USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1877 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
1
Cobden Club, through Thomas Bag- ley Potter, Hon. Secretary, 1
1 Lowell, Mass., City Library,
1
Columbia College, New York City.
1 Lyman, Theodore,
1 1
Concord, Mass., Town of,
1 Lynn Public Library.
1 Macmillan & Co. 1
Maine Board of Agriculture, 1
7 218
Crompton, George,
Marsh, O. C.,
1
Dartmouth College, Hanover N. H. Davis, A. B.
1
Board of Agriculture, through C. L. Flint, Secretary,
4
1
Derby, Richard H.
Dexter, Julius,
1 1
Drew, Allis & Co.
9
1 through Pliny Earle, Supt.,
1
Earle, Edward,
2
Earle, Sarah F.
1
2 9 State Board of Health, through C. F. Folsom, Secretary, 2 1
24 1
Book Committee of Friends of Phil-
adelphia Yearly Meeting, 1
4
Hartford Young Men's Institute,
Boston, City of, Chairman of Com- mittee on Printing, Boston Latin School Association, through Joseph Healey, Sec. Public Library, 1 1
Boston Athenæum,
16 Hastings, T. J., Hayes, John L.,
1
1 Heywood, E. H.,
3
1 Highland Military Academy, Wor-
1 3
Bronson Library, Waterbury, Conn. Brown, F. H. 1
Cincinnati, City of, Board of Educa- tion, 1
Pu lic Library, through Thomas Viears, Librarian, 1
LeConte, John L ..
Free Public Library,
Connecticut State Board of Educa- tion, 2
Marble, A. P.,
1 Massachusetts, State of, 16
Deane, Charles,
1
1 Board of Education, 2
1
Drake, Samuel A.
3 Board of Railroad Commissioners, Bureau of Statistics of Labor, 2
Northampton Lunatic Hospital,
Books.
American Antiquarian Society, four Newspapers,
3 Estes & Lauriat, Fall River Public Library,
1 Francis, George E., Friends' Free Reading Room and 1 Library, Germantown, Pa., Gannett, Wm. C.,
1 General Society of Mechanics and
1 1
33. 19 9
Bacon, Theodore,
Bigelow Free Library, Clinton, Mass. Bolton, town of, Committee of Cen- tennial Celebration,
1 Green, James, Estate of, 38
Harris, Daniel L.,
Bradlee, C. D.
Lancaster Public Library, 1
Drew, J. G.
.
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
141
| Pamphlets
land Papers
Books.
Pamphlets
and Papers.||
State Library, State Normal School, Framingham, State Normal School, Worcester, Tax Commissioner's Office,
Massachusetts Society for promot- ing Agriculture,
Melrose Public Library,
Memorial Hall Library, Andover,
Mercantile Library, New York City, 1
Mercantile Library Association, Cincinnatti, O.,
Mercantile Library Company, Phil- adelphia.
Messinger, D. S., 1
Department of Agriculture, 3
2
Mexican Commission to the Interna- tional Exhibition 1876.
Morgan, Chas. H.,
1
Department of the Treasury,
2
Department of War, Library of Congress,
1 2
1 Naval Observatory, 2
1 Navy Department, Bureau of
Steam Engineering, 1
Office of Indian Affairs, 2
24 Paymaster-General's Office, Pension Office,
2 1 1
1 University of California,
University of Vermont,
Vermont, State Superintendent of Education,
2 1
New York Academy of Medicine,
1
Newburyport Public Library,
1 Washburn, John D.,
1 Watertown Free Public Library,
1 Wayland, Town of,
1 Williams, H. W.,
1 Williams College, Williamstown, Wilmington Institute, Wilmington 2 Del.,
1 Woburn, Town of,
1 Woodruff Scientific Expedition, thro' Daniel Macauley, Secretary,
1
Piper, Thomas,
1
Poole, Wm. F.,
1
Woman's Medical College of Penn- sylvania, Philadelphia.
1 1 1
Putnam, John J.,
1 Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science,
8
Quincy Public Library,
Rice, John M.,
Rice, W. W., 68
3 Worcester Moulding Works,
Robbins, R. E.,
1 Worcester Society of Antiquity,
2 2 1
St. Louis Mercantile Library,
2 Young Men's Association of Buffalo,
1
Salisbury, Stephen, 4
San Francisco Mercantile Library Association,
Schærhof & Mæller,
Smithsonian Institution, Washing- ton, D. C. 5
Soley, James R.,
1
1 Sotheran, Henry & Co., 1
2 Springfield Library Association,
1 Staples, Samuel E., Thayer, W. M.,
1 1 1
1 Thompson, Chas, O.,
1 Toledo Public Library,
1 Tucker. Wm. W., 1
Tufts College, Medford.
