USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1897 > Part 4
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EVENING MEETINGS.
For some months the teachers that are conveniently located have met with me every Monday evening for the reading of books on teaching, and the study of minerals, rocks, and elementary geol- ogy ; such as for the most part can be observed within the limits of this town, and are a direct aid to the good teaching of geography. This has found its way into some of the schools.
I consider these meetings very helpful to all parties concerned and in many ways; among which thorough acquaintance and mutual understanding are not the least.
12
Good work has been done on plants and evergreen trees Some good drawing has been done in connection with this plant work, as also with physics and geometry. Little books were placed in the hands of the beginners and they were allowed to draw what they pleased. This gave the teacher a chance to suggest improvement upon a subject of the child's own selection, a com- parison of earlier and later pictures, and but one picture on a page- This is something, but the subject has not received the attention that it deserves.
Some excellent songs are sung in the schools, and in some in- stances well sung ; but we are not making a study of music. I think it would be well to employ a musical director and have that subject pushed.
THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
Secretary Hill, in his latest report, sets forth the need of a definition of a high school as follows :
"I. A high school education or its equivalent is now required for admission to a normal school.
"2. The State guarantees to every properly qualified pupil the privilege of attending a free high school.
"3. Intelligent people desire a good high school education for their children. Those who fondly imagine that their children are receiving a fair high school education when they are not, need protection."
He states that a high school should meet the following requirements :
"I. Primarily, a good liberal training in recognized secondary subjects, and by approved methods, for those students whose school- ing ceases with the high school.
"2. The preparation of pupils for the normal schools. If the first provision is met the second provision will be met also.
"3. The preparation of pupils for high technical schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Lawrence Scientific School,! the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and others. The first provi- sion will answer either as it stands, or with a very little option for this third provision.
"4. The preparation of pupils for college.
"5. Courses of study four years long.
13
".6. An adequate teaching force, and an adequate equipment to meet the foregoing provisions."
A town may meet these foregoing requirements in any one of these three general ways :
"I. It may meet them all in its own high school.
"2. It may meet some of them in its own high school, and the rest in an outside high school.
"3. It may send all its properly qualified children to a neigh- boring high school."
It will be readily seen that our high schools do not come up to Secretary Hill's idea of what a high school should be. Even if the time and course of study should be extended so that pupils should spend four years in the high school, after completing the grammar school course at the end of the ninth grade, as is done in Lowell and other places where a first-class high school is maintained, it is altogether probable that the number of pupils to undertake such a course would be too few to make it profitable to properly provide for their teaching.
"An adequate teaching force, and an adequate equipment to meet the foregoing provisions," means the expenditure of more money than would seem advisable under present circumstances.
Later on we may hope to see the town supporting a first-class high school, but in view of the foregoing it would seem best to cease to undertake a complete high school course of our own ; but to so model our course that at its completion pupils should be able to enter in the third year of a complete high school should they wish to continue their studies elsewhere.
Such a course might deprive some who would not go to school elsewhere of the privilege of taking up a desired and desirable study in the advanced course. A slight modification should be made to meet this, but the changes must be few, for it is impossible for one teacher to teach, and teach well, all the studies that may be included in a high school curriculum ; and the pupils must be taught well if they are to enter another school after leaving ours.
The practical difference that the proposed change would make is simply to cut off some of the studies now taken in the attempt to cover a high school course, and give more time to the grammar studies now taught in the high school rooms, and more thorough- ness to the high school studies that are taken.
A course of study will be found appended.
14
Secretary Hill's report further states that 8 per cent. of the total enrollment of the pupils in the public schools of the State are in high schools If we regard pupils of the high school to be those beyond the ninth grade, and that is all that should be considered, strictly speaking, we have less than 3 per cent. of the pupils of this town in the high schools ; and if we consider Grades VII and VIII as of the high school, and it is probable that some of those reported to the State were of those grades, we have less than 72 per cent. of our pupils in the high school. In the manufacturing city of Fitchburg over 112 per cent. of the pupils belonging to the public schools are in the high school.
Lowell has about the same per cent. that we have if we count in our VII and VIII Grades, but they have none below the IX Grade.
