USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1895 > Part 19
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91 Perkins st.
$1,800
1889
9
Clara B. Cutler,
Main st., Bedford.
675
1892
8
Annie L. Dimpsey,
521% Florence st.
600
1891
7
Mary E. Richardson,
77 Addison st., Chelsea.
600
1893
7
Gertrude L Gardner,
33 Gilman st.
600
1889
6
Mabel C. Mansfield,
77 Addison st., Chelsea.
600
1993
5
Carrie Alma Colton,
68 Warrenton st., Boston.
600
1893
4
Maria A. True,
116 Pearl st.
600
1895
3
Gertrude C. Mason,
75 Park st., Andover. 50 Flint st.
600
1890
2
Lillian Nealley,
109 Glen st.
600
1882
1
Clara M. Bagley,
61 Florence st.
600
1873
1
Martha M. Power,
47 Marshall st.
600
1891
DAVIS.
176 Broadway.
$675
1882
Lucia E. Estey,
515 Massachusetts ave., Boston.
600
1895
41 B Franklin st.
600
1893
96 Oxford st.
600
1885
BELL.
9
Frederick W. Shattuck, Principal,
79 Boston st.
$1,800
1890
9
Alice L. Davis,
13 Pleasant ave.
675
1895
8
Emma L. Schuch,
25 Tufts st.
600
1874
7
Mary A. Bradford,
24 Quincy st.
600
1888
7
Nellie S. Dickey,
24 Quincy st.
600
1889
6
Mabel T. Totman,
49 Boston st.
600
1892
6
Maribelle Curtis,
40 Berkeley st., Boston.
600
1895
5
Mary S. Rinn,
17 Wesley park.
600
1889
5
Ada F. Fernald,
12 Miner st.
600
1893
4
Mabel L. Fall,
10 Putnam st.
600
1895
3
Edith J. Holden,
19 Linden st., Reading.
600
1893
2
Martha E. Daniels,
93 Concord ave.
600
1891
1
E. Lorette Schuch,
25 Tufts st.
600
1882
CUMMINGS.
4
Lydia J. Page, Principal,
21 Webster ave.
$675
1869
3
Fannie L. Gwynn,
65 School st.
600
1886
2
Lena B. Blaikie,
56 Boston st.
600
1893
1
Margaret L. Martin,
16 Buckingham st.
500
1893
3
Alice M. Dearing,
600
1893
4 3 2 1
Mrs. Lucretia A. Burns, Principal,
Carrie T. Lincoln,
P. A. Merritt,
114
· ANNUAL REPORTS.
TABLE 31 .- TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1895 .- Continued.
Grade.
NAME.
Residence.
Salary.
Beginning of Service.
9
John S. Emerson, Principal,
95 Summer st.
$1,800
1894
9
Abby C. Hunt,
14 Aldersey st.
675
1873
8
Emma Frye,
17 Allston st., Allston.
600
1891
7
C. B. Parkhurst,
22 Highland ave.
600
1889
6
Nellie A. Hamblin,
30 Walnut st.
600
1882
5
Clara B. Sackett,
52 Boston st.
600
1891
5
Annie E. Robinson,
20 Webster ave.
600
1876
4
Nellie F. Sheridan,
84 Prospect st.
600
1888
3
Abbie A. Gurney,
11 Sanborn ave.
600
1888
2
L. Gertrude Allen,
230 Washington st.
600
1884
2
Grace May White,
66 Walnut st.
600
1893
1
Lucia Alger,
11 Sanborn ave.
600
1889
1
Minnie Alice Perry,
16 Pleasant ave.
600
1891
1
Ida B. Mason,
56 Boston st.
600
1893
POPE.
41 Boston st.
$1,800
1891
9
Florence A. Chaney,
675
1892
8
Harriet M. Clark,
1 Vernon st., West Medford.
600
1893
7
Alice I. Norcross,
79 Mt. Auburn st., Watertown.
600
1885
6
Blanche G. North,
5 High st.
400
1893
5
Lizzie W. Parkhurst,
22 Highland ave.
600
1885
5
Frances A. Wilder,
36 Walnut st.
600
1874
4
Annie G. Sheridan,
84 Prospect st.
600
1886
4
Minnie Partridge,
39 Greenville st.
600
1895
3
Clara M. Wheeler,
39 Greenville st.
600
1895
2
Lillian S. Albee,
42 Walnut st.
600
1888
1
Lydia E. Morrill,
34 Bow st.
600
1892
1
Jean Clinton Terry,
25 Aldrich st.
600
1895
PROSPECT HILL.
