The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-13
TO PROMOTE USE
OF THE LIBRARY
MISS CoUNTRYMAN's ANNUAL
REPORT CONTAIN SUGGESTIONS.
She Submits Many Ideas for Making
the Library More Attractive and Ac-
cessible to ALA Music Department
Is Named Among the Things to Be
Considered by the Board. "

..
Miss Gratia Countryman in her first
annual report as librarian to the library
board this afternoon recommended the
finishing OF at least the children s room
in the new wing, the building of new
elevator in the front entrance of the
building, the continuance OF the policy
OF establishing stations in out-of-the-
way places, providing libraries for fac
torres and such of the enginehouses as
desire them, and the eventual establish
ment OF music department similar to
the art department..
In summing up the results Of the first
year, Miss Countryman declares that
IN her view, public library is the one
great civic institution supported by the
people designed for the instruction and
pleasure OF all the people. In her opin-
ion there is no limit to the things u
public library can legitimately under
take In carrying out it's purpose. This
means many forms of activity, not
hitherto connected with the function
of library. She said:
"Perhaps still in the minds of many,
a library IS only place where books
are stored or distributed under objec-
tlonable restrictions. But in the larger
sense, the library should be wide
awake institution for the dissemination
OF ideas, where books are easily access
ible and readily obtainable. it should
De the center OF all the activities of the
city that lead to social growth, NUM-
cipal reform, civic pride and good citi-
zenship. It should have it's finger on
the pulse Of the people, ready to second
and forward any good movement.
1t is obvious that if library is to
perform it's function Of elevating the
people 1t will need to adopt methods
other than buying a fine collection Of
books and housing them in an attractive
building, and then waiting in a digni-
lied way for people to come.
''How to reach busy men and women,
now to carry wholesome and enjoyable
books to the far-away corners Of the
city, how to enlist the interest of tired
factory girls, how to put the working
man into touch with the art books re-
latlng to his craft, and so increase the
value Of his labor, and the dignity of
his days work, these are some of the
things which | conceive to be my duty
to study, if I would help this public
library to become what it is for.'
Some Big Figures.
The library board has expended for
books and periodicals, $8,S5l.66, and the
Atheneum board, $4,3UO. For this
amount the Atheneuln has purchased
l,ol6 accesslons, and the library board
1929, a total addition of 10,10l Volumes
The library now contains IA, l49 vol
umes OF which-lS per cent are fiction
and II per cent juveniles, while 20 pei
cent OF the library consists Of other and
more serious literature.
-, The total number of persons holding
library cards is 10000, of which 8,l9z
were issued this year. Much effort has
been made to supplytehildren with cards
and to encourage them to make wise
use of library privileges. Considerable
work in advertising the library among
adults has. been done. The circulation
OF books for home use has been SIG, Ats
about 5000 less $tMan in 1908, due tt
the fact that Sta ti ION D, formerly al
Voegeli 8, was discontinued for severa
| months and in it's new location in the
Salvation Army building it>has not re
gained all the old patrons. The reading
room at this station is largely used ant
the circulation is growing. =
The expenditures for the year have
been $93 ,357.33 and the receipts $S7,
38] .46, leaving us with deficit O,
$5,975.87. Of this unusual expenditure
the following items were, extraordinary
Building new wing ..............:..$2 S, OS
| Art room furnishings .................. 4,51
Pillsbury library furnishings .......... 1856
| Open shelf room and counter, .......... 1,1S
Franklin avenue branch ..:............ ~
| Total -. .$37, 80
The current expenditures have therefore bee
$50, 1855. .- = ..'~
<NI-