Our per cent. is much too small for a town like this, and it is earnestly hoped that parents, teachers, and all parties interested in schools will make an effort to encourage pupils to remain longer in school.
During the last few months the high schools have had classes and arrangements that are favorable for the doing of good work, and I feel that the opportunity has been improved. Give them a chance, a word of encouragement, remember that we have two years of grammar school work in the high schools, expect only what others are getting in an equal length of time, make our course of study upon the basis of two years of high school work, and we shall, I think, be pleased with the result. But I hope it will be remembered that the success of a high school depends very much upon the sentiment of the people in regard to it.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
At the beginning of school in September, I found sixty-four pupils in the primary room at the North village, and seats enough for but fifty. Even if there were plenty of seats it would be im- possible for any teacher to teach that number in a manner satisfact- ory to us, especially if our children were among the number. The State recognizes a limit to the number by the law which declares that, "In every public school having an average of fifty scholars the school district or town to which such school belongs shall employ one or more female assistants, unless such district or town votes to dispense with such assistant."
15
Arrangements were made for seating all of the grammar school in the high school room, and for hearing their recitations in the old laboratory, which was repaired for that purpose. A teacher was added for this work, and the grades moved along, so that the primary room was relieved of its excess. This plan has proved equal to the demand, and quite satisfactory.
In the case of the Center Primary, where there were sixty-eight pupils, an assistant was placed in the same room that was occupied by the regular teacher. This has not been a satisfactory arrange- ment, for it is productive of altogether too much confusion, but in view of the new rooms soon to be occupied it seemed the best that could be done, and the work has gone on with as little complaint and as good results as could be expected.
THE ADDITION TO THE CENTER BUILDING.
This will be a blessing, and fill a long hoped for want. When completed it will afford ample room for good grading and good teaching.
Only those who have worked under similar circumstances, or have visited this school, or some other while similar changes were being made, can realize the annoyance that teachers and pupils have been subjected to during the building time. Still I know of no one who has broken down as a result of it. Good humor has prevailed among all parties both in and around the building. The teachers are deserving of commendation for especial care that has been exercised in looking after the children and holding them upon proper ground; no accidents have happened. the sanitary arrangements have been looked after excellently well, and thanks to a good teaching force and well disposed children, notwithstand- ing the difficulties, good schools have been maintained.
GOLDEN COVE.
The number of pupils found at the opening of this school was a surprise to most parties concerned Thirty-four pupils in the four lower grades makes a good school, and it is probable that there will soon be enough so that the fourth grade can come to the Center. The distance is short for the older ones to walk, hence this is practically a part of the graded school system of the Center.
16
THE EAST SCHOOL.
This school is now working with six different grades, the largest number of any school in town ; it has a six-hour day, school closing at four, and it registers forty-seven pupils. The house has no ventilation. The number of grades is too large, and the older pupils should be sent to the Center.
TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS.
Much attention is now given to this subject and hardly a town can be found that does not transport some of its pupils. Tyngs. boro and Dunstable, to the northwest, and Concord and Bedford, to the south and east, have central schools to which nearly all outside pupils are transported, and at least one of these towns reports the plan as increasing in favor each term. During the last year the amount expended in the State for transportation was $91, 136.11, an increase of $14.527.82 over the previous year. This shows that the use of the transportation plan is on the increase.
There must always be several school centers in this town, but there are three small schools that could be transported with probable advantage to the pupils concerned. There is now ample room at the Center, and it remains for the people to decide whether they will take advantage of it or not.
CLEANLINESS.
Many of our schools are now provided with water pails and wash-basins and a commendable effort is made to keep clean. Towels should be provided, and provision made for keeping them clean. One of the best lessons that we can give the boys and girls is that they should keep themselves neat and respectable. When this is thoroughly done it is no small item in keeping school books neat and respectable. The outbuildings in general have been kept very well, and free from obscene marks and writing.
Better sanitary arrangements should be provided for the school at the North village. We need it.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
There is a feeling on the part of some that teachers' meetings are not profitable for the town; for this reason we have held but three that called all the teachers together. One of these took no time from the schools as it was held on Labor day.
