14 MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY. 



2. Library. The resignation of the Librarian, Dr. R. P. 

 Bigelow, was presented during the year and accepted with 

 regret by the Trustees, who expressed to him their appreciation 

 and that of the Laboratory for his efficient and valuable services. 

 Dr. Bigelow brought to the aid of the Laboratory in his capacity 

 of Librarian a rich fund of experience acquired as Librarian 

 of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The organization 

 of our library owes much to his experience. On recommendation 

 of the Library Committee it was voted to request the Assistant 

 Librarian to conduct the affairs of the library in consultation 

 with the Library Committee pending the appointment of a 

 Librarian. 



Mrs. Montgomery's very interesting report as assistant li- 

 brarian on the growth of the library in 1923 is printed on page 

 9. The recommendations of that report can certainly be 

 carried out with the increased space to be provided in the new 

 building and the increased income proposed to be devoted to 

 library purposes. It should be our aim under the new con- 

 ditions to undertake the large task of building up the best pos- 

 sible working library for biological research as rapidly as can be 

 done. This can be accomplished only if the Library Committee 

 receives the active cooperation of the members of the Laboratory. 

 Special funds should be secured and set aside to enable the 

 library administration to take advantage of all unusual oppor- 

 tunities for purchase of rare sets. The library is a department 

 in which every one can be of assistance, for every addition helps, 

 and a great library can be built up only bit by bit. 



3. The Report of the Treasurer (See pp. 5-8). The earned 

 income of the Laboratory during the past five years has been as 

 follows: 1919, $80,307.57; 1920, $89,943.04; 1921, $98,292.38: 

 1922, $108,686.37; I 9 2 3> $H497 2 -93- The current expenses 

 during the same periods were: 1919, $88,452.64; 1920, $103,097.- 

 64; 1921, $109,970.40; 1922, $113,466.83; 1923, $123,624.31. 

 During the same years the annual contributions of $20,000 a 

 year from the Friendship Fund have balanced the account and left 

 a surplus for necessary expansions. The rapid increase of 

 expenses, amounting to about 40 percent, in five years would 

 be alarming if it were not compensated by an equally rapid 

 increase in earnings, approximately 43 percent, in the same 



