USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1894 > Part 19
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 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
A large book lift is to be put in at the rear of this second book- stack floor, to the basement, where the packing, unpacking and repair- ing of books will be done. In the front will be a small book-lift from near the delivery desk to the second floor.
The present wooden cases are clumsy compared with the steel stacks, which are well designed and have ornamental facias, and the patent device for interchangeable shelving is not only more econom- ical, but admits of better classification.
The present upper floor will have to be extended under the old wall shelving, which is to be removed. The second floor of the book stack has an ornamental front, and gallery rail. The new stack being open-work in all parts, admits a free circulation of air through all the shelves, and over all the books, equalizing the temperature, and there- by tends to preserve them.
327
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SHELF ROOM.
The amount of shelving for books in this library at the present time is about 3,725 linear feet. Allowing an average of eight and one-half books to each foot of shelf room, which seems to be the amount of space generally agreed upon by librarians, the total capac- ity of the library, assuming that every inch of shelving could be utilized, would be 31,662 volumes, distributed as follows :
Book room .
23,587 volumes
Americana room .
1,020
Magazine room
1,513
Public document room .
3,714 6:
Reference room .
1,820 .
The new stack alone, if completed as planned, would hold 60,000 volumes.
The 18 book cases, now in the book room, each capable of hold- ing 1,000 volumes, are to be distributed in the other rooms of the building. Then the book capacity of this building will be as follows :
Stack room .
60,000 volumes
Americana room .
1,020 6:
Magazine room
1,513
6.
Public document room .
3,714
Reference room
1,820 ..
Book cases
18,000
A total of over 86,000 volumes, or 54,000 volumes more than at the present time. How many years of growth will be required for the library to reach this limit of 86,000 volumes is a problem we need not now consider. But at no distant day, you must consider and solve the problem of furnishing generous, ample rooms for the following pur- poses : General delivery, and a card catalogue ; reading room, worthy of the name ; reference room large enough for the needs of this con- stantly-growing city ; rooms for individual research and study ; room for cataloguing ; room for covering and repairing books ; rooms for relics ; art rooms ; music rooms ; and classrooms.
The world is moving. Public library work is in its infancy, and
328
ANNUAL REPORTS.
its future possibilities are immeasurable. Somerville may lead or follow, but the movement is onward, and will broaden out and occupy new and more important fields of usefulness.
CATALOGUES, OR FINDING LISTS.
Should a person desire to ascertain whether our library contains a certain book, at the present time, he would have to consult fifteen lists, thus making it necessary to look through fifteen alphabets before he would be certain that the desired book is not in the library.
All books in the library bought before May 1, 1894, are entered either in the catalogue of 1888, or the supplements of 1889, 1891, or the Somerville Fournal supplement of 1894. All books purchased since last May are entered in Bulletins 1 to 11, second series, also in the general card catalogue.
The difficulty of finding a book in a large library that depends solely on printed lists, is so great that the average mortal gives up in despair, and will take anything he can get rather than fathom the depths of the mysteries of printed catalogues, supplements, bulletins, and finding lists, particularly if they have become as numerous as they are in our library. " It requires resolution and perseverance to get on terms with a big library, and the expenditure of time involved is more than a busy man can afford. It occurred to some enemy of the human race to invent catalogues of the ordinary type. The true bibliophile soon acquires a profound distrust and suspicion of these works. They are a fruitful source of cerebral irritation, headache, and biliousness."
Printed catalogues soon get out of date ; new ones must be pre- pared, and they are very expensive.
As soon as we complete the present classification of books and give them their new position on the shelves, every call number will be changed, and no list now in existence will aid one in finding any par- ticular book. We must prepare new ones.
The card catalogue is the ideal catalogue in many respects. It is always up to date, and when arranged under classes, subjects, titles, authors, and cross references, with bibliographical notes, is of incal- culable value. But a card catalogue for the use of the general public must be displayed in a large room so that many persons can consult it at the same time. A card catalogue has its limitations and its own particular field.
329
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
I am confident that this library cannot satisfy the demands of the public with a card catalogue alone. Many persons use the library who seldom come to this building themselves ; a large number of books are distributed through the two agencies ; school children become messen- gers, and these patrons demand lists that they can consult at home.
Instead of the customary printed catalogue, I would recommend a printed finding list of all of the books in the library, arranged under classes, by titles and by authors, using, as far as practicable, short titles, with a full index, or table of contents. I would have it so arranged that the several classes of books could be bound up separately if thought desirable. A finding list of this character would cost at least $2,000, and a special appropriation should be made by the City Council to pay for it.
REBINDING.
During the past year 1,838 volumes have been sent to the bindery, and each year this number must be larger as the library grows in size and in age, consequently the bills for rebinding will necessarily in- crease, and this fact should be considered by the City Council in mak- ing its annual appropriation. Of this number, 1,410 volumes were books from the circulating department, and 428 volumes were magazines.
