The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-07-24
Thirteenth Report Of G. M.
Simmons Library Shows
Extension of Work.
FINANCES IN GOOD CONDITION
Report Of the Librarian Shows That
Circulation During the Past Year Set
a Record-Many New Books Added
to the Collection During the Year.

The thirteenth annual report of the
commissioners Of the Gilbert NJ. Sim
mons Library was issued today and it
shows that the year just closed has
been one of the most successful in the
history of this favorite institution
with the people Of Kenosha. Most in
teresting in the booklet is the report
of Miss Cora Frantz, the librarian.
The report shows a great growth in
the usefulness of the library to all
classes of people in the city. In her
report Miss Frantz says in part:
1.-THE past year has experienced few
noticeable changes, but the figures
show continuous increase in patron
age and usefulness of the library,
which growth will before long necessi-
tate the establishment of branches in
different sections Of the city, in order
to give better service to the people.
The circulation for the year was
los, l43 volumes, the largest in the his
tory of the library, with an increase
of 1914 over the previous year. The
adult increase was 2,547, children s
+ 73, and school collection 1864 The
percentage of fiction exclusive of
foreign books was 59.7 per cent and
non-fction 40.3 per cent, whicL is most
gratifying as compared with other H.
braries. This constant use of books Of
non-fction shows that the public is
cultivating a taste for more profitable
literature.
During the year $40 volumes have
been added; 1888 by purchase, 81 by
gift, rs by the binding Of magazines
and % transferred from the renting
collection. The Withdrawals include
65S worn out, 80 lost by borrowers, 81
missing in inventory and % withdrawn
OF account of contagious diseases.
The total number of books in the
library, including the 1860 in the
school duplicate collection, is 26,5S0.
Books have been added to all of the
foreign languages, making a total of
1882 at the present time. This de-
partment consists of German, Lith-
uanian, Scandinavian, italian, Holland
and Polish, with circulation of 1888.
A travelling library containing 25 Yid-
dish books was sent to us by the Wis
consin Library Commission for a
period Of six months, which during the
first two months have circulated So
times, and if this demand continues
the library will no doubt add a col
lection the coming year. The increase
in the use of thes library by the
foreigners is most marked
The school duplicate collection, which
consists Of 1860 books, was distributed
as usual to 43 rooms in the public
schools, four in one parochial school
and to the continuation school. The
circulation was 1885 and surpassed
all other years. The children not only
enjoy the books sent to the schools,
but have the privilege of using the
children s room at the library as well.
It's popularity may be judged by the
great number of children who visit
this room, especially during the win
ter months.
instruction on the use Of the library
was again given this year to the fresh
man class at the high school. Regular
visits to the schools by the children s
Librarian were Continued. Entertain
ments to the eighth grade pupils Of
the city were given for the first time
in the children 5 room, including Vie
trola concerts, reading of Maeter-
linck IS Blue Bird, talk on Making
Good and lecture on Niagara to
the Ocean with stereopticon views.
These were greatly enjoyed by all in
Attendance
The report of the finances of the
library is shown in the report Of
Treasurer E. L. Grant which is as
follows:
Receipts.
On hand June LIST, 1912. So, 946.79
Fines for the year ....... 353.40
Sundrles -. ............ 4l.SS
From City of Kenosha -. 25,13373
Interest from banks 1850. 254.97
4S,73o.7
Disbursements.
Books .............S l,I0S.SI
Binding ..... 352.43
Salaries (ineInding janitor
and man for care of
grounds ... 4,311.eo
Repairs ............ 8496
Supplies ......... 272.74
Periodical subscriptions and
newspapers 1900. 246.7s
Light and heat ... 466.34
At.