USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1878 > Part 21
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
The number of volumes delivered for reference use is, as appears in the table, 30,079. This total includes 1,476 volumes 1
20
306
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 33.
of illustrated papers. It is an impression very strongly im- printed on my own mind, and shared by the assistants who have an oversight of the Green Library room, that besides this num- ber we do not give out on an average 10 volumes a day of stories, or of back volumes or numbers of magazines called for for the sake of the novels contained in them. Our experience in regard to the popularizing the use of a reference library for the legitimate purposes of such a library is very instructive.
When, eight years ago, I undertook to carry out a plan which I had formed for making the citizens of Worcester realize that a reference library might be of great use in such a community as ours, everybody was welcomed to the library, and every proper want was satisfied when it lay in our power to satisfy it. The result was that in the first years of the experiment a very large proportion of the books given to readers were given to them as seekers of amusement or mere entertainment. But this state of things has gradually changed, under influences brought to bear in the city and within the library, until now we have to enforce the rule that residents under fifteen years of age cannot be allowed in the rooms unless here for some serious purpose, or unless it happens that so few persons are in the room at the time that books can be given out for amusement without detri- ment to objects sought to be attained in the wise administration of a reference library.
We often have, also, to refuse to give out books for amusement to grown up readers, owing to the demands upon our room by inquirers.
I wish we had a separate room in which to accommodate per- sons seeking entertainment, but I fear the community does not yet appreciate sufficiently the civilizing influence of a reference library in which all persons can be accommodated, to add to our rooms in the present trying times. I am confident, however, that citizens will continually grow in enthusiasm in regard to the benefits received from our reference library, as they have been growing continually during the last eight years.
It appears from the statements made that we have given out for purposes of study on an average 83 volumes a day in the reference department. This use is additional to the very large use made of a collection of reference books which is accessible
307
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
to the public and the size of which is incomparably larger than is usually found in libraries and cities of the population of Worcester. In previous years, when giving in the reports of the number of persons using the reference library during the year, we have made a careful estimate of the number who have used books accessible to readers without asking permission.
Had we proceeded on a similar plan this year in estimating the use in volumes of this class of books, we should have carried the total and average use of the reference library to a very high figure. We have preferred, however, to give only such a use as appears from actual charges, understanding that such a pro- cedure conforms to the wishes of promoters of uniformity in reporting library statistics.
In considering the number of volumes given out, this fact must be borne in mind, that as I and my principal assistants have by our long experience become used to the library and acquired great readiness in pointing out sources of information, a single volume is often given to an inquirer, whereas an inex- perienced officer might have to get six or twelve before the inquirer finds the information he desires. It may be mentioned also that no note has been taken of the large number of volumes used by directors when they have helped themselves to them from the shelves.
Neither has any record been kept of the great use that has been made of the volumes of Specifications and Drawings of Patents
It is understood, of course, that in the statistics of the library in this and previous reports, no record is given of the immense number of persons who every year use our reading rooms for consultation of the large number of magazines, reviews, literary and scientific papers which we spread before the public and allow them to use without restriction.
With this fact before you, picture to yourselves the meaning of this other fact that the average daily use of volumes actually put into the hands of readers by library officials is 529, that in the Circulating department it is 431, and in the Reference department 98, and that eighty-three of the latter were for serious inquiry. Then consider that volumes taken for home
308
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 33.
use are used by more than one person and that the contents of the volumes contained in the reference library are being scat- tered about in the community by readers and students. Is it not evident that this library is a mighty power in the commun- ity? I am sure you will agree with me in rating the influence we exert as among a few of the most important of the powers that are at work for the enlightenment, moral improvement and material prosperity of this community.
Fourteen books have been lost in the Circulating department the present year. Of these, three, as stated above, have not been paid for. One stands charged to a borrower who has not returned it, and whose residence cannot be found. One was stolen from the counter, and one found missing when the annual examination of the library was made last fall.
Six books were lost and not paid for last year, and eleven the previous year. Four books belonging to the Green Library have disappeared this year from among those to which the public has free access. They were stolen.
