Report of the city of Somerville 1896, Part 18

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 774


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1896 > Part 18


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 | Part 36


23 Foster st.


600


1892


1,2 1


Mary J. Richardson,


151 W. Canton st., Boston.


600


1895


GLINES.


9


Mary E. Northup, Master.


181 Central st.


$1,800


1878


9


Mary E. Stiles,


181 Central st.


675


1883


8


Mrs. Lena A. Hooper,


49 Heath st.


600


7


Jane Parker,


22 Highland ave.


600


6


Ellen A. Boynton,


55 Heath st.


600


1891


5


M. Frances Guptill,


113 Highland av.


600


1869


5, 4


Margaret A. Orr,


17 Mellen st., Cambridge.


600


1891


3


Florence E. Baxter,


50 Albion st.


600


1891


2


Flora B. Rice,


9 Winter Hill Circle.


600


1895


3,2


Laura M. Lamont,


90 Marshall st.


600


1895


1


Belle J. Tifft,


7 Lee st.


600


1892


1


Fannie E. Hadley,


500


1896


K'g'n


Maizie E. Blaikie,


West Medford.


600


1889


5


Harry F. Hathaway, Master,


31 Vinal ave.


$1,000


1890


4


Elizabeth J. O'Neil,


505 Broadway.


600


1894


3


Harriet F. Ward,


505 Broadway.


600


1894


4,3


Mabel E. Perry,


15 Sycamore st.


600


1896


2


Mary E. Jordan,


Malden.


600


1895


2


Emma F. Bradley,


7 Buckingham st.


600


1896


1


Rose O. Loughlin,


Stoneham.


600


1896


1


Mabel E. Mansir.


77 Albion st.


500


1891


2, 1


Elizabeth S. Foster, Principal.


54 Belmont st.


$675


1895


Assts


Mada S. Wendell,


211 Summer st.


200


1896


Ardelle Abbott,


71 Craigie st.


200


1896


Alice Beckwith,


13 Brastow ave.


200


1895


4


Mary A. Goddard,


9 Winter Hill Circle.


600


1893


Minnie A. Worden,


169 Sycamore st.


600


1895


Grace Shorcy,


34 Rush st.


BINGHAM.


BEECH STREET.


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


349


TABLE 31 .- TEACHERS IN SERVICE DEC., 1896 .- Continued.


Grade.


NAME.


Residence.


Salary.


Beginning of Service.


4,3 2, 1


Lizzie A. Davies, Principal. Mary E. Lacy,


29 Worcester sq., Boston. 63 Cherry st.


$625


1893


600


1890


MORSE.


9


Mina J. Wendell, Master.


211 A Summer st.


$1,850


1882


9


Ella J. Holmes,


94 Davenport st., No. Cambridge.


675


1895


8


Emily J. Gifford,


10 Brastow ave.


600


1895


7


P. S. Downes,


30 Wallace st.


600


1872


7


Addie E. Wentworth,


211 Summer st.


600


1893


6


Lennie W. Bartlett,


211 Summer st.


600


1893


6


Anna E. Sawyer,


26 Bow st.


600


1872


5


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.


600


1891


1


Effie Stanley,


Everett.


600


1896


FRANKLIN.


41 Belmont st.


$675


1874


4 4


Anna C. Damon,


Waverly.


600


1879


3


Caroline S. Plimpton,


46 Laurel st.


600


1859


DURELL.


3


Nora F. Byard, Principal,


$675


1884


2


Grace A. Bosworth,


16A Church st.


600


1894


2


Edith L. Hunnewell,


9 Mason ave.


500


1894


1


Mary Winslow,


38 Spring st.


600


1893


HARVARD.


1


Grace B. Tibbetts.


4 Tenney st., No. Cambridge.


$600


1890


BURNS.


4


Laura J. Brooks, Principal.


