Evening journal., 1907-04-19
YEARS WORK
OF THE LIBRARY
$4,000 Volumes in Hand In
CIuding Isl For the
Blind
NEED OF TWO
BRANCH LIBRARIES

BRANCH LIBRARIES
At meeting Of the board Of man
ayers Of the Institute Free Library on
Tuesday evening, Librarian Bailey pre-
sented the annual report for the year
ending February 2S 1907. The report
treated in detail the activities of the
library during the year and suggested
means of increasing its efficiency.
During the year there were added to
the library 5,129 volumes; deductng
27l0 volumes which were withdrawn
for various reasons the total number
OF volumes in the library at the end
of the year was 59O96. A large pro-
! portion OF the volumes added was
fiction and Juvenile books, these two
classes alone accounting for three
NTH of the additions and nearly all
the Withdrawals. The report calls at
tention TO the fact that the great popu-
lar demand for the newest fiction ham
pers the work Of the library In pro-
viding serious literature which IS oc
Infinitely greater benefit to the city.
This Is a phase Of library work that
is not at all confined to Wilmington.
Most Libraries spend a large propor-
tion of their income for current hc-
tion and this expenditure inevitably
leads 10 the exclusion of good books
of history travel, biography, and tech
nical books for the working men OF the
city
Collection is Inadequate.
Ii is in this last respect that the Free
Library is hampeped most Although
the circulation OF technical books for
the year shows a gratifying increase
over preceding years. the collection Of
books is inadequate for the demands
made upon it. Technical books used
principally by those who are employed
In the manufacturing establishments Of
the city, are expensive to begin with,
they soon go out Of date, and are be-
yond the means Of working men. The
work that the library has done along
this line IS Of great benefit to the city
OF much greater benefit than most peo-
pc are aware. 10 is an evident fact
that a book on mechanical or electri-
cal engneerings, on ship building, or
on any one of the many branches Of
Industry maintained I'm the city, in the
hands Of fifteen or twenty workingmen
In the course of a year IS of infinitely
greater good to the city than several
copies of the latest novel in the hands
Of several hundred readers. This work
that the library is doing is also direct
benefit to thee Employers, for the men
who make use of the library in in
creasing their own efficiency also in
crease the efficiency of the plant in
which they work.
The circulation for the year showed
a decrease Of about 1000 volumes. This
decrease came in the circulation of
children's books and hetion. All other
classes with one or two exceptions
showed increases. The Increase in the
classes Of useful arts literature, his
tory. and travel was especially note
worthy being greater than any pre-
vious year with tho present equip
ment Of the library. IL will be doubt
ful If a much greater increase in the
circulation Of the central library can
be looked for. Further expansion of
the library must come through branch
libraries and deposit stations. A wei p
leuuipped branch with reading rooms
periodicals, and good collection of
books Is especially needed i'm the
Ninth ward. Another Is needed in
South Wilmington, and deposit stations
outskirts of the city
Literature For the Blind.
The new work of the library Of the
most importance was the work with
the blind. The work done by charit-
able organizations In the city for the
blind has been fully chronicled in the
newspapers Funds have been raised
for the support of a home teacher who
has taught the blind OF the city tC
read the books IN raised type. The H.
brary has borrowed books that were
needed from other Libraries, and has
to no small extent. filled the demands
of blind readers. 1t has, however, com'
TO the point where it must own a col.
lection Of books for the blind. Th'
} circulation Of books sor tine blind foi
the nine months beginning June 1, wal
l151 volumes. Since November II hai
averaged % volumes month.
Another new activity Of the librarl
was inaugurated i'm the collection o
mounted pictures which were used fo
circulation. These pictures We're col
lected from many sources. Plates from
worn-out books, magazine Illustrations
photographs. and any pictorial repre-
sontation OF any subject was laid undo
contribution Tor the colleclon. beBin
ming October, these pictures We're loan
, ed to those who wanted them to Illus
trate any particular subject Since thel
there has been a steady demand 70
them. Any one IN the city is welcom
to borrow these pictures for home use
THE collection now numbers abou
{ 1000 and since October l. 1868 hav
been circulated.
p A special effort was made by tn
p library to increase its collection o
= Delawareana. The very hroadest sig
r nihcance is given to thM%erm. It I'm
, cludes everything pubSsned I'm IN
, state whether by official department
of the state or city or by various or
10 ganizations, societies. etc. as we'll a
the works Of individual authors. Tn
sets Of annual reports Of organization
4 such as the Free Masons Knights O
Pythias, etc. an contain matter tina
i has historical value and which viii be
c come more and more valuable as tim
!. goes on. Efforts to complete these set
4 have not met with great success, al
q though some additions We're made dur
ing the year. Such material as IN
library already had was gone over an
made readily accessible to an inQuirel