USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1871 > Part 16
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enables me to present the following table showing how many vol- umes were delivered to patrons during every one of the several months.
*January, 7325
February, 6777
March, 7325
April, 6244
May, 5570
June, 4712
July, 4764 August, 4547
September, 4997
October, 5095
November, 5598
Total,
62.954
It will be noticed that the largest number of books was taken out in the months of January, February, and March. More volumes were issued in Spring than in Autumn. The smallest numbers, of course, are those showing the use of the library in midsum- mer.
The circulating department has been kept open 281 days dur- ing the eleven months covered by this report. The average daily issue of volumes has been 224. During the months of June, July and August this average daily issue was 178 volumes. This fact vindicates your action in voting not to close the library for the few weeks which, until recently, it has been thought neces- sary to take for the examination of the library and in order to give the usual summer vacation to the officers. During the months of January, February and March, the number of books given out daily was, in the average, 281 volumes.
The largest number of books issued in any one day is 614, the number given out March 4th. It is no uncommon thing to give out 400 or 500 volumes in a single day. It is seldom that 600 are issued. During a few days in the hottest of the weather a few less than a hundred volumes were delivered to users. Most work of the kind we are considering is done Saturday afternoon and evening. Monday evening and Wednesday afternoon are busy seasons. Thursday I should judge without making a care- ful examination of the record is our dullest day.
It is gratifying to add that the statistics given above are more accurate than it was possible to make them in the use of the methods of previous years.
The number of persons who have availed themselves of the priviliges of the circulating department for the first time during the past eleven months or after a long disuse of them is 2,019
* Estimated in part.
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against 1654 for the whole of the year 1870. This number is distributed over the months as follows :
January, 270
February, 243
March, 251
April, 169
May, 139
June, 132
July, 130
August, 140
September, 170
October, 176
November, 199
Total, 2,019
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
These are as follows :
Books, 349 vols.
Pamphlets & Papers. 290
Books given to Green Library,
Books bought for Green Library out of Green Library Fund, 311 66
Books added to Green Library in other ways,
14
Newspapers and Magazines bound,
309
Total,
983 vols. 290
Books bought for Circulating Library,
663 "
Books given to Circulating Library,
68 «
263
Magazines bound,
10 «
Total,
741 " 263
Annexed to this report may be found a list of givers. 419 volumes and 545 pamphlets and papers have been given to us since the beginning of the year. Included among the volumes are the files of the Liberator and American Anti-Slavery Stand- ard given to us by Richard D. Webb, Esq., of Dublin, Ireland ; some portion of the correspondence regarding which gift was given in the report of the library committee a year ago.
Particular mention should be made of a valuable donation of books and pamphlets from Hon. George F. Hoar. Mr. Hoar, when in Europe last Summer, mindful as ever of the inter- ests of this library, and alive to the importance of placing at the disposal of citizens the means of forming an intelligent opinion on social questions now under discussion, had a collection of public documents and pamphlets, on the Labor question, minor- ity representation and some other subjects, made for presenta- tion to us upon his return. The gift is valuable and timely.
Fewer books have been bought for the library this year than last year. In the case of the Green Library this is owing to two facts. First, the purchases in 1870 were larger than they can
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ordinarily be, because the income of the Green library fund had been allowed to accumulate instead of being spent month by month according to our usual method of procedure. Second, large orders for books are now in London and considerable addi- tions will soon be made to this department.
As was stated before, few additions were made to the circula- ting department during the early part of the year 1871, owing to a want of means. Latterly, however, books have been added in large numbers, and care has been taken so to arrange the finances of the institution that money shall always be at our dis- posal for the purchase of books instead of spending it in large sums at any one time.
The board of Directors is to be congratulated that the money matters of the library, thanks to the persistent efforts of the proper committees and librarian, are very well systematized and are on a sound, business footing.
