MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE The following document is provided by the LAW AND LEGISLATIVE DIGITAL LIBRARY at the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library http://legislature.maine.gov/lawlib Reproduced from scanned originals with text recognition applied (searchable text may contain some errors and/or omissions) PUBLIC ·DOCUMENTS OF MAINE: 1903 BEING THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS For the Year 1902. VOLlJME III. AUGUSTA KENNEBEC JOURNAL PRINT 1903 THIRTIETH REPORT OF Tl-LE LIBRARIAN MAINE STATE LIBRARY FOR THE YE'..-\RS 1901 and 1902. Transmitted to the Legislature, January, I903. AUGUSTA KcNNEllcC JOVRN,\L PRINT 1903 MAINE STATE LIBRARY, AUGUSTA, MAINE. LIBRARIAN-L. D. CARVER. ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN--ERNEST w. EMERY. CATALO<mER-MRs. MARY L. CARVER. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON STATE LIBRARY. N. M. JONES, Bangor. CHARLES S. COOK, Portland. WM. T. HAINES. Waterville. MAIN!( LIBRARY COMMISSIOX. ARTHUR J. ROBERTS, WaterYille. WILLIAM H. HARTSHORN, Lewiston. KATE C. ESTABROOKE. Orono. LIZZIE JEWETT BUTLER. :Mechanic Falls. I,. D. CARVER, Srrrcta,,v, Augusta, Maine. CONTE~TS. PAGE Organization ............................................... 2 Report ..................................................... 5 Growth .............................................. 5 Traveling library ..................................... 5 Use by study clubs, etc .......................... 6 Exchanges and distribution of documents ............... 7 Permanent acquisition ................................ 8 Room needed ........................................ 8 Clerk hire ............................................ 9 How to organize and establish a free library ................. IO How to obtain a traveling library ............................ II Directory of Ebraries of Maine ............................. 12-15 Libraries and population, by counties ........................ 16 Executive departments, offices and bureaus ................... 17-22 Additions to library: Books purchased ..................................... 23-71 Exchanges ........................................... 72-127 Donations ............................................ 128-152 U. S. documents ...................................... 153-182 Traveling libraries. 1901-2 ............................. 183-224 Summary ............................................ 224 Directory of Woman's Federation Clubs ..................... 225 Towns drawing money for free libraries ..................... 234 Financial statements ........................................ 235-237 Bowdoin College library, sketch oi . .......................... 238 Lawrence library, sketch of ................................. 240 '>--. --/ HUBBARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY, BOWDOIN COLLEGE. REPORT. To the Honorable Senate and H ()ttse of Representatives of the State of Maine: In obedience to the requirements of the laws of the State, it becomes my duty and pleasure to lay before you a report of the Maine State Library for the years 1901-1902. GROWTH 011 THE LIBRARY. It seems fitting and proper at this time to lay before you such facts concerning the State Library as may enable you to under­ stand and fully realize its true condition and immediate needs and wants, and to comprehend more fully the extent and value of its educational work to the people of Maine. The rapidity with which the library has been extended and developed, in all its departments, during the last two years is little known by any one outside its walls, and is scarcely realized and comprehended even by those who carry on its work. Even at this time, in reviewing the work of the last two years, I have been startled and surprised beyond measure at the rapid growth of the library. THE 1'RAVE;LIN"G LIBRARY. The section of our work which is evidc'ntly of the most interest to the public, though not most valuable and enduring, is that connected with the traveling libraries. vVhen the last Legis­ lature met there were 40 of these libraries containing 50 books each, or a total of 2,000 volumes. There are now 80 of these libraries in active use, or 4,000 volnmes. These books afford entertainment and instruction to about 60,000 readers annually, as indicated by recorcls returned to this office. Their use is increasing in the small towns, neig·hborhoods, and even in the lumber camps of Northern Maine. They are sought after by 6 c-IAIKE S'l'ATE LIBRARY. high schools, and prove very helpful to study clubs and granges. They snpplement the efforts of the local libraries in their attempt to give complete and satisfactory service to outlying districts of the several towns. Connected with the travelin§~ library is the loaning of single volumes on payment of transportation, to individuals all over the State. A~ a matter of fact, about one-half of the books of the Maine State Library are loaned out on call whenever requested. Our local history, reference books, and rare works are not permitted to leave the library, except upon an extraordi­ nary occasion. In most states, I see that the traveling library is administered by a commission, entirely