Norwich bulletin., 1919-09-30

large as convenient or as expensive as have many communities of our size, nevertheless, our library bears very favorable comparison, on the whole, with many of greater means and archi- tectural preteasio.s. sAS1 W:sSsaG 4 Aiken, president of the Otis library, in his annual report to the citizens of Norwich. President Aiken calls atten- ticn to the mutilation of books and magazines by cutting out pictures and reading matter or by the marking or turning down of the leaves. All this should be carefully avoided not only in the interest of the person responsible but of the general public whose rights are infringed by such action. says MT. Aiken.
 The report follows:
 For 26 years you have co-operated with the trustees of the Otis library to
 make it free to all the inhabitants of the town.
 The benefits of that cooperation promptly and most willingly responded from year to year to the request of the trustees for appropriations towards the current expenses of the library.
 It is now 6s years since Joseph Otis founded the library which bears his name. For 43 years it was conducted on the subscription plan, each sub- scriber paying a certain sum for the privilege of taking books home to read.
 There was no space for a reading room, nor would the size or financial means of the library allow of it's being of special benefit to our public schools.
 We have not today a building as large. as convenient or as expensive as have many communities of our size. Nevertheless. our library hears very favorable comparison, on the whole. with many of greater means and archi- tectura1 pretensions.
 I have stated in a previous report my opinion that during the long period before 1893 (when the library became a free public library) the average cir culation of books per year was prob ably under 10 900 volumes; it has since averaged more than 1oS.5oo volumes per year the smallest output for a full year being s5.s11 and largest 1a4.571
 The treasurer's report is of unusual interest this year. it marks the passing away of our faithful treasurer, Archibald Mitchell as his successor in office for the present.
 The sudden death of this m ember of the board of trustees called forth the TOW and sympathy from his associates as inscribed on the permanent records of the library.
 The accounts of the Urea surer are made I'D quarterly for the inspection of the board Of trustees and annually for the report to the selectmeu.
 The increase in the resources of tho and its connection with the town financial system has, of necessity, greatly increased the work Of keeping clear and accurate accounting. This work has been most efficiently done by Frederic ". Lester. who has kindly consented to continue these services.
 All exanninaticn of these accounts from year to year ciscioses the fact of the generosity of friends of the library who from time to time have made gifts or beuuests in it's favor: also the fact that the annual sum asked from the town for current expenses has never exceeded the origina1 amount. viz, s4 ,5et.
 Notwithstanding the increase in the funds owned by the library. it's cur rent expenses have increased more rapidly. and the rate per cent. of the reveSue from said funds has diminish ed. so that although at first the town contribution substantially covered cur rent expenses. it now falls short of so doing. must be devoted to the purchase of books. for which the demand is Tn ex- cess of the present ability of the H. brary to supply.
 am glad to record the election of $. Allis, Esq, as a trustee of the library to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mir. Averi7l. This fn- sures to the library an intelligent ad- wiser and to the board of trustees a wise counselor.
 
 m ended to your attention from year to year, not only as showing the current general progress of the library. but as keeping you in such touch with it's contents as to increase your use Of it.
 The care of so many books, ma ga zines and pamphlets in such manner as to insure their most ready reference can only be understood by those who have that care.
 Tine wise selection Of new books. reference If of sa.oee people. requires constant thought and study.
 I regret to notice the need of com uIaint on the part of the librarian iron, and magazines by cutting out pictures and reading matter or by the marking 1 or turnin@ down of the leaves All this should be carefully avoided not l sronsible but of the general public 1 whose rights are infrinsed by such action.
 ,rre ef1r:ent and faithful services of 1 are highly appreciated by the trustees | and. we trust. by the people whom they | serve
 The total circulation at the Otis Li- orary the past year was 11o.1s2 vol iyncs, according to the annual report | ,f the librarian, Imogene A Cash The -arort which is the e7th annual and | which covers the year ending August '-t shows that the library was open % days. the reading room eeo days 1 'nd that the daily average Of issues '24. Tn the report appears the follow ''1 summary showing the circula ton f books during the year.
 Fiction for.grown
 people i0,171 vols. SAP D. Biography FPS vols. .s6 p, c. Travel, geography,
 etc. ........ I.ss5 vols. 1.s4 D. C. History 2.63S vols. 2-se p. c. Literature 2292 vols s-eS p. c. Fine Arts .... 1,1es vols. l. D. C. Useful Arts ... 991 vols s9 D. C. Sociology .... 1,241 vols. 1.12 D. C. Science ..... 4s3 vols 43 D. C. | Phiioiogy .. 26 vols 2S D. C.