17
A Superintendent that is worth employing must have some ideas that are worth giving, and the teachers' meeting is the place to give them. If people could only realize that in some schools the pupils could be turned out of doors for one-third of each day, and still get more schooling in the other two-thirds than they are now getting if the teacher only knew how to give it, or better how to intensify and secure it, they would not so seriously object to a little time spent at teachers' meetings, nor feel that all time spent within the walls of a school room is gain, and all time spent out of it is loss.
At these meetings teachers can frequently be very helpful to others, as well as strengthen themselves, by giving their ideas and experiences.
Miss Clark of the Center Intermediate gave a class exercise on home geography at one of these meetings, and Mr. Trubey of the North High a language exercise from blackboard pictures with a class at another. A primary department conducted by Miss Naylor of the West Primary took a separate room for a part of one meeting.
The subjects of our meetings have been : The Needs of My School ; Home Geography : What to study in Chelmsford-a key to the study of any country or section of country ; and The Good Things now in my School or that I intend to have.
All people interested in schools are heartily welcomed to these meetings.
Meetings of the teachers in a building have been held after school. The evening meetings have been referred to previously. One day was spent in attending a teachers' institute held by the State at Billerica.
Meetings in Lowell, kindly notices of which have been given by Supt. Whitcomb, have been attended in part by those teachers that could reach them after the close of school.
Some of the teachers have taken visiting day.
TEACHERS.
It is a pleasure to meet and work with the intelligent, enthusiastic teacher who is putting soul into her work, and who feels that she has not yet done her best, but that she is going to do better than ever before, and is anxious to learn the best and quickest way of doing it. This is felt by pupils as well as by
18
older persons. No other factor of the schools is as potent as the teacher. "As is the teacher, so is the school." This may seem a little hard in some cases ; nevertheless, as a whole, it is true.
We have some of those good teachers; I trust the town appreciates them, and will spare no efforts to retain them.
Still more teachers will be required at the Center school. There will be no class to leave this high school next June.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The following is a summary of my recommendations :
I. More Frye's geographies.
2. More readers for grades I and II.
3. More histories.
4. New spelling books.
5. Dictionaries for all grades above IV.
6. Course of study for the high schools.
7. An appropriation that will support the three teachers that were added this year and more for next year.
8. That all good teachers be retained and no poor ones added.
9. That towels and a means of keeping them clean be provided for each school.
IO. That the older pupils of the East school be sent to the Center.
II. That the three smaller schools be closed and the pupils transported.
12. That new sanitary arrangements be provided for the North school.
13. That the school census be taken carefully, and the ages recorded in years and months.
CONCLUSION.
In these pages I have given something of the plans that we are striving to have carried out in our schools. It is needless to say that we are far from realizing it all, and that it may be found in varying quantities in different schools. But some of it is realized, · and there is reason to believe that the schools of Chelmsford are on the road to growth and prosperity.
I wish here to express my thanks to the teachers, the School Board, and the citizens for the many courtesies I have received.
G. H. KNOWLTON,
Superintendent of Schools.
19
A TWO YEARS' COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
FIRST YEAR-GRADE X.
SECOND YEAR-GRADE XI.
Algebra.
Geometry.
English.
English.
General History.
Physics.
Physical Geography, { year.
Civil Government, ¿ year.
Book-keeping, ¿ year.
Botany, ¿ year.
Latin (optional).
Latin (optional). .
Physiology to be taken in Grade IX.
NORTH CHELMSFORD HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. G. H. Knowlton, Superintendent of Schools :
By your request, I submit to you my report of the High School.
A class was graduated in June, the exercises being held in the Town Hall in the presence of many friends.
The school has increased in numbers during the past year. One graduate returned to continue his studies, and four pupils came from out of town.
The new course of study for the High School is, I think, a step in the right direction. But the High School has its limitations and there are the existing conditions to meet. If adequate prepara- tion for college or the normal schools is the end in view, then the proposed two years' course must necessarily fit for the third year of a city high school.
The experience of the past shows that the principal of the High School must do two years of grammar school work. Even if this work could be accomplished by one teacher, is there not danger of narrowing the work for the benefit of the few who will go higher, and at the expense of the many whose school days end here ?
