rate record of the books issued, and for their prompt delivery upon call. The charging system, which is essentially the same as that which was awarded the premium at the World's Fair, combines in the highest degree the two chief desiderata, speed and accuracy. The danger of errors is reduced to a minimum. The date when the book is due is stamped on the "reader's card," on the "book card," and on a "date slip," pasted on the fly-leaf of the book. The borrower can tell from his card, and from the slip, when the book is due; and by means of the book card," which remains in the Library, it is easy to ascertain at any time what books are out, and what books are overdue. When the public understands the system and the staff has become perfectly familiar with its workings, from 200 to 300 volumes an hour can be received and as many issued. One of the alterations referred to consisted in enlarging the "New Book Corner" and making another entrance from it to the stack. The juvenile collection has been removed to the shelves opposite this entrance; and our young folks will have free access to the books from 3 to 6 in the afternoon, with an assistant specially assigned to wait on them. This will secure to them better attention and also lessen the crowd at the regular issue desk. The arrangement of the desk has been changed by opening another window for receiving books and enlarging the space for the issue of books. The electric fixtures have been changed so as to afford much more light and at the same time protect the assistant's eyes. The shelves around three sides of the partition separating the delivery room from the stack have been inclosed to form closets for magazines and supplies, and additional shelving has been put in the medical room. Further additions are required in the technological room, the reference room and the public document room. Among the devices and appliances that contribute to the improvement made in former methods, is the autographic cash register, by means of which an accurate and unquestionable account is kept of all money received at the desk. Whether $5 for a lost book or 2 cents for a stamped return envelope, each item is recorded in triplicate, the original entry being handed to the payer as a receipt, the second put into the cash drawer of the receiving clerk and the third remaining locked in the machine. This record of the year cannot be closed without mention of the great loss sustained by the Board in the death of one of its members. On Monday, March 19, the Board met in special session, and adopted the following memorial: "It becomes the sad duty of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public (Free) Library to record the sudden demise of Mrs. Elizabeth H. Noble. In her death the board has lost a faithful member, and the cause of popular education a zealous and devoted friend. "It is fitting that we, as co-workers, bear public testimony to the fidelity, intelligent interest and practical sagacity that marked Mrs. Noble's discharge of her duties as a member of this Board, and that, as citizens, we express our appreciation of the loss sustained by the community in the death of se active a promoter of all movements for the elevation of humanity." The time of the Board and the labor of its officers and employes being concentrated on efforts to make the treasures already accumulated accessible to the public, but little attention could be given to additions to the collection, and very few purchases were made. A large order for English books has been placed, and the Book Committee is awaiting bids on a still larger order for American publications. Through the thoughtfulness of the board of managers of the old Library, 1,000 copies of the "A. L. A. Catalogue" were secured. This is a catalogue of a collection of 5,000 volumes that formed the "model library" exhibited at the World's Fair. The selection was made by a committee of the American Library Association, and the list includes what that committee, in conjunction with other librarians throughout the country, judged to be the best books in each department. There is certainly no better guide for the general reader. It has been the first care of the book committee to obtain the books in this catalogue that were not already in the Library. The publication of the catalogue adds to the debt that the people of this country owe to Dr. Wm. T. Harris, United States Commissioner of Education. The special needs of young people are further provided for by a supply of "Sargent's Reading for the Young," a classified, graded and annotated list of books for readers between the ages of eight and twenty years. It is too soon to make definite predictions as to the increase in the use of the Library; but the registration thus far is sufficient evidence that the people of St. Louis are prepared to appreciate a Free Public Library. I present herewith statistics showing the routine work of the Library during the months of March and April, those relating to receipts and expenditures, books on hand, books purchased and books lost or missing, being verified by affidavit, as required by the statute. The additions were chiefly donations; the issue has no significance, as it represents merely the diminished circulation of the old subscription library. Respectfully submitted, June 9, 1894. FREDERICK M. CRUNDEN, CONTENTS OF THE LIBRARY. An inventory taken as carefully as was possible under unfavorable conditions showed the following contents of the Library on January 1, 189: Unentered duplicates (about).. Books not yet catalogued-chiefly the McAnally and medical collections (about).... 5,154 3,300 Volumes of unbound magazines (about).. 975 Of the 31 volumes worn out 21 were replaced by new copies; and of the four volumes lost and paid for, 1 was so replaced. BINDING. During March and April, 1894, 115 volumes (periodicals and books received in paper covers), were bound for the first time at a cost of $67.55, an average of 59 cents per volume. Ninety-five volumes were bound at a cost of $37.75, or 40 cents per volume. Besides these 456 volumes were repaired in the Library. These cost $35.00, an average of 8 cents. Of this number 90 volumes were replaced in the old covers. DONATIONS. During the months of March and April considerable accessions were made to the collection by gift. Among the more noteworthy donations were the following: California, Secretary of State, 35 volumes. Iowa, Secretary of State, 56 volumes, 57 pamphlets. Ohio, Secretary of State, 70 volumes. Pennsylvania, State Library 23 volumes. United States Government, 83 volumes, 24 pamphlets. Before the undersigned, a notary public within and for the city of St. Louis, Mo., appeared Mr. F. M. Crunden, Librarian of the St. Louis Public (Free) Library, who is personally known to me, who, upon being by me duly sworn, stated that the report to the board of directors of St. Louis Public (Free) Library hereto attached, is true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief. FREDERICK M. CRUNDEN, Librarian. (Seal.) Sworn and subscribed to before me this 11th day of June, 1894. GUSTAVUS M. BAARE, Notary Public. My term expires March 14, 1897. ST. LOUIS, June 11, 1894. CITY APPROPRIATION. Receipts and expenditures, March and April, 1894. To collections to March 12.. Printing Stationery. Supplies.. 12275 6.00 State of Missouri, City of St. Louis, ss.: Before me, the undersigned, a notary public, within and for the city of St. Louis, Mo., appeared Hamlin Russell, personally known to me, who being duly sworn by me, stated that the attached statement of receipts and expenditures of the St. Louis Public (Free) Library for the months of March and April, 1894, on account of city appropriation and the attached statement of receipts and expenditures for the months of March and April, 1894, on account of other sources, are true and correct. HAMLIN RUSSELL, Chairman Auditing Committee Board of Directors St. Louis Public (Free) Library. (Seal.) Sworn and subscribed to before me this 11th day of June, 1894. GUSTAVUS M. BAARE, My term expires March 14, 1897. APPENDIX. Donations, March 1 to April 30, 1894. Notary Public. Five hundred and thirty-one volumes and 579 pamphlets were received as exchanges and donations from 224 sources, as follows: Vols. Pph. American Institute of Homeopathy. Ames, John G., Washington, D. C........ Boston, Chamber of Commerce 11 424 Boston, City Hospital Boston, Department of Banks. Boston, Harbor Commissioner.. 27 5 11 |