Report of the city of Somerville 1896, Part 19

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 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 | Part 36


1


. .


. .


Morrison, M. L.


1


. .


. .


Murray, William


1


.


, .


National Civil Service Reform League


1


New Bedford Public Library


1 1 HN.


. .


New Haven Public Library


. .


New London Public Library


.


. .


New York State Library


2


· ·


·


Newark Public Library


1


2


10


Newport, R. I., Redwood Library


.


. .


Newton Public Library


..


. ,


North Adams Public Library


Norwich, Conn., Otis Library


. .


1


6


Our Outlook


. .


·


36


Parker, F. W.


1


. .


.


Patterson Public Library .


. .


1


1


.


·


.


Lawrence Public Library


.


.


1


·


Lynn Public Library


.


1


1


.


Manchester, N. H., Public Library .


1


,


.


2


,


1


.


Lancaster Public Library .


2


·


12


·


. .


. ·


1


1


. .


2


. .


1


1


12


12


1


· ·


368


ANNUAL REPORTS.


LIST OF DONATIONS - Concluded.


Vols.


Pamph. Period.


Peabody Institute


. .


1


People, New York


·


. .


52


Perkins Institute of the Blind .


1


.


. .


Portland, Oregon, Public Library


.


. .


·


·


.


.


1


12


Quincy Public Library


1


5


Raymond & Whitcomb


15


2


Ricker & Sons


1


. .


Rochester, N. Y., Reynolds Library


2


St. Louis Public Library .


2


Salem Public Library


1


1


12


San Francisco Public Library


1


9


Sawyer, C. W.


1


·


·


Scranton Public Library, Pennsylvania .


. .


1


2


Scull and Field .


. .


· ·


Smith, Rev. C. M.


1


· ·


. .


Somerville, City of


1


· ·


. .


Southworth, G. A.


1


1


. .


Springfield Public Library


.


.


.


·


1


. .


Taunton Public Library


. .


1


.


Thompson, B. F.


1


. .


. .


Thurston, E. L.


1


· ·


. .


Tilton, F. L.


1


· ·


. .


Titus, Anson


·


·


. .


12


Tufts College


Tyner, Paul


4


·


12


United States Government


41


66


154


University of Pennsylvania


1


·


. .


Upham, Warren, Minn.


1


·


.


Viall, J. B.


. .


.


158


Vincent, G. I.


Waltham Public Library .


1


·


. .


Wellington, J. F.


3


. .


West and Jenny


·


. .


Wheeler, J.


.


·


· .


. .


296


Williams, J. P.


1


.


. .


Woburn Public Library


. .


2


. .


169


219


987


·


1


·


12


Stone, F. W.


13


Syracuse Public Library


.


.


25


United Societies, Manifesto


. .


. .


Valentine, H. E.


. .


1


7


.


1


Washington Lodge, A. F. and A. M.


3


. .


. .


West, C. A.


12


1


8


Providence Public Library


1


Providence Athenaeum


1


Radiator, High School


Rich, S. M.


·


1


8


Sanford, P. B. .


·


2


Seattle Public Library


1


1


Traveller's Insurance Co.


3


1


3


Willis, C. W.


. .


6


Poughkeepsie Public Library


369


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


CARD CATALOGUE.


It may not be necessary for me to again call your attention to the urgent need for a Card Catalogue for the use of those who frequent the library. In previous reports I have explained its importance, and what I have already said I need not repeat, be- cause I think we all agree that it is impossible to make any ready and easy use of books without one. Old fashioned ways have given place to new and improved methods. I have no desire to have any change made in any direction because of its novelty, but this change which has come about with large advantage in other libraries seems to me imperatively demanded for us. Either the public must be contented to be incommoded, or the force of assistants greatly increased, or this Catalogue imme- diately provided.


I am confident you recognize the correctness of all I have ever said on this subject, and that the only question that arises is as to ways and means. It is my firm conviction that the preparation of a Card Catalogue should be begun forthwith if we are watchful, as it is expected we should be, for the best in- terests of the library in its service of the people.


Of course this will occasion considerable outlay, and I trust and confidently expect that the city government, loyal to the moral and intellectual character of the city, will make the appro- priation for the coming year large enough to enable us to begin the work at once, with a sufficiently large force to complete it during the year.


