¿
ș

d º
* , ''', & º
EUTITUTIſ
E. #IIIlº ||
-
à
-
–
§ PENINSuvºº
!CI Roufas pict
i
--i
i
3
s
“r: Rºsenz,
,'… Yº -
liſtſ Tišîi IIIHIIIHTTHIIIHITſū Hā
###########################
|
- ".
,'t
, '. :
. . . . ,"
... ." ','º'
". . . . . . . ;
a
"...'.
,

2.
º - 735
ſi - - N5324
SULTs NoT SHOWN BY
STATISTIGs *.
. . \t * * -
* : * * * * * |
Lº - Á
º º:
* (Zº §.g. * R -.”
w § { } f ºf ſ. S. … "
IN THE WORK OF Thºs;HCHiº
*w-wºw ºrvº
&bt public Libraries of
(5reater ſ2cm) IBoth
COMPILED BY
Whe Aem jurk #1thlir Tibraru
(UHe ſhrunkſgit #ithlir ſibrary
(Ulpe (Queenta Haraugh #ublic Library
PRINTED FOR THE BUDGET EXCELIBIT
OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORE
I910



URING 1909 the three public libraries of the City of
New York, The New York Public Library (serving the
Boroughs of Manhattan, The Bronx, and Richmond),
The Brooklyn Public Library, and The Queens Borough
Public Library, issued for home use 11,728,056 volumes.
Nearly three times this number were consulted by readers
in the eighty-eight branch libraries in the five boroughs.
The number of registered borrowers of the three public
library systems at the present time is about 714,000,
more than the number of pupils enrolled in the public
schools of the City this year. This number includes only
those to whom borrower’s cards have been issued during
the last three years. The actual number of people using
the libraries is very much larger.
These are mere statistics. They give no adequate con-
ception of the kind of work the libraries are doing and
its importance to this community. At the administra-
tion offices of the three library systems are large collec-
tions of reports, letters, etc., showing the appreciation of
readers who have been aided in their studies or work by
the branch libraries. A selection from these, printed
herewith, will give the public an insight, into the real
character of the work, as statistics will not. Where
possible these are given in direct quotation, to show the
spirit and point of view of the speaker or writer. When
a quotation appears without an indication of its origin
it is to be understood that it is direct from a reader or
borrower. In many cases the gist of numbers of testi-
monials is compressed into one short paragraph, to avoid
unnecessary duplication.
THE GENERAL EFFECT.
‘‘My children are getting so d—m smart at school
that I am obliged to use the library to keep ahead of
them.”—An Irishman.
A little girl, who asks the ‘‘library teacher” three or
four times a week for a ‘‘travel book” from the adult
shelves, when asked who read the books replied, “My
father, he's a night watchman, and he says he don’t
know how he'd keep awake nights if it weren’t for the
books I bring him from the library.”
An old Scotch lady who, with her daughter, does sew-
ing in the neighborhood, said she didn’t know what she
would do without the library. The books are her only
recreation, and in the long winter evenings she and her
daughter take turns, one reading aloud while the other
SeVVS.
One reader said she thought it was a fine idea on the
part of the libraries to circulate music. “My!’” she
said, “I could hear two or three operas on the money I
saved by coming to the library for music scores. Last
winter my sister and I got scores from the library be-
fore hearing the opera, and so enjoyed it more; then we
spent several pleasant evenings afterwards going over
our favorite airs.”
When the flag was first raised at one of the libraries,
a citizen said, “That is where it should be, for of all our
American institutions the public library is second only
to the public schools.”
One man said the branch library was the only place in
which he could find the City Record. Another, in order
to settle an argument, came to the library to read the
City Charter, and was gratified to find it there, and par-
ticularly to find that it decided the argument in his
favor.
An army officer’s wife, speaking of the influence of a
library in the neighborhood of a fort, said: “The read-
ing room with its magazines and homelike atmosphere
227797
4
has a most uplifting influence on the soldiers, who, be-
cause of it, spend less time in undesirable resorts, the
number of which has noticeably diminished in the neigh-
borhood in the last five years.”
