Honolulu star-bulletin., 1917-03-12
Hope Legislature, Realizing the
Value of Work, Will Make
Small Appropriation

F. re. .-' =
Attention OF the legislature to the
Library Of Hawaii's needs is a prob
able result OF the annual report OF
Miss Edna Allyn. librarian, at spe-
ciaI meeting of the president and trus-
tees last week.
Miss AlIyn's report shows that the
library is not a local institution but
covers the entire territory, giving a
valuable service at an extremely low
cost For q little less than three
cents a volume books are sent cut to
the various islands.
The need of a special book fund
is imperative" the librarian reports.
A review of the work accomplished
in 1916 and look ahead with atten-
ton to pressing needs constituted her
report. Even the library board was
surprised at what has been accomp.
lished In the way of distributing books
TO the other Islands. In doing this the
shelves Of the islands department
have been practically denuded There
is no existing fund for replenishing
them.
Splendid work was accomplished
also in the children's department.
Librarian AHyn's report says in
part: - 49,. - f.. ~
Aeeessions
The number of volumes added to
the library during the year was 39S9,
This is 1919 more than were acces-
stoned last year. Thirty-eight hundred
and eighty-nine were purchased; 16S
were gifts; 217 volumes were discard
ed and withdrawn, leaving 3772 the
net gain TO the library.
Purchases have been made to sup
ply the demand for current publica-
tions made through the islands de-
partment as well as by our patrons in
Honolulu. We have mad also to keep
in mind the needs of our constantly
growing reference work.
New books are put out every
Thursday morning and held for inspee-
tion one week. The reading public
has indicated their appreciation Of the
opportunity to see the new books be-
fore they go into circulation and to
place reserves for any that may be
of especial interest.
Registration
Readers cards we're issued to 1852
persons not previously registered, 1917
to adults, 945 to children. As cards
are made out for a period of three
years this year has necessitated a sys-
tenn of reregistration. The cards of
4510 readers have expired and been
taken up, and OF these 1921 have re-
registered. BY this process of rereg-7
istraticn the files are rid of dead
cards and the changes of residence
kept more nearly up to date. The total
OF cards IN force December
81 was 1857.
The circulation from the main desk.
was SS,279. a gain of nearly 5000. An
other gain is shown by the circulation
report, the fact that a smaller proper
ton of fiction was read thanJin any
former year, the per cent being 1913
as compared with 65.1 last year and
a still larger per cent in former years.
Increased reading of history, sociology
and current periodicals is noted in
connection with this change.
Reading Room and References
The attendance In the reading room
was 1858, daily average Of "a. In
the reference department 4199 topics
we're looked up and 6455 books given
out for reference use. The value of
the work done here is becoming more
and more appreciated, and hence the
requests were numerous.
The reference librarian finds that
with the increased demand and larger
range Of subjects additions will need
to be made to our working material.
Especially in economics and history
more detailed and comprehensive
works are neeaed
shiidrenis Department
"A resume Of Miss Lawrence's re.
port on the activities Of this depart
ment gives occasion for congratula-
tons. First Of all there is circula-
ton Of 1854 volumes and reading
room ATTENDANCE OF 1892. to which
shoIld be added 3611 whom the story
hour attracted.
AS the chilGren's librarian has ex-
pressed 1t, the story hour is an Open
Sesame to the joys of literature. The
regular Friday. story was continued
throughout the year A Morse cycle of
stories sor Older boys and girls with
IN attendance Ut 402 given on Wednes. !
lays ran through the winter months. !
During July aad August two story
hours were conducted weekly at the
library with the idea Of attracting the
children living near the library. The
attendance at each session averaged
over thirty.
Library instruction planned for the
9Th grades Of the public schools was
made to include ST. Andrews Priory,
olani school, the Korean Compound, !