USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1908 > Part 8
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 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
Another important item of expense was the renovating of
181
182
the interior of the old building. Nothing had been done to the woodwork during the twenty-six years of its life. A contract was made with a vacuum cleaning company of Boston for the entire renovation of books and building. But it was found that while the vacuum process was sufficient for the books it did not answer for the carving. That had to be cleaned by hand and it was most carefully gone over with oil and turpentine. The re- sult justified the pains expended. A large case for the preser- vation of newspaper files was placed in the main hall.
As might be expected, there have been during the year large arrears of work to be made up. The binding bills have been very heavy, the library having suffered from a long period of poor binding and of neglect from lack of funds. A large number of the books had reached that period when the need for rebinding was imperative. With regard to the circulation this has naturally fallen off during the year. It could not well be otherwise. . Concerning this we refer to the librarian's report.
The clientele of the library is changing decidedly. There is an increasing demand for books of a technical and scientific character. But such books are expensive and if we purchase them in any number our appropriation must be increased. It is necessary for us to have a sufficient number of periodicals to supply the reading room. The accommodations there are ample and there is no pleasanter place in which to pass a leisure hour. But we must give the public something worth their coming.
The expense of running the library has very nearly doubled while the appropriation has not greatly increased. The trustees feel that the library is handicapped, that additional expense having to be subtracted from the money available for the pur- chase of books.
The most attractive part of the library is the children's department. Their reception of it leaves nothing to be desired except more books, of which there is a beggarly display. The children are joyous, eager, careless; and yet not much more careless than some of their elders. The little men and women have done well, considering all things, but they must have a larger variety of books. There are about four children to one book.
183
For the details of the administration of the library the trustees refer to the carefully prepared report of the librarian.
The trustees, in closing their report, regret to have to record the untimely death of the architect of the addition, Mr. William M. Aiken of New York.
Respectfully,
ELLERY C. BUTLER, HENRY MCGRATH, GEORGE F. SAWYER, JR., GEORGE W. MORTON, CHARLES R. SAFFORD, HARRISON A. KEITH,
Trustees.
184
TREASURER'S STATEMENT
1908
Thomas Crane Endowment Fund
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1907
. $24,239 32
Rec'd interest on Mass. Gold Bonds
3₺ per cent. 630 00
Rec'd interest on deposits in Quincy
Savings Bank
172 18
Rec'd from Catalogue Fund
56 25
Paid Wm. A. Bradford Co.
$12 35
Francis McCormick
8 75
William Parker & Son
236 98
Globe Wernicke Co.
7 25
Henry L. Kincaide & Co.
40 88
L. C. Watkins
64 39
Sanitary Dust Removing Co.
336 00
American Furniture Exchange
22 85
George Darling
12 00
Thomas O'Brien & Sons
11 50
W. B. Whittier & Co.
24 00
Alex. Nugent
175 50
Derby Desk Co.
44 50
Edward J. Sandberg
60 00
A. J. Wilkinson
4 95
C. W. Dolloff & Co.
1,274 15
J. E. Keniley
8 83
W. Porter & Co. .
191 50
C. F. Purinton Co.
125 62
Sanborn & Damon
5 50
Henry Siegel & Co.
100 05
E. S. Beckford
21 55
E. Schoepflin & Co.
19 50
F. E. Tupper
23 00
Thomas W. Byrne
21 91
185
John H. Pray & Sons Co.
21 82
Johnson Lumber Co.
7 02
Art Metal Co.
67 45
Citizens' Gas Light Co.
4 85
Herbert R. Holmes
18 30
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1908
22,124 80
$25,097 75 $25,097 75
Cotton Center Johnson Fund
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1907
$10 21
Interest on $2,000 Chicago Junct. Gold
Bonds, 5 per cent. 100 00
Interest on deposits in Quincy Savings
Bank
1 12
Paid for books
$89 00
Paid for Atlas of Quincy
20 00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1908
2 33
$111 33
$111 33
Catalogue Fund
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1907 · $2,107 48
Interest on deposits in Quincy Savings
Bank
84 09
Received from fines and sale of cata- logues
161 66
Treasurer's commission on insurance for 1907
26 43
Paid Miss Cochrane
$225 00
Paid for type-writer
85 00
Paid Spargo Print
45 00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1908
2,024 66
$2,379 66 $2,379 66
186
Enlargement of Library Grounds
Gift of Albert Crane
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1907 $334 02
Paid for labor on new lawn
$30 50
for removing ashes, etc. 11 50
for wheelbarrow, tools, seed, ex-
pressage
15 02
for small things for toilet room, re- pairing clock
7 40
F. A. Skinner, photographs
8 00
J. A. Webster, photographs .
16 00
Julius Heurlin, shrubs .
