The Republican journal., 1903-01-15
STATE LIBRARY.

The state library has been greatly ex
tended and developed during the past tw"
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 III 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
neighborhoods. and even in the lumber
camps. They are sought after by high
schools, and prove very helpful to study
clubs and oranges There are over one
thousand institutions and organizations of
various kinds in Maine, representing over
fifty thousand readers, whi"h have a right
to demand the use of these libraries. or of
any single volume that can safely be
loaned from the state library.
There can be little doubt that the num-
Der of these Libraries must be doubled with
in the next few years, to meet the demand
that now exists for them unless the legiS
lature shall consider it 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 be loaned.
Not only has this section of the library
work been largely increased. but the OK
has nearly doubled within the last three
years, and it will be necessary to set apart
Tor its use an increased number of each of
these publications, if this system of ex-
change and distribution is to be main
tained.
The library has grown very rapidly
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. 1t now contains over $4,000
law reports digestS and statutes. embrac-
ing decisions OF every court in the United
States, Canada, England Ireland and Scot
land. There is not another library east Of
Boston so fully and completely equipped
nc lp StuInut
yer or the man of affairs. 1ne librarian re
ports that every available inch Of space
pied; that every storeroom outside the Ii
brary proper is crowded, and that there is
urgent need of additional room in which to
put the rapidly accumulating volumes, as
we'll as to provide space for the accommo-
dation of the people. for with all these
valuable collections, there is not a single
room where books may be consulted with
out inconvenience and interruption.
MAINE INSANE HOSPITAL.
patients in the Maine Insane Hospital,
November 3oth, 1902, three hundred and
sixty-three of whom were men and two
hundred and sixty-eight were women. This
cedng year. There has been Il slight in
crease in the death-rate due to the admis.
people but the institution has been entirely
free from infectious or contagious diseases
Of any kind.
The asylum has been crowded in the
woman's department, on account of the re
construction of one entire wing. This
work, which is now completed, is ireproof
and contains many conveniences which will
add greatly to the comfort Of it's occupants.
The work Of reconstruction should be
continued. and all the older portion of the
asylum should be thoroughly modernized.
The superintendent states that the remain
Ing wings, properly. arranged will provide
for sixty four additional patients and fur
nish accommodations much superior to
those now existing. 1 recommend an appro-
prlation for this purpose. This portion of
the hospital is greatly in need of repairs
and in condition not creditable to the
state. reasonable expenditure will not
only put the institution in thoroughly first
class condition, but afford ample accommo-
dations for such additional patients as may
be admitted to the asylum for some time to
come.
The per capita cost of the board Of the
patients in this institution during the past
year has been $3.50 per week. This covers
every expenditure In the management Of the
institution
EASTERN MAINE INSANE HOSPITAL.
The Eastern Maine Insane Hospital was
opened July Sd, 1901, with one hundred
and forty seven patients who were trans
ferred from the asylum at Augusta. The
number had increased to two hundred and
pine on November Both, 1902, Of whom one
hundred and fifteen were men and ninety
AAAAo worA women. During tho twelve