208 Philadelphia (1229 Race St.). Presbyterian Historical Society i

C. L. Cooder. 2,000 Allen Craig.

Anna B. Carroll.

James G. Barnwell.

L. D. Lovett, secretary.
Mary A. Fell.

E. R. Craven.

D. K. Turner.

William J. Ayres.

a 2,842 pamphlets June 30, 1887, 584 of which were added during past year.

b October 25, 1887.

e Subscription division of 700 volumes, not open to public; free division, 1,500 volumes. d And about 2,000 rarest literary bric-a-brac with Pennsylvania Historical Society. e Chartered in 1861.

fA special deposit with Philadelphia Library Company.

And a library building valued at $12,000, given by Mrs. Charles Bostick.
March, 1887.

a Including the branch at Proctorsville.

LIBRARIES OF SOCIETIES, ASSOCIATIONS, AND Clubs.

[Tables 105 and 106.]

The fifth group of libraries considered in this chapter is almost without parallel in any other country. The entire freedom of associative efforts, social, professional, benevolent, and religions-inherent in the structure of American life, makes the formation of societies for various purposes easy, and the collection of books almost inevitable. Notable among social-benevolent associations in library wook is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and among those of a social-religious kind the Young

Men's Christian Associations.

The southern part of the Union, as might be expected, has more of these libraries than any other kind. They are doing a great, though silent, work where it is most needed, and deserve every encouragement. The beginnings, almost as a matter of course, are small, and the difficulties encountered often fatal; yet the fact remains that libraries of this kind are springing into existence in the little villages that sparsely dot the vast expanses of the South and the far West.

The use of the books in libraries of this group is confined mainly to members of the societies with which they are connected. To a certain extent the families of these members have the privilege of use. In nearly all cases a courteous application for permission to use the books for reference meets with a cordial assent; but in general this group is divided from the others in this chapter by the requirement of membership in the society as a preliminary to the borrowing of its books. The following extract from a letter written by Mr. William H. Baxter, secretary of the Petersburg (Va.) Benevolent Mechanics' Association, shows how liberally some of these associations allow their books to be used:

"The library is entirely supported-all its expenses paid-by the association; there are no subscribers and no fees. The library and reading-room are open daily from 9 a. m. to 10 p. m. to all persons who comply with the few rules governing the use of books and periodicals. The association owns its building-Mechanics' Hall;' the library room is 70 feet long, 28 feet wide, and 19 feet high; the reading-room is 18 by 21 feet."

TABLE 105.-Summary, by States and geographical divisions, of libraries belonging to societies, associations, lodges, clubs, etc.