50 00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1908
195 60
$334 02
$334 02
Rec'd from sale of old furniture, gas and electric light fixtures, lumber, and linoleum $45 10
Paid for toilet fixtures
$6 82
for carpet and other furnishings ·
23 03
for clock and pictures for Chil-
dren's room
15 26
$45 10 $45 10 Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. MORTON, Treasurer.
187
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
QUINCY, MASS., January 1, 1909.
To the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library :-
I have the honor to submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1908.
In summing up the work of the year this report naturally divides itself into two sections, before and after the closing of the library to the public.
Beginning with the first of January, the library service continued under even more difficult conditions than hitherto, with the circulation for the first two months a trifle larger than for the same period in 1907. As the process of examining the entire collection went steadily on in the continued work of prep- aration for the new charging system and of getting the juve- nile books ready for their new quarters, many hundreds of volumes were found unfit for circulation and were sent off to the binder or recorded for replacement.
In the remodeling of the main building and change from an alcove book room to a reading and reference room, having been crowded into smaller and smaller working space, when, finally, the delivery desk and its artificial lighting were taken away we were obliged to close the library for the delivery of books on March 16. The building was still kept open during the daytime until April 1 for the return of books, and any one was welcome to come for reading or reference work. We had a few such visitors but no statistics were kept.
As the library had to remain closed a much longer time
188
than was anticipated on account of delays and changes incident to the interior work on the building, a successful effort was made to be ready at the reopening to put the new charging system into effect at the main delivery desk as well as in the children's room. Behind the closed doors all the staff worked their regular number of hours per week except the librarian, who was there in season and out of season, and the Easter vaca- tion of the pages was most opportune. All the books in the library were cleaned by the vacuum process. Those from the old book room were then, the last week of April, removed to the stack room, read by shelf list, and the actual number of books in the library in each class counted.
Some idea of the labor and confusion and methods during the calendar year from May until May may be gained from the fact that, owing to the remodeling or renovation of the whole of the old building before the completion of the new stack room, every book in the library had to be moved twice, many of them a third time, some of the periodicals even a fourth, be- cause of delay of the wide shelving. To have a new building and move into it is one thing, to have one in which you are liv- ing remodeled and enlarged, is quite another matter, as the librarian knows, having experienced both ; and they have their attending compensations. To see a structure grow from the wholly satisfying charm of a small building into double its capacity without losing artistic effect in that spaciousness and better adaptation to the needs of today, is a pleasure that the less difficult experience does not give.
At last, after the carving and entire woodwork, including ceiling, had been cleaned, the other half of the delivery desk, gone astray in transit, had been put in place, the work upon the leather finished and carpets laid, upon Memorial Day, twenty-six years after the original gift to the citizens of Quincy, the new Crane Memorial Hall was in readiness for Mr. Crane's visit.
Even then, details of the interior finishing and fitting up of the main building and the children's room remained to be com- pleted to make them ready for use. It was, therefore, not until June 20 that the building was open for public inspection from 3 until 9 o'clock P. M., when it was thronged with appreciative visitors. The library was reopened for the delivery of books on
189
Monday, June 22, although carpenters and decorators were still finishing their work.
A new registration was begun with the reopening of the library and the number of borrowers at date is 2,975, of which 769 are registered in the children's room. Each borrower is recorded both by his name and by the registration number assigned to him.
In 1908 the library was open only 226 days, or, in other words, was closed for a period of three months and five days. The circulation returns show a falling off of about 12,000 volumes from the number delivered the previous year. A glance at the report of the trustees for the year 1882, that of removal from the old church building on Hancock street to Crane Me- morial Hall, during which year the library was closed about one month less, shows that this is a repetition of the experience of that year. Conditions under which the circulation for the year 1907 was maintained were so abnormal that it is not surprising that the falling off that year from that of 1906 was about 10,000. So far as statistics go, therefore, both years are exceptional and should not be taken into account. Since June, however, as well as at the beginning of the year, there has been a steady gain over those months of last year. This shows that the loss is due entirely to the closing of the library, and that the circulation is on the increase is further proved by the fact that there is also an increase for the past six months of about 3,500 over the cor- responding six months of the year 1906.
