oznn i osqq r c tqu* • • • • • • < 1 □ □» ^routal Report of tlie (Earneab 3i«Wtc ICtbrartr af ©tiafua QJanafcu Jfotr the ^car 1916 □ Be IrojfaCm l i □ HIDE? i > . > Twelfth Annual Report of the Carnegie Public Library of Ottawa For the Year 1916 THtll0W*VOFTH* AUG, I' 1? C 2 • a » <• • • a $ v, / ?/ X CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY. BOARD, 1916. MR. W. G. BLACK. MR. P. M. COTE, (Chairman). MR. J. E. DOYLE. MR. S. McCLENAGHAN. HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR. DR. J. H. PUTMAN. MR. J. R. REID. MR. R. A. SPROULE. DR. R. E. VALIN. MR. W. J. SYKES, (Librarian and Seqy-Treasurer) X 0 (3) 524640 Librarian Mr. W. J. Sykes. STAFF, 1916. Cataloguer Miss A. A. Masson. Children’s Librarian Miss M. Solomon. Reference Librarian Mr. A. E. Proulx. Chief Circulating Dept . Miss S. E. Drysdale. Librarian’ s Secretary Miss A. Holzman. Assistants. Mrs. U. Cusson. Miss G. Major. Miss G. Arbique. (Resigned Feb. 1916). Miss M. E. Jolicoeur. Miss K. Holmden. Miss J. Sproule, (Resigned August, 1916). Miss A. M. McElroy. (Resigned November, 1916). Miss B. McMeekin. Miss A. Roy. (Appointed March, 1916). Miss B. McGregor, (Appointed September, 1916) New Edinburgh Branch Mr. M. Macdonald. Ottawa South Branch Miss E. J. Fairbairn, West End Branch Miss M. Garner, ( 4 ) Miss K. Murphy. CIRCULATION During the year 1916 the Ottawa Public Library in spite of con- ditions adverse to growth has made a slight advance. The total number of books lent out was 246,810 including 1,485 mounted pictures — a figure 2,018 in excess of the total for 1915. The Central Library was not used by either as many adults or children as in the preceding year. The figures as to books lent out are: adults in 1916, 171,921 as against 175,835 for 1915; children, in 1916, 35,563 as against 36,513 for 1915. And yet, both in the case of children and adults, there were more non-fiction books lent out in 1916 than in 1915 ; the gain in the case of adults being 1,224 books, and in the case of children being 1,426. In view of this, it is a question if the apparent decline in circulation at the Central Library is not a real advance. Why has our good rate of progress of 1915 been checked? We think chiefly because of changes in population resulting from the War and because of the appearance of an unusually large number of cases of measles in the city during nine months of the year, which led scores of families for a time to cease using the Library. Many young men formerly card holders are now on active service, and many families have moved out of the city. Of course a number of people have come here lately, but newcomers do not at once, as a rule, become library borrowers. If however, there has been a slight falling off at the Central Library, it has been a little more than compensated for by growth of branches and other agencies of circulation. In the West End Branch the number of books lent rose from 12,826 in 1915 to 15,647 in 1916; while the number of readers in the reading room rose from 19,636 in 1915 to 27,250 in 1916. In Ottawa South a similar increase is reported. In 1915 the number of books lent was 5,582 while in 1916 the number was 6,687. In New Edinburgh Branch there was a decrease of 147. There was a great increase in the number of books lent through the Public Schools: 12,437 in 1916, as against 9,334 in 1915. FICTION vs. NON-FICTION The tendency toward a lower percentage of fiction borrowed by the public noticed in the annual reports some years ago is being maintained. According to our report for 1914 the books of fiction loaned in that year made 71.6% of the total issue; for the past year the percentage of fiction drops to 68.7% of the total, not including books loaned through the schools, where the percentage would likely be much lower. This agrees with the fact already noted — that at the Central Library, while there was a decline in the total number of books issued during the year, there was an increase in the number of non-fiction books lent, both to adults and children. FICTION PAY SHELF In the autumn of 1916 it was decided to establish a pay-shelf of fiction; this means a shelf of new novels for the loan of which we charge one cent a day, with a minimum charge of five cents. No books would be put on this shelf that were not already in the free lending collection. But if a borrower found difficulty in getting the free copy of a new popular novel, i.e., if he did not wish to wait until it was returned to the Library, he could pay five cents and get the book from the pay shelf. For example, we put three copies of “Mr. Britling Sees It Through” among the free novels and six on the pay shelf. All the volumes were in great demand. The free copies were no sooner returned than they went out again; hence perhaps two hundred people who were willing to pay five cents or more to read the book availed themselves of the opportunity through the pay shelf. As to cost, the pay shelf promises to carry itself. It enables us to satisfy a legitimate demand of our borrowers without our spending a disproportionate amount of our book fund on fiction. In selecting we exercise the same care as with the free collection. In fact we confine ourselves to getting extra copies of those novels that are likely to be in greatest demand. ( 6 ) NUMBER OF VOLUMES IN THE LIBRARY The number of volumes catalogued in 1916 was 4,490, distributed as follows: West End Branch 439 Central Reference 254 Central Juvenile 706 Central Adult Circulating 3,091 4,490 Stocktaking resulted in 1,018 books being written off as lost, destroyed, worn out, etc., a slightly larger number than in 1915. As against this over a hundred volumes were recovered that had previously been written off as lost. It is estimated that at the end of the year the library contained 56,040 volumes. LOST BOOKS RECOVERED In two instances a number of