199 



Dr. Durkee reported that the portion of the Entomological Col- 

 lection in his charge, formerly belonging to Dr. Burnett, was in 

 good condition. 



The Librarian reported, that during the past year 75 bound 

 volumes have been added to the library, including 22 purchased 

 by the "Republican Institution. 170 pamphlets and parts of works 

 have also been added. All the pamphlets, and nearly half of 

 the bound volumes, were received by donation. 



The number of volumes borrowed during the year is 320. 

 The library now contains about 3,500 volumes. 



It has been suggested by many of those most frequently 

 using our books, that a card catalogue should be made for more 

 convenient reference to them. Such a catalogue is certainly de- 

 sirable, but its preparation will take more time than the present 

 Librarian can give in addition to the other duties of his office. 



Should the Society decide that it is necessary to have one, it 

 will be easy to find some competent person to prepare it for a 

 reasonable compensation. 



In connection with this subject, it may be stated that the 

 library is now large and valuable enough to require some restric- 

 tions in regard to the mode of borrowing its books. 



The Librarian is present, daily, from 9 to 12 o'clock, and 

 members of the Society coming during those hours can obtain 

 what they want, if we have it. But a custom has prevailed to 

 some extent during the past three or four years, of taking out 

 books in the absence of the Librarian, and frequently without 

 charging them on the record books. Generally, the books bor- 

 rowed in this way are returned, but sometimes we suffer loss, 

 and know not where to look for lost property. 



Would it not be expedient for the Library Committee to pro- 

 hibit the taking out of books during the absence of the officer 

 having charge of them, and to take such other measures as they 

 may deem necessary for the preservation of the library ? 



Some change in the room containing our library is desirable. 

 Since the erection of the new theatre, the room has been dark 

 and damp ; uncomfortable for those occupying it, and injurious 

 to the books. If there is any fair prospect of a new building for 