6 3
Helen Tincker, Principal,
63 Columbus ave.
$650
1872
Mabel L. Bement,
87 Temple st.
400
1895
K'g'n
Blanche Seabury,
Boston.
500
1892
Ass't
Clara H. Brown,
200
1895
3
Mary B. Smith, Principal,
7 Dell st.
$650
1885
2
Annie E. Crimmings,
25 Church st.
600
1884
1
Miriam Cavanagh,
22 Linden st.
500
1893
K'g'n
Miriam S. Cutler,
Arlington st., Cambridge.
400
1895
3, 2
Annie E. McCarty, Principal,
21 Church st.
$675
1880
1
Isadore E. Taylor,
30 Florence st.
600
1883
1 Annie L. Savage,
108 Inman st., Cambridgeport.
600
1873
K'g'n
Caroline G. Baker,
46 Washington st., Charlestown.
500
1895
9
George M. Wadsworth, Principal,
BENNETT.
JACKSON.
KNAPP.
115
E-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
TABLE 31 .- TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1895 .- Continued.
Grade.
NAME.
Residence.
Salary.
Beginning of
Service.
FORSTER.
9
Fred C. Baldwin, Principal,
Sycamore st.
$1,800
1893
9
Elizabeth A. Page,
Cor. Medford and Sycamore sts.
675
1893
8, 9
Mary E. Bunton,
Cor. Medford and Sycamore sts.
675
1894
7,8
Irena S. Nightingale,
Arlington.
600
1895
8
Minnie A. Worden,
169 Sycamore st.
600
1895
7
Adelaide F. Eaton,
82 Belmont st.
600
1894
6
Elizabeth F. Clement,
29 Kidder ave.
600
1884
5
Lucy K. Hatch,
72 Marshall st.
600
1892
4
Alice A. Batchelor,
49 Tennyson st.
600
1877
3
Maude L. Kent,
18 Maple ave.
600
1893
2
Annie S. Gage,
32 Marshall st.
600
1883
1,2
Grace Shorey,
23 Forster st.
600
1892
1
Mary J. Richardson,
151 W. Canton st., Boston.
600
1895
GLINES.
7
Mary E. Northup, Principal,
181 Central st.
$1,000
1878
6
Mary E. Stiles,
181 Central st.
675
1883
5
M. Frances Guptill,
116 Highland ave.
600
1869
4
Ellen A. Boynton,
55 Heath st.
600
1891
4
Margaret A. Orr,
600
1891
3
Mary A. Goddard,
600
1893
2
Florence E. Baxter,
50 Albion st.
600
1891
2
Ursula M. Willard,
Medford and Sycamore sts.
500
1894
1
Laura M. Lamont,
Sargent ave. and Mills st.
600
1895
BINGHAM.
6
Harry F. Hathaway, Principal,
31 Vinal ave.
$1,000
1890
5
Carrie E. Fay,
21 Aldersey st.
600
1889
4
Elizabeth J. O'Neil,
505 Broadway.
600
1894
3
Harriet F. Ward,
77 Jenny Lind ave.
600
1894
2
Mary E. Jordan,
23 Ames st.
600
1895
2
Flora B. Rice,
43 Robinson st.
600
1895
1
Belle J. Tifft,
7 Lee st.
600
1892
1
Mabel E. Mansir,
77 Albion st.
400
1891
BEECH STREET.
4,3
Ella M. Coops, Principal,
19 Church st.
$625
1892
1
Elizabeth S. Foster,
54 Belmont st.
600
1895
Ass't
Florence W. Gooding,
24 Pleasant ave.
200
1895
4,3
Lizzie A. Davies, Principal,
29 Worcester sq., Boston.
$625
1893
2,1
Mary E. Lacy,
63 Cherry st.
600
1890
CEDAR STREET.
1590 Cambridge st., Cambridge. 55 Heath st.
116
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TABLE 31 .- TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1895 .- Continued.
Grade.
NAME.
Residence.
Salary.
Beginning of Service.
MORSE.
9
Mina J. Wendell, Principal,
211A Summer st.
