The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-15

Daily average for the year was 4l6. which
was exceeded BY that Of tho first four
months. That of March, 519, was tho
highest of any one month"; II
Largest Issue of any one day was 800
on Saturday. Feb. IL; smallest current
daily issue 2O6, on Sept. 80 except that
owing to a blizzard Feb. 13, and a fire.
mems parade oct. 8, but 1S5 and liz vol
tunes respectively were issued on these
days. Smallest daily number of volumes
in the hands of readers was 21s7 on Mon
day, Aug. 2S; and the largest similar
number was 3,515 on Saturday, March ~.
As In the year 1898 the total issues frori
the circulating department still show
conside rabe decrease from those OF pre-
cedirg years. The reasons for this re-
suit are not difficult to ind. and like
effects will probably be felt for some
time to come.
The increased reading Of newspaper and
magazine literature, spoken of last year,
still serves the wants of many who read
most for recreative purposes.
Again, the somewhat marked stress laid
upon a few of the "best selling books of
the day, has caused a feverish rush ana
demand for certain four or fve extremely
advertised and over-rated novels. far be-
yond their real merits or permanent
value. 1t is not within the scope or
means of any public library, nor Just to
its other users, to supply the hundreds OF
copies that would suffice for such excep-
tional demands. Lacking such free sup
ply, large numbers of individuals have
purchased and read the books In HueS-
tion, and thereby lessened by so much
their borrowing from the public libraries.
If the foregoing conclusions are correct
the decrease spoken Of would naturally
be looked for in the line of light. or fic-
tiofl, reading. That proves to be the case
here, since the percentage OF issue IN
such classes has fallen from 1913 in our
years of greatest circulation, to 1i.9 IN
1899. And. too. the total number of vol
umes of all other classes issued in 1899
(32 272), is equal to. or more. than like
issues of previous years when our total
circulation was at high water maIk,
and one fourth larger in volume than in
the year just ended.
1t should be said, further. that the "era
of prosperity" which has given employ
nert to many who were out of work.ha
also decreased the number who found
more time for reading Than otherwise.
At no season are libraries so well pat
ronized, In this country, as wtei work.
ingmcn are suffering from "hard times"
and ii is in one sense a matter of graft
hcation to be able to now report a con-
trary condition. even though the sta it's
of 1t.
REFERENCE DEPARTMENT.
1t is net deemed essential to attempt
| to keep statistical record of the use
| of the several thousand volumes placed
on open shelves for free public access.
| To do so would tend to interfere with
and restrict, rather than encourage to
aid 1t. The same is true with regard to
the current periodicals in the reading
room.
The constant attendance of persons
| making avail of this department has
| evinced no falling off in the number of
readers. 1t has offer crowded the rooms
| and taxed all facilities in that respect.
| and been difficult at times to justly serve
them. owing to our limited sufficiency Of
| skilled reference assistants. 1t is to be
hoped that Improvement In both those
particulars may be found possible during
| the coming year.
| The regular issue of 81 we akly. 81
| monthly and quarterly periodicals were
| received during the year 1899. AS prom
ised in the report for 1898. a considerable
number of the periodical accumulations
| were bound into volumes and thus made
more available. Like treatment of re-
naming material of that kind, including
| the current yearly additions, Is planned
| for the coming year.
| CONIEATS OF THE LIBRARY.
Report for 1898 showed a total of SO, 739
| volumes in the library at the close of
| that year. Accessons of 1899 included
2,6l3 volumes. of which 163 We're by gift
| ard exchange, 2,067 by purchase, 24l by
! periodicals bound, and 142 by United
| States documents deposited.
| Deductions of the year numbered $40
| volumes, of which 5O3 were discarded be-
| cause of worn and dilapidated condition.
| and II on account of other damage or
less, a portion of those latter being paid
for by the persons responsible. Balance
on hand Dec. 81, 1899, numbers ,S32 vol
| umes.
The net increase of the library (2093 vol
umes), was one third less than in the pre-
| viOus year, although the book purchases
as usual. included a considerable num-
Der of volumes to replace or increase
| copies of standard works. New publica.
tions of the year We're numerous. espec'
tally in it's closing months; but those
Of notable or very essential library
character did not predominate.
The decrease in circulation Of light
reading, already spoken Of. served to les
sen our bills for rebinding, to an appre'
ciable extent. On the other hand the
prevailing spirit of greed and CONNER.
cialism'' has led nearly all publishers
into a pernicious and regretable use OF
flimsy binding. and inferior paper. This
is the case with both cheap and high