Messrs. WHITELAW, MEYSENBURG, O'REILLY and PREETORIUS.

OSCAR L. WHITELAW, President.

T. A. MEYSENBURG, Vice-President.

FRED'K M. CRUNDEN, Secretary and Librarian.

Messrs. WHITELAW, MEYSENBURG, PREETORIUS and O'REILLY.

OSCAR L. WHITELAW, President.

T. A. MEYSENBURG, Vice-President.

FRED'K M. CRUNDEN, Secretary and Librarian.

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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT.

To His Honor, Cyrus P. Walbridge, Mayor of St. Louis:

In presenting our annual report and account of our stewardship as Directors for another year of the St. Louis Public Library, we are pleased to say that the year just closed has shown convincingly to us that the Free Library is destined to become a most potent factor in the life and development of this City, as well as that of any other community which will give similar advantages to its citizens. We are more and more convinced of its importance as an educator of the masses and a perpetual school for all classes. The eagerness with which the rooms have been thronged and the rapidly increasing list of registered readers testify to the importance of having such facilities for reading and reference free to all. A proper appreciation of its advantages by a city indicates a tendency towards a better and higher order of public sentiment, which can only result in an improved government, resulting in increased prosperity.

Fully appreciating the force of this, it has been the aim of the Board to so administer this important trust that the Library shall speedily grow into the affections of the entire population of the City, that they, in the language of another, "shall wear it as the chief jewel in its crown." When this sentiment is once fully and faithfully adopted by its owners, the citizens of St. Louis, no one need fear that the Library will ever lack friends or loyal supporters. To this growing sentiment we must ever look for increased facilities and for friendly legislation in its behalf.

We are pleased to say that the system of delivery stations which was referred to in our last annual report has proven a great success. Their number has been increased until there are now twentyfive different stations located in convenient parts of the city from which books can be obtained by readers without the cost of a trip to the Main Library. The Librarian's annual report shows how by increased use these stations have grown in favor with the patrons of the Library.

This method of serving the public also affords much relief at the Main Library, where the increased number of readers is already taxing our room and facilities to the utmost. The visitors to the Library during the last year (see Librarian's report) have been an average of nearly fifty thousand per month. When the cost is realized of carrying this great number in elevators to and from the sixth and seventh floors of the Board of Education Building, you can understand that any plans which will lessen this expense and risk, must be adopted.

Ever since the city acquired from the life members and the Public School Board the present Library, and opened it free, the Board of Directors has had constantly in mind the necessity of securing for it a permanent home, one which shall be centrally located, convenient of

access and in every way commensurate with the needs of a large and rapidly growing city like St. Louis, a city which can no longer be designated as the Future Great, but is the present great. A Library Building which will not only be a model building in every respect, but which shall at the same time be an object lesson in artistic and esthetic taste, making it an institution which would tend to build up and adorn local life.

Eligible property for this purpose has advanced so rapidly that the Directors became convinced that unless immediate action was taken it would soon be quite beyond their power, with the present limited income at their disposal, to secure an adequate site. With this in view, and after the most exhaustive investigation and comparison between the different properties offered within the limits of the territory which would be considered for this purpose, your Board secured 181 feet 4 inches on the southeast corner of 17th street and Lucas Place for the sum, in round numbers, of $94,000.00, a purchase which has met the approval of all persons qualified to appraise the values of St. Louis real estate.

The terms upon which this purchase was made werc, one-third cash and the balance in one and two year's time.

This large investment will necessitate the most rigid economy on the part of the Board; and the book fund will doubtless most feel the stringency, for the necessary fixed charges have always been kept down to the lowest figure consistent with the demands of the public for the most efficient service.

With a suitable lot secured, the next step towards furnishing the St. Louis Public Library with a building, such as we have indicated, is to secure an increase of income, or a special building fund.

How it is to be accomplished, is the problem which now confronts the board.

We would again most earnestly call the attention of our citizens of wealth to this opportunity for connecting their name with an institution which will shed greater lustre, be more lasting, and be of more permanent benefit to their fellow-citizens in our judgment, than a like investment in any other direction.

The situation must be met in some way. St. Louis cannot afford to have her Public Library housed in an indifferent or inconvenient

manner.

We trust our successors will be enabled to solve the problem and that the day will not be far distant when St. Louis can point with pride to her Library, which shall be in keeping with all the other institutions in this metropolis of the Mississippi Valley, and second to none of any other city of like importance in the world.

In our last year's report, explaining the system of competitive examinations, which prevails exclusively in the appointments, as well as in promotions, this significant expression was used, "The force is consequently a careful selection of the fittest." We point with some degree of pride in confirmation of this statement to the fact that in a recent examination by the U. S. Government for cataloguers, open to and participated in by applicants from all parts of the country, to the number of 80, the St. Louis Public Library carried off the honors. Out of the 80 only five made the required percentage, and of these, three were from the St. Louis Public Library. The two standing highest on the list,