USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1862-1879 > Part 18
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No greater evil can be guarded against, in this Age of Readers, than that of putting in circulation bad literature ; and we do most earnestly request parents to bring to the notice of the Trustees the titles of any books upon the shelves they may deem injurious in effect upon the minds of their children.
80
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
We have been gratified at the commendations bestowed upon the Library by those who have examined the Catalogue critically, and trust we shall merit your approbation in con- tinued efforts to discard that which is worthless, and hold fast only to such literature as will bear the inspection of reasonable minds.
In the month of July, 1874, a contract was made with Mr. Charles Taylor, a mechanic accustomed to library work, to build suitable alcoves for a Library of five thousand volumes, with shelving, counter and desk, complete, all to be built of ash wood with suitable mouldings, the work to be completed to the full satisfaction of the Board of Trustees, September 1st. The plans were prepared and adopted after an examination of other Libraries, and the work was finished to our satisfaction, the second week in September. The quality of the work is all that was promised.
The room is so economized as to allow of the reception of four times the number of volumes we now possess, without any change in the position of the alcoves; while the entire room is capable of holding conveniently the probable addi- tions of the next twenty years.
Wednesday, September 16th, the Library was opened to the public in the new room, and the statistics show a steady increase in patronage since that date.
The order and discipline is a decided improvement upon any previous year, and were it not for the large number of applicants who at times fill the room and render moving to and from the Librarian's desk difficult, the room would be as quiet as could be desired. New rules of order have been adopted as needed, and the results of their enforcement have been satisfactory. The Librarian and Assistant have accomplished the work assigned them in a very creditable manner, and the Trustees are gratified to note the efficiency displayed in attending to the wants of the many in so brief time.
81
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The labor of preparing the Catalogue for publication has devolved upon the Librarian, and those who have had ex- perience in such duties will appreciate the labor that has been put forth. The proofs have been corrected by the Trustees, and we are glad to find ourselves in position to present the completed work at this time. We believe the benefits to be derived from the use of this book will be sufficient recompense for the hours of labor spent in its preparation.
The printing was done by our townsman, Mr. T. W. Ripley, and well done in every particular.
We have been indebted for the past two years to Mr. George B. Sargent, for the gift of a Library stamp, which we neglected to acknowledge in our last report. The labor saved the Librarian by the use of this stamp, besides its worth, renders the gift a valuable one. Mr. Frank Eastman has very generously remitted the expressage upon all packages coming to the Library, and we take this oppor- tunity of thanking him.
As will be seen in our table of statistics, a large number of books have been added during the year by purchase and donation. A large proportion of these books are of such value as will amply repay your attentive perusal. Our donations show an increase over last year that is grat- ifying. We appreciate the generous gifts that have been made, and hope the honor will not be divided among the few another year, but will evidence the general interest of our citizens in this department.
We glean the following statement of facts from an article that appeared in the Boston Journal, entitled "The Public and Social Libraries of the State:"
"There are eighty-two towns and cities in the State that sup- port free public libraries, in whole or in part by a tax on the ratable property. The average annual circulation is about two and one-half times the number of volumes in the libraries. The largest proportionate circulation is the library at Melrose."
82
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
It will be noted this year that our circulation is about seven times the number of volumes in the Library, showing that our community is one capable of appreciating its offered advantages.
Donations - Books.
Abbott, Dr. B. F. and Mrs. . 12
Beale, Mrs. G. A.
2
Deane, Silas 1
Goss, Elbridge H.
1
Jefferson, Daniel
2
Massachusetts, State of
15
Parkman, Miss (Boston)
20
Sawyer, Fred. W.
1
Simonds, Mr. and Mrs. J. R.
29
Smith, Mrs.
2
Wakefield, Town of
1
Wilson, Rev. D. M.
8
94
Pamphlets.
Boston Public Library,
11
Brighton
1
Cincinnati " 66
2
Goss, Elbridge H.
1
Lancaster Public Library,
2
McNeill, George E.
1
Munroe, Dexter F.
1
Prior, A. M.
1
Quincy Public Library,
1
Wakefield " 66 1 5
Watertown " 66
Wilson, Rev. D. M.
1
Winchester Public Library,
2
Woburn
1
31
83
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Statistics.
