Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-01-14
STATE LIBRARY.


tended and developed during the past two
years. The section OF its work which is
evidently Of the greatest interest to the
public Is that connected with the travelling
libraries There are now eighty OF these
libraries In active use, or four thousand
volumes, and the records returned to the
state librarian show that these books an
nually AFFORD entertainment and instruction
to over forty thousand readers. They are
increasing In use In the small towns and
nrighborhoods, and even In the lumber
camps. They are sought after by high
schools, and prove very helpful to study
clubs and gTauges. There are over ore
thousand institutions and organizat ons OF
various kinds In Maine, representing over
fifty Thousand readers which have righ,
to demand the use of these libraries or OF
any single volume that can safely be
loaned from the state library.
There can he little doubt that the nuln.
Der Of these librar es must he doubled with
In the next few years, to meet the demand
that now exists for them. unless the lcgis
laturc shall consider 1t wise and just to
place some Limitation upon the use of the
state library In educating the people, and
shall restrict within more narrow limits the
books that may he loaned
Not only has this section Of the library
work been largely increased. but the ex
change of public documents and reports
has nearly Doubled within the last three
years. aud 1t will he necessary to set apart
for Its use an Increased number of each of
these publications, II this system of ex
change and distribution is to be main
tanned.
Inc library mas grown very Thpluly
through the acquisition OF books and Other
works relating to historical studies, and in
Its legal section. During the past two years
ten Thousand books and pamphlets have
been added. Ii now contains over lS.UUL
law reports. di"ests and statutes, enIhrac-
Ing decisions Of every court IN the United
States canada. England Ireland aud scot.
land. There Is not mother library east OF
Hostou so fully and completely equipped
as this for the use of the student the law
vrr ar me utnn of affairs Inp librarian re.
fpe ~
where UCua IAN lie placed IS now occu-
pied: that every storeruon outside the Ii
brury proper il crowded, and that there
urgent need OF additional room IN WhlCh 10
put the rsllIdly accommodating volumes, as
well as 10 provide space for the nccOmmo
dation o. the people Tor with all these
room where hooks may he consulted With
out Inconvenience aud interrupt on,
MAINE INSANE HOSPITAL.
There were six hundred and thirty-one
patienis in the Maine insane Hospital,
sixty -ttrec q whom were men and tive
hundr, nnd sIxty-elght were women This
Is an Increase OF thlrty-one over the pre-
crease il TIE deaih-rate due 20 the admls.
slcn Of m CnrslHliy large n"inher of aged
people. bHt he institution has been entirey
free from Infectious or contagious diseases
me asy.rm his been crowded in the
wumHil's department. on account or the re
consfrnct on of one entire wing. This
work. which is now completed, Is treproot
and contains m9ny convVnenees which Will
add greatly to he comfort of its occupants.
The work Of reconstruction should he
continued. and all the older portion of the
asyltm shOrld he thoroughly maderuized.
The : permit ndent states that the rema y.
ing wings properly arranged Will provide
for siX. y-fptr additional patents and fur
Iish accommodation much superior ia
those now exist ne. ! recommend an appro,
pr,a:ion for this purpose. TIL per ion OF
tho hosn.tal Is greatly In need of repairs
aud IN condition not cred table 10 The
state reasonable expenditure will not
only nut iht ms tuition In thoroughly first
class condtlon. Int afford ample accommo