When you see a book think of the Public Library BOARD OF TRUSTEES Louisville Free Public Library President Vice President Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Mayor John H. Buschemeyer Bennett H. Young W. H. Bartholomew George T. Settle Louisville Trust Co. Thomas A. Barker Charles R. Hemphill Hardin H. Herr Chester Mayer Edgar Y. Mullins Edward J. O’Brien Edward L. Powell Joshua D. Powers William Thalheimer George S. Whittingham LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY MAIN BUILDING FOREWORD Oil r rhe Louisville Free Public Library was established by an act of the City Council April 12, 1902, authorized by an act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, approved by the Governor March 21, 1902 and opened for circulation of books in May 1905. The Polytechnic Society and the Louisville Public Library were merged with the Louisville Free Public Library under a ninety-nine year lease in 1904. This included a store building in Fourth Avenue together with books, statuary, museum collection, paintings, etc. The rent from this building, which is occupied by a department store under a twenty-year lease, has added materi¬ ally to the revenue for current maintenance. This property was transferred without conditions to the library in May 1913. The wonderful advance in library facilities was made possible by the gift of $250,000 from Mr. Andrew Carnegie in 1902 and an additional gift of $200,000 in 1906. The first, was for a central library building and the subsequent gift for approximately eight branch buildings. The city has met Mr. Carnegie in these gifts by appropriating money for sites, furniture, books, etc., as the buildings were erected, and in addition has appropriated each year more than the ten per cent required for current maintenance. The Louisville Free Public Library consists of a central li¬ brary, eight branches, 213 class room collections in 35 school buildings and 50 station collections in factories, department stores, social centers, etc., a total of 272 centers for the circulation of books for home use. The Carnegie library buildings are well located in the different sections of the city as originally outlined when it was decided to have eight branches in addition to the Main building. However, t wo sections which have built up rapidly in the last few years were not included in the original plan. The section known as South Louisville, the home of hundreds of workmen connected with the shops of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and the section known as Butchertown, where many homes have been erected by men connected with the stock yards and railroads, should be provided with branch library buildings. These sections are too far from the Main building or the near¬ est branch to be served and the Library Board feels that the sys¬ tem will not be complete until buildings are provided. A com¬ mittee has been appointed to ask Mr. Carnegie for $50,000 to erect two additional branch buildings. The figures given in the statement of the circulation and other work in the library are for the twelve months ending March 31, 1914. George T. Settle Librarian 3 ORDER AND ACCESSION DEPARTMENT WORK OF THE ORDER AND ACCESSION DEPARTMENT April 1913—March 1914 Volumes ordered 16,634 Volumes accessioned 18,514 Volumes bound 576 Volumes rebound 9,535 Volumes mended 19,572 Volumes handled 72,275 Order cards collated 32,551 In this department are centralized the entire purchas¬ ing activities of the library 4 CATALOG DEPARTMENT WORK OF THE CATALOG DEPARTMENT April 1913—March 1914 Volumes cataloged 19,134 Catalog cards made 32; 248 Shelf lists and officials 4,825 Total 37,073 Pamphlets classified 4,661 Pictures classified 184 Lists multigraphed 52 Volumes discarded 7,432 Total volumes cataloged 201,492 Total volumes discarded 27,941 Total catalog cards 306,867 DELIVERY ROOM MAIN LIBRARY Carnegie building opened July 24, 11)08 Building construction Steel stacks Furniture, fixtures and decoration $256,838 53 35,434 00 24,152 42 Cost of site Improving grounds $316,424 95 $110,225 52 8,96430 119.18982 $435,614 / 4 Volumes in library on opening day 65,707—esti¬ mated value 100,000 00 Total $535,614 77 Clift of Andrew Carnegie $250,000, 6 OPEN SHELF ROOM MAIN LIBRARY AND BRANCHES April 1913—March 1914 Volumes in libraries 173,551 Total circulation of books for home use Average monthly circulation Registered borrowers using the