USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1895 > Part 21
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25
F-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
DONATIONS.
During the year the library has received as gifts 147 bound volumes, 200 pamphlets, and 912 numbers of periodicals. We have entered in the Accession catalogue and placed upon the shelves of the library 346 volumes that were donated, a part of which were donated in former years.
LIST OF DONATIONS.
Vols.
Pamph.
Period.
Adams, Mrs. Lucy M.
Amherst College
Boston Public Library
Boulcott, John T.
3
Bradley, C. D.
Brewer, David H.
1
Brigham, W. E.
Brookline Public Library
Builders Iron Foundry, Providence, R. I.
Burns, Hon. Mark F.
1
.
1
Chelsea Public Library
1
Chicago Public Library
Christian Register
52
Cincinnati Public Library
1
Clinton Public Library
Coddington, Rev. I. P.
Concord Public Library
1
Daniels, F. T.
1
1
Detroit Public Library .
1
2
11
Eaton, Horace L. .
Elliot, Charles W.
1
Fall River Public Library
1
Field, Mrs. L. A.
12
First Methodist Church
3
Fitchburg Public Library
1
Frothingham, Thomas G.
11
Gifford, W. L. R.
2
Glines, A. W.
.
1
1
1
3
.
12
1
1
B
1
1
2
1
1
Cleveland Board of Education
1
18
Dayton, Ohio, Public Library
Dover, N. H., Public Library Duddy, Robert
13 1
.
12
Gottsberger, W. J.
Grand Army of the Republic, Dept. of Mass.
Groom, T. & Co.
Harvard Graduates Magazine
-
Cambridge Public Library
26
ANNUAL REPORTS.
LIST OF DONATIONS. - Continued.
Vols.
Pamph.
Period.
Harvard University
1
Hayes, Mrs. E. S.
Hayes, John S.
1.
Helena, Mon., Public Library
Hills, William H.
1
. .
200
Home Market Club
12
Hume, Hon. Harrison
Hunt, Abby C.
36
48 1
118
Illinois State Library
Indian Rights Association
Jersey City Public Library
1
101
Kellogg, John L., Providence
1
Ladies Home Journal
1
2
Lincoln, Charles S.
1
1
Maine, State of
1
2
Massachusetts, State of
15
Massachusetts, Commissioner of Labor
1
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association
Medford Public Library
Melrose Public Library
1
.
1
.
.
.
3
Newark, N. J., Public Library
1
Newton Public Library
1
Patterson Public Library
1
1
Portland, Oregon, Public Library
6
Pratt, R. D. .
5
Providence Public Library
12
Pullman Palace Car Co.
Radiator, Editors of
Ring, F. W.
1
St. Louis Public Library
1
2
12
Sanford, P. B.
1 1
Sargent, Aaron
Scranton Pa., Public Library
1
Springfield Public Library
1
Stone, E. A. .
1
Taunton Public Library
1
.
.
2
Journal Publishing Co. .
Lancaster Public Library
Maguire, J. G., California
Malden Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library
Mt. Holyoke College
1
New Haven Public Library
22
·
1 3 1
7
1
Rymes, Christopher E. .
1
Salem Public Library
1
North Adams Public Library
Peabody Institute
1
.
130
4
Hoffman, Mrs. F. C.
27
F-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
LIST OF DONATIONS. - Concluded.
Vols.
Pamph.
Period.
Teachers' College, N. Y.
Tead, Rev. E. S. .
20
The People, N. Y.
Thompson, B. F.
1
4
Traveller's Insurance Co.
12
Trustees Public Reservations
1
Tuftonian, Tufts College
15
Tufts College
2
12
United States Government
38
54
University of Pennsylvania
1
2
Werner Co., of Chicago
1
.
1
1
10
Winthrop Public Library
Woburn Public Library
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, First Universalist Church
64
Frothingham, Thomas G.
1 por.
·
·
Whittier, J. H., Rochester, N. H.
1
.
8
1
.
REBINDING.
During the past year 1,440 volumes have been sent to the bindery, and each year this number must be larger as the library grows in size, and increases in age, consequently the bills for rebinding will necessarily be larger, and this fact should be considered by the City Council in making its annual appropriation. Of this number, 1,142 volumes were books from the circulating departments, and 298 volumes of magazines.
MONTHLY BULLETINS.
Every public library that endeavors to keep up with the times, must furnish its readers with information as to fresh accessions. Up to the present time we have relied upon posting lists of new books in the delivery room, having a card catalogue of accessions for the public, and printing the lists in the local papers. The disadvantage
2
52
Thorpe, J. G., Jr.
