USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1897 > Part 22
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66 periodicals, etc., bound 461
6.
66 names registered during year .
2,218
66 since July 1, 1895 . 8,026
ACCESSIONS.
Number of volumes in the Library December 31, 1896 .
33,826
Number of volumes in the Library December 31, 1897 ·
33,708
Increase of volumes
4,147
By purchase . 3,733
" donations 181
" binding periodicals, etc. 205 " exchange from duplicate room 28
Books withdrawn 265
433
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
DELIVERY AT THE SCHOOLS.
Deliveries. Books.
Average.
1. Knapp
32
1,824
57
2. Edgerly
32
1,598
50
3. Hodgkins
31
1,402
45
4. Glines
·
31
1,277
41
5. Bell
11
434
39.4
6. Highland
31
1,213
39
Morse
31
1,141
36.7
8. Pope
32
1,164
36.3
9. Forster
31
902
29
10. Prescott
32
770
24
274
11,732
40
CIRCULATION THROUGH THE "SPECIAL LIBRARIES."
1. Knapp
1,153
2. Hodgkins
976
3. Edgerly
966
4. Cummings
802
5. Bell
795
6. Glines
760
7. Forster
671
8. Bingham
540
9. Highland
433
10. Davis
400
11. Pope
350
12. Prescott
200
13. Morse
174
14. Lincoln
34
.
8,254
Largest number of volumes loaned to schools at one time 1,389.
434
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CIRCULATION.
The Library has been open to the public 305 days during the past year. The number of volumes given out for home use has been 193,491; of these 17,147 were distributed through the West Somerville agency, 8,552 through the East Somerville agency, 860 through the agency on Somerville avenue, 11,732 through the boxes sent to the several large grammar school buildings, and 1,000 to the English High School.
The largest number of books distributed in any one day was on December 4, when 1,356 were given out, and the smallest daily charge was made September 20, when 273 were delivered.
During the month of August 10,745 volumes were issued, which was the lightest month in the year, and December had the largest circulation in any one month since the Library was opened, being 20,490 volumes. The average monthly circulation was 16,124, and the average daily circulation 634 volumes.
It will be noticed that the circulation of books for home read- ing is unprecedented in the history of the Library, being eighty per cent. larger than any preceding year, except that of 1896, and more than thirty per cent. larger than last year, when the number of books delivered reached 146,211. There was an error in the num- ber as printed in our last report. A gain in circulation of 47,281 volumes in one year is as gratifying as it was unexpected.
This gain may not be duplicated the coming year ; indeed, you may not be able to hold the circulation where it is now, but if you do not, it will be because the resources at your command will not permit you to furnish the requisite number of new books. The increase of your circulation within certain limits depends largely upon your ability to promptly meet the reasonable demands of a large reading public.
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 extent the public make use of the books in the Library, and the number of books circulated from year to year.
435
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Tables of figures are often misleading, and the following one will be, unless it is borne in mind that during the past twenty- five 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 four 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 open only four months during the year 1873, and 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
1827
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
1887
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
146,211
1897
193,491
1,949,953
436
ANNUAL REPORTS.
YEARLY APPROPRIATIONS AND COLLECTIONS.
Appropria - tions.
Do Licenses.
Cata- logues.
Fines.
Gifts.
Miscella- neous.
Before 1872
$2,237 76
1872
1,139 33
1873
4,000 00
$146 80
$100 00
1874
1,162 29
1875
1,000 00
$1,269 96
245 14
1876
1877
1,500 00
1,362 30
206 1S
224 07
1879
1,200 00
936 10
260 20
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
14 00
1896
8,000 00
2,506 26
71 60
318 72
1897
7,500 00
2,230 69
1,000 00
Total
.
$80,139 38
$40,946 62
$626 59
$6,169 36
$1,102 80
$456 02
The sums of money received for 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 1896, $409.73 was "transferred from interest account," and might prop- erly be added to the appropriation column.
It will be seen that the city has appropriated $80,139.38 and the dog licenses, amounting to $40,946.62, and has transferred to the Library account $409.73, making a total of $121,495.73.
