USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1872 > Part 16
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As the value of the 175 volumes lost during the past year probably does not exceed $200, it seems hardly advisable to incur an expense of $400 a year in preventing the loss, to say nothing of the expense attendant upon the introduction of the new sys-
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tem. To the minds of some this increased expense should be incurred for the sake of educating the community to habits of carefulness. This reason for a change is a strong one, I think, but I am not ready to recommend it yet, on that ground alone. This latter object, too, is partially effected by our system of fines. The rigid enforcement of the rule regarding fines is also, aside from the reliance which may justly be placed upon character and good habits, our main safeguard against the loss of books.
After a somewhat careful examination of the whole subject, I would make the following recommendations :
First. That our present system of delivery be further tried and that the library be examined twice a year, instead of once, as hitherto.
Second. That a new issue of cards be made to users of the cir- culating department, some time during the early portion of next summer.
A new issue is rendered imperative by two considerations. In the first place, many cards are held by persons who have no right to hold them, and who could not be found in case of the loss of a book. It is natural this should be the case, for it is a long time since a re-issue of cards has been made. During a six years' knowl- edge of the library I do not remember that there has been such a re-issue. The result is, that lost cards are being used by their finders, cards of dead men, and of persons who have moved from the city, by surviving friends, and persons remaining here who have never signed the agreement required of users of the library, and who have no right to use the cards.
In the second place, the streets of the city have been re-num- bered since the great majority of the users of the library took out cards, and removals from one part of the city to another have been, of course, very frequent. On account, therefore, of these two considerations, I make the recommendations stated above. I would further recommend that when the re-issue of cards is made, the statements as to residence, &c., of persons applying for them be verified when it seems advisable, by sending a messen- ger to the places indicated, or to some person, who may be given as a reference.
Anticipating that the Library Committee, or, if their sanction
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is necessary, the Board of Directors, will concur in the recom- mendations made in regard to the matter under consideration, I have put into the estimate of the sums of money needed by the library for the coming year, to be presented to the incoming city government, with the approval of the Committee on Finance of this library, an item of $200, to cover the necessary expenses of such a re-issue of cards as the one recommended.
ACCOUNTS.
Samuel S. Green, Librarian, in account with the Directors of the Free Public Library :
DR.
To balance in acc't rendered Dec. 1, 1871, $212 98
" Duplicate copies of books sold, payment for lost books, &c., 12 40
" Fines from Dec. 1, 1871, to Dec. 18, 1872, 480 73
" Sale of catalogues, Dec. 1, 1871, to Dec. 18, 1872, 65 25
$771 36
CR.
By Postage stamps, postal orders, and post-office bills, $62 17
Magazines and papers bought,
3 81
Tools and furniture,
6 81
Labor,
26 41
" Telegram, express and trucking, 56 20
Additional service in the different departments of the library, 308 74 4 05
Stationery and book,
Sundries,
19 12
$487 31
Balance in hands of Librarian Dec, 18, 1872,
284 05
$771 36
Dec. 28, 1872. The above account of the Librarian has been examined by me and found correct.
H. A. MARSH,
Chairman of the Committee on Finance.
A much larger sum of money has been paid out for extra ser- vice in the different departments of the library during the twelve and a half months covered by this report than in the course of
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the eleven months reported on last year. This additional expendi- ture is fully justified by the consideration that the convenience of citizens has been greatly increased by it.
CATALOGUING.
It has been the custom of this Library two or three years after it has issued a printed catalogue of the circulating department, to get out a supplement containing a list of additions.
We are now at work upon a supplement, and, should the Library continue its practice, shall be ready, we hope, to issue it in the course of the coming Spring.
The manuscript catalogue, in book form, of the Green library is now filled up, and I recommend that after February 1, the catalogue in this form be discarded, and all entries made on cards uniform in size with those which have already been used in making that portion of a card catalogue which we already have.
I would suggest that the books of the intermediate department be catalogued in the same way, and inserted, with some dis- tinguishing mark, in the same alphabet with the books of the Green library.
But besides making entries of new books on cards, it is important to write up our card catalogue and enter in it as rapidly as convenient the purchases of the last four years. In accordance with this need it is proposed to have Miss Earle work on the catalogue for five hours a day. With the experi- ence which Miss Earle now has in cataloguing, it is hoped that much progress will be made if this plan is sanctioned. In order that she may have the time for this work it will be necessary to employ another assistant for some hours every day to do a por- tion of the duties hitherto done by her. Considerable extra assistance is already required, as will be seen from the accounts of the librarian. The plan now under consideration contemplates the employment of unusual assistance for more hours still.