library 906,905 75,575 49,504 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use Average monthly circulation Registered borrowers using the library 721.011 60,084 40,647 Increaso circu1ation Increase average monthly circulation Increase registered borrowers 185,894 15,491 8,857 Circulation at Main April 1913—-March 191 1 Circulation at Main April 1912—March 1913 Increase circulation 296,507 264,729 31,778 REFERENCE ROOM MAIN LIBRARY AND BRANCHES 20,922 35,705 2,976 25,35S 31,038 2,587 1,564 4,667 3S9 302 129 6 3.140 258 188 30 0 * 7*7 o/ / 8 April 1913—March 1914 Reference books Reference questions looked up Average number of questions monthly April 1912—March 1913 Reference books Reference questions looked up Average number of questions monthly Increase reference books Increase questions Increase average number of questions MAIN LIBRARY Magazines on file Bibliographies compiled Printed lists issued Books and magazines loaned Books and magazines to non-residents Pictures loaned Books borrowed from libraries Newspaper clippings concerning the library NEWSPAPER AND CIVICS ROOM This room is a part of the Reference Department and was opened on March 30, 1914. Books, pamphlets, etc. on municipal subjects are being collected from all the cities in the country and the material cataloged and classified for ready reference. Clippings from newspapers, and separates from magazines and books are being classified and filed. This room promises to be very useful and will be of great benefit to the people. There are on file 79 daily, semi-weekly and weekly newspapers. The Louisville daily papers are being indexed for local items. 9 CHILDREN’S ROOM MAIN LIBRARY AND BRANCHES April 1913—March 1914 Total circulation of children’s books 376,832 Average monthly circulation 31,403 Teachers’ books circulated 6,205 Pictures circulated 4,506 Registered children using the library 25,905 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of children’s books 301,700 Average monthly circulation 25,142 Teachers’ books circulated 4,121 Pictures circulated 2,328 Registered children using the library 20,999 Increase circulation 75,132 Increase average monthly circulation 6,261 Increase teachers’ books circulated 2,084 Increase pictures circulated 2,178 Increase registered children 4,906 Circulation at Main April 1913—March 1914 (55,739 Circulation at Main April 1912—March 1913 57,255 Increase circulation 8.484 10 BROADWAY PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASS ROOM CLASS ROOM COLLECTIONS IN SCHOOLS April 1013—March 1914 Total circulation of books for home use 115,349 Average monthly circulation 9,613 Books used in class rooms 0,500 Number of class rooms 213 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use 113,311 Average monthly circulation 9,443 Books used in class rooms 5,100 Number of class rooms 209 Increase circulation 2,038 Increase average monthly circulation 170 Increase books 1,400 Increase class rooms 4 11 YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION STATION STATIONS AND EXTENSION DEPARTMENT April 1913—March 1914 The Library Board allowed the full time of one assistant for this work in March 1913 and organized it as a new de¬ partment in March 1914. Through this department, books are placed in factories, department stores, social centers, etc., located at a con¬ siderable distance from the Main library or branches. The collections are placed with the understanding that some one connected with the institution is to take charge and make a report of the circulation each month. Anno¬ tated lists have been printed of the collections used. The library through this department is placing books in the hands of readers who otherwise could not have been reached and is bringing the library nearer to the homes of the people. 12 LOUISVILLE COTTON MILLS STATION STATIONS AND EXTENSION DEPARTMENT April 1913—March 1914 Total circulation of books for home use 09,574 Average monthly circulation 5,798 Books used in stations 3,741 Number of stations 50 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use 31,168 Average monthly circulation 2,598 Books used in stations 1,838 Number of stations 21 Increase circulation 38,400 Increase average monthly circulation 3,200 Increase books 1,903 Increase stations 29 13 ART ROOM A room on the second floor is set aside for art exhibits. It is used by the Louisville Art Association, Louisville Artists’ League and other organizations for exhibits. In the erection of the building the entire third floor above the Delivery Room was intended for an art gallery, but the ventilation is bad and thus far it has been used for storage only. It has been suggested that the necessary changes be made to fit it for its original purpose. An architect was employed and plans and specifications sub¬ mitted, but the estimates for the work amounted to $15,000 and the Library Board is not in a position to appropriate this amount. If the changes could be made, the city would have a permanent art gallery and art lovers would soon provide a collection. 