POWELL, OHIO, June 14, 1899. After the books once got a "start" they wore well-in short, there have been about 600 readings of the 50 volumes. GAMBIER, OHIO, April 11, 1899. All the different works were quite satisfactory. We only hope that the next shipment we receive from you may do as much good. A. C. BEGGS, Librarian Union Reading Club. * ROOTSTOWN, OHIO, September 29, 1899. We certainly enjoyed this lot of books very much. We would like another consignment at your earliest convenience. * * * M. L. STAHL, Librarian. GROVE CITY, OHIO, October 25, 1899. It gives me pleasure to note and report to you the great good the State Circulating Library is doing in this community. There has been a steadily increasing desire for reading good books since the first library came among us a year ago. Some volumes in the traveling library we now have on hand have been drawn 20 times. About 650 issues of books have been made in the past five months. * * W. C. MERRITT. Superintendent of Schools. ROOTSTOWN, OHIO, September 25, 1899. I wish to express my appreciation of the plan by which we are enabled in this small town to reap the advantages of your splendid library. The books received have been circulated in connection with our Sunday school work. * * * I wish to thank you for your evident care in sending us good, fresh books- not "back numbers" of "poor stock." * * * H. O. REED, Proprietor Maple Lawn Farm. VAN WERT, OHIO, April 3, 1899. We tried to get all the good things that the books contained, and in looking over my register, I see that there have been about 600 issues made since we received the books in November. The books were valuable in many ways, and the subject matter in general is of such high order in this assortment that I feel glad of the opportunity we have enjoyed of raising the standard of culture in this school. The benefit accruing from this venture will grow with time, and I, in behalf of my school, desire to thank you again for your kindness. JOHN I. MILLER, Clerk of Board of County School Examiners. The following correspondence relative to a library sent to North Bass Island, in Lake Erie, is of interest: ISLE ST. GEORGE, OHIO, October 17, 1899. * The business of this island (North Bass) is almost exclusively grape raising and fisheries. Now, if I could choose, I would ask for some works along those lines say two or three volumes and the remainder books of the pupils' and teachers' reading courses as prescribed by the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle good literature for pupils, ages 6 to 20. This we need very much, as we have no school library or any public library of any kind. * Early in November Mr. Tucker wrote: * * F. E. TUCKER, Teacher. After the 21st inst., we cannot depend upon transportation from Sandusky, so I am quite anxious to receive the library before that time. A little later the traveling library reached its destination as stated in the following note: * "Library came all right on boat Wednesday evening. I checked the list of books and found it correct. I am very sure it will be appreciated by the people here." One can readily imagine how eagerly these books will be read in the lake-girt isle through the long winter evenings. An interesting report is expected when this traveling library returns. While the traveling library has extended to many states, and is essentially the same in all, in details the Ohio system differs from others. It is due in part to the peculiar conditions that confronted the commissioners at the beginning of the work. The law establishing the commission carried with it the power to establish a traveling library department, but no appropriation was made for this purpose. The patronage of the State Library was then quite limited and it was found possible to make a selection of books from the shelves to furnish lists for a few traveling libraries. When books were sent beck they were returned to their places on the shelves. Books are now purchased especially for for this department, and kept in a separate room of the library but the original plan of making up the libraries was found so satisfactory that it has been continued. It has the advantage of great flexibility. Libraries can be made up to suit, in a measure, the preferences of patrons. New books can be added as they are published, and the libraries thus kept up to date. The number of books accessioned in this department is 7,138. It is still found necessary to draw from the circulating department of the general library, but this is not permitted to interfere with the proper work of that department. As the traveling library system grows, it is the policy of the State Library to make that the only department from which books circulate, while the appropriations for the general library are devoted to the purchase of books to be used for reference only. While the plan now followed has obvious advantages, it means great additional labor for the library staff. Much less time would be required to handle libraries which are kept intact. Such libraries could be made up with advantage for certain classes of patrons, granges and public schools for example. The main part of each traveling library could be kept intact, and a few volumes could be added to meet special demands and bring the library up to date in matters of current interest. It is gratifying to note the high character of the literature generally asked for in applications from traveling library patrons. In two or three instances where re quests were sent in for “25 or 30 volumes of the latest fiction," of course the order could not be filled, but the patrons consented to a compromise selection that included volumes of more substantial literature. In the selection of books we have been guided to a great extent by recognized authority. Large purchases have been made from lists recommended by the Board of Control of the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle. Many agricultural books have been selected on the approval of the lecturer of the State Grange. The calendars of Women's Clubs that were received early in the year were used as guides in purchases for that class of patrons. Catalogues and supplemental lists of other libraries have been consulted in making selections for the consideration of the Board of Library Commissioners, who pass final judgment. From the issue of the first traveling library the importance of keeping a complete and accurate record of all books issued, has been fully realized. The serial number of each traveling library, the name of the organization and the librarian to whom it was sent, postoffice address, express office, county, number of volumes, date of issue and return, have all been made matters of permanent record. Duplicate lists of books properly indexed have been kept for reference, so that a complete history of the system, including a full account of what has been issued to every patronizing organization, is constantly at hand for reference. The books sent out over the State have been, as a rule, carefully handled. The entire loss to the State has been only five volumes. It is expected that the price of these will be recovered in due time. 1900. TRAVELING LIBRARIES. The demand for traveling libraries increases steadily. From November 15, 1900, 711 of these libraries, aggregating 19,505 volumes, were sent out. They were distributed as follows: Not only has the traveling library been popular within the State, but correspondence in this office shows that what has been done in Ohio has attracted attention and favorable comment in other states. Renewed interest has been manifested in the county library system and the establishment of local traveling libraries with the county seat as a center of distribution. COLUMBUS. SUPREME COURT LAW LIBRARY: The Ohio Supreme Court Law Library is one of the best in the United States. It contains twenty thousand volumes and is open for reference to the citizens of the State. It is under the control of the Judges of the Supreme Court. The latest catalogue, published in 1901, is a useful reference book for all attorneys: This library has attained its present high standard largely through the efficient and long continued service of Frank N. Beebe, who has been librarian since July 12, 1880.. Tenure of office is dependent upon efficient service, and changes in the library staff are infrequent. The library has been moved into the new Judiciary building, where it occupies the most beautiful and commodious library quarters in the State. The law books forming a part of the State Library were taken to the rooms assigned for the use of the Supreme Court and Law Library in the present Capitol building as soon as said rooms were ready for occupancy. There is no data obtainable showing just when this change was made, but it was about 1860. At this time the number of volumes could not have exceeded a couple of thousand. In 1866, a count showed about 2,500 volumes. The Library was first in charge of the messenger of the Supreme Court, who was assigned the duty of librarian. In 1867, an act was passed providing for the appointment of a law librarian, taking effect February 9, 1867, and the positions of crier and messenger of the Supreme Court were abolished, the law librarian being made ex-officio crier of the court, said crier to furnish an assistant. For a number of years volumes added to the Law Library were taken as part of the State Library, and the State Library figures given of the number of the volumes enrolled included all those which had been set apart as the Law Library of the Supreme Court and additions thereto. This was discontinued early in the seventies, and the first record kept, showing additions to the Law Library, was made in 1873. From this time on more attention was given the subject of books, and in 1875 the library had grown to nearly four thousand volumes. In 1880, when the first catalogue was made, the library contained about seven thousand five hundred volumes. |