DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 79 



old strips formerly in use have been laid aside; the main object in cover- 

 ing the floors is to secure a quiet which it is impossible to have where students 

 are continually coming and going and moving from place to place, over bare 

 floors; perhaps no material would answer our purpose better than linoleum, 

 an article which can be washed like wood and which is said to wear well ; an 

 additional number of chairs will also be required to accommodate readers in 

 various parts of the room, and it seems desirable that there sliould be one 

 more chandelier hung in the back part of the room which is now insufficiently 

 lighted ; a clock would be a convenience, especially in the evening. 



Mention may also be made of the necessity of devising some plan by which 

 students about to leave college shall have the opportunity to settle accounts 

 with the librarian before final settlement with the secretary; perhaps a cer- 

 tificate of settlement would be all that is necessary; a few books arc lost each 

 year, and no doubt this plan would decrease the losses. 



The number of readers daily visiting the library varies with the nature of 

 their work and the state of the weather; on stormy days the number is larger 

 than on fair days ; an account kept on average working days, and covering a 

 considerable period of time, shows that from one-third to one-half of the 

 students in the institution visit the library daily. The length of the visits 

 varies from a few moments to four hours — the longest time possible with the 

 present library hours. 



The kind of reading chosen by students for use in the library is usually that 

 which relates to their studies, history, philosophy, the sciences, agriculture ; 

 fiction and poetry are read mainly outside, and these are therefore found 

 oftenest charged upon the books. 



Some of the books formerly of the second class have been put in the first 

 class, and are no longer removable from the library, viz. : North American 

 Review, Harper'g Magazine, The Century, Tiie International Review, all of 

 the British Magazines, and some of the most important books of reference. 



Still other changes are contemplated which, it is hoped, will add to the con- 

 venience of readers, and be for the best interests of t!ie institution. 

 Most respectfully submitted, 



MARY J. C. MERRELL, 



Lihrarian. 