2
Turner Free Library, Randolph, 1
1 United States, Bureau of Education, 1 Chief of Ordnance, 2
4 Chief of Engineers, 6
Department of the Interior, 5
18
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, through Alexander Agassiz, 1
New Bedford, City of Free Public Library,
1
New England Cotton Manufacturers' Association,
New England Theatre Reform Asso- ciation, through Geo. B. Watson, New Jersey State Board of Educa- tion, through Ellis A. Apgar, Secretary,
1
New York, State of, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2
Waltham, Town of, Public Library,
Ward, Elijah, 1 11
Newton Free Library,
Noble, Daniel, Northborough Free Library, Paine Nathaniel.
Palestine Exploration Society, thro' O. S. St. John, Financial Sec'y,
Peabody Institute, Danvers, Perkins Institution,
Phillipps, J. O. Halliwell,
3
Providence Athenæum,
Publishers of the St. Louis Globe Democrat, 1 map.
1 Worcester, City of, City Clerk, City Hospital,
2
Quaritch, Bernard, 1
1 Worcester County Free Institute, 1 Class of '77.
1 1
Rockwell, Julius,
Roffe, Albert H.,
1 Yale College, New Haven, Conn., 1 |Yates, James,
14 Young Men's Christian Association, New York City,
1
1 1
363 862
1 1 1 1 1 1
1 Department of State. 1
3
1
Books.
APPENDIX NO. 2.
GIFTS TO THE READING ROOM.
American Gas Light Journal, American Journal of Education, American Manufacturer and Iron World, Berrow's Worcester Journal, Book Buyer, Boston Investigator, Bulletin of the National Association of Wool Manufacturers, Christian Register, Congressional Record, Churchman, Davis' Battle Axe, Gerner's Weekly, and Patent Gazette, Index, Monthly Record of Scientific Literature, Macmillan & Co.'s New Books, Metric Bulletin, National Quarterly Review, Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Our Dumb Animals, Sherman & Hyde's Musical Review, Students' Journal, Tuft's Collegian, Unitarian Review and Religious Magazine, Universalist, Universalist Quarterly, Vox Humana, Watchman, Western, Woman's Journal, Worcester Daily Press, Worcester Daily Spy, Worcester Evening Gazette, Word, World's Crisis, Zion's Herald,
G. Warren Dresser, Editor. J. B. Merwin, Editor. Jackson Bailey, Corresponding Editor. Charles H. Birbeck, Proprietor. Publishers. Publishers.
Association. American Unitarian Association. George F. Hoar. Edward L. Davis. Independent Tract Society.
Publishers. Sarah F. Earle.
D. Van Nostrand. Macmillan & Co. Samuel S. Green. David A. Gorton & Co., Publishers.
U. S. Patent Office. Publishers. Publishers. W. Keith Armistead. Tufts College.
American Unitarian Association.
Universalist Publishing House. T. E. St. John. George Woods & Co., Publishers. Publishers. H. H. Morgan. Sarah F. Earle. Publishers. Publishers.
Publishers. E. H. Heywood. Publishers.
REPORT
OF THE
Committee on the Library.
To the Directors of the Free Public Library :
GENTLEMEN :- The elaborate report of the Librarian renders it unnecessary for this Committee to do more than lay before you the record of their official acts. In doing this they are not unmindful of the fact that a large share of the labor devolving upon them, has been performed by the Librarian and his Assistants.
The letter of the law requires that "the Committee on the Library shall attend to the purchase and preservation of books and other property," and " make an annual examination of the Library, and report its condition to the Board."
In preparing the monthly lists of books, they have depended largely upon the judgment and discretion of the Librarian, using, at the same time, the largest liberty in adopting or reject- ing any books he might recommend. It is but just to him, to say, however, that we have rarely had occasion to strike any- thing from the lists he has prepared.
At the beginning of the year, your Committee were met by a serious difficulty, in consequence of the unwillingness of the City Government to make their usual appropriation for the
144
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
Library, in accordance with the estimate prepared by the Board. The Committee, in the discharge of their duties during the first three months, had recommended such lists of books as in their judgment seemed desirable, and their purchase was ordered by the Board.
When the appropriation was made, it was too late to make any changes in the regular expenses of the Library, even had such action been deemed advisable, and the entire amount which the City Government withdrew from our estimated resources, was taken from that needed for the purchase of books.
By the exercise of the strictest economy in all Departments of the Library, deferring certain needed improvements, and omitting the usual printed catalogues during the year, a small amount was saved for the use of this Committee.
