USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1900 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
Cash received .
$33 00
Salary paid .
$25 00
City treasurer
8 00
$33 00
Respectfully,
GEORGE W. KNIGHT, Inspector.
Annual Report of the Park Commissioners
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport ;
GENTLEMEN : - The board of Park Commissioners present the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1900.
Washington, Brown Square, Cushing and Riverside parks are under control of the commissioners and with the small appropriation allowed they have done the best work possible, under the circumstances.
The total amount appropriated for the four parks was $500, of which $150 was especially appropriated for Cush- ing Park, leaving a balance of $450 for the other three parks.
The commissioners would call the attention of the Council to the fact that out of that amonnt $82.95 was taken for street sprinkling, which in the opinion of the commissioners should have been taken from some other appropriation better able to stand it.
Next year a new set of steps will have to be built and other necessary repairs made which will take up all of the appropriation. The following is a list of receipts and ex- penditures for the year :
Appropriation
CREDITS $450 00
From city clerk, for license of merry go-round .. 15 00
Total appropriation and income. 465 00
236
ANNUAL REPORTS
Amount overdrawn transferred from incidentals to bal- ance account. 20 77
$485 77
EXPENDITURES Authorized by Park Commissioners
S. H. Thurlow, rake, screws, etc. $ 2 00
Frank E. Davis, sundry repairs, etc. IO 65
Toppan & Wilson, manilla thread. 1 08
City of Newburyport, sprinkling for year 1900. . 71 82
James F. Brown, salt and grass seed . 3 72
John W. Walker, setting glass. 17 25
Daniel W. Cate, labor at mall and Brown square. 338 80
John F. Hale, labor 6 00
Daniel Lucy 66
3 00
Cornelius Lynch
2 60
John Pollard
3 80
Daniel Creeden
40
Daniel Lucy 66
2 40
Thomas Hale
3 00
Flori Donahoe
. .
H : 60
George Pearson
1 00
Fred Hinkley
. .
3 75
Owen Keefe
3 60
Dennis Kelleher
. .
I 00
Thomas E. Whalen
1 00
George P. Peckham
1 00
Wm. W. Hutchins
5 50
Thomas E. Coleman
I 80
$485 77
CUSHING PARK
Appropriation
Amount undrawn transferred to incidentals to balance account. 46 65
$150 00
$103 35
237
PARK COMMISSIONERS
EXPENDITURES Authorized by Park Commissioners
Jos. J. Comley, digging up flower beds, plants and planting and care of same for the season ... $50 00
City of Newburyport, watering stretes. II 13
Thomas P. Thomas 42 22
$103 35
The commissioners would suggest that a larger appro- priation be made next year, so that the beautiful parks of our city may be so kept up as to be a pleasure to all of our citizens to look upon.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS HUSE, ARTHUR P. BROWN,
ORRIN J. GURNEY,
CHAS. C. STOCKMAN,
Park
Commissioners. JOHN W. SARGENT,
Newburyport, Dec. 31, 1900.
-
Annual Report
OF THE
Board of Water Commissioners
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Board of Water Commissioners
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN : - The board of water commissioners herewith present the detailed statement of their treasurer and the report of the superintendent, as their fifth annual report, for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30th, 1900.
Respectfully submitted, WM. F. RUNNELLS,
For Board of Water Commissioners, Duly authorized to sign this report.
At a meeting of the board of water commissioners held Wednesday, May 8, 1901, Wm. F. Runnells, chairman pro-tem, the reports of the treasurer and superintendent for the year ending Nov. 30, 1900 were read and the follow- ing vote was passed :
Voted to accept the same and that as soon as the treas- urer's report is audited that they be signed by the chair- man and handed over to the city authorities with the ap- proval of the commissioners.
A true copy of the record,
HARRY S. NOYES, Secretary. Attest,
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts of Newburyport Water Works
Summary of Receipts from Dec. 1, 1899 to Nov. 30, 1900.
WATER RATES
From Dec. 1, 1899 to May 30, 1900. $14,199 13 66 May 30, 1900 to Nov. 30, 1900. 14,776 34
Paid in advance of Dec. 1, 1900.
260 00 $29,235 47
METER RATES
From Dec. 1, 1899 to May 30, 1900.
2,868 58
May 30, 1900 to Nov. 30, 1900 2,368 04 $5,236 62
FROM OTHER SOURCES
City, municipal sprinkling for 1899.
1,023 08
Sundry water receipts.