A glance almost any afternoon or evening shows that the new reading and reference room is appreciated for its combina- tion of utility and beauty. No record is kept as to the number of visitors or readers in the room or the use of reference books, the 3,610 volumes unclassified as library use in the statistics appended to this report meaning only those books delivered over the desk for use in the room. More and more is advantage taken of the Wednesday morning opening, a specially quiet time for study. All books added are placed in the book-cases
190
here for a year, as usual, and shelves of older fiction in rotation are put here from time to time, a record being kept of these. We have tried to come into closer relation with the work of the study clubs by selecting books bearing on their subjects and re- serving them two weeks for their use. In a word, the aim is never to let anybody go away without finding what he wants if within our power to find it. But that means, beside the willing- ness to search, that the library should be fully equipped with the books that furnish the information.
The stack room is a great improvement in light and room for the books, hitherto crowded and dark ; but there is more surface to cover because the books are so many feet farther away from the delivery desk than in the older building. This, with the going up and down stairs, requires more assistance in order not to retard the delivery.
The circulation of unbound periodicals is so large a factor, in itself about one-sixth of the work at the delivery desk, that it would simplify matters there if it could be taken away from it. But as that would increase the assistance needed it can not be done at present. The new charging system requires the insertion of pockets in all periodicals as received. The list of periodicals subscribed for is very large for a library of this size and almost every one of them circulates freely as currently re- ceived. The wear and tear is greater now that they are no longer handed over the desk, but placed in the cases outside, a freedom greatly appreciated by the public. Some of the num- bers of the more popular ones are frequently not in condition to bind. We would like to afford to take another copy of these, place in covers for the reading room, and use for binding. The list of periodicals received has been revised the past year, a few having been discontinued but more added, and will be found at the end of this report.
The number of books rebound this year is exceedingly large and the bills are therefore correspondingly so, although the cost for the same binding is more reasonable than that of any other library with which I am acquainted. Many books are repaired at the library, but it is not a wise economy to keep a book in circulation when in need of rebinding or to attempt to do what may interfere with the best results in rebinding.
191
Previous to the reopening, the card catalogue of the juve- nile department of over 2,000 volumes, which had been partly rewritten in anticipation of a change, was completed and re- vised. A brief shelf list was made for the use of the children's librarian, the fuller shelf list being kept in the cataloguer's room.
The total number of books in the library hitherto stated has been only an approximate estimate, the books discarded each year not having been subtracted. This accounts for the fact that the total number of books in the library on Dec. 31, 1908, namely 25,857, made by actual count and based upon the shelf list reading in May, is smaller than that estimate. This May reading by shelf list showed that 150 books were missing from the shelves since the last inventory in February, 1907.
I think the most popular room in the library is the new children's room, and certainly some of the most useful work of the library is done there. During the summer the room was open afternoons and Saturday mornings. In September the hours were changed so that when the schools were in session the room was closed, with the result that when the near-by school is not in session, from 11.30 A. M. to 1.30 P. M., and from 3.30 to 6 P. M., the room is filled with children. Large as it is, it is none too large, and sometimes, especially upon Mondays, it is exceedingly difficult to exercise the necessary supervision. The coming of so many children all at once makes congestion for an hour or so and requires extra assistance.
The largest day's circulation from this room was 165, on Nov. 2, and the smallest, 18, on Dec. 24. No statistics were kept of the books read in the room or used for reference. In a total circulation of 11,802, a percentage of fiction of 57.7 shows that the open shelf system is doing a good work, although the wear and tear of the books is certainly greater. Every two months the books are read by shelf list, and thus far nine volumes are missing. No child is too young to be admitted so long as he keeps reasonably quiet. The behavior, generally speaking, is excellent, showing that the children appreciate the attractions of their new room.
Through the inter-library loan system we have been en-
192
abled to accommodate borrowers with 13 volumes from the Boston Public Library. Also the art department of the Forbes Library of Northampton, Mass., kindly sent us freely from its large collection of pictures all that were needed for two art afternoons of one of the study clubs. Since June the library has had on exhibition 13 sets of pictures from the Library Art Club, to the great pleasure of those who have vis- ited the art gallery with its attractive background of red and gold Japanese leather paper.