A larger number of this class of books was lost last year, namely, two volumes belonging to the Green Library, and five to the Intermediate department. One hundred and twenty- eight volumes were withdrawn from the Circulating department last year because they were 'worn out or had become very imperfect.
The number withdrawn from the same department the current year, as appears from the table just given, is 202. As was stated last year the ordinary wear and tear of books in the Circulating department has been very great during the last few years, as a result of greatly increased circulation and the failure to purchase volumes enough to meet the demand for newer books.
It is interesting to remark that the volumes withdrawn are generally copies, in some cases the only copy, of some of the most popular books, and that, as it is not considered advisable to replace these while our resources are so small, the proportion of light literature, especially that for young persons, in the Circulating department, is constantly diminishing,
309
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SUNDAY USE.
The Reading Rooms are open from 2 to 9 P. M.
Number of persons using the upper room,
5,320
66
lower 7,563
Total number, 12,883
Average number of persons per Sunday
using the rooms,
248
Largest Sunday attendance (Jan. 6), 381
Smallest Sunday attendance (Aug. 4), 108
Number of volumes delivered (for use
within the building), . 2,482
Average number of volumes delivered
per Sunday,
48
The number of persons who used the rooms Sundays in 1872- 3 were 5,706, in 1873-4, 7,179, in 1874-5, 10,142, in 1875-6, 10,756, in 1876-7, 10,915, in the current year, 12,883.
CO-OPERATION.
It was stated in the last report that it was probable that the American Library Association would gradually be able to initiate measures which would lessen materially the cost of maintenance of libraries.
One such measure has, I hope, been just inaugurated.
Thoughtful librarians have felt for a long time that there is a great waste of time and expense in the system of cataloguing in vogue, and at the meeting of librarians and others in Phila- delphia the matter was taken in hand and put in charge of an able committee.
It is obvious that, if it can be effected, it would be desirable in the case of books bought by a thousand libraries that they should be catalogued once for all by the most competent experts and printed and distributed from some central headquarters, instead of being catalogued by every one of the one thousand libraries separately.
310
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 33.
A plan has been agreed upon in accordance with which the principal publishers of the country have promised to send advance sheets or early copies of new books to the office of the Publishers' Weekly in New York, where they will be catalogued under the best supervision. All libraries and individuals can send to the office in New York and buy the " printed title-slips."
We are buying library supplies at a very small advance upon wholesale prices, in consequence of co-operation.
It has long been a problem with librarians how to get a good index of periodical literature. The task of preparing it was herculean and even the largest library and the most sanguine librarian shrank from undertaking it by themselves. By co-op- eration the libraries will soon, probably in two years, have an excellent index at a very small cost.
This library is enjoying many benefits from co-operation in addition to those enjoyed by libraries generally.
By co-operating with the Boston Atheneum we are now enabled to issue Lists of Additions far superior to those we have had before. We put upon the new lists additions to the reference department as well as the books added to the circu- lating department, which latter books are all that we have placed upon the lists hitherto. We are also able to present, appended to many of the titles, notes giving the views of the books entertained by some of the best critics and showing what their contents are.
These desirable results have been brought about by co-opera- tion in work and expense by the two libraries, but it must not be forgotten that in the arrangement made we are unquestion- ably the debtor.
The Athenæum lightens its own burden somewhat, and at the same time gives us at a small cost, an admirable list of additions.
It must be remembered that, as the result of the good feeling established among librarians and between libraries, and of their desire to make their institutions as useful as possible, we are able to borrow from the larger libraries books which our citizens need, but which we cannot buy or which readers cannot wait to have us purchase.
311
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
With especial gratitude should we remember the officers of the Boston Public Library, the Boston Atheneum, and Harvard College Library.
ACCOUNT OF LIBRARIAN.
$423.30 collected for fines, $81.45 proceeds of the sale of catalogues, lists of additions, &c., and $9.56 miscellaneous receipts, in all, $514.31, have been passed over by me to the Treasurer of the Board of Directors, for transmission to the City Treasurer.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
RECEIPTS.
