The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-29
Many State Libraries Make
Valuable New Additions.
4 BIG DONATION TO PARSONS
Handsome Gift Is Made to 1t by
Late Citizen.
wichita Adds Special Librarian
for School Children.

In0 report VI w. ~ 1AS~-'
Kansas Library association. which mas
Just been issued. shows that Ilctioh
reading in Kansas is giving way to
deeper and more solid class OF works.
and several libraries in the state have
noted falling of of fiction calls IN
favor Of scientific. historic, travel ana
biographical works.
The report shows that many libraries
are constantly adding to their BOOK
shelves and are instituting new anu
progressive ideas. The institution at
Wichita has employed special librarian
Tor school children and many others are
making special efforts to satisfy the re-
ouirements of the younger patrons
Through the kind remembrance OF the
late A. ]. Guile, the Parsons library mas
received a handsome bequest in the
form Of books. rare paintings and
handsome piano. The Emporia library,
a gift to the College of Emporia from
Andrew Carnegie, is being reorganized
by the librarian and brought up to date
in every way. The report of Mr.. Kerr
on the libraries Of the state is given be-
low in full as follows:
The Report.
The Plainville public library, in COM
pany with many other Kansas libraries.
extends free use of its reading room to
non-residents However, the privilege
of checking out books costs non-resi-
dents two dollars per year, and many
citizens Of the surrounding country ac-
cept the chance.
The librarians Of Kansas public Ii
braries watch closely their circulation
Of fiction. and increases in the use OF
non-fictton are reported with evident
feelings of satisfaction. The Concordia
public library, now in it's seventh year,
reports a steady increase in circulation
of non-fiction, with a decrease in the
reading Of fiction. In 1918, the ,427 citi-
zens Of Concordia read 81 books each,
for q total circulation of Is, 1877. Eighty
eight per cent Of this reading was fic-
ton.
at GOOdland has been classified by
visiting Missouri librarian. The expense
was met by an entertainment.
The Coffeyvflle public schools and
public library are cooperating, with
splendid results. in a systematic home
reading course for pupils. The superin-
tendent is A. A. Hughart, and the IL
brarian Miss Madge Evans.
The Dodge City public library has
1886 cards in use by its 5000 citizens. In
1913. the 2,078 volumes were checked out
an average OF six times each One-third
of this reading was by children. The
years disbursements were HOB Mrs.
3. E. Fox Is librarian.
At lola, Etc.
For ne use Of lola young men and
women. the public library keeps a file
of the catalogs Of Kansas colleges and
state schools and Of the larger COL
leges and universities throughout the
country. The library has 5000 vol
umes. and at present has $500 read
ers. The librarian. Mrs. Florence p
Cass. emphasizes the library's service
to the public. Miss Louise Heyimun.
an lola high school 1914 graduate, has
been appointed assistant librarian.
The pay shelf of late fiction at the
Russell public library has been dis
continued because it did not meet the
expense. The books are now on the
free shelves.
The Parsons public library has re-
ceived by the will of the late Mr.. A. ].
Guile of Parsons, his books, pictures
statuary, Chickering grand piano and
$1,000. The library now has 1880
volumes, and the circulation is at the
rate of 10000 per year. The librar-
ian Is Mrs. Belle Curry.
The Olathe public library is being
catalOgued by Miss Winnie Williams
The Wichita high school is believed
to be the first in Kansas to have a spe-
cially trained librarian giving full time
to its library. Miss Hazel Howes, the
librarian, is college graduate and
took special library training at the
University of Missouri The library
has 4,5c) volumes and receives a doz.
en- or more standard magazines. The
Library of Congress printed cards are
being used in making the catalog.
The public library at Garrett aftel
being maintained for two years by tn.
women Of the city. is now tax-support
ed. 1t = s 1900 volumes. The Ii
brarian is Miss Mamie Hunter
The library of the Co11oOo of Evv,
poria Is being reorganized by the Ii
brarian. Miss Gretchen Flower. whs
was formerly on the staff Of the EN-
poria State Normal school library