Annual Report of the Trustees of the Free Public Library Volume 25-38 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ...have been led to purchase them. The Presidential election, occurring at a time when the approach of the long evenings generally tends to an increased delivery of books, had a depressing effect on the circulation. Many of the teachers in the schools have required pupils to read and consult books in relation to their studies, and have directed them to books profitable to read, thereby decreasing beneficially the number of books delivered; as the books taken in place of the rapidly read novel require more time in their perusal than is given to the latter. These statements show that while the Library has had strong influences operating against the increase of its circulation, a larger number of books have been taken out than in any year since its opening. A daily average of two hundred and forty-six books taken from the Library certainly indicates that our people have a taste for reading, and that they appreciate and gladly avail themselves of the many advantages the Library affords. At present applicants for books, stating that they are residents of the city, receive a card and are permitted to take books without further question. In sending for books overdue we sometimes find that the applicant has never resided at the place given, or that a change of residence has been made without giving notice at the Library, as the rules require. As we have a large transient population, and as our city directory is very imperfect and can give us little aid, we too often find it impossible to track the delinquent and recover the book taken. To guard against such loss we would recommend that every applicant for books be required to refer to some one citizen by whom he or she can if necessary be identified. It has been said that the fundamental rule upon...