USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1897 > Part 12
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Ross, Herbert W.
25 Boardman st. Retired
Master mariner
Roaf, George H.
328
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Name
Residence
Occupation
Stickney, Edward S.
Stockman, Charles A.
153 High st.
IO Titcomb st.
Furniture and auctioneer
58 Washington st. Apothecary
Thomas, Charles G. Thompson, George E.
37 Lime st.
Comb maker
Thurlow, Rufus E.
23 High st.
Clerk
Thurlow, Stephen H.
23 Milk st.
Hardware
Tibbetts, Russel S.
41 Purchase st. Baker
Tilton, Daniel E.
46 Federal st. Clerk
Tilton, George P.
- Payson st. Designer
Toppan, William H.
42 Kent st.
Mason
Todd, T. Gillis
90 High st.
Merchant
Torrey, Joseph
51 Federal st. Painter
Townsend, Oliver P.
II Salem st.
Nurse
Tucker, C. Frank
35₺Washington st. Fruit dealer
Underwood, William A. 19 High st.
Varina, Edward E.
43 High st.
Coal and wood
Walsh, James P.
IO Greenleaf st.
Insurance agent
Warner, George M.
High & Ashland Grocer
Welch, Samuel R.
20 Barton st.
Foreman
Wilson, Albert P.
88 Federal st.
Bicycles
Wilkinson, Michael J.
70 High st.
Plumber
Williams, Geo. A. M. Williams, Samuel G.
3 Magnolia st. 27 Ashland st. Parker st.
Die sinker
Winkley, J. Otis
Milk dealer
Woodwell, Herbert N.
50 Marlboro st.
Engraver
Young, Eben A.
I Dalton st.
Mason
Young, John P.
37 Lime st.
Shoemaker
32 Kent st.
Salesman
Stockman, Charles C. Swasey, William H.
22 Summer st. Furniture
Variety store
Clerk
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Directors of Newburyport Public Library
WITH
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT AND OTHER PAPERS.
42
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
IN BOARD OF DIRECTORS, December 20, 1897. 5
VOTED, that the reports and accompanying papers presented be adopt ed as the annual report of the directors of the Public library to the city council for 1897, and that the secretary be authorized and instructed to forward the same to the city council, appending thereto the names of the directors.
Attest, JOHN D. PARSONS, Sec'y.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.
To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council:
The directors of the Public Library submit the fol- lowing, their forty-second annual report, with the reports of the librarian and of the committees having in charge the several funds.
We are justified in feeling a certain pride in the possession of a public library containing so many and so well-selected books, of a public reading room, the first of its kind, of the handsome building and grounds so accessible and convenient, and in the large, growing and intelligent use of these privileges which is indicated in the accompanying report of the librarian.
The usefulness of the library has been increased, and will be still further increased by the work of cat- aloguing and rearrangement which is in progress. It is bringing order out of chaos, and of a mass of books whence it was a matter of luck whether one could find what he wanted, or even whether it was on the shelves, it is making a true library, where the reader can readily discover what can be furnished and what not. This is already a great advantage which will be
332
ANNUAL REPORTS.
still greater when the work is finished, especially for those who use the library for gaining knowledge, though it is also a substantial convenience to those who seek entertainment or recreation.
While this is true, it is not all that can be and should be done to make of our public library a radia- tor of sweetness and light. It is safe to say, that at small outlay, far less than the cost of cataloguing, the beneficial influence of the library as an educational agent could be more than doubled. This should be by establishment of a reference department, where books could be as freely consulted as they would be on the student's own shelves, but not to be taken from the building. Such is the arrangement in nearly all public libraries. That of Lawrence has a reference room with three thousand volumes on its bookshelves, where the student of art, science or history can find the best standard authorities, and can look up a sub- ject in which he is interested at his own convenience, or, if he wish, may have the aid of the librarian. Such should be the arrangement of every library de- signed for the spread of knowledge, and not merely for entertainment.
Considerable additions have been made to the number of books in the library during the year, as will be seen by the librarian's report, and we believe that the selection of these has been judicious. As is always the case in our own and in all public libraries, a large proportion of the books added has been of works of fiction. But it must be considered that
333
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
much the larger part of the reading matter borrow- ed from the library is fiction, and we have in this de- partment supplied literature at least, and not trash. In regard to this matter we would call attention to what the librarian says of it in his report, in which he seems to take the true view of the subject.
