USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1914 > Part 25
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In General.
This year as in former years the library has taken an active part in matters beyond its walls and city limits. Your board entertained the Massachussetts Library Club at its January meeting, when many were the expressions of pleas- ure and satisfaction.
And on the evening of October 20, Mayor Cliff, ex- Mayors Burns and Glines, and some forty members of the city government and heads of city departments, were your guests on an inspection of the library system. The party was conducted in automobiles from City Hall to the several branches and to Central, where, after the closing hour, all members of the staff gathered and the whole company of eighty guests, trustees and staff enjoyed informally refresh- ments and general conversation.
At the other meetings of the State Club the library wa . represented by many members of the staff in turn. And dur- ing the year 1913-1914 the Librarian served as its president. He has also been invited by the president of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union of Boston to be the techi- cal member of its library committee; and by its Appoint- ment Bureau to deliver an address on the library profession in
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PUBLIC LIBRARY.
the annual course on professional openings. The national body, the American Library Association, met in Washing- ton, and its sessions covering five days were attended by three members of the staff. Various courses of lectures have been followed and various addresses given by members of the staff at the request of library clubs and commissions.
As in the past, you gentlemen have watched carefully over the interests of the institution. And though there have been an unusual number of matters claiming your careful attention the present result is worth while.
Very respectfully, DREW B. HALL. Librarian.
December, 31, 1914.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
EXECUTIVE REPORTS. Staff Personnel, Juvenile Supervision, and Central Building. The Staff.
The loyalty of the staff to the administration; the efficiency of the heads of the various departments and will- ingness on the part of all members to work for the best in- terests of the citizens of Somerville has been continually proved. Owing to the loss of several assistants, readjust- ments and additions to the staff have necessarily been made. The personnel has been given much time and thought, and more and more each member is being fitted into the work best suited to her taste and ability. Some outside courses of study have been taken this year as last. The Misses Truesdale and Donovan took the summer course in chil- dren's work given at Simmons College; Mrs. Spofford and Miss Mabel Williams are studying vocational guidance under Mr. Bloomfield and Misses Woodman and Donovan are taking Professor Copeland's course in English literature at Boston University, and Miss Morgan the evening high school course in English literature.
General staff meetings of all the staff have been held monthly at 8.45 a. m., and during the fall fortnightly. At these meetings instruction in technical procedure has been given and addresses by outside speakers, and discussions of books and practical experiences led by all members.
The apprentice class, which lasts only three months, does not claim to be a training school for library work. But it does give an untrained person a chance to become some- what acquainted with the processes and various departments of the Somerville Library, and the library a chance to judge something of the natural ability of the person contemplat- ing the work.
An entrance examination covering general subjects suitable for a High School graduate is passed before enter- ing the class and at the end of three months one based on the work done in the library. The first week of training is devoted to observation and general talks on library work, the remaining weeks of the first and second months are spent in the reference and catalogue departments, and studying the arrangement of the books or classification. The course in reference work takes up comparative values of dictionaries and encyclopedias, the use of Reader's Guide, and other general reference books. The catalogue depart- ment gives instruction in the use of the catalogue, the shelf-
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list and the many processes of preparing the book for cir- culation from the time it comes into the library. Two or three hours a day throughout the course are allowed the apprentices for study. The final month is spent at the Central delivery desk and at the branches, learning and practising circulation and registration rules and methods. No position is promised an apprentice, but if she passes both the technical examination and the experience rating, she be- comes eligible for appointment to the lowest grade in the service when there is a vacancy.
Children's Department.
We have made a special effort to form a stronger tie between the work of the children's room and schools. These two departments of education are so closely allied that mu- tual co-operation of teachers and librarians is necessary for the best development of children.