United Societies, Manifesto .
Vincent, Geo. I.
28
ANNUAL REPORTS.
of the first two methods lies in the fact that the readers must come to the library to make their selection of books, and the lists printed in the newspaper may not reach many that desire the latest book. What is needed is a list that can be consulted at home, so that more care can be given to the selection of books, and that those who de- sire to make out for themselves a course of reading that they would like to pursue, may be able to make their selection at their leisure, undisturbed by the noise and confusion that is unavoidable, to a great extent, in the busy delivery room of our library.
I am now prepared to carry out the suggestion you made to me two years ago, and shall issue as near the first of each month as pos- sible, commencing with January 1st, a bulletin containing not only a complete list of the accessions to the library, but special reading lists on subjects that are, or should be, of general interest to the public, and hints on reading. It will also serve as a convenient medium for announcements of all kinds relating to the library. I hope to make it so attractive, valuable and necessary, that it will be carefully preserved, for these bulletins and the printed finding list will form a complete catalogue of books in the library.
SEVEN-DAY BOOKS.
All the books in the circulating library at the present time are fourteen-day books and have been since the library was reopened. I am satisfied that the general public prefer to have the privilege of retaining a book for fourteen days, and it is also evident that the same general public dislike exceedingly to wait for the popular book. The demand for the new popular work of fiction, and some other books, is so great, that we must either procure more duplicate copies of these books, soon to be so much " dead capital " when the " craze " is over, or shorten the time they can remain in the hands of the reader. It seems to me that it would be better to return to the prac- tice of making the new works of fiction, the unbound magazines, and a few other small books, " seven-day " books.
CHARGING SYSTEM.
The one thing in the daily routine of a library that influences the opinions of the borrowers of books as to the management, is the sys- tem of issuing and charging of books, and it is the very thing with
29
F-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
which every reader has to do, every time he visits the library. He comes to exchange a book, and the thing he cannot tolerate is slow- ness. He wants the book immediately, even if he is in no hurry after he gets it. If we are to please the public, we must pass the book through the routine with great rapidity, and it must not be done at the expense of accuracy, beyond this it cares almost nothing. It makes little difference to the borrower whether it is noisy or quiet,· easy or difficult, requiring one or ten attendants ; his concern con- sists in having his book discharged and delivered to him in the least possible time, and with perfect accuracy.
It will thus be readily seen that the method of keeping accounts with the books and the readers, is perhaps the most important ques- tion of library management, and the two essential factors that must determine the one to use are accuracy and rapidity, for unless your accounts are accurately kept, books will be continually lost, and if the patrons are unnecessarily detained in obtaining the book, they will tire of coming to the library.
The librarian must be able to locate every book belonging to the library at any time. If not in its place on the shelf, he must know whether it has been loaned to a reader, sent to the bindery, is being repaired, has been removed to another part of the library, is in the reading or reference room temporarily, is worn out, lost, or misplaced. More than this, he must know when it left the shelf, and when it should be returned. It is also very important for him to have a record of the circulation of each particular book, connecting each book with its borrower, in order to aid in discovery of mutilation or damage, also to determine the number of copies needed, and in case it is lost or worn out, he can determine whether it should be replaced or not.
Up to the present time, it has been our aim to simplify and per- fect our charging system, so that it would not only furnish all the data required as to the books, but would reduce the time that the patrons of the library are compelled to wait for their books, and yet have the record correct.
How successful we may have been, in these particulars, you must judge, but we have demonstrated this fact, that no device has yet been invented that will prevent delays and even mistakes, during the hours when the delivery room is crowded, and the demands upon the attendants at the desk are incessant. This, however, can be safely
30
ANNUAL REPORTS.
said, the system that we now use not only answers all of the require- ments enumerated, but has reduced the perplexities to a minimum, and is a great improvement on any heretofore used in this library.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The question of establishing a public library in the town of Somerville had been suggested by different citizens for many years previous to 1869, but Edward E. Edgerly, President of the Somerville High School Association, seems to have taken a most active interest in the matter. Prevented by lingering sickness, and subsequent death, from maturing his plans, he had enthusiastically labored to instill his ideas into the minds of his associates, among whom was Henry M. Brown, who has the honor of taking the first active meas- ures towards the establishment of the library, and in persuading the members of the Somerville High School Association to undertake the movement. Mr. Brown, with the consent of the executive com- mittee of that body, sent letters to the Board of Selectmen and Board of School Committee of the town, inviting them to co-operate with the association in procuring a public library for Somerville. The selectmen promptly responded, by appointing a committee, con- sisting of three of its members, to confer with a similar committee of the association. This latter body immediately selected three gentle- men, and the two delegations met in December, 1869, and consisted of the following well-known citizens, viz .: Austin Belknap, Horace Haskins, and Francis Houghton, of the Board of Selectmen, and Ed- ward C. Booth, Henry M. Brown, and George S. Littlefield, of the High School Association.
