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 1923 > Part 19
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The following resolutions were adopted at the October meeting of the Board:
Whereas, The Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library feel with keen regret the untimely death by accident of their faithful janitor, Edmund C. Roach, on September 25, 1923, they desire to place on record the following resolutions:
Resolved, That they hereby express their deep appreciation of his untiring efforts in the care of the library building and its beautiful lawn which stands as a monument to his painstaking care.
Resolved, That they deplore the loss of a good and faithful servant who was constant in his loyal efforts to further the best interests of the library.
Resolved, That the Board of Trustees tenders its deepest sympathy to his bereaved family; and
Resolved, That a copy of these records be sent to his family and also spread upon the library records.
On Saturday, the 27th of October, the Trustees made a tour of inspec- tion, visiting all the branch library buildings, thus becoming conversant with their conditions and needs.
In the work of the year involving administrative affairs and matters of
297
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
policy regarding the library the Trustees have performed their duties with a full sense of the responsibility involved; and the splendid spirit of co-operation and enthusiasm manifested by the librarian and the staff has been of valuable assistance as well as a great pleasure to us personally. Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman.
GEORGIANA CUSHING LANE, Secretary.
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
I present below the report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1923.
The close of the year just past marked also the end of my fifth year as Librarian. It rather naturally suggests a brief retrospect and summari- zation.
I was attracted to the position by the description on the part of the Trustees of the opportunities for expansion. Those opportunities have fully met my expectations, and I look back upon my stay in Quincy with more pleasant recollections than upon any equal period of my life. Com- ing here just at the close of the war, when people were anxious for some- thing that would divert their minds, I found a community eager for books, but so widely scattered that one-half of them were beyond any adequate service from the library. Small branches were located as rapidly as they could be equipped, until six new ones were added to the two already func- tioning. The gratitude with which they were received in their respective localities and their subsequent use have been ample proof of their need.
I came to Quincy direct from a year spent in organizing library service in something over fifty different war camps. I consider that experience to have been invaluable, and it is here mentioned because of its bearing on my present position. The work was done under great pressure, where the element of time was of prime importance. The usual conveniences were out of the question, and at best the tools at hand were crude. I became convinced that an appalling amount of time is wasted in libraries, and that much energy is misdirected because of the survival of outworn methods. I have seen no reason to change my opinion in the light of sub- sequent experience. To-day we are operating six new branches and sup- porting a more than doubled circulation with a staff somewhat smaller than that in service five years ago.
For a long time there had been a desire on the part of the management of the library, as well as of the public, to throw open the bookstacks to the free use of the borrowers. The building erected more than forty years before, when conditions were very different, presented serious ob- stacles to the carrying out of the plan. It required months of planning and rearranging of the shelves to bring about the desired result. The greater freedom in the use of books has made the effort worth while. Added to that is the fact that now we can easily train the pupils of our public schools so that they are able to go directly to any book which they require. We now regularly instruct at the central building all the seventh and eighth grade pupils in fourteen of our seventeen schools. Four les- sons in the use of the catalogue and reference books are given each class. The masters and teachers report a pronounced stimulus to all the work done in the schools, and seem as eager for the children to receive the in- struction as we are to give it.
Since the war all public libraries are reporting increased losses through mutilation and theft of books. Though not as serious as in many cases, our experience has been the same. It is gratifying to report that of late
298
CITY OF QUINCY
these offences seem to be rather less numerous. Undoubtedly the throw- ing open of the stacks has increased the opportunities for the unprincipled. The losses, however, have never balanced the greater convenience to the public through immediate access to the books. Probably we could cut down the actual loss by more rigid supervision, but the saving would be effected at a cost far in excess of any possible saving that would be made.
The Browne system of charging books has some very decided advan- tages, but its disadvantages outweigh them when a library reaches a cer- tain stage of growth. Our library had about reached that point, and its subsequent development would have been impossible without the change to the generally used Newark system. All staff members who were here when the change was made agree that an important forward step was taken.
An efficiency expert, who once dropped into one of our branches to procure a book, later took the trouble to write me a letter to say that he had never been in a library where he could go in as a stranger, get a book, and get out as quickly as in ours. We accept the soft impeachment. I know of no library that makes it as easy for the stranger to establish rela- tions as does ours. Rarely is our confidence abused. And here again the benefits derived by the great mass of borrowers more than offset the occa- sional loss. I have seen no good reason to curtail our very liberal attitude toward the borrowing public.
