Thirteenth Biennial Report of the State Library Commission for the State of Delaware 1927-1928

              THIRTEENTH BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE STATE LIBRARY COMMISSION FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THE YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 1927 and JUNE 30, 1928
THIRTEENTH BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE STATE LIBRARY COMMISSION FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THE YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 1927 and JUNE 30, 1928
Star Publishing Co.
Wilmington, Del.
STATE LIBRARY COMMISSION
MEMBERS
MRS. JAMES W. ANTHONY, Reappointed Feb. 4, 1926 for 5 years. 
SMRNA
A. L. BAILEY, Reappointed Feb. 4, 1926 for 5 years.
WILMINGTON
MISS ANNA B. HAYES, Reappointed Jan. 21, 1927 for 5 years.
DOVER
MISS CHARLOTTE MAHAFFY, Reappointed April 23, 1928 for unexpired term of Mrs. Willard
WILMINGTON
MISS MARGARET ORR, Reappointed June 23, 1928 for 5 years.
LEWES
MRS. CHARLES PRETTYMAN, Reappointed Jan. 20, 1927  for 5 years.
MILFORD
MRS. HENRY RIDGELY, Reappointed Feb. 4, 1926 for 5 years.
DOVER
S. RODMOND SMITH, Reappointed April 20, 1928 for 5 years.
ODESSA
OFFICERS
S. RODMOND SMITH, President
MRS. E. D. WILIJEY, Secretary
MISS IDA V. CULBRETH, Librarian
All correspondence relating to the work of the Commission should be addressed to The State Library Commission, Dover, Delaware.
STATE LIBRARY COMMISSION OF DELAWARE
Thirteenth Biennial Report
For The Years Ending
June 30, 1927 and June 30, 1928
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of
Delaware in General Assembly met:
The State Library Commission begs leave to submit the following report:
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
ACCESSIONS
From July 1, 1926, to June 30, 1927, nine hundred and fifty-seven volumes were added by purchase, seventeen by gift, and from the State through the Delaware State Federation of Women's Clubs seventy-three volumes were added to the col­lection.
From July 1, 1927, to June 30, 1923, eight hundred and fifty-eight volumes were added by purchase, twenty-two by gift and seventy-six from the State through the Delaware State Federation of Women's Clubs.
It has been the custom of the State Library Commission for a number of years to subscribe to the American Magazine,
Christian Herald and Popular Mechanics; for the six Coast Guard Stations on the Delaware coast, and we are told they are very much appreciated by the crews of these Stations.
TRAVELING LIBRARIES
From July 1, 1926, until June 30, 1927, the traveling libraries were circulated one hundred and thirty-four times.
Of this number one hundred and twenty-five were sent to schools and nine to other organizations. The total number of volumes loaned during the year to schools, associations and to individuals was 8,016.
From July 1, 1927, until June 30, 1928, the libraries were circulated one hundred and thirty-three times. One hundred and twenty were sent to schools and thirteen to other organ­izations. The total number of volumes loaned 8,046.
These libraries are sent throughout the State, and are loaned for three months with the privilege of renewal for
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three months longer. Transportation charges, except local cartage, are paid by the Commission. The past school year was a very successful one with the libraries. A number of the schools used more than one and some of the larger schools had the use of two for the different grades. As many as four requests at one time from the same school have been sent in, but as heretofore the number of libraries had to be limited to two to the graded schools.
Other organizations than schools and church schools using the libraries during the past two years include the following: Bridgeville Tuesday Night Club, Delmar, Harrington and Georgetown New Century Clubs, Wyoming Round Table, Ris­ing Sun Community Club, Rehoboth Beach Free Library and the Young Women's Christian Association at Camp Otonka on Indian River. The last mentioned always expresses the pleas­ure the books have given the girls and the visitors to the Camp during the summer months.
On the 22d of February, 1928, Wesley school building near Seaford was burned with contents, which included two of the State Traveling Libraries.
The help of the Commission is frequently asked for by teachers for their own personal use, and by school children for their essays, "required readings" and oratorical contests. In reading the reports of other library commissions and libraries we find that we are not alone in reporting that the demand is greatest for fiction, but we are glad to say that among the non-fiction books the following have found favor among a great many of our readers: Jones' Christ of the
Indian Road and Christ at the Round Table, Halliburton's Royal Road to Romance, Lagerlof's Marbacka and her stories,
With Lawrence in Arabia, Disraeli, Dolly Madison, "We" and Byrd's Skyward. 'There are others of course, but these men­tioned have proved interesting to many readers.