LIBRARY BULLETIN.


We have published the Bulletin each month during the year, excepting July and August, and also an extra Fiction Number of twelve pages. It has proved a wise and judicious investment of time and money. I am confident that it has increased the circulation of books, and materially improved the character of the reading.


We have not only published the lists of new books bought, but we have given special Reading Lists on subjects in which


370


ANNUAL REPORTS.


students and readers are, or should be, particularly interested. These lists have perceptibly added to the usefulness of the library by calling attention to many books, which would otherwise re- main idle or but little used, and many persons have thereby been introduced to some of the more helpful and interesting works in the library.


The special Fiction Number contains the names of all the works of fiction, arranged under authors, added to the library up to the present time, since the Finding List was printed. It will prove a great convenience to the reader of fiction.


The Bulletin has also contained three annotated special Fiction Lists of new books.


The following is the list of topics upon which special read- ing lists have been published during the year:


Armenian Question.


Memorial Day,


Arbor Day.


Monroe Doctrine.


Best Books of 1895.


Municipal Government.


Botany.


New England.


Burgoyne's Campaign.


Nicaragua and Venezuela.


Christmas.


Our Country.


Coffin, Charles C.


Patriots' Day.


Financial Situation.


Periodicals in the Library.


Hawaii and the Sandwich Islands. Special Fiction Lists.


Hallowe'en.


Summer Reading.


Joan of Arc.


Summer Sports.


Kindergarten.


Thanksgiving Day.


Lincoln, Abraham.


Valentine's Day.


List of Boys' Books.


Washington, George.


REFERENCE ROOM.


There has been a marked increase, from month to month, in the number of those using the reference room. It is evident that it was a wise thing to have it open, during fixed hours and under the charge of a competent attendant who could assist those who resorted to it.


371


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


Special effort should be made to make known the possibili- ties of this part of our library. It should be the common resort of those who desire to persue special studies or to confirm facts . which they have gathered. As its advantages become more widely known it will doubtless be necessary to open it to readers and students for the same length of time that the circulating library is open, with the possible exception of Wednesday and Saturday evenings. It is evident to my mind that there must be many in a community as intelligent as ours who would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity to use on the spot, in the library itself, books to which their attention has been especially called. The habit of consulting books is the foundation of a


broad education. The important value of it will be conceded by every intelligent reader. This is not to say that a reading community is necessarily a wise community, but to deliberately emphasize the converse statement, that a wise community will be a reading community, if the doors of such a library as ours are thrown wide open for special and careful consultation of standard works of reference.


LIBRARY NOTICES.


In several sections of the city a neatly framed and attractive notice, bearing a good picture of this library building, headed: "The Public Library is the People's University," has been set in a conspicuous place, calling attention to the library, and giving the hours it is open to the public. A Finding List in many instances is kept near the notice and is open for consulta- tion at any time.


It is desirable, since all the people contribute to the support of the library, that no section should feel itself debarred from its benefits. Every legitimate method should be pursued to bring the Public Library near to every individual composing the pub- lic. No individual should feel neglected or handicapped in the use of an institution which can give so much information and entertainment.


So important has this seemed that I have at times considered if it would not be well to have a simple and inexpensive circular,


372


ANNUAL REPORTS.


embodying the library notices, sent to every home, or so de- livered as not to incur unusual expense. Our monthly bulle- tins, however, are doing a good work in this direction.


SCHOOL DELIVERIES.


In response to the petition presented to your board, by the teachers of our public schools, books have been delivered and collected at the several large Grammar schools once each week during a part of the year. The accompanying figures will show to what extent the schools have availed themselves of the accom- modation.


When it is considered that all pupils, above the seventh grade in our schools, are entitled to library cards, and that each teacher can take out six books at one time, for school use, the number of books sent to the schools may appear to you to be too small, and would hardly warrant the extra time and expense attending the experiment.


I am clearly of the opinion, however, that the library and the schools should work together to bring our youth in touch with the best books. It was not the design of this movement to get the pupils to read books, regardless of their character, but to bring the reading of the children to a certain extent under the eye of the teacher, that he might by suggestion direct the pupil in a wise and judicious choice of books, and thus make the li- brary supplement the instruction of the school.