The pupils of the High School are fortunate in having free access to the North Chelmsford Public Library with its excellent stock of books.
20
It should be the constant aim of teachers to create a love of good reading. In my endeavor to do this, I have had the valuable aid of the librarian, Miss Emma Gay ; and I wish to take this opportunity to express my high appreciation of her services.
I desire to thank the member of the School Board for his ready support, and you, Mr. Superintendent, for your supervision.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR W. TRUBEY, Principal of High School.
Graduation Exercises of North Chelmsford High School.
PROGRAMME.
March, " Philadelphus," -
-
-
Wiegand
Orchestra.
Invocation, -
- - Rev. S. I. Briant. -
Salutatory and Essay, " Duty," - - - -
Hannah H. Sleeper. -
Selected -
Quartette,
-
-
-
Mrs. Hubert Bearce.
Mr. Hubert Bearce.
Mrs. Chas. McIntyre.
Mr. Frank Daly.
Essay and Class History, "The New Woman," -
- Walter N. Marinel.
Overture, " Der Tambour der Garde,"
-
A. E. Till -
Orchestra.
Essay, "Success in Life," - - - Viola L. Greene. -
-
-
Declamation, " Statues and Their Symbols." -
Charles A. Dane, Class Orator.
- Orchestra. Beyer Medley, -
21
Essay and Class Prophecy, "Criticism and Sarcasm," -
Abbie B. Butterfield.
Essay and Valedictory, " Opportunities," -
Florence M. Winship.
Quartette, - Selected
Mrs. Hubert Bearce. Mr. Hubert Bearce.
Mrs. Chas. McIntyre. Mr. Frank Daly.
Address, - -
- -
Rev. Robert Court, D. D.
Presentation of Diplomas, - -
Mr. Stewart Mackay.
-
-
Benediction,
- Rev. J. M. McConnell. - -
Orchestra. - Bohn Troi
GRADUATES.
Abbie Blanche Butterfield. Hannah Hoyt Sleeper. Viola Lydia Greene.
Florence May Winship.
Walter Newton Marinel. Charles Addison Dane.
Class Ode written by Walter N. Marinel.
CHELMSFORD CENTRE HIGH SCHOOL.
To Mr. G. H. Knowlton, Superintendent of Schools :
My report as principal of the Center High School is herewith respectfully submitted.
The High School was opened last April with an attendance of forty-four pupils, divided in three grades,-VIII, IX and XI,- the VIII grade doing grammar school work, the IX grammar and high school work combined, and the XI grade high school work.
As a result this grading gave eleven recitations per day, no subject receiving more than four recitations a week, some only two. These conditions were not such as would tend to produce the best results.
Finale, -
-
22
In June a class of five was graduated, the graduating exer- cises being held, by a vote of the class, in the High School room, where friends and parents of the pupils were welcomed.
No promotions were made from the Grammar to the High School in September, which, I think, was a wise provision, as it gave the pupils already in the High School room a chance to do better work.
A word might be said here in regard to the new course of study in the High School. It will tend to make the work more concentrated and therefore more thorough.
We have been blessed during the past year by an increase in the supply of text-books, so much in need in this school. To the list of apparatus has been added an excellent compound microscope, of which we ought to be proud.
The High School is greatly in need of more reference books, more dictionaries, and above all a set of good encyclopedias.
The register of this year shows an increase in the number of visitors over that of last year. I hope that the increase will con- tinue. I think that each patron of the schools ought to make a special effort to visit the schools several times during the year. I am sure that the pupils would be benefited thereby.
The lists of books of the Chelmsford Library placed in the schools by you and others are, in my judgment, helps to the pupils in the selection of good reading material. I desire to express my thanks to the people in charge of the library for their help, not only to the pupils but also to the teachers.
I thank the local committeeman for the support he has given me during the past year ; the committee and patrons of the school for their confidence, and you, Mr. Knowlton, for your kindness and help.
WILSON R. FAILING,
Principal Centre High School.
Closing Exercises of Centre High School.
PART I.
Mock Trial,
The School.
PART
II.
Organ Prelude,
-
Master Theo. A. Cornell.
-
Welcome, - - - -
Miss Belle M. Gould.