The goal upon which I have constantly kept my eyes fixed has been to make of ours a true public library, with the emphasis on the word "public." That means a sense of obligation to every individual and to every group within our limits. We may not achieve at once our aim, but we can constantly work toward it. This aim makes us purchase consid- erable rather light reading for those of limited capacity as well as provide culture for the cultured. It gives us a sense of obligation to the accountant, the artisan and the housewife as well as to the boys and girls whose needs are so imperative.
In five years we have considerably more than doubled our circulation. Quantitatively we have reached the saturation point, when we can report 37 per cent of the population enrolled as borrowers and the circulation of 8 volumes per inhabitant. Any increase beyond that must be made at a cost that could not be justified under the peculiar conditions which prevail in our city.
In closing I wish to repeat and emphasize what I have said before. I doubt if any librarian has enjoyed more loyal assistance or happier rela- tions with his staff. I do not see how any librarian could have a freer hand or more sympathetic encouragement than I have enjoyed through- out my stay at the hands of the trustees of this library.
Respectfully submitted, TRUMAN R. TEMPLE, Librarian.
Circulation by Classes, 1923
BRANCHES
JUVENILE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL LIBRARY
Wollaston
Parkway
Quincy Point
Atlantic
Parker
Baxter
Manet
Squantum
Children's Room
Schools
General
5,489
1,839
1,145
507
404
277
665
215
121
620
11,282
Philosophy
1,078
160
24
31
17
2
8
10
25
53
1,408
Religion
675
181
77
140
34
41
31
55
1
226
16
1,477
Sociology .
1,799
2,135
3,085
2,270
1,204
· 1,610
1,103
1,206
236
4,014
1,219
19,881
Language .
428
13
94
21
7
42
8
-
4
14
631
Science
1,075
506
334
259
204
184
286
93
22
841
175
3,979
Useful arts
2,444
650
638
421
298
241
234
127
32
724
262
6,071
Fine arts
2,327
832
280
272
216
256
189
176
40
724
305
5,617
Literature
4,324
2,724
6,312
2,616
1,864
1,612
2,100
1,366
600
4,174
2,086
29,778
History
1,592
1,198
918
435
515
276
430
325
78
1,227
360
7,354
Travel
2,208
1,346
2,003
1,037
665
1,004
940
614
180
2,606
527
13,130
Biography
2,534
725
506
344
316
221
268
168
80
826
173
6,161
Fiction
70,606
44,037
27,882
21,982
20,477
14,735
13,895
12,016
5,813
17,139
5,289
253,871
Total .
96,579
56,346
43,298
30,335
26,221
20,459
20,191
16,379
7,203
33,150
10,479
360,640
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
299
.
Total
300
CITY OF QUINCY
Books in Library January 1, 1924
Adult
Juvenile
Total
General works
716
96
812
Periodicals
3,311
-
3,311
Philosophy
820
14
834
Religion
1,054
112
1,166
Sociology
3,469
1,320
4,789
Philology
314
4
318
Science
994
547
1,541
Useful arts
1,988
681
2,669
Fine arts
1,807
525
2,332
Literature .
4,410
1,693
6,103
History and travel
4,862
2,448
7,310
Biography .
3,072
726
3,798
Fiction
14,593
6,622
21,215
Total .
41,410
14,788
56,198
TREASURER'S STATEMENT, 1923 Thomas Crane Endowment Fund
Balance on hand December 31, 1922:
Massachusetts state bonds (cost price)
$19,656 75
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank
800 79
Received interest on Massachusetts state bonds
630 00
Received interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank
32 33
Paid American Surety Company of New York, pre- mium on bond for treasurer
$6 25
H. A. Abbott, setting glass
18 00
Wm. A. Bradford, repairing heater
6 85
Beckford & Lynch, repairing lights .
14 46
Joseph Breck & Sons, repairs on mower
31 15
Thomas H. Fallon, repairing door
7 75
Freeman W. Grant, repairs in children's room
29 40
Granite Trust Company, rent of deposit box .
5 00
Macey-Morris Company, cabinet
42 50
John C. Paige & Co., insurance
108 75
W. Porter & Co., insurance
174 69
The Pratt Company, printing reports, etc.
114 00
E. C. Roach, care of grounds
175 00
Francis Roach, care of grounds .
