Report of the Librarian 



The library has served more people and circulated more books than 

 in any previous year. A decrease in circulation caused by the preva- 

 lence of infantile paralysis was more than made up during the winter 

 and spring, when the volume of work was more than ten per cent, 

 greater than a year ago. The home use of books for twelve months 

 amounted to 842,154 volumes, an increase of 28,233 volumes. The 

 statistics of the main library show that of the books borrowed, fiction 

 constituted little more than half, or 53%; and the removal of the re- 

 striction on the number of volumes of fiction to be borrowed at one 

 time has raised the proportion circulated only about one-half of one 

 per cent. The classes of books for adults showing the largest increases 

 in circulation were history, 15%; and useful arts, including books on 

 business, trades, and manufactures, 10%. The circulation of periodi- 

 cals diminished — indicating, perhaps, a keener interest in the daily 

 papers. Most noteworthy is the increase in the number of pictures 

 drawn from the picture collections. Two years ago 40,296 pictures 

 were borrowed; a year later, 59,872; and last year, 90,381. These 

 pictures are used by writers, illustrators, lecturers, designers, news- 

 papers, schools, and study clubs; at the Forest Park Branch Library, 

 where nearly a third of the circulation occurred, the children were 

 encouraged to borrow good pictures with the object of improving their 

 taste. 



Books have been distributed through 355 agencies, comprising the 

 three branch libraries, 314 schoolrooms, 10 fire-engine houses, and 28 

 miscellaneous deposit stations — including new deposit stations at the 

 Armenian Club, the Hebrew Progressive Carpenter's Club, The Home 

 Helper's League, the Knights of Columbus Society, the Western 

 Union Telegraph Co., and the boys' and the men's departments of the 

 Young Men's Christian Association. 



There are 41,008 persons holding reader's cards, listed in the register 

 begun three years ago; 6,685 readers who had never previously used 

 the library have taken out cards in the past twelve months. To the 

 main Hbrary, 12,521 volumes, 843 of which were gifts, have been added; 

 and 7,493 volumes to the three branch libraries. The entire collection 

 now comprises 228,990 volumes. 



Lists and Publications 



As usual, the library has made efforts to bring its resources to the 

 attention of the public. Notes of its activities have been generously 

 published by the newspapers and printed from month to month in the 

 library bulletin. Special lists were printed entitled Are you Interested 

 in Automobiles?", "Some Books on Gardens", "Embroidery", "The 

 Vegetable Garden", "For Makers of Christmas Gifts", a supplement 

 to "Aids in Drawing and Design", "Music for Beginners", "Home 

 Books", "How to Appreciate Music", "Pen Drawing", "Dog Stories 

 and a circular in Yiddish; other lists distributed included "Books for 



