Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-13
BOOK LORE OF 100 YEARS
Mercantile Library In its Centennial.
People Are Reading Mors-Mors
Than 100 Libraries Open to
Research In and Around &c.,
Philadelphia
by GEORGE NOX MCCAIN

| incidentally the library has JUST entereu
the Tooth year Of it's usefulness.
| sent out !
! The last year has seen a decided increase
in membership as well as an increase in the
number Of books circulated.
| In 1920 the library. circulation reached
172.G55 volumes, the largest attained for
| many years.
During the year 1921 the circulation crcpt
up TO 100. 123, the largest in it's history.
causes: one 10 n gradual disappearance Of
the nervous, high tension strain Of the war
| years, and the other desire for what might
be called literary relaxation.
| There is no doubt that the public Is
taking more kindly to reading. This in
| itself is an indication that 1t is getting back
to the saner lifc,' he says.
n WILSON HEDLEY. librarian Of this
l.. century -old institution. has been a
bookman all his life.
As a result, as we'll as the fact that it is
| bis business to keep his finger upon the
! pulse of the book reading public, his views
are those Of nn expert.
''The book business has been better the
last year than it has been for a number Of
years. was his comment.
People are reading more. There Is
greater demand for pretty much all classes
Of literature.
''At the same time books are much more
expensive than formerly. The reading pub.
lie has just begun to appreciate this. 1t
costs more to crafty literary tastes now
than 1t did in former years.
AS consequence Libraries are becoming
more popular. More people patronize them.
THE public is finding relaxation from the
war period. 1t is the reflex action Of the
greatest event in history. They are finding
a solace in reading.
"As forward proposition We keep very
closely in touch with the popular demand
for literature. Our ability promptly to sup.
rly what is asked for wins friends for u.s.
A COMPARISON Of the Mercantile Ii.
n brary of 1922 with that Of 1892. the
year of its founding. is lesson in contrast.
One hundred years ago the library had 800
members. including subscribers. Today the
membership. consisting of common stock.
holders, perpetual and life members. is 1907.
The total receipts for the first year Of its
existence were SS2O.O6; in 1921 they were
Sal .T4S.S1.
In 1922 the salary li.t for the year was
$40. the bill for light Sl1.G2 and $9.4I was
expended for fuel.
The total number Of volumes in the librar!
then was All.
An ELABORATE pamphlet of thirty. two
"A pages. with glazed cover and highly Or
namental japanese borders and corner pieces.
contains the sixty third annual report Of the
Mercantile Library.
II was issued in January. 1856.
Tho ninety ninth annual report is So.
vercly plain. unbound. eight page produc-
tion without any pretension to artistic
makeup.
In fact. it is decidedly ugly production
of the utiltarian type.
The striking contrast between the two re-
ports issued thirty. six years apart is that,
while the officers and directors in point of
number are the same. not a single member
Of the board Of 1885 remains on the board
today
Thirty seven years qsc I. Morris Perot
was president; Richard Wood. vice prcs-
den, f. Perot Ogden. recording secretary:
Edward Bains, corresponding secretary, and
John II. Watt was treasur
Tho librarian was the late John Ednands.
The officers for the last year were: John
rmcott. vice president; Lemucl {. Simon,
recording secretary; Alfred S. Miller. corrc-
spending secretary. and Edwin 4. Book
myer, treasurer.
The outstanding feature Of the report Of
1883 is n one-lne paragraph on the rear
cover:
The rooms are open on Sundays from
Q 4. NJ. 10 10 L. NJ.
TFIE Special Libraries Council Of Phia.
l. delphia and Vicinity is most admir-.
able organization hut about which. unfortu-
nately, the general public knows very little.
1t was formed two years ago by few
Librarians and business men and women of
this city.
Its object was the co ordination of all the
library resources Of Philadelphia.
Louise Keller is chairman. Helen NJ. Ran
kin is secretary. The Office Of the secretary
is at 1923 Locust street. individuals en-
gnged in research work would do we'll 10
carve that address on the tablets of their
brain.
Of ali the libraries Of Philadelphia and it,
environs.
Louise Keller. Josephine u. Carson.
Helen NJ Rankin and Joseh F. Kwapi.
librarian Of the PURILC LEDGER, formed
the Committee or Directory and Informa-
t!on.
And most e1celIcnty did they perform
their task
The result has been the preparation and
publication Of the most valuable library d.
rectOry ever compiled in this or, possibly.
any other city.
There are 1O7 Libraries in Philadelphia
and vicinity available to special students
and workers in the various fields OF research.
Among these arc corporation and private
libraries whose owners have expressed 4
willingness to have their resources con-
suited.
But one requisite is attached: the re-.
quest foe such privilege must be made
through II library serving the public.
GA DIRECTORY of the Sources Of In
n formation in and About Philadelphiu"
is the proper title of this admirable work
Science technology commerce, finance
public utility. education. religion nnd cul.
turc are all included in the wide scope of the
comInlttec'S cndeavor.
Included in the list Of libraric, in am,
around Philadelphia is n ''subierl index"
Ir embraces hundreds OF subjects. ranging
ali the way from accidents. accounting and
! American drama down to World War, zinc
and zoology.
Philadephia's educational institutions arc
! celebrated throughout he civilized world.
! The work accomplished by this committee
! Of the Special Libraries Council Will 60 far
! toward extending that reputation.
], is a distinct addition TO PhiIadcIphlo',, :,
myriad resources.
BE patriots before parti>ans." ,o,.
! Michael Collins to his countryncn 4 Wis,