Number of volumes in Library, March 1, 1874,
2,231
66
purchased this year, 270
66 66 donated 6
94
364
Number of volumes in Library, March 1, 1875,
2,595
Number of cards issued -persons using the Library,
1,591
relinquished, since 1871,
75
ני
66
" now in use,
1,516
66
" issued this year,
288
Largest number of volumes issued in one day,
281
Average
66
66
each day,
182
Whole 66 66 66 66
July,
955
66
66
August,
1,302
66
66
66
66
66
December,
1,694
66
66
66
January, 1,985
66
66
66
this year,
17,650
Increase of circulation, this year,
3,646
66
Smallest 66
61
.
This library year is equivalent to ninety-seven days of circulation. The examination of the Library, just con- cluded, shows the books to be in good condition. Three books only are unaccounted for since our last report. . The Library was not closed during the examination, it being found unnecessary to a correct and careful count, besides putting the people to the trouble of returning all books at a specified time, and stopping the circulation for three weeks. Two books have been discarded as unworthy circulation, and their places supplied. Two hundred and forty-two books have been rebound. We have had the magazines and papers, sent as donations, bound carefully, and they are now in the Library. The increase in the circulation of nearly four thousand volumes is a noteworthy fact, especially
84
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
as we have been in the new room but six months of this year. The central location of the Town Hall, and its adaptability to all the varied needs and demands of the com- munity, are as evident in the growth of this department as in any other.
The only disadvantage that has been encountered is one that was anticipated by the Trustees. The most convenient time for the people to visit the Library is in the early part of the evening, and it then becomes so thronged as to make long and tedious waiting a necessity for many. It is mo- notonous and wearisome thus to be kept in waiting: We had hoped it might be found practicable for the people to borrow books for the evening, and sit and read them in the Library Room,-for this purpose two large reading tables were purchased ; but the increase in the number of ap- plicants renders reading in this room impracticable. It will be noticed that older persons are at a disadvantage in the use of library privileges, on account of the presence of so many of the young. We would not by any means withdraw these privileges from the young, nor would we discourage the attendance of parents, as the benefits are for all alike, but we would recommend a further enlargement of domain, that the original intention of the people may be properly carried out. It will be recollected by the citizens that the vote prepared by our friend and patron, the late David Fair- banks, Esq., and passed at the annual town meeting, March 27, 1871, appropriated a certain fund of money for the establishment of a "Public Library and Reading Room." Our reasons for devoting the appropriations exclusively to the Library, heretofore, were stated in previous reports, and have been evident to all. We have never until this year been permanently located, nor has the need of this branch of the work been so clearly evident. We have therefore deemed it best to bide our time until decisive action was rendered necessary. The Library is yet in its formative
85
PUBLIC LIBRARY. .
state, though it has shown a capacity for growth that would hardly have been credited at the outset. It is our sincere desire to see it gradually developing itself in all its branches with a view to the establishment of a permanent institution that shall meet the proper demands for information of every department of industry and every condition of mind. The advantages of a Reading Room, properly and judiciously managed, are evident. To shut out our monthly magazines and periodicals and the weekly issues of leading newspapers is to shut out one entire field of literature, the influence of which is constantly increasing. Our knowledge of the growth and prosperity of neighboring towns is now very meagre indeed. It is the part of wisdom to know our neighbors and acquaint ourselves with the sources of their prosperity, and we may find their chronicles in the weekly local papers.
There are other advantages, perhaps more important, even than those mentioned. There is now no place provided in all our town where respectable people, young and old, may meet for an hour for the purpose of obtaining informa- tion; either to inform themselves upon a special topic by the use of the Cyclopædia, or glean from magazines the ideas of prominent editors upon important subjects, or com- pare histories, or read for recreation. The lack of these simple advantages has driven many of our young men into places of resort unworthy of the reputation which their presence adds. They go where others go, simply for the sake of companionable society, and to pass time away. All do not have the attractions of pleasant homes, but the taste for reading ingrafted by our school system is so potent for good that if a place were provided for public use young men would seek it gladly. The reading tables we now have are just adapted to the purposes required. Place them in the quiet and commodious room opposite the Library, and with a line of paper-stands round the room, you may soon see the
11
86
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
experiment in successful practical operation. The room referred to, originally intended for the Library, is by strange coincidence much better adapted for a reading room, -in fact it could not be improved by alteration. The gas piping placed in the walls at convenient points would render expense in that direction unnecessary, while the simplicity of our plans would make the expenditures for all purposes, of small amount, for another year.
