Norwich bulletin., 1911-10-07
TOTAL OF foe,na6 BOOKS ISSUED BY OTIS LIBRARY
Entering 18th Year as Free Institution, Has Circulated That Astounding
 Number of Volumes for Home Use
 In Norwich During Twelvemonth.

The Otis library having entered up- on it's 18th year as a free library, fts president, treasurer and librarian have exceedingly interesting statements to make in the annual report, now ready fer distribution.
 In his direct and dignified foreword to the citizens of Norwich, Presfd ent William A. Aiken says:
 The library now contains over forty thousand volumes notwithstanding a careful wedding Of deadwood the past year ln the form of government publi- cations returned to Washington and the elimination of books too much worn fer further, use.
 The circulation, though slightly smaller than for the last two years, still remains among the largest in the history of the library, and much larger than the average for libraries serving such population as that of Norwich.
 Institution Does Its Part.
 To enable you te form an idea as to the wisdom of making annual appro- priafions in the sums suggested by the board of trustees from year to year, please note that sum equal apprexi- nzately to the interest at four per cent. on two hundred and ten thousand doa- lars has been the minimum sum annu- ally required, in the judgment of the l trustees, successfully to conduct it as a free public library. Of this capital
 
 represent . little less than llAlx. The town appropriation represents the bal ance. Nearly every year rumers are put in circulation frem certain quarters that the appropriation is to be opposed, and 1t sometimes has been opposed il speeches OH the floor of the house at the town meetings. though thus far witheut result.
 But should the town sometime vote Ne on the appropriation, what would be tho effect?
 Would Be Step Backward. The effect upon the library would be simply to change it at once from a free to a subscription library, as it was previously, it's circulation would prob ably be reduced by at least ninety thousand volumes year. Every book taloen out, whether for general reading or for school purposes. would have to bc paid for by the taker, in advance, ct the time of subscription. In other words, it would be 8 step nineteen years backward.
 Opposition Without Reason. This. however, need not prevent the l town oF city from establishing a free 1 library of it's own and under it's sole management.
 If 1t costs, simply to run the Otis l library the interest on the capital sum above state-as managed with the | most scrupulouS economy-what would 1 it cost the town or city to acquire the land and put up @ suitable library building, furnish it with shelving and | the many needed accessories. equip il with the full complement of books needed for so large a community, pro- vide the necessary increase of books 1 from year to year to keep up witt public demands, and pay the salaries and current expenses necessary in its
 running?
 1 Trsas4rer's Report. The treasurer, John c. AyerilI. re- 1 ports library assets Ss4, ,sS5.T1, made Up principally of the following funds Joseph Otis fund .s....... $11, ,50e. .0( pr. Daniel Tyler Colt fund. 13.o53.2. Charles Boswell fund 1,oee.et l Citizens. subscription fund tuEed for the addition to l the library buildinso ts, ,ssa.ss
 VE1lha0 W. HaakuS fund &s>aA l5Aaaa.as