1878
1,200 00
1,080 85
237 59
2 80
.75
1,260 29
216 46
1895
6,500 00
2,693 51
61 75
148 02
437
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
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 inter- ests of the city. Ruskin says, "Valuable books should, in a civ- ilized 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 discriminating care has been exercised in the selection of books, and that for practical usefulness up to the present time, consider- ing the facilities and resources at command, our Public Library, if not unsurpassed, stands among those most deserving public com- mendation.
DELIVERY AGENCIES.
I regret to say that only one additional delivery agency has been opened during the present year.
After carefully looking over that part of our city located south of the Fitchburg railroad, no suitable place for an agency could be found, but it is hoped that at no distant day this locality will not be deprived of the benefits of the Library which a Library Station would supply.
September 11 an agency was opened at the store of Mrs. Susan A. Riker, 518 Somerville avenue, which will be a great con- venience to that section of the city.
It is to be hoped that the funds at our disposal will permit us to open one or two more during the coming year.
BOOKS AT THE ENGINE HOUSES.
We have placed copies of our Finding List of books in the Library in each of the several fire stations in the city, and for the past few months we have been sending baskets of books to several of the companies.
The chief of the Fire Department and the men under his command speak in commendable terms of your action in their behalf, and fully appreciate its benefits. I am satisfied that this is a step in the right direction.
438
ANNUAL REPORTS.
NEW BOOKS.
We have added to the Library during the year 4,147 volumes, and 265 volumes have been discarded or lost, making a net in- crease of 3,882 volumes. Of these volumes 3,733 were received from purchase, 181 were gifts to the Library, 28 were received in exchange for duplicates, 107 by binding serials, 98 by binding pamphlets and paper covered volumes given to the Library.
The number of volumes in the Library at the present time, ex- clusive of public documents, duplicates, and pamphlets in the duplicate room, is 37,780 volumes.
It should be borne in mind that notwithstanding we pur- chased 3,733 volumes, more than 2,000 of them were duplicates of books already in the Library ; therefore, the amount of new mate- rial was deplorably small. This dearth of new books makes the demand for a larger annual appropriation for the Library most urgent. The demand upon the Library is so great that it often occurs that all of our books bearing on certain subjects are ex- hausted before the demand is half supplied. The inability of a Library to be able to do its best work for want of the right material is a condition that cannot be satisfactorily met by Librarian or Trustees. However, the importance of purchasing duplicates of books of classic or standard worth is without dispute. A little re- flection will indicate the fact that the need of duplicates is well- nigh imperative. Of course it must be recognized that no Library that seeks to perpetuate its influence will endeavor to purchase, to any considerable extent, certainly not to any exhaustive extent, the current literature of the day. Not only is this forbidden by lack of funds, but because it would be unwise. Books for which there may be an immediate but transient demand may become mere lumber on the shelves within a year. When books of sterling merit and of popular quality are purchased it is quite necessary that more than one copy should be procured. The large number of duplicates purchased during the past year has not supplied the needs of the public. We call attention to this fact as an item by no means inconsiderable in the furnishing of a working library. The expense incurred must be large, yet it cannot be dispensed with: A popular work will have many readers, and, however re-
439
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
stricted the time may be that it can be retained when taken out, more than one or even two copies are not only desirable, but a necessity ; for a public library must meet the legitimate demands of the public.
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
66
1879
515
7,954
60
1880
660
8,614
66
1881
668
9,282
66
1882
770
10,052
66
1883
913
10,965
1885
964
12,788.
1886
1,150
13,938
1887
1,165
15,103
1888
1,846
16,949
1889
1,346
18,295
66
1890
1,817
20,112
1891
1,432
21,544
1892
1,648
23,192
1893
1,677
24,869
1894
2,860
27,729
66
1895
4,010
31,739
66
1896
5,016
36,755
66
1897
4,147
40,902
Total number Dec. 31, 1897
40,902 volumes.
66
1875
1,027
4,662
573
5,235
1878
749
7,439
1884
859
11,824
2,384
1874
The number of books worn out, discarded, and lost since the Library was started appears to be 3,194 volumes, making the number of volumes at the present time 37,708.
