REFERENCE LIBRARY. While no statistics are kept relating to the reference room, its use is constantly growing, especially among pupils of the schools of the city. Volumes from the circulating department to the number of 992 were issued for reference during the year. The same trouble as heretofore exists with this department. Its location makes it impracticable to have it overlooked continuously by library assistants, and financial reasons prevent an increase of the force. Books are taken away and often not returned, while many suffer from vandals. An ordinance is being prepared for submission to the common council, imposing penalties for misdemeanors of this kind, which it is hoped will aid in correcting this evil. READING ROOM. As will be seen by reference to appendices, important accessions have been made to the reading room, principal among which are daily newspapers from all portions of the United States, contributed by the Herald and Gazette Publishing Companies of this city. Trade journals, forming an attractive commercial department, are furnished through the courtesy of their publishers. Another interesting and useful addition is a list of medical journals, donated regularly by the St. Joseph Academy of Medicine. The reading room suffers through vandalism as does the reference department, and for the same reason a remedy has not yet been found. SCHOOL LIBRARIES. The work in the schools, inaugurated two years ago, has been kept up as well as the condition of the library permitted, and with satisfactory results. Arrangements are under way for extending this work to include all of the schools in the outlying portions of the city, and with each order for books several titles are included for this especial purpose. Teachers are encouraged to use the library, and are granted extra privileges, being permitted access to the shelves for examination of books. LIBRARY NOTES. A new finding list was issued last July, since which date two bulletins, containing 300 titles each, have been published, and a third is now ready. Through an arrangement with the Daily Herald and Daily Gazette lists of new books and special topic-lists are published weekly. The use of the type is granted the library, hence the cost of publishing bulletins is reduced to a nominal sum. The advertisement thus secured through the daily papers is responsible, in large measure, for the increased use of the library. In addition to assisting the various literary clubs of the city in their regular programs, special lists have also been prepared, embracing topics of immediate interest. During the campaign last fall, such a list on the financial question proved decidedly useful. Other lists covered the Cuban revolution, the Armenian question, Cretan insurrection, and the GraecoTurkish war. Fine notices were sent out as follows: First notice, postals, 1,316; second notices, 128; guarantors written, 36. Of 1,624 volumes sent to the bindery, 1,466 were for rebinding, and 158 were magazines. In addition, a large number have been repaired at the library, so far as possible to do so in lieu of rebinding. While the library is a government depository, the books have neither been listed nor classified, consequently they have not been of the use to the public which they otherwise would have been. It is hoped to remedy this at an early day, as well as to classify books in the German language, now desig nated by consecutive numbers. Appended will be found (a) classified table of circulation; (b) list of periodicals taken; and (c) list of donations. The librarian wishes to acknowledge the hearty support and good-will of the library staff, without which the showing herein made would not have been possible. The work of the library is seriously hampered in every way by lack of funds, and quarters which are not adapted to library purposes. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, it is doing a splendid work, which is small only in comparison with what might be done under favorable conditions. With thanks to the Board for its kindly consideration. Before me, Edward S. Douglas, a notary public in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Purd B. Wright, librarian of the Free Public Library of the City of St. Joseph, Mo., and made oath that the facts and figures herein relating to receipts and expenditures, contents of library and books added are correct to the best of his knowledge and belief. Given under my hand and seal, this 24th day of May, 1897. [SEAL.] EDWARD S. DOUGLAS, Notary Public. My commission expires November 16, 1900. REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE. To the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library: GENTLEMEN: During the past fiscal year, 1,960 volumes have been added to the library, of which 18 were gifts, 162 periodicals, 128 government publications, and 1,652 purchased. Withdrawals for the same period aggregated 720, leaving a net gain of 1,240 volumes. All purchases were made after approval by the committee and board. Your committee, with the librarian, has used care in the selection of titles, and has sought to include in its lists only the better books. In fiction, it has been the policy to drop a great many titles, and this line will be pursued according to the best judgment of the committee. While the circulation report shows a small increase in the percentage of fiction, the grade of books called for in this class is steadily improving. Gratifying increases in circulation are noted in history, travel, etc. May 1, 1897. Respectfully submitted, J. W. ATWILL, REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE. To the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library: GENTLEMEN: An examination of the library shows the books to be in as good condition as their constant use will permit. The only change in the library force during the year was that caused by the resignation of Mr. H. L. Elmendorf, librarian, to accept a more luerative position. Mr. Purd B. Wright was appointed to fill the vacancy. The work of the force has been such as to deserve commendation at our hands. J. W. ATWILL. JNO. DECLUE. BARTON PITTS. REPORT OF TREASURER. To the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library: GENTLEMEN: I herewith submit a detailed report of the financial operations of the Board for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1897: SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT. RECEIPTS. 1896. July 31. Received from Treasurer J. W. Atwill certificate $ 225 00 1,359 54 120 00 $1,704 54 |