31 Stevens st., Stoneham.


$675


1883


2


A. L. Brown,


281 Summer st.


600


1885


1


Florence M. Hamlin,


90 Orchard st.


600


1889


5


Jennie A. Chapman,


45 Cedar st.


600


1894


Mary A. Haley,


117 Summer st.


600


1867


Harriet A. Hills, Principal,


248 Summer st.


Minnie S. Turner,


19 Harvard st.


600


1885


CEDAR STREET.


350


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE 31 .- TEACHERS IN SERVICE DEC., 1896 .- Concluded.


Grade.


NAME.


Residence.


Salary.


Beginning of


Service.


HIGHLAND.


9


George E. Nichols, Master,


26 Loring st.


$1,850


1877


9


M. Alice Paul,


23 Chester st.


675


1879


8


Mabel A. Jepson,


53 Chester st.


600


1892


7


S. Adelaide Blood,


53 Morrison st.


600


1882


7


Cora B. Wheeler,


53 Chester st.


600


1896


6


Grace M. Clark,


1 Vernon st., West Medford.


600


1893


6


Sarah C. Linscott,


25 Folsom st., Roxbury.


600


1896


5


Jennie C. Frazier,


119 Thorndike st., Cambridge. 28 Quincy st.


600


1878


3


Alice T. McNamara,


308R Elm st


600


1895


Q


Jennie M. Horner,


37 Morrison st.


600


1888


76 Boston st.


600


1891


1 Katherine E. Hourahan,


11 Irving st.


600


1892


HODGKINS.


9


Arthur L. Doe, Master,


79 Chandler st.


$1,850


1896


9


Alice M. Winslow,


8 Day st., North Cambridge.


675


1896


8


Edith W. Emerson,


600


1896


7


Alice S. Hall,


600


1896


6


Mrs. Gertrude W. Leighton,


600


1896


5


N. Agnes Richardson,


600


1896


5


Flora A. Burgess,


600


1894


4


Mary S. Lawrence,


54 Paulina st.


600


1894


3


Katherine M. Fox,


Stoneham.


600


1896


2


Bertha M. Jones,


7 Clarendon ave.


600


1894


1


Mrs. Marion I. Noyes,


282 Broadway, Everett.


600


1896


1


Lila G. Gray,


71 Wallace st.


300


1895


K'g'n


Gertrude Friend,


53 Chester st.


600


1893


2 3


J. Louise Smith, Principal,


92 Johnson st., Lynn.


$650


1896


Charlotte F. Mott,


600


1886


1


Eliza H. Lunt,


600


1890


SPECIAL TEACHERS.


MUSIC.


9-7 6-1


S. Henry Hadley, 4 days,


35 Everett ave.


$1,500 900


1891


9-1


Mary L. Patrick,


Newtonville.


900


1895


SEWING.


8-5


Mary L. Boyd,


97 Sycamore st.


600


1888


8-5


Sarah I. Stanton,


211 Summer st.


600


1895


PENMANSHIP.


9-1


Wm. A. Whitehouse,


94 Summer st.


1,200


1895


4


Sarah E. Pray,


600


1887


Mary H. Joyce,


8 Day st., North Cambridge. Malden.


95 North st.


45 Webster st.


Waltham.


LINCOLN.


107 Mt. Vernon st., Boston. 50 Curtis st.


19 Follen st., Boston.


DRAWING.


1869


Mrs. Gish Garwood, 3 days,


351


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


THIRD ASSISTANTS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1896.


NAME.


School.


Residence.


Salary.


Beginning of Service.


Ardelle Abbott,


Beech Street,


71 Craigie st.


$200


1896


Alice Beckwith,


Beech Street,


13 Brastow avenue,


200


1895


Gertrude F. Brown,


Morse,


370B Medford st.