Among the latter were complete sets of the Atlantic, Harper, Century, Scribner, Appleton, and St. Nicholas, bound in one-half morocco for the reference library.
FRENCH AND GERMAN BOOKS.
During the year 95 volumes printed in the French language have been placed in the library, not only for the benefit of our French pop- ulation, which is sufficiently numerous to make it desirable to supply these books, but for that constantly-increasing class of Americans who have studied the language, read it easily, and are glad to obtain works which represent and illustrate the several classes of French literature.
The frequent calls for these books indicate that they were needed and are appreciated by readers or students of the language.
The same reasons that lead to the introduction of books in the
330
ANNUAL REPORTS.
French language into the library, apply with equal or stronger force to books in the German language, and I suggest if the funds at your dis- posal will permit, that during the coming year an alcove of books in the German language be started.
RENEWALS.
In my report last year I took occasion to call your attention to the fact that all of the books of fiction, juvenile books, some works of travel, histories, and many other books in the library, were marked to circulate only seven days, and the by-laws did not allow books so marked renewed, and expressed the opinion that with the possible ex- ception of works of fiction and some small books, one week was too short a period to devote to a good book, and thought the patrons of the library would appreciate having as few seven-day books as possible, and that it would, in my judgment, be wise to make all books that have been in the circulating library one year, fourteen-day books, per- haps not allowing works of fiction and juveniles to be renewed.
The question how long a book may be permitted to remain in the hands of a reader before it must be returned to the library so that another reader can obtain it, is a very serious and troublesome one in a small library, with a large constituency. And this library comes under this head, for we have in our circulating department only about one book for three inhabitants.
Under the by-laws above referred to, a book marked "seven-day" could enter fifty-two families in one year, while a fourteen-day book could be used but thirteen times, if each person taking it kept it the full time permitted by the rule. A careful consideration of the old rule, by this Board, led to the adoption of the following in its place :
"ARTICLE XI. All books shall be fourteen-day books, unless other- wise designated, and no book shall be retained longer than the time prescribed.
ARTICLE XII. No renewal of any book shall be made till the vol- ume has remained in the library one full day from its return."
By these new rules, all books, unless plainly marked to the con- trary, can be retained fourteen days and no more, and cannot be re- newed, or transferred from one card to another, so as to remain in the same household for a longer period.
331
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
At the present time, new and popular works of fiction and a few other small books are marked " seven-day," but the number of seven-day books in the library is relatively very small. It may be desirable to mark some of the larger works "twenty-one or twenty-eight-day," but up to the present time all books are either seven-day or fourteen- day books.
The new rule seems to be working well, and is giving general satisfaction so far as I am able to learn.
REREGISTRATION.
At a meeting of this Board held November 26, it was voted : "That the Librarian be instructed to have a reregistration of all the patrons of this library at his earliest convenience."
The common experience of public libraries has shown that a new registration at least as often as once in five years is almost a necessity. The practice of the various libraries as to frequency, extent or duration, is not at all uniform. Most of the newer libraries, and many of the older, have found it best to limit the period of regis- tration, and consequent life of the library card, to terms of either two or three years, usually the former ; a few have adopted five years as the limit.
The advantage of prompt notification in case of overdue books, that is, those kept beyond the loan period provided by the rules of the library, has long been understood; and losses to the library are greatly lessened when such practice is promptly followed. But the first requisite to effective notice is to have the correct address of the delinquent. Long terms of registration are not conducive to accu- racy in that respect, owing to the very large percentage of persons who neglect to give the required notice to the library of any change of residence, and this defect is more evident in the case of the two persons who recommended the card-holder, and who are in a certain sense morally responsible, at least, for his neglect.
Of the volumes reported as not recovered from readers at this library, nearly every one represents the loan to some reader who at the time when his card was issued to him was living at the street and number at which his registration locates him, but who at the time when the missing book was issued to him was no longer living there, and could not be traced farther.
332
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Our best safeguard against the loss of books, is a vigilant over- sight on the part of the Librarian in sending for overdue books, and to do this promptly and successfully it is necessary to have the correct address of the card-holder and his recommenders.
Reregistration means a large amount of work for the library force, and a certain amount of annoyance to the book-takers, but neither of these need be excessive under a proper system, and I trust we may be able to carry out your instruction of November 26, without seriously interfering with the regular work of the library, or interrupt- ing the continuous taking out of books by our patrons.
CASE FOR NEW BOOKS.