There can be no question in a thoughtful mind that the habit of reading good books, and the cultivation of a love for our best literature, are, next to the development of a worthy character, the greatest good a school can do for its pupils, and they are worth infinitely more to the child than a complete knowledge of partial payments or the binomial theorem. When parents and teachers realize that a love for good books is of more worth than scoring high per cents., and a desire for knowl- edge is preferable to perfect attendance, then the usefulness of the public library as an educational factor will be felt.


373


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


A bright teacher has aptly said: "If the teacher is to carry on her work to the best advantage, she needs the librarian and the library, and the librarian needs the teacher and the school. There must be a spirit of sympathy and co-operation between teacher and librarian. The teacher must be the inspirer, the finder of interest, the guide to the individual; the librarian must stand ready to meet the demands inspired by the teacher and must do all he can to keep enthusiasm alive, and working to- gether they may, through the children, reach out into the homes. First of all, the teacher must be a reader, and es- pecially of children's books. How can she quicken interest in the children, if she does not possess that interest herself? How can she help her children to get the best there is in a book, if she herself does not know what is in it?"


"It is not enough that the children read the books, they must be taught how to use them and learn to read them, Poetry for its music, beauty, inspiration and passion; Fiction for its les- sons in life and character; Essays and books read in relation to school work, for information and thought. The teacher must arouse the children's sympathies, help them to admire and love the noblest, encourage them to do and to be, not by preaching and examining, but by heart to heart talks over things which have appealed to their best interests and aroused their most generous aspiration. Often failure in this work is due to the fact that the teacher does not know how to read. She is enthusi- astic, sees the value of the library, but is discouraged and help- less when it comes to the How. The children lose interest, the reading is made a task, and the books are not read. The teacher is fitted for the work neither by practice nor training."


The number of books circulated, therefore, cannot indicate the wisdom of the movement. The voluntary testimony of many teachers convinces me that in many schools of the city the Public Library has been of great assistance in the correct education of our youth, and many are forming habits of the proper use of books, and cultivating a love for our best literature.


I trust you will continue the delivery of books at the schools, in some form, feeling confident that in time you will see a marked improvement in the character of the books our children use.


374


ANNUAL REPORTS.


DELIVERY AT THE SCHOOLS.


Deliveries.


Books.


Average.


1. Edgerly


.


28


1,659


59


2. Knapp


28


1,464


52


3. Forster


28


1,302


46.5


4. Hodgkins .


.


11


385


35


5. Glines


2


69


34.5


6. Morse


28


951


34


Prescott


28


916


32.7


8.


Highland


28


834


29.7


9. Pope


28


795


28


10. Bell


24


564


23.5


8,939


38.3


.


·


.


ADDITIONAL AGENCIES.


The public, accommodated by the two agencies you have established, fully appreciate the efforts you have made in their behalf, and I am clear in my own mind that it is a wise expendi- ture of time and money.


It must have occurred to each of you that there are many localities in this city that are largely deprived of the benefits of the library, and which need and are entitled to the same privi- leges and accommodation as those extended to residents in the vicinity of Davis Square and East Somerville.


The following locations are suggested as the centre of a population that would appreciate, and be greatly benefited should you open agencies there :- Concord Square, Park Street (near Beacon), Oak Square, Teele Square or some place nearer College Hill, Magoun Square, and the vicinity of the Jackson School.


I would, therefore, suggest that you consider the feasibility of opening at least five more agencies, as soon as the funds at your disposal will warrant the additional expense.


375


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC 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


1874


1,027


4,662


66


1876


602


5,837


1877


853


6,690


66


1879


515


7,954


66


1880


660


8,614


1881


668


9,282


66


1883


913


10,965


66


1884


859


11,824


66


1885


964


12,788


1886


1,150


13,938


66


1887


1,165


15,103


1,846


16,949


1,346


18,295


1,817


20,112


66


1891


1,432


21,544


66


1892


1,648


23,192


66


1893


1,677


24,869


1894


2,860


27,729


1895


4,010


31,739


1896


.


.


5,016


36,755


Total number Dec. 31, 1896 .


36,755 volumes.


2,384


1,251


3,635


1875


573


5,235


1878


749


7,439


1882


770


10,052


1888


1889


1890


.


The number of books worn out, discarded and lost since the library was started appears to be 2,929 volumes, making the number of volumes at the present time 33,826.


