The growth of the branch libraries is quite as remarkable. The issuance of catalogues, which, it must be admitted, cost labor and money, throws open the resources of the library to those who are not expert librarians or familiar with its contents by daily association. It is of very little satisfaction to have a bank account if one does not know how large it is or is not able to draw on it. The recent departure from the usual custom of our State Library by which its contents are thrown open to every section of the state, is another innovation which will be appreciated by all, and will greatly increase the circulation of good books. The writer had the privilege of examining a state map recently on which the locations of circulating libraries were indicated by dots. It was interesting to note that in some counties it would be difficult to find space for any more dots. In doing such work the State Library becomes a blessing to hundreds of communities which could not otherwise reach a good library or enjoy its benefits. The steps necessary to be taken by clubs and schools in order to get these books, I am sure the state librarian will take great pleasure in explaining to any one who may be interested. Co-operation must be the watchword of the future between the libraries and the schools. "Hang together or hang separately," is the natural law by which we are bound. Thus hand in hand the Public Library and the Public School will work for a broader intellectuality, a deeper morality and a happier and truer citizenship. OHIO STATE LIBRARY. The Ohio State Library was founded in 1817, one year after Columbus became the seat of the State government. Previous to that time there had been discussion in regard to the need of such a library, in which to deposit the records of the state and maps, laws, documents, or journals which might be received from other states and the General Government. These had been accumulating in the various departments and the need was felt for a room in which all could be stored and systematically arranged. The General Assembly in 1816 appropriated $3,500 as a contingent fund for the Governor. In the summer of the year following, Governor Thomas Worthington, while on a visit to the eastern states for the purpose of investigating the plans of management of their various institutions, determined to invest a part of this contingent fund in the purchase of books that should form the nucleus of a State Library. In his message to the General Assembly the following year, he said: “The fund made subject to my control by the last General Assembly, besides paying the ordinary demands upon it and for articles mentioned in the resolution of the legislature of the 28th of January, 1817, has enabled me to purchase a small but valuable collection of books which are intended as the commencement of a library for the state. In the performance of this act I was guided by what I conceived the best interests of the state by placing within the reach of the representatives of the people such information as will aid them in the discharge of the important duties they are delegated to perform." The books thus purchased numbered 509 volumes, almost all of which are still in the library. The law books in the collection have been transferred to the Law Library and a few volumes have been lost. The books were placed in a room over the auditor's office in the south end of the state office building of the old State House. The General Assembly cordially approved the action of the governor, empowered him to appoint a librarian, and adopted rules for the use of the library. One of the quaint regulations, which would hardly pass muster in the modern library, made the size of the book the basis of the time for which it should be loaned. It reads as follows: "A folio [shall be returned] within three weeks, a quarto within two weeks, an octavo or duodecimo within one week." The first librarian was John L. Harper, who received $2.00 a day for his services during the session of the legislature. In 1824 the General Assembly chose a librarian, a power that it con (19) tinued to exercise till the adoption of the Constitution of 1851, which gave the governor the power to appoint this officer. For forty-five years there was no change in the method of appointment. The State Library Law of 1896 entirely changed the library commission and invested it with additional powers. Prior to that time the Governor, State Librarian, and Secretary of State were ex-officio the library commission. Under the present law the members of that board are appointed by the governor for a term of six years. They have full authority to manage STATE OFFICE BUILDING, HOME OF OHIO STATE LIBRARY. the library, elect a librarian, with the consent of the governor, and fill subordinate positions with the consent of the librarian. The law was framed to give permanence to the administration of the library and to make tenure of office dependent upon efficient service. Twenty-three different persons have held the office of State Librarian. Those serving long periods were Zachariah Mills, 1824-42, and S. G. Harbaugh, 1862-74. It will be seen that the others held office an average of less than two and one-half years each. The original purpose of the State Library has already, perhaps, been sufficiently indicated. It was intended as a depository for the records and publications of Ohio and similar documents received in exchange from other states and the General Government. The first list of books purchased in 1817 reveals a plan of wider scope, however, and includes a number of volumes of general literature which were evidently designed to bring "within the reach of the representatives of the people such information as will aid them in the discharge of important duties they are delegated to perform." Among the volumes purchased by Governor Worthington were: "Jefferson's Notes," "Clarkson's History of Sla OIHO STATE LIBRARY, INTERIOR VIEW, 1852. very," Marshall's "Washington," "Rees' Cyclopaedia," "Malthus on Population," Smith's "Wealth of Nations," "Gibbon's Rome," "Paradise Lost," "Blair's Sermons," and the Bible. It will be noticed that the State Library was open originally only to state officers and members of the General Assembly. The first regulations provided that "the librarian shall open accounts with the Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor of State, the Judges of the Supreme Court, and the members of the General Assembly and their respective clerks." The privilege of drawing books did not extend beyond |