Recitation, " Clerical Wit,"
-
Master Fred MacNutt.
Recitation, "Only Waiting,"
-
Miss Hattie Emerson.
-
-
Essay, " Longfellow,"
-
-
-
Master Bernard H. Byam.
Recitation. " The Baron's Last Banquet,"
-
Miss Gertrude Barris.
Solo,
.
Miss Elizabeth K. Stevens.
Selected
Essay, "Corporal Punishment in Our Schools,"
-
-
-
Miss Mary F. Devine.
Recitation, " Old Punishment,"
-
-
-
Essay, "Class Prophecy," -
- Written by Mary F. Devine
Miss Pearl F. Dyar.
Solo,
Miss Elizabeth K. Stevens.
-
Selected
Quotations,
-
-
-
-
Eighth Grade.
-
Master Arnold Byam.
24
Address to Graduating Class and Presentation of Diplomas, Mr. Samuel Hagerman.
Address and Benediction, - -
- Rev. H. A. Cornell.
GRADUATES.
Ralph H. Stearns, Pres.
Mary F. Devine, Sec'y.
Bernard H. Byam. Leslie R. Davis.
Charles P. Holt.
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
'lo the School Committee of Chelmsford :
Eight cases were investigated at North Chelmsford, and the children came into school all right. Two cases were investigated at Golden Cove School with the same result. No cases are reported from West or South Chelmsford.
W. J. QUIGLEY, J. H. NICHOLS, Truant Officers.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Pupils having perfect attendance for 1896 and 1897. The number of stars indicate the number of times tardy.
No. of Terms
CENTRE HIGH.
E. Belle Adams ..
3
Michael W. O'Day
3
*Ethel H. Adams.
3
Stanley L. Cotton
2
Belle M. Gould.
2
Arnold C. Perham
2
Carl E. Atwood 1
Anna E. Bliss 1
Roy H. Caverly 1
Leslie R. Davis 1 Mary F. Devine 1
Pearl F. Dyar. 1
Laura M. Dutton. 1
Hattie M. Emerson 1
Charles P. Holt 1
Sadie M. Newhall 1
Grace S. Parkhurst .... 1
Florence E. Ward. 1
CENTRE GRAMMAR.
Arthur E. Adams. 2
Ever M. Briggs. 2
Walter Redman 2
Edith M. Hagerman 1
Frank A. Melvin 1
Francis O. Dutton. 1
Fred Holt. 1
Herman H. Hill. 1
Robert Ring. 1 Alfred D. Taylor 1 Willie E. Robbins 1
No. of Terms
CENTRE INTERMEDIATE.
Louise Adams 3
Willie Adams 3
Lydia Stewart 3
Agnes Eaton 2
Mabel Ross . 2
Ralph Caverly
Alvin Bryant 1
Ethel Hagerman. 1 Rachel Marshall 1
Elsie Perham 1
Robert Russell 1
Hattie Adamson 1
Helen King. 1
Richard Davis 1
Lizzie Nelson
1
CENTRE PRIMARY.
Marion Adams 3
Aifred Douglas 2
Leon Holt .. 2 Edith M. Bliss 2
Leopold Loupret
2
Wallace Ross
2
Ada E. Ross . 2
Grace Atwood, 1
Helen H. Hartford . 1 1 Carrie B. Knowlton. .. Bernice M. Knowlton .. 1
Ruth Worthen . 1
Philippe Loupret. 1
Fred Parkhurst. 1
Augusta Paasche 1
26
No. of Terms 1
Mark Read 1
Cora M. Stevens 1
Ruth Adams 1
Zora L. Ferndel 1
Philip Ring 1
NORTH HIGH.
* Carrie Cook. 3
Thomas Davis . 2
*Ina Lumbert .. 2
Hubert Bearce.
1
Charles Edwards 1
Emma Woodward 1
Fred Perkins
1
NORTH GRAMMAR.
Edwin Davis .
2
Stewart Mackay. 2
Owen Fallon.
1
NORTH INTERMEDIATE.
Gladys Swain 3
Ethel Wotton. 1
Charlotte Lowe
1
Anna Mackay
1
Edward Tole.
1
John Varney
1
NORTH PRIMARY.
