USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1895 > Part 13
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Amount used, 3130 feet, 42}c per foot. . $1,329 60
Amount used, 4045 feet, 40gc per foot. . 1,638 22
Cash paid J. Littlefield & Son, for cir- cles furnished . 188 21
Cash paid labor during the year 1895. .
126 20
There have been relaid on Water street and other parts of the city 2300 feet,
10c per foot. 230 00
$3,512 23
In this department as formerly the abutter is charged at the rate of one-half whole expenditure this year, the rate being 32c a running foot.
CONCRETE AND BRICK WORK.
Very little has been done in this particular department except in general repairs where necessary, and in connection with the work upon Water street improvement.
32.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Cash paid T. P. Thomas for new and mi- nor repairs, 340 8-9 yards, at 50c per yard, the abutters. 25c per yard of cost. .
$195 54
Repairs and furnishing of new brick by the city, where so required, and all work has been done by the day through the entire year, cost. . ...
566 11
. Cash paid for bricks of Eben Smith .... 115 70
Cash paid for bricks of Joseph Cherry .. 135 00
$1,012 35
You can readily see the small amount that has been done this year, and as there is a great many sidewalks that ought to be re- laid, the question is one of much thought as to how the appropri- ation should be spent.
RUBBISH ACCOUNT FOR 1895.
In the collecting of rubbish the general public are aware how much of all kinds are now taken every week, consisting of paper, which is most troublesome of all, such large bundles as are put upon the highways without even a string to keep them intact until collected by the team. Then as many goods are sold in pa- per boxes, people will take and thrust the box right upon the street, and coupled with the free distribution of handbills, makes it very annoying, and indeed it is almost impossible to keep them from blowing about the streets. Then, so many provisions are sold in cans and all sorts of tin receptacles that at times it seems as though we were with the teams, only collecting what is termed ashes, whereas it could properly be called rubbish, from the mason, also from joiner, and the contractor of whatever descrip- tion leave for the rubbish cart to collect, when in the matter of fact it really belongs to them to do.
Amount collected through the year is as follows : Whole
325
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
amount of loads, 3,427. Amount disposed of to outside parties, 831.
Expense for teams previous to securing the horses furnished by Cashman Brothers, by which act
the teams were allowed to go over their whole route. $ 31 30
Cost of men weekly, $21 60 per week. 1,123 20
Cost of city teams, $24 weekly 1,248 00
$2,402 50
Much ashes is collected weekly by teams from the country for placing about trees and in hen houses, others for grass land. Other parties collect for comb manufacturers who use a large quantity when it is suitable for their work, thereby lessening the amount to be taken by the city teams. Still they have a large amount of ground to go over on their route
Also there was purchased a hoky poky cart at $24, which is quite an auxiliary in the keeping of certain parts of the city in a comparative state of cleanliness, but still much remains to be done by the people themselves in this matter. You cannot cover the city with carts, and there are many ways when the superintendent could be helped, and no doubt they are willing, but without con- sideration on their part tends to make the duty of Mr. Powers irksome, and he is a man of good requisites for his place in this particular department. Although the cart is used mostly in rubbish still the expense has been carried to the highway department. I trust the co-operation of the public will tend to assist him in his duties the coming year. The expense this year ending with a cost of $304 for labor in connection with the above arrangement.
DEPARTMENT OF CULVERTS, 1895.
The care of culverts this year, owing to the heavy rains, has required much outlay and many repairs were necessary, and in fact this has been a year in which there was more trouble than the previous five years from the same cause. There were no new cul-
326
ANNUAL REPORTS
verts constructed, but all expense was incurred in the clearing and repairing of the same, and it will require quite an outlay upon the one at foot of Green street as it is in a bad shape after the winter months.
In connection with the macadamizing of Water street we made a number of connections with the culverts, and were thereby able to drain Water street in fair shape. This was also charged to the above department.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
1 LIST OF JURORS 1896
[Published in accordance with the requirements of Section 3 of Chapter 514 of the Acts of the year 1894. ]
THE LIST
Name
Residence
Occupation
Book keeper.
Truckman.
Burnisher. Grocer.
Allen, Jeremiah Allen, George S.
14 Allen st.
11 Charter st.
Combmaker.
Atwood, Lewis J.
20 Oak st.
Shoemaker.
Badger, Charles F.
19 Essex st.
Janitor.
Bailey, John M.
60 Lime st.
Boxmaker.
Barlow, Joseph
11 Atwood st.
Shoemaker.
