Report of the city of Somerville 1897, Part 21

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 870


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1897 > Part 21


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 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42


24 Pleasant ave.


500


1896


BENNETT.


3


Mary B. Smith, Principal,


212 Medford st.


$675


1885


2


Kathryn C. Connolly,


58 Bow st.


600


1897


1


Miriam Cavanagh,


10 Grand View ave.


600


1893


1


Sarah I. Baird,


454 Medford st.


500


1895


4


Lydia J. Page, Principal,


65 School st.


Ass't


Clara B. Hegan,


136 Huntington ave., Boston.


OREN S. KNAPP.


44 Stone ave.


416


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE 30. - TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1897. - Continued.


Grade.


NAME.


Residence.


Salary.


Beginning of Service.


CHARLES G. POPE.


9


George M. Wadsworth, Master,


41 Boston st.


$1,900


1891


9


Florence A. Chaney,


33 Hancock st., Boston.


675


1892


8


Harriet M. Clark,


10 Vernon st., West Medford.


600


1893


7


Alice I. Norcross,


79 Mt Auburn st., Watertown.


600


1885


7


Eleanor M. Varney,


32 Suffolk st., Cambridgeport.


600


1897


6


Blanche G. North,


8 High st.


600


1893


6


Minnie A. Blood.


10 Putnam st.


600


1897


5


Lizzie W. Parkhurst,


22 Highland ave.


600


1885


5


Susan G. Meldrum,


19 Aldrich st.


600


1896


4


Annie G. Sheridan,


84 Prospect st.


600


1886


3


Clara M. Wheeler,


61 Walnut st.


600


1895


2


Lillian S. Albee,


42 Walnut st.


600


1888


1


Lydia E. Morrill,


34 Bow st.


600


1892


3, 2


Annie E. McCarty, Principal,


50 Stone ave.


$675


1880-


36 Flint st.


600


1883


Annie L. Savage,


135 Antrim st., Cambridge.


600


1873


Caroline G. Baker,


46 Washington st., Charlestown.


600


1895


2336 Massachusetts ave.


350


1895~


FORSTER.


25 Browning road.


$1,900


1893


Mary E. Bunton,


15 Evergreen ave.


675


1894


Irena S. Nightingale,


Arlington.


650


1895


7, 8 7


Fanny E. Jennison,


109 Sycamore st.


600


1896


6


Sarah L. Copeland,


23 Ames st.


600


1896-


6


Elizabeth F. Clement,


29 Kidder ave.


600


1884


5


Lucy K. Hatch,


72 Marshall st.


600


1892


4


Elizabeth S. Brown,


11 Central st.


600


1897


3


Maud L. Kent,


18 Maple ave.


600


1893


2


Annie S. Gage,


32 Marshall st.


600


1823


1


Grace Shorey,


23 Forster st.


600


1892


1


Mrs. Mary J. Richardson,


600


1895


Ass't


E. Mina Smith,


228 Medford st.


425


1896-


9


Mary E. Northup, Master,


181 Central st.


$1,800


1878


9


Mary E. Stiles,


181 Central st.


675


1883


8


Grace Woodbury,


20 Dartmouth st.


600


1897


7


Nellie J. Wentworth,


24 Lewis st., Lynn.


600


1897


6


Ellen A. Boynton,


55 Heath st.


600


1891


5, 6


Margaret A. Orr,


148 Warren ave .. Boston.


600


1891


5 4


Mary A. Goddard,


9 Winter Hill Circle.


600


1893


3,4


Anna G. Welch,


324 Main st., Stoneham.


600


1897


3


Florence E Baxter,


49 Hudson st.


600


1891


2


Flora B. Rice,


43 Robinson st.


600


1895


2


Mrs. Laura M. Lamont,


60


1895


1


Belle J. Tifft,


600


1892


1


Gertrude F. Brown,


374 Medford st.


500


1897


K'g'n


Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth,


110 Newbury st., Boston.


600


1897


Ass't


Ada B. Gilmore,


43 Robinson st.


350


1896


1 1 K'g'n Ass't


Fred C. Baldwin Master,


9 9 8


Minnie A. Worden,


109 Sycamore st.


650


1895


151 West Canton st., Boston.


JACOB T. GLINES.


75 Franklin st .. Melrose Highlands.


600


1869


M. Frances Guptill,


22 Holyoke st., Malden. 7 Lee st.


JACKSON.


