USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 29
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The Green Library for readers in the building, has less of attractiveness and visible effect than the circulat- ing department, which is connected with the conven- ience and happiness of firesides and homes, but in its quiet work and its readiness for consultation, it confers benefits which are unreported and unseen. Mr. Baker, in his report to the Directors of his own labors and his views of the best interest of the Library, mentions an in- crease in the use of the Green Library. The very val- uable library of the Worcester County Medical Society continues to be kept in one of the rooms of the build- ing, and is accessible to visitors. Its infrequent use must be occasioned by a want of information of the fact
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that a large number of desirable works, not exclusively professional, may there be consulted.
Mr. Baker in his report calls the attention of the Di- rectors to the injurious effect of the hot air on books on the second gallery above the floor, in the Green Library, while the lower floor is not warm enough for visitors. This is an unavoidable consequence of the height of the hall and the impulsion of heated air. There is something yet to be desired and hoped for in the mode of heating apartments. The inconvenience of the insufficient size of the Library is not less visible to the Directors than to the citizens. The Librarian has pointed out the necessity of additional shelves for the circulating department, and they will be furnished. The Directors concur with the Committee on the Library in expressions of satisfaction with the faithfulness and ac- ceptable services of Rev. Z. Baker, the Librarian. The assistants, Mrs. Z. Baker, Miss Emma Eddy and Miss Earle deserve to be commended by name for their accep- table fidelity.
The Periodical Reading Room established by the con- tribution of citizens with an invested fund of $10,650, has been under the special management of a committee consisting of Messrs. S. S. Green, R. R. Shippen, and J. J. Power, and their report, hereto annexed, by the hand of their Chairman, Mr. Green, indicates the careful interest that has been engaged to make this department satisfac- tory to the founders and to those who enjoy its enter- tainment and instruction. The Directors feel the sur- prise and disappointment expressed by the Committee, that there are in the Reading Room so few of a very in- teresting and desirable class of periodicals, those present- ing in a proper and respectful manner the sentiments and the proceedings of the different religious sects. As
135
this addition to the library was made by the contribu- tions of persons entertaining most divergent views of re- ligious truth, it was impossible that the Directors should supply publications of this kind, without the danger and the imputation of partiality. An invitation was there- fore given, when the Reading Room was established, to citizens of all religious denominations to supply this de- ficiency by donations, and it has been strangely disre- garded. It is hoped that such periodicals will not here- after be looked for in vain. The Directors also present the account of Nath'l Paine, Esq., Treasurer of this Read- ing Room Fund, which will indicate the care which that excellent accountant has given to his duties, while it shows the use and condition of the Fund. By the ter- mination of Mr. Paine's period as a member of this Board, the service of a prompt and zealous Secretary for five years will cease.
The Committee on the Building, consisting of Messrs. Albert Tolman, E. B. Stoddard, and Geo. W. Russell, by their Chairman, Mr. Tolman, have presented their Re- port hereto annexed, in which it will appear that no less care has been used in wise economy than in the desira- ble accommodations of the building. It may be stated that one of the rooms is still occupied by one of the pub- lic schools.
Messrs. E. B. Stoddard, Edward L. Davis, and Stephen Salisbury were elected members of the Committee on Finance, according to the requirements of the will of Dr. John Green, and their two reports, on the general receipts and disbursements of the Directors and on the Green Library Fund, by Mr. Stoddard, the Chairman, are annexed. The general Report requires but one re- mark in addition to its clear statement, to explain the large amount of last year's appropriation unexpended at this time. The appropriation was not placed at the dis-
136
posal of the Directors until the tax was payable, and it is intended to supply the needs of the Library until the autumn of next year. Moreover the winter is the sea- son when the demand and use of books require the larg- est expenditure.
The Report on the Green Library Fund states that on March 1, 1868, by the agreement of the City of Worces- ter and the executors of Dr. John Green, there was paid in satisfactory securities to the Treasurer of the City as The Green Library Fund, $30,507.58
The City Treasurer has received from this as income $1,254.77.
Of this income 1-4 is added to principal, $313.69 313.69
and 3-4 to be expended for
Green Library, 941.08
Fund invested, $30,821.27
And of this $941.08 the Directors have paid for Green Library, 182.59
And they have to be expended with cautious deliberation 758.49
The Green Fund is found to be safely invested in the care of the City Treasurer.
