The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-03-18
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANNUAL REPORT
OF the Everett Public Library
For the Year 1920
Library Board 1q2O.I421

Dec. 81, 1922.
Rev. Edgar NJ. Rogers. President
Term expires Dec. 81, 1928.
Mrs. H. W. Winder, Secretary
Term expires Dec. 81, 1924.
Ward Bowman Term expires
Dec. 81, 1925.
Library Staff
Mabel Ashley, Librarian.
Julia l.. Croker, First Assistant.
Elizabeth M. FaIk.
Lolabel Christensen (part time
1920, appointed full time for 1921
Evangeline Blanks (part time page
and clerical helper.(
Louis Mersch, Janitor.
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
To the Library Board of the Ev-
erett Public Library:
| have the honor to submit the
following report of the Library for
the past year.
With the Library somewhat in the
condition Of the "One-hoss shay"
we began the year with a large
proportion of the books on the
shelves needing to be replaced and
| rebound and it soon became evident
also throughout the building that a
number Of repairs would be neces-
sary which had not been planned
| for in the 1920 budget.
The problem of having to replace
vitality needed books at time when
| prices We're at a maximum, has been
a serious one. The library has
been cautious in its book buying,
not only because of the high prices,
but the quality of the paper, the
binding and the printing has been
so poor that in no case have books
been ordered in quantity, that is
the number of copies of each title
needed, until a first copy had been
secured and examined. This has
made for delay in receiving books
and in getting them on the shelves,
but will make for economy and
length of service. By not pur-
chasing the latest fiction as soon
as announced the library has been
able to secure later the books most
needed at a reduction often amount
ting to so per cent The library
has made no attempt to keep up
with the latest editions of such
authors as Zane Grey and Harold
Bell Wright, feeling that while they
may add to the library's popularity
| they in no way increase its useful
ness. The large amount of book
orders outstanding, which practical
| ly covers the balance which the Ii
brary seems to have to it's credit
is due to the facts mentioned above
as a large proportion of the book
buying was done during the last six
months of the year when prices
and quality became more stable, al
though prices for books are still
high and likely to remain so for
About the first of July the cir
culation, which during the period
since 1917 had been declining, in
dicating the low ebb in the library's
condition, again became normal and
and =. has shown steady improve
ment since that time-not only was
the circulation for each of the last
six months larger than that of the
same month during any previous
period, but the combined circua-
ton for the year was larger than
any previous year in the library's
| history.
With 1920 new books added to
the library, 1923 by purchase and
81 by gift, and 268 volumes with
drawn, there are now on the shelves
1859 volumes. This number, how
ever does not represent large
working collection, as much of it
is really dead wood which is to be
gradually replaced. For example,
with the purchase of the latest
edition of the New International
Encyclopedia, we retired to the
basement shelves in Encyclopedia
dated 1885. A valuable collection
of reference books and magazines
was received from the University
of Washington Library. During the
year 80 first class magazines and
newspapers have been added to the
reading room, also six subscriptions
have been received as gifts. These
form an important source of cur
rent information and permanent
reference matter.
The library participated during
the summer in the Books for Ev-
erybody Movement" No drive was
made for this purpose altho its
publicity was aided by all the city
newspapers, the Puget Sound Int.
Ry. & Power Co., Bachelor &
Cornell and the Everett Improve
ment Co. An intensive drive for
other purposes was on at the time
but $141.11 was turned in at the
library, consisting mainly of soc
donations. This money was for
warded to the American Library
Association as part of a permanent
endowment for the increase of good
libraries and better reading every
where. The Library Board con-
sidered the library's participation in
this movement well worth while
aside from any funds collected, be-
cause of the publicity it gave re-
garding Libraries and as an oppor-
tunity for showing the need for
| county fbraries in our own state.
A display collection of children S
books was sent out in the county
during the fall to the Fair at Gran
lite Falls. 1t proved to be a most
popular attraction at the Fair, for
the children who came literally
"camped' right there, a pretty good
indication of how the children in
the rural districts are starved for
books. All of the library's dis
carded books which could possibly
be salvaged have been sent to the
country schools. How even these
soiled and ragged collections are
appreciated may be summed up in
the words of teacher on the Marys-
vile route: you don't know how
! the children are enjoying those
books. Each boy and girl has not
only taken home a book, but has
made list of the books he is
going to read next" 1t is to be
hoped that the County Library Law