In September Mr. H. H. Schumacher resigned his position as assistant in charge of the circulating department to attend the divinity school of Harvard University. His courtesy and willingness to oblige were greatly appreciated, especially dur- ing a time of upheaval. The position was filled October 1 by Miss Katherine L. Stegmaier, a graduate of Simmons College library school.
I cannot close this report without thanking the trustees for continued support and many kindnesses, and commending the staff, each and all, for the cheerful and ready response to the continuous demands upon their industry and patience. The spirit of harmony and interest which prevails makes work with them a pleasure.
Appended are the statistics for the year.
Respectfully submitted, ALICE G. WHITE,
Librarian.
193
ACCESSIONS
Added by purchase, new books . 563
Added by purchase, to replace old copies 603
Added by gift, new books . 166
Added by binding periodicals
131
Total gain
1,463
Discarded and replaced
597
Discarded and not replaced
387
Discarded from contagious diseases
33
Lost and not paid for
14
Lost and paid for
2
Total loss .
1,033
Net gain 430
Total number of volumes in library, Dec. 31, 1908
25,857
CIRCULATION
JAN. 1-MAR. 14, 1908
Main hall delivery desk, home use
15,576
Main hall delivery desk, library use ·
1,715
JUNE 22-DEC. 31, 1908
Main hall delivery desk, home and school use 29,075
Main hall delivery desk, library use £ 1,895 .
Children's room delivery desk, home and school
use
11,802
Total circulation . 60,063
Days the library was open, 226
-
194
CIRCULATION BY CLASSES
MAIN HALL
General works
695
Philosophy and Religion
690
Sociology
491
Science
453
Useful and Fine arts .
794
Literature and Philology
1,045
History
1,071
Travel
736
Biography
782
Fiction
28,125
Periodicals (unbound)
9,769
44,651
Unclassified library use
3,610
48,261
Fiction, 63 per cent.
CHILDREN'S ROOM
June 22-Dec. 31, 1908
General works
480
Philosophy and Religion
24
Sociology
7
Science
483
Useful and Fine arts
223
Literature and Philology
763
History
702
Travel
1,176
Biography
386
Fiction
6,813
Periodicals (unbound)
745
11,802
Fiction, 57.7 per cent.
195
REGISTRATION, ETC.
Registrations, June 22-Dec. 31, 1908, main hall; 2,235 Registrations void through death and removal from town . 29
Whole number of borrowers, Dec. 31, 1908, main
hall
2,206
Registrations, June 22-Dec. 31, 1908, children's room
769
Total number registered at library, Dec. 31, 1908 2,975
Volumes rebound and repaired, 2,621 ; Periodicals bound, 137 ; Periodicals currently received, 102.
196
PERIODICALS
1908-1909
A. L. A. Booklist
American architect
American boy
American homes and gardens
American magazine
Appleton's magazine
Argosy Atlantic monthly
Babyhood
Book news monthly
Book review digest
Bookman
Boston cooking school magazine ¡Boston evening transcript (Wednesday and Saturday)
Boston herald
Bulletin of bibliography and magazine subject-index
Cat journal
Century magazine
Charities
Christian art
*Christian science journal *Christian science sentinel *Collier's weekly *Cook's American traveller's ga- zette
Contemporary review Cosmopolitan
Country life (London)
Country life in America
Cumulative book index
Current literature Delineator, The Dial, The Education ¡Electrician and mechanic +Engineering magazine Everybody's magazine
Forest and stream Fortnightly review
Forum, The
Garden magazine
Harper's bazar
Harper's monthly
Harper's weekly
+Hibbert journal
Illustrated London news International marine engineering
International studio Journal of American history
Journal of the American society of naval engineers
Ladies' home journal
Leslie's weekly
Library journal
Life
Lippincott's magazine Little folks
Living age
McClure's magazine ¡Marine review *Massachusetts journal of osteop athy
Master in art
Mayflower descendant *Modern sanitation Motor boat
Munsey's magazine
Musician, The Nation, The
New England magazine
Nineteenth century North American review
*Official gazette, U. S. patent office *Our dumb animals Outing, The
197
Outlook, The Photo era *Plymouth products Popular science monthly Public libraries Publishers' weekly
Punch
Putnam's and the reader
Quincy advertiser
Quincy daily ledger
Quincy patriot
Quiver, The Reader's guide to periodical lit- erature Review of reviews Rudder, The *Gift
St. Nicholas Saturday evening post School journal
Scientific American
Scientific American supplement
Scribner's magazine
Success
+Sun, The (New York) +Travel magazine
*Tuftonian, The *Tufts weekly Woman's home companion
World's work Young idea Youth's companion
tAdded for 1909
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Quincy, Mass., January 21, 1909. To his Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
I hereby submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1908.