In March, 1870, the same committee was reappointed, and later in the year prepared a brief plan for founding and operating the proposed library. By this plan the executive committee of the asso- ciation and the Board of Selectmen were to meet and elect a Board of Trustees for the library, three of whom were to be members of the Board of Selectmen, three members of the High School Association, and three citizens at large, and it was so arranged that the term of office of one of each class should expire each year. In accordance with this plan, an election was held, and the following-named gentle- men were provisionally chosen, viz .: Austin Belknap, Henry M. Brown, Samuel A. Carlton, Horace P. Hemenway, Oren S. Knapp,
31
F-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
John P. Marshall, Edwin Mills, Frank H. Raymond, and Columbus Tyler.
But the town, at a meeting held April 29, 1871, did not see fit to approve of the action thus taken, but "Voted, that a free public library be established," and appointed a committee, consisting of the above-mentioned board, and Russell H. Conwell, Joshua H. Davis, Samuel C. Hunt, George S. Littlefield, Rev. Charles Lowe, Isaac Pitman, and Quincy A. Vinal, "to report a plan for operating the same."
This committee organized by the choice of Rev. Charles Lowe as chairman, and George S. Littlefield as secretary. They devoted much time in perfecting plans, and considering rules and regulations for the management of the library, and in June appointed a sub-com- mittee, consisting of Messrs. Vinal, Hunt, and Littlefield, who pre- pared a report, which was substantially that finally presented by the whole committee to the town.
Rev. Charles Lowe and Professor John P. Marshall, being absent in Europe, were unable to attend to the duties of this committee, and Rev. G. W. Durell and John R. Poor were invited to act in their places, and Austin Belknap was elected chairman. At a town meet- ing held July 22, the citizens ratified the change in the committee, granted them further time, and authorized them to report in print.
The report of this committee was accepted and adopted by the citizens in town meeting assembled, November 7, 1871.
In anticipation of the soon realized change from town to city form of government, it was provided, that the first Board of Trustees of the library should be elected by the first City Council, as soon after their organization as convenient. Accordingly, at a meeting of the City Council in convention, holden October 21, 1872, the following- named gentlemen were elected trustees of the public library : Three years, John P. Marshall, Austin Belknap, Charles A. Guild; two years, Quincy A. Vinal, Edward C. Booth, Michael J. Canavan ; one year, George O. Brastow, William H. Furber, Selwyn Z. Bowman.
November 14, the Board of Trustees organized by electing John P. Marshall, president, and Edward C. Booth, secretary. November 19, Isaac Pitman was elected librarian.
May 1, 1873, the library was opened to the public, in the present City Hall, with 2,384 volumes on the shelves, of which 715 volumes were given by thirty-six donors.
32
ANNUAL REPORTS.
June 1, 1875, Mr. Isaac Pitman resigned as librarian, and his assistant, Miss H. A. Adams, was elected to his place.
It is not only from a sense of duty, but of grateful appreciation that we refer to the voluntary and gratuitous work of Mr. Isaac Pitman, the first librarian, and to the long continued and faithful labors of the second librarian, Miss Harriet A. Adams. She won ample recognition of her ability and fidelity from every board of trustees through her many years of service, and now, as the library starts on an enlarged course of usefulness under improved conditions, it is fitting that this reference should be made to the highly creditable efforts of other years. The walls and roof of any structure can be secure only as the foundation is sound.
The present library building was erected in 1884-5, at a cost of $28,338.45, exclusive of land, and was dedicated September 29, 1895, and the principal address on that occasion was made by Justin Winsor, Librarian of Harvard College.
The marked increase in the number of books made it imperative that either an addition should be made to the library building or that a change should be made in its book-shelving capacity. After very careful considerations of the needs and the cost, it was determined that a new method of shelving should be made practicable and additional use made of the book-storing space. Consequently, in 1895, the book-room was changed, by erecting a steel book-stack. This work was done by A. B. & W. I. Westervelt, New York. The total cost of the improvements was $5,967.50, and to-day the library building can accommodate 60,000 volumes, so classified that the usefulness of the library is more than quadrupled.
33
F - REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Names of those who have served on the Board of Trustees since the Library was established in 1872.
Elected.
Retired.