A physician who has passed in and out of the homes
in one neighborhood for a number of years says there is
a marked change in the general character and condition
of the population, due to the refining influence of the li-
brary. He claims that there has been a marked broaden-
ing of the general outlook among the poorer classes due
to the books of travel, history, and even of fiction, bor-
rowed from the library.
A gentleman, seeing a number of young men from
seventeen to twenty years of age quietly reading one
evening in one of the branch libraries, remarked that
the neighborhood was practically free from the gangs of
street loafers that used to infest it, and he believed this
was owing to the refining effect of the library on the
children, who grew up law-abiding citizens, with the
‘‘library habit,” instead of street hoodlums.
A Frenchwoman, who had come into the library on an
average of twice a week during the winter, said, “I
don’t know what we should have done without the library
this winter. My husband and I could in former years
go to the theatres once in a while; but this has been
such a hard winter that we could not afford any such
luxuries. The library has furnished us with all our
pleasures this winter.”
An old lady said to a branch librarian a short time
ago, “I have had a great deal of trouble. Everything
in life has failed me, and if it were not for my books I
should go crazy.”
Two men had a dispute about the way the Obelisk was
brought to Central Park. They settled it by coming to
a branch library, and left saying, ‘‘Ain’t it grand what
you can get in them libraries?”
“Your library has saved me many a dollar.”
“A stranger in New York, my only friend was the
library.”
One young man said that if it were not for the li-
brary, in the evening he would have to choose between the
bar-room and a cold bed-room.
5
At one branch 100 copies of the whole Bible, and 100
copies of parts of the Bible, including Bible stories, etc.,
are in constant use, and we are obliged to turn down
about ten requests daily for want of more copies. At
this same branch 1,204 volumes of United States history
and civics are far from enough to supply the demands
of the youthful debater, who may be the future leader
in New York politics, of the foreigner who is eager to
learn the history and laws of his adopted country, and
of the thousands of children who are seeking supple-
mentary reading for their school work.
“You are doing wonderful work,” said a visiting
representative of the Atlanta schools. “Your roof
garden, with its green shrubbery to make it cool and
attractive, and books and magazines to make it instruc-
tive, is the greatest boon to the people of the crowded
tenements.’’
A mechanic remarked on the good selection of books
on the mechanic arts, and said it saved mechanics a great
deal to get such books in the library and not have to
buy them.
‘‘I was a barber and have been able to become an
electrician with the aid of the books in the library.’”
A piece of crystal from the farthest land north was a
thank offering for books lent to the ‘‘Roosevelt’’ on her
trip to the Pole.
‘‘ Have you the life of Shelley and Keats in a small-
size edition, handy to slip in my pocket? I am following
an evening lecture course and want to avail myself of
odd moments as they offer themselves.”
An old gentleman, who has used a great many books
of travel in one branch, said, “I have explored the utter-
most parts of the earth via your books of travel.’’
Sister of the Academy reports that she
and five or six other Sisters of her Order have taken
degrees, depending largely upon books borrowed from
the library for the necessary study.
‘‘I believe I have been in all the libraries from here
to Kansas City. I never miss one. I’m a demonstrator
and not a soul knows me, so that I depend upon books for
company. I live out of a trunk and the first place 1
look up is the library.”
6
A clergyman’s wife said, “I have very little fun in
my life, but the library gives me my greatest pleasure.”
Said another lady, “The library makes life in a fur-
nished room worth living.”
A man apologized for coming to the library in dirty
overalls, saying that he had come directly from his ship
to consult a book about boilers and engines.
The wife of a physician said, “I could not live with-
out the library. I have used it as a child, a woman, a
teacher, and a mother.’’
‘‘I picked up a book in the meat market while a
woman wasn’t lookin’ and I saw your sign inside—so I
come in.”
‘‘I have taught myself stenography in your reference
room and with the help of your books.”
One reader stated that as an ‘‘information bureau.”
he had found the library “all that could be desired.”
