El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-19
PEOPLE DEMAND
BETTER READING
Librarians Report Shows
Fiction Less Used in
1917 Than Before.

Each year there is a decided gain
in the distribution OF books, and an
Improvement in the quality Of reading
done by the people who come to the
library" said Mrs. NJ D. Sullivan,
librarian at the FL Paso public library.
in her report to the directors
1T is pleasant to report a larger
circulation of nonfiction and chill
dren's books. The adult fiction in
1917 was 1885 less, and the nonfiction
1858 more than during the previous
year The total circulation Of chill
dren's books shows a decided gain
In 1916 we circulated at the main
building 1884 books; at the branehes,
1870. In 1917 at the main building
the circulation was 1902; at the
branches, 1853; an increase Of 645I-
This is an excellent record in a
library where there is not special
assistant for children's work, and
where the usual inducements to in
crease the circulation are conspicu-
ousiv lacking Among the adults.
there has been 4 demand for technical
books and a great deal OF poetry,
drama and history have been circu-
lated.
we have added 1901 adults TO our
The gain here is in the children's
department as there are $50 more
cards issued to them this year than
during 1916 The borrowers with
drawn list is larger than usual. owing
to the departure of so many soldiers.
We have Withdrawn 4S2 soldiers
cards and 900 cards belonging to
persons who have left town, or who
no longer use the library, if still liv-
ing in FL Paso-
Many Books Added.
lowing to the liberty fund which
we had last spring. valuable additions
were made to the shelves. The books
nurchased in Chiver's binding are do
ing good service and are still in ex-
cellent condition The Mexican chill
dren are very enthusiastic and eager
TO avail themselves of the privilege
which the library offers
Chfldrcn's volumes Bought.
Among the additions made from
the library fund. those which have
been Of great use are the following,
said the librarian:
For the children, the Junior Classics
in eight volumes, the Worlds story,
in II volumes, and 270 books IN
the new American Encyclodedia, the
Art of Music, a group Of technical
books, and the small, but very excel
lent collection of southwest history.
One resolution for the new year is
to buy less of the new fiction, and TO
replace many worn copies OF stand
ard fiction with good. readable edi-
tons and to build up the history
volumes
Book Expense for year.
Expenditures for books during 1917
were given as follows:
For binding
From city appropria-
ton. .S1s20.ss
From library fund 15S0-39 SS501-8o
From city appropria-
ton. -.----- oeUee
From library fund. 233.25 s14-15
The periodical list was 1901. like
everything else. much higher than
ever before. Mrs. Sullivan said
THE problem Of keeping within
our allowance of S600 a month is a
very hard one" said the librarian
Prices keep advancing and books
are constantly wearing out. The
greatest economy is praeticed in every
department of the library Torn
books are mended over and over again
and cheaper material has been substi-
tuted for supplies whenever possible
Increasing needs Of service caused By
the war have thrown TO women positions
IN the navy department as mechanical,
marine. engine and boiler craftsmen The
ana terrr,a sterss department OF the army IS