The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-08-13
LIBRARY REPORT SHOWS
INCREASED PATRONAGE
To the Board of Directors of the Wa
tertown Free Public Library Wa

CerCOWH FTe0 fuDllC Library Wd-
tertOwn, Wis.
Gentlemen: l present herewith the
fifteenth annual report Of the Water
town Free Public Library for the year
ending June 80, 1917.
A fifteenth annual report seems a
fitting time for retrospection-a time
to consider the library's opportunities
and to ascertain just how far it has
measured up to them.
No institution is more dependent up
on thorough organization than is a
public library. In this report the Wa
tertOwn Free Public Library has been
exceptionally fortunate, as it's organ
izer and first administrator, Miss
Maude E.. Macpherson, is recognized
in the library world as one of the
best organizers of the profession. Up
on this excellent foundation each
succeeding librarian has endeavored
to build both usefully and we'll The
reports for the various years have al
ways indicated progress. One year,
perhaps, shows larger circulation of
books; another, that more people are
using the library; a third, that the
library has been more useful in civic
affairs.
During these strenuous days when
efficiency and conservation are nee
esary to existence, the library has
had, as never before, the opportunity
of extending it's influence and proving
it's usefulness. In this fifteenth an
nual report it is my specific purpose
to show just how far the library has
measured up to these opportunities dur
ing the year just closed, June, 1916
June, 1917.
First and foremost, we have en-
deavored to meet the interests Of all
our people Through the personal
word, newspaper lists, and various
other forms of advertising, we have
| tried to show that there is something
on our shelves for each individual
need-from an idle hours recreation
to plans for building submarine. We
have stood for civic betterment and
community interests. We have CO.
operated with clubs and lent assist
ance to patriotic and relief societies
An increased circulation of the prac-
tical books recommended and a great
er use of our lecture rooms, would in
dictate that our efforts to serve have
not been fruitless.
Special Features.
Last September the library obtained
a booth at the Inter-County fair for
exhibition purposes and displayed
special groups of books with illustra-
tive posters. Particular attention was
given to the practical books on gar
dening, farming, crocheting, cooking
household economics, poultry, and
business problems. Over 500 annotat-
ed lists were distributed to the num-
erous visitors who stopped to exam
inc our exhibit
The musicale and reception given
in the library on the twenty-seventh
of last November was greatly enjoy
ed by the 300 who attended Many per-
sons who had never before been in the
building were present, and some Of
these have continued to come as reg.
ular borrowers. We again wish tc
ers who made possible the entertain
ment; and to express once more Oul
appreciation to the Saturday and
Corby clubs who so graciously fur
nisheded the refreshments We hope
a similar evening may be enjoyed
this coming winter.
A special exhibit and informal dis
Of
venile editions, and other volumes
suitable for Christmas purchase, was
given shortly before the holidays. AS
fthe afternoon had only been adver.
tlsed twice in the papers, the attend
ance was not large. However, the few
who were present showed much inter.
est and have recently requested a re-
petition of such an exhibit next sea-
lson.
The first week of May was National
Baby Week, and, through the efforts
OF the library, was observed in Water
town. Merchants decorated their win.
dows with infantile apparel, Drs
talks on the care of infants anG
printed lists on the care and feeding
LOT infants were distributed. The re-
suits OF the campaign have been an
increased interest in child welfare
and steady demand for the books
listed.
June $3.50 was observed as eli
brary Week" in honor of the tentl
anniversary of the new library build
ing. AS suitable termination to thu
weeks activities, our new flag was
raised with appropriate exercises. Tt
all who participated in these exercises
we herewith formally extend oul
thanks for making the occasion one
to be most pleasantly remembered
Work With Schools.
/ The cooperation between the
teachers and librarian has been most
gratifying. Only through complete
understanding and cooperation car
effective work be accomplished. The
librarians plan was to visit each
school every six weeks or two months
and talk, informally, to the children
on books and the use of the library
owing to some necessary re-adjust
ments within the library she was un.
able to carry out this program, but
expects to do so this next winter
Each grade school was visited twice
and st. Bernard's once In addition tt
the talk on books, the use of the Ii
prary, the card catalogue, and the