With the approval of the Committee on Finance an item of $200 has been put into the estimate of expenses for the current year, to meet this increased demand for expenditure. It may be a question where so much is to be paid out for extra services,
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whether it would not be wise to employ another regular assist- ant at an annual salary. It should be remembered, however, that the money paid out for this purpose will not be paid to one but to several persons, and that if another regular assistant were engaged, during certain hours in the week, still other persons would have to be employed. I would advise that, for the pres- ent, at least, the practice hitherto followed of paying by the hour for extra service, be continued.
Miss Earle, in giving so much time to this and other responsi- ble service, will be rendering to the library assistance of a higher market value than that for which she is now paid. She proposes, therefore, to ask the next Board of Directors for an increase of salary. When the proper time arrives, I shall take occasion to second her request.
While it will ever be my aim, in so far as responsibility comes upon me, to manage economically the affairs of the library, I am confident it is the wish of the Directors that I should not hesitate to advise small expenditures for things from which large results may be expected, and which are evidently demanded by the growth of the city and the increased importance of the library.
It is a part of the duties of the librarian to see to it "that the rooms are properly warmed and lighted." The latter object has been effected by the addition of new burners, whose purchase was mentioned in the last report. The increase in the number of burners has been attended, of course, with increased expense. As will be seen by the report of the Committee of the Board of Directors on the Building, additions were made to the heating apparatus of the library last summer and double windows have been placed on the lower story of the west side of the building. These improvements make it much more practicable for the libra- rian to keep the rooms " properly warmed."
A list of bills contracted by the library, and paid on its ac- count, has been kept at the library, for the first time, during the past year, and we have thus been enabled to see at a glance, our financial condition on any desired day.
I cannot close this report without expressing my regret at the retirement of the President of the Board of Directors after this meeting. I shall ever remember with gratitude the readiness
30
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
with which he has given time to the consideration of matters which I have had occasion to consult him about, and the cordial yet discriminating support which he has accorded me in the ad- ministration of the affairs of the library. My feelings would prompt me to say much more on the occasion, but I am restrained by the well considered unwillingness of the subject to be the recipient of public praise, and by the knowledge that he considers it unwise to bestow it.
SAMUEL S. GREEN, Librarian.
GIFTS FROM DECEMBER 1, 1871, to NOVEMBER 30, 1872.
Books.
Pamphlets
wo No and Papers.
Books.
Pamphlets and Papers.
American Antiquarian Society, American Unitarian Association,
Young Men's Mercantile Library
6
Boston Atheneum Library,
Association, Cincinnati, Charles F. Adams, Jr., George Allen, 2
2
Bookline Public Library,
1
1 William S. Barton, Treasurer, 1
1
2 Arthur D. Bayles,
1 1
City of Worcester, Cobden Club,
1
9 James L. Burbank, 36
Conn. State Board of Education,
3 4 George E. Chambers,
1 1
1 F. Chandler, 1
1
Historical and Philosophical Soci- ety, Ohio,
2
2 Jeremiah Colburn,
Holton Library, Brighton,
1
1 Charles A. Cutter,
1 W. H. Daniell,
9
F. H. Dewey,
58
2
1 Drew, Allis & Co.,
3
Lancaster Town Library,
Mass. Board of Agriculture, Sec'y, Education, Sec'y,
1 1
1 2
Bureau of Statistics of Labor,
1 George B. Gow,
1
Mercantile Library Association, Brooklyn, N. Y .,
Andrew H. Green,
2
Mercantile Library New York,
Association,
1
2 Grout & Putnam, John L. Hayes,
9 1 2
Mercantile Library Association, San Francisco,
87
14
Mercantile Library Association,
Washington,
1 William R. Hooper,
1
2
Middlesex Mechanics Association,
1 William R. Huntington, George A. Leavitt & Co.,
27
National Association of Wool Man- ufacturers,
1
1 A. P. Marble,
New York State Library,
1
2 William Mecorney,
Newton Free Library,
2 Nathaniel Paine,
Peabody Institute,
2 H. E. Peyton,
1 Emma S. Phillips,
1 4 1 9
66 66 Cincinnati,
1
1 J. J. Power,
1 Charles Reiche & Brother,
1
1 Roswell Rice,
2 1
Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester, State of Massachusetts,
104
12 A. R. Spofford, Librarian,
1
Town of Fitchburg,
2 Charles Sumner,
13
12
Town of Waltham,
United States. Public Documents, 28
Census Office,
1
1 Francis A. Walker, 1
2
66 Bureau of Education, 1
1 Charles F. Washburn, 1
1
University of Vermont,
1 James W. White, Librarian,
1
Warren County Library As'n,
2 Charles B. Whiting,
1
Worcester Free Institute,
1 Henry Wilson,
20
1
Yale College,
7 Friends, 1
17
Young Men's Association, Buffalo, " Christian Associat'n,
Worcester,
3
431 247
1 3