Barton, David A.
9 Dalton st.
Carpenter.
Bartlett, Charles S.
12 Storey av.
Farmer.
Batchelder, Elbridge K. 306 High st.
Brookings, John B.
4 Washington st.
Architect.
Polish dealer.
Machinist.
Bridges Samuel A.
11 Market st.
Salesman.
Brooks, Arthur J.
10 No. Atkinson st.
Briggs, Henry M.
13 Elm st.
57 Washington st. Carpenter.
Brown, William Brown, George D. Buckley, Jere W.
22 Bromfield st.
Pump and blocks. Gate tender.
Cate, Daniel W.
11 Pond st. 7 Carter st.
Gardener.
Chase, Joshua L.
Woodland st.
St R. R. Conductor
Chase, Jacob J.
59 Bromfield st.
Machinist.
Adams, Aaron B.
Adams, Jas. Augustus Adams, Frank D. Allen, John W.
15 Parsons st. 106 State st.
29 Jefferson st.
31 High st.
Retired.
Farmer.
Brookings, Melvin F. Bollman, Philip
81 Lime st.
21 Bromfield st.
Carpenter. Livery stable.
-
330
ANNUAL REPORTS
Name
Residence
Occupation
Chase, Joseph T.
Chase, John M.
Coates, John W
11 School st.
Shoe cutter.
Cook, Moses E.
7} Lunt st.
Shoemaker.
Cooke, Charles W.
13 School st.
Carpenter.
Cotton, Timothy Y. Coffin, William B.
21 Washington st. 270 High st.
Carpenter. Retired.
Creeden, John J.
145 Merrimac st.
Silversmith.
Creasey, Philip H.
21 Otis place.
Salesman.
Creasey, Wm. J.
150 High st.
Painter.
Crowell, Charles B.
16 Washington st.
Retired.
Currier, Amos
26 Bromfield st.
Shoemaker.
Currier, Edwin
. 6 Court st.
Mason.
Currier, George E.
277 High st.
Ship builder.
Cutter, Eben P.
12 Broad st.
Painter.
Cutter, George H.
10 Pleasant st.
Clerk.
Davis, Caleb P.
28 Olive st.
Carpenter.
Davis, Thomas H.
11 Brown sq.
Merchant.
Davis, James
407 Merrimac st.
Provisions.
Delano, James H.
304 High st.
Coachman.
Dockum, John H.
27 Broad st.
Carpenter.
Dodge, Wm. H. T.
153 High st.
Carpenter.
Dodge, Greenleaf
58 Prospect st.
Retired.
Donnell, Charles C.
25 Marlboro st.
Accountant.
Dow, John
6 Beck st.
Billiard table maker
Drew, Oscar F.
84 Federal st.
Mill agent.
Edmunds, La Roy S.
29 Broad st.
Machinist.
Emery, Laurens C.
17 Orange st.
Salesman.
Ship builder.
Grocery clerk.
Ford, Samuel J.
7 Charles st. 43} Olive st.
Shoe foreman.
Geary, Amos H.
36 Prospect st. 112 State st.
Clerk.
Glynn, William P.
15 Tremont st.
Clerk.
Gorwaiz, Albert M.
1 Buck st.
Clerk.
Fillmore, John T.
1 Congress st. 20 Summit st.
Follansbee, Henry D.
Shoe cutter.
Frost, John B.
Assessor.
Gerrish, Gilbert
7 Essex st. Curson road.
Boxmaker.
Farmer.
331
LIST OF JURORS
Name
Goodwin, Abraham E Goodwin, Eben P. Goodwin, Samuel P. Goodwin, William A. Greely Nathaniel Greenleaf, George P. Hatch, Willard A. Hatch, George E.
Hathaway, Benj. F. Healey, Freeman P. Hinckley, Fred P. Hidden, Edward S. Hicken, George B. Hodgdon, Albert
Horsch, William N. Howard, Wm. H. P. Hoyt, Alvah Hunt, John D. Huntee, Thomas J.
Hussey, Benjamin H. Humphreys, Thomas Hutchins, William W. Huse, Arthur L. Huse, Caleb B. Ireland, Benjamin P. Jackman, Asa W. Jackman, Reuben Jaques, Edmund Johnson, William R. Johnson, Sandford H. Johnson, Joseph L. Jones, Oliver O. Kelley, James C.
Knight, Alpheus G. Knight, George W.
Kimball, Philip H.
Residence
Central place 5 Orange st. 7 Neptune st.