The increasing number of those who use the pub- lic library is evidence that it is an institution in which the people of this city are interested, and that they appreciate its privileges and do not grudge its expense. It becomes us, therefore, to endeavor to make it the best possible with the means at our com- mand for use and for delight.
ANDREW R. CURTIS, JAMES F. CARENS, EDWARD S. MOSELEY, ELISHA P. DODGE, LAWRENCE B. CUSHING, CHARLES C. DAME, JOHN E. BAILEY, MOSES BROWN, RUDOLPH JACOBY, WILLIAM R. JOHNSON, NATHAN N. WITHINGTON, ALBERT C. TITCOMB,
Directors.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
To the Book Committee:
GENTLEMEN :- The condition of the public library is herewith shown, in this, the 42d annual report of the librarian, for the year ending November 30, 1897.
In the last annual report, the number of books in the library was reported as 31,731. Since that date 5 I have been canceled as beyond repair, 37 of which were renewed. Seventeen books are lost or miss- ing. Not unlikely some of them will turn up again, as a book is easily misplaced in the frequent shifting about which a reclassification demands. During the year 824 books have been added, leaving the total, Nov. 30, 1897, at 32.487, shown more in detail in appendix.
The number of books withdrawn for home use during the year was 40,644, the largest circulation in the history of the library. The previous year it was 38,561, but for the first time this summer the circu- lating department was not closed while the cleaning and renovating was going on. The building was open 307 days, and the average daily circulation was a fraction over 132 copies.
335
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Fiction leads the list, and at about the same pro- portion as it does in most libraries, strictly public and general, 76 belonging to that class out of every 100 books borrowed. To reduce the percentage of fic- tion read, and to increase the demand for more in- structive literature, is a desideratum and a problem with every librarian, although but few meet with any great degree of success. About the only way to ar- rive at the result, apparently, is by suppressing or re- ducing the material demanded by these readers, but by so doing the readers themselves are suppressed.
Last year 238 works of fiction were added to the stock, and there were over 40,000 borrowers, 76 out of each 100, as stated above, demanding light read- ing. Seven years ago, in 1890, some 150 of such books were bought, were read by 71 out of each 100 readers, of whom there were less than 32,000. The average daily circulation then was III, that of the last year 132. From these figures in this library, experience has shown that, with the supply of new fiction increased 50 per cent, the proportion of novel readers has increased by but 5 per cent, while the total number of borrowers has grown 25 per cent, making no account of fractions. The argument for a liberal policy in this regard appears to be, there- fore, that it brings in more readers, largely so, that more people are brought under the influence of the library and can learn its value and best uses. Un- fortunately the adult devourer of novels and tales must be set down as practically incorrigible. He or
336
ANNUAL REPORTS.
she rarely aspires to anything different. With them it is novel or nothing, but for the young their is hope. More than a quarter of the books of all de- scription taken from the library are borrowed by them. The number of these boys and girls has more than doubled during the period under review, and it has been brought about almost entirely from the fact that they are reasonbly sure of finding an interesting story when they came in. Ten years ago the policy of the library seemed almost prohibition in supply- ing the literature they demanded. Today it is liberal without being prodigal.
The rule which applies to adults does not apply to youth. As they grow older they do not make novel reading their business, as far as reading goes, but their recreation. As they advance in their school work they come to appreciate the value of the library as an important adjunct for promoting their knowl- edge. Some of the most discriminating and intelli- gent borrowers of books today were reading nothing but stories of boy adventure a half dozen years ago.
This class of literature then may be looked at as an intelligent bait, a legitimate toll. If we waited for a young man or woman who had never used a library public or private to call for " Kant's Critique of Pure Reason," or even John Fiske's congeries of American historical books we would wait until the books had crumbled to dust. It seems to be absolutely necessary for them to arrive at this plane by pro- gressive steps which begin with the adventures of
337
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
very remarkable but fictitious, and perhaps impossi- ble boys. This is a condition now well recognized, and the lists of juveniles of all the great publishing houses is not a small proportion of the whole.
These books are not only harmless but are healthy. They are a scientific evolution. Their moral and their lessons are not administered like a bitter pill, illy disguised under a coating of sugar, but are ab- sorbed as is the nourishment from food which tastes good as well as builds up the system. The selection of this literature is conducted with care and discrim- ination, and I could name a half dozen popular juvenile authors whose books are found in nine public libraries out of every ten, but are not in this library. The reason isn't that they are unfitted or harmful, but because there are others which are superior and will answer the purpose. You can satisfy a boy who calls for a book by A, with giving one by B, on the assurance that he will find it interesting, and he will come again, but try to palm off on him one of the stories our grandparents were afflicted with in child- hood, even though it may be dignified by the honor- ary title of classic, and the chances are you will not see him more than once again, when he returns the book next day, and it doesn't need be much of a mindreader to see that it is your judgment, or good taste or honesty, or perhaps all three that he dis- trusts.