376


ANNUAL REPORTS.


YEARLY APPROPRIATIONS AND COLLECTIONS.


Appropria- tions.


Dog Licenses.


Cata- logues.


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


206.18


1878


1,200.00


1,080.85


224.07


1880


1,500.00


934.23


$ 46.74


231.92


1881


1,200.00


927.13


29.72


205.10


1882


1,500.00


1,018.37


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


1885


2,500 00


1,402.04


37.17


150.29


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


1896


8,000.00


2,506.26


71.60


318.72


Total


$72,639.38


$38,715.93


$626.59


$ 6,169.36


$102.80


$456.02


COMPARISON WITH SOME OTHER CITIES.


The following tables have been compiled from the Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts for 1896, and include twenty-five cities and the town of Brookline.


I submit these figures without note or comment, for your inspection, feeling confident they will prove intensely interesting, and possibly instructive reading.


It should be observed, however, that the figures indicating circulation in the case of our library are those for the year 1896, as we were closed to the public a part of the year 1895.


$


.75


1876


1877


1,500.00


1,362.30


1879


1,200.00


936.10


260.20


$100.00


$ 146.80 237.59


2.80


1,260.29


377


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


1894-'95.


Popula- tion 1895.


Valuation 1895.


Volumes.


Circula- tion.


Appro- priation.


Salaries and Services.


State Middlesex Co.


2,500,000 500,000


$2,542,348,000 450,012,000


3,139,637 617,164


6,267,000 1,461,518


$437,395 82,735


$275,474.00 51,550.00


1


Boston


497,000


951,368,000


610,375


832,113


155,000


94,139 00


2


Worcester


98,767


88,065,866


100,000


158,822


23,360


12,600.93


3


Fall River


89,203


65,238,178


47,422


109,343


5,500


2,626.15


4


Lowell


84,367


68,782,042


50,000


151,907


15,000


7,468.43


5


Cambridge


81,643


80,911,000


46,770


119,631


10,000


6,330.74


6


Lynn


62,354


49,698,000


49,616


130,557


4,500


4,543.01


New Bedford


55,251


52,643,000


65,000


104,591


6,450


6,973.75


8


Somerville


52,200


46,454,000


29,000


106,341


6,500


3,612.87


9


Lawrence


52,164


33,533,500


37,999


124,724


6,500


4,170.78


10


Springfield


51,522


59.033,000


90,444


150,796


17,000


8,898.45


11


Holyoke


40,322


27,705,000


17,325


47,268


3,000


1,209.45


12


Salem


34,473


28,847,000


29,434


112,349


10,000


5,285.77


13


Brockton


33,165


22,541,000


20,850


83,132


5,400


3,438.25


14


Chelsea


31,264


22,515,000


14,439


67,483


4,500


2,056.15


15


Haverhill


30,209


20,793,000


55,400


80,392


3,280


2,567.58


16


Malden .


29,708


20,072,000


25,155


92,085


5,000


2,975.01


17


Newton .


27,590


47,388,000


46,755


143,887


14,675


5,788.88


18


Taunton .


27,115


19,203,000


40,500


73,009


4,500


2,737.66


19


Fitchburg


26,409


19,855,000


30,000


61,386


4,500


2,955.54


20


Quincy


20,712


17,326,000


17,500


73,442


4,270


2,470.00


21


Waltham


20,876


18,052,000


22,916


62,845


1,600


1,456.70


22


Pittsfield


20,46L


13,850,000


23,000


60,000


2,000


2,436.73


23


No. Adams


19,135


7,329,000


13,830


73,944


4,500


1,475.23


24


Brookline


16,164


59,003,000


41,955


83,222


12,000


5,548.96


25


Medford


14,474


16,979,000


16,347


51,439


3,500


1,941.09


26


Woburn .


14,178


9,673,000


33,203


66,130


2,200


2,866.32


COST OF CIRCULATION.


The following table indicates the relative cost of distributing books, using the amount paid for "salaries and services" as the basis of comparison. Cost of each volume circulated for home use :-


State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex


4.3 cents.


1.


Boston,


10


cents.


14.


Medford,


3.8 cents.


2. Worcester,


7


15.


Taunton,


3.7


3. New Bedford,


6.7


6.6


5.9


66


18.