John P. Marshall, President, 1872-75
1872
1875
Austin Belknap
1872
1875
Charles H. Guild, President, 1875-76
1875
1876
Quincy A. Vinal
1872
1877
Edward C. Booth .
1872
1876
Michael J. Canavan
1872
1874
George O. Brastow
1872
1873
William H. Furber
1872
1876
Selwyn Z. Bowman
1872
1873
Charles G. Pope
1885
1889
H. H. Barber, President, 1881-85
1873
1885
S. A. Carlton
1873
1876
Charles Lowe
1874
1874
William Veazie
1875
1885
William G. Toucey, President, 1876-81
1875
1884
T. J. Buffum
1876
1885
F. H. Raymond
1876
1879
A. M. Robinson
1876
1882
R. C. Downer
1876
1880
E. S. Conant
1876
1884
William H. Brine .
1877
1889
C. S. Lincoln, President, 1885
1878
J. Henry Flitner
1880
C. E. Rymes .
1882
William E. Weld .
1884
1893
Mark F. Burns
1884
1885
George A. Bruce
1884
1892
Sanford Hanscom, M. D.
1885
1890
James E. Whitaker
1885
1894
Elijah C. Clark
1889
Charles H. Brown
1889
John B. Viall
1890
Charles A. West .
1892
J. Frank Wellington
1893
Charles W. Sawyer
1895
LIBRARIANS.
Isaac Pitman
1872
1875
Miss H. A. Adams
1875
1893
John S. Hayes
1893
1873
1876
34
ANNUAL REPORTS.
We purposely refrain from saying anything about the time, thought and labor, gratuitously given by these gentlemen, eminent in public service, feeling assured that the public appreciate their efforts, and that the fruits of their labors can be seen, not only in the monu- ment they have aided to erect, but in the intelligence of our citizens who so freely patronize the library.
YEARLY ACCESSIONS.
It may be of interest to note the additions of books to the library each year since it was started, as found recorded in the Accession catalogue. These figures denote the total accessions, and include the volumes worn out, lost, or withdrawn.
The library was open to the public May 1, 1873, with 2,384 volumes on its shelves.
Added Each Year.
Accession No. Dec. 31, of Each Year.
Volumes May 1, 1873
Added during 1873
1,251
3,635
66
1876
602
5,837
66
1877
853
6,690
1878
749
7,439
66
1879
515
7,954
1880
660
8,614
668
9,282
66
1882
770
10,052
66
1883
859
11,824
964
12,788
46
1887
1,165
15,103
66
1889
1,346
18,295
66
1890
1,817
20,112
66
1891
1,432
21,544
1892
1,648
23,192
66
1893
1,677
24,869
66
1894
2,860
27,729
1895
4,010
31,739
Total number Dec. 31, 1895
31,739 volumes.
66
1875
2,384
1874
1,027
4,662
573
5,235
66
1884
1886
1,150
13,938
1888
1,846
16,949
1881
913
10,965
1885
35
F-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
It will be noticed that during the first five years there were added an average of 861 volumes each year ; during the next five years an average of 672 volumes each year; during the third period of five years, an average of 1,010 volumes each year, and during the fourth period, an average of 1,618 volumes each year. In the year 1894, 2,860 volumes were added, and the present year, 4,010 volumes.
YEARLY CIRCULATION.
While it is true that the benefits derived from the use of the library cannot be reckoned in coin, expressed in tables, or described by the pen, it may be interesting, however, to see to what extent the public make use of the books in the library, and the number of books circulated from year to year.
Tables of figures are often misleading, and the following one will be, unless it is borne in mind that during the past twenty-three years of the library the figures representing the circulation have not always had the same meaning. During many years it was the rule to add the number of books taken from the shelves for consultation in the library, to the circulation, and also to count a renewed book the same as a book taken out, although it may not have left the shelf but once.
For the past two years, the word "circulation " means the num- ber of volumes taken out for home use. It should also be borne in mind that the library was closed nearly three months during the year 1885, and more than four months during the present year : -
1873
18,047
1874
35,202
1875
39,025
1876
46,855
1877
57,682
1878
61,076
1879
63,215
1880
67,894
1881
67,649
1882
67,673
1883
70,531
1884
72,591
Amount carried forward
66,740
36
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward
66,740
1885
65,450
1886
77,610
1887
79,062
1888
80,697
1889
SS,381
1890
95,127
1891
95,248
1892
93,451
1893
93,213
1894
106,341
1895
68,231
Total
1,610,251
YEARLY APPROPRIATION AND COLLECTIONS.
Appropria- tions.
Dog Licenses.
Catalogues.