BOOK WAGONS
While the number of book routes in the State has not been increased since our last report there seems to be no lack of interest on the part of the patrons. There are thirty-two routes, each covering about twenty-five miles. The homes on these routes are visited once a month for eight months during the year. New Castle County has five and a half routes in charge of Miss Ellison, Mrs. Slaughter and Miss Maloney; Kent County has twelve and a half routes with Miss Mast, Mrs. Slaughter, Mrs. Schabinger and Miss Richards in charge;
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Sussex County has fourteen routes in charge of Miss Hopkins, Miss Morris and Miss Hall. This work has been faithfully performed often in severe weather when roads and lanes were almost impassable.
From July 1, 1926, to June 30, 1927, the book wagons made two hundred and forty-two trips, 7,880 visits were made and 21,742 volumes loaned.
From July 1, 1927 to June 30, 1928, the book wagons made two hundred and forty-five- trips, 7,929 visits made and  20,729 volumes loaned. These numbers do not include the special extension work of Miss Morris and Miss Hopkins.
EXTENSION WORK
In the winter of 1927 when the roads in places were too bad for Miss Morris to make her regular book wagon trips she tried out the plan of visiting for four months the following places in Sussex County: Cannon, Ellendale, Harbeson and Greenwood. Miss Morris was most cordially received, and in the twelve visits she made she loaned eight hundred and eighty­-six books. The visits the fourth month were to collect all books that had been previously loaned. Again in the winter of 1928 Miss Morris and Miss Hopkins undertook this same branch of work with the addition of four new stations: Bethel, Concord, Farmington and Millsboro. They were given tem­porary quarters in school buildings, private homes, a store and a community building.
On each visit several hours were spent in distributing books to the residents of the place and to many from the surrounding country. A great many school children not only had the pleasure of reading good and wholesome stories, but were helped with their "required" school readings. In the three months more than two thousand books were loaned. This work was done hoping it would show the need of and the desire for a free library in some of the towns and villages. Many of the borrowers expressed great pleasure in reading the books and promised their assistance in working for a free library in their town. From a number of letters asking that the State Library Commission continue the work we quote the following: "It gives me much pleasure to write you to express my appreciation for the kind and very helpful service to myself and this community by the bookwagon Library this past season.
Especially appreciated was the securing of special books on the regular shelves, this is a service particularly gratify­ing to those who live in communities so isolated from large 
6
libraries. With sincere hopes that the Bookwagon will con­tinue us in its route . . ."
"Since I have had the opportunity to enjoy the Travel­ing Library in our town for the past two winters I feel that
I want to let you know just how much I have enjoyed the privilege of reading so many good books that I could not have read had not the State supplied them. I also know of some older folks who have thoroughly enjoyed the books and who look forward eagerly to the day when the book wagon comes to town."
"Being a patron of the book wagon last winter and spring afforded me a great deal of pleasure and was the means of helping me pass many hours advantageously. There is no pub­lic library near . . . or, at least, none to which I have access and you can imagine the treat it was to have a collection brought right to the door."
"I like to tell you that I have enjoyed the books very much during the summer and I would still like to have them during the winter months when the nights are so long." 
"We live in the country and are shut in part of the time by bad roads. As there is no public library in the nearest town we find the books distributed by Miss . . . a great satisfaction."
"I wish to inform you that the Book Wagon which has been passing through our midst for the past two winters has been greatly appreciated by our people, and I am hearing many questions asked as to whether or not your Board will continue this work. We hope you will." 
"I would like to tell you of my appreciation of the Traveling Library, as myself and five sons have had great pleasure from reading books it is more than likely we would not have had the chance to read had it not been for the Traveling Library."
"My daughters, son and myself greatly enjoy reading the books you furnish us and that we would not have the privilege of reading if not furnished by the library. Hoping this serv­ice will be continued . . . "
"I think the traveling Library is a great convenience and a very great help to old and young people of the rural sections. Many fine books are left in the homes that other­wise would never reach them. My family of four have greatly enjoyed the books. . . “
"I think the Rural Book Route is the best means country people ever had of being privileged to read good books."