The greatest care has been observed in examining the lists of books prepared by the Librarian, and none recommended for purchase, except such as were deemed indispensible to the best interests of the Library.
The annual examination of the Library has been entrusted, as heretofore, to the Librarian and his Assistants, who have performed their work in a very efficient and satisfactory manner, and it will be seen by the report of the Librarian, that the condition of the Library is not inferior to that of any preceding year. The report will also show a slight decrease in the number of volumes borrowed from the Library during the past year. This may be due to many causes, incident to the circumstances under which we labor, not the least of which is the impression among the users thereof, that, because of diminished resources, but few new books were being added.
Considering the means placed at our disposal, your Commit- tee are satisfied that the Library is still accomplishing its mission in this community, as an educating force; and we are confident that the time will come when it will be seen that every judicious expenditure made in the cause of education, as here represented, is in the line of the truest economy.
The Committee have held thirteen meetings during the year.
145
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
They have recommended to the Board, for purchase, 496 volumes for the Green Reference Library, at an expense of $1,437.09; and for the Circulating and Intermediate Depart- ments 1,431 volumes, for which they have approved bills to the amount of $2,223.39.
For the Committee.
T. E. ST. JOHN,
WORCESTER, Dec. 21, 1877.
Chairman.
11
Report of the Committee
ON THE
READING ROOM.
To the President of the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library :-
The Committee on the Reading Room have the honor to submit their report for the year now ending.
They were called upon in May and June to decide on the policy to be pursued in this department of the Library, in view of the decrease of the money at their disposal. They have under their charge the newspapers in the reading room proper, and the periodicals in the Green Library. The current maga- zines and quarterlies of America and Europe have come to contain the best thought of many of the strongest men in the various branches of science and literature. To a certain degree ephemeral, they nevertheless contain a mass of articles of intrinsic value, not preserved in any other form. As a whole, these publications mark accurately from year to year the progress of popular taste and the advance of the arts. Our periodicals are not thrown away at the end of the twelvemonth, but are bound and placed in order in one of the upper rooms of the building, forming a permanent part of the library, increas- ing in value from year to year, as other sets, less carefully preserved in private hands, become lost or scattered. It has been the custom of this Committee, following a well established
147
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
precedent, to ask yearly a small sum from the city appropriations, rarely reaching two hundred dollars, to eke out the modest income from the Reading Room Fund, contributed years ago by generous citizens, and in the beginning, ample for what was then desired. In view of the reduced income of the Library this year, it was seriously considered by this Committee whether they ought not to cut down the list of subscriptions, notwithstanding the great and increasing use of the newspapers and periodicals ; it was at once decided that at least they ought not to draw on the limited fund left for the purchase of new books. But the pruning of the list was found difficult. It is already at the lowest point consistent with a reasonable regard for the needs of the class who depend on it for much of their daily reading and those who use this department of the Library habitually for information in regard to their calling and their special studies. In this dilemma, the Committee, after full consider- ation and with the unanimous consent of the Board of Directors, determined that a certain and reasonable portion of the reviews and quarterlies, in view of their lasting value when bound at the end of the year, could with propriety be charged to the income of the Green Fund. It is to be remarked that under the terms of the will of Dr. Green, these bound volumes, bought out of the proceeds of his bequest, can never be removed by borrowers from the Library building, but the Committee do not look upon this restriction as objectionable, and would, indeed, prefer to see it extended generally to all the bound newspapers and magazines, in view of the difficulty, and in many instances the impossibility, of replacing lost volumes. The Committee do not conceive that such a regulation would often be an inconvenience to those who have need to use these files.
Nevertheless, the Committee venture to hope that this tax on the Green Fund will not long be necessary. The Library is so intimately connected with the welfare of the city, as a means of education and enlightenment, and has already such a distinct standing among similar institutions of the United States, that it is not reasonable to suppose it will be suffered to deteriorate for the want of money. It must necessarily be
148
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
crippled in all its departments if the support so generously extended in past years by the City Government is withdrawn. The Reading Rooms must bear their share of the burden with the other departments, to the serious disappointment of a large class of citizens who find here profitable employment for leisure hours.
The Committee does not criticise the action of the City Government of 1877, but must speak plainly of the results of a diminished income. The withdrawal, by payment, of most of the government bonds, in which half of the funds of the Read- ing Room were invested, and the difficulty of obtaining at once safe, and at the same time profitable securities, will still further cripple it in the coming year. It will be impossible to maintain its usefulness, without a moderate sum from the city appropria- tions. The Committee beg leave through you, Mr. President, to impress upon the incoming City Government, the importance of this department of the Library and the hardship which will fall upon a numerous class of voters and tax-payers if it is suffered to fall into neglect.
