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Frank Sullivan Smith of Angelico, N. Y.; the Jewish Encylopedia, 12 volumes, from Mr and Mrs H. W. Marcus of Olean. The library reports a stock of 9907 volumes, a circulation of 58,205, a registry of 3400 borrowers, and a reading room use numbering 20,273. The total cost of operating for the year, including the purchase of new books, periodicals and bindings, was $4747, of which $1232 was for books, $1824 for salaries, $461 for heat and light, $336 for janitor's service and $890 for miscellaneous expenses. Estimating the entire cost in terms of circulation, the average cost per issue of book would be about 8 cents.

Ossining. Miss Emily Nichols, who has been librarian of the public library for the past four years and under whose administration the work of the library has expanded fully threefold, was married in June last and has resigned her position. Her assistant, Miss Almira L. LeFevre, has been tentatively chosen librarian in charge.

Ossining. Sing Sing Prison Library. The annual report submitted to the State Education Department shows a stock of 10,371 volumes. During the year 306 new books were bought, 34 were received as gifts and 457 were withdrawn. The library is under the immediate charge of the chaplain of the prison who designates certain inmates as assistants. An appropriation of $500 a year is made by the State for the purchase of books.

Palmyra. In spite of the counter attractions of the moving picture shows, the popularity of the public library shows no abatement. Last year 19,314 volumes were borrowed for home reading, 252 new borrowers were enrolled, 9188 visits were made for reading at the library and $933 was given for its support. The circulation for the year averages about nine volumes for each resident of the village, or about 45 for each household.

Patchogue. A large gain in circulation and reading room use over any preceding year is shown in the last report of the public library. The total issue of books for the year numbered 28,307 volumes, a total reached by only one other village in the State with a population similar in size. New borrowers for the year numbered 413 and 7037 visits were made to the reading room for study and reference use. The cost of operating for

the year was $1688, an average of 6 cents for each volume circulated.

Pike. The free library has been greatly encouraged and strengthened in its work by an appropriation of $150 voted at the town meeting in February last. The vote specified that of this amount, $100 was to be used for books and $50 for general expenses. The library was founded in 1908, largely through the interest and generosity of the Emersonian Club. It now has 1137 volumes, and circulated last year 1979 books and 1710 periodicals.

Port Henry. Mr Frank S. Witherbee, president of the Sherman Free Library, has donated to it his private collection of books, bound pamphlets and other data relating to the local history of Port Henry and the vicinity. As much of the material in this collection is out of print and can not be replaced, it is stipulated in the gift that it is only for the use of students and readers within the building. In making his gift, the donor expresses the hope that others in the community having books or pamphlets of local interest may add them to the collection and thus make the Sherman library a repository of all historical materials relating to the Champlain valley.

Port Jervis. The statistics of the free library for the past year tell a monotonous but encouraging story of continued and steady growth. In all the main items, such as circulation, registration, size of collection, percentage of nonfiction issued, use of reading and reference room, all past records are broken and the year's work shows high water mark. The collection now numbers 19,150 volumes. The circulation for the year was 45,759. Books most in demand, next to fiction, were those relating to history, travel, sociology, natural science, farming, poultry, mechanics and domestic science.

Randolph. The A. G. Dow Library has established a small branch for the circulation of books at the neighboring village of Kennedy.

Remsen. Traveling libraries have been supplied by the Didymus Thomas Free Library during the year to three farming communities, each located about five miles from Remsen. The total circulation for the year, including periodicals and books from the traveling libraries, was 5171, and 1994 visits

were made to the reading room for reference | brought out: The library came into being as and study.

Richfield Springs. A card party held at the library in July for the purpose of raising money for new books, netted $83.

Sidney. On October 8, 1910, the public library was moved from the school building, where it had been from the time of its formation 16 years ago, to its new quarters, especially prepared for it in the new municipal building. The change has greatly increased public interest and use, especially on the part of the adult population. Three hundred and twenty-four new borrowers have registered, and although the library was closed to the public for more than two months, on account of the changes involved, the circulation for the year exceeds by more than 2000 that of any previous year. Gifts were received during the year amounting to $367.

