USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 49
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Members whose term expires January, 1872.
Members whose terni expires January, 1871.
EDWARD H. HALL. ANN B. EARLE.
GEORGE W. GALE.
EDWARD EARLE.
*MERRICK BEMIS.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES. JOHN J. POWER.
JOHN F. MURRAY.
P. T. O'REILLEY.
JOHN L. MURPHY.
SAMUEL V. STONE.
JOHN C. NEWTON.
R. N. MERIAM.
D. S. GODDARD.
O. O. WHEELER.
JOHN DEAN.
CHARLES BALLARD. GEORGE JAQUES.
EMERSON WARNER.
RUFUS WOODWARD. P. EMORY ALDRICH. "One year to fill vacancy.
E. B. STODDARD.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
On School Houses-Messrs. Stone, Newton, Earle, Goddard and Gale.
On Books and Apparatus-Messrs. Woodward, Stoddard, Williams, Jaques and Ann B. Earle. On Examination of Teachers-Superintendent, and Messrs. Power, Jaques, Stoddard, Hall and Metcalf.
On Finance-Mayor, Superintendent, and Messrs. Earle, Murphy, Aldrich, Staples and Warner. On Assigning Visiting Committees-Superintendent, and Messrs. Stone, O'Reilly, Newton, ean and Ballard.
CALEB B. METCALF. HARTLEY WILLIAMS.
1.41
VISITING COMMITTEES.
CLASSICAL AND ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL.
Principal.
Committee.
A. H. Davis.
Messrs. Jaques, Power, Hall, Aldrich, Metcalf, Newton, Sto ldard and Williams .
THOMAS STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL. COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Aldrich, Stoddard, Staples, Cale and Ann B. Earle.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR, E. I. Comins,
Aldrich.
Caroline Parkinson,
Aldrich.
4th
Mary A Harrington,
Staples.
Ist SECONDARY.
E. II. Coe,
Stoddard.
21.
Abbie F. Knowles,
Gale.
31
Sarah L. Phillips,
Gale.
PRIMARY,
Mary T Gale
Ann B. Earle.
INF. PRIMARY,
Susie G. Gale,
Ann B. Marie.
SUB.
A. M. Phillips,
Staples.
·
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Metcalf, Williams, Warner.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
Samuel E. Fitz,
Metcalf.
31 66
E. M. Aldrich,
Williams.
4th
Ellen Merrick, Warner.
Ist SECONDARY,
Kate A. Meade,
Metcalf.
2d
A. II. Barnes,
Warner.
TRAINING SCHOOL,
Miss Porbecca Jones, Principal. Committee-Messrs Power, Metcalf, Aldrich, Woodward, Hall and Ann B. Earle.
SYCAMORE STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTSE .- Mesers. Ballard, O'Reilley, Warner and Wheeler. Grade. Principals.
Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR, 66
A. A. Hunt,
Ballard.
A. S. Dunton,
Ballard.
31 6
Carrie A. George.
O'Reilley.
lat SECONDARY,
Carrie R. Clements,
Warner.
21 66
Jennie A. Greene,
Wheeler.
PRIMARY,
Sarah W. Clements,
Warner.
INT. PRIMARY,
Emma F. Marsh,
Wheeler.
SUB.
Nellie C. Thomas,
O'Reilly.
PROVIDENCE STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. O'Reilley, Goddard, Meriam and Earle.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
Henry M. Harrington,
('Reilley.
2d 66
Mary F. Reed, Goddard.
Joanna F. Smith,
Merian.
4th 66
Maria P. Cole,
O'Reilly.
SECONDARY,
Lydia A. Perry,
Earle.
PRIMARY,
M. Jennie Morse,
Meriam.
INT. PRIMARY,
Farah J. Newton,
Earle .:
SUB. 66
Mary T. Magennis,
Goddard.
LAMARTINE STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Newton, Stone, Wheeler, and Murphy . Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
C. C. Foster,
Newton.
2d
Mary E. Carr
Newton.
3d
Mary A. Smith,
Stone.
Ist SECONDARY, 2d
Nellie L. Moore,
Stone.
IIattie N. Perry,
Wheeler.
PRIMARY,
Carrie E. Gilbert,
Wheeler.
INT. PRIMARY
Lizzie E. Goodwin,
Murphy.
SUB .6
M. E. Kavanaugh
Murphy.
