Evening journal., 1902-04-16
THE EVENING JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL l6 1902

to see many chairs containing two oc-
cupants: the small step ladders, radia-
tors. and lodges are then occupied as
seats and all intermediate space is filed
by others who read standing.
THE LIBRARY AND THE SCHOOL.
Since the close of the year under re
view the library has been able to send
out to the public schools an increased
number of books and to start a system
of homo circulation from fourteen
schools most remote from the library.
During the year about 200 books We're
distributed among the twenty-nine
schools. These were used solely Tor
reference purposes and supplemental
reading. Last summer the librarian
made a study of the plan of circulating
books from schools. as most success
fully conducted by the Buffalo Public
Library. This plan, in more modest
proportion, has been adopted by this
library. and about 5000 volumes, care
fully adapted to the various grades
have been purchased for this purpose
At the present time 1906 volumes are
in the schools BY next fall upwards
of 45O0 volumes will be available for
that purpose. The Buffalo plan pro-
vldes that at least one book for each
pupil shall be sent to the schools.
With us that would involve the pur-
chase OF at least $500 volumes more,
and were there sufficient funds for the
purpose, the success of the plan, thus
far, would justify this further exten-
sion. Even though the number for
each school is small, yet there are a
few library books in practically every
class room of each public school of the
city. A catalogue of all books in the
school system, roughly classed, has
been printed on cardboard 14X22 inches
in size and a copy has been hung in
every schOOlroOm. On these cata-
logues there is printed cordial invi-
tation to all children to come to the
central library and visit the children's
room. In the case of the fifteen schools
nearest the library, the books continue
to be used only at the schools and al .
not circulated for the reason that chill
dren attending these schools are
! thought to live near enough to the cen
tral library to obtain books there for
home reading. If, however, there is a
sufficient demand another year, the
circulating plan will be applied to them
also.
Results obtained in March showed a
strong demand for circulation in mosi
Of the fourteen outlying schools. II
should be noted that not the reading Oi
school children alone is affected by the
adoption of this plan. Older brothers
and sisters and parents also read books
taken from the schools and thus tho
influence of the library is extended tC
! persons not otherwise reached. Every
extension of this sort. serves to carry
to people otherwise ignorant of theii
privileges. knowledge of the fact thai
there is a public library in the city
from which they may freely obtain al
the books they may desire.
ROCKFORD BRANCH.
The Rockford branch contains abOu
$500 volumes and draws on the cen
trail library to meet other demands o
readers. The net registration at tn
branch is 409--a decrease of LOG iron
last year The circulation at tn
branch was 5,S24 an increase of so owe
J last GtelAs AL inquiry lulo tue N1uH
of the apparent lack of growth of in
terest at the branch brought out tn
fact that the largest use made of it
, privileges is by teachers and children
The fact that IL was open only from
to Q p. m, prevented many from com
ing who could come only in the after
noon. Since the close Of the librar
year, the Plan of also keeping II ope
from to $50 has been adopted an
has brought many children from tn
/, neighboring schools. In pursuance {
the policy of making special prOvisio
for children. as already applied to tn
, central library, low cases and bullet
, boards have been put in, one table he
been lowered and special chairs hay
been secured. This extension ,
hours and these improvement
have all helped to restol
the former interest in Il
branch and increase its usefulnes
4 Public school No q is so near tn
t branch that it was not consider,