We have appreciated the support of Mr. Clark the Su- perintendent, and the teachers. The usual school libraries have been sent and we believe have been, in some cases, at least, circulating more freely to the homes. Some teachers who had never visited the library before, came this year in response to the invitation to select their school collections, and many more sent requests for the library to make the selection. The Supervisor visited most of the teachers at least once, and always found a cordial welcome. In most visits she spoke briefly of the library to the children, and in some classes had some very interesting discussions about books. Next year classes will come to the library. A re- ference department has been added to the children's room which will increase in usefulness as both teachers and pupils realize its existence.
During the summer the playgrounds were visited by the Supervisor and other assistants, with an invitation to the children to come to the library. A special collection of books on useful arts, folk dancing and stories was placed in the children's room for the use of the playground teachers.
During the year meetings have been held by the Super- visor with those assistants taking some part in the chil- dren's work at Central and the branches. A children's worker has been added to the West Somerville staff, and the personal work with children much increased. And lists of books on the care of children and books for little chil- dren prepared for them.
At the request of the State Library Commission she gave a talk on the work of the library and schools at Bryant-
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
ville to a group of teachers from three adjoining towns, and for the Old Colony Library Club conducted a school ques- tion box.
We have been fortunate in securing as special assistant in the Central children's room, Miss Alice G. Higgins, a trained children's worker with experience in Pittsburgh, Worcester, Utica and New York City, who will devote her entire time to developing and extending the work already begun.
We have realized that children sent from the children's room to the adult department need some guidance in the choice of books and use of the library, and have formed an intermediate department which is in charge of a reference assistant and of the High School librarian.
The Building
The first year in the new building has been a satisfac- tory one. The citizens have constantly expressed apprecia- tion of the beauty, light and spaciousness of the Book Room, and the comfortable access to the books has been especially commented upon. Through an art friend the library has been able to secure some fine pieces of pottery which add much to the attractiveness of the Book Room.
The Children's Room has been much appreciated by the younger citizens judging from the large number of boys and girls who congregate there, some for mischief-but a large proportion for reading interesting books.
The library hall has been used several times a week for meetings of the Historical Society, Daughters of Maine, Somerville Teachers' Club and others. The probation officer has weekly meetings there with delinquent boys.
The work of the staff has been made easier and pleas- anter by lighter and more conveniently arranged catalogue and bindery rooms, and as in all up-to-date buildings by rest and lunch rooms. The furnishings of these rooms were a gift from the trustees to the members of the staff, who feel deeply grateful. We believe that these added comforts are aids to the efficiency of the library workers.
LUCY B. CRAIN.
Reference Department.
During the year 1913-1914 the books of the reference department were divided into three collections.
1. One-half of reference books formerly so-called have been placed in the circulating department.
2. General reference books.have been placed in one comparatively small section,
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PUBLIC LIBRARY.
3. Reference books dealing with specific subjects have been placed among the circulating books at the beginning of their classes.
A special loan system for charging reference books has been adopted by which over fourteen hundred persons have used for a day or two reference books outside the building.
A special form has been printed to answer reference questions which require more information than can be given at the time the question is asked.
During the month of October instruction in reference work (including encyclopedias, dictionaries, year books and guides to periodical literature) was given to the apprentices.
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Reading lists have been compiled for the following sub- jects : After school-what ?; Clean-up day; European war, (frequently revised) ; Gardening; The holidays, Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving, etc .; Immigration; Special books for the Lenten season; Suggestions for entertaining; Vacation books; Unpopular books (frequently revised) ; Bulletin work, copies of pictures by noted artists, with a brief description of the pictures, are posted bi-weekly on the Art Bulletin.
Articles of interest in current magazines and matters of educational interest are posted weekly on the Current Events Bulletin.
On the daily reference interchange with the branches, 5,092 volumes have been sent to answer thoroughly ques- tions not satisfactorily handled by their collections.
ESTHER M. MAYHEW.
Catalogue Department
The department has cared for the eight thousand new volumes added, putting each through the great number of processes required in making it ready for circulation, classi- fying, cataloging, plating, marking, etc.
