New Britain herald., 1930-01-15
22P.C. OF PUBLIC
 IS USINGL|BRARY
Miss Brown Tells Exchange Club
 How Institute Functions '

"All idea of beauty and civilized living comes to many of the younger people in New Britain from book $ obtained in the library" Miss Grcia ~ Brown, head librarian at the New Britain Institute, told members oi the Exchange club last night at the weekly meeting of the group at the Burritt hotel. "Tcachcr5 in schoo' S have often remarked that pupils have always used the library when referring to statement, or 10 all idea obtained" she added, pleading for more library clubs in an at tempt 10 circulate more books among those who need thcm.' Only 22 per cent of the entire popula- ton in New Britain is reached by the library and according to Miss Brown this number should be great ly increased.
 An appropriation of S45,000 was made by the city of New Britain this year for the library. This Is somewhat augmented by income from other sources, from invest mcnts and donations. these latter alone amounting to $10,00U q year. she said. So far during the fiscal year, which will end in April, more than 5000 books have been pur. chased by the library department. Even though figures would inlicatc that the supply in the library IS be- coming great withdrawals, wear and tear and other methods prunc the yearly figure down considerably and at present there are about 100000 books in the library.
 The library, in the past store house for books, is coming more and more to the foreground as a busi- ness institution, much as the fac. tories and stores you operate, she exclaimed to the group. It has de- partments of foreign service by which the public may obtain infor nation regarding other countries. The library must be OH the alert to obtain and keep in stock the books of the day, all of the best references and everything else that goes to- ward maintaing good service, The time is past when any high school boy or girl can go into thc library and hold down a position as librarian. she added, for he pres. Cnt trend, with it's systematic flies and references, can only be operated successfully by trained librarians. She complained of the fact that although there are IT permanent workers in the library and six part II1,n ,1, librarians who have had training in the field.
 Two thirds of the books obtained in the libraries are for adults and the other third for the younger readers, she brought out There must bc some choice regarding tle books. The demand for titles is al ways satisfied and this keeps all of the new titles In circulation she said. If there is an unusual demand for certain titles more books are bought in an attempt to serve the. public. A library attempts to ad- just itself to the industries of the home town.
 In commenting on circulating li- braries and book of the month clubs, Miss Brown brought out that these only add more interest to the public libraries. "They have helped more than hindercd the activity of the public libraries So also, have radio and movies and all latest methods of amusement she stated. All forms of amusement only whct peoples appetites for books. Drama in particular has appealed to the average reader and interest in this is tremendous. she said.
 The average number of books leaving the library is hard to deter mine but on Saturday and Mondays ] 1000 books are checked out.
 Arthur Benson was elected to sue ceed Leonard Morse as treasurer of the Exchange club. Otis Scripture was elected to the board of control for the coming year to fill d vacancy created by the resignation of Her bert Woods. Dual meetings with state clubs will predominatc this year according to the plans suggest ed by Russell $. Gold, it's president