^B aD& 723 z 733 B9865 B87 1901 MAIN U. C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES 111 rar rr — ii mil mil ir ■ -fr r T" " " '^ " TURLINGTON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY WUSFfED JULY 7, i^fi.'^. m BURLINGTON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY ^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation ;hive.org/details/burlingtonfreepuOOburlrich BURLINGTON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY Historical Sketch hMJl offi cers Philip M. Crapo, President. Rev. Dr. Wm. Salter, (Ice President. John J. Fleming, Treasurer. Miss Miriam E. Carey, Secretary. Trustees W. B. Southwell. W. G. Mercer. W. W. Baldwin W. C. McArthur. Rev. Ludwio Holmes. E. Hagemann. Librarians Miss Miriam E. Carey, Librarian. Miss Lucretia D. Clapp, First Assistant Librarian. Miss Meta Buettner, Second Assistant Librarian. \LC^ SARNES-CROSev CO. ENGRAVERS AND PRINTERS j CHICAGO I ^733 BURLINGTON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY Historical Note On February 23, 1868, a meeting was called for the establishment in Burlington of a Subscriprion Li- brary, known as the Public Library. The Hon. James W. Grimes contributed five thousand dollars. Three hundred citizens took shares of stock often dol- lars each. The amount of dues entitling subscribers to draw books from the library was fixed at three dollars per annum. The library continued on this basis for nearly seventeen years, when, owing to the failure of the organization to properly supplv the needs of the community — only seventy-three subscribers having con- tributed to the support during the last year — the stock- holders resolved by vote at their annual meeting in Jan- uary, 1885, to donate the library to the city, provided a tax should be levied to sustain it as a Free Public Library. Mr. Philip M. Crapo interested himself in securing the payment of a debt against the library, the pavment of which was a condition of acceptance by the City Council. The gift was then accepted and the Free Public Library was established, installed in the Council Chamber of the City Hall on July 7, 1885. Here it grew and prospered, although laboring under many dis- advantages, until the completion of its present beautiful and commodious building, which was begun October 25, I 896, and completed for occupancy June 28, 1898. At the date of the issue of this report, December, 1899, the number of cards issued to patrons is 5,297, new series, representing the number of book takers. Books received from the old organizations were 6,420. The present number of books in the Library is 19,020. The Sections of the Code of 1897 relating to Free Public Libraries may be found under Title V., Chap- ter 4, Sections 728-732, inclusive. ENTRANCE TO ROTUNDA Report of Public Library Trustees For year ending December thirty-first nineteen hundred To the Honorable Mayor and Council of the City of Burlington : Gentlemen : - In conformity with the requirements of the Statute it becomes our duty and pleasure to report to your honorable body what success has attended our labors as Trustees of the Free Public Library during the past year. Our Public Library has had a healthy growth and successful administration from the beginning, but the past year has been the most successful in its history. The splendid foundation afforded by the gift of a fine collection of valuable books from the former organization, placed it at once in the front rank of Free Public Libraries in the State. The continuous wise selection of Trustees by your honorable body, our for- tunate selection of librarians, and your steadfast support and co-operation, have year by year increased its use- fulness and prestige, until now we do not fear com- parison with libraries of equal size and pretension anv- where in the Northwest. These are brave words, but results will justify them, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that our choice librarv and its splendid domicile have been created by our own efforts without outside help; that it is entirely free from debt and has never been a heavy burden upon our people. That it is a necessary part of our educational svstem no one can doubt who knows the keen appreciation THE MUSEUM; FROM ENTRANCE TO THE ROTUNDA and increasing interest of the hundreds of patrons who daily avail themselves of its privileges. The education of the school is necessary, but it is compulsory to a degree, and some chafe under its regime; but the edu- cation of the Public Library is voluntary ; its advantages are sought after; every patron is a thankful recipient ot its benefits, and cannot fail to become its friend and advocate. We see evidence of this growing favor every week in the year. Books are donated, pictures of public value or interest are given, and our historical room has become the depository of many rich gifts, illustrating natural history and domestic arts, which are of material value in our scheme of education. The gifts ot the past year have been so many that it would be tedious to enumerate them here. The report of the Librarian will furnish a detailed exhibit; but notable among them is the medical library of 244 volumes of the late Dr. William H. Davis, donated by his executor, L. L. Davis, and the valuable library of the late Marion Starr- Palmer, embracing 183 volumes on Social Science and kindred subjects, presented to the library by her hus- band, Luke Palmer, Esq. Such gifts as these enrich the library on special lines to an extent which we would not be able to go, with our ordinary resources, and at the same time leave a useful and lasting memorial which will awaken pleasant memories and grateful acknowl- edgments for generations to come. The routine work of the past year has been very successful and satisfactory. The number ot books taken from the library has been 54,505. But this does not include the reference books, which have been used to a greater