CHAPTER IV
Outreach and the 1920's and 1930's
The earliest extant library report housed at Middletown
Thrall Library is a fragment dated July 25, 1911. Mary K. Van
Keuren in her "librarian's hand" reported that by 1910 Thrall
Library housed 13,510 volumes and had an annual circulation of
58,512. A much more descriptive report followed in 1913. It
listed the same strenuous hours of library service as in 1901.
She apparently found it necessary to mention that the public had
access to the shelves, and the Dewey system of classification was
in use. "The card catalog," she added "was completed in 1902 and
was always kept up to date." In 1913 the Library's total budget
was $4300. There were no library branches or a separate
children's department. Under the heading "Changes Under Consideration" she carefully wrote, "we need above all things a
children's department but at present have no definite plans
concerning it." 55. By the end of the 1920's this would change.
By 1923 the Library's circulation had risen to 74,817 and
there were 19,346 volumes housed there. The unsigned Annual
Library Report for 1923, partially typed and partially written,
made first mention of the new children's room. Apparently this