The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-08-07
Annual Report
of Fargo Public Library
by Miss Winnie Bucklin

Fargo public library, annual report
l9l4-To the Honorable the Board of
Education, Fargo, North Dakota:
The board of directors of the public
library of the city of Fargo herewith
transmits its annual report for the
year 1913-1914.
The work of the past year, in many
respects, has probably been the most
gratifying and satisfactory of any dur
ing the existence of the library.
The librarian and her assistants have
been most faithful and efficient in their
work, as is evidenced by the report Of
Miss Winnie BuckIin, librarian, hereto
annexed and made a part thereof.
The circulation Of the books has in
creased more than 25 per cent over
the preceding year. This, notwith-
standing the good libraries generally
available at the two colleges of u
city. T..
The demands upon the public library
are keeping pace with the rapid
growth of our city, and with the in
creasing intelligence of her people.
The additions to the public library
have not been as great as desired, or
as needed; such additions, however,
have been good, and as substantial as
the financial condition would warrant.
The city. commission was as generous
in it's appropriation for the past year
as circumstances would seem to al
low, and we are encouraged to hope
for somewhat of an increase for the
coming year.
The crying eed at the present time
is more books and more room. We
must be looking forward to larger and
better accommodations and facilities
for the library if we are to keep up
with the growth and demands of the
people of our city for the better things
of life.
Dated July 80, 1914.
Robt. M. Pollock, President,
Hubert Harrington, Secretary,
F. E. Ball.
Mrs. M, A. Hildreth,
Walter L. Stockwell.
Fargo Public Library Board.
Report of the librarian, 1~913-1914-
To the Board Of Directors of the Pub
lie Library, Fargo, North Dakota:
l have the honor of submitting to
you the annual report Of the Fargo
public library for the year ending June
80, 1914, being my second annua re-
port.
The report discovers a very salts
factory condition in the affairs of the
library, and a substantial foundation
1SA 4uhN1S 81 O"I1 6CS4LlS 10 nave DS6A
laid. The work of the year has been
continuous and heavy, but the strength
and capabilities of the assistants has
prevented 1t from being arduous and
1rksoEne at any time. Prophecies are
idle, but there seems to be no good
why the work of the library
in Fargo should not continue to in
crea and widen. The work with the
children is by far the most certain in
results, and a glance at the amount
accomplished in that department this
year, is convincing.
Circulation-Tne total circulation
for the year ending June 80, 1914, was
43,818, an increase of 8,943 over the
previous year, or a gain of 81 per cent.
The number of books circulated from
the adult department was 30,159, an
increase of 2,479 over last year. The
circulation in the children's depart
ment was 1860, an increase of GAIT
over last year and a gain of almost
so per cent. Talks made to the grades
In only two Of the ward schools are
responsible for this increase. and
would have been given in all the ward
schools If the library had been able
to meet the demands made upon it by
the children for books and room.
The increase was SO sudden and
ONOL N1ACilllAAlS LllSiL Inc Idlh6 t1dO 10 pG
discontinued until such time as the
supply a equal the demand. The
largest daily circulation in the adult
department was 226 on Feb. ID; the
smallest was tWenty-eight on Labor
day. The total per cent of fiction was
80, a decrease of 5 per cent over last
year. Sociology and literature are next
in order of circulation. Books classed
as philosophy show largest increase
this year, when 293 were circulated as
contrasted with 178 Of last year.
The number of foreign books circu-
lated was as follows: German, sixty
four; Norwegian, 236. The total, 400,
is an increase Of eleven over last year.
The right of foreign speaking tax pay
ers to b and pleasure in the library
has been recognized and new books for
the Norwegian collection have been or
|dered.
The following list lis given. showing
the popularity of certain books OF nom
fiction: Antin, Promised Land;
Franck, Zone Policeman S8; Amundson,
South Pole; Stevenson, Letters; Edel-
man, Experimental Wireless Stations;
Bryce, South America, Jastrow, Sub
conscious; Lee, Crowds; Rergson,
Creative Evolution; ElIcken, Meaning
and Value of Life; Bennett, Plain Man
and His Wife; Thomson, Heredity;
Wilson, New Freedom.