40 Prospect st. 37 Marlboro st.
33 Bromfield st.
Shoe cutter.
19 Otis place
Contractor & builder
13 Boardman st.
50 Purchase st.
Baker.
16 Dove st. Printer.
136 State st.
Janitor.
69 Lime st.
Mason.
Willow av.
40 Marlboro st.
11 Summit st.
Engraver.
Foreman N. Y.B.Co.
Carpenter.
Carpenter.
Box maker.
Carpenter.
Silver worker.
Rigger.
U.S.Dep. Col. Cust. Printer.
S. R. R. Conductor.
Carpenter.
Shoemaker.
Collector.
Farming.
Retired.
27 Washington st. 49 Prospect st. Arlington st. 24 Atwood st. Parker st. 3 Milk st.
Occupation
Shoes. Sailmaker.
Mill overseer. Carpenter. Real estate agent.
Silver plater.
Carpenter. Teaming.
117 Merrimac st. 26 Oakland st.
185 Merrimac st. Washington st. 25 Forrester st. 56 Purchase st. 12 School st.
210 High st. 39 Middle st.
14 Fair st.
6 Broad st.
174 State st.
9 Purchase st. 203 High st. 1 Oakland st.
Auct. & Assessor. Master mariner. Silver burnisher. Retired.
Cattle inspector. Watchmaker.
332
ANNUAL REPORTS
Name
Residence Occupation
Kent, Otis L.
20 No. Atkinson st. Market gardener.
Keniston, James A.
281 Merrimac st. Blacksmith.
Landford, Joseph W.
20 Salem st.
Veterinary surgeon.
Lawton, Jerome B.
22 Spring st.
Cabinet maker.
Lancey, John L.
9 Jefferson st.
Shoemaker.
Lamprey, Eli
9 Green st.
Carpenter.
Leach, Hiram
7 Broad st.
Carpenter.
Lewis, Charles H.
223 Boardman st.
Engineer.
Littlefield, Edw.n A.
4 Merrill st.
Teamster.
Little, Isaac W.
36 High st.
Clerk.
Little, Eben jr.
45 Purchase st.
Salesman.
Lougee, Parker M.
17 Bromfield st.
Carriage maker.
Lunt, Charles H.
212 Merrimac st.
Janitor.
Lunt, Charles W.
14 Congress st.
Watchman.
Mannix, James E.
15 Market st.
News City Editor.
Marden, Calvin
9 Buck st.
Baker.
Meader, Charles H.
34₺ Temple st.
Mason.
Merrill, Oliver B.
Monroe & Broad High st.
Butcher.
Morrill, Jonathan F.
11 Brown sq.
Hotel keeper.
Pressman.
Carpenter.
Farmer.
Noyes, Isaac P.
52 Purchase st.
Retired.
Noyes, George W.
68 Bromfield st.
Carpenter
Nourse, Luther C.
43 Olive st.
Provisions.
O'Brien, John J. Oliver, J. Clinton
6 School st.
Trader. Clerk.
Ordway, Benj. W. Ordway, Charles H. Osborne, James E. Osgood, George
54 Ashland st.
Livery stable.
Painter.
Apothecary.
Page, Charles W.
Carpenter.
Page, Horace A. S.
Moulder.
Machinist.
Parsons, Samuel F.
157 Merrimac st. 284 High st.
Carriage bow mkr.
Fulton st.
35 Marlboro st.
10 Boardman st. 11 Boardman st. 175 High st.
School teacher.
Merrill, Willis G.
· Morton, Charles F. 129 State st. Morse, William C. 64 Marlboro st. Moulton, Joseph B. High st. McQuillen, John H. P. 325 Merrimac st.
Ship carpenter.
333
LIST OF JURORS
Name
Pearson, Eugene A.
Pearson, George A.
Pendergast, John G.
Perkins, Charles L.
Pettingell, Allen D. Pettingell, William H. Philipps, Jacob Pike, John S.
Pike, John D.
6 Toppan st.
Shoes.
Pike, Stephen S.
14 Carter st.
Ship joiner.
Pike, William C.
167 Merrimac st.
Carpenter.
Philbrick, George A.
Poor, Charles L.
Porter, William B.
8 Lunt st.
Teamster.
Pride, Elisha P.
3 Merrimac st.
Carpenter.
Richardson, Arthur C.
Reddy, Anthony W.
20 Beck st.
Insurance.
Roaf, Andrew J.
16 Boardman st. 318 High st.
Clerk.
Ross, George E.