Harrold Hackett. 2
Grace Smith
1
Louis Magnant 1
Henry Magnant 1
Fred Reno.
1
Vernie Lowe. 1
* Mildred Queen 1
Richard Ward 1
Thomas Welch.
1
Willie Welch.
1
Florence Bearce
1
WEST GRAMMAR.
Herbert Jordan 2
Clara Beard
1
No. of Terms
WEST PRIMARY.
Harrison Mason 3
Edith Mason. 3
Willie Miller 3
Albert Miller 3
Joseph Jacobson. 3
Stella L. Daw 2
Joel Jacobson 2
Gustaf Flodin 2
August Olsson. 2
Adina Olsson 1
Lydia Olsson 1
Rose Elliott 1
* Katie Elliott .. 1
*Nellie Abrahamson 1
Esther Hanson . 1
Gerda Westberg 1
Mamie Anderson 1
Bertha Coburn. 1
Frank Edwards 1 Chris Newman . 1
Vernon Newman 1
Elwyn Daw. 1
*Eddie Carlson . 1
*Eric Westberg 1 Florence Jeffroy . 1
EAST SCHOOL.
*Ralph Howland 2
Everett Clark. 1
*Edward Earl .. 1
* Arthur Severance 1
Jay Plummer 1
** Edith Earl.
1
SOUTH SCHOOL.
* Ralph Bickford . 1
*Bertie Robbins . 1
Winthrop Center
1
Sidney Dupee.
1
Rose Fish.
1
BYAM SCHOOL.
Leroy Dutton
1
27
No. of Terms
NORTH ROW.
Ella Gilmore . . 2
Eliza Spaulding . 2
Leslie Gilmore . 2
*Lucy Googins . 1
Clayton Farr 1
John Farr .. 1
Alice Merrill 1
Harry Merrill 1
SOUTHI ROW.
*Percy Redman 3
** Leon Parker.
3
Stewart Redman 2 Arthur Redman 2
Nellie Redman 1 Ethel Parker 1
No. of Terms
GOLDEN COVE.
Eugene Chamberlin. . .. 1
*Charles Chamberlin 1 Leroy Cheney . 1 Addie Carll . 1
** Rebecca Jones 1
Addie Carll. 1
David Scoble. 1
Martha Roarke 1 Lina Chamberlin 1
Alfred Roberge 1
Marilla Tremblaz 1
Lydia White 1 Ethel Scoble 1
Josephine Labourse
1
James Bray . 1
Hamilton Jones. 1 Susie Carll . 1
Fred Carll 1
AN ITEMIZED REPORT OF THE SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1896-7.
SCHOOLS.
Average Mem- bership.
Average Daily Attendance.
Per Cent. of Attendance.
Cases of Tardiness.
Tardiness per Pupil.
Cases of Dismissal.
Dismissals per Pupil.
( High .
31.91
29.90
93.7
86
2 88
96
3 21
CENTER.
Grammar
46.05
41.96
91.1
26
62
107
2.55
Intermediate .
43.77
41.15
94 0
47
1 14
62
1.51
Primary . .
54 29
50 36
92.8
61
1.21
21
.42
High
29.75
28.57
96.0
141
4.94
124
4.34
*Grammar .
13.88
12.89
92 9
47
3.65
54
4.19
NORTH.
Intermediate
30.55
28.97
94.8
189
6.25
100
6.52
| 2nd Primary .
38.21
34.28
89.7
163
4.75
48
1.40
[ 1st Primary
48.05
45.08
93 6
73
1.62
18
.40
Grammar
19.57
17.32
88.5
44
2.54
40
2.31
WEST.
Primary .
35.61
34.31
96.3
23
.67
11
.32
EAST .
41.70
37 93
91.0
145
3.82
27
. 71
SOUTH.
22 92
21.16
92.3
105
4.96
47
2.22
BYAM'S . .
15.21
13 12
86.3
54
4.12
24
1.83
SOUTH ROW.
16.94
15.36
90.7
65
4.23
40
2.60
NORTH ROW
13.46
12 86
95.5
25
1.94
6
.47
*GOLDEN COVE ...