There are now 6,164 registered borrowers against 5,700 a year ago, a gain of 464. There have been
43
338
ANNUAL REPORTS.
520 books sent to the bindery for binding or repairs.
The work of reclassifying and recataloguing the library on a modern and scientific basis has been con- tinued during the year, except for a period of six weeks when the cataloguer was compelled to be ab- sent. This of course necessitated one-eighth work less being accomplished than had been anticipated, and a proportionate amount of the special appropria- tion is thereby unexpended.
At the date of my last report the works of fiction and of New England genealogy and history had been classified and catalogued, 3,292 works in 4,471 vol- umes. Since that time the balance of the library except public documents, magazines and a few others has been reclassified, 10,203 works, history and travel, have been catalogued as well, the cards written and put in use, and biography is well under way. In history this includes 2,753 volumes, in travels 2,589. In biography 1,339 volumes are complete, and it will probably require two months in which to finish this part of the work. To complete the work as outlined, not reckoning the ommissions noted above, will re- qnire, as well as can be estimated, the present library year, or till December, 1898.
The work is being done with care and thorough- ness and when completed it seems as though little would be left to be desired in a catalogue prepared to show, in a concentrated and practical form not alone what books but what information the library can, offer. Perhaps this can best be illustrated
339
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
by one or two concrete examples of cards. Take for instance a book entitled "Farthest North, or Life of J. B. Lockwood of Greely Arctic expe- dition," by C. Lanman. In disposing of this book certain theoretical questions arise as regards the reader's standpoint, how he would approach the sub- ject, and all are answered by the cards. In the first place comes the author, usually and always theoreti- cally the principal entry, and the reader wishing to know what Lanman has contributed will turn to the Ls and under Lanman's name will find the entry of this book, as well as every book by Lanman in the library, grouped around it. The next reader might be specially anxious to learn something of Lockwood simply. He turns to the alphabetical position, and there the book appears under Lockwood's name. The next man may have simply heard of the title of the book, "Farthest North," but is ignorant of the author's name, or what the book treats of except vaguely. He turns to the title entry, the Fs, and finds the book there. Thus if a man knows only one of the three, the author, the subject or the title of the book, he can find it. Usually these three entries suffice, but in this case there is something more. The exhaustive or special reader is remembered. Of necessity this work must contain more or less direct- ly pertaining to Greely. Under the name of Greely, then the book appears for the fourth time, so that everything touching him may be found grouped. There yet remains one more reader to be provided
.
340
ANNUAL REPORTS.
for, the man interested in Arctic exploration in gen- eral. He wants as much on the subject as he can get hold of. If he had never heard of Lanman the author, if he was ignorant that there had ever been a man named Lockwood connected with Arctic exploration, if he overlooked the fact that the name Greely was suggestive, or had yet to learn that there was a book entitled Farthest North, he has simply to turn to the letter A and under the entry Arctic regions he will learn of this book as well as of every other one in the library on the same topic. It has taken five cards to point the way and it is not easy to miss it.
One more, briefly: "Life of R. Heber, with jour- nal of tour in Russia and history of Cossacks, by Mrs. Heber." It will be seen at once that this book is somewhat composite in its makeup, and six cards are required. One for the author, Mrs. A. Heber; one for the principal or main subject, Rt. Rev. R. Heber; one for India missions, because a reader migh be looking up missions, or missions in India, or India, and not know that Bishop Heber was in anywise connected with them; another card for Rus- sia, geography; description and travels; still another for Cossacks, and finally one for Church of England, because it is advisable to bring together all the avail- able literature on such a subject. If the work seems to advance slowly it is because of the thoroughness with which it is being done, and the care taken to assure permanency. To do this the details are many. In the first place the books all have to be examined
341
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
to determine in what class of literature they natur- ally fall. Generally a brief glance will show this, but often it takes much thought to correctly make the assignment. Again some books will fit two classes equally well, and then it has to be decided in which class it will be more useful to or be more eas- ily found by the larger class of readers. The class and book number must be entered on the plate. The old wrapping paper must be stripped off and a label attached to the back. Next the cards have to be written, anywhere from one to half a dozen or more for each book. A shelf list has to be prepared, a miscellaneous catalogue in condensed form, show- ing the subjects grouped. Then the choice of posi- tion and arrangement on the shelves is often a com- plex problem, taking into consideration the work which is to follow and the aim that in spite of this complete reorganization no book need be denied to anyone during the turning over process. In my original estimate of the time that would be required I decided that it would take all a catalouger's time for from two and a half to three years. Eighteen months have so far been given to it, and the rate of progress has been about as anticipated. Miss Her- ron, in whose charge are the immediate details of the work, has given proof that her selection was a mat- ter of good judgment, and she has applied herself to it with enthusiam and diligence.