Another, that the library’s books on religion and ethics
have been invaluable to him in the preparation of his
sermons. Two elderly ladies (sisters) exclaimed, “This
Carnegie library is a source of great pleasure to us.”
And one old resident, a property owner (childless) de-
clares that now at last she is getting something in return
for her money paid in taxes, and, she adds, something
worth while.
‘‘To those who earnestly desire to educate themselves,
and have not the means to buy books, the library is a
great blessing.”
One branch reports that two German girls are learning
to read and speak good English by the use of our books.
During last winter one man used the library’s books
to inform himself about the State of Arkansas before he
paid his money for a farm there.
A lecturer wrote as follows: “I have such happy
recollections of the work you did with me and for me
last winter in suggesting books and articles that would
be helpful to me in the preparation of my lectures, that
I am sending you the topics for my lectures this winter.”
A man who got a patent on some part of an automo-
bile told a member of the library staff that he did all
his reading and investigating for it in books from the
7
Öranch library. The device was described in a journal
of mechanics, which printed a photograph of the in-
Ventor.
A woman who colors lantern slides for lectures found
help as to coloring in buildings, costumes, etc., from the
library books.
A lame man, who had lost his position through the
loss of a leg in an accident, learned pyrography, photog-
raphy, and color-mixing from our books. He has been
able to support himself by doing work in burnt wood, etc.
Said a trained nurse, “‘What a blessing these libraries
are for people in boarding houses! They give people a
quiet place to sit on Sunday afternoons.”
A representative of a neighboring moving picture estab-
lishment came daily for reading matter to help him in
the presentation of pictures illustrating historic subjects.
A foreman silversmith says, “I owe a debt of gratitude
to the clever and businesslike management of the library
and for assistance in selecting books for the furtherance
of my studies. I wish to recommend to every student
of progressive electro-metallurgy the fine selection of
books in the library.’”
Many a canary bird in one locality owes its life to the
library’s copy of Wallace’s “Canary Book,” if we are
to believe the grateful owners of the birds.
Mothers use the branch libraries in summer to find out
about the care and diet of children in hot weather. One
woman said she had been helped in the care of twins by
the aid she had received from our books.
When a dispute took place in a saloon across the way
in regard to a City official’s term of office, one of the
disputants said, “Come on over to the library where we
can settle it.” They came, and the dispute was settled.
“Your books on engineering and construction have
been a great help.’’
An elderly gentleman declared that the library for him
‘‘ is the best and only summer resort.’’
A fireman called for a hand book on modern steam
fire engines. The book was procured for him and later
he testified that he had won promotion as a result of
mastering the work.
8
In the neighborhood of many branch libraries, where
there are a great many people whose homes are not main-
tained according to modern ideas of sanitation, books on
the subject of the home and its betterment have been
provided and are in demand. Books on domestic science
were also eagerly sought.
A woman said at one branch library, ‘‘I can always
find something well worth reading here, and when I con-
sider that I subscribe to but six magazines and have
access to dozens, that I own but a few dozen books and
have hundreds free to me here, I feel that I am selfish in
taking so much and doing nothing for the library.
A tired little woman said she had read a good deal in
her younger days, in fact she had read all the standard
authors. Now she said she had to work so hard during
the day, and had so many worries, that when night came
she just wanted a light novel to keep her mind off her
troubles.
“With the help of your library I procured a good
position, which I could not have obtained otherwise.”
A lady living in a crowded part of the city said the
library was the only place in the district which it was a
pleasure to visit and show to one’s friends.
‘‘My invalid husband has been greatly cheered through
many hours of suffering by the interesting books taken
from the library.”
A distinguished man of science from abroad said,
‘‘Nowhere in Europe are conditions so liberal for lending
books, nor can they be obtained so promptly.”
“The library has helped me to choose intelligently the
few books that I could afford to own.”
A young man said, “I have never had the advantage
of a college education, but I found the library to offer
exceptional opportunities for home study; and I want
you to know that I appreciate the advantage.”
