10 



CITY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 



Branch Libraries. 



The branch Hbraries at Forest Park, Memorial Square, and Indian 

 Orchard have all enjoyed increased patronage, more than half a million 

 of the total number of books borrowed from the library system being 

 taken through these branches. At Indian Orchard, where the growth in 

 circulation has been especially rapid, the staff has been strengthened by 

 the addition of a children's librarian. A floor covering of cork carpet has 

 decreased the noise, and improved the order in the reading rooms. At the 

 Forest Park Branch the delivery desk has been enlarged and some addi- 

 tional shelving provided, but the quarters are so crowded that further 

 expansion seems impossible. Besides 237,464 volumes circulated, 77,611 

 pictures were lent to teachers, pupils, and general readers. In the region 

 about the Memorial Square Branch the schools have been visited by the 

 children's librarian, and many children enrolled who would not other- 

 wise have used the library. There has been noted a special demand for 

 books on electricity, accounting, mechanical drawing, shop management, 

 journalism, and diet; while there, as elsewhere, it has been impossible to 

 keep up with the sudden and enormous demand for books on ''wireless." 

 At both Forest Park and Memorial Square the hours have been extended 

 by opening at 2 instead of 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and also on Satur- 

 day mornings. 



Publications. 



Owing to the cost of printing, the library has been unable to publish 

 as many special lists and bulletins as heretofore, but fortunately the need 

 is being met by the American Library Association and other organiza- 

 tions from which it is now possible to obtain admirable lists at moderate 

 expense. Besides the lists noted above as distributed in connection with 

 the work of the Wells Economic department, the library sent out 

 through the Union Rehef Association, the Visiting Nurses' Association, 

 and the Day Nurseries, some excellent pamphlets obtained from Wash- 

 ington giving simple directions for the care of the baby, the cover bear- 

 ing a notice of the many valuable books on the upbringing of children 

 which can be obtained from the library. Other lists were entitled ''Farm 

 and garden books," "Home planning," "Boys' books," "Five hundred 

 business books," a briefer list — "Business books for profit and pleasure," 

 "Useful books for the home," "Plays of today," "Books and thrift," 

 "Children's books for Christmas presents," "Hints on child training," 

 etc. In addition the library has prepared special lists for the house organs 

 of the Gilbert & Barker Company, the Milton Bradley Company, and 

 various other manufacturing companies. 



A Longer Survey. 



In noting the activities of a single year, one hardly realizes the progress 

 shown by a longer survey — a progress which has taken place not simply 

 in this institution, but in public libraries throughout the country. 

 Twenty years ago the City Library was housed in the old brick build- 

 ing covering no more ground than one of the present branches. The 

 branches consisted of a small store open three days a week at Indian 

 Orchard, and a basement room in a church open twice a week, at Forest 