independent of the State Library, but we believe that the work can be clone here at less than one-half the cost elsewhere, as we have all the facilities and are in close touch with the free libraries, and all other organizations through­ out the State. USE BY STUDY CLUBS AND LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS. In this State there are 325 granges with a total membership of 34,000 people; 105 clubs of the Women's Federation, with a membership of 5,000. Our high schools, academies, colleges, and small libraries represent 500 organizations, containing not less than 30,000. All together there are over 1,000 clubs and associations in the State, representing nearly 75,000 readers each of whom has a free and equal right to demand the use of these traveling· libraries, or of any single volume that can be safely loaned from the library. vVhen we reflect upon these facts, and consider the tendency of all classes of persons and institutions to rely on the good offices of the State to supply their wants, there can be little doubt in our minds that this branch of the State Library is destined to sustain an almost unlimited growth and expansion, and it will be easily apparent to any one who has observed with any degree of care the growth of the loaning department of the library, that the facilities in this depart­ ment will have to be increased roo per cent within the next two years to meet the growing demand of the people. If the Legis­ lature shall consider it wise and just to place limitation upon the use of the State library in educating the people, and shall restrict within a narrow limit the books that may be loaned, and the LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. 7 number of traveling libraries that may be sent out to the people, this growing demand upon the time, labors, and resources of the library may be checked and retarded, but I believe that the time is near at hand ,vhen the State mil be called 11pon to furnish every citizen at his home with good reading. This work will have to be undertaken and carried on by the State Library, acting in co-operation ,Yith tht:· Libr~try Commission and the free libra­ ries and literary organizations above mentioned. THE EX:CHAKGE DltPARTMEN1'. It is not alone in this section of the library work that the department has been largely in(:reased. The exchange of public documents and reports has nearlv doubled since January, 1900. Exchanges have been effected in twelve leading states, whereby Bowdoin College, the University of Maine and the Maine His­ torical Society receive the pnblications of these states, free, in exchange for hke publications sent from this department. Exchanges have also been made with the provinces of Canada, Germany, Hawaii, Porto Rico, and with the leading universities throughout our own country. DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS. The distribution of documents has been largely increased and to some extent reduced to a system. Over 200 libraries and other institutions of this State are now receiving regularly every pub­ lication issued. The l\Iaine Historical publications are now placed in these local libraries where they cannot fail to create an interest in the study of the history of Maine, and of her resources and unrivaled beauty. Owing to the large increase in the exchanges it will be necessary to ask the Legislature to set apart for the use of the library an increased number of each publication. Not less than JOO copies of each report should be received for the library, instead of one-half that number now reserved for exchange and distribution. Eig·ht thousand packages have been sent out by express since the last Legislature adjourned, and an equal number of letters and parcels have been transmitted through the mail. Between 40,000 and 50,000 books and pamphlets are distributed annually from this department. 8 MAINE S'l'A~'E LIBRARY. PER.MANEN'I' .ACQUISITION. The library has grown very rapidly in the permanent acquisi­ tion of books and other works suited to historical study and in its law section. During the past t,vo years there have been added to the library by purchase, 3,190 books; by exchange, 3,36o; by donation, 933 books; by donation from the United States, r,932 volumes, making a total of 9,415. "\1/hen we add to this amount over 2,000 volumes which have been purchased for use in the traveling libraries, we have a total of over rr,415 books and pamphlets which have been added to the State Library within the past two years. The library now has on its shelves over 18,000 law reports, law journals, digests and statutes, embracing decisions of every court in the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, arn.l Scotland. The reports of Australia and India will complete the decisions of nearly every court in the world which are printed in the English language. The library is now receiving the historical collections of every State and national association devoted to that subject. Many town his­ tories and family histories have been added within the past two years. These have proved very helpful to a rapidly increasing number of students who devote many days and months to the study of these books here at the library.