68 38
1,091 46
Total water receipts
$35,563 55
OTHER RECEIPTS
Service pipe construction
$335 35
66 maintenance
II 30
Extension of mains.
135 47
Pumping station maintenance
144 97
New house
7 75
Coal shed.
IO 65
General maintenance
12 00
Plumbing
4 03
Interest.
1,236 53
1,898 05
Total receipts.
$37,461 60
244
ANNUAL REPORTS
Summary of Payments From Dec. 1 , 1889 to Nov. 30, 1900.
CONSTRUCTION
General $ 128 47
Service pipe
1,624 79
Hydrant.
142 81
Meters.
755 36
Pumping station improvements. 2 389 99
Extension of mains
5,203 16
Gate.
34 50
New house
3,083 59
Coal shed.
2,117 76
New standpipe.
21 45
-$15,501 88
MAINTENANCE
General.
$1,836 09
Service pipe
I37 53
Main pipe
127 94
Gate.
23 28
Sprinkling pipes
56 07
Meters.
28 4I
Pumping station
4,838 37
Hydrant.
154 09
Reservoir .
271 21
Plumbing
29 90
-- $7,502 89
$23,004 77
Summary
Total receipts 1899-1900.
$37,461 60
payments 1899-1900
23,004 77
Excess of receipts for 1900.
14,456 83
1899
16,014 82
1898
18,227 20
66
1897
8,429 91
1896
13,964 76
Total excess.
$71,093 52
Notes, city of Newburyport $65,000 00
Cash, First National Bank
6,015 79
Cash in office 77 73
$71,093 52
245
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Trial Balance, Dec. 1. 1900
DR. CR.
City of Newburyport
$65,000 00
First National Bank.
6,015 79
Cash ...
77 73
Construction
76,235 75
Land
15,559 II
Profit and loss
162,888 38
$162,888 38
$162,888 38
HARRY S. NOYES, Treasurer,
DETAILED STATEMENT OF PAYMENTS OF NEWBURYPORT WATER WORKS
From Dec. 1, 1898 to NOV. 30, 1900.
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
J. W. Doyle. $ 4 20
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co
16 34
Libby, Parker & Co
25 42
Frank E. Davis
3 50
P. S. Bradford
9 28
Walworth Mfg. Co
8 75
C. R. Sargent.
3 50
Coffin Valve Co
24 70
Toppan & Wilson
26 65
A. Russell & Sons
3 13
Boston Stencil & Stamp works.
3 0℃
$128 47
SERVICE PIPE CONSTRUCTION
Boston & Maine R. R. Co.
II 06
A. F. Nason
13 33
Labor.
585 35
John Lucy (labor and team)
350 00
Libby, Parker & Co
135 77
J. C. Colman
9 90
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co.
41 03
P. S. Bradford.
4 00
N. C. Moody : 50
2.46
ANNUAL REPORTS
Sumner, Goodwin & Co
227 58
Boston Lead Mfg. Co
39 92
Incidentals
10 35
D. A. Trefethen
88 20
S. H. Thurlow
I 20
C. R. Sargent.
8 66
F. Curtis
6 50
J. W. Doyle
16 70
Wmn. Holker.
5 25
Walworth Mfg. Co. €8 49
$1,624 79
HYDRANT CONSTRUCTION
B & M. R. R. Co
I 7I
A. P. Smith Mfg. Co
3 10
Coffin Valve Mfg. Co.
118 00
142 81
METERS
National Meter Co 686 00
A. Russell & Sons. 6 00
C. H. Meader 25 92
75
B. & M. R. R. Co
3 16
Walworth Mfg. Co.
25 73
Builders Iron foundry
2 80
John Lucy
755 36
PUMPING STATOIN IMPROVEMENT
E. C. Johnson
654 c6
Labor
761 0I
John Lucy
60 00
John Ronan
390 00
C. H. Meader.
72 49
City of Newburyport.
23 IO
N. E. Fireproofing Co
58 50
T. P. Thomas. II 50
George W. Langdon.
63 25
Edward Perkins Lumber Co.
3 76
S. H. Thurlow
23 72
J. C. Colman
86 60
C. H. Smith.
89 75
F. E. Cutter & Co
5 00
F. H. Plumer
10 00
Hale Knight. 6 52
5 00
Frank E. Davis
247
WATER COMMISSIONERS
D. G. Tenney.
6 0)
L. M. Hatch & Son 60 58
Incidentals ( car fares). 14 15
2,389 99
EXTENSION OF MAINS
Labor. 993 55
John Lucy, labor and team 180 00
R. D. Wood & Co.
2,630 94
Walworth Mfg. Co
395 79
B. & M. R. R. Co.
392 06
Incidentals. I 15
A. P. Smith Mfg. Co
119 75
Cashman Bros.