22 Congress st.
Foreman.
Rowe, David T.
6 No. Atkinson st.
Shoemaker
Carriage painter.
Rolfe, Edward
492 Prospect st.
Boat builder.
Russell, Samuel K.
89 Prospect st.
Shoemaker.
Sargent, John W.
40 Milk st.
News reporter.
Sargent, Robert G.
37 Lime st.
Mill overseer.
Smith, Waldo B.
26 Market st.
Boot & shoe stock
Smart, George H. South, Fred H.
5 Buck st.
Salesman.
Stanley, Benjamin F.
3 Ashland st.
Ship carpenter.
Stover, Edward B.
20 Olive st.
Salesman.
Stevens, Herman S.
26 Olive st.
Cutter.
Stoddard, Henry A.
23 Oakland st.
Carpenter.
Stone, Frank T.
Merchant.
Stockman, Charles A. Stockman, Charles C.
Residence
Occupation
Shoemaker.
24 Kent st.
Marble worker.
Carpenter.
Lumber surveyor. Retired.
Clerk.
Clerk.
2 Dalton st.
Boots & shoes.
Farmer. Carpenter.
81 Prospect st.
2 Greenleaf st.
Dep. Col. Int. Rev.
Sea captain.
Roaf, George H.
Rourke, John J.
14 Dalton st.
47 Olive st.
Painter.
High st. 133 High st.
Clerk.
10 Titcomb st.
Furniture dealer.
8 Marlboro st.
14₺ Beck st.
10} Bromfield st. 58 Lime st.
20 Chestnut st. 18 Market st.
26 Broad st.
334
ANNUAL REPORTS
Name
Residence
Occupation
Stockman, Henry
24 Summer st.
Salesman.
Sumner, Eben
2 Summit st.
Book keeper. Constable.
Thurlow, Charles W.
11 Salem st.
Laborer.
Thurlow, Frank E.
12 Chestnut st.
Shoe cutter.
Thurlow, John Jacob
18 Barton
Car builder.
Thurlow, Daniel P.
Eagle st.
Organ tuner.
Thurlow, Stephen H. Tilton, Daniel E.
23 Milk st.
Hardware dealer.
46 Federal st.
Clerk.
Titcomb, John W.
39 Kent st.
Editor.
Toppan, William H.
42 Kent st.
Mason.
Toppan, Edwin L.
8 Jackson st.
Mason.
Tobin, John L.
4 Collins st.
Sawyer.
Torrey, Joseph
59 Federal st.
Painter.
Townsend. Oliver P.
11 Salem st.
Nurse.
Tibbetts,.Russell S.
41 Purchase st.
Baker.
Welch, Robert
16 Vernon st.
Shoemaker.
Winkley, Paul T.
Parker st.
Farmer.
Withington, Nathan N. 206 High st.
Editor.
Young, Eben A.
1 Dalton st.
Mason.
Tappan, Joseph M.
24 Fair st.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
Newburyport Public Library
FOR THE YEAR 1895
PUBLIC LIBRARY
IN BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NEWBURYPORT, December 16, 1895.
ORDERED, That the report of the directors, together with the ac- companying reports, be transmitted to the city council, agreeably to the requirements of section 5th of the ordinance concerning the public library.
JOHN D. PARSONS, Secretary.
TRUSTEES OF THE LIBRARY-1896
ANDREW R. CURTIS, MAYOR
ALDERMEN :
HENRY J. NOYES, MOODY KIMBALL, CHAS. W. JOHNSON, FRANK H. PLUMER, P. H. BLUMPEY, JR., WILLIAM C. COFFIN
DIRECTORS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANDREW R. CURTIS, mayor . Ex officio
JAMES F. CARENS, president of common council
EDWARD S. MOSELEY, trustee of building fund. 66
ELISHA P. DODGE, 66 66
LAWRENCE B. CUSHING, “
4 6
ENOCH C. ADAMS, term of office expires IS96
CHARLES C. DAME,
IS97 JOHN E. BAILEY, 66 66
IS98
MOSES BROWN,
6.
IS99
AMOS H. ADAMS, 1900
WILLIAM R. JOHNSON, “
1901
NATHAN N. WITHINGTON,
66
1902
TRUSTEES OF THE PEABODY FUND
EDWARD S. MOSELEY,
JOHN J. CURRIER,
WILLIAM H. SWASEY, BENJAMIN HALE,
LAWRENCE B. CUSHING.