We again commend the important institution with which we are intrusted to the continued liberality and the fostering care of the Government of the City, in view of its present usefulness and of its enlarged benefi- cence in the future, and for the satisfaction and honor of the intelligent inhabitants of this prosperous city.
Respectfully submitted,
By order of the Board of Directors,
STEPHEN SALISBURY, President.
Free Public Library, Jan. 25. 1869.
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
To the Directors of the Free Public Library :
GENTLEMEN :- By the provisions of the By-Laws, it is incumbent upon the Library Committee to make an annual examination of the Library, and to report upon its welfare and condition. In accordance with this provision, your Committee respectfully present the following report :
EXAMINATION OF THE LIBRARY. .
The customary examination of the Circulating Department of the Library was made at the usual time, by the Librarian, with some as- sistance from the Secretary of the Committee. This duty, although nominally done by the Committee, or some member thereof, is in fact to be accomplished only by the aid of the Librarian, for the reason that without a certain degree of familiarity with the books and the method of recording them, it is not easy for the Committee to make the requir- ed examination, except by his assistance. The books were generally found to be in good order, and but comparatively few were missing ; nearly all not found at the examination have since been returned or accounted for. In this connection it may be observed with pride and satisfaction, that only about one hundred and twenty volumes have been lost since the founding of the Library. When we consider that during a period of nine years, there have been taken from the Library over five hundred thousand volumes, by over fourteen thousand bor- rowers, the small per cent. of books lost is remarkable, and is a grati- fying evidence of the good character of those who use the Library, as well as indicative of the great value of such an institution to the city. This slight per centage of loss, however, should not tend to lessen the strictness with which the fines for detention or loss of books are im- posed, as with the increased use of the Library the chances of loss will also be greater.
The Librarian reports the whole number of volumes delivered from the summer of 1867 to August of 1868, as fifty-eight thousand three hundred and seventy-nine. He also reports the number of new names entered upon his books for the last year, to be thirteen hundred and sixty-eight.
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ABUSE OF BOOKS.
The Committee regret to find that there are still some cases of mis- use of books, both in the Circulating Department and in the Green Li- brary, but they are also glad to say, that there is a marked improve- ment in this particular over past years. In this connection it may be remarked that the constant use made of the books in the Circulating Department, even when used with ordinary care, occasions the need of their being often repaired or rebound. The Committee have approved bills for binding and repairing books the past year to the amount of $387.55, and as the Library increases in the number of volumes, as well as in the use made of it, the sum required will necessarily be much larger.
The books have also been more promptly and generally returned at the time of the annual examination. The Committee question the propriety of closing the Library for so long a time as is usual for the annual examination, and trust that some different method may soon be adopted.
CARE OF THE LIBRARY.
The immediate care and administration of the Library has devolved upon the Librarian and the Assistants. These officers have been faithful in the discharge of the several duties devolving upon them, and. as far as the Committee have knowledge, to the acceptance of the public.
ADDITIONS TO THE CIRCULATING LIBRARY.
The Librarian reports the whole number of volumes added to the Circulating Library the past year, to be 575. Of this number 377 volumes were new books, and 175 duplicates and to fill vacancies, pur- chased by the Committee with the approval of the Directors. Seven volumes were donated and 16 were bound magazines from the Reading Room. The Committee have approved bills for books purchased for this department to the amount of $1250.18.
CATALOGUE OF ADDITIONS.
Early in the summer a catalogue of additions to the Circulating De- partment, was published under the direction of the Library Committee. This catalogue, which contained about twelve hundred titles, included all books added since the publication of the last supplementary cata- logue, to the first of May last. The Committee are of the opinion that lists of the books added to the Circulating Library, should be published oftener than lieretofore, that the public may be promptly informed of such additions. A more frequent issue of these lists would enable
139
them to be prepared at a much less expense, and thus place them within the means of more of the patrons of the Library than under the present system of yearly publications.