14 MUSEUM The Library Museum contains much historical material and many valuable curios. The Troost collection of miner¬ als and the Octavia A. Shreve Memorial collection are among the best in the South. The collections of birds, shells, etc. gathered by the Polytechnic Society are noteworthy. The Museum has received many gifts. The most recent is the collection of the Jefferson Institute of Arts and Sciences. This contains the Souther-Thruston collection of butterflies, birds, bird eggs and shells, the Altsheler col¬ lection of mammals, the Ballard-Thruston Roman col¬ lection, the Peter-Escott museum collection, the Thruston- Ballard Egyptian collection and other material. The Museum is a popular visiting place for the public and is used by children in the schools and students in other educational institutions in the city. It occupies the entire east wing of the basement and has a floor space of 3723 square feet . The quarters formerly used as a Newspaper Room including the corridor, 1443 square feet of floor space, were added when the Newspaper Room was moved to the second floor. 15 ASSEMBLY ROOM The Assembly Room, occupying the end of west wing of the basement, is set aside for public meetings and gather¬ ings. This is a splendid room for the purpose, well lighted and ventilated, and has a seating capacity of 350 persons. It has been used for the annual meeting of the Library De¬ partment of the Southern Educational Association, the Kentucky Humane Society, Kentucky State Association of Graduate Nurses, Louisville Anti-Tuberculosis Associa¬ tion. Parent-Teachers’ League and other organizations. 1 he following are some of the organizations that meet in the Assembly Room, Teachers’ Room and in the Art Room when it is not in use. Similar sectional organizations Board of Visitors for the Educa¬ tion of the Blind Conference of Social Workers Filson Club of Kentucky History Study Club Junior Hospital Circle Louisville Art Association Louisville Literary Club People’s Forum Polytechnic Society Suffrage Association Woman’s Auxiliary of Kentucky Humane Society Woman’s Outdoor Art League Women’s Progressive Service League. meet at the branch libraries. Alliance F rancai se Anti-Smoke League Civic League Conference of Charity Workers Drama League Guild of Louisville Teachers Housewives’ League Kindergarten Alumnae Club Louisville Artists’ League Normal Association Problem Study Club Sorosis Club Tourist Club Woman’s Organization of National Association of Retail Druggists Alumnae Club (L. G. H. S.) 16 LIBRARY DELIVERY AUTOMOBILE An automobile is used to make daily runs to the branch libraries, schools and stations to deliver books, supplies, etc. This machine enables the Librarian and Heads of de¬ partments to keep in close touch with the work and to visit the various library centers frequently. The policy of using the Main library collection of books in work at the branches is made popular with this quick delivery system. Books requested are sent the same day if necessary or within twenty-four hours if on the shelves. 17 HIGHLAND BRANCH LIBRARY Cost Building construction $29,312 87 Furniture 1,968 45 $31,281 32 Cost of site 4,000 00 $35,281 32 \ olumcs in library on opening day 5,838—value 5,537 48 Total $40,818 80 Gift of Andrew Carnegie $29,312.87 18 HIGHLAND BRANCH—CHILDREN S ROOM Organized June 1901 Transferred to Louisville Free Public Library Carnegie building opened February 8, January 1905 1908 April 1913—March 1914 Volumes in library 8,508 Total circulation of books for home use Average monthly circulation 60,202 5,016 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use Average monthly circulation 52,690 4,390 Increase circulation Increase average monthly circulation 7,512 626 1 !) PORTLAND BRANCH LIBRARY Cost Building construction $22,918.00 Furniture 1,317.00 $24,235 00 Cost of site 3.000.00 $27,235.00 Volumes in library on opening day 8,681—value 7,744.17 Gift of Andrew Carnegie $24,235.00 20 $34,979.17 PORTLAND BRANCH—INTERIOR Opened in rented quarters December 1905 Carnegie building opened October 24, 1913 April 1913—March 1914 Volumes in library 8.8S5 Total circulation of books for home use 60,613 Average monthly circulation 5,051 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use 69,987 Average monthly circulation 5,832 Decrease circulation 9,374 Decrease average monthly circulation 781 A decrease in circulation was anticipated when the Jefferson Branch was opened, but this loss is expected to be regained at the new location. CRESCENT HILL BRANCH LIBRARY Building construction $26,214.96 Furniture 1,608.25 $27,823.21 Cost of site 2,500.00 $30,323.21 Volumes in library on opening day 1,911—value 2,065.61 Total $32,388.82 Gift of Andrew Carnegie $26,214.96. 99 CRESCENT HILL BRANCH—CHILDREN’S ROOM Carnegie building opened September 29, 1908 April 1913—'March 1914 Volumes in library 6,238 Total circulation of books for home use 65,349 Average monthly circulation 5.445 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use 54,637 Average monthly circulation 4,553 Increase circulation Increase average monthly circulation 10,712 892 PARKLAND BRANCH LIBRARY Building construction $20,808.95 Furniture 1,860.37 Cost of site $22,669.32 2,500.00 Volumes in library on opening day 2,002—value $25,169.32 2,089.83 Total $27,259.15 Gift of Andrew Carnegie $20,808.95 24 PARKLAND BRANCH—CHILDREN’S ROOM Carnegie building opened October 15, 1908 April 1913—March 1914 Volumes in library 5,941 Total circulation of books for home use 65,999 Average monthly circulation 5,500 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use 50,764 Average monthly circulation 4,230 Increase circulation 15,235 Increase average monthly circulation 1,270 SHELBY PARK BRANCH LIBRARY Cost Building construction $24,520.95 Furniture 1,714.00 $26,234.95 Cost of site 1,200.00 $27,434.95 Volumes in library on opening day 1,211—value 1,134:32 Total $28,569.27 Gift of Andrew Carnegie $25,893.45 26 SHELBY PARK BRANCH—CHILDREN S ROOM Carnegie building opened March 27. 1911 April 1913—March 1914 Volumes in library 5,503 Total circulation of books for home use 65,039 Average monthly circulation 5,419 April 1913—March 1913 "fatal circulation of books for home use 53,912 Average monthly circulation 4,492 Increase circulation • 11,127 Increase average monthly circulation 927 JEFFERSON BRANCH LIBRARY Cost Building construction $21,161.96 Furniture 1,542.10 Cost of site $22, 704.06 1,875.00 $24, 079.06 Volumes in library on opening day 2,298—value 2,320. 59 Total $26,399. 65 Gift of Andrew Carnegie $22,704.06 28 JEFFERSON BRANCH—CHILDREN S ROOM Carnegie building opened March (5, 1913 April 1913—March 1914 Volumes in library 3,209 Total circulation of books for home use 71,092 Average monthly circulation 5,924 The circulation for March 1913, the first month this branch was open, was 4,620 volumes. The average monthly circulation for the year (5,924 volumes) exceeds the first month’s record. 29 WESTERN COLORED BRANCH LIBRARY Cost Building construction $30,935.33 Furniture 1,746.63 $32,681.96 Cost, of site 3,105.00 $35,786.96 Volumes in library on opening day 6,698—value 4,972.61 Total $40,759.57 Clift of Andrew Carnegie $30,935.33 30 WESTERN COLORED BRANCH—CHILDREN’S ROOM Opened in rented quarters September, 190.') Carnegie building opened October 29, 1908 April 1913—March 1914 Volumes in library 10,128 Total circulation of books for home use 31,703 Average monthly circulation 2,642 April 1912—March 1913 Total circulation of books for home use 30,964 Average monthly circulation 2,580 Increase circulation 739 Increase average monthly circulation 62 31 EASTERN COLORED BRANCH LIBRARY Cost Building construction Furniture Cost of site Volumes in library on opening day 2,117—value Total $19,250.81 1,273.50 $20,524.31 5,000.00 $25,524.31 2,211.12 $27,735.43 Gift of Andrew Carnegie $19,895.38 EASTERN COLORED BRANCH—INTERIOR Carnegie building opened January 28, 1014 Volumes in library 2,171 Circulation of books February 1914 Circulation of books March 1914 1,9(39 3,004 Total circulation for the two months 4,973 Average monthly circulation for two months 2,487 Volumes The opening of the second colored branch has not af¬ fected the circulation at the other branch. There was