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"I would like to give a word of appreciation to the Traveling Library, Route No. 1, which is in our community. The books which the people have the opportunity to read are of wonderful value, both in entertainment and education, and when one is unable to have access to a town library it is a great help to have good books brought to the house, and I feel that the State Library Commission should know that their books are helpful and appreciated. Although I am only one member on Route No. 1; I can safely say that my sentiments are the opinion of the community in general."
“'I like the books Miss . . . . .. bring me. My Mother reads them to me for I am only in the second grade."
A boy sixteen years old says: "You cannot imagine how much I enjoy reading the books you bring. With eagerness I await your coming every month. These few words are to express my appreciation of your good work, and I am only too pleased to say 'keep it up'.”
Another boy of nine years old writes: "The boys and girls of .... school are wondering if you are coming here again this winter with books. My Grandmother, Mother, Sister and myself all enjoyed the books so much that we surely hope you will come again this winter."
It is to be hoped this work will not only be continued but that it will be made possible for it to cover a much larger territory in rural sections where the need is often great.
The Commission each year receives a number of interest­ing and helpful pamphlets from the different state library commissions, and a great many magazines come as gifts from friends interested in the work. The latter are distributed on the book routes and undoubtedly give a great deal of pleasure. 
The Rehoboth Free Library is again open to the public and is now comfortably housed in a large room in the Public School Building.
It is with pleasure we append to this report the first bien­nial report of the Milford Free Library. Reports of two more of the free libraries in the State are appended elsewhere to this report.
At a meeting of the Delaware Citizens Service Association in February 1928 Miss Hayes represented the State Library Commission.
Respectfully submitted
I. V. CULBRETH,
Librarian.
June 30, 1928.

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FINANCIAL REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMISSION
From July 1, 1926, to June 30, 1927,  Inclusive
SALARIES AND WAGES ....
Bookwagon Librarians . ... . . .
Librarian for Commission .. .
Janitor ., ............ . . . .. .. .
Fees ........... .. . .. ...... .
Telephone Operator .... . ... .
OFFICE EXPENSES
Telephone ................. .
Light ..... ..... ....... .... . .
Printing & Stationery ..... .
Rent .... .. ....... ...... .. . .
Freight, Express & Drayage 
Dues ...................... .
Insurance .................. .
Postage ..... .. . .. ... . .. ... .
Supplies . ... . .............. .
TRAVEL
Bookwagon Librarians ..... .
Members of the Commission
OPERATION
Motor Supplies & Expenses ..
Insurance on Car ...... .... .
REPAIRS & REPLACEMENTS
Repairs to Books .......... .
Repairs to Furniture, etc. ..,
EQUIPMENT
Books and Magazines .... .. .
Total Expenses .......... .
Total Appropriations
Balance Unexpended ..... .
FINANCIAL REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMISSION
From July 1, 1927 to June 30, 1928, Inclusive
SALARIES AND WAGES
Bookwagon Librarians ..... .
Librarian for Commission .. .
Janitor ................. . .. .
Fees ...... .. .. . . . . .. . . .. . . .
OFFICE EXPENSES .. . ... . . .
Telephone ...... . ..... . .... .
Light ...... . .............. . .
Printing & Stationery . .. . . .
Rent . . ......... . ...... . ... .
Freight, Express & Drayage ..
Dues ...................... .
Postage ................... .
Supplies .. . .... . . . ... . ..... .
TRAVEL ... . .. . . . . . . ........ .
Bookwagon Librarians ..... .
Members of the Commission . .
OPERATION .............. . . .
Motor Supplies & Expenses ..
Insurance . ..... . . . ....... . . .
Household Supplies ... . ..... .
Fuel ... . . . ............... . .
REPAIRS & REPLACEMENTS
Repairs to Books . ......... .
Repairs to Furniture, etc. . ..
EQUIPMENT ................ .. '
Books . . ........ . .... . . . ... .
Miscellaneous .............. .
Total Expenses .......... .
Total Appropriations ..... .
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DOVER-
The Dover Library contains about 6,000 volumes and is open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from three to five 0 'clock in the afternoon and from 7 to 8:45 in the evening.
From July, 1926, to June 30, 1928, of the 775 books which have been added, 425 were gifts, 268 books were discarded, 34,337 books were borrowed of which 12,272 were juveniles.
These numbers include 18,653 fiction, 11,809 juvenile fiction, 2412 non-fiction and 1463 juvenile non-fiction.
The periodicals of which there are 57 on the tables in the reading rooms, prove a strong attraction, 5,745 having been loaned in the two years. 
