THE RETROSPEr^T OF THE YEAR. llo 



A hook fund would be of the greatest assistance, to 

 allow the purchase of new books and the rebinding of old 

 books of value which are becoming damaged by constant 

 usage. 



A thorough examination of the library has been made, 

 and but very few^ books are missing. Of those reported 

 missing last year, tive volumes and two pamphlets have 

 been found and returned to their places. 



Owing to the constant increase of the number of vol- 

 umes of town histories and genealogies, and the general 

 interest recently awakened in them, it has become neces- 

 sary to remove the genealogies to the eastern reading 

 room, where they have been arranged and labelled that 

 they may readily be found by those not familiar with 

 them. 



This leaves shelf room in the western reading room for 

 a better arrangement of the town histories, and for the 

 completion of broken sets of the historical magazines. 



The large number of those seeking reference to the 

 directories, shows that this unique collection has a value 

 not realized when Dr. Wheatland gathered them together 

 and it is desirable that it should be made as complete as 

 possible. Members are reminded that old directories of 

 any city or town in the country are desired to increase 

 this collection. 



It is noticeable that many donations are received from 

 persons in no way identified with the Institute, showing 

 the extended and increasing interest in the Society and 

 its work. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Alice G. Waters, 

 Assistant Librarian. 



