REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN 



9 



best poems submitted by members were presented, and the concluding 

 meeting was given up to a poetic play by Anna Hempstead Branch. 



Reading Circle for the Blind 



The reading circle for the blind has held twenty meetings, which have 

 been addressed on subjects ranging from travel experiences in Hungary 

 and Greece, to national prohibition, early kindergarten leaders, and the 

 making of a book described by its author. At a midwinter meeting, 

 Adjutant Edwin C. Parsons of the Lafayette Escadrille and Mr. Russell 

 Tapley described their experiences in the air and ambulance service in 

 France, and outside friends were invited, who filled the hall. The mem- 

 bers of the circle were also entertained with music at the South Church 

 parlors, and at the home of Mrs. L. L. Doggett. Thirty-six persons 

 have lent their automobiles to transport the members to and from the 

 meetings; and tickets have been furnished by the Orpheus Club for its 

 concert, and by the Young Men's Christian Association for the Sunday 

 afternoon gatherings in the auditorium. 



Miscellaneous Matters 



There are many other matters deserving of report, and many acknowl- 

 edgments of gifts and service which should be made, but owing to 

 limitations of space only a few can be noted. 



The library hall has been fitted with wall screens for exhibition pur- 

 poses, and has been used far more than ever before. An extensive exhibit 

 of the library's work was installed at the Child Welfare Exposition held 

 on the ''Eastern States" grounds. 



A printed folder has been issued describing the department of music, 

 and it is gratifying to observe the increasing place which it fills in the 

 community. For example, at the Philharmonic concert under the 

 leadership of the Swedish musical director, of the twelve numbers, all 

 but one were performed with music borrowed from the library. 



Appropriate story hours have been conducted for the children from 

 time to time at the main library and the branches; and a ''Happy 

 Jack" thrift club has been formed to encourage the purchase of thrift 

 stamps. Original designs for each number of the library Bulletin were 

 made by the pupils of the junior high schools, through the kind co- 

 operation of Mr. C. Edward Newell, Supervisor of Art. 



The library and branches have continued their interest in Americani- 

 zation, Miss Ida F. Farrar of the staff serving with the Americanization 

 Committee of the Committee of Public Safety. Books to forward this 

 work have been circulated, thirty-five members of a class in naturaliza- 

 tion were given a talk at the library, and printed information about 

 the library has been furnished to be distributed to everyone making 

 application for naturalization. 



The members of the hbrary training class have enjoyed a valuable 

 college course in European history at the Central High School, and nearly 

 half of the library staff have attended a course in English literature con- 

 ducted by the Extension Department of the State Board of Education. 