The total expenses of the Library are about $1,399.00 a year.
The four local papers and the Wilmington Every Evening, Greater Utica, Wilmington, Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, and Review Internationale de la Croix Rouge are donated.
Each year Children's Book Week is observed with new books for the girls and boys. In addition to those purchased by the Library there are always some donated by the Ladies' Library Club and individuals interested in the Library.
In May, Miss Mary E. Fulton after many years of faith­ful service in the .Library resigned and the Commission was fortunate in securing Mrs. Roydon L. Hammond, formerly of the Bangor Library, Maine, to succeed her.
Respectfully submitted
L. BEATRICE MAST
BERNICE W. HAMMOND
Librarians.
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ODESSA-
The Corbit Library has over eight thousand books on its list, all catalogued and arranged on strong shelves and in very good condition. Three hundred new books have been bought, 7851 books loaned and fifty-six borrower's cards given out since our last report.
The Library and Museum are open to the public every Tuesday and Saturday from 9 to 12 a. m. and 1.30 to 4.30 p. m.
Several rooms, the hallways and outside of the mansion have been painted, and electricity has been installed.
Two interesting as well as instructive gifts have been re­ceived. An elephant's tooth of solid ivory weighing two pounds, over one hundred years old which came from India;
An Arctic or Snow Owl found dead in Middletown, so far from home it starved, only weighing two pounds. Mrs. F. B.
Watkins had it mounted and gave it to the Library, and the children all love it.
Respectfully submitted
MRS. GEORGE WHITTOCK
Librarian.
Corbit Library Committee:
Daniel Corbit, President
Henry L. Davis, Secretary
Mrs. George Heldmyer.
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MILFORD-
The Milford Free Library was made possible through the kindness of Mrs. Edward Brown, a former resident of Mil­ford.
She not only contributed her own library of 1840 books, but solicited also another library known as the Atkins collection of three hundred and seventy-seven books. Other inter­ested friends contributed one hundred and twenty books, mak­ing a total of 2337 volumes when the library opened on October 30th, 1926.
In the two-year period one hundred and eighty-three more books have been contributed and two hundred and thirty-two purchased, including a dictionary and encyclopedia. 
The average monthly circulation was four hundred and fifty-eight. Sixty-one persons gave their services as librarians until August, 1927, when two librarians were elected with pay. 
The library is open a part of four days each week, Monday evening, Wednesday afternoon, Friday noon and Saturday aft­ernoon and evening. The Friday noon has become a necessity because many pupils in our Public Schools from the country and nearby towns cannot get in town on Saturday. More than fifty percent of our reades are from the Public Schools.
Our Book Committee keeps us well supplied with new books of non-fiction as well as fiction.
We have a State appropriation and raise our part by pri­vate contributions.
Respectfully submitted
EDNA C. BARKER
GLADYS H. WARDLE
Librarians.
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1926-1927
Book Wagons Trips Visits Made Volumes Loaned
Miss Ellison ............. 16 317 876
Mrs. Slaughter ........... 24 518 2313
Miss Maloney ............ 18
Miss Mast ............... 45
442 521
832 , 3397
Miss Richards ........... 18 711 2780
Mrs. Schabinger . . . . . . . . .. 24 774 20.93
Miss Hopkins ............ 39 2033 4352
Miss Morris ............. 18 657 1528
l\1:iss Hall ............... 40 1596 2996
242 7880 20,856
6139
1877
886
Traveling Libraries ....................... ' ... .
Individuals ................................... .
Extension Work .............................. .
Total .................................... 29,758
1927-1928
Book Wagons Trips Visits Made Volumes Loaned
Miss Ellison ............. 16 358 1110
Mrs. Slaughter .......... 27 600 2639
Miss Maloney ............ 18 438 506
Miss Mast ............... 45 785 3418
Miss Richards ........... 18 671 2554
Mrs. Schabinger ...... ' . . .. 24 889 2167
Miss Hopkins ............ 36 1846 ~004
Miss l\1:orris ............. 21 638 1488
Miss Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 40 1704 2843
245 7929 20,729
Traveling Libraries ............................ 6064
Individuals .................................... 1982
Extension Work ............................... 2027
Note:
Total number of volumes loaned 1924-26
Total number of volumes loaned 1926-28
Total number of volumes loaned over 1924-26
30,802
46,812
60,560
13,748