extent than ever before. No actual count has been kept of these books, which have been in dailv use for study and research by students and especially by pupils of the public schools. It is esti- THE READING ROOM, FROM THE ROTUNDA mated that the number so in use has not been less than 6,000, thus making a total distribution of books for the year of fully 60,500 volumes. This is a gratify- ing increase over the work of the previous year, and justifies the purchase of the greater number of refer- ence books of permanent value which have been added to the library in the past twelve months. Other im- portant works of this character are greatlv needed, but as they are expensive and our resources are limited, comparatively few books of this class can be pur- chased each year. The number of readers and students at the librarv during the past year has been 30,664. This does not take into account the various classes and organizations which meet regularly in the club room, to whom the library is an almost indispensable necessity in the pros- secution of their studies. To assist the patrons of the library, and that they may become more familiar with its resources, cases have been prepared for the new books outside of the delivery desk, to which book takers have constant access, and they are cordially invited to visit the stack room in search of books on any subject in which they are interested. This privilege is greatly appreciated, especially by students. The work of compiling our dictionary catalogue under the Dewey system, is progressing rapidly and satisfactorily, under the efficient direction of Miss Carey. About twelve thousand volumes have already been classified, and the books systematically arranged in their permanent location on the shelves. This work is of inestimable value to the proper use of the library. The patrons of the library are rapidly familiarizing them- selves with the use of the system, and are surprised to find how simple and convenient it is. The child- ren especially are quick and apt in learning how to use it. THE LOAN DESK The study of geneaology, which has been attracting much attention in the libraries of the eastern states, has become increasingly noticeable here recently. We are indebted to the states of Massachusetts and New York for the gift of valuable books on this subject. We are also under many obligations to the Honorable Charles Aldrich for the gift of many rare and valuable auto- graph letters and portraits of distinguished personages. Largely through his suggestions and generosity we have been able to make a creditable collection in this line, which has been augmented by local gifts. We have received during the past year a portrait in oil of the late F. B. Jaggar, who at his decease made a valuable gift to the library, and we have the promise ot other valuable portraits of prominent Burlingtonians in the near future. It is our aim to make the library a depository of treasures of this kind. A gallery ot portraits of the men who have honored Burlington would be very attractive and would fittingly illustrate the history of the city. In our public library thev would be preserved for all time to come. We must not forget the many valuable books received from Washington, D. C, through the special effort and generosity of Hon. Thomas Hedge. We wish to repeat our thanks to our public-spirited townsman, Mr. Charles Buettner, who has prepared and arranged with great labor and care, the beautiful and valuable exhibit in our natural historv room. Our city is fortunate in having a man so capable and will- ing to give his services in developing this important feature of the public library, and who has also donated many of the rarest specimens of our fine collection. While referring to gifts we must not lose sight of the valuable contribution of services which has been so freely given by several ladies during the past vear, and who have assisted in the preparation of the 2 o o ot a u < a u S H dictionary catalogue and the marking and rearranging ot the books under the new system. The work has been greatly expedited by their assistance and there has been considerable saving in expense. To the teachers ot the public schools we \\ ish to repeat our assurance that we are ready at all times to co-operate with them in any means they may suggest that will enlarge the usefulness of the library for their pupils in the prosecution of their studies, and we will very gladly put upon our shelves any reference and text- books which may be helpful to them. We also ex- tend a most cordial welcome to the school children, and to our youth generally, to use freely every facility for their improvement afforded by the library, for we recognize the fact that among the youth our library Hnds its warmest friends and its widest field of in- fluence. Our affairs during the past year have been con- ducted with scrupulous care and economy. The ex- penditures have been §5,011.56, and out of this (after meeting all necessary expenses) we have been able to purchase 734 new books and replace 183 worn- out books, at a cost of §1,198.47. This is a better showing than the former year, and the effect has been felt to a marked degree in the patronage of the library. Still we have not been able to purchase, from our lim- ited revenues, all the reference books and scientific works necessary to give the library its greatest efficiency, and additional cases are needed in the natural history room for the protection and proper display of many valuable gifts, which have not been mounted because we have no proper place to exhibit them. We are also in great need of a typewriter. We hope at no distant day our revenues may be increased so as to more fully meet our requirements, and in the mean- time we propose to keep our expenditures strictly THE READING ROOM within the limit of our appropriation, as we have always done. It will be absolutely necessary for the continuance