books that had been stolen from the Library were recovered, and in one case the culprit was severely pun- ished. In all, over one hundred volumes, formerly marked as lost on our records, were again placed on our shelves. When the city offers to supply books free to all residents, it must be a man indeed void of all sense of honor or decency who would steal what he is given every facility to use honestly. The laws are strict in regard to such offences, and in justice to our reading citizens we shall not deal slackly with such cases. LECTURE ROOMS The Lecture Rooms of the Public Library were largely used during the past year by societies of an educational nature or such as aim at general civic or social betterment. Among the organizations meeting here regularly are the Anti-Tuberculosis Society, Circle des Annales, Horticultural Society, Civic Improvement League, Humane Society, Drama League, Astronomical Society, Arts and Letters Club, and the Medical and Chirurgical Society; as well as various committees con- nected with the local hospitals and with war work. ( 7 ) Under the auspices of the Arts and Letters Club an excellent series of public addresses was given which really made it superfluous for the Library to organize an independent course of lectures. A NEW BRANCH Through the kindness of the Public School Board, an unused class- room in the Hopewell Ave. School was in November last placed at the disposal of the Library Board for a reading room and branch. This offer was gratefully accepted and orders were given for the necessary equip- ment. It was the middle of January before the formal opening took place. The room is well suited for a branch library, is neatly furnished and equipped with a stock of books and periodicals, which though not as large as could be wished will be steadily increased. The district had already shown by its use of the collection of books formerly placed there that it appreciates library privileges. There is every ground for satisfaction with the opening of this branch as a distinctly forward move in the library situation in Ottawa. EARLY CLOSING IN THE SUMMER During July and August the Library was closed on Saturday at 6.00 p.m. This idea was suggested by the action of a large American library and supported by the practice of many up-to-date business houses. During these months many people go out of town on Saturday afternoon, and employees are generally free from office duties. Though the circulation was not so large as it was in July and August, 1915, when the closing hour was 9.30 p.m., no word of complaint reached the Librarian, and the step seemed to be generally approved of by the reading public. PUBLICITY Every week lists of the new books catalogued have been put up on the bulletin board in the lobby ; sometimes these lists appeared in the city papers, although of late owing to the abundance of telegraphic news, information as to new books received at the Public Library has been crowded out of their columns. - In May was published a pamphlet containing a classified list of French books recently received; at the end of December a similar pam- phlet was published covering the English books offered to the public from ( 8 ) September 15th to December 15th. Besides these we printed or mimeo- graphed selected lists of books on the Great War, Shakespeare, Greek Literature Life and Thought, and Recent Books on History. CHANGES IN STAFF During the year there have been several changes in the staff. In February, Miss Georgette Arbique, now Mrs. H. Marier, who had been for years a capable and obliging assistant resigned. Later in the year Miss Jessie Sproule and Miss Annie McElroy resigned to accept more lucrative positions in the Civil Service. Miss Bessie McGregor and Miss Aline Roy have been added to the staff. Salaries have been somewhat increased, in view of the higher cost' of living and of the wages offered by newly organized branches of the Civil Service. NEEDS AND PROGRESS In the report of 1913 three needs of the Library were emphasized: 1. Two new branches, 2. Enlarged reading rooms for the Central Library, 3. Larger appropriation for books. It is now time to report progress. Owing to the liberal action of the Public School Board one of the branches desired, the one in Ottawa South, has been opened. As to enlarging the reading rooms in the Central Library, this need is as acute as ever, and yet we seem no nearer to satisfying it than three years ago. It would probably require $20,000.00 to enlarge the building adequately, and there does not appear to be any likely source from which this sum may be obtained. As to the third point, larger appropriation for books, some progress has been made; the expenditure of books has increased from $2954 in 1913 to $4264 in 1916. But considering the demand of the branches as well as of the Central Library, and the amount that we should spend ^ach year on French books, the sum is still far too small. ( 9 ) AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR STATISTICS Annual report for year ended December 31, 1916. Carnegie Public Library. Librarian, W. J. Sykes. City of Ottawa, Canada. Population served: 100561. Terms of use — Free for lending; free for reference. Total number of agencies: — Consisting of — Central Library. 1 Branch. 2 Deposit Stations. Other agencies : 60 school room packages. 