Municipal appropriation :
Regular,
$8,000
Special,
4,000
$12,000
Income from invested funds :
Green Library fund,
$1,856 10
Reading Room
529 06
$2,385 16
Receipts from dog licenses, .
2,722 18
Fines,
419 34
Sale of catalogues, ·
83 66
Payments for missing or damaged books,
6 29
Sale of condemned books ($1.91) and duplicates (.50),
2 41
Sundries,
11 39
Total,
#17,630 43
Cash on hand at last report :
Green Library fund,
$1,687 06
Reading Room "
466 38
Fines, catalogues, &c.,
119 09
$2,272 53
$19,902 96
312
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 33.
EXPENDITURES.
BOOK ACCOUNT.
Books :
Green Library fund,
$1,443 56
City appropriation,
1,400 42
$2,843 98
Pamphlets :
Green Library fund,
23
City appropriation,
4 05
$4 28
Periodicals :
Green Library fund,
$199 67
City appropriation,
48 05
Reading Room fund, .
574 79
$822 51
Binding,
$945 09
BUILDING ACCOUNT.
Repairs and additions :
Regular city appropriation,
$191 22
Special
1,559 64
$1,750 86
Furniture and fixtures (Special city
appropriation), .
$1,453 70
Insurance,
105 00
Fuel,
201 65
Lights,
978 06
SALARY ACCOUNT.
Administration and cataloguing (includ- ing wages of Janitor), $5,789 23
Extra service,
796 42
313
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SUPPLY ACCOUNT.
Printing catalogues,
$126 57
Blanks and stationery,
110 60
Postage,
132 45
Paper covers (covering paper),
42 78
· Sundries,
297 33
$16,400 51
Cash on hand Dec. 1, 1878 :
Green Library fund,
$1,869 51
Reading Room fund (including
$29.80 spent by the Treasurer
of the Reading Room fund after Dec. 1, but before he made up his account), 518 41
Special city appropriation,
986 66
Money received for fines, sale of catalogues, &c.,
127 87
$3,502 45
$19,902 96
The record of receipts and expenditures contained in the above table is meant to show all the transactions of the library for the year beginning December 1, 1877, and ending November 30, 1878.
The table presents in a consolidated form the items in several accounts. One of these, namely, that relating to the appropri- ation for special repairs, is not reported on by officers of the library, and two have been made without reference to confin- ing the financial showing strictly within the limits of the dates given above.
It will also be noted that in the table just given the sums of money spent for pamphlets and periodicals are separated from those expended for books. The table is in the form desired by the American Library Association, and, as other librarians adopt the same form, we shall be enabled, as in the case of other statistics, to compare our expenditures with those of other institutions.
314
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 33.
In the year 1873, in the latter part of which the present finan- cial depression began, we gave out in the circulating library 66,855 volumes, and it was estimated that 15,672 persons used the reference library. In 1878 we gave out 132,384 volumes in the circulating department, and 30,079 volumes in the reference library. In 1873 we spent $17,928.80. In 1878 we spent for running expenses $13,416,97.
It thus appears that while the use of the library in 1878 was nearly double that of 1873 the expenditures of the library in all departments have been $4,511.83 less in 1878 than in 1873.
To any one who knows what it means to double the number of books in use, it will be apparent that these figures show rigid economy and hard work on the part of the executive officers of the library.
In conclusion, I congratulate the board of directors that so good a work has been done the current year. It seems to have been all that was possible with the small resources at our disposal for running expenses.
SAMUEL S. GREEN,
Librarian.
APENDIX NO. 1.
GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY.
Books.
|Pamphlets
and Papers.
Books.
Pamphlets and Papers.