Isadore E. Taylor,


Matie I. Dayfoot,


417


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


TABLE 30. - TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1897. - Continued.


Grade.


NAME.


Residence.


Salary.


Beginning of


Service.


BINGHAM.


5


Harry F. Hathaway, Principal,


31 Vinal ave.


$1,000


1890


5


Carrie F. Hathaway,


31 Vinal ave.


360


4


Elizabeth J. O'Neil,


505 Broadway.


600


1894


4


Mabel E. Perry,


15 Sycamore st.


600


1896


3


Harriet F. Ward,


19 Pembroke st.


600


1895


2,3


Mary E. Jordan,


23 Ames st.


600


1895


2


Emma F. Bradley,


7 Buckingham st.


600


1896


1


Rose O. Loughlin,


77 Jenny Lind ave.


600


1896.


1


Mabel E. Mansir,


77 Albion st.


600


1801


MORSE.


9


Mina J. Wendell, Master,


221-A Summer st.


$1,900


188


9


Ella J. Holmes,


41 Brastow ave.


675


1895


8


Emily J. Gifford,


48 Quincy st.


600


1895


8


P. S. Downes,


30 Wallace st.


600


1872:


7


Alice E. Jones,


205 Highland ave.


600


1897


7


Lennie W. Bartlett,


106 Porter st.


600


1893


26 Bow st.


600


1872:


6


Kara M. Johnson,


5


Mary A. Haley,


117 Summer st.


600


1867


4


Lizzie E. Hill,


100 Porter st.


600


1891


3


Helen M. Mead,


100 Porter st.


650


1893:


2


Ella P. McLeod,


6 Summer st.


600


1888:


2


Ardelle Abbott,


71 Craigie st.


500


1897


1


Alice M. Emerson,


146 Highland ave.


600


1891


1


Alice A. Beckwith,


13 Brastow ave.


500


1897


Mabel G. Delano,


108 Cross st.


350


1896


1


Grace B. Tibbetts,


4 Tenny st., No. Cambridge.


$600


1890


FRANKLIN.


6


Harriet A. Hills, Principal,


41 Belmont st.


$700


1874


5


Marion P. Crawford,


21 Cottage ave.


600


1897


5


Susie L. Luce,


215 Pearl st.


600


1896


4


Anna- C. Damon,


Waverley.


600


1879


3


Caroline S. Plimpton,


46 Laurel st.


600


1859


3,2,1


Elizabeth S. Foster, Principal,


205 Highland ave.


$750


1895


Ass't


Bessie A. Dadmun,


52 Oxford st.


200


1897


Florence S. Hartshorn,


96 Glen st.


200


1897


Blanche M. Souther,


14 Pembroke st.


200


1897


Mattie L. Littlefield,


65 Glen st.


200


1897


GEORGE W. DURELL.


4,3


Nora F. Byard, Principal,


248 Summer st.


$675


1884


3


Grace A. Bosworth,


61 Marshall st.


600


1894


2


Edith L. Hunnewell,


9 Mason ave.


600


1894


1


Mary Winslow,


38 Spring st.


600


1893


Ass't


Agnes M. Grant,


21 Cottage ave.


425


1897


6


Anna E. Sawyer,


52 Kirkland st.


600


HARVARD.


TRAINING SCHOOL.


418


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE 30. - TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1897. - Continued.


Grade.


NAME.


Residence.


Salary.


Beginning of Service.


3 2, 1


Elizabeth A. Davies, Principal,


37 Meacham st.


$625


1893


Mary E. Lacy,


63 Cherry st.


600


1890


BURNS.


5


Laura J. Brooks, Principal,


31 Stevens st., Stoneham.


$700


1883


4


Grace T. Merritt,


281 Summer st.


400


1897


3


Minnie S. Turner,


40 Summer st.


600


1885


2


A. L. Brown,


281 Summer st


600


1885


1


Florence M. Hamlin,


600


1889


11 Bradley st.


425


1893


9


George E. Nichols, Master,


$1,900


1877


9


M. Alice Paul,


122 Orchard st.


675


1879


8


Mabel A. Jepson,


600


1892


8


S. Adelaide Blood,


Ayer.


