According to R. P. Blake, Director of the College Library, the short hours which have been in effect since September have not greatly affected the number of books that circulate from Widener in all departments of the University. As was estimated when it was decided to close the Library evenings and Sundays, a saving of $16,000 will be effected by the close of the year. The policy will be continued next year and probably even longer.

Little Inconvenience

Professor Blake Expressed the Opinion that the plan has done no injustice to the students, but in those cases where there has been great inconvenience special arrangements have been made. There has been a slow but steady increase each year in the number of books taken for outside use but this year the increase has been more rapid. The desk use in the reading room has decreased but the overnight privilege has correspondingly increased. The figures for the reading room are as follows:   Desk  Overnight Oct.1931  3620  2492 " 1932  6859  4243 Nov.1931  7670  2249 " 1932  5902  4555 Dec.1931  6305  2180 " 1932  3922  3268 Jan.1932  12618  2814 " 1933  8581  5383 Feb.1932  6607  1357 " 1933  4074  2717 Mar.1932  10545  1291 " 1933  7685  4765

It will be noticed that the combined desk and overnight circulation has remained practically constant for both years. The total circulation of the library has increased over last year by almost 4000 volumes.