An invalid, who sends, her maid for books, wrote: “I
do not know what I would do without the library. You
are so good about choosing nice books for me, I cannot
be thankful enough.”
A man who said he had made money from the knowl-
edge obtained from our books offered to pay for their
9
use. When told they were free he said, ‘‘New York is a
good place. All education is free.” *
Another man declared that he had been out of employ-
ment for some time and was about to take a position as
gardener, but feared he could not hold it since he knew
nothing about flowers. He was given library books on
the subject and a month later called, looking very pros-
perous, and said, “Thank you for helping me hold my
job.”
One borrower uses a branch library daily in his work
of encyclopaedia revision and also in writing a life of
Columbus.
‘‘You not only have given assistance when asked, but
have kindly impressed upon us the idea that you are
anxious to help in all possible ways.”
A short time ago a young man thus expressed his
opinion of one of the branch libraries: “It is the
greatest place on earth for a poor man to get a good
education.” This man said he had been obliged to leave
school early in order to support his family, but that he
always wanted to be a first-class engineer. He studied
at Cooper Institute, but did not gain the knowledge he
desired. One day at this branch he found some easy
books on the subject of engineering. After one year’s
study he returned to Cooper Institute and passed the
examinations in which he had failed the year before, and
which he now pronounced ‘‘dead easy.” He gave it as
his opinion that “a lot of fellows failed because they
didn’t know all they could get from the library.”
A driver, through the use of Brooks’ Automobile Book,
was able to qualify as a chauffeur, thus saving his
position and increasing his salary when his firm changed
from horse to motor delivery.
A young woman, a clerk, found that the library con-
tained a fine collection of books on business letter writing
and form, typewriting, and bookkeeping. She used them
continually for one winter and was able to better her
position as a result of her study.
A young man connected with Troop — Armory found
the collection of books on electricity, electric wiring,
electric construction, interior work, interior telephones,
etc., of sufficent help to enable him to take a position as
electrician at the Armory.
© o
•e :
©
e°
IO
A young clerk, earning ten dollars a week, spent his
evenings in the library studying free-hand drawing for
nearly three years, in addition to taking the regular
course of study in the evening high school. He said he
got everything he needed from the library, eventually
took the examination for a position as teacher of drawing
in the schools, passed successfully and now has a position.
The library, he said, had helped him to earn two dollars
where he formerly earned one.
‘‘The existence of the library is the only thing that
reconciles me to living in ’’ (a suburb).-A teacher.
‘‘To be eager to come day after day to a place so
thronged, to wait, as they often have to do, for hours at
a time in the hope of securing a special book—and then
do it all over again at the earliest opportunity—means
something more than can be conveyed by figures or even
by words.”—Report from a branch in a busy, crowded
district.
A Russian boy asked for books which his father would
like also, ‘‘ only not so hard, please, because my father is
learning English from the stories.’’
A literary society, composed of about twenty-five young
men, made the branch library its headquarters for about
four years and was eventually known as one of the best
debating societies in the City. The library was the only
place in that part of the City where they could meet,
except a small hall which was connected with a saloon
in an undesirable district. The members were all work-
ing men, but many took up special studies, doing most of
their work in the library, and attending the evening spe-
cial schools. Three have since graduated from a law
School, two entered Columbia, and one Cornell.
‘‘The public library has certainly been a very good
thing to me. I began work in a shoe shop and could
make no headway in this business because I did not care
for same.
After standing many times in front of the public li-
brary windows about 10 years ago with not enough cour-
age to go in, the librarian came out and asked me if I
wanted to draw out any books. I timidly went in and
she gave me 2 books on electricity. This was really my
start in life and I often would like to express my thanks
to the kind lady who also helped me in many difficulties
when I had problems to solve. I have drawn many books
o •
e
©
* *
© e tº º
II
from the library ever since and have changed from the
slavery in the old shoe shop and worked for 2 electrical
concerns and now for 6 years I am my own boss and have
several men in my employ.
