ers have been given the same privileges here as at the main library, that of drawing several books for school use on one card and retaining them an indefinite length of time. The women of South St. Joseph have organized a study club known as the Carnegie Culture Club, which meets in the study room at the library every alternate Wednesday afternoon. After the work is laid out by the committee, the best books, magazine articles, etc., in both main and branch libraries, on the subjects chosen are listed, and if possible, the books are put on the reference shelf for the exclusive use of the club. Much of the better class of literature is brought into use in this way. All of the ladies have expressed their appreciation of the quiet little room at the library where they can have their literary feasts unmolestd. The popularity of the smoking room does not grow with the approaching summer. The winter evenings found more boys around the chess and checker boards than the pleasant spring evenings have done; though a fairly good number of men and boys spend a greater portion of Sunday afternoon in the club room. One pleasing feature is that there has never been any tendency toward boisterous or unbecoming conduct in or about the library. FINANCE COMMITTEE. To the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library, St. Joseph, Mo. Gentlemen: Your committee reports that it has examined the statement of the treasurer, as required by the by-laws, and finds that it shows all the transactions of the board of a financial nature, both with the city treasurer and the librarian, and that it is correct. It is gratifying to note that an increase in the assessed valuation of city property will provide the library with additional funds. The exact amount for library purposes has not been determined, but it will approximate $12,000, being $1,500 more than the amount apportioned last year. The library could make most effective use of a still greater amount of money, and your committee regrets that additional means can not be provided. CHAS. A. PFEIFFER, April 30, 1903. C. P. CARGILL, Finance Committee. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE. To the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library, St. Joseph, Mo. Gentlemen: The expenditures of the library under the immediate jurisdiction of this committee were as follows: Expenditures for the beautifying of the grounds of the Carnegie branch are not included herewith, as all the bills have not been presented. These grounds comprise an entire block, 400x280 feet. Under the supervision of Park Superintendent Rau, with the consent of the Park Board, plans for landscaping were prepared, and the trees and shrubs are now out, the work being done under the direct supervision of the librarian. With additional assistance from the Park Board, it is hoped to make these grounds the most beautiful in the city, eventually to become a park for the extreme southern portion of the city. April 30, 1903. J. H. McCORD, ELLIOT MARSHALL, CLAY C. MACDONALD, Buildings and Grounds Committee. |