275


1896


Etta M. Cushing,


Hodgkins,


3 Thurston st.


275


1896


Mabel G. Delano,


Davis,


108 Cross st.


275


1896


Matie I. Dayfoot,


Jackson,


2336 Mass. ave., Cambridge


275


1895


Ada B. Gilmore,


Glines,


43 Robinson st:


275


1896


Susie L. Luce,


Morse,


91 Pearl st.


425


1896


Minerva R. Mills,


Prescott,


170 Pearl st.


350


1893


Alice E. Morang,


Burns,


10 Fairlee st.


350


1893


Grace M. Perkins,


Prospect Hill,


51 Kirkland st., Cambridge.


200


1896


Mada S. Wendell,


Beech Street,


211 Summer st.


200


1896


Clara G. Hegan,


Cummings,


100 School st.


1896


E. Maud Smith.


Beech Street,


17 Harvard st.


1894


MEMBERS OF SCHOOL BOARD, 1872-1896.


1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 Total.


George O. Brastow, ...


1


1


. . ...


...


. ...


.


.


1


1


1


1


1


1


...


. . ...


.


. .


. .


.


.


. .


..


..


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1'


1


1


1


1


1


.


.


.


14 1


Uriah R. Harding,


1


Rev. George W. Durell,


1


1


1


1


. .


.


.. ..


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


2


Samuel A. Carleton, ..


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


.


..


..


·


1


..


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


S. S. Woodcock,


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


.


.


.


. ..


....


1


1


1


1


Rev. Charles Lowe,.


1


... ...


....


.


.


1


1


1


1


·


1


1


..


....


. .


. .


. ....


....


·


1


1


1


1


1


1


.


.


.


.... .... . . .


.


· . .


1


.


1


. .


.


.


.


.


.


.... . . .


. .


....


1


1


..


... .


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


12


Charles S. Lincoln, ..


1


1


1


1


1


...


Joseph P. Williams,.


I


1


1


1


1


3


. .


... ...


. .


.


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


. .


2


.


1


1


1


5 1


Luther B. Pillsbury, ..


1


..


..


1


...


·


.


.


1


..


1


1


1


1


1


6


Edward Glines, ..


.


...


.


.


.


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


.


.


....


...


...


..


.


1


1


1


....


1


· ....


...


....


352


ANNUAL REPORTS.


5 4 1 2


2


John H. Butler, ...


1


1


1


1


1


5


·


4


.. ·


Albion A. Perry, ...


1


1


8


Walter W. Colburn,.


1


1


· .


George A. Bruce, ..


...


1


1


Rev. Charles M. Smith,


1


.


.


.


...


1


Dr. A. H. Carvill,


10


Henry C. Buck, ...


Walter. S. Barnes, ..


.


1


....


....


. ...


.


.


.


. . .


.


.


.


6


Rev. J. W. Hamilton,


1


2


Henry F. Spencer,.


.


Selwyn Z. Bowman,


1


.


.


.


·


·


. .... ....


17


Enoch R. Morse, ...


1


1


Dr. Sanford Hanscom,


*1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


Samuel W. Pennock,.


....


Russell H. Conwell,


1


.


....


.


.


1


. .


.


4 16 3 2 1 2


5


1 4 2


Charles F. King,


M. F. Farrell,


....


1


1


Rev. H. H. Barber,.


Austin Belknap, ..


1


.


Stillman H. Libby, ..


.


.


.


..


..


4


Dr. Horace Chapin, ..


· ...


Benjamin G. Brown,


.


1


1


1


Charles G. Pope,.


1


1


1


·


.


.


.


William H. Furber, ...


William H. Hodgkins,.


Daniel E. Chase,.


James E. Whitney, ...


.


.


Jesse J. Underhill,.


Enos T. Luce, ..


.


.


.


.. ..


.


.


.


. .


·


. .


..


1


....


.


2


Oren S. Knapp,.


....


....


.. .


.... . . .


.


. . .


.... . ..


·


7


Joshua H. Davis,.


Henry M. Moore, .


1


L


1


Edwin Mills,.


2


.


....


....


1


Dr. Reuben Willis,.


1


1


·


....


... .