There are some slight material changes in the library which the new system renders necessary-the chang-
342
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ing of one approach to the gallery, the reasons for which have already been pointed out, and the reset- ting of the three top shelves in the alcoves of the main building. Unlike those in the annex which are adjustable, these shelves are permanently attached to the walls, on the old principle that books should be arranged according to their size, not their con- tents, putting all the small books on the top shelf and and grading down. In this manner the three high- est shelves have become of little utility now, and the space should be re-arranged for two.
JOHN D. PARSONS,
Librarian.
343
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
APPENDICES.
APPENDIX A .- RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Appropriation $2,250 00
CREDITS.
From town of Newbury use of library for
year 1896.
$ 150 00
For dog licenses. 788 96
Bill credited back 2 52
941 48
$3,191 48
Amount overdrawn transferred to inciden-
tals to balance account. 419 68
$3,611 16
EXPENDITURES.
Salaries
$2,240 02
Insurance.
631 88
Janitor
273 15
Binding books
243 13
Supplies and miscellaneous
134 15
Printing
88 83
$3,611 16
344
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION-FOR CATALOGUING.
Appropriation. $1,000 00 Amount undrawn transferred to incidentals to balance
account.
164 30
$835 70
EXPENDITURES.
W. A. Herron
· $685 00
News Publishing Co. 121 80
Library bureau 28 90
$835 70
MISCELLANEOUS.
Receipts from fines.
$ 39 20
finding-lists 5 30
Balance form last account. 21 74
$ 66 24
EXPENDITURES.
Post Office boxes, stamps etc.,. $ 14 65
Express, freight, truckage. 18 12
Various supplies . . ..
17 75
Miscellaneous expenditures
II 20
61 72
Balance 4 52
345
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
APPENDIX B .- PEABODY FUND.
Through the generosity of Mr. George Peabody the library thirty years ago was endowed with a fund of $15,000. This amount was paid into my hand and a board of five trustees was at once organized to care for it. The only condition the kind donor attached to his gift was that an annual report of the con- dition of the fund and the amount of income derived from it should be prepared and published. In accordance, therefore, with Mr. Peabody's request I hereby give notice that the origi- nal sum of $15,000 was deposited in the Institution for Savings, where it has since remained, the principal to be withdrawn only upon the signature of a majority of the board of trustees of the fund. The income for the past year has been $600, balance from preceding year $729.51, total $1,329.51. From this there have been purchased since last report 253 volumes at a cost of $519.97, leaving a balance in hand at the close of the year of $809.54. Since the fund was first made available 8,207 volumes have been added by it to the library.
EDW. S. MOSELEY, Chairman.
The condition of the fund, both the receipts and expenditures on account have been duly examined and is certified to as correct.
JOHN D. PARSONS. Newburyport, Dec. 6, 1897.
44
346
ANNUAL REPORTS.
APPENDIX C .- BUILDING FUND.
The building fund, being the excess remaining after the li- brary building was purchased and completed, amounting to nearly $5,000, was immediately deposited in the Institution for Savings, where it has since remained, the principal subject to withdrawal only upon the order of all the members of the board of trustees. From this nucleus, $4,433.13 has been withdrawn being interest earned, and expended on necessary repairs and improvements to the building, a direct saving of so much money to the city in library maintenance. The sum now standing to the credit of the fund amounts to over $6,000. During the past year $80 has been expended, and a balance of $215.71 is on de- posit in the Mechanics Bank.
EDWARD S. MOSELEY, Chairman.
Newburyport, Dec. 18, 1897.
347
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
APPENDIX D .- W. O. MOSELEY FUND.
RECEIPTS.
1897 interest to November I $400 00
Balance per report . 345 21
$745 21 EXPENDED. 1897, purchased 160 books at $194 92 194 92
Balance.
$550 29
MINOR FUNDS.