40 00
Mrs. E. C. Roach, care of grounds
65 00
William G. Roach, labor
14 00
William Westland & Co., supplies
25 25
Balance on hand December 31, 1923:
Massachusetts state bonds (cost price)
19,656 75
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank
572 51
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston Bank
12 56
$21,119 87 $21,119 87
301
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
George W. Morton Fund
Balance on hand December 31, 1922:
2 Kansas City Terminal bonds 4s
$1,880 50
3 Massachusetts Gas 42s
2,912 38
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank 440 33
Received interest on bonds
215 00
Received interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank
21 64
Paid Mabel S. Baxter, work for treasurer
$20 00
Balance on hand December 31, 1922:
2 Kansas City Terminal bonds 4s
1,880 50
3 Massachusetts Gas 42s .
2,912 38
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank
656 97
$5,469 85
$5,469 85
Cotton Center Johnson Fund
Balance on hand December 31, 1922:
Kansas City, Clay County and St. Joseph bonds (cost price)
$1,890 00
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank
329 41
Received interest on bonds
100 00
Received interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank
14 96
Balance on hand December 31, 1923:
Kansas City, Clay County and St. Joseph bonds (cost price)
$1,890 00
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank
444 37
$2,334 37
$2,334 37
Mt. Wollaston Bank Account
May 8, 1913, deposit by transfer from endowment fund $100 00
Balance on hand December 31, 1923
$100 00
$100 00
$100 00
Crane Memorial Fund
Balance on hand December 31, 1922
$504 01
Received interest on Liberty bonds
663 50
Received interest on bank balance
10 91
Received rents from "Pratt" property
660 00
Received from sale of Liberty bonds
4,951 91
Received dividend insurance policy
12 00
Paid Laban Pratt, interest on mortgage
$646 50
William Chapman, architect
287 80
Louis P. Marker, electrical work
25 00
Freeman W. Grant, builder
4,800 00
L. T. Allen, window shades
102 00
Pettingell, Andrews & Co., electrical work
494 75
Green & Swett, supplies
10 45
John H. Pray & Sons, linoleum .
131 63
W. H. Teasdale, insurance .
69 65
W. T. Donovan, insurance .
107 00
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston Bank
127 55
$6,802 33
$6,802 33
302
CITY OF QUINCY
On hand December 31, 1923: Liberty bonds (cost price) . .
$12,290 79
Liberty bonds (received as part of principal) .
1,500 00
.
$13,790 79
Alice G. White Music Fund
Balance on hand December 31, 1922:
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston Bank
$103 65
Liberty bond (cost price)
938 99
Received interest on bond
42 50
Balance on hand December 31, 1923:
1
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston Bank
$146 15
Liberty bond (cost price)
938 99
$1,085 14 $1,085 14
Statistics arranged according to the Form adopted by the American Library Association
Population served, 47,826 (Census of 1920).
Terms of use - free for lending and reference.
Total number of agencies, consisting of -
Central Library :
Branches
8
Stations (delivery)
3
Other agencies:
Schools (buildings)
6
Number of days open during year:
For lending
303
For reading
333
Hours open each week for lending
72
Hours open each week for reading
76
Total number of staff .
12
Total valuation of library property
· $255,000
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes at beginning of year
38,296
12,735
51,031
Number of volumes added by purchase
3,984
2,957
6,941
Number of volumes added by gift
259
4
263
Number of volumes added by binding
100
-
-
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn
1,229
908
2,137
Total number at end of year
41,410
14,788
56,198
Total number of volumes lent for home use
208,341
152,299
360,640
Fiction lent for home use
253,871
Number of registered borrowers
18,584
Publications issued
Periodicals and newspapers received, 144 titles; 251 copies.
5
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
303
Financial Statement
RECEIPTS
City appropriation
$37,422 78
Endowment funds
898 05
$38,320 83
EXPENDITURES
Books
$8,999 82
Periodicals
723 70
Binding
1,872 41
Salaries
16,756 30
Janitor service
3,594 00
Rent
1,788 59
Heat
1,484 82
Light
932 83
Petty cash
244 39
Other maintenance
1,923 97
$38,320 83
304
CITY OF QUINCY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DI- RECTORS AND SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WOODWARD INSTITUTE, 1923
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1924
Chairman Rev. FRED ALBAN WEIL.
Vice-Chairman
Rev. LEANDER HOKENSEN.
Secretary
Rev. THOMAS W. DAVISON.
Supervisory Committee
Rev. FRED ALBAN WEIL, Chairman, ex officio.
Rev. ISAIAH W. SNEATH.
Rev. WILLIAM M. CRAWFORD.
Rev. THOMAS R. TURNER.
Superintendent WILLIAM F. CARLSON.
THE FACULTY Principal
WILLIAM F. CARLSON .
Teachers
Commercial subjects
GEORGIANA C. LANE
Art
JOHN D. BUCKINGHAM .
