The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-23


dered by our institution, the Scranton Public
Library.
The literary value of the books received and
put into the hands Of hungry readers by the
library constitute an assurance Of growing intel.
ligence, and Of an uplift in individual character,
which is full OF promise for our city.
The accompanying reports speak for them.
selves; and careful study Of them from year
TO year brings cumulative evidence of the hold
that the library has upon the esteem of the com.
munity. As an educational institution, as Il con-
setvative force that makes for stability, and for
wisdom in the younger portion OF our citizens
who are growing into responsibility, this library
has won its way into the hearts Of our people.
With confidence and hope, therefore, the Ii
brary trustees and their officers place the re-
sponsibty of lis future and increased usefulness
upon the conscientious care and support of every
member OF the city councils; promising them
our faithful administration Of the trusts imposed
upon us in this behalf.
LIBRARIANS REPORT.
Librarian Henry j. Carr in his report
to the trustees of the library. says:
The following summary review Of work done
by the Scranton Public Library, during the
twelve months Of 1901, includes it's ninth year Of
current public operation
REGISTRATION.
A necessary and preliminary act, prior to loan.
ing OF books for home use, is the registration Of
borrowers. Thereupon library cards are issued
for u limited term; and to continue them in
force rcregistraton is required at the end OF
two years from the date of each card.
Registration in 1901 numbered 2,222 new and
1a00 re.registercd; total, 4,l22, OF which 1905
were city borrowers. IS nonresident, and 81
teachers or other special cards. As to sexes,
1875 were males and 2,o97 females; as to ages
3,2i2 were persons of IL years and over, and $50
under that age.
The circulating department was opened 3C4
days The book issues numbered 125,5lS volumes
for home use and 3.20l for use in the library
rooms; total issue of 12s,7l0 volumes. Daily
average for the years was 4s3 Comparing
monthly totals, those of the first five months
and of November, resulted in a higher daily
average That for March, Ash, was the highest
average OF any one month.
The net circulation Of all other classes OF books
than fiction (adut and juvenile) did not differ
materially from the totals of prior years. Hence
ii would appear that our annual fluctuations in
circulation depend mainly upon the increase or
decrease in the use of the so.called light read
ing; a fact that has been commented npon in
these reports in other years.
YOUNG PEOPLES LIBRARY.
Commencing May l a separate room at the
front of the building, on the main floor, was
opend to use as a young peoples library. 1t
was supplied with collection of books especial.
ly selected for that purpose, containing about
l6O0 volumes at the outset. BY subsequent pur.
chase and transfer, some 500 more were added
TO it by the end OF the year.
Books are issued from that collection for home
Use, as il from the general circulating depart
ment During the eight months, from May 10
December 81, the young peoples library num-
bered 1l,ll4 "a daily average OF G0), which are
included in the total book circulation reported
above.
Free access to the shelves has prevailed; and
equal opportunity been given for reading at the
tables in that room, or for drawing books for
home-taking. No count has been kept OF the
number OF readers within the room, but the at
tendance OF young people making use of it and
Of the books there, has averaged quite up to pre-.
vous expectation. On Saturdays, in the after.
noon and evening of many other days, it has
taxed the seating capacity of the room.
REFERENCE DEPARTMENT
The former lecture room, on the second floor,
having been adequately furnished and fitted for
the purposes OF combined reference and read.
ing room was opened for that use February !,
1901. The changed and enlarged facilities thus
provided have made it possible to locate the Chief
books of reference, including bound magazines,
in adjacent rooms on the same floor. Consider
able space for future additions also results, as
we'll as greater convenience OF access.
The regular issues OF % weekly, 95 monthly,
and 8 quarterly periodicals were received during
the year 1901. Material additions We're made
to the sets Of bound periodicals, through The
binding of various volumes from the accumua.
tions of previous years; and All equal or greater
number will be treated in like manner in The
coming year.
CONTENTS OF THE LIBRARY.
The total number Of volumes in the library at
the close OF 1900 was 1924. Accessions OF 1901
include 4,72t volumes; OF which 4,l0l were Oh.
tanned by purchase 194 by gift and exchange;
40 by periodicals and pamphlets bound, and 2j0
by United States documents deposited.
Deductions OF the year numbered 1912 vol.
umes; OF which 1920 were books discarded be.
cause OF worn and dilipidated condition, and 92
on account OF other damage or loss. 4 few OF
the latter were paid for by the persons found re.
sponsible.
balance on hand December 81, 1901, numbers
II 1886 volumes
The net increase OF the library (3.4la yolumes)
was somewhat larger than usual, owing to pur.
chases for the special collection forming the
young peoples library. A considerable number
of volumes, too, We're bought for the purpose Of
replacing or increasing copies OF standard works
in all classes OF literature.
The binding account for 1901 includes 893 vol.
umes newly bound and l,i0l volumes reset in
covers or rebound, AT the library, Si4 volumes
were repaired so far as feasible TO do so without
Iebinding, in addition to constant mending,
patching and pasting in OF loose leaves and
plates, 10 the number of many hundreds each
week.
PRINTED LISTS.
No bulletins or lists OF additions were under
taken by the library in 1901, owing to the pres.
sure OF other demands upon its working force
and resources. 1t is hoped that in connection
with. or following the condensed catalogue that
is planned to be printed during the course OF the
year la02, 1t may prove feasible to issue author
or classed list OF additions, at least quatterly. il
not oitener.
The libray's list OF gifts and exchanges re.
ceyed in 1901 (aggregatmg $50 volumes, 9,0S4
pamphlets and current numbers and IL geological
atlas folios), includes many reports, catalogues
and monthly or quarterly bulletins from Libraries,
and other institutions, as we'll as kindred iayors
from individuals
The following, among other such iayors, were
most notable in quantity: From Colonel II. NJ.
Boies, volumes and i2s periodical numbers;
Henry Belin, jr,, IS volumes; Rev T. NJ Cam,
II volumes and lS6 periodical numbers; Henry
j. Carr, volumes ami 20 periodicals and pam
phlets; general offices Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western railroad, ia volumes of United States
and statedoouments; International Text Book
company (yla editor Of Mines and Minerals), 4OI
numbers Of suRdry foreign technical periodicals;
A. II. Lee, 70 volumes and bound magazines;
New York State library, volumes and 81 pam.
phlets; Patterson 4 Wilcox, volumes; Penns,l-
yania State library, 90 volumes OF state docu.
nentsi prang Educational company, volumes;