LIBRARY. 339 



connection with these statistics it should be exphiined, however, that 

 they represent only approximately the use of the Library, as no circu- 

 lation statistics are kept in several of the branch libraries and no 

 record of the reference use is kept in any of the libraries. 



The average number of books charged at the loan desk of the main 

 Library each month was 3,03.8, compared with 3,370 in the previous 

 year. The average daily circulation was 120, compared with 132 in 

 the previous year. A table showing the circulation sta- 

 tistics of the main Library by months and years for the last 10 fiscal 

 years, exclusive of the circulation of current periodicals, is given in 

 Appendix 3. From this statement it will be seen that the highest 

 peak in tlie circulation was reached in the fiscal year 191G and that 

 there has been a decline of 25 per cent in the last three years due to 

 war conditions and the consequent interruption of much of the scien- 

 tific work of the Department. While the table gives only the circu- 

 lation statistics of the main Library, most of the reports oi the brancli 

 libraries show the same relative decrease in circulation since the war. 



INTERLIBRASY LOANS. 



The number of books lent to libraries, institutions, and individuals 

 outside of the city was 658, a decrease of 235 compared with the pre- 

 ' ious year, likewise due to war conditions. To the total number of 

 books lent should be added 145 photostat copies and 14 typewritten 

 copies, making the total use outside of the city 820. 



The number of books borrowed from other libraries in the city 

 was 5,026, an increase of 309 over the number borrowed the previous 

 year. The number of books borrowed from libraries outside of the 

 city was TO, or double the number borrowed the previous year. The 

 largest number borrowed from any one library was 22, borrowed 

 fix>m the Lloyd Library, Cincinnati, Ohio. 



Further detailed statistics in regard to interlibrary loans are given 

 in Appendices 4 and 5. 



CATALOGUE AND ORDER DIVISION. 



Miss Helen 'M. Thompson, Chief, 



ACCESSIONS. 



The total number of catalogued books, pamphlets, and maps added 

 to the Library during the year was 6,045, a decrease of 1,778 com- 

 pared with the catalogued accessions of the previous year. To the 

 6,045 catalogued accessions should, however, be added 1,554 books, 

 pamphlets, and maps which were acquired during the year but not 

 catalogued, making the total accessions 7,599, a decrease of 635 com- 

 pared with the previous year. This decrease was due to the con- 

 tinued difficulty in obtaining books and periodicals from foreign 

 countries, including exchanges, as well as purchases, to the decreased 

 number of volumes acquired by binding periodicals, and, lastly, to 

 the fact that it has not been possible to spend as much time in tlio 

 work of acquiring exchanges on account of lack of assistance. More 

 detailed statistics of the accessions of the year comjDared with 

 previous years are given in Appendix 6. 