I could not express my feeling with the pen as I would
like to, and could fill a dozen pages with good words for
the public library and I believe it is the greatest help to
young people and old ones as well if they could only
make it their duty to put an hour a day in reading the
useful books in the library. The book (The making of a
housewife) which I drew for my wife is worth its weight
in gold to my wife.
I pass my few hours of spare time every Sunday after-
noon at the library, as my working hours are very long at
present, and find it a great help in business. I cannot
say enough good words for the public library which has
made my life happy which otherwise would have been
drudgery.”—Letter to a branch librarian.
AID TO THOSE STUDYING FOR COLLEGE
REGENTS, CIVIL SERVICE, AND PRO-
MOTION EXAMINATIONS.
‘‘I could not have passed my examinations for a princi-
palship without the help the library has given me.’’—4
teacher.
Another teacher, who recently passed her examination
for a principalship, was supplied at the library with all
the necessary books.
‘‘I just passed my civil service examinations, and all
the information I gathered, and all the books I needed,
I obtained from the library.’”
A letter-carrier said that the library had saved him
about $100, as he had obtained there books which he
needed for an examination. *
Said a young man, “I owe it to the library that I have
been able to pass all the Regents’ examinations.’. He
*
e
gº
:
I 2
could not go to school nor could he afford to buy the
books; so he got them all from the library and studied in
his free time.
Large numbers of students taking summer courses at
Columbia University and elsewhere secure the books they
need for their studies at the various branch libraries.
. A printer said he would not have passed his civil ser-
Vice examination had it not been for the books he received
from the library.
A young lady who passed her entrance examination for
Barnard College said she had drawn all her books for
study from one of the branch libraries.
A young man studying for Regents’ examinations said
he got all his counts in history by studying books from
the library.
A man connected with one of the large dairy concerns
used our books in preparing for examinations in milk
testing, sterilizing, etc.
A teacher studying for promotion wrote: ‘‘I never
could have passed the examinations I have been called
upon to take during the past year were it not for the
help I have received from your library.’”
At another branch library a young man spent many
evenings during the past winter studying for a civil Ser-
vice examination which brought him an appointment in
the State Engineer’s office.
A reader after many hours of study at the library
passed the postal service examination and received a regu-
lar appointment.
A young woman, in reporting her appointment as a
playground worker states that the branch library pre-
pared her for the City examinations.
A man preparing for the civil service examination as
an inspector of milk has borrowed every book in the
library on the subject of milk sanitation, and says he
feels well prepared for his examination in consequence.
Ten young law students at the City College met during
the spring months in a room in the library for study and
discussion, preparatory to their final examinations. After-
ward, they extended a vote of thanks to the library for
t
I3
the use of the room, adding that they had all passed their
examinations successfully, that they attributed their
success in getting high marks to the fact that they were
able to meet together and ‘‘ quiz?’ each other on their
year’s work, and that the library was the only place
where it was possible for them to do this.
COOPERATION WITH THE SCHOOLS.
A public school principal says, “I have come to look
upon your work as a very able assistant to mine. In my
private reading, in my professional study, and in my con-
ferences with teachers, I have found the library a con-
stant and necessary help. The pupils, the teachers and
the principals are greatly indebted to you and your staff.”
Lesson facts are made more vivid and interesting by
the books and pictures seen at the library.
A teacher coming into one of the libraries was sur-
prised to find so many of her pupils reading there. She
said she was pleased because she had noticed that the
children who used the library were better pupils and
‘‘they keep their school books so much cleaner. They
know how to handle them.’”
A Sister teaching boys in a parochial school said that
since the library had opened in the neighborhood she
could see the change for the better in her boys. The
busy, happy atmosphere of the library, and the training
in the handling of books, made them more amenable to
discipline, and they took better care of their school books.
A teacher taking a special course at Columbia Uni-
versity remarked that the library had saved him $185
during the year.
Another teacher remarked, “How I appreciate what
the library has done for me ! I have had to refer to so
many books that but for the help afforded me by the
library I would have been greatly handicapped.
One teacher was surprised and gratified to learn that
the library was ready to make reading lists for her on
“Birds,” “Animals,” and “Natural phenomena.” All
I4
the libraries are continually making such lists on all sorts
of subjects and for all sorts of people.
