Central Library. Both have been in use since the building was first occupied and now need almost constant tinkering and repairs in order that even unsatisfactory service may be secured. A new up-to-date installation will be necessary if quick book delivery from distant parts of the stacks is to be secured; the improvements is of sufficient importance to justify a somewhat large expenditure for the necessary equ pment.

In the building of the Blagden Street Annex during the war period two entire floors were left unfinished on account of scarcity of steel and other materials, and the high cost of labor; this barren, unproductive and much needed space is a sheer waste of capacity and increases the overhead expense. The cost of the three steel stacks installed was provided by means outside the appropriation for the building or the regular city appropriation.

Additional stack room is urgently needed, and a rearrangement for the Special Libraries Department on account of the constant growth of the Technology Division is of paramount importance; this division ought to be provided with a new location. Some preliminary studies have been made to provide a reference room and stack room in the two unfinished floors and also to provide similar accommodations for the inconveniently located Statistical Department, with entrance to both departments from the special libraries floor.

It is to be regretted that repairs and improvements in the Lecture Hall, postponed for so many years, are still impossible. The ventilation is criminally bad and the hall itself is distressingly dingy The addition of a moving picture equipment, repeatedly recommended by the Examining Committees and favorably considered by the trustees, is certainly necessary in an up-to-date public hall.

STAFF INSTRUCTION.

Twelve members of the library staff registered at Simmons College during the year in seven library courses and also in courses in French, Spanish, History, Economics and Psychology. An unusual opportunity is offered to the employees of the institution, when it is realized that practically all courses offered by the college, through the courtesy of its president and corporation, are available to them without expense

on recommendation of the librarian. The difficulty of sparing them from the daily routine of work is perhaps the chief reason why assistants have not enrolled for courses in larger numbers.

Professor R. E. Rogers of the Department of English and History of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, began on January 6, the first of a series of twenty lectures on Outlines of English Literature, being a special survey for library assistants. The course is presented on request through the Extension Division of the State Board of Education.

A series of Informal Talks and Round Table Conferences, planned for the younger employees of the library, began on January 5 and will extend to April 27. The course is exceptional inasmuch as it does not aim to give formal instruction. It will consist, rather, of homely and interesting addresses by successful librarians on their work in other libraries, showing the ambitious and persistent young assistant a sure way to recognition and advancement. The value of such a course should be marked; the outcome of the series will be noted with much interest.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

The national Library Association, composed of librarians and library trustees, held its forty-third annual Conference at Swampscott, Massachusetts, during the week of June 20. The trustees of the Public Library joined with the Board of Free Public Library Commissioners of the Commonwealth in inviting the members of the association to a meeting on Thursday, June 23, held in the open court of the Central Library which was appropriately decorated and lighted for the occasion. Among the speakers were His Excellency the Governor, His Honor the Mayor, the President of the Board of Trustees, Josephine Preston Peabody (Marks), Robert Frost and Joseph C. Lincoln. Music was furnished by the Harvard Alumni Chorus and the Footlight Orchestra. The occasion was a memorable one for the Public Library and the American Library Association.

CONCLUSION.

The resignation of the following persons, long in the employ of the library, is noted with appreciation of their devoted services: Frances H. Goddard, on July 15,

after nearly twenty-eight years' service in the Ordering Department; Walter G. Forsyth, on September 22 after nearly twenty years given to work in the catalogue, reference, and special libraries departments.

With deepest regret is recorded the death of Lindsay Swift, editor of library publications, which occurred suddenly on September 11 after over forty-three years' association with the institution.

The librarian wishes to thank all the employees of the library system for the services they have rendered during the year. A formal annual report does not give opportunity to review and specify the good work carried on quietly regularly and efficiently by many persons in the several departments. The sum total of all individual honest effort on the part of chiefs of departments, librarians of branches and reading rooms, and from members of the staff generally, has added prestige to the work of the library and is gratefully acknowledged. During the past year, as previously recognition is made of the sympathetic loyal service of Mr. Otto Fleischner, Assistant Librarian.

Respectfully submitted,

CHARLES F. D. BELDEN,
Librarian.

From the table on page 49 it may be seen that the circulation from the Central Library has shown not only a steady increase from one year to the next but also that the ratio of increase shows a marked advance since the end of the war It will be seen also that the circulation from the branches and reading rooms has increased from year to year except during 1818-19, when, owing to the coal shortage, it was found necessary to effect a considerable curtailment of the hours during which the branch libraries were open.

These facts will perhaps appear more clearly if the net gains and losses in circulation are presented apart from the totals, in the following form:

The figures of total circulation for the year as shown in the first table are distributed in the customary form in the table to be found on the next page.