Report of the Librarian 



For twenty-three consecutive years the patronage of the library and 

 circulation of books have been larger each year than in the preceding 

 year. Thus, the number of books lent during the twelve months past was 

 greater by 78,525 volumes than ever before, and the total circulation for 

 the year amounted to 1,268,516 volumes. It seems doubtful whether this 

 rate of increase can be maintained indefinitely, at least without a cor- 

 responding increase in income, although the limit of the library's useful- 

 ness has by no means been reached. The most significant feature the 

 past year, observed at all the branches as well as at the main library, is 

 that the larger patronage came chiefly from adults rather than children. 

 The classes of books showing the largest gain in use were music, bi- 

 ography, rehgion, fine arts, and education, in the order named. 



On May 1, 1921 a new registration of card holders was begun. Since 

 that date, 20,421 card holders have been reregistered, and 6,732 new 

 cards issued, a total of 27,153. Owing to pressure of work, only a portion 

 of the old cards could be reregistered as presented; and of the 46,000 

 old cards still outstanding, it is impossible to say how many are in active 

 use — perhaps an estimate of a little more than one half would not be far 

 wrong. If so, this would indicate that some 40% of the population are 

 users of the library. Although this is a relatively large enrollment, it in- 

 dicates now much wider a sphere the library may still hope to occupy. 



There were added to the collection during the year 19,949 volumes, of 

 which 1,106 were gifts. There were worn out or withdrawn 7,985, leaving 

 a net gain of 11,964 volumes, which makes the total number now in the 

 main hbrary and branches 296,764 volumes. 



The David A. Wells Economic Library. 



The endowment bequeathed by the late David A. Wells has enabled 

 the library to build up an excellent department comprising ''economic, 

 fiscal, and social science subjects." No attempt has been made to 

 gather the source material useful only to the research worker, but an 

 exceptionally comprehensive collection of books for the ordinary student 

 or the general reader will be found. This section includes more than 

 20,000 volumes, some 600 having been added the past year. Among the 

 accessions were Moody's Investors' Service and the Prentice Hall Business 

 Information Service. Attention was called to these expensive publica- 

 tions in the library bulletin and by notices sent to the Chamber of Com- 

 merce with the result that they are much consulted. 



Among the activities of the department was the preparation of a list 

 of material on zoning, distributed to members of the City Planning Board 

 and others concerned with the subject; a list of recent treatises on police 

 systems and police work, which was furnished to members of the Police 

 Committee; a list of books for bankers, mailed to the local banks with a 