Providence Athenæum,
Public Library, Boston,
7 B. W. Potter,
1 Aaron M. Powell,
66 Newburyport,
66 Quincy,
66 Taunton,
1 E. H. Russell,
1 Stephen Salisbury,
2
St. Louis Mercantile Library As'n,
1 Stephen Salisbury, Jr.,
2
1 J. B. Sewall,
5 1
1 J. K. Tiffany, J. L. Utley, 2
2
66 Naval Observatory, 4 John D. Washburn, Treasury, I Henry Wheatland,
25
2
Edward A. Brigham, Francis H. Brown,
1
Free Public Library, New Bedford, " Watertown,
1 E. S. Chesbrough, E. S. Chesbrough and O. B. Green,
2
1 1
Howard University, Washington,
Howland Circulating Library, Fish- kill, N. Y.,
1 Edward Earle, Sarah F. Earle,
2
John Gates,
2
Samuel A. Green, Samuel S. Green,
3
1 George F. Hoar, R M. Hodges,
1
2 1 1
Charlestown,
Public School Library, St. Louis,
City Library As'n, Springfield,
City Library, Lowell, Manchester,
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
To the Directors of the Free Public Library :
GENLTEMEN: The exhaustive report of the Librarian, conveying as it does all needed information with reference to the administrative his- tory of the Library during the past year, leaves this Committee little to lay before you beyond the mere record of their official acts.
Early in the year the Committee adopted a measure which has been productive, in their judgment, of excellent results. They found in existence a long list of books which the Directors had, at various times, voted to purchase, but which, for one reason or another, had never been procured, and were not, in point of fact, to be found on the shelves of either department of the Library. Finding these arrearages of unpurchased books an obstacle in the way of intelligent progress, the Committee asked and obtained leave to sift the list, to drop from it the titles of all such books as had become by the lapse of time plainly undesirable, and to make such transfers from the Reference to the Cir- culating Department, and vice versa, as might seem in special instances desirable.
This work once accomplished, precautions were taken against a recurrence of the difficulty. At every regular meeting the Com- mittee now have as their basis of action in recommending new pur- chases, a formal statement kindly prepared by the Librarian, which informs them not only as to the number of ordered works still unbought, but also as to the amount of money available for use in the respective departments of the Library up to a given date. The state- ment for the current month shows in the Reference Department only two ordered books still unpurchased, and in the Circulating Depart- ment only thirteen.
In compiling the list of books presented from month to month for your action, the Committee have been largely indebted to the Libra- rian. They have not, however, thought it right to waive the exercise
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of their own judgment, but have endeavored always to use a proper scrutiny, and especially in cases involving a large outlay of money, they have thoroughly canvassed the merits of any proposed purchase before voting to recommend it.
In no point have the Librarian and the Committee more cordially agreed than with respect to the principles which ought to govern the increase of a library like ours. How to avoid a mistaken parsimony while studying a right economy, and how to minister without pandering to the popular taste, are problems which must always more or less per- plex those who are concerned in the management of libraries for public use. Aiming as far as possible in this question of demand and supply to "level up " rather than to "level down," the Committee have sought to be guided by two main principles,-
1st. Never to refuse to buy any really needed book on account of its costliness.
2d. To buy the very best books that could reasonably be expected to find readers.
The Committee have held during the year eleven meetings. They have recommended to the Board for purchase upwards of 600 volumes for the Green Library, and upwards of 2,500 volumes for the Circulat- ing and Intermediate Departments. They have approved bills to the amount of $1,880 06 in connection with the Green Library, and to the amount of $4,678 36 in connection with the Circulating Department.
It only remains to say that in the judgment of the Committee there never was a time when the resources of the Library were greater, or its affairs in better condition than now, and that to the Librarian and his assistants the credit is due of having served the public with alacrity, faithfulness and courtesy.
WILLIAM R. HUNTINGTON, Chairman.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON READING ROOM.
Hon. Stephen Salisbury, President of Directors of Free Public Library :
The past year has shown a steadily increasing use of the reading rooms, and the Committee have aimed to give the fullest supply of reading possible with the fund at their disposal. The sum of $100 00 from the general appropriation made by the city, has been used in this department, and in return the library will receive the value of several times that amount in newspapers and periodicals for binding. We are under continued obligations to several of our citizens, and to certain publishers elsewhere for their contributions.
