Evening journal., 1902-05-21
BOARD OF MANAGERS
HOLD MONTHLY MEETING
Annual Report Of Institute Free
Library Is Distributed Among
The Members

The regular monthly meeting Of the
Board OF Managers OF the Wilmington
Institute Free Library was held In the
librarians room last evening. Printed
copies Of the annual report were disrbu-
ted 10 the members Of the board. Any
ono especially interested may secure a
copy hy applying az the library.
Tho nbrarans monthly report for
April showed that SiS volumes were adj
ded to the library but as 766 volumes
were withdrawn, the net increase was AZ.
Tho circulation showed large increase
over ArFn 1901. The total circulation was
22.ii0 against 1915 last year. an increase
of 1856. rart of this increase was due TO
The fact that $3.50 volumes We're oircu-
latol from tho fourteen schools now
sending out books for home reading
There was. however an increase Of III
in the circulation OF the central library
and a9i at the Rockford branch This is
the largest circulation Of any month IN
the history of the library
From figures already given IL win be
secn that 'G6 volumes were Withdrawn
during the month These We're for the
most pan, books of fiction During the
month systematic examination of
practically every book on the fiction
shelves was made with an idea of with
drawing books not suitable for circu-
lation Though a public library mani
fcstly cannot keen tie condition Of its
books mp TO that maintained by the
Booklover's Library yht 1t SIS believed
that patrons have a right to demand that
tho hooks they draw from the public d.
hrary shall be fairly clean and well
printed editions
Tho examination showed that, although
The library was circulating ephemerai
books Of the hour in first rate editions
fairly clean. yet on the other hand I'm tht
case Of many classic works Of hctior
there were frequently too few copies. the
editions were badly printed and tn,
copies on the shelves were IN many casel
worn much and badly soilcd Moreover
IL was found that library shelves con.
tained many books of fiction. not clas.
sics-tho writings of the Marie Corcln,
of 80 years ago-which are no Longer
read A considerable number OF book
was also discovered which We're printe,
In such fine type as TO make the cir
culaton of them a direct aid to the bust
ness of the oculists and opticians Of IN,
town ln order 40 correct these natter
this large number Of books were w'gh
uravn.
or course in cases where these book
are no longer In demand they win no
be replaced In other cases, it Es tn
purpose of the library TO replace ther
with first rate editions. Moreover. it
( requested of The library patrons tina
they assis- the management of the d
brary 10 maintain the standard of IN
books circulated. Library assistant
have been instructed to examine ever
book that comes under their hands wit
a view OF withdrawing St II it Is not Q
such condition that they themsclv,
{ would he willing 10 read it, Perhaps
i was 10 be expected that with such
e large number of books in the library tha
/, were SO badly soiled and marked ur
3 thinking readers would have little II
+ lgard for the books and would use thel
1 with soiled hands and add no the defac'
, ments already made. If. however. q
generally understood among the reade
s lof the library that a persistent effort
l. being hade TO circulate none but cleg
d books tho majority of the readers vi
cooperate with the library managemei
ia lSeeping books clean In this way a
cxoeedingly important result will be ol
tanned OF snculcating among readers
greater respect for books and ntoraGur
y than can be possible when insight
J. books are circulated