Now our
annual periodical and newspaper bill is
1t least four hundred and fifty dollars
For this sum we furnish fifty-six dig
ierent kinds of magazines and nineteen i