Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-09
GROWTH ON ALL LINES
Public Library Progressed Rap
idly Last Year.
MORE READERS THAN EVER
Annual Report of Trustees a Crafty
ing Record.
ONLY 6s PER CENT OF FICTION
Present Needs Are Special Collections,
Larger Funds and Branch Lii
brary Legislation.
ONLY es PER CENT OF FICTION

The year which ended June 80. 1906 the
period covered by this report, has been
marked by a steady development in every
branch of the library WORK. The number
Of volumes in the library has increased
from 1905 to S4.G6S. or about Is per cent.
The circulation, measuring the activity and
usefulness of the books, has increased in
even larger percentage, the gain being %
per cent. The total circulation of books
during the year was 433 096, making a gain
of 1900 The average monthly home cir
culation was 36.G23. to be compared with
23,423 last year. The average daily home
circulation was 1853, to be compared with
1,146 last year. In the reference room the
readers increased from 1895 last year to
,T2S this year. gain Of 81 per cent. The
average daily attendance in the reading
room for week days was 337: for Sunday
part Of day only 173.
Decreased Use Of Fiction.
Not only has there been increase in the
number of books in the library, in regis
tered borrowers. in the activity and useful
ness of the library as indicated by circu-
lation. and in readers at the library, as we'll
as In home users but there has also been
a distinct improvement in the character of
the books read. The percentage Of fiction
circulation, which was S3.7 per cent In
1904, and 11.S per cent last year, is u per
cent this year. In other words, in the last
two years only about one-third of the great
increase of total circulation mas been in
fiction. The librarian in his report to the
trustees which accompanies this report ex-
pressed the opinion that the percentage OF
fiction now used in the library 9 total cIrcu-
lat1on Is not excessive.
Open Shelves, Children's Room and
Substations.
gratifying development is noted in the
ctin faof 80 u,
distinguish It's functions from those OF the
Library Of Congress, such as the open shelf
facilities the childrens room and circulat-
ing stations in social settlements Nom
fiction, as well as fiction, has been sys-
tematically made available by liberal ex-
tensions of the open-shelf privileges, with
such good results that the librarian sug-
gests the use of the present large reading
room as an open-shelf room in which per
haps, 10000 Of the best books may be al
ways accessible, and adds that it may even
be advisable to so modify the building that
the public may be admitted to the first
floor, at least. of the book stack
In the chldrens room the circulation in
creased - per cent over that of last year,
and IS per cent over that Of two years ago.
The recorded attendance for the year was
81 135. The proportion of fiction read was
reduced 16 per cent last year, and 5 per
cent this year, and now stands at e. per
cent OF the entire juvenile circulation, a
Satisfactory anu very CreUltdDle showing.
In the five library stations in operation in
social settlements there was during the
year a total home circulation of S265, in
spite Of the fact that one station was open
months; that the weekly hours Of opening
were very limited. and that all have been
conducted by volunteers.
The Library's Needs.
The vital needs Of the main library are
mora h0oks and mora assistants and tho
recommendations Of last year in this regard
must be repeated:
% Endowments or donations to buy GER
tain classes of books are much needed. For
example. the library Is endeavoring to COL
lect Washingtoniana, /. e.. everything per-
tanning to the national capital and the ten
miles square. Donations not only of books
Of this sort, but of money to create fund
for the purchase Of such books. would be
heartily welcomed.
(2) The appropriation for books should be
made $4,000 annually. The special book APP
preparation Is exhausted. The desk fund
resources will soon be drained. The
laygement of the open-shelf facilities will
call for more books. The rapid increase In
general circulation. the demand for extern
sive Implications, the increase in the cost
of nearly all books, and the desirability of
extending the periodical and newspaper list
are all factors in the demonstration that this
appropriation Is essential.
existing law from miscellaneous circulating
volumes in the government departmental
collections. and also from duplicates In the
Library of Congress. In this connection the
Public Library Is heavily indebted to the
librarian of Congress, Mr.. Herbert Putnam,
both in securing the enactment of the de-
sired legislation on the subject and in lib
orally and beneficially Interpreting and
applying it.
The Library's Working Force.
Since due consideration has now been
given to salary increases among other
municipal workers. like the policemen. fire.
men and teachers in the public schools,
this seems to be the fitting time to meet
the needs Of the underpaid employees in
''the peoples university" the supplement
of the public educational system of the
District
The trustees urge favorable action upon
the estimates for library service for the
reasons suggested In the notes accompany
In this connection the trustees earnestly
recommend that the salary Of the librarian
be increased to a figure commensurate
with the intelligent and efficient services
rendered and with the compensation re-
ceived by successful librarians in other
cities of Washington's size
Branch Libraries.
The trustees appeal for hearty public CO.
operation in a vigorous effort to pass
through the House at the approaching
session Of Congress the bill which has
already passed the Senate, which involves
the acceptance by Congress Of Mr.. Andrew
Carnegies offer to donate whatever money
may be required from time to time to
build all necessary branch libraries In the
District of Columbia on the usual mainte-
nance terms upon which his gifts are
conditioned and which makes present use
Of 10000 Of the proposed donation in the
erection of branch library building at
Takoma Park.
Until the central library Is adequately
developed and sustained the work of es-
tablishing branches will proceed slowly.
since it is clearly unwise at this time and
will be in the immediate future to drain
strength from the central building for the
sake Of outlying branches. 1t Is highly de-
sirable, however. that prompt action be
taken to accept Mr.. Carnegies offer and to
make a practical beginning in the branch
library work to the end that the necessary
funds may be set apart to meet the cost
of building these branches whenever. from
time to time in the future, they may be
needed.
Takoma Park was selected as the location
of the first branch library a. on account
of its remoteness from the central library
and f2) on account of the excellent site
for library building which pubiic-spirited