The Committee think that if lists of the additions were issued about every three months, they might be printed at a small expense, and furnished to the borrowers for three or four cents each, enough to cover the actual cost. This plan has proved successful and very ac- ceptable in the Boston Library, which issues several bulletins of addi- tions during the year. This quarterly bulletin might also be made the medium for the Directors to communicate to the public any sugges- tions in regard to the library which they might deem advisable, also to inform the public of books wanting to complete sets in either depart- ment of the Library, and lists of duplicates, which might be offered for exchange with other Libraries or individuals.
The Librarian reports that he has sold copies of the Catalogue of Additions, to the amount of $30.90, and that he has the funds for the same in his possession. It is for the Directors to decide what use shall be made of this sum, but the Committee would suggest that it should be appropriated to the issuing of new catalogues.
GREEN LIBRARY DEPARTMENT.
This department of the Library will hereafter claim a greater share of the attention of the Directors than it has in the past, from the fact that a portion of the income of the fund left by its founder, will be at their disposal for the purchase of books. Late in the year, the Direc- tors appropriated the sum of $500 from the income, to be used in the purchase of books. Of this sum your Committee have, under your sanction, expended for the purchase of books, and approved bills for the same, to the amount of $173.90.
The Librarian reports the whole number of additions to this depart- ment to be 879 ; of this number 135 volumes and 5 pamphlets were purchased, 30 volumes and 31 pamphlets were obtained by exchange, (mostly with the American Antiquarian Society ;) 206 volumes were from the Reading Room, being magazines and newspapers bound ; one volume was a transfer from the Circulating Department to fill a va- cancy ; and 138 volumes and 333 pamphlets were donated. A list of the donors to both departments of the Library has been prepared by the Librarian, and is presented with this report.
A part of the books purchased for this Department was paid for from the appropriation by the City Council, but hereafter the ample funds at the disposal of the Committee, will save the necessity of taking money which is needed for the Circulating Department. The amount so ex-
140
pended has been small, and was only to secure certain valuable books not always obtainable.
In the purchase of books for the Green Library, your Committee have aimed to procure only those which they believed would be of practical use and interest to those who make use of the Library. They have recognized the special need in this community for books upon the mechanic and kindred arts, and have taken pains to procure valuable works upon such subjects, particularly those the high price of which might be the means of preventing the mechanic and artisan, who should the most desire to consult them, from availing themselves of the information to be derived from them. The department of bibliography has also received some attention from your Committee. The late Mr. George Livermore, in an article upon Public Libraries, well says : " The department of bibliography is of the highest importance to every well-conducted library. Bibliographical books are to the librarian and the literary man what the compass is to the mariner, or the tools of his trade to the artisan." This department covers a large. ground, not only including works which relate to the titles and contents of books, but those which treat of their typography, or their preparation in va- rious forms and styles.
Books which illustrate the early history of the art of printing or writing, are of great use in a large and well-conducted reference libra- ry, and your committee would have been glad to have added more in this department, had the means at their disposal permitted. The care and preservation of the various catalogues of books, issued by publish- ers and others, which are received at the Library, should be considered worthy of attention, as they oftentimes furnish information in regard to books, not otherwise attainable. In a library of the value and use- fulness we trust the Green Library may be, books upon all subjects of general or special interest should of course find a place, and it is to be hoped this will always be thought of by those having the department in charge.
The Committee, however, most cordially agree with the views of a former President of the Library Board, that this Library should be made valuable, and as complete as possible, upon some special subject or department of research .* It should be our aim to give this Library something more than a local reputation ; the circulating department will always receive its share of attention, but the claims of the Library for a high rank among the libraries of the country must rest in a great measure upon its value as a consulting library. Let it become a libra-
*Hon Geo. F. Hoar.
141
ry noted for its authorities upon some important subject, in which it shall be as complete as it is possible to make it. The late Judge Story in speaking of one of our greatest national deficiencies, says : "There is not, perhaps, a single library in America sufficiently copious to have enabled Gibbon to have verified the authorities for his immortal His- tory of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."