Sodus. The following figures for circulation of the free library for the four years it has been in operation, show how continuously and regular has been its gain in popular use and appreciation: in 1908 the circulation was 3056 volumes; in 1909, 5032 volumes; in 1910, 6385 volumes; in 1911, 8081 volumes.

Theresa. The handsome building of the free library, provided for by gift of $7500 from Mr Carnegie, was formally opened on August 17th, with ceremonies befitting the occasion. The celebration began with a public reception in the new building, in which its various features were inspected and duly admired; then followed a delightful luncheon, at which representative citizens and visitors were called upon to respond to the following toasts: "Theresa's painstaking librarian," "Things which may not be learned from books," "Free libraries versus street corners for youth," "The relation of the free library to the public school," The man of Skibo Castle," "A free library an essential part of a modern village," "Theresa's contribution to the world of letters." The speakers were aptly introduced by the Rev. W. J. Hancock, toastmaster, and the whole affair was carried off in the happiest spirit. The celebration was concluded by a more formal program in the town hall, consisting of historical and literary addresses and the formal turning over of the building to the library trustees. In the historical sketch the following facts were

the result of an offer from Mr G. L. Putnam in 1900 to give in cash $500 toward the founding of a village library provided the town by official vote would agree to maintain it. Instead of referring the matter immediately to the town, friends of the proposal organized a library association which pledged the necessary support, and the gift of Mr Putnam was made. Rooms in the town hall were given for its use, and the new library began active operation. Soon after, a measure of town support was voted. The library immediately became popular, and there was an effort in its early days to secure a Carnegie building, but this proved premature. About two years ago a legacy of $1000 was received from the late John Fayel, and the library was in such an established position that the time seemed to be ripe for another and more serious effort to secure a suitable library building. Accordingly Mr Carnegie was approached again, and after studying the situation, he made the town an offer of $7500 for a library building, on the condition that the town vote an annual appropriation of $750 for library support. The vote was taken February 24, 1910, and resulted in the acceptance of the gift and its condition by a vote of 208 for to 58 against the proposition. money from the Fayel estate was applied to the purchase of a fine and convenient lot. A large measure of the success of the library has been due to the very efficient administration of its librarian, Mrs Celia E. Whitney, to whom many well-deserved tributes were paid during the recent celebration.

The

Union Springs. A gift of 134 volumes has been received from Miss Crittenden of New York City, to be added to the collection which she had previously given in memory of her parents. Traveling libraries in groups of 50 volumes each, have been supplied during the year to the Springport Grange.

Utica. The public library has received $6576 from the Utica Art Association as a permanent fund to continue the work of that association, which has dissolved. It has also received a valuable collection of medical books, numbering 615 volumes, from the library of the late Dr Frank F. Laird, the donors being the wife and children of Dr Laird. Among its various efforts at library extension during the past year, the library

has made a serious attempt to supply good and suitable reading to the inmates of the county jail. From books which because of wear were about to be discarded from regular use, 148 volumes were selected for this purpose and deposited with the keeper, for the use of the prisoners. The experiment has failed of its full measure of success on account of difficulty in securing proper interest and supervision in the distribution of the books, but some very encouraging evidences of appreciation have been received. From the fire houses of the city, each of which is regularly supplied with traveling library collections, there is reported a circulation of 7116 volumes.

Warrensburg. The large and expensive addition which has been constructed on the rear of the library building, is nearing completion, and will be ready for use it is hoped before the first of November. The addition is the gift of Miss Clara Richards and her sister, Mrs R. C. Kellogg, the donors of the original building. Activities in the way of library publicity and extension during the past year include the following: publication of frequent book lists and book notes in the local paper; posting such lists and notes on the school bulletin board; special display of pictures, picture bulletins, lists and attractively arranged collections of books in the library reading room or hall; loaning traveling libraries from its own collection, and arranging for such loans from the State Library, for local and rural distribution; distributing Farmers' Bulletins and the Cornell reading courses for farmers' wives; preparation of a portfolio of inexpensive pictures, as suggested by the Elementary Syllabus for the use of schools; preparation of systematic reading courses and the supply of groups of books for carrying on such courses; preparation of references needed in carrying out the work of the high school along the lines of English, American and ancient history.