3


.


. .


.


Henry F. Woods,.


. · .


6


MEMBERS OF SCHOOL BOARD, 1872-1896.


1


1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 Total.


Joseph W. Bailey, ...


1


·


. .


..


.


·


...


..


.


...


....


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


17


Quincy E. Dickerman,.


. .


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


14


John A. Cummings,.


1


1


1


1


...


1


·


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


.


·


.


Harriet M. Pitman,


1


1


1


3


Martin W. Carr,.


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


Dr. Horace P. Makechnie,.


1


1


1


1


1


1


6


Josiah B. Mayhew,


1


.


. . .


1


Charles L. Shepard,.


1


1


1


1


1


1


6


William P. Hill,.


1


1


1


1


1


1


.


Herbert C. Hall, ..


..


....


.


.


.


.... .


.


.. .


.


. .


. . .


....


1


1


±1


.. .


1


Mrs. Addie B. Upham,.


1


1


.


.


.


1


·


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


7


1


1


1


1


1


1


6


1


1


3


Dr. A. B. Dearborn,.


1


1


1


1


1


Isaiah H. Wiley, ..


1


1


Frank W. Kaan, ...


1


1


1


1


1


1


4


Herbert A. Chapin,


1


1


1


1


4


Thomas S. Wentworth,


1


1


1


1


.


1


1


2


1


1


2


1


1


.


.


. ....


. ..


SUPERINTENDENTS.


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


5


Gordon A. Southworth,.


*Elected April 20, 1872. +From April, 1890.


#Died April, 1890. §Till May 1, 1888.


||From May 1, 1888. TFrom Sept. 1, 1893.


1


1


1


4


. .


. .


. .


· .


1


1


1


1


5


Dr. Horace C. White,


Rev. Albert E. Winship, ...


1


1


1


3


1


1


2


Mrs. Cornelia B. Skinner,.


13


Frank E. Fitts,


6


Walter C. Mentzer,


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


Charles L. North, ..


1


·


1 6


James F. Beard, ...


1


1


1


1


1


·


·


1


.


.


.


3


Dr. H. P. Hemenway, ... Albert W. Edmunds,.


. .


.


..


.


..


. .. .


·


. ...


1


3


Charles B. Osgood,.


...


...


. . .


.... .


·


Frank E. Dickerman,


.


.


Helen J. Sanborn,.


...


.


George S. Poole,


.


.


.


3 2


L. Herbert Huntley, .


Frank H. Hardison,


Dr. George A. Miles,.


..


.


.


George E. Whitaker,.


Joshua H. Davis,.


.


.


17


Clarence E. Meleney,


353


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


1


Norman W. Bingham,.


4


Mark F. Burns,


.


.


1


.


1


. .


.


1


1


S. Newton Cutler,


.. .


1


George O. Proctor,


....


.


.


...


1


....


1


Dr. Giles W. Bryant, ..


1


Dr. T. M. Durell, ..


1


.


.. . .


1


1


...


11


1


1


.


12


.


.


. .


REPORT


OF THE


TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 13, 1897.


Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 13, 1897.


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, 1896.


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. - Clark, Sawyer and Wellington.


BOOKS AND CATALOGUES. - Lincoln, ex officio, Rymes, Viall, Brown and West.


FINANCE. - Flitner, Clark and Sawyer.


LIBRARIAN. JOHN S. HAYES.


ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN. CLARA L. BIDWELL.


ASSISTANTS.


ANNA L. STONE. MARY J. WARREN.


CATALOGUER. F. MABEL NORCROSS.


358


ANNUAL REPORTS.


RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR 1896.


CREDIT.


Balance from 1895


$120.34


Appropriation


8,000.00


Dog Licenses


2,506.29


Fines


318.73


Catalogues


71.60


$11,016.96


DEBIT.


Books and periodicals


$3,216.80


Binding


7773.32


Catalogue cards


31.40


Printing


87.55


Stationery


46.35


Salaries: Administrative


dept.