Quincy,


3.3


6.


Cambridge,


5.3


19.


Malden,


3.2


7.


Lowell,


4.9


66


20.


Chelsea,


3


8.


Fitchburg, Salem,


4.7


66


22.


Somerville,


10.


Brockton,


4


23.


Holyoke,


2.5


11.


Newton,


4


66


24.


Waltham,


2.3


66


12.


Pittsfield,


4


66


25.


Fall River,


2.3


13.


Woburn,


4


66


26.


No. Adams, .


2


66


3.4


4. Brookline,


17. Lawrence,


3.3


5. Springfield,


·


4.8


21.


Haverhill,


3 2.6


66


9.


16. Lynn,


3.4


7


.


378


ANNUAL REPORTS.


RATIO OF CIRCULATION TO NUMBER OF VOL- UMES IN LIBRARY.


This table shows the number of times the volumes in each library were circulated during the year :-


State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex .


2.


2.2


1. North Adams,


5.6


14.


Cambridge,


2.6.


2. Chelsea,


4.8


15.


Pittsfield,


2.6


3. Somerville,


4.5


16.


Lynn, .


2.4


4. Brockton,


4.1


17. Fall River,


2.3.


5. Quincy, 4 .


18.


Fitchburg,


2


6. Salem, .


3.8


19.


Brookline,


2


7. Malden,


3.6


20


Woburn,


2


8. Lawrence,


3.3


21.


Taunton,


1.8


9. Medford,


3.2


22.


Springfield,


1.7


10. Newton,


3.1


23.


New Bedford,


1.6


11. Lowell,


.


3


24. Worcester,


1.5


12. Waltham,


2.8


25. Haverhill,


1.4


13. Holyoke,


2.7


26. Boston,


1.3


RATIO OF CIRCULATION TO POPULATION.


This table shows the circulation of books, as compared with number of inhabitants :-


State of Massachusetts


2.5 vols.


Middlesex County


2.9 “


1. Newton,


5.2 vols.


14. Taunton,


2.7 vols.


2. Brookline,


5.1


66


15. Haverhill,


2.6


3. Woburn,


4.7


16. Brockton,


2.5


4. No. Adams,


3.8


17.


Lynn, ·


2.5


5. Medford,


3.6 66


18.


Lawrence,


2.3


6. Quincy,


3.6


3.4


20.


New Bedford,


1.8


9. Salem, .


3.2


66


22.


Lowell, .


1.7


66


10.


Waltham,


3.1


23.


Worcester,


1.6


66


11. Pittsfield,


3


24. Cambridge,


1.4


12. Springfield,


2.9


25. Fall River,


1.2


13. Somerville,


2.8


66


26. Holyoke,


1.1


66


.


19.


Chelsea,


2.1 66


7. Malden,


8. Brockton,


3.2


21.


Boston, .


1.7


·


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


379


RATIO OF APPROPRIATION TO POPULATION.


The following figures show the amount appropriated by the several cities, for their public libraries, for each inhabitant :-


State of Massachusetts,


17 cents.


County of Middlesex,


16 66


1. Brookline,


75 cents.


13.


Brockton,


16 cents ..


2. Newton,


54


66


14.


Taunton,


16


3. Springfield,


33


66


15. Woburn,


.


15


4. Boston,


31 66


16. Chelsea,


14 66


5. Salem,


29 66


17. Cambridge,


12


66


6. Medford,


25


18.


Somerville,


12


66


7.


No. Adams, .


23


66


20.


Lawrence, New Bedford,


11


9. Quincy,


21


66


21.


Haverhill,


10


66


10. Lowell,


17


66


22.


Pittsfield.


10


66


11. Malden,


17


66


23. Waltham,


8


66


12. Fitchburg,


17


66


24. Lynn,


7


66


The following have more than one thousand dollars annual income, from invested funds, for the current expenses of their library :-


Boston


$12,391


New Bedford


3,966


Woburn


3,294


Springfield


2,977


Pittsfield


2,976


Salem


2,690


Fall River


2,389


Haverhill


2,375


Newton


1,848


Malden


1,681


Lawrence


1,228


12


8. Worcester,


23


19.


.


RATIO OF APPROPRIATION TO VALUATION.


This table shows the amount appropriated for public li- braries on each dollar of taxable property :-


380


ANNUAL REPORTS.


