REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. Philip G. Gillett, LL. D., Superintendent. SIR: I have the honor to present you with a report of the library of our institution for the two school years ending June 13, 1877, and June 12, 1878. 1. Growth At the date of my last report there were in the library 1,897 volumes. The additions during the two years have been, Making the number of volumes now in the library 2,859. The books purchased have been selected with the greatest care, reference being had to the needs of pupils and teachers, and by procuring a liberal discount from publishers' prices, the limited amount of money at our disposal has been expended to the best advantage. Of gifts, special mention should be made of an elegant copy of Dante's Inferno, with Dore's illustrations, presented by Mrs. C. Dane, in token of her interest in the library; the Dore Gallery, a sumptuous volume of engravings, presented by the Grand Lodge T. 0. 0. F. of the state of Illinois, as a testimonial of their appreciation of an entertainment given them by the pupils, on the occasion of their visit, November, 1876; a set of the Congressional Record, from Hon. W M. Springer, Smithsonian reports, and other valuable public documents, and a number of juvenile books from Miss Mary S. Billings. 2. Use. The following figures will show the number of readers, and the number of volumes drawn during the two years. The library has been open on each school day from 8 a. m., to 4:30 p. m., and on every Saturday from 3:30 to 5 p. m., and from 6 p. m. to 8 p m. Besides the privilege of taking books to their rooms, the pupils are also allowed to spend two hours on Saturday at the library, reading and looking at the bound volumes of Harper's Weekly and the London Illustrated News, the numerous pictures contained in these works affording great entertainment and instruction. The library is also daily consulted by teachers and older pupils upon subjects arising in the school-room, and its value in inducing and encouraging research and investigation cannot be over-estimated. It is a matter of constant study with your librarian how to make the books of the most practical use to the pupils and officers, and every means is employed toward this end. The result is an increasing interest in literature, and a higher appreciation of the treasures therein contained. In the pupils, especially, there is noticeable a growing taste for reading, and a desire to know more about authors and their works. The teachers have earnestly co-operated with the librarian in encouraging this taste, and in adopting such suggestions as have from time to time been given them. 3. Future additions. The library is not yet completely supplied with works of reference, although a good beginning has been made in that direction. The old edition of the American Encyclopedia might be replaced by the new one, upon favorable terms. A good dictionary of antiquities is much needed. For the younger pupils a few hundred volumes of easy reading could be used with excellent effect, and would greatly aid in the work of teaching language. The scientific department of the library needs enlargement, the collection of works in that line of thought being rather meagre. A few more art treatises, of a practical nature, are desirable. 4. Catalogue. A very complete index-catalogue was undertaken some time ago, and will probably be printed, at least in part, before the close of the next year. It is designed to render the contents of the library easily available, and will embody all the most recent improvements in the art of cataloguing. 5. Reading-room. I would suggest that a space at the west end of the lower hall 1 the school-building be fitted up for a reading-room, where the many newspapers received by the institution, or at least the most important of them, may be kept on file, together with the best current periodicals. The older pupils could be allowed the use of this at certain hours each week, as a reward for good conduct. It would also afford both teachers and pupils an opportunity of convenient reference to topics of daily interest in the world's history, and this serve as an aid in the educational work of the school-room. The expense would be trifling, compared with the great benefits accruing. All of which is respectfully submitted. JOHN H. WOODS, Librarian. I. TERMS OF ADMISSION. Applicants should not be under ten nor over twenty-one years of age. Children possessing weak constitutions, or who have failed to attain the ordinary growth and vigor of mind and body, should not be brought to the institution under twelve years of age. II. The annual session commences on the third Wednesday in September, and continues till the second Wednesday in June. The proper time for the admission of pupils is at the opening of the session; and punctuality is so important, that none will be received, except in extraordinary cases, who do not come at or about that time. Pupils from Illinois are admitted to all the privileges of the institution free of charge-being provided with board, washing, fuel, lights, tuition, books, and everything necessary, except clothing and traveling expenses. IV. Each pupil should come provided with sufficient clothing to last one year, or with the money to procure it. He should also have a trunk, with a good lock and key, and large enough to contain all his clothing, each article of which should be distinctly marked with his name. V. In addition to the above outfit, a small sum of money should be deposited with the superintendent, to meet incidental expenses repairs on shoes, postage, etc. -any part of which remaining on hand at the close of the session will be returned. VI. Except in cases of sickness, all the pupils are expected to remain at the institution from the commencement till the close of each session, at which time parents or friends should be prepared to take them home to spend the vacation.* VII All applications from a distance, letters of inquiry, etc., etc., should be addressed to Philip G. Gillett, LL. D., superintendent of the institution, Jacksonville, Illinois. All letters for pupils should contain the words "Institution for the Deaf and Dumb,'' as a part of their direction. In relation to indigent pupils, the General Assembly, in April, 1875, passed the following act, viz: $ 27. In all cases where persons sent to the institution for the blind, the institution for the deaf and dumb, or the institution for feeble-minded children, are too poor to furnish themselves with sufficient clothing, and pay the expenses of transportation to and from the institution, the judge of the county court of the county where any such person resides, upon the application of any relative or friend of such person, or of any officer of his town or county (ten days' notice of which the application shall be given to the county clerk), may, if he shall deem such person a proper subject for the care of either of said institutions, make an order to that effect, which shall be certified by the clerk of the circuit court to the principal or superintendent of such institution, who shall provide the necessary clothing and transportation at the expense of the county, and upon his rendering his proper accounts therefor semi-annually, the county board shall allow and pay the same out of the county treasury. N. B --Persons coming to the institution from abroad can take the West State street horse cars and be carried to the institution for five cents. Those who arrive after night can find good accommodations at either the Dunlap, Park, Southern or Metropolitan Hotels, till morning. *Friends of pupils are desired not to ask a departure from this rule. The teachers are retained at their posts of labor during the holidays as well as at all other times during the session. The school exercises are not discontinued, and must not be deranged by the temporary withdrawal of pupils to visit home. The summer vacation is long, and affords ample time for such visits. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Grateful acknowledgments are hereby returned for the following favors, which have largely contributed to the improvement and pleasure of the pupils, and to the efficiency of the institution : To the officers of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis; Wabash; Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific: Illinois Central, and Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroads, for favors in transporting pupils and officers. To the U. S. P. O. department for post-route map of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. To the department of education for pamphlets. To the Grand Lodge of Illinois Independent Order of Odd Fellows for an elegant copy of Dore Gallery. To the Hon. Wm. M. Springer, M. C., for valuable public documents. To the publishers of the following periodicals: FINANCIAL STATEMENT Of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, for the fiscal year, from October 1, 1876, to September 30, 1877. ORDINARY EXPENSE FUND. Dr. 1876. October 1877. .21 1To balance brought forward from last report.. $6,937 08 18,750 00 March 31 18.750 00 18,750 00 |