1 University package. Number of days open during year (Central Library) 329 Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) 72 Hours open each week for reading (Central Library) 75 Total number of Staff 18 Total valuation of Library property $195,000.00 Number of volumes at beginning of year 52,264 Number of volumes added during year by purchase 4,310 Number of valumes added during year by gift 180 Number of volumes recovered that were lost 304 Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year 1,018 Total number at end of year 56,040 Total number of volumes lent for home use: Adult 211,247 Juvenile 35,563 246,810 Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use 160,064 Number of prints lent for home use 1,485 Number of publications issued 3 Number of borrowers registered during year 2,606 Total number of registered borrowers 16,333 Registration period 3 years Number of periodicals currently received 249 Number of persons using library for reading and study 151,255 ( 10 ) FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR 1916 REVENUE Revenue from City Hall, % Mill $26,096.00 Fines 1,207.93 Government Grant, Central Library 260.00 Government Grant, West End Branch 139.43 Surplus, 1915 369.43' $28,072.79 EXPENDITURE Interest, Library Account $ 204.21 Interest and sinking fund on debenture for $7,000.00, issued for structural alterations 540.00 Interest and sinking fund on debentures issued to buy books before 1912 3,694.00 Water Rates and Local Improvements 826.63 Salaries and Extra Assistance: Staff $12,044.67 Caretaker 1,062.70 Extra Asst. 351.53 13,458.90 Binding 244.31 Books 4,264.24 Periodicals _■ 722.30 Printing 103.15 Caretaker’s Supplies 96.45 Furniture 302.55 Heating 709.45 Insurance _ 18.40 Lighting 310.58 Miscellaneous : Awnings 37.00 Bell Telephone 99.50 Binders for Magazines 13.25 Boards for Stairs 6.71 Capital Transfer 4.75 Cheese Cloth and Towels 9.02 Cleaning Windows ' 23.60 E. B. Eddy, paper 9.00 Fire Extinguishers 36.00 Framing Portraits, etc. 8.00 Operating Lantern 5.00 Steel Mat 14.00 Vacuum Cleaner 37.80 Librarian, travelling expenses O.L.A. & A.L.A. meetings 69.75 Miscellaneous items 25.57 399.35 ( 11 ) Petty Cash Items: Binding 9.00 Cab for changing school parcels 5.70 Carfare 37.00 Customs 5.62 Express and Freight 49.79 Customs broker 10.52 P. H. McGuire, collecting overdue books 16.50 Trees 1 4.00 Postal Notes for Books 13.64 Water 6.25 Miscellaneous items 21.61 179.63 Rent, Branch 360.00 Repairs 305.27 Stationery ^ , 449.34 $27,188.76 Balance in Bank 884.03 $28,072.79 Audited April 23rd, 1917. W. H. CLUFF. Non-Fiction 5574 5979 7049 5887 5527 4810 4448 4882 4694 5971 6786 5886 67493 Fiction 14260 14094 15942 13487 13833 12436 11858 12366* 11843 12758 13914 13273 160064 Schools 1858 1828 1109 557 439 926 2548 1978 1194 12437 U5H 05 OO CO as co P-i in *3 § o .3 *-> N 3 ci 3 5x0 O cZ tH O O Tfi 03 cd cd oo LO 03 OO 00 00 LO OHM C5HCO CO o O 03 03 OO CO ZD CO CO CO Tf O o OS OO ^ O CO CO ”01 OS LO LO 03 CO 03 03 CO 03 CO co as 00 CO ^ooo tJH LO CO CO OS how O 00 o OS OS CO 03 OO HCOI> 00 OS 00 03 03 CO 05 O 03 O CO ^ OO OO OO 03 CO o LO 05 00 O CO OO H 03 CO o O00H CO OO LO O CO 03 o laiao (T) CO 1—1 fa 03 "'f 03 CO 05 OO 00 tH CO CO 1— f £ +-> bX} § U o3 £ fa S CD 03 LO 05 OO 00 03 r- rjH 05 -pH 00 CO LO CO t>* CO 03 CO tH 05 LO CO LO 05 H LO 00 03 O CO 05 CO C— 03 03 tH OOOH LO CD LO OO 03 05 tJH t*i 00 CD H 00 CO fcsH CD LO << HH tH LO CO O O LO O CO CD 03 05 H O LO CO LO O OO 05 03 O LO i—l LOOO CO tH CD CO 00 H c- 03 r- OO OO CO LO O 03 rH 03 o 03 00 CO jn O LO 00 fa rt 03 05 00 £ ^LOH ur tH CD 03 “ _J .s cj r* S3 S3 O — , January 116 275 391 154 356 510 330 776 148 1254 2155 February 102 281 383 129 324 453 381 816 155 1352 2188 March 109 294 403 180 415 595 643 1063 176 1882 2880 April 96 284 380 135 411 546 476 866 140 1482 2408 May 73 277 350 124 361 485 417 758 91 1266 2101 June _ 72 255 327 144 376 520 293 719 121 1133 1980 July 75 266 341 159 396 555 . 282 711 94 1087 1983 August 79 251 330 189 426 615 281 737 93 1111 2056 September — 83 268 351 175 400 575 251 ■682 97 1030 1956 October 96 301 397 243 418 661 312 730 125 1167 2225 November 139 358 497 288 450 738 420 879 121 1420 2655 December 110 295 405 131 303 434 469 884 110 1463 2302 Totals 1150 3405 4555 2051 4636 6687 4555 9621 1471 15647 26889 READERS IN READING ROOMS, 1916. Juvenile Room January 4468 February 4768 March 5880 April 4883 May 3904 June 3658 July 3218 August 2823 September 3282 October 4282 November 5629 December 4657 51452 Reading Reference West End Room Room Branch Totals 4663 2332 2288 13751 4951 1787 2261 13767 5468 2212 2841 16101 4472 1533 2359 13247 4502 1480 2277 12163 4265 1092 2013 11028 3883 812 1788 9701 4344 847 1904 9918 4391 1193 1963 10829 4538 1471 2153 12444 4581 1731 2753 14694 4178 1827 2650 13312 54236 18317 27250 151255 (14) I GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY, 1916 Ames, Mrs. E. x Numbers of the American Machinist Magazine. Argentine Commission lv. Ashmead, H. A., Toronto lv. Belcourt, Hon. N. A 2 pamphlets. Bellini G., New York 2 pamphlets. Borden, Sir R. 5v. Bronson, Frank 7v. Brotherton, M. C. lv. Burton, C. M., Detroit lv. Canadian Bank of Commerce lv. Canadian Peat Society Complete Series of Journal. Caproni & Brother, Boston lv. Carman, F. A. 2 pamphlets. Carnegie Endowmen for International Peace, Washington lv. Carnegie Foundation for the Advance- of Teaching, New York lv. Cauchon, Noulan 4v. and 25 magazines. Chamberland, Le Pere C. A. lv. Civil Service Commission 2 directories. Com. of Conservation 2v. Datta, Roby, Calcutta 2v. Duff, Judge lv. Fawzon, A. 2v. Geological Survey Many volumes and pamphlets. Greez, A lv. Goodhue, Mrs. Numbers of the Geographic Magazine. Goor, M. 3v. Gowling, M. lv. Grant, Sir James 58 nos. of Medical Journal and 1 painting, framed. Hammond, G. T., Brooklyn 1 pamphlet. Benry Bergh Foundation, Columbia University 1 pamphlet. Hispanic Society of America, New York 13 pamphlets. Hodgins, G. S., New York 1 pamphlet. Hotel Red Book of Canada lv. James, Harry 5v. Lighthall, W. D., Montreal 1 1 pamphlet. Lyon, Miss L. 3v. Machado, Mrs. J. A Many volumes and magazines. Magrath, Capt. C. B., England lv. , Mason, Mrs. F. 2v. Michigan Historical Society, Lansing, Mich. lv. Montigny, L. de lv. ( 15 ) Morton, Mrs. H. W. St. Joseph, Mo Municipal Ref. Library of Chicago National Foreign Trade Council, New York National Tax Association.