Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-01-17
MORE READERS THAN EVER.
Fifteenth Library Report Tells OF
Work OF the Year.

ed by the war. Many who had beer
almost daily visitors found little timt
10 read, yet there was no decrease II
the number OF readers; instead
there was a slight increase. This in
erase was made up largely OF stud
ents, adults in whom the war had
kindled desire to know more OF
other lands and other peoples; chill
dren in whom credit reading thru the
grades had developed a taste for
reading, and country patrons.
The war affected the character of
reading. 1t caused young and old to
be interested in world problems, so
that all war literature was in de-
mand, and many more international
books than formerly we're read The
reference work was the heaviest
known during any of the fifteen years
the library has served the public.
War increased the cost of books,
so that not so many as usual were
purchased. War caused donations of
books to soldiers, so that fewer were
given to our library. The books add
ed, however, proved of good quality,
and there was a much needed re-
placement of wornout books, 1876 of
which were sold for paper.
The United States government us
ed the public Libraries of the coun-
try as collecting and distributing
agents of money and books for camp
libraries. Our library, thru the gen
crosby of Abilene people, collected
500 for this purpose and sent over
400 books to camps. The government
also used public Libraries to distrib
ute food thrift and other pamphlets.
This library handled several hun
dred.
The pamphlet file of the library
was increased by many valuable adj
ditions from colleges, state and ma
tional governments, and other sourc-
es. The genealogical department re-
ceived from Mr.. A. w. Rice almost
ten years of the d. A. r. magazine.
The science department received
from the government n geological
maps and a geological atlas of Mis-
souri, and Kansas. Other gifts not
cited below we're fac-simile of the
Declaration of independence, map of
the United States, 1855; map of
greater New York and harbor; pic
ture of Theodore Thomas, and house
plants.
The following figures giving Stats
lies for 1916-1917 show the develop
nent of the library during the past
,ear: Membership cards issued,
receipts from sale of :,
ickets, fines, ETC., $15401-$126.13; :
$2S.45-$2625; books
ssued, 21212-2O944; callers, 47573 :
4181; books purchased, 245-321;
looks donated, 132-307 magazines :
purchased, 1896; magazines donat- :
d, 1920; newspapers purchased,
3; newspapers donated, BIB; =
amphlets added, 144-126; total =,
lumber of bound volumes in library !.
xclusive of government books, jan =,
airy /, 1918, 6914.
Following are the names of those
no have contributed to the growth
the library by donations, and of :,
lose who made interesting story ~
our programs possible. Misses be
race Peters, Mace King, Jessie ar
rndt, Kate stephens, Myrrl Rodney, ~
,nnie Campbell, C. E. Rose, Helen ta
ngle, Sadie Prendergast, Ruth Cut re
r, Anna Engle, Harriet Patterson, H;
LA Matthews, Florence Erffmeyer, az
ia Anderson, Ruby Norman, Marie n
nsz, Dorothy Burnham, Gladys Wal tn
rstdet, Beulah Briney Marion Pat ST.
rson, Mary Elizabeth Wilmer, TIC
,rothy Engle, Bertha Livingston; fa i
esdames ]. M. Gleissner, E. H. For off
y, Laura Tober, s. Steelsmith, Ger cal
lde Alexander, F. w. Davidson, w. us
Davis, H. r. Little, H. l. Kost, To
lie Bennett Florence E. Bingham,
J. FIncher, Edith F. Wheeler,
Try H. Haffa, R. NJ White, c. M. SUI
Lrger; Messrs. ]. D. Cassel, H. ID. -
chit, Arthur Stacey, ]. w. Howe, A
Rice, G. T. Helvering, ]. B. Ed
rds, Rockefeller, Jr., e. w. Elwick,
H. Paul, C. Stevens, e. G. Par
is, Ralph Lifts, F. w. Simms, Otto
Kahn, H. w. Wilson, c. NJ. Har-
;, Homer Weese, F. F. Dryden, w.
Brett, A. v. Jewett, Arthur Cap
/, G.. d. Kirk, F. Chase; Epworth
.gue, Presbyterian Missionary So
y, Christian Science Organization,
entieth Century Club, Abilene
'onicle Company, Dickinson Coun-
News Company, Wichita Eagle
lpany, Kansas state board of