440
ANNUAL REPORTS.
. 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 ; during the fourth period an average of 1,618 volumes each year ; and dur- ing the last period of five years an average of 3,542 volumes each year.
DISPLAY OF NEW BOOKS.
All new books are displayed in a bookcase in the delivery room, where the public can see and examine them, and select the one they may desire. We only regret that circum- stances forbid greater privileges in the direction of permitting patrons freer access to the rich resources of the Library, and we trust, at no distant day, we may be able to furnish better facilities to readers and students to examine books before they select them.
ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF BOOKS.
The usual examination of all the books in the Library and the verification of the shelf list was taken this year during May and June, these being the months of smallest circulation while the whole Library force are at work. Of course the smallest circula- tion is during July and August, but as one or more of the regular staff are absent on their vacation at this time, it is necessary to "take our account of stock" earlier in the year.
We are happy to report that all the books for which the shelf list called were found, and the six volumes reported lost in 1896 were discovered. It would thus appear that no book has been lost or stolen from the Library since its reorganization in 1895. Many books were found out of their proper places on the shelves, and a book misplaced is a book lost, so far as its value to the public is concerned.
1
441
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
This examination is no easy matter, while the Library is open to the public and the contents of the shelves constantly changing, but it seems necessary, at least once a year, to ascertain if there be any thefts or leaks in the system that permit books to disappear without being discovered.
FRENCH AND GERMAN BOOKS.
In the year 1894 we started an alcove of books printed in the French language, and it was so largely used that it has been in- creased from time to time, until the Library now contains 712 volumes.
This year we have added an alcove devoted exclusively to books printed in the German language, not only for the benefit of the German people in our city, but for that class of Americans, which is constantly increasing, who have studied the language, read it easily, and are desirous of obtaining books of German literature.
This alcove contains at the present time 349 volumes, rep- resenting the several classes of German literature, and we can con- fidently recommend these books, as they represent the best works published in that language.
We are indebted to one of the former Trustees of this Library, Dr. E. C. Booth, for the selection of many of the books, and he called to his assistance Professor Emerton, of Harvard Univer- sity, who furnished a list of which it can be said, that it contains, substantially, the "best one hundred German books." This list was extended and supplemented by a list prepared with much care by Professor Cutting, chief of the German department in Chicago University, and it includes "some of the very best of the modern criticisms upon German literature."
The calls for these books indicate that they were needed and justify your action in procuring them, and they are fully appreci- ated by readers and students of the modern languages.
442
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REGISTRATION.
It would be interesting to know how many Library cards are- in active use at the present time. I know of no way to ascer- tain this fact, but during the month of November last, books were. delivered on 3,036 different cards, and there must be nearly as many persons, holders of cards, that did not use them during that month.
The present registration commenced July 1, 1895, and all cards in use at that time were cancelled, and only the cards issued under the new registration are recognized. December 31, 1895,. the number registered was 2,786 ; registered during the year 1896,. 3,022 ; registered during the year 1897, 2,218. Total registration,. 8,026.
REBINDING.
The record of rebinding for the year shows a marked increase- in the number of books sent to the bindery to be rebound. This is to be expected as the circulation increases and the books grow old, but an increase of thirty-three and one-third per cent. over the previous year calls for a much larger appropriation in this, as. in all the departments of the Library. The number of books dis- carded because worn out was more than fifty per cent. greater than last year. It is desirable that all books, the titles of which appear in our printed list, should be in the Library, and often it is no easy matter, if not impossible, to replace a book out of print.
The bindery box forcibly reminds one of the lack of care of many thoughtless users of borrowed books, and even suggests. that it might be a good idea to inaugurate the plan of enclosing all books in paper wrappers as they left the Library. To the credit of many lovers of books, it can be said, that many patrons of this Library invariably transport the books they have withdrawn wrapped in paper.
The number of books sent to the bindery the past year has been 2,346. Of this number 107 were magazines and periodicals,
443
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
354 paper covered books and pamphlets, and 1,885 volumes were from the circulating department.
MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Twelve numbers of the Bulletin have been published during the year, and its usefulness warrants its continuance. It has been materially aided in increasing the circulation of your books, and has had a marked tendency to improve the character of the books read, by calling the attention of patrons to many new works pub- lished in the several classes of literature. We have not only printed the list of all new books added to the Library, but during the year we have published a complete list of all the juvenile books in the Library, arranged by classes, and the December num- ber contains all the works of fiction added to the Library during the year, arranged under authors, thus bringing all the fiction now in the Library into only three alphabets, namely, Fiction Finding List, Special Fiction number, December, 1896, and the December Bulletin.
The Bulletin has also contained special reading lists on the following topics :-
Best Books of 1896.
Emerson, R. W.
Bibliography.
England in the Victorian Age.
Browning, Elizabeth B.
Fairy Tales, Mythology, and Folklore.
Browning, Robert.
German Books in the Library.
Grant, Ulysses S.
Cuba. Electricity.
Irving, Washington.
Another year we ought to publish a supplement to our Find- ing List, as the books in the Library have nearly doubled in num- ber since it was printed. Should a person wish to ascertain if a particular book is in the Library at the present time he would have to consult twenty-three lists, the Finding List and twenty-two Bulletins, before he would be certain that the desired book is not in the Library.
444
ANNUAL REPORTS.
If you do not feel that the funds at your disposal will permit this to be done, then we should at least print a supplement con- taining the works of fiction, biography, and history and travels.
ABUSE OF PRIVILEGES.
It would seem at first thought that this must be a matter deserving very brief and cursory consideration. A sense of respect for an ownership held by the individual in common with the public might tend, it might be thought, to a careful conserva- tion of public property. Public trust might well be supposed to operate as a public duty, in which every one involved would cheerfully assume his own particular share. But in many instances this is fallacious. The beneficiaries of the Library return evil for good in the use of the Library.
Books are mutilated, if it cannot be said maliciously, never- theless, in a spirit of extreme selfishness that should not be suf- fered to pass without rebuke.
In certain instances this wrongdoing has been traced to the guilty party, and it has been proven that passages of books have been excerpted, and valuable maps and illustrations stolen.
The injury to the book is to a large extent irreparable. The reading public is defrauded of its rights, and the individual, per- haps with no malicious purpose, is hurt in his own self-respect.
Up to the present time such vandalism has not been made public, and those to whom it has been laid have simply made good, as far as possible, the injury done. Books have been replaced and the offense condoned. But the matter is of sufficient importance to suggest the question whether such and kindred abuse of privi- leges should be passed over in this manner,-all the more as any easy treatment might not restrain from the injury, or the theft even, of books so rare and valuable that they could not be replaced.
It may be well to call attention to the law which touches this matter, and make some example of those who may be guilty of in-
445.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
gratitude and infraction of legal rights in accepting and abusing the privileges extended to them by our Public Library.
DONATIONS.
The Library has received as donations during the year 263 volumes, 192 pamphlets, and 883 periodicals ; also a fine crayon of the late Edward Everett Edgerly, who was deeply interested in the educational welfare of this city, and was largely instrumental in having this Library started.
Charles E. Davis presented a complete file of the Boston Daily Traveler, during the period of the Rebellion, from Novem- ber 30, 1860, to November 30, 1865. These papers are invaluable, and make fifteen volumes that cannot be duplicated.
Charles S. Lincoln, Esq., gave Depew's "One Hundred Years of American Commerce," in two large quarto volumes, bound in full seal.
Elbridge S. Brooks presented a complete set of his works, of twenty-six volumes, which will be placed in the Somerville alcove.
Walter A. Davis, Fitchburg, gave the early records of the Town of Lunenburg, two volumes.
Charles W. Sawyer gave Englehardt's "Boston," 1897, bound in full seal.
Rev. Thomas E. Leyden presented two portfolios of Facsimiles of Royal, Historical, Literary, and other Autographs in Department of Manuscripts, British Museum, 1896.
446
ANNUAL REPORTS.
LIST OF DONATIONS, 1897.
