Evening star., 1900-10-02

Of July. 1899. the number Of volumes in
the library was 16,875, and on the 30th Of
June, 1900, II had increased to 1S,o40.
Most OF the books having come by donations
and large portion from a former library,
they were necessarily much worn. and many
of them were unserviceable for. lack Of
binding during the early part Of the yeaf.
The issue of books for home reading has
been quite uniform. during the whole year,
The monthly circulation varied from $3.50
in June, 1900, to II $50 In November 1892"
The largest circulation on any one ywaS
November n, 1899, $50 volumes. and the
smallest, March 16. 1900 148 volumes. The
average daily circulation varied from 332 t6
469% the largest being in September, 1890,
and the smallest in June. 1900. The average
per day was little over 4O2 volumes, d
slight increase over last year The per,
centage of fiction and Juvenile works c1rctt
lated was about the same as last year, not
larger in amount than In most public libra
ries. The other classes. in their order, vera
literature, history and travel, biography
philosophy and religion, social science. natl
ural science. recreation and fine arts.
The constant demand for new books, es..
pecially of popular fiction. suggested the
proprety OF having a small duplicate col-
lection from which books might be issued
to readers at 10 cents per week, and could
be had at once without waiting long time
for the return of the copies on the regular
shelves. This plan was begun in April,
1890. The duplicate list increased steadily
during the year, 317 volumes having been
added, and 2T4 paid for and transferred to
the general shelves. OF some books twenty
to thirty copies were purchased, and by thtS
means many more readers were supplied
with the new works, and very soon all the
readers had the benefit Of the increased IA
ciities of the library, for as soon as boDk
had paid for itself 1t was taken from the
collection and placed on the regular shelves,
The demand for books has been so great
that 1t Is certain that larger increase OK
this collection would be an advantage.
owing to the lack of sufficient funds to pura
chase books at present.
Readers Among Children.
Although 1t has been impossible to hav6
a regular children's department, yet during
the year there was steady increase in the
number OF readers among the children. and
largely from those attending the public
schools. Mr.. Flint emphasizes his state
ment Of last year as to the absolute neceSS
sity Of having as soon as possible sepa-
rate room for the children, and particularly
for the younger ones, who would be, he be-
lieves, greatly benefited by having place
to meet and an assistant properly trained
to aid them in their reading and studies. lQ
q limited way this has been done by having
the children's books placed apart on sepaA
rate shelves but the demand has been probe
ably ten times the supply, and at present
but a small fraction Of the number OF chill.
dren in the schools avail themselves OF the
privileges Of the library, and the great ma
jority, Mr.. Flint thinks, cannot do SO at ell
until the arrangements Of the new building
make this possible. The children have tna
telligently used the books, and their care Of
the books has been commendable.
The registration Of borrowers during the
year was 3, TAT, making the entire number at
present 1O,469. The following statement
gives the number Of volumes in the library
for use, arranged by classes, and includes
also duplicate copies Of works: Generel
works, 1,O29; philosophy and religion, eos;
biography, 1927; history and travel. 2692:
social science, 923; natural science, SIT;
useful arts. 40; athletics and recreation, 1895
fine arts 252; language and literature. 3.66S.
Total number Of classed books. IL 1b2 Flo
ton and juvenile works, 6.361, making .
grand totalNo of 1858.