It may be well to mention that among the additions to the Green Library are a set of the Scientific American, containing the rare first volume, the supplementary volume to Stuart & Revitt's Antiquities of Athens. Some valuable works on Bridges and Sewers, Spon's & Cresy's Dictionaries of Engineering, Tomlinsen's Cyclopædia of Useful Arts, some valuable State Geological Reports, good editions of Chaucer and several other poets, Jowett's Dialogues of Plato, and the rare work by the same author on some of Paul's Epistles, Thomas's Pronouncing Biographical Dictionary and the last two volumes of Allibone's Dictionary of Authors.
A considerable number of stories in the French language have been added to the circulating department. These are much used by the French portion of the population.
It is in contemplation to make additions of German books to the same department in a short time. Arrangements are making by which we expect to obtain, as issued, the new weekly volumes of "Specifications and Drawings of Patents," which the office at Washington began to issue last July. It will be remembered that these volumes contain complete specifications and elaborate drawings, and that, in them, the record of the issue of patents is to be kept up to date. The work will be too expen- sive for many individuals to own, but can be secured by Public
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Libraries, under certain restrictions, by paying the cost of bind- ing it in a certain manner. When the volumes already issued shall have been received and others published, carrying the record back to the time covered by the reports issued in the old form, our facilities will be ample for showing patrons promptly what patents have been issued by our government. We have also subscribed to the "List of Patents," the latest number of which will be always found on the table in the upper reading-room and all the numbers of which, as fast as they come into our possession, can be consulted upon application to the librarian or his assistants.
It will be noticed that the number of volumes of Magazines and Newspapers bound since Jan 1, is 319, where as the number reported as bound in 1870 is only 106. This large increase is to be accounted for in two ways.
First, in February and March, we sent to the bindery 82 vol- umes of Magazines and Newspapers issued in 1869 and the first half of 1870, which regularly would have been bound in the years 1869 and 1870.
· Second, we have bound certain volumes of the sets of the "Massachusetts Spy" and "Palladium" which we procured last year, and 12 volumes of Littell's Living Age, the numbers of which had been secured in accordance with a vote of the board to fill up our set of this periodical. The German newspapers have not been bound until this year. Nor has the Overland Monthly. By binding these periodicals '22 volumes were added to the list. It may be well to remark that while we should be careful not to spend money in binding periodicals which will not be used, liberal expenditure is desirable in this direction. Sets of Magazines and Reviews and files of Newspapers are very use- ful in such a library as ours and they must be bound to be pre- served, and placed in a condition to be used. The cost of bind- ing should be regarded much in the same light as an expenditure for books. Some novels, for instance, we buy bound, some unbound. When we buy them bound we pay for the binding at a bookstore. When we buy them unbound we pay for the bind- ing at a bindery. This year as hitherto many of the files of newspapers taken in the lower reading-room have been given to the American Antiquarian Society, on condition that they shall be bound and with the understanding that they can be used there by citizens who wish to consult them.
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ACCOUNTS.
Samuel S. Green, Librarian, in account with the Directors of the Free Public Library.
DR.
To money on hand Jan. 1, 1871,
36.81
To fines collected from Jan. 1, to Dec. 1, 1871,
336.37
To catalogues sold from Jan. 1, to Dec. 1, 1871,
73.00
To set of books sold by order of Directors, To Sundries,
19.11
$504.29
CR.
By Wood,
14.25
By Labor,
5.97
By Dusting and Cleaning,
25.96
By Service in Circulating Department,
120.82
By Express,
15.63
By Postage and Post Office Bills,
46.46
By Advertising,
1.87
By Stationary and Books,
7.57
By Numbers of Magazines and papers purchased,
2.54
By Tools and Furniture,
28.40
By Books for which money has been refunded,
2.45
By Sundries,
19.39
By Amount due from Librarian,
212.98
$504.29
Dec. 26, 1871. The receipts of the above account of Samuel Green, Esq., Librarian, are satisfactorily stated and the payments are well-vouched.
STEPHEN SALISBURY,
One of the Committee on Finance.