of the work of the library, that your hon- orable body shall make the same lew for library pur- poses in 1 90 1 as during the previous year, viz: one mill for maintenance and one-half mill for building purposes. Owing to the gradual reduction of as- sessed valuations and the change in the per cent, of such values for purposes of taxation, a levy of one and one-half mills realizes only a small amount in excess of the proceeds of a mill levy a few years ago. With the necessary additional expenses incident to the occu- pation of our new library building, the present levy of one and one-half mills, does not leave us as much money for the purchase of books as we had under the one mill levy in our old quarters in the council chamber. It probably is not necessary for us to discuss this matter as vou have been hampered from the same cause in all departments of the city's affairs. During the coming year we are to be honored for the first time by the presence of the annual meeting of the State Library Association, and the State Library Commission. This will be an important meeting as there will be a large representation from all over the state, and celebrities in library work from other states, east and west, will doubtless be here. We have a high reputation to sustain. All things considered, we do not yield precedence to any library in the state. We must endeavor to sustain our excellent reputation and make our claims good. With your assistance and the support of the good people of Burlington, we will endeavor to do it. We desire to express our fill! ap- preciation of the cordial and effective manner in which your honorable body has seconded all our efforts to suc- cessfully administer the affairs of our Free Public Library. We feel that you are fairly entitled to a share of the credit tor whatever we may have accomplished. Respectfully submitted, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, By Philip M. Crapo, President. THE REFERENCE ROOM Librarian's Report From yanuar'j first, nineteen hundred, to December thirty-first, nineteen hundred To the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library: Gentlemen: — I have the honor to submit to you the fourteenth annual report of the BurUngton Free Public Library, covering the period from January I, 1900, to December 31,1 900, inclusive, together with a state- ment of the present condition of the library in its various departments. At the close of the last report there were in the library 17,720 volumes. In the past year 1,340 have been added by purchase and donation — 734 by purchase and 606 by donation. Greater results have been obtained than ever before as the tollowing report will show. During the year 1900 the building was open to the public three hundred and six days from nine A. M. until six P. M.; one hundred and fifty- one evenings from seven until nine; 54,184 books and periodicals were issued for home use. Classified as follows : History and Biography 3>434 Voyages and Travel i ,445 Miscellaneous i ,690 Fiction ; 29,756 Juvenile 11 ,930 German 1,619 Science 2»573 THE LECTURE ROOM Periodicals i ,692 Swedish 45 Total 54> ' ^4 Monthly average 4>545 This, with the books used in the reference room, makes a showing of over 60,000 books; more than we have ever circulated before. The circulation per month was: January 5.3 5° February 5> ' 3° March 6,440 April 4. 5 • o May 3,825 June 3,893 July 3.779 August 4.075 September 3,620 October 4, 1 80 November 4i7°S December 4,677 Total 54. 1 84 There were 917 books purchased; 183 of these were to replace those worn out; 606 donated; 479 rebound; 97 magazines bound. Thirty thousand one hundred and twenty-seven persons were counted in the reading room, and 3,298 in the evenings. This is not a correct statement as it is impossible to keep a record of all persons visiting the library. Five hundred and sixty-three cards were issued to new book borrowers, making the present number 5,297 of the second series. VIEW OF THE ART WINDOW IN STACK ROOM: SUBJECT, HYPATIA Monev was taken in as follows: From Fines $ 59 80 Lost Cards 16 20 Catalogues Sold 33 50 Paid to Treasurer $'09 5° Incidental expenses $ 63 92 DONATIONS IN 1900. BOOKS Mrs. Starr-Palmer 183 Dr. W. H. Davis 244 Mr. Frank Churchill 8 Rev. Dr. Salter, 6 pamphlets, I booklet. ... 8 Miss Carey 5 Mr. Crapo 15 Henry Wood I F. H. Dougal I Mrs. Hearst I Hon. Thomas Hedge 13 Am. Union League i Allen-Lane Pub I Mr. Charles Willner 4 James Love I Ronbroke Press i J. Farmer I E. S. Balch I W. Hagerty 2 Miss David 3 Max Poppe 1 Charles Buettner 3 T. W. Balch 2 Electric Fire Proof Co 1 Sons Revolution, Mo i Mr. Luke Palmer 8 BOOKS Lippincott Co I John Dillon i State Library, N. Y 2 Hon. Charles Aldrich 1 Cooksey Publishing Co 2 Secretary State of Iowa I Rev. Father Mackin 7 Hon. Frederick Stearns, Detroit 3 August Ende . I Secretary Commonwealth, Mass 7 J. Goodwin I A. D. Cromwell i Mrs. Thalmeier, bound magazines, volumes . 3 2 Iowa General Assembly 2 Mr. George Frazee, pamphlet i Government Documents, Washington 32 Mrs. Gear — Portrait, Senator Gear. Mrs. F. B. Jaggar — Portrait, Mr. Jaggar. Mrs. D. W. Peasley — Cabinent of Specimens from Yellowstone Park. Mr. Frank Churchill — Box of Minerals; Two Mexican Water Bottles; Progress, 7 numbers, un- bound; Valley of the Mississippi, iz numbers. Mr. Crapo has added numerous beautiful attractions to the museum; also pictures, many valuable casts and statuary. We are also indebted to Dr. Salter, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Charles Aldrich, of Des Moines, Mr. Hedge, Miss Derby, Mrs. Waldschmidt, Mrs. G. Potter and others for autographs and autograph letters. We have now a fine collection, filling some thirty-three drawers of our cabinet. EXPENSES FOR 1900. Incidental expenses . $ 5:53 14 Books ■ > ' 94 47 Magazines 107 97 Binding 298 87 Printing 1 6 00 Fixtures 710 54 Salaries. 2,19; 00 Total SS.055 99 CLARA S. WILSON, Librarian.