Report of the city of Somerville 1897, Part 22

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 22


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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


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Books withdrawn 265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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