Washingtonville. Though the Moffat Library has been left $50,000 in the will of the late David A. Moffat of Denver and will thus be placed in a very strong position in a few years, it has for a time, owing to necessary delay in settling the estate, become dependent on the interest and generosity of the people of the village for its proper support. How strong a place in the affections of the

community the library has secured is shown by the response which was recently made to an appeal for popular contributions, the amount of $800 being almost immediately subscribed. After having received so much from the library for so many years, its patrons were evidently glad of an opportunity to help it in its temporary need. The library has a stock of 4017 books and circulated last year 6966 volumes.

Wellsville. One of the clergymen of the village has demonstrated his belief in the public benefit of an open reading room on Sunday by volunteering his personal services as librarian on Sunday afternoons. The offer has been accepted by the library trustees and the experiment of Sunday opening is being given a thorough trial. The circulation of the library for the past year shows an increase from 12,979 to 16,081 volumes, mainly by reason of the added attraction and convenience of the new building, which was opened for use just at the beginning of the year.

West Hebron. A new home for the free library has been bought for $300. Gifts were received during the year amounting to $395.

Westhampton. A legacy of $100 has been left to the free library in the will of the late Sarah M. Jessup. A new high record for circulation was reached last year, the total numbering 4302 volumes.

White Plains. By a special act of the State Legislature, the village of White Plains has been authorized to increase its annual appropriation for the public library from $3000 to $5000. The library has a collection of 11,025 volumes and an annual circulation of 60,000.

Whitehall. Growth in stock of books and in public use has necessitated the removal of the free library to larger quarters. It now occupies a five-room flat, affording ample facilities for stack room, reading rooms and librarian's work room. Last year 835 new books were added to the collection, making a present stock of 1649 volumes.

Williamsville. The first report of the free library, covering about two months of full operation, shows a collection of 1275 volumes, a registry of 149 borrowers, and a circulation of 759. The library occupies, rent free, a large handsome well-lighted room on the first floor of the beautiful new town hall. From

membership fees and subscriptions, it received for establishment and first year's expenses $963. It was chartered by the Regents in October 1910, and opened for public use April

13, 1911. The collection was carefully classified and cataloged under the supervision of Miss Webster, State library organizer.

WHAT NEW YORK STATE DOES FOR LIBRARIES

I Gives to each free library meeting Regents requirements, an annual grant of $100 for the purchase of books, on condition that an equal amount is applied from local sources for the same object.

2 Incorporates with provisional charter libraries having property to the value of $100, and grants an absolute charter where property worth $1000 is held. No fee is charged for incorporation.

3 Exempts from taxation all property of libraries used for public library purposes.

4 Sends traveling libraries to schools, clubs, granges or small communities; also to local libraries to supplement their collections.1

5 Lends pictures and lantern slides to any library which exhibits them to the public without charge.1

6 Maintains an advanced school for the instruction and training of librarians, and a summer school for elementary training; also cooperates with the State Library Association in the conduct of library institutes or round tables.

7 Assists in the selection of books: (a) by passing judgment on lists sent in for approval by individual libraries; (b) by printing annually a carefully selected list of 250

1 Temporarily restricted by reason of the recent fire.

"Best Books" of the previous year; (c) by sending to registered libraries gratuitously the A. L. A. Book List; (d) by notes and suggestions in the Quarterly bulletin; (e) by the publication of numerous bibliographies on various subjects of interest; (f) by advice given on personal visits.

8 Aids local libraries in reference work by sending from the State Library information or material on request.

9 Gives advice and assistance in planning library buildings and furnishes to library boards material on the subject.

10 Provides free of cost the services of an expert in library law in interpreting and applying the law of the State to local conditions.

II Provides for annual visits to libraries from a trained and experienced librarian for the purpose of giving advice and counsel in all matters of library economy.

12 To free libraries just organizing, or to those needing reorganization, provides free of cost the services of an expert library organizer for a period not exceeding two weeks.

13 Publishes a quarterly bulletin for the purpose of disseminating library news and promoting sound ideas in library economy.

Lib, Science

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New York Libraries

Published quarterly in the interest of the libraries of the State
by the University of the State of New York

Entered at the Post Office at Albany, N. Y. as second-class matter

ALBANY, JANUARY 1912

NO. 2

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