It will be noticed that the expenditure for service in the circu- lating department is larger, by some fifty dollars, for the eleven months of this year than for the twelve months of 1870. The reasons for this are found in the fact of the rapid and large increase of the use made of the Green library this year, which has called for the more constant presence of the librarian there ; and in another fact, viz: that the busiest seasons in the circulat- ing department are also the seasons when the demand for books and information is most active in the Green library and those in which the reading-rooms are most frequented.
It will be noticed also that the receipts from fines are very much larger than those reported last year.
39.00
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GREEN LIBRARY.
This department has been the scene of much activity during the last eleven months. We have to note here a large increase in the use of the books. The number of applications for informa- tion and books in a single year, instead of being stated in hundreds as in previous years must now be stated in thousands.
It appears from an estimate, founded in large part upon records carefully kept, that in 3814 cases the librarian has furnished information to seekers, or pointed out the sources from which it might be obtained, during the eleven months of this year. It is much within the bounds of probability that one-half as many more persons have helped themselves to information by the use of the Encyclopædias and Dictionaries which are pro- vided here in such numbers, and to which free access is allowed without the intervention of the librarian. It thus appears that in 5721 cases citizens have had the means given them of answer- ing questions of interest or importance to them, and it is obvious to the officers of the library that where persons have sought for information from them they have almost always found it or been put in the way of obtaining it. During several months, volumes of bound Magazines and of Illustrated Papers have been left lying upon the tables to furnish amusement to persons who did not care for study or serious reading. Much judgment has to be used in this matter to prevent disturbance to persons using the library for its more legitimate purposes by mere pleasure seekers, still about 1600 persons, it is estimated, have been provided with recreation in this way without incommoding readers and students. Adding 1600 to 5721 we have a total of 7321 persons who have received benefit or pleasure from the use of this depart- ment of the library. This number, of course, does not include persons who have used current numbers of periodicals in the Green library room, but only those who have used the bound volumes here. It is gratifying to find so large a use to have grown up in less than a year of a department of the library which has been but little used hitherto.
If any persons have doubted in regard to the usefulness of a reference library, the books of which cannot be taken from the building, the experience of the past year would show them that such an institution can be made very useful by making provision
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for unlocking its riches in the constant presence of officers ready to help seekers obtain required information. It may be remarked that nine-tenths, probably nineteen-twentieths of the applications made to the librarian for information have been to point out where it could be obtained instead of to get certain specified books. The users of this department comprise repre- sentatives of all classes and ages. Thus school children come in large numbers for information connected with their studies. A considerable number of young men come here regularly to pre- pare themselves for debates. Many carpenters and mechanics study here the principles which lie at the foundation of their trades. Newland's Carpenter and Joiner's Assistant is one of the books that have been most used during the year. Teachers make much use of the library. It is also used by editors, authors, clergymen, teachers and scholars in Sunday Schools, commercial travellers, and, in fact, by men in all departments of life. The young men of the Free Institute of Industrial Science find great assistance here in looking up particular subjects and in preparing theses.
If we were to add to the numbers already given, the number of persons who frequent the Green library room to read maga- zines, reviews and papers, the total number of persons using this room in the course of a year would probably appear to be upwards of 15,000.
The usefulness of the whole institution will appear when it is remembered that these figures represent the use of only one department. To show the value of the library we must consider the very large number of persons who read the daily and weekly newspapers in the lower reading-room and the 70,000 volumes issued yearly in the circulating department.
While readers have been so numerous in the Green library room there has been activity there of another kind. Much work has been done in arranging the books on the shelves according to subjects and in numbering them. The whole Green library has been roughly arranged and one half of it has been finally arranged and numbered. In the course of two or three months it is hoped that the final revision of the arrangement of the remaining one-half will be completed and the whole library num- bered. This work has been done under the superintendence of
27
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the librarian by Miss Sarah F. Earle. By her good judgment and intelligence in carrying out his general plans, the librarian has been relieved from much care, and the work of final revi- sion has been rendered comparatively light.