600


1882


7


Cora B. Wheeler,


600


1896


7


Grace M. Clark,


10 Vernon st., West Medford.


600


1893


6


Sarah C. Linscott,


56 River st., Boston.


600


1887


6


Jennie C. Frazier,


28 Quincy st.


600


1878


4


Mary H. Joyce,


76 Boston st.


600


1891


3


Alice T. McNamara,


2 Wellington st., Boston.


600


1895


2


Jennie M. Horner,


37 Morrison st.


600


1888


1


Katherine E. Hourahan,


11 Irving st.


600


1892


Ass't


Carrie Winslow,


38 Spring st.


350


1897


4


J. Louise Smith, Principal,


36 Hamilton ave., Lynn.


$675


1896


3


Charlotte F. Mott,


Pinckney st., Boston.


600


1886


2


Grace A. Hutchins,


600


1897


1


Eliza H. Lunt,


50 Curtis st.


600


1890


9


Arthur L. Doe, Master,


78 Chandler st.


$1,900


1896


9


Alice M. Winslow,


253 Elm st.


675


1896


8


Edith W. Emerson,


24 Appleton st.


600


1896


7


Alice S. Hall,


21 Cottage ave.


600


1896


6


Mrs. Gertrude W. Leighton,


Waltham.


600


1894


5


6


Flora A. Burgess,


253 Elm st.


600


1896


5


Mrs. N. Agnes White,


600


1894


4


Mary S. Lawrence,


Stoneham.


600


1896


3


Katherine M. Fox,


54 Paulina st.


600


1894


2


Bertha M. Jones,


16 Winter st.


600


1896


1


Mrs. Marion I. Noyes,


54 Paulina st.


600


1897


K'g'n


Gertrude Friend,


5 Irving st.


600


1893


Ass't ..


Etta M. Cushing.


3 Thurston st.


350


1896


Florence A. Holmes,


215 Pearl st.


200


1897


Ass't


HIGHLAND.


26 Loring st.


179 Elm st.


25 Folsom st., Roxbury.


600


1896


5


Sarah E. Pray,


LINCOLN.


34 Newbury st.


24 Appleton st.


600


1896


54 Paulina st.


1


May E. Barker


WM. H. HODGKINS.


232 Elm st.


128 Orchard st.


Nellie R. Bray,


CEDAR-STREET.


419


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


TABLE 30 .- TEACHERS IN SERVICE DECEMBER, 1897. - Concluded.


Grade.


NAME.


Residence.


Salary.


Beginning of Service.


SPECIAL TEACHERS.


MUSIC.


9-7 6-1


S. Henry Hadley, 4 days,


46 Pearl st.


$1,500


1869


Mrs. Gish Garwood, 3 days,


19 Follen st., Boston.


900


1891


9-1


Mary L. Patrick,


Newtonville.


1,000


1895


SEWING.


8-5


Mary L. Boyd,


97 Sycamore st.


600


1888


8-5


Sarah I. Stanton,


600


1895


Ass't


Etta L. Yelland.


...


... .


PENMANSHIP.


9-1


Wm. A. Whitehouse,


94 Summer st.


1,200


1895


SUPERINTENDENT.


Gordon A. Southworth,


40 Greenville st.


3,000


1893


Eleanor L. Hannay,


54 Myrtle st.


650


1897


TRUANT OFFICERS.


Lemuel H. Snow, Jairus Mann,


81 Benton ave.


1,000


1886


80 Porter st.


50


1872


DRAWING.


211 Summer st. 5 High st.


420


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE 31 .- SCHOOL JANITORS.


SCHOOL.


Name.


Residence.


Salary.


Latin High


Joseph Young.


51 Oxford St.


$930 00


English High


H. B. Sellon.


9 Stickney Ave.


1,500 00


Prescott


William H. Kelley.


47-A Franklin St.


830 00


Edgerly


David G. Marston.


20 Everett Ave.


830 00


Davis


N. L. Pennock.


54 Putnam St.


00


Bell


F. S. Dickinson.


1 Putnam St.


890 00


Cummings


William T. Higgins.


1 Avon St.


315 00


Knapp


Bernard F. Sheridan.


84 Prospect St.


S30 00


Pope


Hiram A. Turner.


16 Gibbens St.


830 00


Prospect Hill


Edward T. Peterson.


33 Franklin Ave.


420 00


Bennett


Alfred Shiner.


Schoolhouse


165 00


Jackson


Alfred Shiner.