^ New York, Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, Dept, of Education of the City of Niagara Historical Society North Aliwal, South Africa O'Connor, E. G., Montreal Oxford Univ. Press, Toronto Sir Joseph Pope, Under Secretary of State Post Office Dept., Secretary Rand McNally & Co., Chicago Robinson, C. B. Rockefeller, J. D. Jr., New York Scott, D. C. Scott, Miss ^ Simpson, L. H. Stewart, S. Thorburn, Mrs. J. Torrance, Dr. Van Veen, F. : Vetlesen, T. F. C. Venn, A. E. Williamson, C. C., New York Women's Alliance, Aylmer Carnegie Institution of Washington Smithsonian Institution, Washington. _ University of Illinois, Agricultural Experiment Station Govt, of Australia Govt, of Barbadoes Govt, of British Guiana Govt, of Dominion of Canada Govt, of India Govt, of Japan Govt, of Leeward Islands Govt, of New Zeeland Govt, of Philippine Islands Govt, of Provinces of the Dominion of Canada Govt, of South Africa Govt, of United States lv. lv. lv. pamphlets. lv. lv. 2 pamphlets. Subs, to magazine. 2v. lv. 25v. 2v. lv. 3v. 1 pamphlet. Many volumes. Many volumes. Magazines. lv. 2v. and maps. 16 v. lv. 2v. pamphlets. 4v. 1 year’s subs, to magazine. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. ( 16 ) The Dadson-Merrill Press, Limited Ottawa H n Thirteenth Annual Report of the Carnegie Public Library of Ottawa For the Year 1917 n it Ottawa Printing Company, Limited ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY T? VER since the Ottawa Public Library tried ^ to live within its income without borrowing, it has not had enough money yearly for its book fund. It probably needs a larger book fund pro- portionally to the population it serves than any other Library in the Province, (because it ought to furnish a good collection of books in both French and English), and yet it has relatively one of the smallest — $3,000 a year should be added to it. In several cities of the Northern United States, notably in Springfield, Mass., and Grand Rapids, Mich., the Public Library has received substantial gifts from citizens, the proceeds of which, for the most part, are applied to the pur- chase of books. It is suggested that an effort be made to build up an endowment fund for the Public Library of Ottawa; that public-spirited citizens who believe in education be asked to consider, either now or when drawing their wills, the question of a gift to the Board of the Carnegie Public Library of Ottawa, specifying that the proceeds be used to augment the book fund. inn MEMBERS OF THE LIBRARY BOARD, 1917 + •* •b Appointed by the City Council : W. G. Black, S. McClenaghan, Dr. R. E. Valin. Appointed by the Public School Board : Dr. J. H. Putman, J. R. Reid, R. A. Sproule. Appointed by the Separate School Board : Dr. J. K. Foran, E. J. Lemaire. Ex-officio : His Worship The Mayor. Chairman : Stewart McClenaghan. Librarian : W. J. Sykes. CIRCULATION AND EXPANSION The year 1917 has, for the Ottawa Public Library, been one of progress and expansion. The total circulation of books was 249,422, a gain of 9,428 over last year. This, with the circulation of magazines, and mounted prints chiefly used in schools, brings the total well over the quarter million. The circulation at the Central Library is about stationary, the Juvenile Department showing a gain of 4,498 and the adult a loss of 4,885. Ottawa South and West End Branches both showed large gains; New Edinburgh a gain of about 360, and the school libraries a gain of over 1,400. Somewhat similar figures for several years indicate that the Ottawa Public Library must look for its growth to new branches and deposit stations. Several new agencies were opened during the past year. In our last report we were able to record the opening of a new branch in Hopewell Avenue School, Ottawa South, which, however, was not available to the public till the middle of January, 1917. In the autumn a collection of books was placed in Cambridge St. School to be loaned to the citizens in that neighborhood. The work of looking after this collection has been kindly undertaken by Principal Denny and his staff, and during the last three months of the year a fair number of books has been loaned. Again, in Ottawa East Town Hall, a deposit station was opened toward the end of October. This part of the city has for sometime been asking for library privileges, and judging from the enthusiasm of the meeting on the opening night, library work should prosper there. Still another collection of books, chiefly French, has been placed in St. Anne’s Parish Hall in charge of le Cercle Social. The recorded number of people using the various reading rooms was 188,049, a gain of 36,794 over the previous year. This large gain was in a great part due to the new reading room opened in Ottawa South. NEW BUILDING FOR BRANCH The Carnegie Corporation of New York has given the City $15,000 for a new building for the West End Branch. Five years ago this branch was started in a rented shop. Its growth has been steady and rapid, and for the last year or two, the small room has often been unable to accommodate those who wished to use it. 4 On the request of the Library Board, the Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, made application to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for funds for a new building. The application was granted, the site procured, and the architect’s plans prepared. Owing to some delays it was impossible to begin in the autumn of 1917, but before next winter we hope to be in the new building which, judging from the plans, will be an ornament to the district and will afford ample Library accommo- dation for the suburb for years to come. LIBRARY NEEDS 1. There is no doubt that we need a larger reading room in the Central Library. The room now used holds only eight tables, at each of which not more than four people may sit. A room to hold one hundred readers would not at all be too large for the Central Library during the winter months. Modern library buildings in towns much smaller th^n Ottawa have far larger reading rooms. 