8 



CITY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 



readers have borrowed far more books than ever before. The total 

 circulation amounted to 924,122 volumes, an increase of 81,968 volumes 

 or 9t(t%- In addition, 92,566 pictures were lent. As would be ex- 

 pected, the reading of history, including the books on the war, gained 

 very largely — more than 50% — and at the expense of some other 

 classes of literature; 6,329 persons who had never before used the 

 library registered for cards, and 172 re-registered, making a total regis- 

 tration since 1914 of 47,509; 399 distributing agencies have been used, 

 including 366 class rooms, 10 fire engine houses, and 23 deposit stations 

 in factories, offices, Sunday schools, clubs, and other institutions; 

 8,863 volumes have been bought for the central hbrary and 3,067 

 volumes received by gift. In addition, 8,411 volumes have been bought 

 for the three branch libraries, making total accessions of 20,341 volumes; 

 4,686 volumes have been worn out or withdrawn, and the entire collec- 

 tion now comprises 244,645 volumes. 



Branch Libraries 



All of the branch libraries have been exceptionally busy. At Memorial 

 Square a large and attractive basement has been finished and fitted up 

 for children, thus relieving the crowded condition of the main floor, 

 and affording quieter and more convenient quarters for adult readers. 

 The circulation amounted to 183,748 volumes, an increase of 20,172. 

 More than 20% of the adult books lent were in foreign languages, and 

 of these, nearly half were in Yiddish; the branch is very active in the 

 work of Americanization. The Forest Park Branch circulated 152,170 

 volumes, a gain of 21,305 volumes. This is a remarkably large circula- 

 tion in proportion to the population served, and it seems doubtful 

 whether the use of this branch can greatly increase until here, too, 

 some addition to the accommodations is provided. Besides the books, 

 45,906 pictures were borrowed, the great majority by teachers and 

 school children. The Indian Orchard Branch circulated 39,144 volumes 

 which is 26% more than in any previous year. 



The Poetry Society 



A novel feature, and one of the pleasantest developments of the year, 

 was the organization of the Poetry Society of Springfield, which is 

 affiliated with the library, holding most of its meetings in the library 

 hall, in which case they are always open to the public. Large audiences 

 have thus had the pleasure of listening to Miss Amy Lowell, imagist; 

 Louis V. Ledoux, classicist; and Padraic Colum, Irish lyrist — a selection 

 which testifies to the catholicity of the society. At informal meetings, 

 the poets treated in Miss Lowell's ''Modern American Poetry" have 

 been taken up, and the discussion has been delightfully spontaneous 

 and invariably spirited. On other occasions, original verse by members 

 of the society was read, and a lecture given by Miss Mary A. Jordan of 

 the Smith College faculty on ''The Old and the New in Modern Verse," 

 while Emil K. Janser gave a talk on "Poetry and Music," illustrated 

 with songs by Mrs. F. L. Sample. A contest was held at which the 