No changes of great importance have been made during the past year in the lists of newspapers and periodicals to which we subscribe and it still lacks certain representative journals of commercial centres in the United States, which might profit- ably be added. In a general way, it is believed to be reasonably satisfactory ; at all events, there are frequent seasons when every seat in the Green Library and nearly every newspaper stand in the room below, is occupied by quiet and attentive readers.
A list of the donors to this department, whose gifts we desire to gratefully acknowledge, may be found in the Appendix to the Report of the Librarian.
For the Committee,
CHARLES H. DOE,
Chairman.
WORCESTER, December 20, 1877.
REPORT
OF THE
Committee on the Building.
To the Directors of the Free Public Library :
It will be seen by reference to preceding reports, that increased accommodations for the rapidly growing Library are greatly needed.
Another year's additions make this demand still more imperative. Delay in meeting this demand will soon seriously affect its growth and usefulness.
Various plans have been devised by our predecessors to meet this necessity. That, which seems by far the most feasible, contemplates connecting the several stories by an Hydraulic -Elevator. This will at once make available room, in both attic and basement, which is now useless. The room thus utilized will considerably more than double the present capacity of the building.
By furnishing this easy, and in every way satisfactory com- munication with the different stories, the present working force required for the management of the Library will not need to be enlarged. To connect the different stories by stairways alone, would require a somewhat less outlay at first, but the working force would need to be increased, and in the end, it would be more expensive.
The first cost of the Elevator, over stairways, will be some-
150
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
what less than two thousand dollars. The interest of this sum would be but a small part of the annual salary of an additional assistant. It is also to be observed, that with the Elevator, the health of the attendants will be far less endangered.
The Joint Standing Committee on Public Buildings, of the City Council for the year 1876, examined the building and approved this plan, and recommended to put in the Elevator during the present year.
In addition to this necessity of the Library for more room, certain repairs upon the building are required. In order to understand better what repairs are needed, and the estimated cost of the same, together with the cost of the elevator and the other changes contemplated, the report of the Superintendent of Public Buildings, made by request of this Committee, is herewith submitted.
To the Chairman of the Committee on Public Library Building :
DEAR SIR :- I desire to call your attention to the following items which I think should receive attention the coming year, and ought to be considered in making up your estimates for the annual appropriations.
The first item is the re-tinning of the roof over the Green Library, the old roof having been patched and painted until there is no surety that it can be made tight. As a matter of economy, I would recommend a new tin roof, and the roof board- ing brought up so that the water will run off readily, and not stand in pools as at present ; estimated cost, $150.00.
The second item is a new cornice around the upper deck of the French roof, the old having entirely rotted away in many places, and there is great danger of leakage in a driving storm. This will also necessitate a new strip of tin around the same, with drip; estimated cost $110.00.
The third item is the painting of the outside wood-work, which is badly worn, and if painted soon, one coat will answer, and if not done soon will probably require two coats; estimated cost, $125.00.
A
151
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Fourth. In regard to the increased demand for additional room, I am of the opinion that the plan proposed last year, the finishing of the French roof and the putting in of an elevator, is the cheapest method of enlarging the accommodation of the Library. By this arrangement there would be added room in the basement as large as the room used for the Circulating Library, or 1,150 square feet, and 2,260 square feet in the French roof.
There is no change in the estimate given last year, viz : Finishing off French roof story, $1,200.00; Elevator complete, $2,500.00.
Fifth. An amount sufficient for the ordinary repairs and . contingent expenses.
Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES H. PECK, Superintendent of Public Buildings.
WORCESTER, December 18th, 1877.
Thus it appears, then, that by a single investment of some- thing less than four thousand dollars, the building can be put in good repair, and its capacity so greatly increased, that for several years, ordinary repairs excepted, no further outlay will be required.
For the Committee :
E. WARNER.
Chairman.
WORCESTER, Dec. 20, 1877.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
To the Directors of the Free Public Library :
In accordance with your instructions, the Committee on Finance report that the necessary expenditures of the current financial year will require an appropriation of $10,000, exclusive of any sum needed for purchases of books, for which $4,000 will be the least that should be asked for, in view of the very moderate amount allowed for purchases during the last year. For repairs of the Building, regarded as indispensible by the Superintendent of Public Buildings, $400 will be required, and he repeats his estimate for finishing a room in the attic story $1,200; and for an Elevator $2,000.
The items in detail are prepared for transmission to the City Auditor, and amount to $17,969 95.