2. We need a new branch with a good stock of French books and periodicals, as well as English, in the north-eastern part of the city. But here it must be noted that even if we were now given a branch fully equipped and stocked with books and periodicals, we could not administer it on our present income. The annual . cost of administration, books, and periodicals for such a branch would be at first between $2,500 and $3,000. 3. We need a larger book fund. Ottawa, more than most other libraries in Ontario, needs a generous provision for books; because it ought to supply its readers with the best books in both French and English, a requirement which obviously demands more funds than are needed by a library which buys books in one language only. These three needs all mean the need of a larger revenue. The revenue at present is made up of a library rate of 34 mill (fixed by the Provincial Legislature), with the addition of com- paratively small provincial grants, and the receipts from fines for books overdue, less annual interest and sinking fund charges of $3,694. A larger revenue might be made up: 1. By an endowment fund such as a nqmber of libraries in the northern United States enjoys or, 5 2. By a larger rate. An enquiry among the representative public libraries of the northern United States reveals the fact that not one of them has to get along on so small a rate as 34 mill- One- third of a mill is the average. The difference between one-third and one-quarter of a mill would not be felt by the large cities, but it would give the public libraries a margin that would mean much to their work. However, this is a matter that is in the hands of the Provincial Legislature. NOTES. The free lecture rooms of the Central Library have been in constant use during the past winter by societies having aims broadly educational or connected with civic or social progress. The Board believes that in this way a valuable service is being rendered to the community. The Duplicate Pay Collection continues to be a success. By means of it more copies of popular books are purchased than our book fund would otherwise warrant; thus many patrons find their wants more quickly provided for— and it pays for itself. For two weeks, one in the spring and one in the autumn, a count was kept of the number of French books loaned at the Central Library and at the West End Branch. The results show that between one-sixth and one-seventh of the books loaned were French. Three pamphlets were published during the year : two con- taining a list of the books in English added to the Library and one containing a list of those in French. Special displays, of books in certain limited fields were made in the Reading Room. The collections exhibited were as follows: Canadian Poets; Music and Musicians; French Poetry; Gardening and Horticulture; British Shires and Counties; Domestic Science, Home Nursing and Needlework. As a result interest in these classes of books was stimulated, many borrowers learned that we had works of which they pre- 6 viously were not aware, and the circulation in these lines was temporarily increased. The annual display of books on gardening in the spring continues to be popular. Mention must be made of the kindness of the Director of the National Art Galley in lending to the Library, for one year, twelve framed Medici prints of famous paintings. These are undoubtedly the finest reproductions in colour of the great paintings that are at present obtainable. Among the gifts of the year must be mentioned especially that of the Ottawa Field Naturalist Club. They have presented to the Public Library their extensive scientific library to be catalogued and made generally available. STATISTICS Number of volumes added during year was 4,749 Number of volumes, lost, destroyed, or missing was . . 809 Approximate number in Library at end of year 59,980 Number of borrowers registered during the year 6,195 Term of registration 3 years. TOTAL CIRCULATION OF BOOKS, 1917 MONTHS Non-fiction Fiction Schools Totals January 6,018 6.471 7,419 6,447 5,995 5,198 4,832 4,739 4,612 6,428 6,891 5,562 14,303 14,393 15,958 14,342 14,166 12,968 11,669 12,056 11,678 15,023 15,113 13,246 1,618 1,652 1,649 969 970 21,939 22.516 25,026 21,758 21,131 18,166 16,501 16,795 17,418 24,017 21,126 20,029 February March April May June July August September 1,128 2,566 2,122 1,221 October. November December Totals Mounted Prints 70,612 164,915 13,895 249,422 1,656 5,550 Magazines Grand Total 256,628 7 CENTRAL LIBRARY— ADULT CIRCULATION. MONTHS. Non-fiction Fiction Magazines Totals January 4,222 11,334 426 15,982 February 4,239 10,788 382 15,409 March 4,432 11,307 441 16,18a April 3,739 10,029 397 14,165 May. 3,578 10,290 348 14,216 June 3,017 9,353 334 12,704 July 2,714 8,365 283 11,362 August 2,920 8,838 295 12,053 September 3,063 8,795 262 12,120 October 3,843 10,760 414 15,017 November 3,941 10,514 425 14,880 December 3,372 9,214 362 12,948 Totals 43,080 119,587 4,369 167,036 CENTRAL LIBRARY— JUVENILE CIRCULATION MONTHS Non-fiction Fiction Pictures Totals January. 1,199 1,634 264 3,097 February 1,361 1,823 239 3,423 March 1,825 2,288 398 4,511 April 1,625 2,192 152 3,969 May 1,502 1,862 140 3,504 June 1,278 1,724 19 3,021 July 1,205 1,629 6 2,840 August 1,066 1,566 2,632 September 883 1,341 20 2,244 October 1,533 2,121 142 3,796 November 1,665 2,146 195 4,006 December 1,193 1,744 81 3,018 Totals 16,335 22,070 1,656 40,061 READERS IN READING ROOMS, 1917. Juvenile Room 55,174 Reading Room 54,378 Reference Room 17,721 Ottawa South Branch 23,353 West End Branch 37,423 Total 188,049 8 . CIRCULATION OF BOOKS— BRACNHES •saqouisiq oq) IP* jo vC[qjuop\[ 2,051 2,780 3,661 3,317 3,018 2,877 2,709 2,497 2,266 3,281 3,817 3,362 CO CO CO to CO West End r . 