Evening journal., 1910-04-26
WORK OF YEAR
AT THE LIBRARY
1898 Volumes Added to Col
lection and Circulation
Was 247,OOO
IMPROVING THE
REFERENCE DEPARTMENT


At the annual meeting Of the Board of
Managers of the Wilmington Institute
Free Library on April 18TH the annual
report of the librarian was read. II show
ed an increase in the resources and use
fulness of the library. The number of
volumes added during the year was 5S93,
making the total number of volumes in
the library on February %, 6s.s69 OF the
total number of volumes added, 2,O42 vol
umes were books for the children. This is
a much larger number than library ordi-
narily purchases, but since the work with
the children is vital part of the library's s
work, the authorities believe that de-
mands for good literature should be met.
This means a large duplication of many
titles The library added at the latter
part of the year about 100 volumes of
music scores confining Is selection to
music Of a standard and classical charac-
ter, with little attempt include the music
of modern composers. As soon as this
music has been properly bound, a list of
all the music In the library will be printed
and distributed TO music lovers.
The circulation for the year was 247. o.
500, being somewhat less than that of the
previous year. The decrease in circulation
however. is largely in the number of
novels read. That the usefulness of tho
library increased rather than decreased
is shown by the fact that seven classes
showed increases in circulation.
The work of the juvenile department re-
mained on the same plane as during pre-
vious years. The cramp quarters of the
Juvenile room make It impossible to adopt
any of the methods much in vogue in
mos public libraries throughout the coun
try. II is impossible to have lectures for
children. TO have the much talked-of
story hour, or to have exhibits OF an edu-
cational character. The juvenile librarian
as usual visited the schools and gave
talks to the pupils and teachers.
Reference Department Improved.
The reference work of the library in
creased during the year. The library al
lows simple reference questions not re-
quiring much time to look up to be an
swered over the telephone. and any per-
son can telephone the library and ask that
books on certain subjects TO be laid aside
for him. The library's collection was in
creased by the addition of several excel
lent reference books and the collection as
whole is one of the best working col
lections in the country.
During the year lectures on the use Of
government documents were given to the
reference assistants by the librarian
The books on engineering and machin-
cry. electricity. etc. used by the work
ing men of the city show an increase in
D rfr tf.-
of books of this character issued was
about 100 During the year ending Feb
ruary 2S 1910 it was 4S4s. A new edition
of the list OF books on Engineering and
Machinery was printed in the summer Of
1909 and distributed gratis to those who
were interested.
Work For the Blind.
The books for the blind we're transferred
during the year to the Delaware Commits
sion for the Blind, No. 3O7 Delaware
avenue, although they still belong to the
library. In their present quarters they
can be easily examined by blind readers
who can visit the Commission for the
blind much easier than thoy can 90 to
the library The work that the library is
doing with the blind. considering the size
Of the city. is excelled by no other city
in the country.
The report shows the interest taken in
the books at the various deposit stations
and at Rockford Branch. Small collections
of books were placed i'm the West End
Reading Room, Peoples Settlement. Y.
NJ. c. A.. and in the Planet Mills Manu-
/ featuring CO., where they were much ap-
preciated.
The monthly Bulletin was published
as usual and distributed free from the
loan desk and through the mail TO many
persons. Lists Of books on general sub
4 iects such as missions, immigration, sun
day School lessons. tuberculosis, and
many other subjects were printed OF MINI
eographed and sent to individuals
Through the courtesy of the various city
departments which placed the pamphlet
in outgoing city mail. the library was en-
abled to place in the hands of many por-
SONS a booklet giving descriptions OF tho
various departments of the library.
Inter-library loans have proved cspecia
lly valuable to readers. Volumes havine
been borrowed from the Library of Con
gross. New York state Library. and the
Free Library cf Philadelphia. II is not
50 well known as 1t should be that the H.
brary can almost always borrow any book
not on its shelves from some other library
In this way expensive technical books oi
books which it would be unwise for the
library to purchase are made available for
readers in this city. During the months of
anuary and February. 1910 over 20 volume,
were borrowed from other Libraries.
A larger circulation Of pictures was re-
ported 1t is becoming known to individ.
uals that the picture collection Is a valu.
able one, and many, outside Of the teach.
ers in the schools, make use of II.
During the year the librarian has served
as President Of the League Of Library
Commissions. as chairman Of the Advisor,
Board Of the Alumni Association of tn,
New York State library School, and as z
member Of the executive committee of tn,
Pennsylvania Library Club.