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

Attention. OF the legislature to the
Library OF Hawaiis needs is a prob
able result OF the annual report or
Miss Edna Allyn. librarian, at a spe-
cial meeting OF the president and trus-
tees last week ....
Miss Allyn'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 out TO
the various islands. II
The need of a special hook fund
is imperative the librarian reports.
A review OF the work accomplished
in 1916 and look ahead with atten-
tion 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. j So.
Splendid work was accomplished
also in the children's department.
Librarian Allyn's report says in
part: I'll.
Aeeessions ...:."
The number of volumes added to
the library during the year was 1889.
This is 1919 more than were acces-
stoned last year. Thirty-eight hundred
and eighty-nine were purchased; 16S
were gifts; 217 volumes We're discard
ed and withdrawn, leaving 1872 the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 wen 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 inspec-
ticn one week. The reading public
has indicated their appreciation of the
opportunity to see the new books be
fore they 60 into circulation and to
place reserves for any that may be
of especial interest.
Registration
Readers cards were issued to 2162
persons not previously registered, 1917
to adults, 945 to children. AS cards
are made out for period of three
years this year has necessitated 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-
istration the files are rid of dead
cards and the changes of residence
kept more nearly up to date. The total
number of cards IN force December
81 was 1857.
Circuiation
"The circulation from the main desk
was SS,279s gain of nearly 5000. An
other gain is shown by the circulation
report, the fact that smaller proper
ton of fiction was read than in any
former year, the per cent being. 59.S
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 Reference
The attendance in the reading room
was 1888, daily average of 81. In
the reference department 4199 topics
we're looked up and CASE books given
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 neened
Chiidren's 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 apd reading
room attendance of 1S,422. to which
should be added 3611 whom the story
hour attracted.
"As the chilGren's librarian has ex.
pressed II, 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
an attendance of 402 given on Wednes-
days 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
Sth grades of the public schools was
made to include ST. Andrews Priory,
Iolani school, the Korean Compound,
also the young :nen studying for the
ministry under the direction of the
Hawaiian Board.
For many III 1nths the library has
beei getting .agether collection OF