31.18
28.46
91.2
45
1.54
28
.98
Entire Town ..
513.02
475.30
92.6
1339
2.82
853
1.79
. .
·
..
.
* These are new schools. Their records cover but five months.
TABLE SHOWING THE GRADES OF PUPILS AS THEY WERE FOUND IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 1897.
GRADES.
TOTAL.
SCHOOLS.
I
Il
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
Wilson R. Failing . .
. .
. .
. .
.
.
·
.
( High
....
Susie McFarlin .
.
. .
. .
·
24
25
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
49
CENTER. { Intermediate
Grace Litchfield
26
15
17
. .
.
..
.
. .
.
. .
. .
58
Primary {
Christina Ashworth
High
Bertha M. Allen .
. .
.
. .
·
22
14
. .
. .
. .
.
. .
. .
..
. .
19
20
. .
. .
·
. .
. .
. .
..
39
| 2nd Primary
Ethel M. Bates. .
25
25
..
.
·
.
. .
.
·
.
.
·
. .
7
. .
. .
. .
.
.
. .
38
WEST.
Primary . .
Nellie M. Foley
11
5
. .
14
11
3
.
·
.
..
47
EAST.
Lois E. Walker
1
6
..
SOUTH .
Carrie A. Preston
3
5
5
2
2
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
·
..
. .
· ·
3
2
. .
:
SOUTH ROW
7
. .
. .
4
1
1
.
.
. .
13
NORTH ROW ..
15
8
5
5
..
. .
. .
.
..
..
. .
.
Total . .
111
92
65
74
68
65
47
4
27
10
7
570
·
.
...
. .
.
15
. .
. .
.
. .
. .
15
| Grammar
36
NORTH. { Intermediate
50
[ 1st Primary .
Laura G. Hoyt ..
23
Grammar .
Bertha L. Long .
15
8
8
.
4
11
8
.
. .
. .
. .
.
. .
..
18
BYAM'S . .
19
Evelyn Wilson.
S
1
01
Aimee Staples
33
GOLDEN COVE
..
19
10
29
26
24
. .
. .
..
. .
50
Grammar
Frances Clark ..
.
. .
..
14
. .
8
..
7
29
Arthur W. Trubey .
Ethel L. Byfield
Agnes W. Naylor.
3
5
7
.
24
1
Isa M. James.
TEACHERS.
. .
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY
OF THE
TOWN OF CHELMSFORD, MASS.,
FOR THE
Year Ending February 28, 1897.
REPORT.
The Board of Trustees of the Adams Library herewith pre- sents its fourth annual report of the free public library, which, by vote of the town in March last, is hereafter to be known as " The Adams Library."
The town, at the same meeting, also directed the Trustees to elect one of their own number as Treasurer of all library funds. Mrs. H. M. Bartlett was chosen to this office and the account of receipts and expenditures in detail is included in this report.
We are under renewed obligations to Mr. Amos F. Adams by his donation of 101 volumes on the anniversary of the dedication of the library building. Other gifts of books have been received from Mrs. Alden of Newton, 2 volumes ; Mr. A. M. Bridgman, I : Mr. E. E. Sweetser, 1 ; Mr. A. N. Adams, I ; Mr. J. A. Bartlett, 22 ; Mr. E. Elliott, 2 ; Mrs. C. H. Greenleaf, 1; Social Library, 8 ; State of Massachusetts, 15; U. S. Bureau of Education, 2. These, with nine others previously acknowledged, make 165 vol- umes donated.
We have to acknowledge, also, other gifts of special interest. The Village Improvement Association has presented the library with " a cabinet for the preservation and display of public docu- ments, relics and articles of historic interest." It is a beautiful specimen of oak furniture, commodious and convenient, especially prepared for its place in the Trustees' room. It has already received many treasures, the gifts of Mr. B. M. Fisk, Mrs. Charles Reed and Mrs. H. M. Bartlett. It will continually appeal to all interested to fill its ample compartments with the desired gifts. All such will be suitably labeled and a list of them posted.
We again tender our thanks to Mrs. N. B. Lapham for her favors to the patrons of the library at South Chelmsford.