Besides this current work, much attention has been given to the revision and correction of the library. Since September, 1912, 31,318 volumes have been handled, them- seives renumbered clearly and generally freshened, and their catalogue cards corrected and amplified to show the resources of the library; 90,024 catalogue cards for them being filed in the new public catalogue. and 24,403 shelf list cards in the official record. Of this work a proportionate amount has been done this year.
·As a special order eight persons in one day and a half in October, reorganized the "East" High School library; classifying, cataloging and preparing for circulation 687
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
volumes, and classifying only 73 volumes. The "West" li- brary had been handled during the summer.
All members of the staff, Central and branch, give some time to cataloging to learn the books, so that the time is piecemeal, but it aggregates about that of eight full-time assistants.
The first of September, Mrs. Coe, who for two years had charge of the catalogue reorganization, went to a simi- lar work in the Massachusetts State Library. Since then the work has been carried on along the same general lines.
Among gifts from numerous friends are especially to be noted a considerable number of French works through the interest of the Misses Vinal; the lineage book of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion from the local chapter; and the Chicago World's Fair book, and Voyage Picturesque de Naple et de Sicile, Paris, 1782; five volumes, folio from Mrs. Caroline Williams. EDITH B. HAYES.
High School Library.
The winter and spring months were spent by the high school librarian in visiting classes, becoming acquainted with the teachers and in reference work done both in the high school library and public library. And it was agreed that in the fall she should have further opportunity to de- velop the "library habit" among the pupils. During the summer, she, with the assistance of two high school grad- uates, re-classfied, pasted marked and "wrote up" 1,500 volumes, which were shelved in the "West" library of the high school.
In August Miss Lovis resigned to accept a similar po- sition in the Stadium High School, Tacoma, Washington, and was succeeded by the present appointee.
The desire of teachers that the hours be longer was met by the public library's assignment of a second assistant for part time, and so the school library is now in charge of a trained librarian from 8 to 2.30 daily. Through addresses to the teachers, meetings, classroom talks, visits of classes to the Central library, reserving special tables for debate and research topics for use when the school building is closed, instruction to seniors with problem work in the ele- ments of library practice all educated persons should know. and quiet methods of personal approach, this co-ordination oi educational forces is well begun.
From October 1 to December 24, the total attendance in the high school library has been 8,835; the total num- ber of books circulated over night is 3,704; 462 books have been deposited from the public library; 664 reference ques-
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tions have been answered in the high school, while many more have been dealt with in the public library.
Much has been accomplished toward demonstrating the library as a vital educational force, both to teachers and pupils. To continue this work efficiently, the following re- commendations are made :-
I. That a specific book fund be obtained for the High School library.
Il. That the room be entirely renovated, with more book shelving, and seats and tables, and the lighting im- proved.
III. That a complete catalogue be made.
1V. That a course in library methods be developed and made part of the regular high school work, receiving credit. MABEL WILLIAMS.
West Somerville Branch.
The general work of the West Somerville Branch Li- brary has gone along uninterruptedly the past year. The library now contains 10,391 volumes; 1,323 have been added and 1,148 worn out.
The total circulation of books has, for some unaccount- able reason, fallen a little below that of the previous year, the figures being 111,785 against 112,977 for last year ; a loss of 6,192.
The number of new borrowers who have applied for cards this year is 1,115 against 1,049 last year, an increase of sixty-six.
The reference work has shown a steady increase during the past year. The record of questions asked on the floor is 8,305, while the books called for through the interchange was 1,400.
For developing the children's work, the tables have been shifted about and a desk table has been placed in the centre of the room, thus affording better opportunity to supervise. Better results have been accomplished because of the individual attention the children have received. But the room is uncomfortably crowded. This matter should certainly be considered seriously the coming year.
The early part of July, the revision of the catalogue and extension of classification of books was started. The pro- gress has been rather slow owing to the fact that no one person's full time is devoted to this line of work.
The need of more room at the main delivery desk is very apparent during rush hours, and I would recommend that the charging desk be enlarged, thus giving better facil- ities for working with the public.
About three hundred books from the music department
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
should be sent to the bindery to have the title and com- poser lettered on the back of the cover.
