In conclusion it remains to express the deep and sincere regret with which the board accepted the resignation of Mr. William C. Lane as its secretary and treasurer, tendered in December of last year on account of ill health and after a long period of most earnest, faithful and valuable service, and to repeat here the suggestion with which he closed his report to the Montreal conference, a suggestion made, it must be remembered, after years of closest attention to the workings of the board: "The desirability of taking some definite steps toward putting the work of the Publishing Board on a broader and stronger basis is as evident as ever. In addition to the efficient service rendered by the assistant secretary, the Publishing Board could with advantage employ a portion, say half, of the time of a capable man who should combine business judgment and alertness with bibliographical tastes and knowledge of library interests. The time has come when both for its own sake and in justice to those who serve it the Publishing Board should have salaried officers. To make the change successfully, however, requires a better financial condition than it yet has." ====================================================== STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1900. ------------------------------------------------------ | | | | Copies | Copies | PUBLICATIONS. | sold | on hand | | in | Dec. 31, | | 1900. | 1900. | | | | --------------------------+---------------+----------| A. L. A. Proceedings | 2 | 1829 | Books for boys and girls | 188 | 643 | Bibliography of fine art | 84 | 209 | List of French fiction | 991 | 440 | | { 107 | 474 | Books for girls and women | { 218 pts. | 4064 pts.| | | | | { 6 orig. | 24 | Reading for the young | { 32 suppl.| 899 | | { 24 compl.| 5 | List of subject-headings | 296 | 55 | A. L. A. index, 2d edition| | | Portrait index | | | Current book cards | | | English history cards | | | Periodical cards | 170,344 | | Miscellaneous sets | | | Library tracts | 824 | 2174 | --------------------------+---------------+----------| Totals | | | General balance | | | --------------------------+---------------+----------|