No time has been found during the year to give to the improve- ment of the catalogues of the Green library, nor is it likely that time will be found at present with the number of attendants now employed here. While it is desirable that the improvements sug- gested in the last report of the library committee should be made sometime, it is not indispensable that they should be made now. The experience of the past year has shown that however excellent the catalogues in this department might be, they would be chiefly useful to the officers of the library. The main depen- dence of the users of the reference department seems to be upon the librarian and not upon catalogues. While our collection continues moderate in size the librarian can carry in his memory a sufficient knowledge of the contents of the library to enable him, with the aid of such catalogues as we have to meet the requirements of patrons. Still, if time can be found for the work, the attempt will be made to carry out some of the sugges- tions above referred to.
The Green library room has been insufficiently lighted until recently, so many more persons than formerly have resorted to it. Six additional brackets, designed and put up under the superintendence of Mr. Morgan, of the Building committee, have removed all cause for complaint on this score. Measures have also been taken, and it would appear successfully, to improve the ventilation of this room.
LIBRARY SERVICE.
All departments of the library have been open every day in the year with the exception of Sundays, Memorial day, and the legal holidays of Washington's Birth day, Fast Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving Day. Until this year the library has been closed for the two days immediately succeeding Thanksgiving Day. On legal holidays the lower reading-room has been kept open cer- tain hours for the first time this year. The hours are from 9 A. M. to 1 P. M. and from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P. M. Access in these hours has been given to certain reference books and the
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magazines and papers in the upper reading-room upon applica- tion to an attendent.'
These arrangements have proved satisfactory. Citizens come in large numbers to the reading-room on holidays. Thanksgiv- ing, about 150 persons read the papers. This number indicates a busy day.
The Green library room, according to the " rules and regula- tions " is to be kept open during the same hours as the circula- ting department, that is from 9 A. M. to 8 P. M. for the first five secular days in the week and from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. Saturdays. This year, this room has really been open every evening until 9} o'clock and the librarian has almost invariably been in attendance until that hour. Miss Earle has also remained in the lower read- ing-room until 93 o'clock. The same persons have acted as assistants in the library this year as last year, namely Mrs. Emma S. Phillips and Misses Sarah F. Earle and Jessie E. Tyler. Mrs. Phillips and Miss Tyler have had charge of the circulating department and their work has consisted in finding, delivering, charging and marking off books called for by users, in keeping up the index, covering and repairing books, cataloguing, and such other things as they have been asked to do by the librarian. They have cut the leaves of all the books in the Green library whose leaves had not been cut before. They are now engaged in opening a new ledger in which to keep accounts with the users of the circulating department. They have been industrious, obliging and capable and have rendered excellent service. I am sorry to have to announce the withdrawal from the library next January of Mrs. Phillips who has served us faithfully for about six years, and whose experience has given her services a high value. I wish to unite with the board of directors in the express- ion of good wishes for her prosperity and happiness in the new sphere of life which she is now entering. Miss Earle has had the charge of both reading-rooms. It has been her business to go to the Post Office, put up and take down the papers, keep the files perfect, see that papers and magazines come promptly, attend to their preparation for binding, send for and hunt up indexes and missing numbers and do such other work as is required for the satisfactory working of things in this department. I have had also to rely upon her to do many errands outside of the library,
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and to write many letters and look over many bills. She also keeps the list of books which the board orders to be purchased. In my absence she has given assistance to users of the Green library in finding information. As before stated the arrange- ment of the books in the Green library has, under general direc- tions from the librarian, been her work. I consider her services very valuable and now that her health has become fixed and she is able to do a full day's work I wish that a moderate addition could be made to her salary. I prefer the same request in regard to Miss Tyler who has served the library several years and who will in the absence of Mrs. Phillips become under the board and librarian the head of the circulating department. There will be a considerable difference between the salary which you will prob- ably think it wise to vote to the new assistant and the one which Mrs. Phillips has received. Recognition of this fact may enable the board to see its way clear to accede to the desires of the other assistants.