The gentleman before quoted, in his article upon Public Libraries, remarks : " We do not hesitate to say, that not one, nor all the libra- ries in this country combined, would furnish sufficient materials for writing a complete history of that little book of three or four score diminutive pages, which has had such a mighty influence in moulding the character and creed of former generations, 'The New England Primer.'"*
Your committee do not propose any subject which should receive more prominent attention, in future purchases for this department, but they believe, that now that ample means will soon be at the disposal of the Directors for adding to the Library, some definite plan should be decided upon for the enlargement of this department. The want of a printed catalogue of the books in the Green Library, undoubtedly detracts very largely from the benefits to be derived therefrom. Car- lyle well describes a great Library without a catalogue, as " a chaos and not a cosmos." The Committee, therefore, call the attention of the Directors, and through them, of the City Council, to this important essen - tial to the welfare of the Library. Mrs. Baker, the Assistant Librarian, has already prepared the material for such a catalogue, in the very com- plete description of the books contained in the card catalogue. In print- ing the catalogue of the additions to the Circulating Library, a list of the more important books of reference in the Green Library was published, and it is believed this has increased the number of those who con- sult it.
The Committee earnestly recommend that one of the manuscript catalogues of this Department be placed where it can be readily con- sulted by all who wish to make use of the Library. The number of volumes in the Green Library is now about 13,000, making with the 8,000 volumes in the Circulating Department a library of about 21,000 volumes.
Mrs. Baker, the very efficient Assistant Librarian, says in regard to the use of the Green Library : " The removal of the News Room to another part of the building, drew away from the Green Library Room many of the cursory and general readers, but left those who seek more
*North American Review, July, 1850.
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1.42
substantial information, as the architectural, mechanical, scientific, statistical, literary, &c., which class of readers or rather students is gradually on the increase. Hence treatises or works furnishing those various kinds of information are most in demand.
" Of this character are local Histories, as of Towns and Counties ; genealogical Histories ; which leads me parenthetically to refer to the desirableness of completing the New England Genealogical Regis- ter, and the propriety of obtaining Savage's Genealogical Dictionary. The lack of these often compels the necessity of directing the searcher to the Antiquarian library for the object of his search. Scientific, Me- chanical, Engineering, and similar works are in great demand ; there can scarce be too many of them in this room. The literary student seems to find the supply to his wants, in no inconsiderable degree, among the numerous sets of periodicals which occupy the 'shelves, the number of which is now, to say the least, quite respectable. Standard periodical publications have a value which will probably always make them in demand, as well for future use as when they come fresh from the press; while the lighter reading of this kind will probably be sought for but little save for present enjoyment. To meet this future want, the periodicals used in this room are carefully preserved, bound and placed upon the shelves ; where they are accessible to all proper persons who wish to use them."
DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
The Committee present as a part of this report, the Librarian's statement of cash received and expended, and a list of donors to the Library for the past year, and would return their cordial thanks to all who have thus manifested their interest in the Library.
That our own citizens might show their interest, and appreciation of the benefits of such an institution by greatly increased donations, is the earnest wish of the Committee, as well as of all who have the welfare of the Library at heart. Books and pamphlets which are often thrown aside as useless when once read, might prove very accep- table, and even if they were duplicates of those already on the shelves, would still be of use either to give greater facilities to borrowers of books by reason of such duplicates, or for the purposes of exchange.
The Committee in common with others who know the rapid increase in the Library, feel the want of more room, and they earnestly hope that the increasing value and importance of this great educational in - stitution of our city will cause the serious attention of the City Coun- cil to its present and prospective needs.
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Finally, in giving up the trust confided to our care the past year, we would most zealously express our firm faith in the benefits, both moral and intellectual, which a well-regulated public library confers upon a people, Knowing it is far from being perfect, we shall hail with de- light all efforts to increase its influence and usefulness in this commu- nity.
For the Committee,
NATH'L PAINE.
LIST OF DONATIONS.
Books.
Pamphlets. 1
Amos Aldrich, Esq.,
J. M. C. Armsby, Esq.,
3
Z. Baker, Librarian,
1
20
Hon. J. D. Baldwin,
5
H. Barnard, Commissioner of Education,
1
J. Batchelder, Esq.,
2
Hon. John M. Broomall, Penn.,
2
S. M. Bowman,
1
E. Capen, Librarian, Boston,
4
C. Carwood, Esq.,
2
13
H. Day, Sec'y Merchants' Exchange, New Haven,
1
C. Droune, New Haven,
2
Edward Earle,
3
Hon. J. A. Garfield,
1
D. A. Goddard, Esq., Boston,
4
3
Andrew H. Green, Compt'r N. Y. Central Park,
1
A. F. Green, Sec'y Y. M. C. Assoc'n,
1
S. F. Haven, Esq.,
1
Jared M. Heard, Esq.,
1
E. H. Heywood, Esq.,
1
John H. Hickcox, Albany,
1
Hon. Geo. F. Hoar,
3
Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard,
4
Henry Jackson,
1
J. E. Kimball,
2
Hon. J. S. C. Knowlton,
3
Gen. Wm. S. Lincoln,
41
Miss E. D. May,
2
Geo. T. Rice,
150
144
Books. Pamphlets.