$3,329.66


Cataloguing dept.


567.28


Branch office


33.33


Furniture


110.65


Repairs


142.25


Express


147.75


Electric lighting


244.72


Gas


48.34


Water .


26.00


Fuel


341.58


Insurance


27.00


Disbursements


63.10


Postage


36.00


Printing Finding List, 1895


1,623.92


Book pockets


10.65


Binders for periodicals


35.22


Boxes for agencies


37.86


Typewriter


26.00


Balance to 1897


10.21


$11,016.96


3,896.94


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


To the Board of Aldermen and Common Council of the City of Somerville :-


Gentlemen,-It is quite unnecessary for the Board of Trus- tees of the Public Library to make any elaborate report concern- ing the condition and work of the Public Library. We are gratified to be able to endorse fully the carefully prepared report of our Librarian and Secretary, and to regard it, although ad- dressed to us, as substantially our report to you.


During the past year the people of Somerville have mani- fested a commendable interest in our library by a very much en- larged use of its volumes, both in private houses, and in the public schools. The increased circulation, which might be re- garded as phenomenal were it not that by comparison with pre- vious years it indicates a steady growth in a practical and in- telligent apprehension of the resources at our command, involves enlarged expenses. Books on the shelves have little injury, but books in the hand, and in many hands, are subject to more or less wear. Increased circulation calls for new books, for a constantly increasing amount of money for repairing and rebind- ing books, and for additional library force, that the public needs may be met without unnecessary delay.


Aside from these demands that must be met, there is imme- diate and pressing need for a Card Catalogue for the public use, to which the librarian makes special and emphatic reference in his report. We recommend what he says. We are satisfied that the resources of the library cannot be exhibited and utilized without the special catalogue called for, and which we had hoped


360


ANNUAL REPORTS.


to have supplied before this time, but the fund at our disposal would not permit us to order it.


We, therefore, ask your honorable body to grant, for the special needs above mentioned, and for the ordinary running expenses of the library, the same appropriation granted last year, as the smallest sum, with which we can manage the affairs of the department committed to our care, namely, eight thousand dol- lars and the dog tax.


In conclusion, the Trustees, while acknowledging their per- sonal responsibility to their fellow citizens for the management of the trust submitted to their charge, place great dependence upon the principal librarian and secretary, and it is proper to say that he has ever performed his duties with intelligence, fidelity, and zeal. The trustees are also glad to be able to add that his assistants have heartily co-operated with him in his work. It may be said, without any reservation, that the affairs of our Pub- lic Library are admirably conducted, with increasing appreciation on the part of our entire community.


Respectfully submitted,


CHARLES S. LINCOLN, President.


December 31, 1896.


REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.


To the Trustees of Somerville Public Library :-


Gentlemen,-In conformity with your rules, I have the honor to submit my report on the condition and management of the library for the official year ending December 31, 1896, this being my own fourth annual report, and the twenty-fourth an- nual report of the Library.


It is with pleasure that I am able to state that the library is in good condition, materially increased in size, and apparently more fully appreciated and intelligently used by our fellow citizens than ever before.


It is also gratifying to state that the past year emphasizes the fact that the changes and improvements made under your direction, within the past few years, have proved to be conspicu- ously useful and wise. The thoughtful consideration of the affairs of the library with a steady practical end in view has been recognized by the public at large, not in words simply, but in availing itself of the facilities which you have provided. The best praise is often that which is unspoken. Ruskin in one of his letters writes: "There is no dodge in Titian. It is simply right doing with a care and dexterity alike unpractised among us now- adays." With but little change, this note of approval may be repeated concerning all who have had to do with the work of this library. "Care and dexterity" have been practised and to-day all enjoy the fruition of the labors which honored the past.


CIRCULATION.


During the past year there have been no interruptions in the legitimate work of the library, and it has been open to the pub- lic every day, except Sundays and holidays, 306 days in all.


