Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-02-16
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN SHOWS
THAT oTTuMWA's INsTITU.
TON is APPRECIATED.
Miss Downey's
annual Report

AHfLUNL hePOf =
Wonderful Progress is Shown by the
Accounts Kept at the Library
Donations Have Enlarged It-Many
Different Glasses of People Interested
The wonderful progress made by the
Ottumwa public library during the
past year, in fact, during the past fif-
teen months since the institution was
housed in the present handsome new
building facing the city park, is clear
1y shown in the first annual report Of
Miss Mary Downey, the librarian. This
report was read to the library board
at a session held in the library on the
evening of Wednesday February 10.
In it was included the financial re-
port, the book account, the circulation
reports, the list of donations, and a
humber of other matters of interest
which have been prepared and present
ed in separate articles in the present
issue Of the Courier. The report is well
worthy careful reading by every citi-
zen of Ottumwa for it shows that the
long struggle and the many difficult
lies surmounted before the new build
Ing was finally secured were not with
put avail but have perhaps, strange
rs it may seem, been to the ultimate
advantage of the library.
The report is as follows:
The first full annual report of the
Ottumwa public library for the year
ending December 81, 1908, shows won
derful progress. 1t is very gratifying
to see the value of the library growing
and increasing in the estimation of the
people as its benefcent influences are
more and more felt and appreciated.
The greatest praise and gratitude is
due the library board for its progress
sive administration of the city library
affairs
The tireless efforts, enthusiasm and
helpfulness of the library staff have
met an equalled responsiveness, ap.
probation and interest on the part of
the people of Ottumwa. All attempts
at progress have met the kindliest spir-
1t and from all sides come effective
cooperation in furthering the develop
ments Of the library. The staff in
cba.Tge of the building shows it's care
and interest each day by the neatness
and order everywhere evident. The Ii
brary is an object of pride to all OF
tumwa citizens. 1t preserves under
the careful attention constantly given
to 1t an air of freshness which is very
attractive.
Attractive and Useful.
It Is the constant aim to make the
library as attractive and useful as pos
eible so that the residents of Ottum-
only because of it's beauty but also be-
The library has grown rapidly in the
short time since its organization, de-
veloping and increasing influences in
the community which were not posi-
BILE without the present facilities of
equipment The library is fast grow
ing into a large one for city of this
size and one that will compare favor
ably with any public library of It's size
In the country.
Donations.
During the year the library has
been the constant recipient of valuable
donations of books, magazines, pamph-
lets, plants and pictures. Thanks are
due to each and every one of the pub
lie spirited citizens who have made
these contributions.
Library Catalogues Used.
Five thousand, eight hundred and
efghty-six cards have been added to
the catalogue Library catalogues are
used as far as they can be obtained,
dren's library cards are then used. The
work Of cataloguing is thus very
greatly facilitated.
Reference Department.
The reference department grows
richer and gains in popularity and
number Of students each month. 1t
has done good work through the year,
All topics requiring special research
In lists of readings for clubs, schools,
and various organizations, in the selec-
ton of books. from novel to the most
weighty subject, have had the most
careful attention. AS far as possible
the library has furnished the various
clubs such books as are needed to car
ny out their programs, which are kept
on file. Lists made for clubs or classes
studying special subjects, showing all
the material in the library on these
subjects have been valuable aid, and
have met the highest appreciation.
The Women's clubs, High school, and
Y. M. G. A. classes have been especially
benefited by these.
Indebted to Press.
The library is especially indebted to
the local press for the many favors,
their continual courtesy in printing
book lists and information relating to
the library is much appreciated by the
management and the public, and much
has been done by the newspapers to
create and establish interest in the H.
brary To assist borrowers lists on
special topics are printed in the Cou-
rier nearly every week. These go into
at least 5000 homes. Through the
year the Courier has printed classified
lists of all the books in the library,
thus giving finally a printed catalogue
to every reader. Great good has been
accomplished and the Courier has the
deepest gratitude of the patrons of the
library,