$1,800
1882
9
Genevieve Allen,
10 Brastow ave.
675
1894
Emily J. Gifford,
10 Brastow ave.
600
1895
8
P. S. Downes,
30 Wallace st.
600
1872
7
Addie E. Wentworth,
211 Summer st.
600
1893
7
Lennie W. Bartlett,
211 Summer st.
600
1893
6
Anna E. Sawyer,
26 Bow st.
600
1872
6
Charlotte Duguid,
50 Brastow ave.
600
1894
5
Mary A. Haley,
117 Summer st.
600
1867
4
Lizzie E. Hill,
211A Summer st.
600
1891
3
Helen M. Mead,
211A Summer st.
600
1893
2
Ella P. McLeod,
19 Wesley park.
600
1888
1
Alice M. Emerson,
6 Evergreen ave.
500
1891
Ass't
Alice Beckwith,
13 Brastow ave.
200
1895
FRANKLIN.
6
Harriet A . Hills, Principal,
41 Belmont st.
$700
1874
5
Jennie A. Chapman,
50 Brastow ave.
600
1894
4
Anna C. Damon,
34 Laurel st.
600
1879
2
Caroline S. Plimpton,
46 Laurel st.
600
1859
DURELL.
3
Nora F. Byard, Principal,
248 Summer st.
$675
1884
3, 2
Grace A. Bosworth,
16A Church st.
600
1894
2
Edith L. Hunnewell,
9 Mason ave.
400
1894
1
Mary Winslow,
38 Spring st.
600
1893
HARVARD.
1
Grace B. Tibbetts,
4 Tenney st. No., Cambridge.
$600
1890
BURNS.
5
Laura J. Brooks, Principal,
31 Stevens st., Stoneham.
$675
1883
4
Mary S. Lawrence,
59 Cedar st.
600
1895
3
Minnie S. Turner,
16A Church st.
600
1885
2
A. L. Brown,
281 Summer st.
600
1885
1
Florence M. Hamlin,
90 Orchard st.
600
1889
Ass't
Alice E. Morang,
10 Fairlee st.
275
1893
117
E-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
TABLE 31 .- TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1895 .- Concluded.
Grade.
NAME.
Residence.
Salary.
Beginning of Service.
HIGHLAND.
9
George E. Nichols, Principal,
26 Loring st.
$1,800
1877
9
M. Alice Paul,
23 Chester st.
675
1879
9
Jennie S. Wescott,
53 Chester st.
675
1892
8
Mabel A. Jepson,
53 Chester st.
600
1892
8
S. Adelaide Blood,
53 Morrison st.
600
1882
7
Annie R. Cox,
53 Morrison st.
600
1883
6
Grace M. Clark,
1 Vernon st., West Medford.
600
1893
5
Jennie C. Frazier,
119 Thorndike st., Cambridge.
600
1887
4
Sarah E. Pray,
28 Quincy st.
600
1878
3
Alice L. Hayward,
53 Chester st.
600
1893
2
Jennie M. Horner,
37 Morrison st.
600
1888
2
Mary H. Joyce,
76 Boston st.
500
1891
1
Gertrude Friend,
53 Chester st.
600
1893
1
Katherine E. Hourahan, Ethel G. Trask,
10 Dover st., Cambridge.
200
1893
7, 6
Elizabeth Hodgdon, Principal,
53 Chester st
$700
1895
5, 4
Flora A. Burgess,
117 Chestnut st., Waltham.
600
1894
3, 2
Charlotte F. Mott,
105 Holland st.
600
1886
1
Eliza H. Lunt,
50 Curtis st.
600
1890
Ass't
E. L. Ward,
21 Stickney ave.
425
1893
Ass't
Bertha M. Jones,
8 Clarendon ave.
425
1895
Music
9-7
S. Henry Hadley,
35 Everett ave.
$1,333
1869
6-1
Mrs. Gish Garwood,
19 Follen st., Boston.
800
1891
Draw-
ing.
9-1
Mary L. Patrick,
Newtonville.
900
1895
. Sew-
ing.
8-5
Mary L. Boyd,
Westwood road.
600
1888
8-5
Sarah I. Stanton,
211 Summer st.
600
1895
11 Irving st.
500
1892
Ass't
LINCOLN.
SPECIAL TEACHERS.
118
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ASSISTANTS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1895.
NAME.
School.
Salary.
Beginning of Service.