1 •spjox 1,430 1,416 1,941 1,622 1,483 1,593 1,648 1,437 1,201 1,747 1,905 1,696 05 oT 00 CO •S8UIZ'B§'BJ\[ OJC^ClTHfflOOlMMOOCOOO h^ooooooo^nnu: •UOpOTJ 1 890 835 1,192 991 965 1,018 • 970 903 793 1,114 1,138 1,077 CO oo 00 •uoi|oq-uo|q 1— iiOtON^cOONiOiOOi- 1 <©q to i— 'WMONiOiOiOOtO ^^0iOTH»OiOr}CNiO CO Ttj X Is. •srox OOHOCOOCOCDCOOOJOICD OOt^cDC^OOi— i o 1 — i 1— i Oi CI^^^ON® 7,21.5 ’uorpg-uo^q 52 298 425 433 362 308 259 220 235 399 359 244 3,594 <3 •SFJOX o o 05 CO H oq 420 £ 4-> 2 § •UOpDIX CO lO 278 o •uoijoq-uojsi c- to • O O CO n i aaw - MEMBERS OF THE LIBRARY BOARD, 1918 s s s Jt Appointed by the City ; Council: W. G. Black, S. McClenaghan, Dr. R. E. Valin. Appointed by the Public School Board: Dr. J. H. Putman, Dr. W. R. Greene, R. A. Sproule. Appointed by the Separate School Board: Dr. J. K. Foran, E. J. Lemaire. Ex-Officio: His Worship The Mayor. Chairman: Stewart McClenaghan. Librarian: W. J. Sykes. CIRCULATION OF BOOKS As far as the circulation of books is concerned, the year 1918, for comparative purposes, may be dropped from the annals of the Ottawa Public Library. After starting out well, with a large number of books loaned in January, the building had to be closed for a short time in February, owing to the scarcity of fuel. In the autumn months the influenza epidemic was at its height, and again the Library had to he closed, this time for four weeks. In such cases of closing, the circulation of books is decreased, not only by the loss of the actual days when no work is carried on, but through the after effects. Library circulation, at least in some places, is a delicate thing and shows great sensitiveness to any adverse influences. The total number of books lent for home reading during the year was 221,497. The number of people using the reading rooms was 158,740. During the years of the war and since the armistice, there has been a considerable shifting of the population in Ottawa. In 1914-15-16, large numbers of men enlisted for service over- seas, many of whom, alas, will never return. Many people, usually residents elsewhere, came to the city to do special war work for the Dominion or Imperial government. Since the armistice most of these have left the city; and of course a large number of our soldiers have returned from France. Moreover, in a time of so great upheaval a general restlessness has been apparent with occasionally a tendency to confine reading to newspapers and magazines. All these things had a bearing on Library work during the past few years in Ottawa. BOOKS ADDED During the year there were catalogued 4,556 volumes, of which- 445 were gifts. To the West End Branch Were sent 830 books, and to the Ottawa South Branch 510, leaving 3,215 for the Central Library and deposit stations. Not many new books were sent to deposit stations, perhaps 115, leaving about 3,100 for the Central Library. These were distributed as follows: French books about 600 volumes, English fiction about 600 volumes, Juvenile about 600 volumes, adult non fiction 1,300 volumes. GUIDE TO BIOGRAPHY In pursuance of a plan whereby the Ottawa Public Library would give its patrons an opinion as to what are the best books of various kinds, the board published, in April, a pamphlet entitled ‘ ‘ Best Biographies in English. ’ ’ (Four years earlier, it had issued a selected list of fiction.) Before publishing such a guide, great care was taken to see that all books mentioned 4 therein were in the possession of. the Library, so that any work recommended could be supplied. The securing of the necessary books to fill up gaps proved a more arduous task than the pre- paring of the list. Both the large number distributed in Ot- tawa, and the many letters requesting copies, from outside libraries ranging from England and Scotland to the Panama Canal Zone, testify to the usefulness of the work. DR. GLASHAN’S GIFT The most important gift the Public Library has received since its opening was made this last year by Dr. J. C. Glashan, who for many years was inspector of Public Schools in this city. Dr. Glashan has long been known as an enthusiastic bibliophile, and the possessor of one of the largest and best selected private libraries in Canada. This collection, with the exception of mathematical and physical works, he has now presented to the Ottawa Library. It is an act prompted by the generous im- pulses of a life of public service, and the board wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. Glashan. Among the more valuable sets in this collection are: Dictionary of National Biography, Ninth edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Cambridge Modern History, Cambridge Histoiy of English Literature, Facsimiles of the third and fourth folios of Shakespeare published by Methuen, and the large paper library edition of the Works of Dry den by Scott and Saintsbury. Of course, it is impossible in a short note, to give an adequate idea of the value of this gift. It is especially strong in Philosophy, History, and Literature, and will add greatly to the value of the Ottawa Public Library, for all serious readers. NEW BRANCH Toward the end of November the new branch building in the west end of the city was completed. As reported last year the funds, $15,000, were provided by the Carnegie Corporation. The building is a neat one-storey-and-basement structure with cream brick walls. In the basement, besides provision for coal, furnace, and closets, there is a small club room, and a lecture room capable of seating one hundred and fifty persons. The ground floor is one large room of about 2,000 square feet floor space, and is divided into two equal parts, for children and adults, by a clear glass partition. Thus in quiet