Wm. Rice, Sec'ry Library Assoc'n, Springfield, E. H. Russell, Le Roy Academy, J. S. Sibley, Librarian Harvard University, Rev. Benton Smith,
1
1
2
1
Sam'l Smith, City Clerk, Worcester, Wm. A. Smith, Esq., 10
1
A. R. Spofford, Cong'] Library, -
1
1
A. Stebbins, San Francisco, A. W. Stevens, Esq.,
1
1
Hon. Charles Sumner,
16
15
P. W. Taft, Esq.,
1
Albert Tolman,
4
Walter Wells, 1
1
Hon. Henry Wilson, 1
1
R. Woodward, M. D.,
1
Family of the late Hon. Levi Lincoln,
4
Tyler & Seagrave,
63
105
304
PROM SOCIETIES, CORPORATIONS, AND LIBRARIES.
Books.
Pamphlets.
American Antiquarian Society,
2
Albany Young Men's Association,
1
Boston Public Library,
7
Bowdoin College,
1
Buffalo Young Men's Assoc'n.
1
Cincinnati Public Library,
1
Department of the Interior,
32
Grafton Public Library,
1
Holton Library, (Brighton,)
2
Hartford Young Men's Institute,
1
Manchester Public Library,
1
Merc. Library Association, Boston,
1
New Bedford Public Library,
1
Ohio Mechanics' Institute,
1
Peabody Institute, (Danvers,)
1
Perkins Institute for the Blind,
1
Rep. Cong. Committee.
1
1
Rev. David Weston,
S. J. Young, Librarian Bowdoin College,
145
Rochester Athenaeum, Smithsonian Institution, Tufts' College, Waltham School Committee, Yale College,
Books. Pamphlets. 1
1
2
1
1
-
33
29
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT OF MONEY RECEIVED FOR FINES AND CATALOGUES.
Received for fines and old catalogues sold,
$150.55
new
30.90
$181.45
Paid for postage and express charges, $20.92
extra labor in Library, 16.85
fixtures, furniture, and repairs, 12.00
“ stationary, printing, and advertising, 33.50
cleaning Library, 30.50
Due Z. Baker from last year's account.
29.98-$143.75
Cash in the hands of the Librarian,
37.70
$181.45
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON THE READING ROOM.
The main duty of the Committee on the Reading Room, is to state that every thing in its department has worked satisfactorily during the year that is now closing.
A portion of January was occupied in arranging and furnishing our new room. This room has proved, as it was anticipated it would, to be pleasant and commodious. As the cold weather has come upon us, we have found it necessary to ask the Board of Directors to add to the heating apparatus in the basement, but the want in this direction will soon be supplied under the supervision of the Committee on the Building.
As will be seen by reference to the annexed list, one hundred and twenty-five papers and periodicals are now taken in the Reading Rooms or given to them. This number shows the gratifying fact that some twenty-five additions have been made to our list during the past year. Among these are. The Anthropological Journal of London, (which was placed in the rooms on account of its acknowledged merit, and to meet a present and growing want felt in our midst for the in- formation which it supplies,) and The Philosophical Magazine publish- ed in the same city. The continent of Europe lias been made to con- tribute The Montag's Zeitung, an excellent weekly from Berlin, and the leading comico-political papers of France and Germany, viz .: Le Charivari and Kladderadatsch. From our own publications we have selected Sloan's Architectural Review, the Journal of the Franklin In- stitute, the Journal of Numismatics, and The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. The Concord Democrat, a New Hamp- shire weekly, has also been subscribed for to meet the wishes of resi- dents among us who were born in that State, or who have friends there.
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