Aldrich, P. Emory, · 2 Alinari. Fratelli. Florence, Italy. Allen, Edward G., London, 1 folded paper, . 3
1
Concord Free Public Library
Concord Public Library, . Connecticut Courant, Cornwall Circulating Library,
Alta California,
1
1 folded paper,
American Antiquarian Society. 2 Crunden, Fred. M., Librarian St. American Asylum for the Educa- tion and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, . 1 · Louis Public School Library, . Davis, J. C. Bancroft, Washington, Detroit Public Library, 1 Deuerlich, G., Göttingen. 1 folded 2 paper.
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, . 2 . American Institute of Mining En- gineers, 1 American Metric Bureau, Boston, ·
American Water Color Society, New York,
1 1
Amherst College,
Apprentices' Library, New York City, 3 Anonymous,
1 1
Astor Library, New York City,
Bancroft, Cecil F. P., Andover,
Barnard, Henry. Hartford, Ct., 1 Barton, Wm. Sumner, ·
1
Beardsley, I. L., Librarian Public Library, Cleveland, 1 Bigelow Free Library, Clinton, 1 · · 1
Boon, Edward P .. New York, . 4 Boston City Council,
1
Boston Public Library, 2 folded papers, . 1 5 1
Bradlee, C. D., Boston,
Brookline Public Library,
Burgess, George C., Portland, Me., 1 Photograph Chamberlin, Wm. W., 1 folded
paper, .
Chesbrough, E. S., City Engineer, Chicago, 2 Childs, George W., .
Chicago Public Library, 1 1
Christern, F. W .. New York City, 1 Clarke, Robert & Co., Cincinnati, . 1|
1
Harris, William T., St. Louis, Mo. Harvard College,
1
5
3 Hayes, John L., Boston, 1 Hoar, George F., 9 maps, 99
Houghton, Osgood & Co., 1 circular, 1
1 1
Devens, Charles 1
Dexter, George, Cambridge. Doyle, Thomas A., Providence, 1 Drew, Allis & Co. 2 Earle, Ann B. 10 Nos. of maga- zines. · 57
.
4 1
East St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, Mo.
1
Eaton, John, Commissioner of Ed- ucation,
1
Editors of Christmas Holly,
Ely, Smith, Jr., Mayor of N. Y. Estes & Lauriat. 1 folded paper, 1 Executive Committee of the Society of the Alumni Yale College,
1 1
1
1
General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. New York City, Great Britain, Chief Commissioner of Police, . 1
Green, Samuel A. Boston, 1
Green, Samuel S. 3 Guild, Reuben A. Providence,
4 6 1
2
Harvard College Library,
1
Hastings, Thomas J.,
6
1
Fall River Public Library, Francis, George E. . 4 French, Asa. Braintree, Friends Free Reading Room and Library. Germantown, Pa.
1
Earle, Sarah F. 1 newspaper.
·
1
Armstrong, S. C., Hampton, Va., Arundel Society, 3 circulars, 1 folded paper, . 1 3 2
18
1 1
3
1
3
316
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 33.
Books.
| Pamphlets
and Papers
Books.
| Pamphlets land Papers
Howard University, Washington, D. C., .
1
Huntington, William R., 1 ·
Indianapolis Public Library, ·
1
Jay John, New York, 1
Kingsbury, E. M., 2 Lancaster, George Y.,
2
Pickering, Edward Charles, Cam-
Lancaster Library,
1
bridge,
1
Langley, John, Hartford, Ct., 1
Plymouth Free Library,
1
Lawrence Public Library,
6
Pollard, Thomas, Commissioner of Agriculture, Virginia,
Leicester Library, . 1
1
Poole, William F., Chicago, ·
Long Island Historical Society, Lowell City Library, .
1 3
1 6 Potter, T. B., Hon. Sec. Committee of the Cobden Club, 1 Providence Athenaeum,
1 1 1
1
Board of Agriculture, through C. L. Flint, Secretary, 2
Board of Railroad Commissioners, 1 Northampton Lunatic Hospital, through Pliny Earle, Supt. . State Library,
1 1
Sargent, Emily W. 1
Sauveur, L., New York, 1 folded paper,
5 1 1
5 1 1
Smith, William F., New York, 3 Smithsonian Institution, . 1 Spofford, A. R., Washington, 2 folded papers,
Springfield City Library Associat'n,
3 Steiger, E., New York, 2 Stevens, B. F., London, England,
3 Stevens, Charles E., 1 paper, . 1 Stewart, Samuel B., Lynn,
Stow, Mrs. J. W., San Francisco, Cal.