LIBRARIAN. . JOHN D. PARSONS
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN EFFIE A. TENNEY EXTRA ASSISTANT. E. S. THURSTON
SUPERINTENDENT OF READING ROOM MARTHA P. LUNT
JANITOR
DEXTER W. NUTTING
(24)
ORGANIZATION OF THE Board of Directors of the Public Library FOR 1896
PRESIDENT, ANDREW R. CURTIS.
SECRETARY, JOHN D. PARSONS.
E. C. ADAMS,
COMMITTEE ON BOOKS, W. R. JOHNSON, N. N. WITHINGTON
COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIAN,
ELISHA P. DODGE, MOSES BROWN, W. R. JOHNSON
COMMITTEE ON BUILDING AND GROUNDS,
ĘDW. S. MOSELEY, E. P. DODGE, AMOS H. ADAMS
COMMITTEE ON READING ROOM,
EDW. S. MOSELEY, ENOCH C. ADAMS, JOHN E. BAILEY
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS,
ANDREW R. CURTIS, JAMES F. CARENS, CHAS. C. DAME
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.
-
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council :
GENTLEMEN :- The directors of the public libra- ry hereby submit their fortieth annual report. For the detail of the year's work they would refer you to the report of the librarian. The condition of the funds is fully indicated by the reports of the com- mittee in whose care they are placed.
The usual increase in the number of books has been made during the year. The book com- mittee have endeavored to place upon the libra- ry shelves books that shall prove of lasting value, both in themselves and in their influence upon those who read them. This policy with the lapse of years will make our library an in- creasing power for intellectual and moral good. The demand for so-called popular books is, however, very great, often too great to be resisted. It is everywhere noticeable that the books most read are not those of great literary merit or of permanent interest, but those that hap- pen to be in vogue. It may not be possible for the directors of any library to change radically the taste of the reading public, but we do believe that by ju-
340
ANNUAL REPORTS
dicious management the reading of better books may be greatly encouraged and largely increased. An effort of this kind, made in our own library, proves this true. The careful attention that has been paid to the selection of juvenile literature has, within a comparatively short time, had a marked influence upon the character of the books read by the boys and girls of our city. That such work is the obvious duty of a library management is more clearly manifest when it is admitted that many parents are either unable to select books for their children or are wholly indifferent about the matter.
On account of the numberless bad and indiffer- ent books that are almost thrust into the hands of thoughtless readers, it is all the more incumbent upon those having library interests in their care to see that good books are not only purchased but also placed before the public in such a way that our citizens may know their general character. It would be advisable, we believe, to publish, at least once a month in our local papers a list of books- old as well as new-calling attention to their gen- eral character and when possible to their chief ex- cellence. This would be of special value when great questions and interests are in the public mind, as it would enable readers to select readily the books that would be most helpful to them.
While it may not be possible to turn attention wholly away from worthless and ephemeral works of fiction-things that pass in a night-it is certain- ly the duty of public library boards and librarians
341
PUBLIC LIBRARY
to exert every effort to divert attention from works that poison and degrade thought and feeling to those that sweeten and uplift life. These consider- ations bring us to a most important subject, to which attention has already been called in more than one report. A new catalogue is a necessity. The increase in the number of books has made this necessity only more imperative. Delay will make the present confusion greater and in the end increase the expense. The first cost will be considerable, but when the work of cataloguing is once thoroughly done all new books can be easily classified and cat- alogued. The library should at once be classified, a card catalogue made, and finding lists printed. The public as well as our librarian and his assis- tants have a right to expect that this work will be done without unreasonable delay. In view of the situation, this board would respectfully recommend that a special appropriation be made by the city council to defray the expense of classifying and cat- aloguing the library. This board also believe in the advisability of placing the books of reference in a room by themselves that they may be more casi- ly consulted. Such an arrangement, which would be of great advantage and convenience to all who use encyclopedias and other books of reference, could be made without expense.
We would not close this report without refer- ring to the loss felt by this board in the death of their fellow-member, Hon. Eben F. Stone. Perhaps we can not do better than to introduce the resolu-
342
ANNUAL REPORTS
tion passed by the board on the occasion of Mr. Stone's death.
