Sec. 6.  He shall keep record books of all accessions to the library by purchase, and of all gifts for its several departments, with the dates when received, and, in the case of donations, the names and places of residence of the donors.

Sec. 7.  He shall promptly and courteously acknowledge all gifts to the library or any of its departments.

Sec. 8.  He shall keep an account of the time of the several employes; prepare the pay-rolls in accordance therewith, and place the same before the finance committee in advance of each regular meeting.

Sec. 9.  He shall prepare an annual report showing, as fully as may be practical, the operation of the library and its several departments during the preceding year, with an inventory of the furniture, books, and other contents of the building.

Sec. 10.  The first assistant librarian shall perform the duties of the librarian during the latter’s absence.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  Amendments hereto shall only be made at a regular meeting of the board, and must be proposed at least one month previous to final action on the same.

CHAPTER XLIII

Reports

As far as the welfare of the library is concerned, the money spent in publishing an elaborate annual report can often be better invested in a few popular books, or, better still, in a few attractively printed statements of progress and of needs, distributed through the community on special occasions.  If there must be an annual report for the general public—­which will not read it—­it should be brief and interesting, without many figures and without many complaints.  Do not think it necessary, in making up your report, to adopt the form or the list of contents usually followed by libraries.  Give the necessary figures as briefly as may be, and adapt the rest of the report to the library and its community.

CHAPTER XLIV

Library legislation

Prank C. Patten, librarian Helena (Mont.) public library

The modern library movement is embodying ideas that are yet to make public libraries about as common as public schools, and correspondingly important in educational value.  After a generation of most remarkable growth of public libraries in number, size, and recognized usefulness, experience can now enlighten us in regard to plans of library support and organization.  The best interests of the movement are served by embodying the results of this experience in law.  Such a law, by setting forth a good plan, encourages the establishment and promotes the growth of these popular educational institutions.

Outline of a good law

The following outline (with explanatory notes) embraces the important provisions of a good state library law: