Evening journal., 1903-04-22

crease the service to $50 books. or per-
haps 375; but this increase may well
be postponed unttl after the summer
season.
School Circulation.
AS pointed out In the last annual re-
port, the books sent TO the fourteen
schools most remote from the library
were prepared for home circulation
During the summer months, at the re-
quest of the superintendent OF public
education, all Of the books sent to the
schools We're prepared for home circu-
lation. Thus far an but eight OF the
twenty schools have availed
themselves OF the privilege Of circu-
latng into the homes of the children
the books sent TO them. Most of the
schools that have not yet undertaken to
circulate the books are comparatively
near the library, so that at least the
lolder pupils take books from the CEN
tral library. in view Of the fact that
at least "A third OF the 4.331 volumes
now deposited IN the schools are used
only for reference, il is gratifying to
note that the school circulation amount
ed to 1920. The largest circulation
from any one school was that at No.
l25. which numbers 2.227. This was OBJ
tanned from "a library Of lS6 volumes.
The next largest figures were those OF
mo. "a, which showed a circulation of
l2O57 from library of 30l volumes.
The plan Of circulating books from the
public schools. as originally worked
out by the Buffalo Public Library, re-
ouires that there be deposited in each
school at least one volume for every
pupil If this library followed this
7 plan in its entirety we should have al
least 1000 volumes for this purpose
\ Unquestionably the number OF our
= school duplicates should he greatly in
. creased If possible. Principals are re-
4 porting that with the proportionately
I small number of books at hand. they
are soon read by all the pupils an,
: the interest flags. when it is consid
cred that not only the school children
d but parents and olders brothers ant
d sisters read the books taken from tn
q schools, and since, as most students q
70 education agree. the taste for good lit
ID erature can be best developed durin
ie the period Of school life, il can be read
n ily seen that this is one OF the mos
y important branches OF the work whic
I'd the library has undertaken and n
one for which best educative result
~ may be expected.
M The children's Room.
~ The work of the childrens depar
or ment has been extended and develop,
d. along the lines slSetched In the last r
ne port. 1t should be observed that q
he juvenile circulation forms 37.S per cer
RS Of the total circulation of the centr
IN library. This is a slight increase
en- the proportion over that of the ye
or previous. All books from the adult d
,m partment drawn by children (wheth
,at for themselves or for their parents) a
nv charged at the Juvenile loan desk: tn
,ur 4S.7 per cent. Of the entire circulate
IN OF the central library is charged at I
ZEN desk in the childrens room.
Ien Much care has been given to the s
ion lection of books for the children's d
ia partment The principle has be
IN adopted that It is much better to ha
ion a large number of copies of boo
ass known to be valuable than to add eve
md new children's book regardless of
Iist worth. Fortunately children do
hot read the literary reviews or book q
rlrs vertisements to any great extent al
consequently. it is not necessary to b
op, for them books doomed into popular
the until their literary merit can be det
~ mined. The policy of adding to
rbe titles in the chlldren's department :
an not only been conservative but
bie books already there have worn out n
tbo have been carefully studied and i'm C,
nv OF doubt have not been replaced. II
~ gratifying to note that the most Dol
ot- lar book in the children's departm,
ao, is LOngfellow's Poems" OF which
80 Iflrnrstr ba .tt d
or partial editions
The work of preparing picture bul
rus tins and lists of books regarding 81
OF cial topics or seasons has been folio
ora ed up and has served to make the
me partment attractive and popular NJ,
80. ton should be made OF the special
req hibit of matter pertaining to the c
'he leges of the country. Last sunni
ol 1t was announced that the Whining
ohs High School had increased
IN course so that it would he
~ after offer preparation more adequ
IN for entrance to college. The libri
ihe took this opportunity of endeavor
ras to direct the minds of the young c
ear legeward by displaying views or G
aAe lege buildings. portraits of famous G
cen lege presidents and professors. and c
nee lege pennants. large number
the colleges sent illustrative matter
a 10 local alumni of these institutions 10,
lem ed the pennants. With the help
or them, the chldrens room presented
not some weeks a festive appearance.
axe the same time list of college stoi
ave was prepared Not only were tn
,nts read, but many young people examil
pie the various college catalogues shell
AXIS in the reading room.
ol,s Reference Work.
one of the least satisfactory pa
Of the library work is that of the I
erence department During the y
Gu the department has been strengthe
ialn by the addition OF a number Of sets
the magazines and of several import
inst bibliographies.cy and dioti
ae'- aries in various branches of knowlet
MS Although there are some works wh
trM IL is still imperative to have and m
any which il would be desirable to place
per- this collection, yet the reference
lection is a fairly oon1 ono for