77 15
J. C. Colman
12 00
L. M. Hatch & Son
14 67
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co
26 67
Yerxa & Co.
I 95
C. H. Ordway .
4 00
J. W. Doyle. 45 60
Boston Lead Mfg. Co 283 74
F. H. Plumer.
I 50
Gas & Electric Co.
I 9I
Hinckley Bros. & Co.
9 20
A. F. Sanborn
II 53
COAL SHED
L. M. Hatch & Son 1,932 56
Labor. 72 97
John Lucy
3 00
J. W. Doyle
5 00
John Ronan. 50 00
Walworth Mfg. Co. IO 64
Wm. Holker.
I 97
O. F. Hatch, trustee
22 IO
Freight and express
5 07
Jenkins Bros.
4 00
Exeter Machine works.
IO 45
2,117 76
GATE CONSTRUCTION
Coffin Valve Co
34 50
34 50
NEW HOUSE
L, M. Hatch & Son
2,641 39
Labor .. 9 80
B. & M. R. R. Co
3 14
5,203 16
248
WATER COMMISSIONERS
John Lucy
2 00
Walworth Mfg. Co.
76 65
John Ronan . 15 00
C. R. Sargent
9 17
H. M. Briggs 1 00
Exeter Machine works
90 64
O. F. Hatch, trustee. 71 02
Libby, Parker & Co.
30 77
Green Davis. 63 01
Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Co 10 80
Brewster Bros. 30 00
Mason Regulator Co
17 60
A. Russell & Sons
7 60
Jenkins Bros 4 00
$3,083 59
NEW STANDPIPE
P. M. Blake.
16 45
John Lucy 5 00
$21 45
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
S. B. M. Hayes 218 75
Harry S. Noyes. 812 82
Atkinson Coal Co 11 00
J. C. Colman I 50
Estate S. P. Bray .
12 00
Telephone Co
80 84
Brewster Bros
20 00
Jere Healey 12 00
A. E. Brown 6 00
Boston & Lockport Block Co
4 75
J. W. Doyle. 4 00
C. R. Sargent
2 95
Wm. Holker.
2 50
Verxa & Co.
3 34
Fred L. Butnam
23 00
John Lucy (labor and team).
2 87 50
Incidentals.
29 65
News Publishing Co
31 25
C. H. Ordway
I 50
D. E. Hill.
8 75
Bay State Supply Co
35
Labor
32 22
L. M. Hatch & Son
19 78
Newburyport Herald Co
34 10
249
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Eagle Chemical Co.
5 00
Edward Osgood
I 20
F. E. Smith, P. M.
86 40
John D. Adams
16 00
H. W. Quinlin
15 00
George H. Pearson
7 83
Gas & Electric Co
8 87
B. & M. R. R. Co.
31 24
First National Bank
4 00
1,836 09
SERVICE PIPE MAINTENANCE
John Lucy
71 50
C. R. Sargent.
4 20
Labor ..
61 83
137 53
MAIN PIPE MAINTENANCE
Labor
56 76
John Lucy
29 50
C. H. Ordway
2 00
Frank E. Davis
2 63
J. W. Doyle.
3 50
C. R. Sargent.
II 25
Green Davis.
5 75
George E. Trumbull
12 80
Incidentals.
75
J. C. Colman.
3 00
127 94
GATE MAINTENANCE
Labor.
13 73
A. Russell & Sons.
5 70
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co.
3 83
23 28
SPRINKLING PIPES MAINTENANCE
Labor
15 75
John Lucy
15 00
Chapman Valve Co.
23 07
B. & M. R. R. Co.
2 25
MAINTENANCE OF METERS
Labor.
14 00
National Meter Co.
IO 33
P. S. Bradford.
4 06
56 07
28 41
250
ANNUAL REPORTS
PUMPING STATION MAINTENANCE
Estate S. P. Bray 1,462 99
Wmn. E. Butler 900 00
A. P. Harding 776 15
Labor. 868 39
J. W. Doyle. 69 00
Standard Oil Co.
35 13
Jolın Lucy 62 00
C. R. Sargent.
39 47
Knowlton Rubber Co
18 73
L. M. Hatch & Son.
107 79
Libby, Parker & Co.
9 20
Toppan & Wilson.