362


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The number of volumes taken out for home use has been 148,193, of these 11,162 were distributed through the West Somerville agency, 3,482 through the agency at East Somerville, and 8,939 to the several large Grammar school buildings.


The agency at West Somerville was re-opened March 2, and at East Somerville April 14, where the books have been collected and distributed each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Boxes have been sent to the schools once each week during term time.


The circulation of books for the year is unprecedented in the history of this library, being forty per cent. larger than any preceding year, while the gain in the last half of the year 1896 is fifty-eight per cent. greater than the last six months of any other year.


I am inclined to think that this large increase is the result of natural causes. While we should not expect or desire this rate of increase to continue, we should strive to place the rich resources of our shelves in the family of every citizen of this city.


It is very evident that the patrons of this library fully ap- preciate what you have already done to make the books easily accessible. The classification of the books in the library, the new Finding List, the Monthly Bulletin, and the two-book card have made it possible to distribute over 148,000 volumes, where less than 100,000 volumes were given out before.


The smallest number of books distributed in any one day was February 6, when 164 were delivered, and two days later, February 8, the largest daily charge was made, 1,135. The average daily circulation for the year was 484 volumes.


During the month of August 9,034 books were issued, which was the lightest month of the year, and December was the largest in the history of the library, having a circulation of 16,194 books.


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 de- scribed by the pen, it may be interesting, however, to see to what


363


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


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- four 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 three years, the word "circulation" means the number 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 year 1895.


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


1885


65,450


1886


77,610


1882


79,062


1888


80,697


1889


88,381


1890


95,127


1891


95,248


1892


93,451


1893


93,213


1894


106,341


1895


68,231


1896


148,193


1,758,444


364


ANNUAL REPORTS.


NEW BOOKS.


We have added to the library during the year 5,016 vol- umes, and 175 volumes have been discarded or lost, making a net increase of 4,841 volumes. The number of volumes in the library, at the present time, exclusive of public documents, du- plicates and pamphlets in the duplicate room, is 33,826 volumes. Of these volumes, 193 were gifts to the library, 267 were received in exchange for duplicates, 242 by binding serials, 572 by bind- ing pamphlets and paper-covered books, and 3,742 by purchase.


While it has been our careful plan to add desirable books to each department of the library, and while it is true that many costly and valuable volumes have been purchased during the year, we have bought largely duplicates of those books already in the library that were constantly in circulation, considering it better to add books that we know would be called for, rather than those we were not sure would be used. Five copies of one book constantly in circulation are much to be preferred, under ordinary circumstances, to five volumes of different books that are rarely called for. So long as the reading public will keep five copies of Uncle Tom's Cabin in circulation it is good policy to have at least six copies in the library. Other works of specific value, but of restricted use, need no duplicates.


As to the ordinary publications of the day, notably novels, great care has been exercised to restrict purchase, unless the books offered are by authors of marked repute. It should not be expected that the library shall purchase every book as soon as published. The funds at our disposal would not permit any such course, and it is desirable, moreover, not to load our shelves with volumes for which there may be only a transient demand. If, after the novelty of its publication has worn away, a work holds its place, as of more than passing worth, in the estimation of the public, the demand should regulate the supply.


Another matter, worthy of note in this connection, is that the purchase of books should be for the general public, for those who do not confine their reading altogether to fiction. It is a matter of congratulation that many books, aside from novels,


365


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


are increasingly called for, such as travels, biographies, essays, poetry and history.


REBINDING.


The record for the year shows a continued increase in the number of books sent to the binder to be re-covered, and also the number worn out and discarded is greater than previous years.


While there is a vast difference in the way borrowers of books treat public property, many using them with the utmost care, while others seem to have no feeling of responsibility, it rarely happens that sufficient damage appears to be done by any one person to render him liable for the expense of rebinding. The binding bill is no small item in our annual expenses, and it is evident as the age of your books increases, and your circu- lation multiplies, a larger appropriation will be needed for this purpose.