Mary Warren,
Stoddard.
DIX STREET SCHOOLS.
V. E. Hapgood,
Williams.
142
EAST WORCESTER SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Power, Staples, and Murphy.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
A. E. MeCambridge, Power.
2d
Laura L. Newton, Power.
1st SECONDARY,
Harriet Hathaway, Staples.
2d 66
Annie Brown,
Staples.
Ist PRIMARY,
T. S. Darling,
Bemnix.
E. L. McFarland,
Murphy.
INT.
C. E. Putnam,
Bemis,
SUB. 66
Mattie A. Collins, Murphy.
PLEASANT STREET SCHOOLS. -
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Williams, Stoddard and Woodward.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
Mary F. Wentworth,
WilliamA.
2d
Lizzie Graham,
Stoddard
SECONDARY,
J. C. Battles,
Woodward.
PRIMARY,
Lydia M. Wilmarth,
Williams.
SUB PRIMARY,
M. P. Jones,
Woodward.
MASON STREET SCHOOLS.
Grade.
Principals .. Special Committees.
SECONDARY,
Mary E. Bothwell,
Warner.
PRIMARY,
Mary E. Pease,
Warner.
ELM STREET SCIIOOL.
Grade.
Principal.
Committee.
GRAMMAR,
Emma Brown,
Woodward.
ASH STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Hall, Murphy, and Murray.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees. HIall.
GRAMMAR,
Mary M. Lawton,
SECONDARY,
Charlotte N. Follett,
Murphy.
PRIMARY,
Mary J. Mack,
Hall.
PRIMARY,
E G. Cutler,
Murphy.
INT. 66
Helen M. Shattuck,
Murray.
SUB.
Abbie J. Reed.
Murray
SALEM STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Jaques, and Meriam.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees.
GRAMMAR,
Minna S. Fitch,
Jaques.
SECONDARY,
Rebecca Barnard,
Jaques.
PRIMARY,
M. O. Whitmore,
Meriam.
SUB. PRIMARY.
Harriet A. Harrington,
Meriam.
FRONT STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Murray and Ballard.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
SECONDARY,
Adeliza Perry,
Murray.
PRIMARY,
Martha Hobbs,
Murray.
INT. PRIMARY,
Emma J. Claflin,
Ballard.
SUB.
Abbie Pratt,
Ballard.
SUMMER STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Ann B. Earle, and Messrs. Edward Earle, and Gale.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
SECONDARY,
T. S. Nichols, Earle.
PRIMARY,
E. G. Chenery,
Ann B. Earle.
INT. PRIMARY,
E. M. Gates,
Gale.
SUB.
I. C. Upton,
Gale.
EDGEWORTHI STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE-Messrs. Hall and Gale.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
. SECONDARY, PRIMARY INT. PRIMARY,
Etta A. Rounds,
Hall.
Sarah M. Brigham
Hall.
S. M. Buttrick,
Gale.
SUB.
C. D. Townsend
Gale.
-
1
143
TEMPLE STREET SCHOOLS
GENERAL COMMITTEE-Messrs. O'Reilley and Murray.
Grade. SECONDARY, &c.,
PRIMARY,
Principals. Margaret M. Geary, Mary E. D. King, UNION HILL SCHOOLS. Principals. E. G. Wheeler,
Special Committees. O'Reilley. Murray.
Grade. GRAMMAR, &c., PRIMARY,
A. A. Wells,
Special Committees. Newton. Newton.
ADRIATIC MILLS SCHOOLS. Principals. Special Committees.
Matilda Parker,
Mary E. Trask,
Goddard. Goddard.
SOUTH WORCESTER SCIIOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Goddard and Dean. Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
GRAMMAR, Ist SECONDARY,
Cornelia V. Bowers
Goddard.
S. A. Bigelow,
Goddard.
E. M. Boyden,
Dean.
PRIMARY,
A. E. Hall,
Dean.
SUB. PRIMARY,
Dean.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Jaques and Dean.
Grade. 1st GRAMMAR, 2d 66
Principals. .
Special Committees.
Mary. E. Maynard,
Jaques. 'aques.
SECONDARY,
Mary A. Slater,
Dean.
PRIMARY,
Mary A. E. Terrell,
Dean.
QUINSIGAMOND SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. O'Reilley and Meriam.
Grade.
GRAMMAR.