The accompanying table shows that we are in receipt of 170 serial publications, exclusive of duplicates. Of these 20 are published daily, 3 tri-weekly, 1 semi-weekly, 71 weekly, 5 semi-monthly, 55 monthly, and 15 quarterly. We find 14 States of this Union represented, together with the District of Columbia. Massachusetts furnishes 39, New York 38, Pennsylvania 9, Connecticut 6, Rhode Island, Washing- ton City, Ohio and Illinois 3 each; Maine, Missouri and California 2 each; New Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia and Michigan 1 each. From Canada we have 4, France 2, Germany 2, and from Great Britain and Ireland no less than 48.
While we furnish, with other American publications, copies of such as are in almost every family, it seems eminently proper that we should continue to supply many which, though less generally popular, have an intrinsic and lasting value. We point with pride to the large number of European magazines and journals upon our tables, of which, on account of their high cost, very few are sent to regular subscribers in this city, but which are warmly welcomed by the many to whom we give a free opportunity for perusal.
The Committee have been called upon to establish rules for the use of the Reading Rooms on Sundays, and they are now open to the pub- lic every day in the year. The experiment will be closely watched by our own citizens, and will attract much attention elsewhere. While this Committee is unanimous in favor of the movement, and is sanguine
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of its success, it is too early now to record results. At the close of another year a full report of the new undertaking can be given.
For the Committee on the Reading Room, CHARLES A. CHASE, Chairman.
List of serial publications furnished in the Reading Rooms :
DAILY.
Albany Evening Journal. Allgemeine Zeitung (Augsburg.)
Boston Daily Advertiser.
Boston Daily Evening Transcript.
Boston Daily Journal.
Boston Post.
Daily Evening Traveller (Boston.)
The Daily Globe (Boston.)
The Evening Post (New York.)
The Globe (Washington.) Hon. Geo. F. Hoar.
New York Commercial Advertiser.
New York Daily Tribune.
New York Herald.
New York Times.
Providence Daily Journal.
Public Ledger (Philadelphia. )
Springfield Daily Republican.
Worcester Daily Spy, 3 copies (one The Graphic (London.) given by Publishers.)
Worcester Evening Gazette, 3 copies The Home Journal (New York.)
(one given by Publishers.) The World (New York.)
TRI-WEEKLY.
The Chicago Tribune. L'Evénement (Quebec.) The Mail (London.)
SEMI-WEEKLY.
Cincinnati Semi-weekly Gazette.
WEEKLY.
Advent Christian Times (Chicago.) The Massachusetts Ploughman (Bos- ton.)
Given by Samuel Ayres.
Appleton's Journal (New York.) American Artisan (New York.) Army and Navy Journal (New York.) The Athenæum (London.) L'Avenir National (Troy.) Bell's Life in London. Berliner Montag Zeitung.
Chicago Legal News. The Christian Register (Boston and Chicago.) Given by the American Unitarian Association.
The Churchman (Hartford.)
The College Courant (New Haven.)
The Commercial Bulletin (Boston.)
The Commonwealth (Boston.)
Comptes Rendus (Paris.)
The Connecticut Courant (Hartford.)
Detroit Tribune.
Given by The Engineer (London.)
Engineering (London.)
L'Etendard National (Montreal.) Given by the Publishers.
Every Saturday (Boston.)
The Examiner (London.)
The Fitchburg Reveille.
Friends' Review (Philadelphia.) Given by S. H. Colton.
Harper's Weekly (New York.)
The Illustrated London News (London)
The Independent (New York.)
The Independent Statesman (Concord.)
Given by S. F.
The Index (Toledo.) Earle. The Iron Age (New York. )
The Iron World and Manufacturer, (Pittsburg, Pa.) Given by the Publishers.
Journal of the Society of Arts (Lon- don. )
Littell's Living Age (Boston.)
The Liverpool Weekly Mercury.
The Lowell Weekly Journal.
The Maine State Press (Portland.)
The Methodist (New York.) Given by A. H. Mckeown.
The Mining Journal (London.)
The Missouri Democrat (St. Louis.)
The Montreal Herald.
The Nation (New York.) Nature (London.)
Boston Investigator. Given by the New England Farmer (Boston.) Publishers and Members of the Notes and Queries (Edinburgh.) Anthropological Society of Wor- Official Gazette of the U. S. Patent cester. Office (Washington.) The Pall Mall Budget (London.) The Chemical News (London.)
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
Plymouth Pulpit (New York.)
The Publishers' and Stationer's Weekly Boston Journal of Chemistry.