We have taken pains to ascertain the desirability of such a reading room, and the expense. In the neighboring city of Newton, for instance, where the reading room is open all the time, and where daily and weekly papers, magazines and periodicals of all kinds, are kept on file, the entire expense for these issues was but $240 for an entire year. The Librarian says, "The Reading Room is used constantly by a fine class of readers, many people coming regularly day after day, and considering it a good institution. I do not think the room has ever been made a loafing place of, or even a place for people to meet. I know it is used by an excellent class of people, who prize it highly. I do not see how it can be anything but a benefit."
We use this information because we have the same class of people to deal with, and the comparison would be a fair one.
As we should not purchase any daily papers, and only the better class of weeklies, we should reduce this sum at least one-half, while one attendant only would be needed. It will thus be seen that we should accomplish our purpose by relieving the Library of its throng by allowing them to occupy the time of waiting in the Reading Room, while at the same time we should open new facilities for instruc- tion to the public, with the added attraction of a pleasant, quiet room to read in. The Springfield Republican, of March 5th, in an article upon "Our Public Libraries," gives advice editorially as follows:
"Libraries are unnecessarily large if they go over 25,000 well selected volumes, not excluding the standard classics of half a
87
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
dozen foreign languages. Such a body of books is amply suffi- cient to meet all the demands likely to be made by the public resorting to them, and beyond that it seems to us that the resources should be devoted to the current literature of the day and the improvement of the means of access to the library itself, that is, by opening reading rooms, not necessarily all under the roof which shelters the library, but close to the haunts of men, and by extending the hours of accessibility. Transient litera- ture should not be kept after its value has passed, but exchanged for new."
·
Trusting that our views will have your approval, we recommend that the appropriation for the coming year cover the means necessary to carry out these suggestions. We pledge ourselves to the same use of our trust as has been our practice with the funds granted from year to year.
The amount requested for the Library and Reading Room is $800.00.
The appropriations of last year, amounting to $1,000 are accounted for in the Treasurer's report. We are glad that we have been able to accomplish the work within the speci- fied limits.
Conscious of the possibilities of rapid growth by the addi- tion of books of but transient value, we prefer that our accumulation should show the results of selection, that the Library may grow in intrinsic value as it grows in years.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC KIDDER, ELBRIDGE H. GOSS, A. A. NICHOLS, HANNAH LYNDE, CHARLES C. BARRY,
Trustees.
Dr.
Melrose Public Library in account with E. H. Goss, Treasurer.
Cr.
1874. April 24,
To cash paid A. M. Prior, printing
$32 00
Jan.[ 19, $75,
1 1
A. W. Lovering, books
347 57
Mar. 1,
$75,
appro. for fitting Lib. { Room, in part, 1
300 00
May 13,
19 80
66
66
:
balance of same ·
200 00
June 24,
66
J. R. Simonds, binding books .
138 10
Feb. 6,
'75,
5
66
66 Henry Dyer, book .
1 50
2 00
July 27,
1
Miss Carrie Worthen, Librarian
150 00
Mar. 18, '74, ( Jan. 30, '75, 1
348 65
Jan. 22,
75.
Wayland Public Library, book .
3 18
30,
D. L. & J. G. Webster, rent
75 00
Oct. 13,
66
.. G. B. Sargent & Co., stamp ribbons
1 50
15.
Morss & Whyte, wire railing . .
37 50
15,
1
. .
Lawrence, Wilde & Co., curtains
25 75
Jan. 27,
S. E. Benson, coal .
3 00
21.
..
J. L. Anderson, moving books :
3 00
Amount appropriation for fitting Library Room, $500 00, used as follows:
Charles Taylor, alcoves and counter
342 43
Nov. 6,
66
66
Small Bros. & Lovejoy, tables .
40 00
Morss & Whyte, wire railing 37 50
25 75
66
22.
H. V. Butler, books
40 00
Small Bros. & Lovejoy, tables . 40 00
45 00
1875.
Frank Stevens, lettering .
5 90
Jan. 12.
:
66
L. B. Wilder & Co.,
19 00
Feb. 6,
66
Jos. Holbrook, police services .
12 60
26,
2 50
Apr. 24.
'74,
1
66
postage, tags, frames for rules, &c
8 84
Mar. 1.
*75,
5
Balance on hand this date .
28 66
$1,444 68
$1,414 68
E. & O. E.
E. H. GOSS, Treasurer.
At the request of the Trustees of the Public Library, I have examined the vouchers for above account, and find them correct.