Bennett Schoolhouse


174 00


Forster


James L. Whitaker.


146-R Sycamore St.


S20 00


Glines


Roy C. Burckes.


249 School St.


950 00


Bingham


John F. O'Brien.


5 Richardson St.


500 00


Morse


W. H. Laskey.


52 Brastow Ave.


830 00


Franklin


Mrs. Margaret Hartness.


639 Somerville Ave.


260 00


Durell


A. D. Earle.


93 Munroe St.


360 00


Harvard


Mrs. Nora Healey.


11 Dimick St.


) 00


Burns


Charles Weston.


23 Conwell St.


420 00


Cedar-street


.


Mrs. C. N. Porter.


611 Broadway.


125 00


Highland


E. P. Cook.


241 Elm St.


800 00


Lincoln


James W. Rich.


206 Highland Ave.


480 00


Holland-street


Andrew B. Colesworthy.


35} Day St.


830 00


Hanscom


E. S. Haradon.


38 Cutter St.


480 00


REPORT


OF THE


TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 26, 1898. 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 26, 1898.


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, 1897.


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 Clark.


ADMINISTRATION .- Clark, Wellington, and Sawyer.


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


FINANCE .- Flitner, Wellington, and Sawyer.


LIBRARIAN. JOHN S. HAYES. ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN. CLARA L. BIDWELL.


ASSISTANTS.


ANNA L. STONE.


MARY J. WARREN.


ESTHER M. MAYHEW.


ADELE SMITH.


CATALOGUER. F. MABEL NORCROSS.


JANITOR. CHARLES A. SOUTHWICK.


424


ANNUAL REPORTS.


RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR 1897.


CREDIT.


Balance from 1896


$10 21


Appropriation


.


.


.


7,500 00


Dog Licenses


2,230 69


Fines


442 70


Catalogues


38 10


Balance to debit in account, 1898


139 01


$10,360 71


DEBIT.


Books and Periodicals


$3,330 30


Binding


785 96


Catalogue Cards


16 64


Printing


. 205 55


Stationery .


54 65


Salaries, Administrative


Department $3,820 43


Cataloguing Depart-


ment 580 34


4,400 77


Branch Offices


129 56


Furniture


57 27


Repairs


266 30


Express ·


240 60


Electric Lighting


230 67


Gas


27 50


Water


26 00


Fuel


183 65


Disbursements


75 50


Postage Stamps, $30.00; Postal


Cards, $40.00


70 00


Bulletins


174 40


Matting for Floors


82 39


.


-


.


$10,360 71


.


JOHN S. HAYES. 1841-1898.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


"TO THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL : -


The Trustees of the Public Library beg leave to submit their twenty-fifth annual report. The fact that a quarter of a century has passed since the establishment of the Public Library has not been forgotten. Nearly two hundred years before the Christian era Plautus wrote, "Every man reaps on his own farm." Aside from any other application this sentence may have, it is significant in connection with the public educational work which has been done within the borders of our municipality, and it seems es- pecially becoming that some reference should be made to the years that have passed. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, therefore, held November 29, it was voted :-


"That the next annual report of this Board be prepared with special reference to the twenty-fifth anniversary of this Library. That it contain a review of its past history and the pressing needs of the immediate future, and that it be illustrated with pictures of all those who have served upon the Board of Trustees or as Libra- rians, and such other cuts as may be hereafter considered ·advisable."


It will be found that our Librarian's report has conformed to this action of the Board of Trustees, and we are gratified to be able to endorse it fully, and to regard it, although addressed to us, as substantially our report to you. As preliminary to that report, and with the expectation of giving added emphasis to certain sug- gestions contained in it, we desire to ask the attention of your honorable Board to certain matters connected with the present, and what we hope will be the enlarged usefulness of the Library.


426


ANNUAL REPORTS.


In previous reports your attention has been called to the fact that the Library has come to be recognized as an important factor in the intellectual and moral life of our city. No pains have been spared to secure as great a variety of reading as possible, and to meet the needs of the community by providing wholesome, enter- taining, and instructive books. A growing community makes in -- creased demands upon the care of those who are charged, directly or indirectly, with the healthy moral and intellectual growth of our city. There is a duty laid upon those who have been entrusted with special public functions to see to it that all public interests should be wisely conserved, and with no purpose to underestimate the value of other instrumentalities, the importance- of our Library can hardly be exaggerated. Certain plain, simple statements will indicate this.