Trade Circular (New York.) Punch (London.) The Saturday Review (London.) The Scientific American (New York.) La Semaine Agricole (Montreal.)
The Spectator (London.)
The Spirit of the Times (New York.)
The Texas New Yorker (New York. ) The Contemporary Review (London. ) Given by the Publishers! United Service Gazette (London.) Washington Weekly Chronicle.
Weekly Alta California (San Fran- cisco.)
The Weekly Freeman's Journal (Dub- lin. )
The Weekly Scotsman (Edinburgh.)
The Woman's Journal (Boston and Good Words (Philadelphia. ) Chicago.) Given by S. F. Earle. Harper's New Monthly Magazine (New Woonsocket Patriot. York.)
The Worcester Palladium. Given by
the Publisher.
The World's Crisis (Boston.) by Samuel Ayres. Yale Courant (New Haven.)
Given by A. The Literary World (Boston.)
Zion's Herald (Boston.) H. Mckeown.
SEMI-MONTHLY.
The Academy (London.) Bowdoin Scientific Review. by W. W. Rice. Dwight's Journal of Music (Boston.) The Harvard Advocate (Cambridge.) Revue des Deux Mondes (Paris.)
MONTHLY.
Advocate of Peace (Boston.) All the Year Round (London. )
American Agriculturist (New York.) The American (Philadelphia.)
Historical Record The Popular Science Monthly (N. Y.)
The American Journal of Science and Arts (New Haven.)
The American Naturalist (Salem.) Annals of the Propagation of the Faith (Baltimore.) Given by Rev. J. J. Power. Appleton's Guide (New York.) The Art Journal (London. )
The Association Monthly (New York.) Given by Y. M. C. Association. The Atlantic Monthy (Boston.) Beeton's Boy's Own Magazine (Lon- don.)
The Book Seller (London.)
The Brunonian (Providence. ) The Builder (London.) Chambers' Journal (London and Edin- burgh.)
The Christadelphian (Birmingham.) Given by the Worcester Christ. Ecclesia.
Cornhill Magazine (London.) Dublin University Magazine. The Fortnightly Review (London.) Fraser's Magazine (London.)
The Galaxy (New York.) The Gardener's Monthly (Philadelphia.) The Gentleman's Magazine (London.) Good Things (Philadelphia. )
The Historical Magazine (Morisania.) The Horticulturist (New York.)
Given The Journal of the Franklin Institute (Philadelphia.)
Lippincott's Magazine (New York.)
London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philo- sophical Magazine. Macmillan's Magazine (London.) The Manufacturer and Builder (New York.) Given The Mechanics' Magazine (London.) The Musical Times (London.)
Old and New (Boston.) Given by the American Unitarian Association.
Once a Week (London.)
Our Dumb Animals (Boston.) by the Publishers.
Given
Our Young Folks (Boston.) The Overland Monthly (San Francisco.)
The Philadelphia Photographer.
The Phrenological Journal (N. Y.)
The Religious Magazine (Boston.) Given by the American Unitarian Association.
Sabin and Sons' American Bibliopolist (New York.) Given by the Pub- lishers. Scribner's Monthly (New York.)
Snow's Patlıfinder (Boston.) The Southern Workman (Hampton, Va.) Given by P. L. S. Canfield. The Workshop (New York.)
QUARTERLY.
The Bible Banner (New York.) Given. The American Church Review (Hart- Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. ford, New York and - London. ) Given by Wmn. R. Huntington. The Book Buyer (New York.)
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American Journal of Numismatics The London Quarterly Review.
(Boston.)
The Methodist Quarterly (New York.) Given.
Bibliotheca Sacra (Andover.)
The British Quarterly Review.
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register (Boston.)
The Christian Quarterly (Cincinnati.) Given by A. Wilcox.
The North American Review (Boston. )
The Edinburgh Review. The Popular Science Review (London.)
The Journal of the Anthropological The Quarterly Journal of Science Institute (London.) (London.)
The Journal of Speculative Philosophy The Westminster Review. (St. Louis.)
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BUILDING.
To the Directors of the Free Public Library : -
Your Committee have to report that the accumulation of books, and the growing demands of the Green Library, have required the room over the reception room of the circulating department to be furnished with shelves, cases and heating coil ; and it has been found necessary to add shelf-room in the circulating department. The severe cold weather of last winter tested the capacity of the heating apparatus, showing that it was not quite sufficient in extreme cold weather, and double windows have been put on the rooms of the circulating depart- ment, also a heating coil in the reception room of the same.
A fire extinguisher and six buckets have been placed in suitable positions in the building for protection against fire. Only such repairs have been made upon the building as seemed absolutely necessary.
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