an increase in circulation at the Western Colored Branch for the two months. This shows that additional readers have been reached by the new branch. WESTERN COLORED BRANCH—SOCIAL EVENING April 1913—March 1914 The following clubs and reading circles meet regularly in rooms in the building. Similar organizations are being formed for the Eastern Colored Branch. Bannecker Reading Circle Dunbar Literary Club Girls’ Reading Club Story Hour Wilberforce Club Douglass Debating Club Fisk Club Normal Alumni Sunday School Training Class Y. W. C. A. The State Medical Association, Business League, Annual Conference of the Y. M. C. A., State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, Teachers’ Institute and other gatherings were held in the Assembly Room during the year. EASTERN COLORED BRANCH—STORY HOUR The Story Hour is popular at all the libraries. It is held weekly at the Main library and at the two colored branches, and monthly at the other branches. The attend¬ ance is usually greater than the seating capacity of the as¬ sembly rooms. At the Main library the story is often repeated two or three times the same afternoon. An annual story telling contest is held at the Western Colored Branch in May or June, and it is always a great day for the colored children. A movement is on foot to form a colored organization to be known as the Story Hour League and it is intended to interest the children of other States in the work. 35 ADVERTISING THE LIBRARY April 1912—March 1914 Business methods have been used to increase registra¬ tion, the circulation of books and the use of the library. The public has been reached by the use of the daily press, printed booklists, and multigraphed circulars and letters. The library scrap books show 895 clippings from newspapers concerning the library. There were 137 lists multigraphed and distributed to the amount of 29,655 copies. The following are some of the printed lists and publi¬ cations that have been issued: Annual Reports Books and Magazine Articles on Battle of Tippecanoe, River Raisin and the Thames Books and Magazine Articles on Oliver Hazard Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie Books for Boys and Girls Education, Selected List of Books with Annotations Extension of Privileges Gardens and Gardening, Selected List of Books with Anno¬ tations German Books in the Louisville P'ree Public Library Invitation to the A. L. A. Plays Endorsed by the Drama League of America Prevention of Tuberculosis Reading Lists for School Room Collections Grades 3-8 Some Books on Child Welfare Some Detective Stories and Tales of Mystery Stations and Extension Department Collections Anno¬ tated Lists 1-5 Summer Privileges 36 LIBRARY STAFF ' i ♦ George T. Settle, Librarian Carolyn E. Adelberg, Librarian's Secretary v ' * ‘S r , tc Bertha L. Guntermann, Senior Assistant Order Department Clara L. Behrens Josie McCormack Minnie Lunn Mary Mullins Mary J. Burns May Wood Wigginton, Head Catalog Department Anna Coldewey Marguerite Seeley Edna Grauman Esther Spohn Mignon Key Maude Tracy Francis C. Montfort, page Jennie M. Flexner, Head Circulation Department Mary G. English Mary A. Thomas Pearl Hinesley Matilda B. Tyler Marie Maloney Ella C. Warren Grace Tabb Hall Warren Robert Beierlein, page Clarence Storey, page Charles Kaelin, page Caroline Q. Fullerton, Head Reference Department Esther V. Bakewell Alice F. Gilmore Cora M. Beatty Mary Brown Humphrey Susan B. Shane, Museum Attendant Chester Reajis, page Sterling Thompson, page Bernice W. Bell, Head Children’s Department Laura M. Fay Maude Sehon Alec Cohan, page Jennie O. Cochran, Head Stations and Extension Department Highland Branch Portland Branch Crescent Hill Branch Parkland Branch Shelby Park Branch Jefferson Branch Mary B. Pratt, Librarian Elizabeth S, Woodson Ada K. Sievers, Librarian Anna Giles Greenaway Sallie T. Berryman, Librarian Ruth Theobald Jessie M. Taylor, Librarian Geneva Netherton Loraine Norris, Librarian Sarah A. Dreher Minnie Dearing Miller, Librarian Alma G. St. Clair Colored Branches, Thos. F. Blue, Librarian Western Colored Elizabeth I. Finney Jane J. Simpson Eastern Colored Rachel D. Harris Lillie S. Edwards t f.'rffllA >-r mwwmemW'i ■■ . -ffiA WK ..tv ■■ v.^Cf* . " 4 U«i w . •A r . . \ ■ W/ifflW.'l '■ ■ .• AS, Av; / f.' •. i. 'Jf; v *5 v*t\ ■' *V ? ' »‘V \ .• • v.Vv- ’v -.,i. V mmmm ■.v. The true University of these days is a collection of Books/' —Carlyle W. ::thiN a