SECONDARY,
PRIMARY.
Principals. II. G. Waite, Anna C. Perry, L. E. Perry .
Special Committees. O'Reilley. Meriam. O'Reilley.
UNGRADED SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE-Messrs. Power and Newton. Location.
ORANGE STREET-Boys,
Girls,
Geo. A Adams, P. E. King, SUBURBAN SCHOOLS. Principals.
Special Committees. Power. Newton.
Location.
NORTHVILLE,
Hattie M. Johnson.
TATNUCK,
Helen M. Harlow,
VALLEY FALLS,
Mary J. Davis,
LEESVILLE,
E. J. Pratt,
BLITHEWOOD,
E. J. Powers,
Bemis.
POND,
L. L. Brooks, L. M. Harrington,
Woodward.
Ann B. Earle.
Metcalf.
Metcalf.
EVENING SCHOOLS. Principals.
Location.
ORANGE ST,-Young Men's,
ELM STREET-Girls,
EAST WORCESTER-Girls,
C. A. George, L. L. Newton, Annie Brown, VOCAL MUSIC.
Special Committees .. Jaques. Newton. Wheeler.
GRAMMAR AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS-E. S. Hason, Teacher.
COMMITTEE-Messrs. Power, Staples and Newton.
The Committees of Visitation shall exercise a general supervision over the Schools to which they are severally assigned, and shall visit them according to the provisions of the Statutes, not less than once in four weeks, and generally during the week preceding the monthly meeting of the Board, at which they shall report their true condition .-- Rules, Chap. 3, Sec. 6.
Though each School is assigned to a Special Committee, yet every member of the Board shall - deem it his duty to watch over all the Public Schools of the City, to attend their examinations, and visit them at other times as his convenience will permit .- Rules, Chap. 3, Sec. 9.
Special Committees. Woodward. Gale.
Ballard.
Dean.
Bemis.
ADAM'S SQUARE,
BURNCOAT PLAIN, NORTII POND, CHAMBERLIN,
E. M. Halsted,
E. S. R. Kendrick,
Clara Manley,
Principals.
S. L. Carter,
S. Lizzie Coes, NEW WORCESTER SCHOOLS.
Grade. PRIMARY, SUB. PRIMARY,
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1870.
Vacation periods indicated by full face figures.
1870.
SUNDAY.
MONDAY.
TUESDAY.
WEDNESDAY.
THURSDAY.
FRIDAY,
SATURDAY.
1870.
SUNDAY.
MONDAY.
TUESDAY.
WEDNESDAY.
THURSDAY.
FRIDAY.
N SATURDAY.
JAN'Y.
10
11
12
13
14
-15
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
ɔ̃
AUG.
29
30
31
SEPT.
4
5
6
-7
00
9
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
21
22
23
24
25
26
28
29
30
31
26
27
28
29
30
OCT.
$ 10
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
31
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27
28
29
30
DEC.
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
26
27
28
29
30
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
66
2nd
66
Feb. 21st, 1870,
66
April 29th,
-
66
10
~
3rd
00
66
4th
66
Aug. 29th,
66
66
Nov. 18th,
-
12
1st
Nov. 2Sth,
66
66 Feb. 10th, 1871.
41
WEEKS.
4
5
G
7
00
JULY.
FEB'Y.
7
8
9
10
11
8141516171819
21
22
23
24
25
26
526
27
MAR.
1
2
3
1
5
1
2
3
7
CO
9
10
11
12
1
2
1
R
11
12
13
14
15
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
3
4
6
1
2
حن
4
2
3
4
or
6
7
8
9
10
1 9
20
21
22
23
24
25
JUNE.
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
9
30
31
1
2
3
4
1
6
7
8
9
15
16
17
18
12
13
14
15
16
17
MAY. APRIL.
4
5
6
7
8
9
3
5
6
7
8
11
12
13
14
15
14
15
16
17
18
19
23
24
19
20
21
66
66
May 9th,
10
11
The Ist Term begins Nov. 29th, 1869, and ends Feb. 11th, 1870, comprising 11 weeks.
The 22nd of Sept. is assumed to be Cattle Show day. It is liable to come some other day. Also, Thanksgiving week is assumed to come at the usual time.
Half Term reports due March 26th, June 4th, Oct. 8th, and Dec. 31st.
-
3
26
2829 30
4
28
NOT.
18
13
14
July 1st,
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.