The year has been a successful and prosperous one, due to the extension of library privileges, the use of the tele- phone and the promptness of service and fewer restrictions. NELLIE M. WHIPPLE.
East Somerville Branch.
The new year finds East Somerville Branch a busy place.
Particular attention has been paid to two or three lines of work, which do not show on any table of statistics, but which do add very much to the usefulness of the library. One of these is the attitude of the children toward the room. Every effort is being made to make them feel that it is a place of recreation, but a quiet one; not a general meeting place or a place for boisterous play, but for a definite kind of entertainment and instruction which can and must be en- joyed without disturbing other people. Results of such work must necessarily be slow, but there are encouraging signs.
The school and the branch have made some progress toward co-operation and more than once, the library has had deposits of books on some subject suggested by the teacher, reserved for the use of the pupils as they came to the room. The same work is being tried in connection with a course of study conducted by one of the churches.
The speed with which new books are taken by adults and children make it evident that the desire for reading is here, and only restricted by the smallness of the collection that can be shelved. The wall space of the room is only 108 feet in length; when four doors, two large display win- dows, two standard sized windows, a cupboard and cor- ner spaces are deducted, there is not much for shelves and books.
And the seating capacity is so inadequate that it has seemed wise to exclude all readers under sixteen years of age after " p. m., so that older persons may have opportunity. to use books and magazines.
CARRIE L. WILLIAMS.
Union Square Branch.
The end of the year finds Union Square better equipped than ever before in books and in experience to do reference work and to guide the reading of the borrowers. The prin- cipal part of our reference work is done with grammar school pupils, who come regularly for aid. As far as we can, we make a point to instruct in the use of the reference book, explain why we look for the subject in some particular
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place, and the chain leading from one reference book to an- other.
A class which demands much of our attention is the teachers. They borrow pictures and books to supplement various talks and lessons. They ask for stories to tell chil- dren, psychology and hygiene, in fact, their questions are as inclusive as the Dewey classification.
During the year all of the school buildings and play- grounds in the Union Square section were visited, and the children urged to become users of the library.
While the demand is largely for fiction and for non- fiction of a recreative nature, there is a growing confidence in the library. The past year has brought us many hard- working men and women, who are seeking self-advance- ment in their work. The engineer seeking instruction for · use in the boiler room, the automobile repairer and electri- cian come with requests for help. The designer of fancy work and the home maker come with their problems, con- fident that they will find a solution.
A large number of women never come to the library, but send children as messengers and depend upon the Li- brarian to select their reading. For those who possess a cultivated taste for reading and are pursuing systematic courses the interchange system with Central makes it pos- sible to provide what Central affords within a few hours.
There is a growing foreign element. We have had calls for books in Swedish, Hebrew, Polish and Italian. The Italian magazine has been much used. The books on citi- zenship are always in demand. Many of these newcomers have learned what the library can do for them through the evening school. The great needs in this connection are space where the foreign books can be kept together and a librarian who has time to welcome and teach these new citi- zens.
If the Union Square Branch is to do the work it ought to do, become the social and book centre of that part of the city, there must be a room for the exclusive use of chil- dren; a room where groups of boys and girls can be taken for teaching and entertainment. Then too, there must be a children's librarian who can follow closely child interests and direct the reading.
From four in the afternoon until nine at night are the busiest hours. The tables are crowded with readers. Many times the adult feels that he has no place.
Nowhere would a well-equipped children's room give more intellectual and moral uplift than at Union Square.
LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD.
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THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE. APPENDIX A Statistical Report for 1914.
Volumes in library, January 1, 1914
Central. 95,649
West. 10,216
Fast. 1,557
Union. 1,825
Total. 109,247
Volumes added
5,081
1,323
624
862
7,890
Volumes
transferred to
10
426
Volumes transferred from
436
Volumes
withdrawn
5,111
1,148
391
378
7,028
Volumes
gained
466
175
243
910
862
Total volumes in library January 1,
1915
95,183
10,391
1,800
2,735
110,109
Volumes circulated-Adult
151,641
86,389
40,685
39,325
318.040
Volumes circulated-Juvenile
39,858
25,395
14,895
26,812
106,960
Total volumes circulated
191,499
111.784
55,580
66,137
425,000
Estimated circulation of deposits
111,827
Total home use on "old" basis
.