The duties of the librarian have been multifarious. Besides having a general and in some cases a particular supervision of the work carried on by the assistants he has kept records and accounts in the circulating department, records in the Green library, attended to a large correspondence, received visitors, aimed to keep informed in regard to new publications in England and America, given much assistance to the library committee in the selection of books, acted as the executive officer of this and the other committees of the board and of the board itself, purchased the books, examined accounts and watched the work- ing of our methods and studied the working of new methods in use elsewhere. His principal work however and that which he has always remembered as of first importance has been to receive cordially all persons who are seeking information and help them to find what they wish.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The usual annual examination of the circulating department of the library has been made this year, but so recently that the results cannot be given in this report. Two new departments have been established in the circulating library which will now very soon be in operation. These have been established in accord- ance with suggestions in the last report of the committee on the
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library, in order that valuable books might be put in that depart- ment and carefully guarded against injury and loss. Some care has been taken to bring to the notice of citizens the privileges which they may enjoy here by means of notices in the daily papers, by hanging cards in a few places and by writing a notice for the City Directory. Much more might be done in this direc- tion. It may be well to remark that the expensive books purchased last year have been much used during the present year. Efforts made early in the year to prevent the defacement of books have been moderately successful. The principal means used, in addi- tion to watchfulness at the library, was the preparation of a cir- cular which was read in all the public schools and printed in the daily papers setting forth the penalties under the laws of Massa- chusetts for making pencil marks in books or mutilating them. As a precaution against fire, a man engaged for that purpose, has slept in the library building for several months past.
I have various suggestions to make to different committees, but will reserve them until the organization of the next board of directors. Plans have also been formed for the work of the com- ing year, but it is unnecessary to mention them here.
It only remains for me to thank the committees of the board of directors and its president and secretary for the heartiness of their co-operation in considering and carrying out plans for the interests of the library.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL S. GREEN, Librarian.
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GIFTS FROM JANUARY 1 TO NOVEMBER 30, 1871.
Books
Pamphlets
land Papers
Books
Pamphlets
and Papers
Argentine Minister, Wash't'n, 1
Sarah F. Earle.
7
Boston Athnæeum, Library,
15 John Eaton, Jr., Commis-
Central Library, Syracuse,
1 sioner of Education,
1
Free Public Library, Newton,
1
1
Mercantile Library Association,
1
Samuel A. Green. 1
3
Public Library, Boston,
1
1 S. N. Haskell,
3
66
Taunton,
1 Alonzo Hill's Heirs 45
66 Watertown,
1 George F. Hoar, 10 162
59
Silas Bronson Library,
1 Charles Hudson,
1
State Library, Boston,
1 Wm. R. Huntington,
1
American Antiquarian Society,
4 A. P. Marble,
1
1
Am. Unitarian Association,
] Frederick May,
1
City of Worcester,
1 D. S. Messinger,
5
Commissioner of Pensions,
1 F. A. Von Moschzisker,
1
Commissioner of Revenue,
1 D. H. Paine, 5
I
Mass. New Church Union, 17
Wm. J. Potter, Sec'y,
Institution for Blind, Mass.,
1
1 Rice & Whiting,
1
State of Massachusetts,
14
10 E. H. Russell,
1
United States,
40
11
Worcester , Disrict Medical Society,
1 Seaver & Francis,
1
Worcester Gazette,
2 M. Seguin, aîné
2
Young Mens' Christian As'n.
1 J. L. Sibley, Librarian,
1
Ezra Abbott,
1 Samuel Smith, City Clerk,
1
E. Adams,
2 Wm. A. Smith,
37
P. E. Aldrich,
1
Snow Brothers,
1
E. G. Allen,
6 Charles Sumner,
13
6
Henry C. Baird,
5 C. O. Thompson,
3 1
Bangs, Merwin & Co.,
1 Francis A. Walker, Superinten-
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