The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-10-10

great prudence. In all these selections
the advice of our skilled librarian is of
great value, and rarely does an impro-
per book find a place upon our shelves
Three copies of specially popular books
are usually purchased, one of which is
never reserved for patron, while two
of them are reserved to those who leave
a postal for that purpose. This method
is as fair as any one can devise, though
it often necessitates "a long wait for a
book that has remarkable run. The
demand for the freshest romances is so
persistent that the committee are often
perplexed as to the best use to make of
the limited funds at their command.
Their responsibility is very great and
believe they try to meet it in the wisest
and most practical way. But it seems
to me questionable whether we should
continue to crowd our shelves with
booke that speedily fall into disuse, and
ere long will have no permanent value
Would it not be wise to inaugurate
policy similar to that pursued with the
specfa Ioan books? When books begin
to fall into disuse, let them be sold while
the public sets some value upon them
and before the price has fallen, to that
of old paper. In this way our library
would always present a fresh and up
to-date appearance, and be in every
way fully workable. l earnestly COM
mend this policy to the consideration og
the directors.
More than a year ago several thou
sand books We're removed from the
crowded shelves, and placed in the
classroom. This judicious culling ena-
bled US to re-arrange the books in, the
alcoves in a more convenient way.
During the year these books up stairs
have been re-catalogued and are now
as accessible as those on the main floor:
They embrace books on varied subjects,
and are rarely called for, but have ac-
cumulated under the system to which /
have already referred The changed APP
pearance Of the classroom, which is
visited daily by so many patrons, will
be greatly appreciated.
MAGAZINES.
The magazine committee within the
year has changed the policy of the in
stitute relative to circulation of the
current magazines For long time we
have been in the habit of purchasing
many duplicates which circulated with
| the books with no extra charge. A few
of our patrons understood their oppor-
| tunity and were very prompt in avail
ling themselves of 1t as soon as any
| magazine was announced. BY degrees
1 -. 51,-e 49,
about one-third of our members were
sin the game, !, while the rest We're com
| PEELED to wait till the magazines were
| no longer fresh. The directors, there.
fore, instructed the committee to reduce
1.-The number purchased and stop theil
! circulation Now the current numbers
are kept regularly on the tables in the
| reading room and parlor till the new
| copies are issued. In order to accom-.
modate patrons who are in haste for the
magazines a limited number Of copie:
is purchased for the special loan de.
partment. and circulated at two cents
day. This plan can be enlarged in case
I of an increased demand. The question
Of the binding of magazines deserves
/ some consideration by the directors
\ Bound magazines are valuable as work:
Of reference, and are continually uset
by writers in their researches. The un
diversity and public libraries endeayor t
keep complete files which are accessible
to all who need them. AS we cannot d.
this work completely, it is a. question
whether or not we should continue thu
expense of binding even a limited mum
her.
i FINANCES AND MEMBERSHIP
4 The committee having these matter
In charge has conducted the finance
i with prudence and foresight. For tn
first time in the history of the institute
4 we have been able to meet all our bill
Il promptly at the beginning of ever.
month. The treasurer, in his annual re
port, will show a substantial balance i
Continued on Twelfth Page.)