Vols.
Pamph.
Period.
Allen, E. E., Philadelphia
A. L. A.
Amherst College
1
Barber, Rev. R. R.
1
Berle, Rev. A. A.
1
30
Blake, Francis E.
1
Book Reviews
12
Boston Book Co.
3
Boston School Committee
1
Buffalo, City of
1
Bureau of American Republics
Butte, Montana, High School Leader
1
Chandler, L. B.
1
Christian Leader
52
Christian Register
52
Christian Science Journal
12
Club of Odd Volumes
1
Cambridge Free Public Library
1
6
Committee of International Arbitration
1
Davis, Charles E., Files Traveler
15
Davis, Walter A., Fitchburg
2
Dimond, H. C.
1
Dolbear, A. E.
1
Dutton, S. T.
1
Elliot, Mary E.
2
Elliot, Sterling
1
Fitzgeral, Desmond
1
Flood, T. W.
1
2
General Theological Library
1
Getchell, M. S.
2
Gibbs, E. D.
1
2
Glines, A. W.
1
Grand Council Royal Arcanum
19
Graves, Rev. H. C.
1
Green, S. A.
1
Harvard College
2
Hatch Experiment Station
1
23
Hawaiian Government
1
Hayes, J. S.
11
8
Heptorean Club
1
3
Hoar, Hon. H. F.
1
Home Market Bulletin
12
Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
1
Hunt, Miss A. C.
1
Iles, George
Carried forward ·
58
72
185
3
Bath, England
1
1
1
Humphrey, G. P.
9
Food, Home, and Garden
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 447
LIST OF DONATIONS, 1897. - Continued.
Vols.
Pamph.
Period.
Brought forward
58
72
185
Illinois State Historical Society
Iowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids Irish National Federation of Americans Journal of Orthoepy and Orthography King, Henry P.
1
12
Ladies' Commission S. S. Books
Lake Placid, N. Y.
1
Land of Sunshine, Los Angeles, Cal. Leyden, Rev. Thomas E.
Lincoln, C. S. .
Litchfield, J. A.
·Literary News
12
McCall, S. M.
Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission
1
Massachusetts Historical Society
21
1
Maynard, W. A.
21
Mead, E. D.
1
Milne, J. M.
1
National Municipal League
1
New Hampshire College of Agriculture
1
New York State Library
4
New England Anti-Vivisection Society
12 36
Parsons, J. R., Chicago
1
Pennsylvania Institute for the Blind
6
Perkins, Hon. G. W.
50
Perkins Institute for the Blind
1
Pratt, Ida F.
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn
1
Public Libraries :
Allegheny, Pa. .
1
Boston
1
12
Brookline
1
1
Brooklyn, N. Y.
1
6
Burlington, Vt. .
2
Cambridge
5
1
10
Chelsea
1
Clinton
1
Concord, N. H. .
1
1
Danvers
1
Detroit, Mich.
1
Dover, N. H.
1
1
1
Enoch Pratt, Baltimore, Md.
2
Carried forward
186
96
301
2222231 3 1
1
1
1
1
12
McCormick, C. H.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts, State of .
Our Outlook
1
-
448
ANNUAL REPORTS.
LIST OF DONATIONS, 1897. - Continued.
Vols.
Pamph.
Period.
Brought forward
186
96
301
Public Libraries (Continued) : -
Fisk Library, New Orleans, La. Fitchburg .
1
1
6
Free Library of Philadelphia, Pa. Hartford, Conn.
1
1
1
12
Lancaster .
1
Lawrence
1
6
Leeds, Eng
1
Lowell
2
6
Lynn .
1
12
Malden
1
Manchester, N. H.
1
Melrose
1
Milwaukee, Wis.
1 1
2
1
New Bedford
1
11
New Haven, Conn. .
1
12
New London, Conn. .
12
New York Free Circulating Library
3
New York, N. Y.
1
12
Newark, N. J.
4
Newton
1
North Adams
1
Northampton
1
Norwich, Conn ..
1
12
Patterson, N. J.
1
7
Peabody
1
Pittsfield
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