To the Hon. James B. Blake, Mayor, and the City Council of the City of Worcester :
The Directors of the Free Public Library respectfully present their Tenth Annual Report.
In the distribution of duties among the Directors, the special care of selecting and reporting for the sanction of the Board, books for purchase, with a consideration of demand and utility and also of supplying deficiences and avoiding duplicates, has been the charge of the Committee on the Library, consisting of Messrs. Ebenezer Cutler, Rush R. Shippen, Samuel S. Green, David Wes- ton and C. B. Metcalf, though all members of the Board take part in proposing books through the Com- mittee. The Report of that Committee by Mr. S. S. Green, the Secretary, who has devoted much attention to a systematic arrangement of the duties, is herewith presented as an interesting statement of the liberal and cautious principles which have governed the administra- tion of this important trust, with a suggestion of desira- ble improvements. The Report of Rev. Z. Baker the Librarian to the Directors, exhibits the working of the Library in the past year and contains some important recommendations, which will be the subject of remark. The number of takers from the Circulating department
1.48
in that period was 1572, showing an increase of 202 more than last year, and the number of volumes delivered to them was 86,667; a proof that there is no lack of inter- est in this department. The use of the Reading Room is much increased. " The abuse of books was less fre- quent and less severe, " and the Librarian says he has used all means in his power to produce this result. He mentions with much feeling the unjustifiable and unsat- isfactory labor which he has felt obliged to assume, some- times in personal visits to recall books which have been detained beyond the time allowed. Thoughtful consid- eration and common honesty should put an end to a careless negligence, that is injurious to those who have a right to use the books and an unnecessary increase of faithful labor. Of the 1534 volumes purchased, 1203 are found in the Circulating department and 331 in the Green Library. In the last summer, Rev. Mr. Baker, in the tenth year of his employment here, received from the Directors leave of absence for a visit to Europe, which he limited to two months, in the hope of some advantage to the library in addition to his personal enjoyments and the improvement of his health. In that short time he examined the systems of public libraries and has stated his observations to this Board, and with a sınall sum entrusted to him he has purchased and brought here 68 valuable volumes. He states that the donations consist of 31 bound volumes and 55 pam- phlets, and expresses surprise and regret, which the Directors also feel, that there is so little demonstration of good will to the library in this way. He has not classed with donations Reports and documents obtained in exchange. The donors and gifts are as follows :
149
Books. Pamphlets.
George E. Chambers.
1
American Antiquarian Society,
1
Andrew H. Green, Esq., New York,
2
Clarendon Harris, Esq.,
1
Samuel S. Green, Esq.,
4
Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Boston,
1
Hon. John D. Baldwin, 9
2
Hon. George F. Hoar, 10
5
Trustees Lancaster Library,
1
Edmund M. Barton, Esq.,
John Briggs, Esq., Glasgow, Scotland,
1
2
Samuel S. May, Esq., Boston,
1
A. G. Coes, Esq.,
1
Edward Earle, Esq.,
2
Edward I. Clapp,
1
Mrs. V. Flagg,
1
Coit Excursionists,
1
Rev. J. J. Power,
24
F. E. Cushman,
1
Prof. C. O. Thompson,
1
Mrs. Levi Lincoln,
1
Rev. David Weston,
2
Rev. R. R. Shippen,
1
Rev. Z. Baker,
5
Hon. Logan H. Roots, Arkansas,
2
L. L. Lawrence,
3
31
55
The receipts and payments of the Librarian, incident to his office, were :
RECEIVED.
From balance of last year's account,
$37 70
From sales of Catalogues and fines,
200 73
PAID.
For books bought,
$5 13
For cleaning Library, moving ashes, etc.
14 03
18
4
t
d
he on not led
$238 43
150
For postage and express,
49 30
For extra labor, 6 05
For repairs and fixtures,
30 32
For stationery, book covers, etc., 60 90
Leaving cash in hands of Treasurer.