During the past year 2,225 volumes have been sent to the bindery. Of this number 242 were magazines and periodicals, 472 paper-covered books and pamphlets, and 1,411 volumes were from the circulating department.


DONATIONS.


The library has received as gifts during the year 169 vol- umes, 219 pamphlets and 987 periodicals; also a fine copy of Draper's Map of Somerville, 1852.


This map was presented by the late Capt. Thomas Cunning- ham.


366


ANNUAL REPORTS.


LIST OF DONATIONS.


Vols.


Pamph.


Period.


Adams, Mrs. L. K.


American Humane Society of Vivisection


Amherst College


Atkinson, Edward


1


Benton, J. H., Jr.


1


, .


,.


Bigelow, C. H. .


1


.


. .


Blinn, H. C.


Bolton, C. K.


1


.


Boston, City of .


3


..


· ,


Boston Globe


1


.


·


.


1


10


Brigham, W. E.


. .


.


.


10


Brockton Public Library


1


2


12


Cambridge, City of ·


1


.


.


10


Central Club


1


.


. .


Chicago Public Library


.


1


Christian Register


52


Cincinnati Public Library


1


Cleveland Public Library .


3


. .


Clinton Public Library


2


, ·


Concord Public Library


1


. .


Cooke, J. P.


·


Cunningham, Thomas, 1 map


1


. .


Cunningham, Mrs. Thomas


25


Cushman, W. H.


. .


, .


2


Cutter, F. R.


. .


. ,


Danvers Peabody Institute


·


. .


Davis, T. A.


1


. ,


..


DeCosta, Rev. B. F. .


1


. .


, .


Detroit Public Library


1


Dover Public Library


1


2


Elliot, C. D.


1


..


. .


Elliot, Mary E. .


1


, .


. ·


Emerson, J. S.


3


Enoch Pratt Free Library


·


. .


Fall River Public Library


.


.


Fitchburg Public Library


3


. .


Forbes Library, Northampton .


1


. .


Gildehaus, Charles, St. Louis .


.


·


, .


Grand Commandery K. T. of Massachusetts


1


. ,


, .


Gypsy Moth Commission


1


. .


, .


Hachenberg, G. P.


1


,,


, ,


Hartford Public Library


.


1


. .


10


·


.


·


.


. .


.


1


, ,


. .


Boston Public Library


. .


1


Cambridge Public Library


. .


1


Carnegie Public Library


1


. .


Chicago Civil Service Reform Commission


. .


1


. .


. .


.


.


·


.


1


1


15


1


Brookline Public Library


1


. .


1


12


1


367


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


LIST OF DONATIONS - Continued.


Vols.


Pamph.


Period.


Harvard College


Hayes, J. S.


12


. .


. .


Hayes, Lydia Y.


1


.


. .


Hill, W. P.


.


1


Home Market Club


Howard Memorial Library, New Orleans


4


15


Indian Rights Association


5


Jersey City Public Library


.


. .


1


3


Jones, Miss E. K.


,


. .


. ·


Jones, L. H.


. .


.


·


Journal Publishing Co.


1


104


Kimball, F. M.


6


..


.


Kingsley Woman's Relief Corps


1


. .


Ladies' Commission S. S. books


.


1


. .


Lawrence, Gen. S. C.


1


1


5


Lee & Shepard


5


12


Leffingwell, A. .


.


. .


Leominster Public Library


.


1


. .


Lexington Historical Society Littleton Public Library


.


·


1


12


McNamie, J. H. H.


1


. .


Malden Public Library


. .


1


Massachusetts, State of


25


2


Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics' Association


1


. .


Massachusetts Institute of Technology


1


. .


Maynard, W. A.


2


51


Medford Public Library


1


3


Melrose Public Library


.


1


Merrill, Mrs. I. P,


Milwaukee Public Library


.


, .


Minneapolis, City of




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.