4 03
News Publishing Co 9 50
Yerxa & Co. 2 15
J. C. Colman.
II 53
Bay State Supply Co
2 18
A. W. Harris Oil Co
23 25
J. M. Greenough
5 00
Edward Osgood
I 48
Wm. Holker.
7 87
Garlock Packing Co
1 63
Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Co
50 50
Lawrence Machine Works.
12 50
Jerry Kelleher
17 14
J. J. Comley 20 00
Sumner, Goodwin & Co.
3 24
Charles S. Lovejoy
3 00
Charles H. Ordway
14 50
Telephone Co
50 54
Incidentals (express, etc. )
15 99
Walworth Mfg. Co.
II 87
O. F. Hatch. trustee
IO 81
Frank E. Davis
12 52
E. C. Johnson.
28 60
Hermon Staples
I 35
Boston Bolt Co. 8 73
A. Russell & Sons I35 II
Green Davis.
6 45
S. H. Thurlow.
5 55
Gould Packing Co
3 00
Newburyport Herald Co
9 50
4,838 37
251
WATER COMMISSIONERS
HYDRANT MAINTENANCE
Freight and express . . 5 22
American Radiator Works 13 50
News Publishing Co.
I 50
Norwood Engineering Co
13 20
Coffin Valve Co.
38 40
Walworth Mfg. Co.
8 12
R. D. Wood & Co
31 25
John Lucy
15 00
Labor.
27 90
154 09
RESERVOIR MAINTANENCE
Daniel G. Tenney .
I47 70
Labor. . . 22 62
J. F. Morrill.
1 00
E. Hodge & Co.
12 49
John W. Walker
45 90
John Lucy
10 00
Charles J. Parker.
30 00
Green Davis
I 50
271 21
PLUMBING
John Lucy
6 00
Labor ....
18 90
C. R. Sargent.
3 40
N. C. Moody
I 96
29 90
252
ANNUAL REPORTS
Newburyport, Mass., May 11, 1901. To the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of New- buryport :
GENTLEMEN : - I have examined the books of the treasurer of the Newburyport Water Works from Dec. I, 1899 to Nov. 30, 1900, inclusive, and find the same correct and properly vouched.
Agreeable to your request of May 8th, I have exam- ined the treasurer's report to you for the year ending Nov. 30, 1900 and find it is correct.
Very Respectfully,
WM. H. WELCH, City Auditor.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
To the Hon. Board of Water Commissioners :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the report of the superintendent for the year ending Nov. 30, 1900.
Beginning at the pumping station, would report every- thing in good condition. The pumps are in perfect order and giving very satisfactory results. The boilers have been inspected and insured by the Hartford company and are all right for some years to come, bearing unforseen ac- cidents. Considerable work has been done around the station since the last report in the way of improving the surroundings of the basin.
The coal shed contracted for last year has been com- pleted and filled with coal, 250 tons having been put in during the past month, this building has already proved to be a valuable addition.
The new house for the engineer was completed and oc cupied by him early in the season, allowing the removal of the old house that has so long been an eyesore to the place. The unsightly gravel bank at the foot of Spring lane has been terraced, a road built to the new house and the surroundings graded and sown down to grass. The ap- proache to the coal shed has been paved with block paves making access easy as well as improving the general ap- pearance of the place. A small barn or storehouse was built in the Jackman woods.
Two of the wells in the rear of the station were raised
254
ANNUAL REPORTS
31% feet bringing them up to grade and all four were re- shingled.
Considerable more work in the way of gutters and grading, needs doing this summer, in order to finish and carry out the original design.
At the Jackman Ravine a dam 60 feet long by 7 feet high was built to impound the Jackman Springs, the water thus collected run by gravity through the pipe put down two years ago to our main basin. This source of supply yielded an average of about 200,000 gallons daily and was all that saved a shortage during last July, as it was during that month it was only by the most careful pumping of the wells on the part of our engineer that car- ried us through.
Considerable difficulty was caused by leaky suction pipes when the wells were pumped down, a number of these leaks were found and repaired and the trouble reme- died to a great extent.
The experience of the last two years shows that im- mediate steps must be taken to enlarge our storage, which now amounts to but 5,000,000 gallons. The Jackman Ra- vine offers an opportunity to construct a basin of from 30 to 40 millions capacity which can easily be filled during the fall and spring thus making any shortage in the sum- mer impossible.
I should recommend immediate action in this direc- tion1.
