The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-06-18
Librarian Of the Gilbert N. Simmons
Library Gives Out a Statement
Of the Work OF the Year.
REPORT SHOWS GREAT PROGRESS
Circulation Has Increased by More Than
Twenty Per Cent. During the Year..
Books in the School.


library held Tuesday evening the an
nual report of the librarian for the
| year Just closed was submitted to the
board. The report is of such an inter-
esting nature that it is published
as follows:
To the Board of Directors of Gilbert
M. Simmons Library:
| Herewith is submitted the third an
nual report of the librarian for the
year ending May 31st, 1908.
We may look back upon the yearjust
closed as having done much towards
methods in our work. We feel that we
have extended our usefulness both in
town and county. Teachers through
out the county to the number Of 38
have made constant use of our library,
in drawing many books at a time for
use with the pupils.
We have placed "School Duplicate
Collections in thirteen of our grade
school rooms and hope the record of
their use given below will warrant our
extending this privilege to the remain
! ing schools next fall. This record
fails to show the cooperation of the
teachers, without which we should
have accomplished nothing. Their
willingness to add to their responsible
| tiles by circulating these books among
their children and in various ways IN
teresting them in the best, deserves the
rrNn AoG
acknowledge my indebtedness to them
for the success that the school room
libraries have attained.
We have also opened library sta
ton on the North side for the circula-
ton Of books, which has met with
moderate success for the short time it
has been in operation. We anticipate
much greater activity among the read
ing public of the North side during the
winter months and next year.
We have published lists of our books
on mechanical and electrical engineer
ing which have been distributed to all
the factories in town.
We have brought Alderman Trav-
cling Library" of IS vols, which we
keep on our shelves and circulate for
six months, at the end of which time
we may exchange it for another trav-
cling library and SO on until for the
expenditure of the small sum of $35
our public may have the reading of six
times thirty-fve books.
| In order to meet the immediate de-
mand for new and popular novels we
have introduced what is known as the
renting collection which is made up
of extra copies of popular novels al
ready on the shelves. These are rented
for Sets. week to those of our patrons
who do not wish to wait their turn for
the free copies. This plan was first
put into effect Nov. 18th, 1902, and be-
tween that date and May 31st, 1903,
thirty-one books have been purchased
at cost of 5000. The rentals, fines
and sales of these books amount, so
far, to $3.50, giving us at the present
time surplus OF, SLIGO. We dispose of
them after they have paid for them
selves either by selling them for
nominal sum-say 10 or IS cents-or by
incorporating them Ia the main library
If there continues to be moderate de-
mand for them. The plan seems to be
successful and has the double advant-
age of pleasing those who are glad to
pay the small rental and of giving
those who do not rent books much
better chance of getting the copies on
the regular shelves.
We have also introduced a system of
especial cards. granting about the
same privileges that are given with
teachers cards. A number of people
are taking up special courses of read
ing or study and many others write
| papers for various clubs. The rules
which govern and necessarily limit the
use of individual cards rather interfere
with the free use of library books
needed to carry on the literary work
/ above named. The Especial cards"
are to meet this difficulty and have
been much appreciated. 80,
On the whole we believe these inno-
vations upon our methods OF previous
years are steps in the right direction
and have added materially to our influ-
ence for good in the community, which
is always the aim of every conscien-
tious library worker.
(MRs.) CLARA p. BARNES,
Librarian.
ACCEssIoNS.
Books in library June 1, 1902 II. 1877
Books added during year. ....1,466
Books withdrawn during year 1876
ret additions. ..s................... 1870
Total number Of books May 81, '03. I. Il, 0O7
Books purchased for "School Duplicate
Collection "a separate record is kept
| of these books ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 716
PERIODICALS.
Periodicals and newspapers sub'd for ........54
Periodicals and newspapers given. 20
| BINDING AND MENDING.
Number OF books rebound. ............. l39
Bool:s and magazines newly bound 49,. 81
Books mended in library 1904
CIRCULATION.