$ 72 70
$238 43
The Librarian asks the important question "how far should the library be made a means of mere amusement ?" as it seems to be in case of certain books, mere stories of no special elevating tendency ; and he shrewdly adds, that if our most popular sensational authors " could be induced to cease to write, by a payment of all that their books could give them, parents could well afford to raise the money." Unhappily the evil cannot be removed in this way. In the diseases of the mind "the patient must minister to himself, " and will endure only the most delicate treatment of others. This has been a subject of anxious consideration with the Directors. If all books considered injurious on account of their excite- ment of the imagination and the passions, should be excluded according to the opinion of those who happen to be members of this Board, their judgment may not be approved by the applicants of the library who are not less pure minded and intelligent. And if no fault could be found in their decision, it is a questionable policy to make this library unattractive to those, who remaining here, may be led to more wholesome reading which they might not find if they were driven away. A healthy taste for reading, that can relish an essay of Bacon and a poem of Milton as much as a story of Dickens, is a well-spring of thought and enjoyment. Some concession must be made to the love of sensation that characterizes the age, and the Directors have anx- iously sought to make the lighter literature safe, and as far as possible, improving in its tendency.
-
151
The Librarian's report has this passage : " there are numerous calls for books that are purchased, but do not go into the Circulating department. I have made my own private collection nearly free in order to meet these demands. If some plan could be devised to extend the usefuluess of the Green Library, it would give great satisfaction." This suggestion is thus confirmed by the report of the Library Committee. " This Committee recommends that in future a larger proportion of books of permanent value be added to this (Circulating) de- partment of the Library than it has been our custom hitherto to place in it. Such books it is true are freely placed in the library for consultation. They do not there, however, meet entirely the wants of our towns- men. The tastes of all classes of readers should be con- sulted in purchasing books for the Circulating depart- ment, and all reasonable desires satisfied, yet especial care should be taken to encourage all persons who are inclined to read books of a higher order of merit."
The claims for more active utility in the stationary library arise in some degree from a misunderstanding of the purpose and operation of that department. Such libraries are sometimes spoken of, as if they were designed chiefly like the bonnets or mytres of Aaron and his sons, " for glory and for beauty," as a mere dis- play of the refinement and wealth of the city. In the view of thoughtless observers, the elegant and fresh books of the Green Library in their well guarded retire- ment, look down with pride on the toil worn and gray coated volumes on the other side of the partition. To accomplish its object, the stationary library must be kept on hand and entire, to answer the calls that are made, whether for facts and principles in mechanical art, in abstract or applied science, and in all that thought and
as
t e 0
of of t.
1 t
15
recorded experience can supply for the happiness and improvement of life. The brief visits of the eager inquirer in this department, may produce more valuable results for individual profit and the good of society than the reading of many volumes. The Green Library has another indirect beneficial effect. It is now and always will be in its increasing excellence, an example and an admonition to stimulate the people of this city, and their agents in this Board, to improve the Circulating Library. If the Green Library contains more value than the Circulating Library, thanks are due for the wisdom of the Founder, who made. the former, which .might be neglected, the object of his greater bounty, and left the circulation to be provided by the demands of the readers and the care of the city. The Green Library is the proper depository for books permanently valuable; but trashy ephemeral, literature, whether it have the guise of philosophy or of fun, whether it be grave or gay, would be an incumbrance there, though it may be permitted to flutter for its little hour, among the readers of the time. The Circulating Library should be supplied with all good books capable of being well used when taken out of the library, with the exclusion of atlases, charts and pictures of large size, which could not be safely carried into families, and might as well accomplish their object by a short inspection as by a long opportunity of study. And there may be a few other books that ought not to be circulated, like the costly and voluminous books of English patents in the Boston City Library, which would lose much of their value by the absence or mutilation of a volume. How- ever expensive and splendid a book may be, it can have no more appropriate and honorable place than the tem- porary custody of a reader who will be made wiser and
153
better by using it. It is no disparagement of the gift of the Founder to say, that the Circulating department is the most important part of this Library, because it operates on a larger number and carries instruction and enjoyment to many homes. The Green Library is shut up for its destined use by the conditions of the gift ; and the income provided by Dr. Green and his large and repeated donations of books, and books presented to the Green Library by other friends of the city will be suf- ficient to sustain and improve it. The general course pursued since the establishment of the Library has been directed to accomplish what is represented as desirable by the Committee on the Library and the Librarian, by applying funds within their control to the Circulating Library. Those who desire to aid the Library are re- quested to devote their liberality to the use of that department, which has most need of assistance, and which will be hereafter extended and enriched by all the re- sources within the power of the Directors. The larger part of the valuable books purchased by the Librarian in Europe have been placed in the Circulating Library. It is proper that the Directors should take notice, with commendation, of the services of the Librarian and his assistants, Miss Emma Eddy, Miss Sarah F. Earle and Miss Jessie E. Tyler, by whose intelligence and fidelity the active business of the library has been carried on with general satisfaction.