JOHN LARRABEE, TOWN CLERK.
١
66
annual appro., in part, 250 00
June 24, 29,
S. E. Currier, heating rooms ·
15 00
19,
66
:
for old table . " shelving .
6 00
Jan. 30,
75, 1
from Librarian, for fines
7 96
Aug. 1,
Chas. Taylor, alcovês, counters, &c
Mar. 9, Apr. 20, 27, Aug. 15, Sept. 29, Nov. 21, 1875. 'Jan, 30,
By balance from account of 1873-74 cash from div. Hide & Leather Ins. Co. Town Treasurer, dog licenses for 1873,
$33 54 31
May 2.
324 87
66
..
66
balance,
250 00
Feb. 26,
Sept. 30,
MEMORANDUM.
30,
Frank Stevens, lettering doors
5 90
24,
J. L. Hammatt, settees
45 00
Dec.
3,
66
$2500 00 policy of Ins. for 3 years
35 63
24.
A. Mudge & Son, printing : : :
5 00
J. L. Hammatt, settees
$496 58
Dr. Wheeler, book
·
Mar. 1,
:
Oct. 19,
66
66
Lawrence, Wilde & Co., curtains
Oct. 9,
M. & M. Gas Co., gas .
1874.
MELROSE, March 1, 1875.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-OF ---
MELROSE, MASS.
1874-75.
BOSTON : PRINTED BY T. W. RIPLEY, 138 CONGRESS STREET. 1875.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOHN O. NORRIS, CHAIRMAN.
DANIEL W. GOOCH, SAMUEL A. DRAKE,
MISS P. A. NORRIS, SECRETARY. MRS. J. C. CURRIER, MRS. A. V. LYNDE.
TEACHERS.
ALONZO G. WHITMAN
MARY L. CHARLES
HIGH SOHOOL.
EMMA A. J. BUGBEE .
HENRY F. WOODMAN
. FIRST GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
LUCY W. BISBEE JULIA M. PORTER
EMMA M. CATE
SECOND GRAMMAR SCHOOL. THIRD GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
CHASTINE EMERSON JENNIE L. CRIE,
MARY E. NORRIS
SARAH E. PRATT
MARY M. GILMAN
ETTA W. LIVERMORE
. CENTRE THIRD GRAMMAR SCHOOL. CENTRE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. . LYNDE ST. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. . VINTON ST. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. CENTRE PRIMARY SCHOOL. LYNDE ST. PRIMARY SCHOOL. . VINTON ST. PRIMARY SCHOOL. UPHAM ST. MIXED SCHOOL.
SUSAN D. MELCHER .
LYDIA MENDUM GREEN ST. MIXED SCHOOL.
ALICE S. BROWN
HIGHILAND MIXED SCHOOL.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTORS.
GEORGIE N. BORDMAN . MUSIC.
NICHOLAS F. DRACOPOLIS
.
FRENCH PRONUNCIATION.
REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF MELROSE:
In preparing this Annual Report of the condition and progress of their department of town affairs, the committee have been guided by a desire to lay before the town in the briefest and most direct manner possible what has been done during the year.
Those who read the report will certainly appreciate this, and those who do not read it will, of course, be satisfied.
TEACHERS.
The past year has, in two respects, been unfortunate for our schools. Numerous changes in teachers have occurred which, under ordinary circumstances, must be detrimental for a period.
A new teacher, although superior to the former, cannot accomplish at once what has been done by one who fully knew the organization of the school and the needs of the pupils.
The new teacher is obliged to learn the temperament and especial needs of each pupil, before the most attainable can be accomplished, and this must be the work of time.
The higher the grade of the school the greater will be the loss in this respect, since the variety of the demands upon the teacher is increased.
92
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The committee have been forted by circumstances to fill the two highest positions in our corps of teachers at the shortest notice; but they are confident that there has been the least possible loss to the pupils in each case.
In the case of the vacancy in the First Grammar School, it was decided to be wiser to close the school for a few days than to submit it to two changes, as would have been necessary had a temporary teacher been employed.
In regard to these changes, the committee felt it to be their duty to examine carefully as to the salaries paid in Melrose, for it is well known that the great inducement to leave us was a large increase in salary.
Their judgment was that the salary paid the Principal of the High School was liberal, but that the. Principal of the Grammar School received too little relative to the salaries of teachers in similar schools in other towns.