The time has not arrived when it seems practicable to recommend that the patrons of the library should be admitted to the book room to examine and select their own books, neither do I consider it worth the time to give the arguments for or against this plan. I would, how- ever, suggest for your consideration, that a book-case be placed either in the delivery room or in the reading room, easy of access to the public, and that on its open shelves all new books be placed, that they may be handled and examined by readers at their leisure, or taken by them, after being charged on their card, for home use. This would " give access to the shelves " so far as new books are concerned, and I am confident that this privilege would be appreciated, and that it would immediately put into circulation many books that would not be called for, were readers only directed to them by seeing their titles on the bulletin board or in the local papers.
If it were found, after trial, that this method of exposing new books did not work satisfactorily or that the privilege was abused, it would be an easy matter to discontinue it.
I also suggest that a case of reference books, such as encyclo- pædias, unabridged dictionaries, biographical dictionary, Lippincott's Gazetteer, Brewer's Handbooks, etc., be placed in the reading room for readers to consult at their pleasure.
INFORMATION SLIPS.
It seems to me that one of the most important duties that the Librarian should perform is to assist readers and students in their
333
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
search for books and information in connection with their reading and study. And I desire all persons to feel and to exercise the utmost freedom in calling on me for any assistance or advice which I may be thought to be able to give.
I have placed in the delivery room this notice : " It is hoped that those who make use of the library will have no hesitancy in consulting the Librarian and assistants in all matters upon which information is needed. Inquiries regarding special subjects of study are always in- vited, and will receive careful attention. Information slips can be obtained at the desk."
It is very gratifying to report that many have accepted the in- vitation, and fully appreciate all assistance rendered. While freely giving all the information in our power, our constant aim should be to assist readers to search for themselves, after directing them to the source from which the information can be obtained.
If we are not able to give the information required, at the time the request is made, we mail it as soon as it is obtained.
Next to supplying the books themselves, it seems to me the most important work we can do is to judiciously guide and assist readers in the selection and use of books.
In the line of this kind of work, we have published in the local papers and have distributed special reading lists, not only giving the titles, authors, and shelf numbers of some of the books on the subject, but calling attention to articles in the periodicals that should be read.
These are among the subjects bulletined : -
Sandwich Islands and Hawaii.
Books for Boys (with helpful notes about each book).
Political Science.
Protection and Free Trade.
Labor and Trades Unions.
Edward Everett Hale.
Money and Finance.
Books Relating to Unconventional Journeys.
Books of Nature for Summer Reading.
Summer Sports and Out-door Exercises.
Mountain Expeditions.
Yachts and Yachting.
Corea, China and Japan.
334
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TWO-BOOK CARD.
Several libraries in this country, and some abroad, allow two books to be taken on one card. Wherever tried it has been found to be a great convenience, and has given general satisfaction to the public.
The card now in use 'in the Brookline Public Library contains the following instructions : " Borrowers may take two books at the same time, provided that not more than one of these shall be a work of fiction, and that two new books shall not be taken." The card is divided in the middle; the left side has "Fiction" at the top, the right side " Other works."
This arrangement permits a dessert with the meats, and gives a person opportunity of tasting of the notable literature of the day without giving up the delightful novel. It will reduce the time now spent by the reader in obtaining and returning his books, and would ultimately lead to a wider and more profitable range in his reading. I would recommend that it be given a trial in this library.
CONCLUSION.
In closing this report, I desire to express my grateful appreciation of the cordial good will and support that have been given me, not only by every member of this Board of Trustees, but by those who to so large an extent help to educate public opinion,- our local press. In many instances much help has been derived from it, not only directly by kindly criticism or commendation and by publishing our bulletins of new books and reading lists, but indirectly by calling particular atten- tion to books included in our catalogues, or by introducing topics which have induced the reader to consult books in the library. This is as it should be. The library and the newspaper should be mutually helpful, and both seek for the furtherance of public intelligence and good morals.
But, gentlemen, it is from your hands I have had the most imme- diate assistance and cheer. The careful, candid consideration that you have ever given to all my suggestions and plans, has given me added strength and fresh courage. Your hearty co-operation and well- matured advice has lightened my burdens and lessened my labors, and if during my administration, as the executive head of this library, any
335
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
improvements have been made, and the library has been placed in closer touch with the people, or our books have exerted a greater edu- cational force in this community, to you, largely, the credit belongs.
We have consulted together freely, and if our conclusions have not always been wise, certainly that cannot be chargeable to any lack of painstaking care on your part. Differences of opinion must be ex- pected, and are not always undesirable. Mistakes cannot be invariably avoided, but so long as there is an underlying sense of moral responsi- bility, the work as a whole must prove substantially praiseworthy.
The ideal library has yet to be created, and it must be of gradual growth, the result of careful thought, united effort, and hard work - continued through many years. Our ideal may never be realized, but with a vigorous purpose to make use of all the means and material furnished us, an advance must be made which shall give better and still better results. We can, at least, keep in mind Browning's invig- orating declaration :
"'T is not what man does which exalts him, but what man would do."