times one at- tendant can take charge of the Library. The windows are high to afford plenty of wall space for book shelves. There is no stack room, all the books except those that are reference being placed on the open shelves against the wads. The formal opening was attended by a number of repre- sentative citizens, the local clergy who made short addresses, and 5 the provincial Inspector of Libraries, who spoke words of direc- tion and encouragement. This is the first suburb of Ottawa to possess a branch Library in a separate building. If adequate funds are forth- coming for books and assistants, the west end of the city will now have adequate library facilities for many years to come. FINANCIAL Ottawa can not be said to give generous support to her Pub- lic Library. In Hamilton, a rate of one-half mill on thg dollar is levied for .Library purposes. In Toronto, over and above the one-quarter-mill rate, a special Library grant of $20,476 has been voted for 1919, and the Commissioner of Finance makes the remark : 1 ‘ Owing to the growth and consequent increase in cost of maintenance, the one-quarter mill is apparently proving inadequate.” In ten large cities of northern United States from which information was received, the rate in' no case fell below three-tenths of a mill, and sometimes went as high as three- quarters of a mill. In Ottawa the Library is forced to get along on a rate of one-quarter mill from the proceeds of which there are various deductions, among others, charges for interest and sinking fund on Library debts incurred by the city council and not by the present Library Board. Requests to the city adminis- tration to make a special grant to the Public Library or to pay the interest and sinking fund charges- now deducted from the Library funds have been pleasantly received and invariably de- nied. The objection that the Provincial Libraries’ Act restricts civic support of Public Libraries in cities of 100,000 to one- quarter mill was removed at the last session of the Ontario Legislature. LIBRARY NEEDS Following a practice of several years’ standing, we shall again state some of the things that the Ottawa Public Library needs in order to serve the public efficiently. 1. It needs a larger sum for books. Consider the demands that are made, and fairly made, on the Library : the best current books published in America, England, and France, and several copies of any of these that are especially valuable or popular, books to supply reasonable demands’ at the branches, books to replace the many volumes worn out and lost, standard books that have hitherto been overlooked, to fill up gaps in our collec- tion as they are discovered. Six Thousand Dollars would be a moderate and reasonable sum to expend yearly on books ; but, unfortunately, only a little more than half that amount is avail- able. 6 / f 2. It needs larger reading and reference rooms, "and more open shelving space for books to be examined by the general public. Several towns in Ontario have larger reading and refer ence rooms than those in the Central Library. 3. It needs a new branch with a good stock of French books and periodicals, as well as English, in the northeastern part of the city. NOTES With the present staff it has been found too onerous to take stock fully each year. Consequently, until further develop- ments, we plan to spread the task over two years, doing half of the Library each summer. The Pay Shelf continues to be well patronized and self- supporting. While we have considerably increased the number of volumes in this collection we wish to remind the public that no title is added to the Pay Shelf that is not already to be found among the free loan books. During the year 137 new books were added to the Pay Collection at a cost of $143.05, and our re- ceipts from this source amounted to $249.13. GIFTS TO THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY, 1918 Beck, J. M., LL.D Blair, A. G Bray, Prof. A. J. de, Montreal British Red Cross Society Burpee, L. J., Sec. International Joint Commission *. Canada Cement Co., Montreal Carbonneau, Mary Jane Carnegie Endowment for International Peace ! Carter, Henry Geological Survey of Kansas Glashan, Dr. J. C Goor, Maurice, Belgian Consul Government Printing Office, Capetown Grindley, F. H Hamilton, Lt.-Col Hayter, Frederick Henderson, F. D., Dominion Land Sur- veyors ' Henderson, Jno Herridge, Dr. W. T House of Commons Lemaire, E. J Lemieux, Alice Le Sueur, Mrs. W. D Lyon, Miss Machado, Mrs McEwen, Rev. J. D., Vancouver, B.C Michigan Historical Society 1 v. 52 v. 3 pamphlets. 3rd annual report. 2 reports. Pamphlets. 1 v. Books and pamphlets. 1 v. 1 v. Several thousand volumes. 1 v. 1 v. 1 v. 38 v. 9 v. Annual report. 52 v. 1 v. 2 v. 1 v. 1 V. Periodicals. 9 v. Magazines. 2 v. 1 v. 7 Nicholson & Brock Numano, Y., Consul General of Japan Rea, Wm Robertson, David Allan, University of Chi- cago Royal Colonial Institute Ruddick, J. A Shannon, R. S Simpson, Louis Strong, S. H Surveyor General Sykes,' W. J Telegraph Printing Co Todd, Col. A. H University of Chicago White, J ames Royal Colonial* Institute, England Carnegie Institution of Washington Smithsonian Institution, Washington University of Illinois, Agricultural Experi- ment Station 2 v. Pamphlets. 18 v. 1 v. Pamphlets and reports. .1 v. 1 v. 3 pamphlets. 2 v. Map. 25 v. 1 v. 6 v. 1 v. 1 v. War pamphlets. Publications of. Publications of. Publications of. Government of Australia Publications of.’ Government of Barbadoes Publications of. Government of British Guiana Publications of. Government of Dominion of Canada Publications of. Government of India Publications of. Government of Japan Publications of. Government of Leeward Islands Publications of. Government of New Zealand Publications of. Government of Philippine Islands Publications of. Government of Provinces of the Dominion of Canada Publications of. Government of South Africa Publications of. Government of United States Publications of. STATISTICS ~ ~ v — - — — Arranged according to American Library Association form. Annual Report for year ending December 31st, 1918. Name of Library : Carnegie Public Library. Name of Librarian : W. J. Sykes. City: Ottawa, Canada. Population served : 104,007. Terms of use: Free for lending and free for reference to resi- dents and taxpayers of Ottawa. Agencies: . »'• Main Library. One branch in separate Carnegie building. One branch in Public School room. Four deposit stations. Sixty-three class room collections. 8 277 / 4 Number of days open during tlmyear (Main Library) . (Library was closed for lack of fuel and during the Influenza epUuemic.) Hours open each week for lending (Main Library) .... 72 Hours open each week for reading (Main Library) .... 75 Total number of staff 16 Total valuation of Library property $230,000 Number of volumes at beginning of year. . 59,980 Number of volumes added during the year 4,556 Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year .... 822 Total number at the end of the year 63,714 Adult, Juvenile. Total. Number of volumes lent for home use. 182,680 44,548 227.228 Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use 144,321 Registration. Number of borrowers registered during the year 4,507 Total number of borrowers registered. 16,685 Registration period, adult and juvenile 3 years Number of persons using Library for reading and study. 158,740 FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE LIBRARY Revenue. Receipts of ti mill levy from the City of Ottawa $26,162.50 Fines, pay-shelf, and lost books 1,431.02 Government Grant, Central 260.00 Government Grant, Ottawa South Branch 236.25 Government Grant, West End Branch 241.28 $28,331.05 Expenditure. Deficit - $ 309.25 Interest paid city on moneys advanced before taxes were paid 446.02 Water Rates 10.13 Interest and sinking fund on book debentures issued by city council in 1906 3,694.00 Salaries — Staff $13,969.06 Janitor service 1,302.65 Extra assistance 119.40 Binding 7 . Books Periodicals Printing . . 15,391.11 341.65 3,339.20 886.32 549.70 9 Caretaker ’s Supplies . . . Furniture Fuel Insurance Lighting Miscellaneous Petty Cash Repairs Rent, West End Branch Stationery 91.08 31.00 1,595.13 85.40 342.10 387.05 157.96 189.87 360.00 411.45 $28,618.42 Deficit $287.37 BUILDING ACCOUNTS FOR BRANCH LIBRARY Receipts from Carnegie Corporation, New York — Cheques amounting to $15,000.00 Premiums — exchange 226.47 Total Receipts $15,226.47 Expenditure — R. J. Mackey (building contractor) $10,268.35 J. T. Blyth (plumbing and hot water heating) 2,127.00 Ottawa Stair Works (library shelving) 937.00 Lowe-Martin (furniture) 617.10 Marchand & Donnelly (electrical fixtures).^ 170.10 Wm. Anderson (filling) 160.00 Cleghorn & Beattie (window shades) 52.34 J, P. MacLaren (architect) 799.85 Miscellaneous 94.73 Total $15,226.47 CENTRAL LIBRARY— JUVENILE CIRCULATION, 1918 MONTHS Non-fiction Fiction Pictures Totals January. 1,329 1,862 174 3,365 February 1,308 1,651 235 3,194 March 1,625 2,255 136 4,016 April 1,769 2,212 134 4,115 May 1,361 1,697 182 3,240 June 914 1,436 20 2,370 July 868 1,473 2,341 August 829 1,428 2,257 September 722 1,115 124 1,961 October 516 687 19 1,222 November 951 1,235 59 2,245 December 992 1,482 62 2,536 13,184 18,533 1,145 32,862 10 TOTAL CIRCULATION OF BOOKS, 1918 MONTHS Non-fiction Fiction Schools Totals January 6,590 15,861 2,011 244,622 February 6,104 13,505 1,996 21,605 March 6,735 15,617 1„696 24,048 April 6,397 14,985 1,292 -22,674 May 5,391 13,372 763 19,526 June 4,520 12,556 53 17,129 July 4.302 12,021 91 16,414 August 4,289 11,978 132 16,399 September 4,484 11,691 204 16,379 October 2,062 5,267 237 7,566 November 4,275 9,423 1,593 15,291 December 5,420 12,966 1,618 20,004 60,569 149,242 11,686 221,497 Mounted Prints 1,145 Magazines 3,758 Grand Total. 226,400 CENTRAL LIBRARY— ADULT CIRCULATION, 1918 MONTHS Non-fiction Fiction Magazines Totals January 4,129 11,553 47T 16,155 February 3,862 9,640 353 13,855 March 4,011 10.847 411 15,269 April 3,612 10,469 349 14,430 May ‘ 3,084 9,572 362 13,018 June 2,734 9,166 292 12,192 July 2,660 8,717 296 11,673 August 2,726 8,670 343 11,739 September 3,025 8,610 270 11,905 October 1,334 3,967 58 5,359 November 2,707 6,688 236 9,631 December 3,354 9,167 315 12,836 37,238 107,066 3,758 148,062 READERS IN READING ROOMS, 1918 Juvenile Room Reading Room Reference Room Ottawa South Branch West End Branch 43,780 45,990 12,796 21,484 34,690 Total 158,740 CIRCULATION OF BOOKS— BRANCHES •saipimiq aqj \ye jo sp?joj K\\\ juo j\[ lONfHOC coco 1> ^ OC K-hOOOhOOOCht)(^NO CO (Mr- CO i-^oq^o I> C>- 00 CO co~ co'co' co~ of of of of of CO 34,618 West End spjox OINMNhhhhOiODOh OcO^hhOhcOONOOCO ^00 CD CO^CO O^O^ O^T^ 00 00 16,340 S8UIZ^§'BJ\[ ^OICOOIIOOIOICOOIOIOCO OOCCCO’^CO'^COI^CO^H^CO CO co uoijoix T^O^COGOHHCOO^ON COCOOICOOOOOOIOONCD O 05 0^0 OoO N- 00 00 CO to rH 10,701 uotjotj-uo^j tO 1— 1 CD 03 00 00 00 to 05 05 001ONO lO t*h lO uo lO CO CO CO CO 1— t X OliOffiTt'COHOOO^OOCOOC 1 iO O 00 05 rH 00 CO Ol ® N lO N i-^01^cq_ r-H_05 05 05 C5 05 i-H 00 o 11,792 S9UIZ'B§^p\[ C01>t^05i00j05c00lt^^t^' Ol i-Hi01> 8,021 uorjoij-noj^ iOOIHOOhhhOOOOO^ ONMOO^NIOOOCO^^ COCO^COOICOOI.OIOI OICO CO 00 to CO Ottawa East. spjox COCO • 1>- Offl'OCOHH 00 00 ON ■OINOSCHOOOJiHlN CO -HHHOIOIH i-H t-( o 00 uotjoix CO i—i • O CO CO CO to lO Ol CO 05 10 • 05 T— 1 CO ^ Tf b- 00 05 o CO uoijoy-no|vj Ol Ol -COOOONCOCOCOIM rH Ol • CO CO CO tO CO CO rH CO CO 503 New Edinburgh. S F1°X OOOCOCOCONOHCI005N OhcOhOSO^tHiOiOhM T^r^TtiTjHcOCOCOCOCOrHCO^ 4,359 uoijoix rH050500i-HTf(TtH00OOI000l (MHOlHHOOCOlOCOOlOM COCOCOCOCOOIOIOIOI'-IOICO 3,356 noijoij-uojsi I^t-itJHOO>OCOCOCOOIOO--h» 0 00050050000J>00 05TtiC0 05 CO o o Cam- bridge. sj^jox !>. I>- Ol 05 lO rH CO ^