For instance, the circulation of our books during the past year has exceeded that of any previous year. In the year now closing 193,491 volumes were issued for home use, last year 146,- 211, showing an increase of over thirty per cent .; and it is worthy of notice that there are no signs of any abatement in the interest that has been awakened. Indeed, everything points so definitely to still larger and more pronounced use of the resources now ex- isting, that it is inevitable that still larger facilities should be had. There should be larger appropriation for the purchase of books, not only that new books may be added to the Library, but that old ones, worn out by constant use, can be replaced. It is to be ob- served that the expense of rebinding and replacement must be very considerable. Books may be repaired and rebound, and they are, but there comes a time when books become so badly worn and defaced that new ones must be bought. Increase of circulation calls for increase in the Library force, and the fixed expenses of the Library are constantly growing larger.


In just this connection another statement should be made, namely, that by the latest data at hand, our Library stands twenty- third in rank of the libraries of the cities of the State in regard to the number of its volumes as compared with the population, and that, too, when we are the eighth city in population ; and we may add, with a certain degree of pride, the third city in the Com-


427


-


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


monwealth in the total number of books circulated. Third city in circulation, eighth city in size, and twenty-third library facilities !


That is to say, there can be no question that in the near future a larger building will be required to contain the larger number of books which the public demands. Nor must it be understood that a larger building is needed merely to accommodate books. It cannot be denied that the people, young and old, deserve better accommodations. This must be held to be a commendable state of affairs. The intelligent activity of the people is noticeably on the increase, and the younger generation, under the impulse of our admirable public schools, and the careful attention our public press has given to our Library interests, may justly ask for better facilities for the circulation of books and for the immediate con- sultation of them.


Our delivery room is altogether too small, and is often crowded so that those who resort to it are greatly inconvenienced. Those who visit the Library during the busy hours of the day de- serve great credit for the patience they display and the inevitable annoyance to which they are subjected. There are only about three hundred square feet in our present delivery room, and fre- quently from fifty to seventy-five people are crowded into it, un- able to sit down, and necessarily obliged to stand in much weari- ness. To consult the card catalogue, which is located in this room, is almost impossible. Similar criticism is justified as regards our reading room and reference room. The first can comfortably ac- commodate only twenty-five persons at a time, and the latter is practically of the same size. Now, when you consider that our city is of nearly 60,000 inhabitants, and of growing intellectual tastes, it cannot be wondered at that many persons turn away in despair for lack of room.


All such matters have received the careful consideration of the Board of Trustees, and a special committee, with Hon. C. E. Rymes as chairman, has presented to the Board a study of a plan for the enlargement of the present building. This plan is impos- ing and attractive in its style of architecture, and while providing for present actual needs looks to those for years to come. A more


428


ANNUAL REPORTS.


specific statement of this will be made when we shall ask for a special appropriation for an addition to this building. It may be well to add that with the exception of Fall River, Lynn, and New Bedford, all the principal cities in the Commonwealth have fine and commodious library buildings. Lynn and Fall River are both building expensive libraries, and New Bedford has the ques- tion under consideration.


The Trustees deem it appropriate to announce in this place the donation to the city of Mrs. Harriet Minot Laughlin, daugh- ter of the late Isaac Pitman, our first Librarian, of one thousand dollars, the income of which is to be expended in English poetry. This gift is made not only to commemorate his memory, but to connect his name in a practical way with the Library that was always dear to his heart, and for which he labored so faithfully as a deed of love. This is our first donation in money that has been given for a like purpose. While many other cities and towns have received munificent gifts from their fellow-citizens, and magnifi- cent buildings have been the result of their generosity, and for the public good, no one has yet in our humble city bestowed on us his benefactions in this direction. It is true that Somerville is yet young, and town or local pride has not yet had time to crystallize, but let us not despair. Fortunes are of slow growth, and, perhaps, are rare in our city. It is to be hoped, however, the generous and noble example set by Mrs. Laughlin, not a resident, will be followed by many of our public-spirited citizens.


