310 DIRECTORY OF AMERICAN MUSEUMS 



SCOPE. The primary purpose of the museum is the instruction 

 of the general public. In this connection much is being done by a 

 system of illustrated school lectures, of which there are three each 

 day given by a special lecturer to classes from the public schools of 

 the city. Each such lecture is followed with instruction by a special 

 guide-lecturer in the exhibition halls. In this manner 27,364 scholars 

 and teachers heard lectures and were shown exhibits pertaining to 

 the subjects of the lectures during 1909. The school loan collec- 

 tions are extensively used also, there being during 1909, 1066 loans 

 to schools. The scientific staff carries on explorations and research, 

 special attention being given to Wisconsin. Its activities in the field 

 not only give opportunity for systematic research but enable the 

 museum to greatly increase its collections in the most systematic 

 and connected manner. The most extended investigations thus far 

 carried on have been those in entomology. The staff is also called 

 upon frequently to identify specimens for the public and for other 

 museums. 



LIBRARY. The library consists of 15,204 books, pamphlets, 

 and maps, relating to natural history and anthropology, intended 

 for use of the staff primarily, but also open to the public. 



PUBLICATIONS. (i) Annual Reports; 27^ issued. (2) Bulletin 

 of the Public Museum: this series is published at irregular intervals 

 beginning in 1910. (3) Bulletin of the Wisconsin Natural History 

 Society: the museum purchases a part of the issue of this publica- 

 tion for distribution to its exchanges; 7 volumes of the new series 

 have been issued. 



ATTENDANCE. Open free to the public from 9 to 5.30, except 

 Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, when the hours 

 are 1.30 to 5. Attendance for 1909, 514,866. 



ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



The city maintains a zoological park of 10 acres, established in 

 1903, containing 2 reptiles, 103 birds, and 113 mammals. 



RACINE: 



RACINE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 



The library contains two collections of natural history specimens 

 as follows: the Blake collection of minerals, butterflies, birds, and 

 mammals; and the Dr. Hoy collection of about 600 birds and 100 

 bird nests found within a radius of 10 miles of Racine. These col- 