And so with eager activity and zeal we may be faithful to our trust by putting ourselves into our work. Only such work deserves the praise of others, or the plaudits of our conscience. When Phidias, the great Grecian artist, made the shield of Minerva, he wrought his own image into the shield.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN S. HAYES, Librarian.
December 31, 1894.
-
REPORT
OF THE
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
(21)
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 13, 1895.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 13, 1895.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE WATER BOARD, February 2, 1895.
To HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, AND THE CITY COUNCIL : -
Gentlemen, -The Somerville Mystic Water Board herewith presents its twenty-first annual report of the condition of the Water Department, being for the year ending December 31, 1894.
ORGANIZATION.
The Board organized on February 2, by re-election of George D. Wemyss as president, and Frank E. Merrill as clerk. Nathaniel Dennett was re-elected superintendent.
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
COST OF WATER WORKS.
The total cost of works on December 31, 1893, was . $607,593.82 Expended during the past year for construction 28,375.67
Total cost December 31, 1894 . $635,969.49
WATER DEBT.
The indebtedness of the city on account of the Water Works on December 31, 1893, was $358,500 ; this debt has been reduced during 1894 by the payment of bonds maturing July 1, and October 1, to the amount of $18,000, the water indebtedness being now represented by bonds drawing interest as follows :
$248,000.00 at 4 per cent. per annum. 82,500.00 " 5 " 66 66
10,000.00 " 5} " 66
340
ANNUAL REPORTS.
RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
The following tables exhibit the receipts and expenditures for maintenance and extension of the Water Works during the year 1894 :
MAINTENANCE.
Received, amount appropriated by City Council for
1894
$25,000.00
Received, amount transferred from Extension account 5,000.00
Received, amount transferred from Water Loan In- terest account .
2,500.00
Received, collections from sundry accounts for labor and material 196.93
Received, balance from Water Service Assessments . .
147.65
Paid for maintenance of Water Works $31,936.90
Amount expended in excess of appro- priation in 1893 . .
$ 596.67
Balance unexpended at end of year 311.01
$32,844.58
$32,844.58
EXTENSION.
Received, unexpended balance from appropriation of 1893 .
$ 14.94
Received, amount appropriated by City Council for 1894
35,000.00
Received, collections from sundry accounts for labor and material . Paid for Extension of Water Works $30,233.06
1,857.39
Transferred to Water Maintenance account . · . 5,000.00
Balance unexpended at end of year 1,639.27
$36,872.33
$36,872.33
SERVICES.
It was decided by the Board early in the year to make a change in the system of putting in and paying for service pipes. Formerly the
341
REPORT OF THE WATER BOARD.
service pipes were laid from the street main to the building, and all material and labor were charged for, so that it frequently occurred that two or more service pipes of the same length would vary in cost, as there could be no fixed charge for the labor, thereby causing dissatis- faction. The service was not to be paid for until after the work was completed, and it often happened that the city was deprived of the payment for many months after the work was finished. Under the present system a uniform price of $15 is made for each service pipe ; they are paid for when the application is made, and are laid by the city only to the property line. Three hundred and sixty-one new services were put in during the year, and we are pleased to say that the new arrangement has worked very satisfactorily.
EXTENSION OF WORKS.
For the four years ending December 31, 1893, over ten and one- fourth miles of cast-iron pipe were laid on extension of the works. It would appear from these figures that our undeveloped territory would soon be exhausted, but as evidence that progress in opening up available building sites is still being actively carried on, two and one- quarter miles have been laid in the year just closed, an increase of three thousand, four hundred feet over the previous year.
Perhaps there is no truer barometer of the rapid growth of the city than this large extension of the works.
Reference may be had to the report of the superintendent, here- with presented, for details of the pipe laid in extending the water works system.
RELAYING WATER PIPES.
The deplorable condition of the old cement pipe in our streets is indeed alarming. The employees are called out at all hours of the day and night to repair bursts ; oftentimes snow and ice have to be removed from the gate covers before the water can be shut off, while in the meantime a cellar is being flooded, or windows broken with a cyclone of water, gravel and mud; for it must be borne in mind that the debris will often drive with cyclonic force for over sixty feet from the break. Next comes the annoyance of settling damages, which are frequently quite heavy. The Board is apprehensive that, in case
342
ANNUAL REPORTS.
of fire, the extra strain on these old pipes will cause a break and leave our firemen powerless for want of water. The Board has used its utmost endeavor from year to year to replace the old cement with cast- iron pipe, but we feel that the appropriations have never been large enough for that purpose. There has been relaid during the last year about four and seven-eighths miles ; there are about eighteen miles yet to be relaid, and the safety of the city demands that it should be done at once.
HYDRANTS.
There has been a net increase of sixty-two hydrants during the year, making the total number now in the city six hundred and thirty. We again renew our recommendation that the expense of setting hydrants and keeping them in order be placed in the hands of the fire department.
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.