The classed finding list was issued July, 1896. When ready for distribution a meeting of those interested was called at the library and a brief statement was made explanatory of its purpose
4
and the best method of using it. Its chief merit is in enabling one to get at all works in the library on a given subject most readily. Every one should have access to a copy at home, and by a little attention familiarize one's self with its contents. This will not fail to render it helpful to all. The librarian will gladly render all needed information in regard to its use.
The former librarian, Mr. H. A. Cornell, continued his service during the first part of the year until he resigned, on leav- ing the town in September. Mr. C. H. Greenleaf was then ap- pointed to the office. We deem the library fortunate in having one to serve it who has himself such personal interest in books and in securing to all interested the wisest and largest use of the library.
While we fully appreciate the call for works of fiction and the good service they render for mental recreation, we greatly desire that all, especially the young, should have every possible facility for using the equally interesting and often more profitable classes of reading. In order to secure this end we propose to grant for the present to any who desire it, the privilege of drawing, on one card, two volumes, only one of which can be a book of fiction.
The library and reading room have been open to the public, as last year, sixteen hours weekly. The number of patrons on the records is 536, of whom 413 have drawn books since the first of September last. The librarian reports the circulation for the year 11,082, a slight increase over the previous year. The percentages of different classes of books were : For fiction, 76; travel, 5 ; his- tory, 4 ; biography, 3 ; literature, 3 ; natural science, 2 ; philosophy and religion, 2; general works, 2; fine arts, I; useful arts, I ; sociology, I.
We regret to report " that a number of young men were in the habit of assembling in the reading room, not for reading, but simply or the purpose of amusing themselves, to the annoyance of those who wished to avail themselves of the privileges of the library." In order to secure better order, as well as conformity to the carefully considered rules for the use of books, extracts from the State laws governing public libraries have been posted in the library, to quicken the memory of any forgetful ones. We are glad that this "word to the wise" was sufficient to secure an improved condition as to order and conduct. But we call the attention of parents to this matter, in order that they may not allow their children to visit the library until assured that they will not
5
interfere in any way with the comfort of those who desire to use its privileges in quiet. We ask the active co-operation of all citi- zens in seconding our earnest efforts to secure this end.
We estimate that the sum of $600 will be needed for the ordi- nary expenses of the library the coming year. Any additional appropriation will be available for purchase of books.
STATE OF THE LIBRARY.
Number of volumes last year, .
.
.
4715
Worn out and discarded,
.
.
32
-
4683
Added by donation,
165
Purchased,
152
317
Present number of volumes, ·
5000
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Unexpended balance from 1895,
$ 70 52
Town appropriation for 1896,
800 00
Received from fines and sale of finding list,
21 17
Total receipts,
$891 69
Paid H. A. Cornell, librarian, etc.,
$140 00
C. H. Greenleaf, librarian, etc.,
80 00
$220 00
H. L. Parkhurst, coal, etc.,
85 50
Gilbert & Barker Mfg. Co., gasoline, etc.,
110 36
195 86
T. H. Lawler, typewriter,
32 00
DeWolf, Fiske & Co., books,
149 60
W. N. Moore, magazines,
57 IO
206 70
H. A. Cornell, preparing finding list,
32 15
S. I. Briant, preparing finding list,
25 00
Thompson & Hill, printing finding list,
120 33
177 48
P. J. Severance, stamp,
So
M. R. Warren, stationery,
I 50
G. T. Parkhurst, printing labels, etc.,
8 60
Bartlett & Dow, hardware,
2 40
H. M. Bartlett, incidentals,
9 15
22 45
Amount carried forward
$854 49
.
.
.
.
.
.
6
Amount brought forword
$854 49
E. W. Wheeler, labor, 3 00
G. B. Wright, shrubs,
5 20
Chelmsford Foundry Co., casting,
I 00
T. F. Gilligan, repairing roof,
8 00
17 20
$871 69
Balance to new account,
20 00
$891 69
Two unpaid bills, $33.00
Respectfully submitted,
J. ADAMS BARTLETT,
Chairman. HARRIET M. BARTLETT, Secretary and Treasurer. LUTHER H. SARGENT, S. INGERSOLL BRIANT, GEORGIANA H. PIERCE,
Trustecs.
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