Scales Examined
Platform over 5,000 lbs. 12
Platform under 5,000 lbs.
37
Counter balance 100
Spring balance
74
Balance scales
6
Beam over 1,000 lbs.
3
Computing scales
40
Scales condemned
-7
Weights examined
645
Weights found (large) heavy
ī
Weights found light
17
Weights condemned
12
Measures Examined
Dry measures
178
Dry measures large
0
Dry measures small
4
Dry measures condemned
4
Wet measures
150
Wet measures large
0
Wet measures small
9
Wet measures condemned
9
Milk jars examined
724
199
200
Milk jars large 1
Milk jars small
3
Milk jars condemned
4
Total 2,046
Total for testing
$67.14
Cash paid City Treasurer
67.14
The amount expended was as follows :
1908
March 11 J. McFarland Sons $5.45
March 11 Allen Brothers 9.10
March 11 W. and L. E. Gurley 12.61
May 4 Hobbs & Warren Co.
3.50
May 20 F. F. Green
5.12
Dec. 16 M. I. Gatcomb, use of horse and inci-
dental expenses of office
44.22
Dec. 16 L. J. McMaster
45.00
Total $125.00
Yours respectfully, MAURICE I. GATCOMB, Sealer of Weights and Measures. -
1
Report of Overseer of Poor
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
In compliance with the ordinances of the City, the following report of this Department for the year ending December 31, 1908, is respectfully submitted.
Owing to unusual business depressions, the shutting down of the Granite business in the early part of the year, the stringency of money, and many large Corporations run- ning on half time, the calls for aid have been numerous. There is a large number of unemployed, many of them with large families, who have been compelled through neces- sity, to apply to this Department for aid. It has been my policy to obtain employment for as many of these as pos- sible, in this way trying to make them self supporting.
We have here, as in other places, two classes of poor, the worthy, and the unworthy. We are called upon often to assist both classes, and how best to do this is a problem :
worthy of serious consideration. After supplying aid, as the nature of the case demands, a history of the case is taken to determine the legal settlement. This requires a careful search and inquiry, as the settlement is frequently traced back to the parents, and in some cases, to the grandparents. Therefore, a fair knowledge of pauper settlement law, and a thorough search, is required, in many instances.
The Almshouse, and the buildings connected with it, are badly in need of repair. The Almshouse needs painting on the outside, and the piazza floors should be repaired.
The Smoke House used by the men, and also the stable, should be reshingled, as these buildings are in bad condition.
201
202
The interior of the Almshouse requires many things. All of the window shades ought to be replaced. Several pieces of furniture, a carpet in the hallway, chairs and beds, are getting worn out, and are not in keeping with the rest of the house.
Our City is growing in population every year. New industries settling in our midst, bring the poor with them, at times. These must be provided for, even though they have no settlement in Quincy. Our City charges this up to other cities and towns, or to the State, as the case may be, and later is reimbursed, the money going into the City Treasury, so that it can readily be seen that these industries are a benefit to the City, to the business men, and to all who have an interest here.
Through the generosity of one of our citizens, C. C. Johnson, there was left in trust to the City of Quincy two thousand dollars, which was placed in the Savings Bank, the interest of which was to be used for the deserving poor of our city each year at Thanksgiving, to be known as The Johnson Fund. With this money turkeys are distributed among the poor. In 1908 we had eighty-one dollars to spend. Seventy-four families received a turkey, or a chicken, with vegetables. When this money was donated to the town, we had only a few poor families. But now the number of poor has increased many times, and one can readily see the problem that the Overseer has to work out at Thanks- giving time. I hope before another year, that some one of our generous citizens will see that another one hundred dol- lars at least, will have been added to this fund, to glad- den the hearts of these poor people.
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.