The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-02-04

Babin, John A. Coe. Attorney John F. Gaffney, Edwin C. Northrop. w. s. Jones, E. Vincent Maloney and Martin Scully.
 The librarian was reelected for another term and the executive com- mittee was authorized to employ the rest of the help and fill vacancies that may occur during the year. Charles A. Babin was elected to suc- ceed Attorney T. F. Carmody on the Holmes scholarship fund. MT Carmodys term of office expired last July, and owing to the fact that his residence is now in Watertown he was not eligible for reelection. F.. S. Chase and John A. Coe were elected to succeed themselves on the exec utive committee, the other members being the officers: Martin Scully, president; Edwin c. Northrop, treas urer, and John F. Gaffney. secre- tary. The report of the different meetings held by the executive com mittee the past year were read and approved.
 The reports of the librarian and treasurer were read and approved. The librarians report was as follows:
 TO the Board of Agents of the
 Silas Bronson Library
 The report of the librarian for the year ending December 31. 1880 is herewith submitted. In view of the fact that our income was some what less than for the year 1929 and several years previous, allowing us to entertain no prospect of an ex- tension of library service through a larger or improved branch library system, it is cause for consider able satisfactoin to know that in some other respects the year 1880 was one of progress and growth. We have achieved in the way of inn provements at the central library those two big things long felt to be our greatest needs, namely: power elevator and linoleum floor covering for the children's room, both of which would have been inconceiv- able except for reserve funds which the executive committee of this board determined could not be used for better purposes. A total of 544,- 491 issues of books were loaned for home use in 1880 as against 504,047 in 1929. Using the recently com pleted United States census popula- tion figure for Waterbury, we are now circulating five volumes per capita. This is fair standard for a city of about enc hundred thou- sand population.
 Use of the Books.
 Some part of the increased num- Der of books circulated during the year is undoubtedly due to the busi- ness depression for an increased use of public libraries is usually noted during any period of unemployment. However, the fact that we have since 1924 been registering a normal growth is sufficient reason for as- suming that had this been Q year of prosperity we would nevertheless have exceeded our 1929 rec ord by several thousand. The gain was general throughout the entire system, at the main library, at the three branches and throughout the classroom collections sent to thirty two schools. Of the 544.491 books the central library and 38 per cent craze daily circulation form the cen- .ral library was approximately 1,- 100 volumes, 800 of which were adult and 300 juvenile.
 Branch Libraries.
 Although the number of books borrowed is increasing each year we are in fact to-day serving only IT per cent of the entire population of Waterbury. Experience has shown that many people who will not go far out of their way to obtain books will nevertheless use a library if it's books are brought conveniently near to them. Our branch library sys- tenn, through lack of funds has never been developed beyond it's in- fancy when an excellent and hope full beginning was made with the es- tablishment of the Waterville, Brooklyn and Rose Hill branches in 1907. 1909 and 1913 respectively. Since then no additional branches have been opened in other populous or outlying sections of the city. The work being done by the three exist ing branches gives us some idea of the possibilities of service which can to those people who are not inclined to use the central library, or do not find 1t convenient to do SO.
 As stated in several recent Bron- son library reports, the Waterville and Brooklyn branches have for some years been inadequately housed. This year would add that the assistants at the Brooklyn branch are overworked. Open three after moons and evening a week, this branch is circulating 5O,000 books @ year. This volume of work is being handled by the branch librarian and one assistant and is the maximum amount that coulud reasonably be expected of three people. Another as- sistant is badly needed. yet there is no one who can be spared from the central library to help out and our present salary appropriation will not permit the hiring of an extra person. The use of this branch has increased 134 per cent since 1910 when the room was pronounced too small for the numbers of children and grown people using it and it was recom- mended that a room on the ground ltp for adults. At that time, one wear after We had gained possession of this abandoned firehouse. this would have been a very wise solution of pressing problem. The first floor room is now being used by the Visiting Nurses association for a baby welfare station.
 There seems now some possibility of securing larger and more fitting quarters for the Waterville branch during the coming year. By vote of recommendation of the board of police commissioners, the unused po- lice annex of the Waterville fire sta- tion will probably be turned over to the library and 1t is hoped that funds will be available in 1891 for the alterations and repairs necessary before the place can serve the pur- pose of branch library. Three cells have to be removed from the ground floor room and stairway built con meeting 1t and the upper room which $ now accessible only from the fire-l house. The advantages of the new location would be more attractive quarters with an entrance on the