Museum of Natural History. 



Report of the Curator. 



To the Directors and Members of the City Library Association: — 



The thirteenth annual report of the Museum of Natural History is 

 hereby respectfully submitted. 



Popular Interest in the Collections. 



An index of the hold the museum has on the community is found 

 in the increase in the number of questions put to the attendants. 

 These queries relate to the specimens on exhibition and to various 

 points in natural science. People are more and more coming to the 

 building with definite purpose and in the attitude of serious study. 

 Such a habit of mind shows that the museum is succeeding in its work 

 of general education. The importance of this side of its activity must 

 always be kept in mind. Where the attention of officials is centered 

 exclusively on the collections, their excellence of material, mounting, 

 and installation — there may go a total absence of any vital influence 

 on the popular mind. While much has been done by the museum to 

 promote a general interest in the natural history of the Connecticut 

 Valley, the demands of routine details on those in charge make it 

 impossible to carry out certain promising plans now in vogue and tested 

 in other institutions of this kind. In the Brooklyn Museum of Arts 

 and Sciences, the entire time of a young woman is taken up in giving 

 informal talks to classes and groups of visitors. At Boston, much is 

 made of excursions to points of interest under the charge of competent 

 conductors. Other museums maintain children's rooms and classes 

 with excellent results. 



Some of the Activities. 



Meanwhile, with the resources at command, progress is being 

 made. Helpful relations are being maintained and strengthened with 

 the public schools and the various scientific societies of the city. 

 It is a great advantage that the Museum of Natural History is con- 

 ducted as part of the organization which includes the City Library 