Music
GLADYS D. ROSE English
NELLIE L. JONES .
Modern languages Mathematics
DOROTHY A. RIPLEY
EDITH FOLSOM
Science
HARRIET SOUTHGATE
History
MARGARET EVANS WEBB
. Physical training
Engineer and Janitor HARRY P. JOHNSTONE.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors held January 2, 1924, the report of the superintendent was accepted, adopted and ordered printed as the report of the Board.
Latin
CHARLOTTE J. BURGESS
305
REPORT OF WOODWARD INSTITUTE
.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
MAY, 1924.
To the Board of Directors. Woodward Institute, Quincy, Mass.
GENTLEMEN: - I am pleased to submit my first annual report (and the thirtieth in the history of the school) as superintendent of Woodward Institute.
Last September I assumed my new duties with a firm belief in the future of this school. With your hearty and unanimous support on every occasion my belief has become a conviction that those who sponsor this institution are in earnest to provide a school such as the will stipulates, - one second to none in the state.
The school is, at present, in a healthy state mentally and physically. Some things are necessary to both, however, to attain a higher degree of perfection. The morale of the student body is excellent, and the school spirit, as demonstrated during my short stay, is exceptionally good.
A crisis in the school's long and useful life was faced by your Board this year. Upon you was thrust a heavier responsibility than was ever put upon any preceding Board. Your decision to bravely meet the crisis, and to assume full responsibility, through the inauguration of a tuition charge, for the prepetuation of the legacy you have inherited at Woodward, will stand as an example of resourcefulness for future boards. It is gratifying to note your measure has received the ardent support of the public, with little or no opposition recorded from any quarter, - a good indication of the esteem in which the school is held in this community. Gentlemen, I sincerely hope that the money received from tuition will be expended as far as is possible and expedient for salary adjustments and increases. Good salaries and good teachers are inseparable companions. We want both at Woodward.
During the past year Woodward has experienced a few changes in both the internal and external life of the school. Among the internal changes a few might here be noted. The use of the large assembly hall as a study room has been discarded. This was done for many reasons. Its use as a study hall was an extravagance which cost the school yearly $300 in fuel, $200 in light, and would soon entail an expenditure of $1,000 in duplicating equipment unnecessary to the institution. Furthermore, after resurfacing the floor in this large room, an excellent auditorium for the social occasions so necessary to the life and health of any school was quickly and inexpen- sively provided.
The classrooms are now also home rooms, - an arrangement which puts a small number of pupils under the personal care of a home-room teacher. This establishes a closer relationship between teacher and pupil which re- acts to the benefit of both.
An honorary society among the pupils was organized early in the year. The purpose here is to stimulate a keener interest in scholarship, which in turn is rewarded by special privileges to the members.
After a lapse of a few years the annual gymnastic exhibition at Wood- ward was re-established, with great interest manifested by pupils and public alike.
A lunch room for the benefit of pupils at recess periods was opened, and the patronage it has received has more than justified our expectations.
Our Friday morning assemblies have proven a great source of inspira- tion, and have been very popular with the student body.
The appointment of a dean of girls at the school has filled a gap which always exists where no such official is found.
In improvement of the property itself a great deal has been done. The rest room has been repainted and equipped with comfortable furniture.
306
CITY OF QUINCY
Electric fixtures of modern design have been installed throughout the building. The chemical laboratory has been cleaned and repainted. Repairs have been made on the arch in the assembly hall, and the prin- cipal's office has been renovated. In addition a number of sanitary im- provements have been made. The engineer of Woodward has co-operated splendidly, and through his efforts alone a handsome stage, equipped with footlights, has been built in the assembly hall. He has renovated the engine and boiler rooms, made numerous repairs, overhauled the engines, enclosed them all with a hood, painted them, and built a splendid work- shop for school use. In addition he has aided materially in the planting of trees and shrubs on the grounds of the school, and at the gymnastic exhibition presented the school with a fine set of collapsible basket-ball standards. He has also made a number of fine flower boxes for the various classrooms, installed a radiator in the principal's office, and piped drinking water to all floors of the building.
The heating apparatus connecting Rooms 7 and S has been made ade- quate to supply the demands of the coldest weather. In the commercial department new typewriting desks and chairs, some new typewriters and a mimeograph have brought that department thoroughly up to date.