One teacher said, ‘‘I find that those boys who use the
public library are more teachable. The use of so many
books makes them more wide-awake and receptive.’’
Teachers all over the City testify to this, and say that
they notice the difference between those who use the
library and those who do not.
‘‘Since my appointment as assistant librarian of
High School I have frequently had occasion to send our
students to the branch. So many of their debates
and references require magazines and books which a
School library cannot supply, that it has been a great
satisfaction to me not only to be able to refer them to
your library, but to feel sure that they would find it help-
ful. The girls have been very enthusiastic over the help
they have received.”
A weekly lecturer at one of the schools always spoke of
the library opposite as “our friend across the way.”
“Without this splendid assistance to some dozen boys
a week my work in the Boys’ Club would be almost or
Quite valueless. Again, in the classroom seldom a day
passes without my sending some pupil to the library for
help; and I never send in vain.”
A teacher who had been taking advanced courses of
study said, “I want to thank you for the help you have
given me both by the books here and by borrowing
through interchange. Without it I could not have done
the work and passed the examinations for promotion as I
have.”
Many teachers have expressed their appreciation of the
assistance the books on pedagogy have been to them in
their work, and of the facilities the libraries offered. One
teacher said, “I am one of more than a dozen from this
section who are taking a special summer course at Co-
lumbia University. All the books recommended by the
professors were to be found in the library.” When
asked what that meant to her in actual saving she re-
plied, “It would have cost me more than $100 to have
been obliged to purchase all the books, and it would have
been necessary to do so had not the library had them.”
This particular teacher finally passed her examinations
for a principalship.
I5
HELP TO CHILDREN.
A working mother said, “I always feel safe about my
boy since he joined the library. I know he has a place
to go after school until I come home in the evening.”
“Say, have you got ‘Scottish Chiefs’? I read half of
it at my Carnegie library in Seattle and I want to finish
it; and, say, can this be my library?’”
A great many parents of children who use the library
and come to the ‘‘story hour” have spoken of the in-
fluence it has on the children. They say the children
repeat at home the stories told, and that the discipline at
the library has a marked effect on their behavior at home.
A visiting mother’s comment upon the children’s room:
‘‘These children are learning how to behave in public as
well as how to choose good books.”
Children are often the means of bringing their parents
and older brothers and sisters to the library.
Barents who are unable to speak a word of English
often visit the library to make sure their children have
become members.
Private care of public property is taught by requiring
clean hands and careful handling of books by the children.
Thousands of children use the public library to sup-
plement school studies.
Here are a few of the subjects on which there is a
great demand for books in the children’s rooms: Elec-
tricity, Aeronautics, How to make things, Games, Plays,
Dialogues, Song books, Biography, History, etc.
As an illustration of the fact that the demand for
books in the children’s rooms is far in excess of the sup-
ply, 84 books were left on the shelves of one children's
room from which 1,564 books were circulated at the end
of a busy afternoon.
A mother said, “You don’t know how much better
Sammy is since he gets books. Before, he was rough and
so noisy and hit all the little ones so much. Now he has
manners and keeps himself clean.”
A little girl said she had been on the ‘‘honor roll” all
term because she knew things from library books.
...”
I6
A number of children in one neighborhood have been
able to cultivate attractive gardens through the help
afforded them by library books.
A teacher and leader of a club for boys says: “I have
found the accommodations of the library and the kind-
ness of the librarians extremely helpful. Any book or
pamphlet has been at my disposal.”
The attitude of many parents toward the children's
rooms is illustrated by the following incident which hap-
pened this summer: A father of two small boys came
into one of the libraries with the manner of one searching
for somebody. He said, “I just wanted to see if my
boys were here. They spend most of their time here, and
I looked in to see if they were playing truant.”
“Why, is school in session now?’’ he was asked.
‘‘No, no, I mean playing truant from the library,” he
said. “They’re here, all right, I see,’’ and went away
satisfied.
||||||I||
9015 03460 9969