Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-08-23
to you the fourteenth annual report
OF the T. B. Scott Public Library for
Tho vnov ol1c- Tr~n vonA 90 ,0O

to you the fourteenth annual report
OF the T. B. Scott Public Library for
the year ending June 30, 1904. 20, ,292
books have been circulated during
the past year, an increase of only 3706
since 1902. Out OF population of
about 5000 people we have but 14l5
active borrowers, OF which only 800
are from the west side.
We have endeavored in various ways
to attract people to the library, as
| they refuse to be attracted. The
next thing to do is to place the books
in the way Of the people. especially
those OF the west side. With this
end in view it has been suggested
that branch library be opened on
the west side. II this seems impos-
sible at the present time, station
could be established in some store
from which books could be distri-
buted on certain days of the week.
No record has been kept Of the
attendance in the reading room as 1t
Is impossible to keep tally from the
loan desk. During the winter months
the room is usually over crowded and
the lack Of accommodations often
causes disturbance. Another
small reading table and few chairs
would solve this problem and GER
tainly be appreciated by our patrons.
Is magazines are subscribed to and
two are given, both local papers are
also given. A daily paper is the only
thing lacking to complete the list.
A library should be advertised as
extensively as possible-this being
the only way to keep the library
before the people. Placards Of library
hours have been printed to be posted
in the depots, hotels, banks and other
public places. The hours are also
regularly advertised in the local
papers. Monthly annotated lists of
new books and reading lists on special
subjects, such as: Birds and Arbor
days, Russia, Japan, National holi-
days and birthdays OF eminent men,
have been published in both Tribune
and Reporter through the kindness
of the editors. The object of the
special lists is to create demand for
the better class OF literature.
Nothing outside of the usual work
has been done with the schools this
year. Owing to the amount OF
regular school work required of each
pupil it was impossible to find time
to devote to library classes. A cer-
tain amount of instruction in the use
of the card catalog, reference books
and indexes should be given the
higher grades as part of the school
course. This Is done ia the schools of
Rhinelander, Antigo, Baraboo. Ocon-
to, Appleton, Marinette and Menom-
inee.
The reference room is in constant
use and as 1t is the most valuable
department in library work much
care should be given to the selection
of books. Some of the most valuable
material for reference work is found
in the bound volumes of the maya
zines. We now have IA volumes and
back numbers should be purchased as
rapidly as possible to complete the
sets. We have nothing on the subject
OF local history-reports OF boards
and city ordinances ought also to be
collected and bound In good form
available for consultation.
Two clubs were organized for the
boys and girls OF the seventh and
eighth grades. The work done was
literary and lAiscellaneous-some very
excellent papers were prepared. AS
the clubs we're not organized until
late In the school year and the work
was new to the members it was Inn
possible to accomplish very much In
so short q time.
STATISTICS
Number Of books In the library July l, '0s 5.29S
Number Of books added by purchase-....... $50
Number Of books added from other sources
Number of books withdrawn. .......... l40
Books not accounted for at inventory--.. 0
Total number of books in the library
July /, 1904. 6,5A
Number Of accessions to date. ............. 6,2l4
Circulation by classes q Totals
Periodical reference work. 90 66 1853