Report of the Librarian 



The last annual report pointed out that the circulation of books 

 could hardly continue indefinitely to increase so much more rapidly 

 than the population. As if in answer to this prophecy, for the first 

 time in a long period the circulation has failed to show an increase. 

 Yet the number of books lent amounted to 1,177,794 volumes — a very 

 large figure for a city the size of Springfield. If the decrease, which 

 it is already evident is only temporary, was due to the reduction of 

 unemployment, the result is by no means to be regretted; and that 

 this was the cause is borne out by the experience of many libraries 

 elsewhere; and further, by the fact that while the circulation here fell 

 off 7%, the amount received from fines increased 7%, clearly indicat- 

 ing that the public had less leisure for reading. A corresponding de- 

 crease in the circulation of juvenile books is attributable in part to 

 the same cause, but more largely, perhaps, to the absorption of boys 

 and girls in their ''radio" outfits. At the main library the circulation 

 of fiction dropped more than that of other books, while music and books 

 relating to educational subjects gained 8% and 6% respectively. Other 

 subjects for which there has been a noteworthy demand are invest- 

 ments, insurance, and etiquette, the last due undoubtedly to extensive 

 magazine advertisements. The widespread interest since the war in 

 books and periodicals relating to investments is worthy of remark. 



To the registration file were added 6,328 new names, and 4,312 per- 

 sons were re-registered, making 37,793 reader's cards outstanding in 

 the new series, with many in the old series still to be exchanged. 



New books to the number of 20,567 volumes, of which 825 volumes 

 were gifts, were added to the library and branches. There were worn 

 out or withdrawn 15,895 volumes, leaving a net gain of only 4,672, 

 which makes the total number now in the library and branches 301,436 

 volumes. The prices of books apparently are still advancing; less 

 than 5% more volumes than last year required an expenditure nearly 

 12% greater. 



Exhibitions and Lectures. 



The library halls are used more and more. The Forum, the Council 

 of Social Agencies, the League of Women Voters, the ]\Iental Hygiene 

 Association, the Connecticut Valley Historical Societ}^, and similar 

 bodies hold open meetings of educational and civic value; the organi- 

 zations affiliated with our own Association, such as the Poetry Society, 

 the Art League, and the Garden Club, have given opportunity to hear 

 many distinguished authors, critics, and lecturers; and systematic 

 courses of well-attended scientific lectures have been conducted b}^ the 

 Museum of Natural History. A splendid exhibition of contemporary 

 American paintings was arranged by the Art League in the fall; in 

 the spring was held the exhibition of work by Connecticut valley art- 

 ists — quite the most notable yet shown; while the Poetry Society and 



