Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06

three years remained almost stationary
the library has been unable greatly t.
extend its service to an increased num-
Der Of readers, so that the foregoing hg'
ures are not greatly In excess Of those
OF the previous year. Within the Uni.
tation OF q circulation now perforce only
gradually increasing, the library Is sue
cessfully directing its efforts toward the
Improvement Of the quality Of its hene-
fetal work.
For example, the Industrial department
established three years ago, for the pur-
pose OF better supplying books. maya
znes. and trade catalogues on every
and industries. increased its output by
81 per cent; the collection of mounted
pictures. likewise of recent establishment.
increased its circulation Of geographical
Its art pictures among the study clubs. to
the extent OF 30 per cent over the pre-
ceding year. These enterprises together
with the enlargement of the openshelf
space and tho issuing and distribution Of
many select lists Of books on special
topics of current or general interest have
been factors in swelling the percentage
OF nonhction reading and otherwise en-
larging the practical usefulness Of the
library. As q result OF consistent poll
cy. not Of discouraging the reading of
the best fiction. but of making available.
50 Tar as possible. the best nonfiction on
every subject OF human interest, the
library has in the last six years reduced
its percentage Of fiction circulation from
"a per cent to 81 per cent
Children's Department.
Another branch Of the service of the
Public Library Of special value is the
work Of its children's department. This
has been removed from the basement
to spacious. well lighted and attractive
quarters on the second floor. For the
coming year q trained supervisor Of
work with schools has been secured. 1t
Is expected that there will be notable
development of this branch Of the IL
brary's activities.
Though the last three years have seen
extraordinary growth in the library's ac-
tivtties the library force has remained
almost unchanged in numbers. Low sal
aries throughout the force have resulted
In numerous designations, with conse-
quent lowered efficiency. These resig-
nations have in some years been as high
as 33 1-3 per cent Of the entire force, and
last year We're 26 per cent. The large
circulation has resulted in large with
drawals OF WORKOUT books, now averag-
ing nearly 5000 volumes a year. The
appropriations for books have been in.
sufficient to increase the net additions of
books to meet the public demands. so
that the growth of it's usefulness to the
public is being restricted.
The District is to be congratulated that
Congress at the last session passed the
Takoma Park branch library bill. Under
it's terms the Commissioners have ac-
cepted a fine site contributed by the
public-spirited citizens Of Takoma Park.
and from Andrew Carnegie a donation
Of $4,000. the amount considered neces-
sary by the Commissioners and library
trustees for the erection of a suitable
branch building. 1t is expected that
the building will be ready for use by
July 1, 1911.
The original offer Of Mr.. Carnegie for
branch libraries, made nearly eight years
ago, was OF q sum sufficient for a sys-
TEN Of branches estimated at $;5O.000
or more. The principle Of accepting
money from this generous library build
er first adopted by Congress by the pass
age OF the law under which $4,000 was
accepted from him for the erection of the
central building, and recently reaffirmed
by the enactment Of the law authorizing
the acceptance Of funds for this first
branch is now apparently the established
policy Of Congress with respect to- local
public library buildings.
The Commissioners recommend that
legislation be now enacted by which the
branch libraries necessary to provide IL
brary facilities within easy distances OF
homes of all citizens Of the District may
be erected and maintained