The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-03-04
LIBRARY IN FINANCIAL NEED
Continued from Page l.

lied the library four years ago she said
that two assistants working full time
were needed The need now is for three
assistants working full time (40 hours
n week. instead of half that assistance,
which was available last year.
In the past five years many books have
doubled in price and new fiction has in
creased from 33 1-33 per cent TO % per
cent : bindings are poorer and wear out
quicker. requiring more money for re-
binding: all magazines and newspapers
have increased in price, and all supplies
used in the library cost more; water
light and fuel have doubled in price.
Several times a year a chest of 100 books
goes to the bindery, and although the
bindings are poorer the cost for reminding
is 20 cents IA book more than it WAS five
years ago.
: Salaries paid at the Brattleboro library
have been from $500 to 5000 a year less
than is paid i'll many other towns having
libraries with less circulation. Twenty
five cents an hour is the highest this IL
brary ever has paid its assistants, which Is
not comparable to the salaries paid
school teachers.
/. With these facts brought out it is APP
parent that somebody has had to do some
economical management. but there is a
cconomizing without bringing about re
suits detrimental to the institution and to
the public which it serves, and that point
has been reached.
There are only $50 minutes in the Ii
brary working day. yet on some days be-
tween 500 and 600 books go out, not To
mention the large number constantly be-
ing returned. which have to be mended
and then placed on shelves. Records are
Kept of all the books in the library-the
daily, monthly. and yearly circulation.
Book lists and reviews of new books must
be carefully read before the books are
bought by the librarian, that the money
may be spent to the best advantage, and
every book must be catalogucd, which
takes much time.
Children are Eusing the library more
and more. and it is not good library econ
omy TO supply them with old and dirty
copies. if it is desired to teach them to
keep all library books clean. The circu-
latiOu of $4,000 juvenile books the past
wear was good. but it could be increased
if more Juvenile books and q special room
for the children We're available.
Small collections of the required read
ing for each grade are placed in each
school room for use during the school
year, and all the teachers are encouraged
to make use of the library, which they do.
The pupils in the higher grades and the
high school are constantly being sent to
the library to read up on special subjects,
and some days the reference room i
crowded. Some member Of the staff
must then devote her time to assisting the
scholars in finding the books needed. All
rural schools, as we'll as the West Brattlc-
boro schools, have collections of books
during the school year.
The library is the information bureau
of the town; calls often come 10y teie-
phone for information on every cOnceiv-
able subject, and to look up the informa-
ton requires much time
The library is very glad of gifts. partic-
ularly current fiction, and several copies
of each book can be- used to good advan-
tage to supply the demand while they
are wanted.
\ small collection of books is kept at
all times at the Home for the Aged
The circulation of SOILS books is the
largest of any library in this state with
one or two exceptions. and those in places
much larger than Brattleboro.
| The Phelps collection is very valuable
containing many manuscripts and broad
sides relating to early Vermont and New
| York history. They are very rare. some
of them being the only ones known to b.
in existence now. \ fireproof case fol
! them is very much needed
| An appropriation of $1,000 would jus
| cover the necessary expenses for thi
year, with the present circulation.