New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-12
CITY'S LITERARY
APPETITE GROWS
Public Library Report
Shows More Reading
than Ever Before.

In spite Of the fact that some reform
ers claim that New Workers are going
straight TO blazes via the modern dance
route, the annual report of the Public
Library shows that more Of them have
been reading during the last year than
ever before in the history of the library.
Fifty-seven per cent of the books called
for at the Central Library are those
which are designed TO fatten a PERSONS
pay envelope rather than afford idle
amusement
In the central building there WAS an
increase in readers of 81 per cent and OF
% per cent in the volumes used The
figures for the other branches show prac-
tically the same increase The East Side,
as has been the case in former years, is
The hungrest for knowledge. The Seward
Park branch reports the heaviest circula-
lion, and the indications are that The
Bronx will be the best reading district
in the city within the next few years.
The success of the new policy carried
on in the last year by President John l..
Cadwalader and the trustees IS well
shown by the figures in the report. They
have sought 20 make the library valuable
not only to the scholars, but to men and
women who need information and ad-
vice This policy has led TO some pecul-
lar inquiries The library has been con-
suited as to the best show in town, where
the oest golf course is TO be found and
where certain streets and buildings are
located.
Many Of the requests by title for books
made the librarians puzzle before they
could figure out just what it was the
reader wanted. One Of these was for HE
Sings Of His Father" which turned out
10 be Thomas DiXon's Sins Of His
Father" Another request was for Tess
Of Harbour HILL" which was intended for
Tess of the d'Urbervilles.'
The circulation Of books for the blind
which is carried on all over the United
states. and for which the government
charges nothing for the use Of the mails.
was also greatly increased. IN all nearly
q, 900 volumes were sent to different parts
Of the country.
Another feature Of the library's work
is carried on in the children's rooms,
where there is regular story hour.
their parents shopped and attended TO
business. The picture books furnish a
happy solution TO the little mother prob
lem.
Another new use the library is being
nut 20 is the furnishing Of ideas for NOV
ing picture writer's and producers. When
the scenic artist is confronted with the
task Of furnishing q setting Of some for
eign land about which he knows nothing
he confiues his troubles to the sympathetic
ear OF the librarian. In a few hours
reading the geographic details and points
that really make" the scene are obtained
In the last year the picture people have
shown = particular fondness for the mys-
terry and spell Of old Egypt in devisins
plots and scenes.
The library received many important
and interesting gifts. Among them was
q collection of 205 volumes largely by
French authors, in modern bindings, be
oueathed by William Augustus Spencer
who died in the Titanic disaster. Other
important gifts were from Mrs. Henry
DRAPER. Joseph H. Choate, g. r. Agasslz
Hereward Darlington and John Arm
Cha1oupr