Twenty-eight valuable books on New England history or gen- ealogy have been added by the Green fund, at a cost of $91.60. From the Sawyer fund 103 books costing $106.52 and from mis- cellaneous sources 52 books at a cost of $40.48.
348
ANNUAL REPORTS.
APPENDIX E .- READING ROOM.
The free reading room, established by Hon. W. C. Todd, is daily visited by an increasing number of readers, both occasional and regular. On its files may be found seven, or a majority of the New York daily papers, seven from Boston, the two local, three from other sections of the county and two from New Eng- land at large. Weekly papers, 50 in number, cover all sections of the country, Europe being represented by the London Times, while 30 domestic and 15 foreign magazines and views, give one a complete knowledge of the current literature, from the lightest to the highest. In purchasing these publications the past year $395.56 has been expended, leaving, with the amount on hand from last year, a balance of $6.19.
349
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
APPENDIX F .- LIBRARY INCREASE.
No. of volumes last reported .
.31,635
Added by purchase 1897 :
Peabody fund. .160
257
W. O. Moseley fund.
Sawyer fund.
. 103
Todd fund.
85
S. A. Green fund
28
Frothingham fund
21
Bradbury fund.
19
Williams fund I2
Miscellaneous
II
696
Added by donations
128
Total new volumes. .824 824
32,459
Withdrawn as worn out. 51
Lost or missing. 17
68
Total, Nov. 30, 1897 32,391
The new volumes are classified as follows : General works, 21; philosophy, 7; theology, 12; social science, (which includes public documents) 110; natural science, 36; useful arts, 31 ; fine arts, 16; Miscellaneous literature (poetry, oratory, letters, etc.,) 105 ; fiction, adult and juvenile, 238 ; travel and descrip- tive, 58; biography, 90 ; foreign history, 21 ; American history, 79
350
ANNUAL REPORTS.
APPENDIX G .- CIRCULATION.
During the year ending Nov. 30, 1897, there were withdrawn for home use 40,644 books, by months as follows : Dec. (1896,) 3,687 ; January, 4,133 ; February, 3,797 ; March, 4, 194 ; April, 3,443 ; May, 3,200; June, 2,891 ; July, 3,019; August, 2,395 ; September, 2,739 ; October, 3,400; November, 3,746. These volumes, classified and compared with previous years are as follows :
1897.
Fiction, adult and juvenile .30,906
History . .
2,504
Miscellaneous literature 1,814
Magazines.
1,370
Travels.
1,291
Natural science, useful and fine arts
1,103
Biography 847
Philosophy and sociology 554
Theology
255
40,644
The percentage of classes to circulation is as follows : Fiction, (adult English and foreign, juvenile,) 74; history, 6.1 ; miscel- laneous, 4.5 ; magazines, 3.4; travels, 3.2 ; natural science, useful and fine arts, 2.7; biography, 2; philosophy and social science, 1.4 ;. theology, 7.
351
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
APPENDIX H .- DONATIONS OF BOOKS. (To June 1, 1898.)
VOLS.
Andover, Town of. I
Appleton, W. S
I
Baker, W. H.
1
Bath Corporation
I
Boynton, E. M. 2
Brown, J. T.
I
Caldwell, Miss.
3
Cambridge W. C. T. U
I
Chase, W. G.
2
Cogswell, Mrs.
I
Con. Coal Co.
I
Curzon, M. R.
2
Cushing, L. B.
I
Dame, C. C
5
Davis, B. P.
I
Fitchburg, City of
I
Gardner, E. C.
I
Hale, Joshua.
I
Harvard University 2
Johnson, R
I
Larned, A I
Little, J .
I
Lowell, Mr.
I
McCully, Rev. O. G.
Massachusetts, Com. of 27
Maynard, C. J.
I
Merchant, Mrs. E. A
4
Moody, Hon. W. H 18
Moseley, E. S. 2
Munn & Co
I Newburyport, City of. 2
Newburyport, Ist Church Christian Science I Newburyport Herald Co. 2
Newburyport News Pub. Co. 2
352
ANNUAL REPORTS.
VOLS.
New Jersey, State of .
I
New York State Library
I
Parsons, J. R.
I
Pearson, Mrs. E. A.
I
Pope, L. A. I
Pratt, F. S. and C. H
I
Stokes, A. P.
I
Stone, G. F.
2
Todd, W. C ..
I
Towle Mfg. Co
J
Tupper, F. A.
I
Unknown.
9
Very, L. L. A.
I
Walker, J. B
I
Webb, W. H ..
2
Winthrop, R. C.
I
Yale University .
I
U. S. Government publications :
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