Resolved, That by the death of Honorable Eben Francis Stone this board has suffered the loss of a member who has rendered long and generous ser- vice to the public library and to the city ; a wise and estimable associate, a man and citizen without reproach ; and that our intimacy with him in this official relation will be cherished by us in grateful recollection.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, ANDREW R. CURTIS, E. S. MOSELEY,
E. P. DODGE,
L. B. CUSHING,
S. C. BEANE,
E. C. ADAMS,
C. C. DAME,
· MOSES BROWN,
JOHN E. BAILEY, A. H. ADAMS, W. R. JOHNSON,
Directors.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
GENTLEMEN :- In my last annual report I stated as follows : "The number of books withdrawn for home use during the year (1894) was 38,565, the largest in the history of the library and an increase of 2352 volumes over the previous year, which up to that time had not been exceeded. The most marked increase was no- ticed during the four winter months (Dec. 1893 to March 1894), the time of business and trade depression, when the circulation rose to an increase of 18 per cent. over that of a corresponding period of the year preceding. With April it began to drop to the normal."
This year I have to report that the withdrawal of books for home use from Dec. 1, 1894, to Nov. 30, 1895, amounted to 38,830 volumes, or 265 more than during the year preceding, tending to show that the increase in circulation for the period above noted was more than temporary, and many who turned to the library when time hung heavily on their hands have learned its value and, as cold weather approached again, continued to avail themselves of its privileges.
At the close of the last library year there were 30,194 volumes on the shelves. There have been added since the last report 709 new books (346 by the Peabody fund). Thirty-three volumes have been withdrawn as worn out and worthless of which 11 were re- placed. The number lost, stolen, missing or otherwise unac- counted for is 37.
While the proportion is less than 1-10th of one per cent. of the amount of books circulated it is still a great annoyance, since it is an ambition of every librarian to keep such losses down to a
344
ANNUAL REPORTS
minimum. Every effort to trace missing books is made, that seems possible. Within a reasonable time after they are overdue a printed form is sent to the delinquent calling his or her attention to the oversight. After a sufficient time has elapsed a second notification, so marked in red, is sent. Neither of these coming back through the post office is good evidence that they have been properly delivered. Often a third warning in the form of a pri- vate note from the librarian is mailed. These efforts proving of no purport complaint is formally made to the police department that a certain book was delivered to this or that party at such a date, said person neglecting to return it after repeated demands. When this is done the city marshal sends an officer to the resi- dence of the delinquent and demands the book. Almost without exception, providing the person is found, the officer obtains the book and many volumes have been recovered by the police, who are always ready to lend their services. Other books lost are chargeable to the floating population, a factor not so prominent in the community years ago. A dozen demands have come back from the post office the past year endorsed "Cannot be found." As we know that the efforts of the letter carriers to find an ad- dressee under our postal system is something more than perfunc- tory, such a reply invariably means that the case is hopeless.
To the natural query how do other cities in which the fluctua- tions in population are greater than in Newburyport meet such cases, the answer is that they employ more searching methods be- fore issuing card privileges and do not place as many privileges in the hands of borrowers.
Most libraries require a guarantee in the person of some re- sponsible citizen before issuing a card to a stranger, a guaranty which carries with it full responsibility for all the borrower's deal- ings with a library, and it is not customary to allow the public to select a book from a large number exposed on the desk.
In this connection it may be remarked that it has been the policy of the librarian to extend the value of the library to the uses of the public as far as possible, and to allow the largest, full- est and freest privileges possible, endeavoring to discover new rather than curtail old ones.
345
PUBLIC LIBRARY
How far he is justified it is for you to determine. It can be said, however, that to set in motion rules by which many large libraries are governed would result in reducing the circulation fully one-third, especially in the lack of a new and up to date catalogue, unless the force was greatly augmented by assistants whose mem- ories could take the place of a catalogue, and that would require years of special training and experience.
Unless some other safeguards which will not interfere with the usefulness of the library can be devised the librarian is con- vinced that it is better to stand the loss of 1-10th of one per cent. of the books a year, and, by the way, they are almost invariably cheap novels, than to abridge the privileges of the public. To lose a whole library once in something over 1000 years would doubtless be bad, but worse things could happen.
During the year 642 new borrowers have registered, the ac- counts of 88 have been canceled, leaving the number of regular card holders now 5160 against 4606 a year ago. There are in addition 145 school cards held by 29 teachers, and 76 pupils' cards, making a total of 5381 accounts.
The library has been opened for the withdrawal of books 282 days and the average daily circulation has been a fraction less than 138 against 137, 128 and 115 for the three previous years. The largest withdrawal was 384 on Feb. 23. There have been sent to the bindery for binding, rebinding or repairs 603 volumes. Where it has been possible so to do books have been repaired at the library and the usefulness of several hundred such have been preserved.
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