Fines.
Gifts.
Miscella- neous.
Before 1872
$2,237.76
1872
1,139.33
1873
4,000.00
1874
1,162.29
1875
1,000.00
$1,269.96
245.14
216.46
1878
1,200.00
1,080.85
224.07
1881
1,200.00
927.13
28,80
236.71
1883
1,500.00
1,083.63
31.30
241.56
1884
1,500.00
1,307.75
34.24
214.86
1886
2,500.00
1,728.54
36.60
274.69
410.93
1887
3,500.00
1,835.46
21.75
271.74
5.00
1888
3,000.00
2,388.30
46.15
283.57
1889
3,000.00
2,382.90
44.05
293.76
15.50
1890
3,000.00
2,631.12
42.30
327.91
1.50
1891
3,000.00
2,596.68
24.12
358.06
4.34
1892
4,000.00
1,003.97
33.90
420.13
4.00
1893
5.500.00
3,655.64
24.00
335.06
1894
6,500.00
2,710.90
12.40
320.82
1895
6,500.00
2,693.51
61.75
148.02
14.00
Total
.
$64,639.38
$36,209.67
$554.99
$5,850.64
$102.80
$456.02
.
1876
1877
1,500.00
1,362.30
206.18
1879
1,200.00
936.10
260.20
1880
1,500.00
934.23
$46.74
231.92
1882
1,500.00
1,018.37
29.72
205.10
1885
2,500.00
1,402.04
37.17
150.29
2.80
$ .75
1,260.29
$146.80
237.59
$100.00
·
.
37
F-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The sums of money received from fines, and from the sales of catalogues, were not separated until the year 1880. Until that year, therefore, the amount collected by the librarian appears as a gross sum in the column of fines.
Of the $410.93 found in the miscellaneous column for 1886, $409.73 was "transferred from interest account," and might properly be added to the appropriation column.
It will be seen that the city has appropriated $64,639.38 and the dog licenses, amounting to $36,209.67, and has transferred to the library account $409.73, making a total of $101,258.78.
It remains only to be said that every effort has been made and will be made to make our public library helpful to the best interests of the city. Ruskin says, "Valuable books should, in a civilized country, be within the reach of every one." We cannot boast that all valuable books are in our public library, but after a careful examination, no one will dispute that from the first a most discrimi- nating care has been exercised in the selection of books, and that for practical usefulness up to the present time, considering the facilities and resources at command, our public library, if not unsurpassed, stands among those most deserving public commendation.
CONCLUSION.
Much of what has been said may seem commonplace. Indeed, throughout this report my purpose has been only this, namely, to give a succinct and clear statement of facts, in order that the advantages and attractions, the practical worth, and possible incentive for larger life pertaining to the Public Library, may be recognized and appre- ciated. The people of Somerville may be justly proud of those to whom they committed the conduct of public affairs, that they have taken such broad and generous views of the educational needs, not of the present merely but of the future, and have therefore made provision, so far as this library is concerned, for many years to come. But with a due sense of the wisdom of those in authority in the city government, I am glad to acknowledge the cordial and unanimous co-operation I have had from you, gentlemen of the Board of Trus- tees. Your generous consideration and sympathy have many times spurred me to more active zeal and enabled me to " take arms against
38
ANNUAL REPORTS.
a sea of trouble," or if I am not justified in using the word " trouble," I may use the word "discouragement." I am also indebted to the public at large, especially as it has been voiced by the public press. It is exceedingly gratifying to me that I have thus had to so great an extent, the approval of those in whose behalf I have sought to further the efficiency of this library. In this expression of thanks I do not forget to include those, to whom I have already made a passing allusion, who have expressed their regret on account of the closing of the library during the summer. I am glad the criticism was made, since it has given opportunity to call attention to the facts that warranted the enforced delay in opening the library, and also because it shows that the advantages of the library are so appreciated that the temporary, though necessary, closing of its doors is felt to be a misfortune.
Still further permit me to add that I have had reason for special encouragement because of the appreciation of the teachers of our public schools, who have themselves or by their pupils following their advice, expressed their sense of the helpful service the library is designed to render, by a thoughtful and extended employment of its resources. Having for so many years shared in the varied experi- ences of a teacher, sometimes depressed by the burden of uncon- genial toil, sometimes uplifted by the enthusiasm awakened by comparative success, I rejoice that in some way, however humble, I am permitted to be of assistance to those with whom I have been a co-laborer in seeking to stimulate and direct the intelligence, the activity, the individual and social education of the generation now seeking by an honest use of present advantages to attain a future of larger influence and more commanding promise.
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