Alice Beckwith
Morse
$200
1895
Clara H. Brown
Prospect Hill
200
1895
Florence W. Gooding
Beech St.
200
1895
Bertha M. Jones
Lincoln
425
1895
Alice E. Morang
Burns
275
1893
Ethel G. Trask
Highland
200
1893
E. L. Ward
Lincoln
425
1893
Harriet R. Currier .
Beech St.
1895
Anna L. Fillebrown
Knapp
1895
Lila G. Gray .
Lincoln
1895
·
.
119
E -SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
TABLE 32. - AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES HAVE BEEN MADE DURING 1895.
In addition to Section 4, Chapter VI.
" Principals of buildings containing less than eight rooms shall receive compensation for supervision at the rate of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each occupied room other than their own."
In addition to paragraph 1 of Section 4, Chapter VI.
" Except that the maximum salary of kindergarten teachers shall be $500."
Section 10, Chapter VI. of Rules of the Board.
There shall be elected annually at the April meeting three teachers to serve as regular substitutes whenever and wherever they may be needed. These teachers shall be under the direction of the Superintendent in con- sultation with the several standing committees, and when not engaged in substituting shall pursue special lines of work in the various schools as teachers of penmanship, nature work, physical training, reading, etc. The salary of said substitutes shall be at the rate of $700 per annum.
Substitute for paragraph 1, Section 3, Chapter VII.
The salaries of teachers shall be payable monthly for each week of actual service. Regular teachers who are absent from school on account of personal illness, or who are absent not more than three days on account of the death of either of the following members of their immediate family, to wit : a parent, child, brother, sister, husband, or wife, shall suffer no loss of pay, provided such absence does not aggregate more than five days in any one month or fifteen days in a year. Absence in excess of the above periods, or from any other cause, shall be without pay.
F
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 12, 1896.
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, 1896.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
OF THE SOMERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1895.
TRUSTEES.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN
ELIJAH C. CLARK.
J. HENRY FLITNER. JOHN B. VIALL.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES.
CHARLES A. WEST.
CHARLES H. BROWN. J. FRANK WELLINGTON.
CHARLES W. SAWYER.
OFFICERS.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN
President.
JOHN S. HAYES
Secretary.
COMMITTEES.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS .- Rymes, Viall, Brown and Wellington.
ADMINISTRATION .- Sawyer, Wellington and Clark.
BOOKS AND CATALOGUES .- Lincoln, ex officio, Rymes, West, Viall, and Brown.
FINANCE .- Flitner, Clark and Sawyer.
LIBRARIAN.
JOHN S. HAYES.
ASSISTANTS.
ANNA L. STONE. MARY J. WARREN.
CATALOGUER.
F. MABEL NORCROSS.
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR 1895.
CREDIT.
Balance from 1894
9.55
Appropriation
6,500.00
Dog Licenses
2,693.51
Fines .
148.02
Catalogues .
61.75
Book sold
14.00
$9,426.83.
DEBIT.
Books and periodicals
. $2,868.49
Binding
692.67
Covers and paper $51.24, cards $53.54
104.78
Printing, 70.35, postal cards, $20.00
90.35
Stationery
49.20
Salaries, Administrative department
· 2,938.77
Cataloguing department
· 1,515.58
Branch office
75.00
Furniture
30.60
Repairs
39.62
Express
90.25
Electric lighting
64.22
Gas
105.27
Incidentals .
7.00
Water
24.00
Fuel
58.23
Insurance
225.00
Card catalogue cabinet
125.00
Disbursements
15.75
Picture frames
13.51
Postage
25.00
Printing supplement of 1894
100.00
Book Pockets
46.30
Rubber Stamps
1.90
Balance to 1896
120.34
.
.
.
.
$9,426.83.
5
F- REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
PUBLIC LIBRARY IMPROVEMENT.
CREDIT.
Balance from 1894
$3,000.00
Appropriation
3,000.00
$6,000.00
DEBIT.
A. B. & W. I. Westervelt contract . $3,945.00
F. C. Fuller & Co. contract
650.71
Painting and varnishing
457.45
Electric light wiring and fixtures for stack- room
298.74
Gas fixtures for stack-room .
150.18
Electric lighting for gas
69.76
Boxes for storing books
34.55
Insurance
49.05
Plans and architects' fees
40.00
Furniture
91.07
Labor, etc. .
90.69
Carpenters' bills .