Gifts to the school the past year have included a fine oil painting of Dr. Woodward by the celebrated artist, Scott Carbee. Subscribing 100 per cent strong, the student body raised the money for the painting in three days. A very fine painting of Dr. Woodward as a young man was generously given the school by Mr. Nathan Packard. Other gifts include some pretty draperies for the rest room, curtains for eleven front windows, a handsome set of draperies costing $550 for the assembly hall, busts of Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt, casts of Wilson and Washington, and a beautiful plaster cast of "Aurora."
Gentlemen, I believe we are meeting the challenge of the will of Dr. Woodward. With your co-operation as generous in the future as it has been in the past the Woodward to come will approach closer and closer the ideal of its founder, - "a school as perfect and as well conducted as any in the state."
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM F. CARLSON, Superintendent of Woodward.
Approved and accepted by the Board of Directors May 26, 1924. Rev. FRED ALBAN WEIL, Chairman.
COURSES OF STUDY General Directions
1. A pupil may elect any subject of her year, or the year preceding it, subject to the approval of the Head Master; but she may not elect a subject of a year in advance of her grade.
2. No pupil may drop one modern language to begin a second unless two years of the first have been completed.
3. For urgent reasons, and with the approval of the Head Master, a pupil may change from one course to another, without loss of grade, credit being given for work already completed. Choice of a course should have the most careful consideration of parents.
4. Pupils are advised to continue electives in one line of work rather than to elect superficially in several lines.
5. Each pupil is required to take at least four subjects aggregating six- teen periods of prepared work. Drawing, physical training, typewriting and art are rated at half the number of periods assigned to them.
307
REPORT OF WOODWARD INSTITUTE
6. Consultation with the Principal may be arranged by calling Granite 5610.
7. Quarterly report cards are sent home to parents. These cards are issued the first week in December, February, April, and at the close of school in June.
8. Sixteen units are required for graduation. A unit represents the com- pletion of a year's work in any subject equivalent to four periods per week of prepared work (with the exception of Freshman English where one point is given for the six periods.)
9. Pupils credited with three units are promoted conditionally to the Sophomore Class; with seven units, to the Junior Class; with eleven units, to the Senior Class.
College Course COLLEGE AND NORMAL SCHOOL PREPARATION
FIRST YEAR
THIRD YEAR
English
6
Algebra
5
Latin .
5
Ancient History
4
Music
2
Physical Training
.
Elect Two
French
5
German
5
Modern History
5
Chemistry
4
.
5
Latin
5
Music
2
FOURTH YEAR
English
4
Latin .
5
United States History and Civics .
4
Review of Mathematics .
5
Music
1
Physical Training
.
1
Elect One
French
5
German
5
-
Latin
5
Music
1
Physical Training
.
2
SECOND YEAR
English
4
Elect One
French
5
.
German
5
.
.
Physical Training
2
.
English
4
.
·
.
2
Geometry
.
308
CITY OF QUINCY
General Course
FIRST YEAR
THIRD YEAR
English
6
English
4
Modern History
5
Ancient History
5
Physical Training
.
2
Music
Drawing
2
Drawing
.
Elect Two
Latin
5
Latin .
5
Elementary Science
4
Chemistry
5
Stenography and Typewriting . 10
Bookkeeping
5
English
4
Geometry .
5
Biology
4
Music
2
Physical Training
2
Drawing
2
Music
1
Drawing
2
Elect One
Latin .
5
Elect Two
Latin .
5
French
5
Review of Mathematics . . 5
Stenography and Typewriting
10
Harmony may be taken during the third and fourth years. Figures at the right of the subject indicate the number of periods taken each week.
Woodward Institute is open only to Quincy-born girls. A liberal in- terpretation of "Quincy-born" is allowed but the letter and spirit of the will are not broken.
Candidates for admission to Woodward Institute must present them- selves for written and oral examinations at the school at 9 o'clock on the first Saturday morning after the Woodward graduation exercises. Fifty pupils will be admitted from among those who take the examinations.
Written examinations in English, Arithmetic, History, Geography, etc., will be given at the above time. Pupils will be interviewed either before or after the examinations.
A tuition fee of $50 a year will be charged those who qualify and who enter in the September class.
A few free scholarships are open to promising pupils who would like to enter Woodward but who would find the tuition charge a financial burden too heavy to bear.
The Woodward Lower School, consisting of grades 7 and 8, has a separate schedule.
.
Algebra
5
.
.
.
2
Physical Training
2
Music
·
1
French
·
FOURTH YEAR
English
4
American History and Civics ·
4
Physical Training
2
French
5
·
.
.
.
2
Elect One
5
SECOND YEAR
.
.
309
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DE- PARTMENT OF THE CITY OF QUINCY, MASS.
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1923.
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