It must not be forgotten that in ancient times men of large · resources and public spirit not only erected magnificent temples and palaces and enhanced their value by exquisite ornamentations, but set up in public squares statues of heroes and demigods for the admiration of the populace. Into such statues men put their best thought and skill, and they were meant to be, and in a sense they were, the visible literature and religion of the people. Then libraries were reserved for the few, and were closed to the many. In these days the doors of the public library swing on easy hinges, and without disparagement to any artistic creation ; indeed, its large influence to-day, as in the yesterday long since forgotten, is recognized, yet it may, nevertheless, be emphasized in the lan-


1


429


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


guage of Milton, that "a good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life." Therefore, it is without question to be commended that those who have the means should display their public spirit by endowing libraries and schools, where master spirits bound in silence sit in council to be consulted on the momentous questions which affect personal character, intellectual and moral, and con- sequently the common weal. The seeds of thought sown by books in fruitful minds make possible the harvestry of virtue and wisdom. And so again it may be repeated for the encouragement of those who contemplate any public benefaction, by any gift to our Library, that


" Each man reaps on his own farm."


After a careful consideration of the pressing demands of our rapidly-increasing constituency, we feel that the smallest amount of money with which we can manage the Library and purchase the necessary number of books the coming year to be nine thou- sand dollars and the dog tax, and we, therefore, confidently ask- your honorable body to grant that sum, since nothing less will permit us to give our fellow-citizens the service to which they are entitled, or to supply the public with books which shall be at their command.


It is quite superfluous to add, in closing, yet we do so most readily, that the labors of our Librarian have been incessant and successful, and he has been ably seconded by those associated with him in the conduct of the Library. Their efforts merit the hearty. commendation of the public, whom they so faithfully serve.


Respectfully submitted,


(Signed) CHARLES S. LINCOLN,


President.


December 27, 1897.


430


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Names of those who have served on the Board of Trustees since the Library was established in 1872, and whose portraits appear in this report: -


Elected.


Retired.


John P. Marshall, President, 1872-75


1872


1875


Austin Belknap


1872


1875


*Charles H. Guild, President, 1875-76


1872


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 66


1873


1876


H. H. Barber, President, 1881-85


1874


1885


S. A. Carlton


1873


1876


*Charles Lowe


1874


1874


William Veazie


1875


1885


William G. Tousey, 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


1893


J. Frank Wellington Charles W. Sawyer


1895


LIBRARIANS.


*Isaac Pitman


1872


1875


Miss H. A. Adams


1875


1893


John S. Hayes .


1893


*Deceased.


.


1885


1889


REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.


GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES : -


A duty comes to me at the close of the present year, but a privilege is added to the duty. It is the privilege to value and to give honor, however inadequately, to the past, to recognize and to value the present, and to value and to interpret the future. The story of the past is not epitaph, but inspiration. On the summit of twenty-five years we do not build a cairn merely, and say, here a work was done, nor do we add to that, those who piled the stones had strength and sincerity, but we make the height which a quarter of a century has climbed unto the level roadway for a work to be done now, and for an achievement which will lift us higher. Our present must be made level with the best attainments the years have made, only, that from it, as from an altar, may flash forth a light which may unweave the shrouded mystery of the future, and write in letters whose lustre charms and encourages, still is this truth set before us,-there is a beyond! I think one American poet, the poet of actual insight, gives us a true revela- tion of human life, based on the eternal order of things :-


" This day before dawn I ascended the hill and looked at the crowded heaven, And I said to my Spirit, when we become the enfolders of those orbs and the j pleasure and knowledge of everything in them, shall we be filled and satisfied then ?


And my Spirit said, No, we but level that lift, to pass and continue beyond."


We shall value and honor the quarter of a century our Library has won when we "level that lift, to pass and continue beyond."


STATISTICS.


Population of city (estimated)


56,000 Valuation of city


. $49,707,800 00 .


Appropriation for Library . $7,500 00


Dog licenses 2,230 69


9,730 69


-


432


ANNUAL REPORTS.


CIRCULATION.


Number of days the Library was open .


305 Number of volumes delivered for home use 193,491 Through agency at West Somerville . 17,147 66 " East Somerville . 8,552


on Somerville avenue 860


66 grammar school boxes . 11,732


English High School (esti- mated) . 1,000 loan to schools 8,254


Largest number at schools at one time 1,389 .


Average monthly use


16,124


daily use


634


Largest monthly use, December .


20,490


daily use, December 4


1,356


Smallest monthly use, August


10,745


daily use, September 20


375


Number of books lost, worn out, and withdrawn . 265


66 bound


2,346




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.