The Connecticut labor news., 1923-10-27

and industrial subjects, supplements
 zines, and that in connection with tl information service that is available both through personal visits to the lii @ It Is no exaggeration to say tha the modern library idea goes bacl V not much beyond Is or 20 years, de clared L. Lindsey Brown, assistan librarian, in an address to the New Haven Trades Council Thursday night. It was not so very long ago that a public library was thought o as storehouse for books-a sort ol museum to which the public might come to look at the books. Some of the older librarians rather dislikeo the idea of books being taken out lest they be injured or lost. Such books, as were allowed to go out al all were for the most part fiction and works of general literature, and these were taken out largely by women and children. More and more in recent years have public libraries come to : be recognized as business institutions, and a successful public library today is one in which the books are used all the time, either in the library building or outside. Furthermore, a modern city library caters to the de mands of all classes of readers, and a particular effort has been made ]. since the war to attract men to the library In Newark, N. J., a branch library in the heart of the business some 10 years. This library is used almost entirely by men, for it con tains only the kind of books and magazines which would be of interest to business man.
 Even today with all the effort that is being made to induce men to use public libraries, one often hears 1t said that library is cold and some what overlapping place, just little like church perhaps Men in par ticular often feel certain hesitation about entering public library, and particularly about stepping up to a desk and asking a question Certain 1y in the case of the New Haven pub lie library every effort IS being made to overcome, the alleged repellant at mosphere to which men object. Of course library has to be quiet, and on account of the danger from fire 1t would not be wise to allow smoking. Nevertheless the New Haven library is distinctly friendly place when you get acquainted with 1t. As for the occasional criticism that those
 
 little formal and stiff, the truth of it probably is that the very desirable qualities of refinement and culture are misunderstood for something else.
 As an educational institution, a public library will necessarily employ the same type of woman who is found in our public schools And with employees of this character 1t follows thatthe atmosphere of a h- brary will have a certain dignity that would not be found in a dance-hall or an amusement park. Frequent use of our public library will convince any man that our employees are distinctly of the right sort They are certainly always courteous and ready to be of help to any earnest student.
 Now word of general description about this library system for the sup port of which the taxpayers of this city are contributing $88,ooo this year There is the main building on the corner of Elm and Temple streets, a gift to the city from Mrs. Mary E.. Ives about 10 years ago, and there are four branch libraries in various parts of the city About the first of next year the library will open a handsome new building on Portsea
 
 will take the place of the old school house on Carlisle street, where the Congress Branch is now situated This equipment represents an invest ment of about $75o,ooo and the an nual cost of maintenance is just un- der $Ioo, ,ooo, toward which amount the city contributes 88 per cent, the remainder coming from fine money for books overdue, income from en- dowment funds, etc. In the main building there IS a separate depart ment for children. The work for adults. is divided, into two parts, namely, the circulation of books for home use and an information service conducted in the library buildings Or by telephone. Last year about 675,- GOO books were borrowed from the publi clibrary, which IS about four books for each inhabitant of the city In Springfield where the public li in New Haven, the circulation for the same period was I,I8o,ooo near ly double the number loaned by the New Haven library.
 Mention has been made of the in- formation service for men. This de- partment occupies the long room next the county court house, which Is en- tered by a door at the right as one enters the main library on Elm street With the removal of the high school children to room upstairs, which was done last January, this roo mis now absolutely quiet More over man may use this room freely at all hours of the day and evening with the assurance that 1t is intended for the excusive use of grown up men and women. Among the 2,2oo books in this department are in-