Considerable new territory was covered by new mains this season, over 5,000 feet of 6-inch main was run on Storey avenue and 2,000 feet on Moseley avenue, which in turn was connected through Moulton street with Merrimac street by a 2-inch pipe some 1500 feet long. These mains were run to accommodate a number of houses and the fair grounds and though in a sparsely settled section, we find already a good return on the investment.
The old cement lined pipe in the lower section of the city has given considerable trouble, showing that it is
255
WATER COMMISSIONERS
only a matter of a short time when it will have to be re- placed, when this is done I would recommend larger pipes, as the amount and character of the property in this section calls for an increased fire supply. In this connection I would also urge the necessity of another 12-inch main run- ning direct from the pumping station down Merrimac street to Market square. Our only dependence is now on the one 12-inch main by way of High street, any accident on this two miles of pipe would leave us entirely out of water.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. SARGENT, Supt.
Annual Report
OF THE
Directors of the Public Library
PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, December 24, 1900. 5
ORDERED, That the secretary be instructed to append the names of the directors of the public library to the within report, and to for- ward it with the librarian's and accompanying reports to the city council.
Attest,
JOHN D. PARSONS, Secretary.
TRUSTEES OF THE LIBRARY-1901
MOSES BROWN, MAYOR. ALDERMEN : At Large-ALFRED PEARSON.
JOHN W. SARGENT, CLARENCE J. FOGG, LUTHER DAME, WILLIAM BALCH, ARTHUR WITHINGTON, JOB WESTON.
DIRECTORS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
MOSES BROWN, Mayor Ex-officio ARTHUR WITHINGTON, President Board of Aldermen ...
ROBERT G. DODGE, President of Common Council.
ELISHA P. DODGE, Trustee of building fund. 66
LAWRENCE B. CUSHING, Trustee of building fund.
FREDERICK S. MOSELEY, Trustee of building fund
WILLIAM R. JOHNSON, term of office expires . . 190I
NATHAN N. WITHINGTON, term of office expires 1902
GEORGE W. BROW
. 1903
ARTHUR P. BROWN,
· 1904
WILLIAM C. COFFIN,
. 1905
ETHEL PARTON,
. . .
. 1906
JOSIAH L. HALĘ,
.. .
1907
TRUSTEES OF PEABODY FUND
JOHN J. CURRIER, LAWRENCE B. CUSHING,
SAMUEL C. BRANE, CHARLES W. MOSELEY, THOMAS C. SIMPSON
LIBRARIAN JOHND . PARSONS
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN. EFFIE A. TENNEY ASSISTANT . E. S. THURSTON
SUPERINTENDENT OF READING ROOM. MARTHA P. LUNT
JANITOR
DEXTER W. NUTTING
Directors' Report
The directors of the public library present herewith their report for the current year of the condition of their trust. They congratulate themselves and the city upon the fact that it is so favorable and that the prospect in the future is even more bright than it has been in the past In regard to the details we refer your honorable body to the reports of the librarian and of the committees having the various trust funds in charge, which will amply sub- stantiate the favorable report we have to make.
THOMAS HUSE,
A. P. BROWN,
E. P. DODGE,
L. B. CUSHING, F. S. MOSELEY, RUDOLPH JACOBY, W. R. JOHNSON, N. N. WITHINGTON,
G. W. BROWN,
W. C. COFFIN,
ETHEL PARTON.
Newburyport, Dec. 24, 1900.
Report of the Librarian
GENTLEMEN : - The 45th annual report of the public librarian is as follows : At the close of the library year Nov. 30, 1899 the number of books in the library was 34,039. During the past year 979 new volumes have been added and 77 canceled as beyond repair. Of these 10 were later restored, making the total number of books prepared for circulation at the present time 34,951. There have been sent to the bindery 343 volumes for rebinding or mag- azine numbers to be bound as books.
The number of books borrowed for home use was 37,948, a decrease in circulation of about a thousand. Al- though the total number drawn has slightly fallen off the standard of the literature called for has been advanced. While the percentage of fiction drawn in 1899 was 79, dur- ing the past year it has fallen to 77.23 and at the same time the circulation of books on the useful and fine arts, theology and philosophy, natural science, biography and travels has increased somewhat.
There are 7493 registered borrowers using the ordi- nary card, an increase of 510 for the year. Forty-nine school teachers draw books in connection with their work on 245 cards, five to each teacher, one-third more than a year ago, and 22 high school pupils use pupils' cards.