55.38
Grills for delivery desk
35.00
Balance to 1896 .
32.42
$6,000.00
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE : -
Gentlemen,- The Trustees of the Public Library beg leave to submit their annual report to your honorable Boards, together with the report of the librarian. We desire to call special attention to the latter report, since it gives more in detail matters affecting the history and work of the library, and also because it will probably be deemed best in the future to make such report, having the endorsement of the Board of Trustees, all it will be necessary to submit for your consideration. This would have been done this year, were it not that the considerable changes, made possible by the wise generosity of the city government, should have in our judgment our emphatic approval.
At the very outset, therefore, we wish to express our entire satis- faction with the work projected and accomplished by our able libra- rian and his faithful corps of assistants. The difficulty in the way of such work has been considerable, and at times serious. But we take great pleasure in stating that it has been eminently successful. So much so, that we can point with pride to our Public Library, with the confident expectation that if the same liberal policy is had in the future, its usefulness will be demonstrated. Such liberal policy is a matter of necessity. The acquisition of books during the past year has been unusually large, but the number of volumes is still too small to meet the demands in a city rapidly approaching sixty thousand inhabitants. The annual purchase of books should be greater rather than less in the future. Indeed, so important do we consider the increased facilities of the library, that we venture to call particular attention, not only to the necessity for liberal appropria- tions in the future, but to the fact that we are less fortunate than some of our neighboring cities in having no munificent endowments through individual donations or bequests, and that we, therefore,
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
think it not out of place to express what we trust is no vain hope, that, as our fellow-citizens shall come to realize the importance of a well-organized library as an auxiliary institution of learning in every community, those who are fortunate in the possession of worldly wealth may increase its efficiency by substantial gifts.
Why should not those who, in other ways, have labored for the welfare of the city, and have watched with helpful interest whatever efforts have been made for the well-being of its citizens, consider whether a lasting monument would not be built in honor of their public spirit by setting aside, by immediate endowment or by legacy, from $2,000 to $5,000 to furnish an alcove bearing their own name, where valuable books on special subjects might be collected by the use of the income available from such fund ? The value of such gift would not be confined to one year, but every successive year would add to the benefits that would accrue; and the generations to come would, with larger intelligence, be incited to more praiseworthy work, by such example.
The progress made during the year now closing marks an epoch in the history of the library. Never before have its treasures of literature been so fully revealed to those who desire to use them. A well considered system of classification has been adopted and com- pleted, which will furnish the reader, or student, invaluable aid in his pursuits. Whatever topic he may desire to investigate, he will find a careful digest at his ready command. The advantages of such a work are so considerable, that it is to be regretted that it should not have been done at an earlier period. This does not in any way reflect upon the fidelity of former Boards of Trustees, or of those in immediate charge of the library, since it is comparatively of recent years that the need of such classification has been pressed home to the attention of libraries. Indeed, it may be said, and should be said as a matter of historical fact, that if it had not been for the painstaking fidelity of those having charge of the Public Library from the very first, we to-day should not be able to display so rich and abundant results.
Reference has already been made to the new system of classifica- tion. In this connection some brief mention should be made of the new catalogue, or what may be more fittingly called a finding list. Its value can hardly be overestimated. It is a book of reference in the investigation of individual topics, and a skilful guide in the adop- tion of a systematic course of reading.
9
F-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
It was found necessary in perfecting the present arrangements to close the library for about four months. This was done not merely to classify the books, or to construct the new catalogue, but in order that improvements might be made by introducing another method of shelving, and in securing more light in the book-room. We call at- tention to this because there have been some criticisms on account of this enforced closing of the building. If it had only been a mat- ter of a new arrangement of books, or the re-numbering and catalogu- ing of the books, such work could have proceeded while the library was open, at least in part, although the work might have been re- tarded ; but this could not be done while workmen, however efficient, were engaged in removing the old and cumbersome bookcases, and setting up new stacks for enlarged shelving room, and reconstructing the room so as to have virtually another story added to the original book-room, and making the lighting from windows double what it was before. This brief reference will satisfy any considerate observer that the best was done under the circumstances.
The trustees desire to call special attention to two matters which affect the usefulness of the library. One is the Monthly Bulletin. This will furnish the reader with a list of new books bought, and a carefully selected list of books on topics of more immediate public interest. Too much emphasis cannot be given to the importance of this bulletin. It should be read, even studied, and preserved for the valuable suggestions it will furnish.