A statement of the resources and expenditures of the past year is herewith submitted, in which appears a credit for $638.83 for fines, catalogues, &c., collected at the Library, which includes the balance of $147.71, reported last year as in the hands of the Librarian. It has been customary, in former years, to retain here the amount so collected, and to pay there- from the cost of extra service, and some small items; but, in deference to the proper desire of the City Auditor that the entire revenue and disbursements of this department should
153
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
appear on his books, as in the case with all other departments of the City Service, the Committee directed that Library collec- tions be paid over to the City Treasurer.
It is incumbent upon this Committee "to see that the property in the care of the Board is at all times well insured." All former policies expiring in 1877, insurance has been effected as follows: with the
Ætna Insurance Co., $5,000
to January 15, 1882.
Traders' and Mechanics' Ins. Co., 2,500
to March 1, 1882.
Holyoke Insurance Co., 2,500
to March 1, 1882.
$10,000
on the Green Library.
Fitchburg Insurance Co., 3,000
to August 1, 1882.
Merchants' and Farmers' Ins. Co., 2,000
to August 1, 1882,
$5,000 on Circulating Library.
Worcester Mutual Insurance Co., 2,000
to August 1, 1882.
Continental Insurance Co., 5,000
to December 14, 1882.
$7,000
on the Building.
Hartford Boiler Insurance Co., $2,500
on the Boiler to Dec.
[1, 1878.
Total amount of Insurance, $24,500
A statement of the condition of the Green Library Fund is also herewith submitted. The extreme difficulty of making investments, in accordance with the terms of the will of Dr. Green, is apparent; but during the past year 26 shares of bank stocks have been purchased, so that one-fourth part of the fund is now so invested, and a loan of $2,500 upon mortgage security has been made; thus showing the investment more in accordance with the provisions of the will, than for some time past.
For the Committee on Finance.
WILLIAM CROSS,
Chairman.
WORCESTER, Dec. 21st, 1877.
CITY APPROPRIATION.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT for the year ending NOVEMBER 30, 1877:
RESOURCES.
City Appropriation,
$9,000 00
Dog money,
2,766 73
Fines, &c. collected at library,
638 73
Returns on policies Insurance expired,
60 08
$12,465 54
EXPENDITURES.
Books,
$2,224 09
Stationery,
51 38
Binding,
925 68
Printing,
127 52
Freight, express, postage, cleaning, &c., 308 73
Coal and wood,
354 87
Gas, 1,022 46
Water, 5 04
Repairs, cases, shelving, &c., 227 12
Insurance, .
411 50
Reading Room appropriations, &c.,
158 75
Salary of librarian,
2,500 00
Salaries of assistants, janitor and messenger, 3,448 94
Additional library service,
689 07
$12,455 15
Balance transferred to sinking fund,
$10 39
The foregoing statement agrees with the accounts at the City Hall, and with the record of bills approved by this Com- mittee.
WILLIAM CROSS,
Chairman Committee on Finance.
-
STATEMENT
OF THE
GREEN LIBRARY FUND.
The income for the year ending November 30, 1877, is as follows :
Interest on notes secured by mortgage, $1,438 41
Dividends on bank stock, 500 00
Interest on deposits in savings banks. . 260 90
Bank Tax for 1876 refunded,
92 99
Interest on deposits,
. 11 82
$2,304 12
One-fourth added to the fund, $576 02
Three-fourths added to book acct., 1,728 10
STATEMENT OF THE FUND.
Notes secured by mortgage,
Nov. 30, 1876. $22,548 50
Nov. 30, 1877. $25,048 50
Bank stocks(par value),
6,700 00
9,300 00
Deposits in savings banks,
7,067 82
2,543 84
$36,316 32
$36,892 34
BOOK ACCOUNT.
Balance in city treasury, Dec. 1, 1876,
$1,873 15
Income of the present year,
1,728 10
Interest on deposits,
. 46 40
$3,647 65
-
?
156
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
Expended for purchase of books, $1,437 09 Premiums on bank stock purchased, 523 50
$1,960 59
Balance in city treasury, Dec. 1, 1877, $1,687 06
The securities have been examined, and the accounts, as above stated, are correct.
WILLIAM CROSS,
Chairman Committee on Finance.
REPORT
OF THE
TREASURER OF THE READING ROOM FUND.
NATHANIEL PAINE, Treasurer, in account with the READING ROOM FUND, FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
1877. Dr.
$158.18
Jan. 1. To Balance as shown by last Report, Cash for interest on City of Worcester Bonds, $305.33
United States Bonds, 355.96
from City Appropriation, 150.00
66 by Exchange of Securities, &c., 200.47 1,011.76
$1,169.94
1877. Cr
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.