It is II years since the last general registration was canceled and a new one ordered, and it has been found well in public libraries that a new list be opened about every 10 years. I would recommend to this board that the advisability of a new registration be considered. In this connection I would also advise that each borrower be al-
-
264
ANNUAL REPORTS
lowed the privilege of taking out two cards, on the second card no work of fiction or light reading, so-called, to be al- lowed, In institutions where this has been tried it is found to work well, and many who would not otherwise do so are by such means induced to take a book of more solid reading so long as the act does not deprive them of the op- portunity to have a novel at hand also.
The library was open for the delivery of books every day except Sundays and legal holidays, 306 in all, and the average daily circulation was 124. The highest was 318, Saturday March 3, the lowest 11, September 6, Newbury- port day.
Beginning with September the hours during which the building is open to the public were changed. The reading room is now open continuously from 9 in the morning to 9 in the evening, and the delivery room from 9 to 8, Sun- days and legal holidays excepted, although on the latter the building is open to visitors for a portion of the time.
Many public libraries deliver books during a portion of the day Sundays and the great majority of them open their reading rooms in the afternoon. This library is pre- cluded from doing the first according to one of the three conditions attached to the original deed of gift accepted by the city, the second, which reads "That the library shall not be open for public use on the Lord's day." Whether this includes the reading room. a later foundation and one not anticipated at the time, no more than were Sunday pa- pers, might be an interesting question for speculation.
The most pressing need of this institution today in or - der that it may more completely fulfil its mission to the public, appears to be a reference department, easy of access to all. The difficulty was met in some degree a year ago by granting permission to those who wished, to examine books at the shelves. A few have availed themselves of the privilege to their great satisfaction, but as a rule the distribution and shelving of books in a large library pre- sents many difficulties by reason of its technicality, to all
265
PUBLIC LIBRARY
except those who may be spoken of as habitues. To those connected with library work or to borrowers who by prac- tice have familiarized themselves with the system it seems a perfection of orderly arrangement and simplicity itself, but to the great majority it must be confusing. A class or call number, 973.4 for instance, to an occasional borrower is merely an arbitary symbol, but to one who is familiar with the system it is a language which is understood as rapidly as it can be spoken. It stands in relation to speech as stenography does to ordinary written language but is even more condensed. As soon as the numeral 9 is uttered history is indicated, 7 says North America, 3 New England and 4 Massachusetts, so long as the figure are used in that order. These are not merely an abbreviation of the title of a book but they serve a further purpose and describe what cftimes the title does not, the nature of the contents. As for instance one might in looking over the catalogue come across the title "Trespassers" by Wood. A natural infer- ence would be that it was a treatise on law, private law probably, moral or divine possibly. The class number attached however, 591.5, shows immediately by the 5 that it is a book on natural science, the 9 fixes it as a zoological work in natural science, and so on. In short it is a book written to show in what manner beasts, birds and fishes trespass on domains which are naturally not their own.
It is not expected that the public will master the in- tricacies of the decinal system of classification, but for practical purposes and their own convenience only a few facts are necessary to be committed to memory. That a book number beginning with a o means that the volume treats of many or all subjects, as a magazine or cyclopaedia If the first number is a figure I, it is a book on philosophy, 2 religion, 3 social science, 4 language, 5 natural science, 6 useful arts, 7 fine arts, 8 literature, 9 history, A book without any class number, simply a letter and figures to abbreviate the author's name, invariably a work of fiction. Remembering but a few more combinations one can imme-
266
ANNUAL REPORTS
diately discriminate between the books most largely read, viz : that 91 is travels or descriptive, contemporary history, 92 biography, individual history, 93 ancient history, 94 modern history, Europe, 95 Asia, 96 Africa, 97 Nortlı America, 98 South America, 99 Oceanica and the polar re- gions. No matter how many additional numbers follow, to more finely divide, these are invariable and always indi- cate the same thing.
In an orderly arranged reference library call numbers, figures and all numerical aids are disregarded by the read- ers and the intervention of attendants is as a rule unneces- sary. The books should be easy of access, usually they are of a large size such as few would care to take away if allowed to do so and their back titles are read at a glance. At the most a reader has but to take one down for a rapid glance to learn its contents.
Miss Lander of the south end library which is allowed by vote of the directors to draw from this library parcels of books to the extent of 200 in number each month, writes :
"During the past year books have been loaned to the south end library, a small library connected with a reading room in the lower part of the city, opened Jan. 23, 1900. Its circulation of books during the year has been 4500 vol-
umes. The library was started with 200 volumes, 110w increased to 800 and the books thus loaned by the public library have been of great assistance to the managers in enabling them to offer a greater variety of reading than would have been possible by their own unaided efforts."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.