New Britain herald., 1925-04-14

in our efforts to meet the demands of readers
 Reading and Reference Rooms.
 Tt Is necessary to repeat the plea of last year in regard to both these departments, even though the Bible questions the value of much speak ing A sufficiently large staff 10 in- sure a person in charge of each room all through the open hours, adequate light, whole chairs and a suitable place for serious workers are imper- alive if VIC are to give the public reasonable service At present we lack all of these requirements
 The Children's Room.
 Prom this department of never tailing interest, Miss, Walnright re- ports a marked increase in the at tendance of foreignborn parents, many coming with their children in search of helps 10 citizenship which are 10 be found in books on history and civics written .n easy words, also for stories to practice reading English. The eagerness and cond- dcnce of our young readers Is inspr- ing. One small boy came to the desk 10 ask for something about Homer and added he was an old, old man and he built this l.iborry, didn't he? lt says so out front
 AS in previous years Miss Vain right has visited the schools, sup piled booklists and mounted pictures 10 teachers and celebrated Boys and Girls Book Week with an exhibition of the fine books which ordinarily are entrusted to youngsters under the WatchfUl eye of teacher or par ent. IL is good to see the delight of some children as dhey lose them selves in these beautiful volumes. A little girl was heard murmuring as she bent over a choice edition of fa- miiar fairy tales; Some books arc better than candy"
 Tn March, Miss Wainright spent four days visiting the juvenile de- partments of the New York city li- lli dI bhNlllI NliuiE oo DluHg pl htl problems are met with expert service and equipment. While it is not pos Sible, with our resources, 10 do everything in the most approved manner, new ideas may be gained and the stimulus of contact with those in the fore front of ones pro- fession, is helpful.
 We have two urgent needs in or der 10 carry on the work satisfacter- fly: a room in which to care for the school libraries and a place for the much-sought story hour
 East Street Branch.
 Our one attempt at a branch shows gratifying signs of life. Though the room had 10 be closed twice during the year for several weeks, because of winter storms flooding the floor, the circulation amounted 10 3O,5O7. an increase of 5,6l9 over the preceding year. Less than two months ago we began opening one evening q week to ac- commOdate adult patrons, and all ready the number of books given out in their department has in- creased by 500, A picture collection has been started, 2,6SS books mend ed, 800 new card holders registered and tho reference work has grown steadily. Great credit is due Miss Griswold and Miss Scudder for their splendid work in the face of discour- aging conditions, for the room has been dangerously cold and damp much of the time.
 Outside Agencies
 '"rhe decrease in our deposit sta tiOns is matter for serious concern. The only ones functioning are the schools, fire houses, City Mission and Hunter Road Community House; the last being the one new group added during the year. This weak spot in our lihrary service should be More and more in these days of competition it is neces- sary to bring the library to people instead of waiting for them to seek its attractions William Allen White has pointed out the fact that S5 per cent of American children