Another matter of considerable moment is the action taken by the trustees, by which classes in the public schools above the seventh grade will be furnished direct from the library such books as they may select, and we are led to believe that their instructors will fur- ther their work by designating the most helpful and instructive books, in connection with their vocation. Aside from this special service for the benefit of the schools, pains will be taken by the librarian and his assistants to furnish to all who may desire to pursue any particu- lar subject, all the aid in their power, so as to make everything in the library available. The reference room in the library will be open daily from 1.30 P. M. to 5.30 p. M., with an attendant to give any assistance needed.
It has been possible only to make brief reference of certain items which are referred to more in detail by our librarian in his report, which we submit to you as a part of our report. He has there
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
given us an historical sketch which supplements whatever has been heretofore stated in his previous reports. It is hoped that such sketch may some day be enlarged, so as to give a more complete his- tory of what we deem to be an important department of the growth and development of our prosperous city. Too much praise cannot be accorded to the librarian, and his assistants as well, for the un- flagging zeal and fidelity with which he has performed his work during the past year. To him is mainly due the design and execu- tion of the plan of reorganization of the library, and thereby bringing it, we believe, to a higher degree of usefulness than it has ever at- tained before. We believe he fully realizes his responsibility, and the importance of his work, and loses no opportunity to promote its efficiency.
Gentlemen, it may be thought that too great importance is attached by us to the Public Library. But our familiarity with its operations through many years compels the conviction we express. Doubtless many books in the library are used by comparatively few persons. Nevertheless, such books are valuable, since the readers of them may, through their influence, induce many others to a wider use of such books, and render them more acceptable to the public at large. It has been said that poetry was only vinum dæmonum, i. e., the wine of evil spirits, but the kindling of the imagination and the appeal to a lively sensibility may be of as large use in exciting the mind to a more serious study of literature, as the reading of history or the close application of the mind to metaphysics.
Bacon has written, " The first creation of God, in the work of the days, was the light of the sense, the last was the light of reason." It may be more easy to furnish what will stimulate and feed the former, but no one can dispute that the latter is of larger worth. The light that adorns matter may be pronounced good, but quite as good, with wider reach of power, is the light of the " living soul."
The resources of a library must give a banquet of many courses to those who may seek for an intellectual feast. There can be no uniformity of diet that can suit all tastes. It would be well to keep in mind the suggestive statement of the father of modern philosophy, so often quoted : "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swal- lowed, and some few to be chewed and digested."
This may apply more especially to those whose experience in life and thought has the stamp of years. It must not be forgotten, how-
11
F- REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
ever, that the influence of the Public Library touches the very springs of life. The young are educating ability and making character, and the old adage must not be kept out of sight-" Abeunt studia in mores," i. e., studies become habits.
A great responsibility rests upon those who would help mould character by any method of development. The public press, the public school, and the public library hold in hand, in a great degree, the culture of the present and the character of the future. Whatever may be said of the public press and the public school, so far as the public library is concerned, we recognize our responsibility. What Epictetus said, in the dusty past, is true to-day, " You will do the great- est service to the State, if you raise, not the roof of the houses, but the souls of the citizens, for it is better that great souls should dwell in small houses rather than for mean slaves to lurk in great houses."
Respectfully submitted,
December 30, 1895.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, President.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOMERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY :
Gentlemen,- In presenting my third annual report, which is the twenty-third annual report of the librarian, I most heartily congratu- late you in the realization of the hopes of former years : namely, the alteration of the book-room, the erection of the book-stack, the re- classification of the library, and the printing of a complete finding list of the books. The past year has indeed been a notable one in the history of the library, a year largely of preparation and the laying of a foundation for greater usefulness in the future.
CHANGES.
At the very beginning of this report I desire to call your attention to the changes made in the library building. These cannot be alto- gether seen on the outside, although it will be noticed that while preserving substantially the appearance familiar for many years, the lengthening of the windows in the book-room end has added to the apparent height of the structure, and has improved the general appearance of the building, and gives virtually twice the former light- area, which is of great value to the library itself. This very import- ant change for the better should not be overlooked. Yet for the immediate practical purposes of the library, the shelving of books, the increased space for the inevitable addition to the number of books in the near future, and the facility of delivering books to those calling for them, these interior changes are of more marked and sub- stantial value.
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