The Committee on Finance, consisting of Messrs. E. B. Stoddard, S. S. Green and S. Salisbury, by their Chair- man, Mr. Stoddard, present a Report hereto appended, of the Green Library Fund in the care of George W. Wheeler, Esq., City Treasurer, from which it appears :
That the invested fund now amounts to $31,378 31
There has been paid for books for the Green Library, 751 01
The disposable income for the Green Library is, 1678 62
154
When the Bank Stock of this Fund was paid over by the estate of Dr. Green, as a part of the amount of his legacy, it was received at the market price of the time, with a premium which is a part of its apparent value as now stated, and is liable to fluctuate and be reduced when the much desired return to specie currency shall take place. In obedience to the spirit of the injunction of Dr. Green, several times repeated in connection with his bequest, that income should only be used for pur- chase of books " after repairing from it any accidental loss of the principal," the Committee declare their inten- tion to add to the invested principal as much of the present large income as is equal to the amount of pre- mium, that the Bank stocks may hereafter be stated at par and the probability of deterioration may be dimin- ished. The mortgages were also received with the addition of accrued interest. This accrued interest, which swelled the apparent amount of the mortgages though it produced no interest and must be charged as a loss when the mortgages are paid off, having been received is deducted from the amount of the mortgages.
In the general report of the Committee on Finance hereto annexed, it will be seen that the year 1869 began with a
Balance of cash,
82238 03
Which was increased by the city appropriation of 1869, 6000 00
$8238 03
The expenditure for books has been, $2080 05
For the Periodical Reading Room, 200 00
For salaries, binding, gas, fuel, &c., 3218 49
Leaving a balance for}books, salaries, &c.,
till appropriation of 1870 is received, 2739 49
-
-$8238 03
The annexed report of the Committee on the Periodi-
155
cal Reading Room, Messrs. C. A. Chase, John J. Power and H. A. Marsh, by Mr. Chase the Chairman, states "an increased use of the privileges of this part of the Library established by a fund contributed by citizens, as these privileges become more generally known and appreciated." The report indicates the value and neces- sity of the selection, and the care that has been taken to make it satisfactory to the tastes and requirements of all our citizens. The report of Mr. Henry A. Marsh, Treasurer of the Fund for Periodicals, herewith present- ed, shows that the well invested fund
Amounts to, $10.650 00
The income for the year is, 963 19
Appropriated for periodicals by vote of Directors, 200 00
$1163 19
Of this there has been paid for periodicals, 8645 78
And the balance subject to some Jan. bills, 517 41 -81163 19
The Committee on the Building, Messrs. A. Tolman, E. B. Stoddard, and G. W. Russell, by their Chairman, Mr. Tolman, present a Report which will show the caution and forebearance that have been exercised to avoid burdensome expense. While the appropriations of the city are considered liberal, it will be seen that the objects of our care require an amount of money, that would not be anticipated without careful considera- tion. Among these objects, the first in importance is the books, which must be provided, though repairs and comfort of the building are as far as possible postponed. The payment for books is not large, nor is it a large part of the appropriation. This Committee state that unu- sual repairs for preservation, and not for ornament, must be made in the coming year ; and that the consumption
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of a large quantity of fuel, without comfortable heat, is an economy that should no longer be continued. The hot air furnaces, throwing their heat to the top of the high hall of the Green Library, while the lower part is dan- gerously cool, should give place to an arrangement that will carry the heat where it is wanted. The Directors ask particular attention to the recommendations of this Committee. The continued use of half the basement for a public school, is an accommodation which the city receives from the Library building.
If the number of recent books purchased this year is not so large as might be expected, it may be in part im- puted to the fact generally admitted, that this year did not offer many publications of the highest permanent value. Whether this is to be attributed to the temper of the times or to the effect of new notions of culture, that have gained ground in the last ten years, or to any other cause, is not the proper subject of discussion in this Report. Any deficiency of new books is made up by placing old familiar friends, always fresh and always welcome, on the shelves. As the growth of the Library has brought an increase of use and of satisfaction, the Directors again commend it to the liberal support of the people and the Municipal Government, as an object most important to the wealth, the intelligence, the character and the happiness of the city.
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