Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1906-01-13

Few people living in Wilmington real
lie that the city has a library doing a
work second TO no city of it's size in the
country and better than the libraries of
many larger cities. a comparison of an
nual reports Of other libraries proves that
Wilmington ought to be proud of the
Wilmington Institute Free Library. The
chief means of indicating the activities
of a library is by stating the number OF
volumes circulated in a year. Using this
as a basis it isfound that the Whining
ton library circulates about $4,000 vol
umes a year, a record surpassed by no
library OF its size and superior to that Of
many libraries twice as large and with
more funds for maintenance and support.
The circulation of books in the homes,
however. is only a part of the function
of the library.
In addition TO the circulating books
the library has an excellent reference col
lection, which is being used more and
more by those who wish answers to
specific questions. Within reasonable
limits the reference librarian is able to
place before readers information on any
subject from population of cities to the
text of recent treaties of the United
States with foreign countries. The as
sistants AZ the library are thoroughly IA
miliar with the reference collection and
are always wiling to look up information
for all inquirers.
The working man can find at the lib
rary books that help him in his particu-
lar trade Books on electricity, railroad
ing and mechanical engineering. carpen-
try, shipbuilding, &c, are kept up to date
and an increasing use is being made Of
the collection BY the mechanics of the
city. The man who desires to embark
in some special line of agriculture or
raising Of animals can also receive help
from the library. For example, for some
time it has been difficult to supply the
demand for books on Belgian hares and
pigeons.
ln this connection too much stress can
not be laid on the fact that the library
Is free and the only condition required
for It's use is the assurance mot the guar
antoel of some person whose name ap-
pears in the directory that the person APP
plying for the privileges is reliable. There
seems TO be n mistaken idea among too
many MilmintOnians that a money de-
posit or the guarantee of two property
owners is required. The library is free
in every sense
The children's room is frequently
crowded to overlooking with children Of
all ages and sizes, husily engaged IN look
ing at pictures or reading attractive
books A juvenile librarian is in con-
slant attendance 10 help the children in a
selection of suitable books.
Those wishing TO keep posted on cur
rent events viii find 40 the library over
twenty newspapers from different parts
of the country and over two hundred
periodicals covering all branches Of
knowledge The reports and official ga
zotte of tho United States patent Office
are kept on file and are in constant use
by students and inventors.
The public is cordially invited TO make
use Of the library and 10 make known its
wants. IL sometimes happens that a
reader leaves the library without getting
the book wanted OF without having his
reference question answered simply be-
cause De was too considerate of the time
of the assistants and did not care 10 ask
for aid. The entire staff of the library is
at the service Of the public and no effort
viii be spared 10 answer all questions or
TO assist readers in selecting books