State of Massachusetts


County of Middlesex


1. No. Adams,


.00054


14.


Chelsea,


.00017


2. Salem,


34


15.


Medford, .


17


3.


Newton, .


27


16.


Boston,


15


4. Worcester,


26


17. Haverhill,


14


5. Quincy, ·


23


18. Pittsfield, .


14


6. Brockton,


22


19.


Somerville,


13


7. Taunton, ,


21


20.


Cambridge,


12


8. Malden, .


21


21.


New Bedford, Holyoke,


11


9. Lowell,


20


22. 23.


Woburn, .


10


11


Fitchburg,


20


24.


Lynn,


08


12 Brookline,


20


25. Fall River,


07


13. Lawrence,


17


26. Waltham,


05


RATIO OF VOLUMES IN LIBRARY TO POPULATION.


This table shows the number of volumes in the several li- braries, for each inhabitant :--


State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex


1.25


1.


Brookline,


2.60


14.


Quincy,


.87


2.


Woburn,


2.30


15.


Salem,


.86


3. Springfield, .


1.77


16. Malden,


.86


4. Haverhill,


1.80


17. Lynn, .


.


.73


6. Taunton,


1.50


19.


North Adams,


.


.70


7. Boston,


1.22


20.


Brockton,


.


.59


9. Fitchburg, ·


1.15


22.


Cambridge, .


.


.57


10.


Pittsfield, .


1.15


23. Somerville,


·


.55


11. Waltham,


1.14


24. Fall River, .


.


.53


12. Medford, ·


1.10


25. Chelsea,


.46


13. Worcester, .


1.01


26. Holyoke,


.


.43


RANK OF SOMERVILLE IN THE STATE, 26 CITIES.


Population


8


Valuation


11


Volumes in its library


17


Amount of its appropriation


11


Cost per volume for circulation


.


22


.


·


.80


5. Newton, .


1.70


18. Lawrence,


.


.60


8. New Bedford,


1.18


21.


Lowell,


.


10


10. Springfield,


20


·


·


·


1.23


.


·


·


.00017 .00018


381


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


Appropriation to its population 18


· Appropriation to its valuation 19 ·


Ratio of circulation to size of library 3 ·


Ratio of circulation to population


. 13


Ratio of size of library to population


. 23


HISTORICAL.


It is eminently fitting that whatever belongs to the history of our library should be preserved. This is especially true when we turn to the past and seek to recall the efforts then made which give us the fruitage of the present. As those who have given wise direction to our library affairs with patience, labor and fidelity, are called to that bourne from whence no traveller returns, a just and discriminating sense of gratitude should make some record of their lives and character.


We have taken occasion, in previous reports, to refer to the gratuitous and self-sacrificing labors of the original organizer of this library, who for nearly three years gave his services as librarian, Mr. Isaac Pitman. We are extremely fortunate in securing a short sketch of his life which we embody as a part of this report.


Isaac Pitman was born in Providence, R. I., Aug. 20, 1807. He was the son of Isaac and Ann (Updike) Pitman. His mother was a member of the Updike family, so often conspicuous in Rhode Island annals. His father was born on School Street, Boston, and moved from there to Providence in 1775. He had been a member of the famous Boston Tea Party, and was after- wards a captain in the Continental army. After the war, he was for many years an importer and dealer in hardware in Provi- dence.


Young Isaac at one time attended a dame school, to which colored pupils were admitted. He was quite content, until the admission of a new scholar, when the African race was in the majority. He then strongly objected to being a member of what he, perhaps naturally, called a colored school. The remem- brance of this greatly amused him in later life. He afterwards


382


ANNUAL REPORTS.


spent some time at a boarding school in Barrington, R. I., and in 1820 he attended Phillips Exeter Academy. His father died when he was eleven years of age. Most of his youth was spent in Providence, Roxbury and Boston. At the latter place, his home was with an elder married sister, Mrs. Wild, who lived there from 1821 to 1825. About this time, or a little later, on account of his health, he passed a year on a coffee plantation in Cuba, with relatives named Jenks, who wished to adopt him; but he declined, giving, among other reasons, his dislike of the system of slavery. About 1840 he made a trip to Europe on a packet ship, which was the ordinary method at this time of crossing the ocean.




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