REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT.

Hon. Rolla Wells,

ST. LOUIS, MO., SEPT. 14, 1907.

Mayor of the City of St. Louis.

DEAR SIR:

I submit herewith the report of the St. Louis Public Library, showing the business and operations of the library for the year ending April 30, 1906, and for that ending April 30, 1907.

The serious illness of the librarian, Mr. Frederick M. Crunden, prevented the presentation of the report for the year ending April 30, 1906, in its regular time.

Since making our last report two branch libraries, the Barr and the Cabanne, have been completed and are in operation. Another, the Carondelet, is well under way. The site for a fourth, the Soulard, has been purchased. The plans for the central building presented by Mr. Cass Gilbert have been adopted, and Mr. Gilbert has been appointed architect of that building.

The branch system in its operation has resulted in a greatly increased use of the library facilities, and it is the purpose of the Board to erect altogether seven branches with the funds provided by Mr. Carnegie for that purpose.

To the fund provided by Mr. Carnegie for the central building, viz., one-half a million dollars, the Board will be able, in consequence of the sale of some of its real property, to add threequarters of a million dollars, assuring the erection of a structure. adequate for the needs of the city for many years to come.

Very respectfully,

(Signed) F. W. LEHMANN,

President.

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.

To the St. Louis Public Library Board:

The report herewith submitted shows the activities of the library during the year ending April 30, 1906-the thirteenth year of its existence as a free institution. A full statement of receipts and expenditures is contained in the tables which follow.

The income from the city tax of two-fifths of a mill amounted to $182,676.83, an increase of $3,678.19 as compared with the previous year. The desk receipts from fines, issue of extra books, etc., reached an aggregate of $5,914.14, a decrease of $123.35.

The rent collections from the property in city blocks 510 and 511 amounted to $12,303.40, a decrease of $4,590.46 as compared with the previous year. This loss is explained by the fact that several tenants vacated the property after the close of the World's Fair period, and other desirable tenants were not found.

Contributors to the fund for the purchase of the Exposition site paid in $3,350.00 during the year.

Insurance received on account of the fire January 5, 1906 amounted to $6,396.44 of which $6,059.79 was paid in during the fiscal year. The balance was paid later, and is not covered by this report.

The amount received for card and book deposits this year was $321.00 of which $319.00 was refunded.

Interest received during the year on certificates of deposit and daily balances amounted to $1,245.60.

On September 11, 1905, the first installment of the Carnegie Building Fund, $71,745.45, being the amount estimated for the erection of the Barr Branch Library, was received.

The total expenditure for maintenance including cost of books and furniture was $91,990.34, an increase of $14,601.68 as compared with the previous year. The chief items of the increase were $11,355.79 for books, periodicals and binding, $3,067.28 for salaries, $1,612.84 for furniture and repairs, and $1,143.33 for rent.

The expenditure in the book fund was $29,731.48,-$23,611.80 for books, $4,750.33 for binding and binding supplies, and $1,369.35 for periodicals.

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RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR ENDING
APRIL 9, 1906.

RECEIPTS.

To balance in City Treasury, April 10, 1905...
Collections, April 10, 1905-April 9, 1906.

To balance in Contingent Fund, April 1, 1905...
To balance in Bank Fund, April 1, 1905....

Desk receipts

Collection of Duplicates,

Books and magazines

$ 19,519.09

182,676.83 $202,195.92

75.01

$38,140.15