At  one  time  during  the  year  there  was  some  discussion  in  the
newspapers  of  a  project  to  deliver  library  books  at  the  houses  of
readers  upon  telephone  or  other  call.  Some  three  years  ago  this
practice  was  started,  but  with  the  attachment  of  a  fee  of  ten  cents
to  cover  street  car  fare  for  the  messenger.  It  was  thoroughly
advertised,  but  experience  has  shown  that  there  is  practically  no
demand  for  such  service.  Books  are  still  sent  out  by  messenger
when  so  ordered,  but  the  fact  that  the  fees  collected  during  the
past  year  amounted  only  to  $1.20  indicates  that  there  is  no  gen-
eral call  for  book  delivery.  Doubtless  it  would  be  vastly  dif-
ferent if  there  were  no  fee  attached.  But  whether  the  expense  to
the  Library  of  free  messenger  service  would  not  far  exceed  that
to  readers  of  coming  or  sending  to  the  Library  in  person  admits
of  no  doubt.  Some  statistics  were  gathered  for  a  week  and  it
was  found  that  not  exceeding  10  per  cent  of  the  individuals  who
came  to  the  Library  paid  car  fare  expressly  for  that  purpose.  I
do  not  believe  the  Public  Library  should  put  itself  in  competition
with  the  "Book-lovers'  Library,"  but  rather  welcome  that  agency
as  relieving  it  from  the  purchase  of  an  inordinate  quantity  of
ephemeral  literature  to  meet  the  hysterical  demand  for  the  latest
popular  novel.
UBKAKY  COMMISSION  RBPORT  OF  19OI.  55

Branch  and  School  Work.