Acting from this view of the case the salary of that posi- tion was raised to $1,500 from $1,200.
It was not considered wise or desirable that Melrose should attempt to compete with the larger cities of the State in re- gard to salaries. To have done this in one case would have been a precedent for every other, and would have entailed an expense which neither our needs nor circumstances warrant or demand.
The dilemma in which the committee was placed, by being obliged to select teachers hastily or close the schools for a time, when these vacancies occurred, was very an- noying.
To avoid this difficulty in future, the following vote was passed by the Board :
" That our teachers, and those whom we may engage in future, be required to give the committee one month's notice of their resignation."
The attention of the present corps of teachers is called to this vote, in order that they may bear it in mind when their opportunity comes.
93
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
This vote was passed as a means of self-protection for our own schools.
If teachers should be allowed to leave at a notice of but two or three days, it would be almost invariably necessary to close schools for a time whenever a change should occur.
We should thus injure our own schools for the benefit of some other town.
By the method adopted by this vote, ample time will be given to the committee to select a teacher, and a consequent increased probability of selecting a good one.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.
The second source of injury to our schools has been the break caused by the destruction of the Centre school-house in April last, and the subsequent inconvenient and un- pleasant quarters in which it was necessary to place the schools in order to continue them.
The increased distance which the pupils of the Centre Intermediate School were obliged to walk in order to reach their room, operated very unfavorably for that school, and the pupils who were constant and faithful in attendance are entitled to great praise.
We feel, however, that these evils will be more than com- pensated in the future, by the increased convenience and comfort which pupils will experience in the new structure which has been reared on the site of the former building.
All who are familiar with school buildings have pronounced it one of the most convenient and well-adapted structures for school purposes that they have ever seen.
It is elegant without any superfluous ornament, moderate in cost, yet containing every thing which the best judges in such matters deem necessary.
The three most important requisites in such a building, heat, light, and good ventilation, have been amply secured.
12
94
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
We congratulate the town on having added to its public buildings one so perfect in all respects.
Great praise is due to the chairman of the Building Com- mittee, W. Irving Ellis, for the personal attention which he has given to the details of building.
His experience and leisure made him peculiarly adapted to that position ; and the thanks of every citizen are due him for the excellent manner in which he has performed the duties of the office.
The yard about this building is very limited for so many pupils, and the committee recommend that the "Pound" adjacent be removed to some other locality, and the territory occupied by it be added to the school yard.
ATTENDANCE.
The necessity of regular attendance at school, as an abstract principle, is universally admitted.
The business man who wishes to succeed expects to attend constantly to the duties of counting-room or workshop. He hardly allows himself the recreation which the laws of health demand.
This law is equally important in schools. The class system makes it necessary that each member should do the regular work of the class. Every absence entails so much extra work for the absentee, or a lack of progress is the result.
Pupils who are often absent soon become discouraged, and after that accomplish but little.
If every parent could know the disastrous effects arising from this evil,-which every teacher well knows,-there would be little absence, save for the most weighty causes.
The attendance in our schools for the last few months has been rather poor, more especially in the lower schools. This is to be attributed, in the main, to the prevalence of those diseases to which children are subject, and to the in-
95
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
convenient distance of some of the rooms from the centre of the town.
There has undoubtedly been, however, much unnecessary absence, and it is hoped that the next report will show a marked improvement in this respect.
TARDINESS.
In the last report the committee called attention to tar- diness and expressed the opinion that it prevailed in some schools by far too much.
In a recent school report of the Lawrence School Board. this evil is thus spoken of :
" It is no new thing to complain of the great number of cases of tardiness in all of the schools, and especially in the lower ones. Yet nearly all the cases that could be avoided will be found in about one-tenth of the families that patron- ize the schools."
This is also true in our schools, as the statistics attached - to this report will show.
The attention of parents is especially invited to these facts about our schools, for the evil is one which they are responsible for, and with them alone lies the remedy.
The committee regret that some pupils have become im- pressed with an idea that they had better absent themselves from the session than enter school a few minutes late. This is substituting a greater evil for a less.
We consider bad attendance worse than tardiness, and desire that any influence which the teachers can exert may be used to enforce this idea.
The cases where tardiness is absolutely necessary are very few. They must result from carelessness of the pupil or indifference at home ; and where parents are really interested in the progress and future success of children there is no reason to complain. This interest is better manifested often
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