3,587
1,847
585
980
6,999
Registration
Valid borrowers' cards :
18,185
·
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
536,827
.
·
·
·
APPENDIX B. Financial Statement, 1914
Books
Central. $4,264 31
West. $1,414 59
East. $470 96
Union. $707 28
Total. $6,857 14 54 20
Music
44 20
10 00
Periodicals
668 16
289 51
112 13
157 35
1,227 15
Binding
1,341 03
345 61
112 50
234 75
2,033 89
Total Books
$6,317 70
$2,059 71
$695 59
$1,099 38
$10,172 38
Services
$16,043 42
$4,276 08
$2,012 35
$1,887 99
$24,219 84
Printing and Stationery
395 36
23 92
16 89
16 89
453 06
Express, Postage and Telephone
352 11
39 14
30 71
51 65
473 61
Catalog Supplies and Sundries
·
1,772 55
99 89
44 05
44 09
1,960 58
Totals
$24,881 14 6,498 74
$2,799 59
$3,100 00
$37,279 47
$10,799 92
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
·
.
And in addition $627.54 for books from Funds; making total for printed matter. For janitorial service and care of buildings under the Commissioner of Public Buildings, $7,244 41 was expended.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
APPENDIX C
American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics.
Annual report for year ended December 31, 1914.
Name of Library, The Public Library.
City or town, Somerville; State, Massachusetts.
Population served (United States Census in 1910,).
77,236
Terms of use-Free for lending.
Free for reference.
Total number of agencies :--- Consisting of-Central Library
3 Branches (separate buildings) 1 Station
49 Other agencies; 26 school build- ings, and 23 clubs, etc.
Number of days open during year (Central library) 296 for lending. 348 for reading.
Hours open each week for lending (Central library).
72
Hours open each week for reading (Central library)
75
Number of volumes at beginning of year.
109,247
Number of volumes added during year by purchase. 7,698
Number of volumes added during year by gift or ex- change
45
Number of volumes added during year by binding ma- terial not otherwise counted.
147
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year 7,028
Total number at end of year 110,109 Adult. Juvenile. Total.
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use
213,983 66,315
280,298
Total number of volumes lent for
home use
318,040 106,960 425,000
Non-fiction lent for one calendar month
Number of borrowers registered during year
6,999
Total number of valid cards December 31. Registration period two years.
18,185
Number of newspapers and periodicals currently received, 217 titles, 824 copies.
Receipts From
Unexpended balance :- -
Local taxation
$39,978 46
State grants
627 54
Membership fees
*Fines and sales of publications
1,293 18
Duplicate pay collection
Gifts
*Other sources : Dog licenses
3,252 24
Total
$45,151 42 *These items are covered into the treasury of the City which figures its appropriation to include them.
Endowment funds
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PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Payments For
Maintenance :--
Books
$7,538 88
Periodicals
1,227 15
Binding
2,033 89
Salaries, library service
24.219 84
Other maintenance and incidentals
2,887 25
Janitor service, rent, heat, light (under the Build- ing Commissioner)
7,244 41
Total
$45,151 42
BOARD OF HEALTH. 1914.
WESLEY T. LEE, M. D., Chairman. JACKSON CALDWELL. JOHN A. BLASER.
Clerk and Agent to Issue Burial Permits. LAURENCE S. HOWARD.
Agent. CALEB A. PAGE.
Medical Inspector. FRANK L. MORSE, M. D.
Inspector of Animals and Provisions. CHARLES M. BERRY, V. S.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar. HERBERT E. BOWMAN, Ph. G.
Plumbing Inspector. DUNCAN C. GREENE.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
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