DAVISSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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ANNUAL REPORT, 1946-1947
A oounty library, to justify its name, must provide library service to
all people in the oounty, urban and rural, and to all races. This is the
aim to whioh the Davidson County Public Library has striven and has kept in
view during its nineteen years existence, and the motive behind each move of
expansion. Beginning in 1923 as a Woman’s Club Library, and taken over in
1928 as a oouhty library, it quickly spread its resources over the couhty.
Libraries were established at Lexington and Thomajville and a bookmobile
soon put into operation. Library growth has continued through the years, and
at present five libraries, each separately housed and staffed, a bookmobile
serving 23 schools, 19 book stations, 2 orphanages and 1 factory, comprise
the County Library aystefu
During the fiscal year which ended June
30,1947»
another move of expansion
was made, when at Denton, where in early days was set up the first of the
bookmobile station* a branch library was opened on July 8,1946. The Denton
Lions Club was most cooperative in this venture, furnishing book shelves,
Aesk and chairs. Through the generosity of Mr. A. R. Morris, library quarters
were obtained on the seoond floor of his store building. A librarian. Mrs0
Walter Martin Jr. was secured, and a regular library schedule and routine
worked out. Through June 30,194$, this branch circulated 7*256 books.
There all sign/Ss of this record being maintained and improved upon, if more
books and supplies are provided. This year we hope to see this book stock
increased considerably.
Circulation in the county library system as a whole was 297,899 books.
This is a drop under the previous year, when 338,327 books were circulated.
The circulation decline is a condition which seems to be prevalent in many
other seotions of the country at this time. Although the quantity of books
read is less this year, we believe that the quality of books read is a little
better in the Davidson County Library system. More books of non-fiction are
being circulated. Perhaps the explanation for this is that witfc more people
holding jobs than ever before, there is less time remaining for reading;
consequently, this time is used for worthwhile reading - for self help and
personal advancement in jobs, careers and education. It is interesting to
note that of last years larger circulation figure, 31,486 books circulated
were adult non-fiction, while of this year’s smaller total figure, 33,262
adult non-fietion books wsee borrowed. Of couBse, many books of the lighter
type are also read for who of us does not need this form of recreation? -
but our deduction from figures shown is that more time is spent on thought-
provoking books.
During the year, 1,965 new borrowers registered for library reading, and
387 people renewed their cards, making a total of 2,352 people added th the
registration files. In all, there are 13,097 people in Davidson County who
are registered borrowers. In practice this registered number falls far
below the actual number of people who use library facilities. For instance,
the bookmobile makes regular visits to 17 white and 6 negro schools, and each
grammar grade teacher borrowes books at eaoh visit for the use of her pupils.
The number of books borrowed varies from 30 to 60, and is generally around 45.
Because of technical difficulties involved, a registration count of the