6 Sweetser, Seth, Estate of, 17
Taunton Public Library, . .
1 Thurber, Samuel, 1
Toledo Public Library,
2 2
Tufts College,
Tyler, Albert, 1 Union College, .
1
New Bedford Free Public Library,
New York State Library, 1
Newburyport Public Library, .
1
Department of Interior, 56
4
Newton Free Library,
1 Department of State, . 2 .
Department of the Treasury, 2
Department of War,
1 1
Noyes, Snow & Co., Boston,
1
Naval Observatory, 1 Navy Department, 2
3
Patent Office.
6
1 University of Vermont, 1
1 Uxbridge Free Public Library, 1
5
2
Treasurer of Common wealth, 1
1
Schonhof & Mæeller, Boston, . Second Parish in Worcester,
Massachusetts Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Animals,
Sherman & Hyde, San Francisco, Cal. · 1
Mercantile Library Association, New York,
1
Mercantile Library Association, San Francisco, . Mercantile Library Company, Phil- adelphia,
Merrick Public Library, 1
Munroe, A. C., Secretary of the Worcester Co. Musical Associ- ation,
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, through Alexander Agassiz, .
3
6
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, through J. D. Whit- ney and Alexander Agassiz, 1
1 United States. Bureau of Education, 1 Chief of Engineers, 3 sheets, 7 Chief of Ordnance, 1 1
6
News and Courier, Charlston, S. C., 1 map,
Nicholson File Company, 1 Library of Congress,
Old Men's Home, Worcester,
1
Peabody Institute, Peabody, Mass. Perkins Institution and Massachu- setts School for the Blind, · Peterson, Ellis, Supervisor of Bos- ton Public Schools, 3 Phillips Exeter Academy,
1
2
1
Lynn Public Library,
1
McKnight, George, Stirling, N. Y., 1
Marble, Manton, New York,
Mason, R. M., Boston, 1
Massachusetts, State of, 18
1 Redwood Library and Athenaeum, Rice, J. M., Annapolis, Rice, William W. 83 Rider, Sidney S., Providence, 1
Roffe, A. H. & Co., Boston, 1 · Rowell, George P. & Co., New York, Salisbury, Stehpen, 2
1
2
Salisbury, Stephen Jr., 1 map
3
State Lunatic Hospital, Worces- ter,
through Abraham Firth, Sec'y, 3 Mellish, John, . Memorial Hall Library, Andover,
6 2 2 21291 1
Newcomb, Simon, Washington,
Otis, B. F., Newton, 2 Paine, John S., Boston, Paine, Nathaniel, .
1
317
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Books.
| Pamphlets'
and Papers.
Books.
| Pamphlets Jand Papers.
Valentini, Ph. 1
Walls, H. J., Columbus, Ohio,
1
Waltham Public Library, Warren Co. Library, Monmouth, Il. Washburn, John D. 1
1 2
Superintendent of Schools, . Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science, Worcester County Horticultural Society, Worcester Moulding Works,
1
Waters, E. F., Boston,
Watertown Public Library,
1
1 Williams' Lecture Bureau,
Woburn Public Library, .
Woman's Medical College, Philadel- phia.
Woodruff Scientific Expedition,. Worcester. City Clerk, 4
3
464 266
6
19
1
Wayland Town Library, Whitney, David A., Boston,
1 1 2 Worceester Society of Antiquity, . 1 Young Men's Association, Buffalo, N. Y. 1 Yale College, . · Young Men's Christian Association, Boston, . . 1 1 1 Young Men's Christian Association, New York City, .
1
1
City Hospital, Superintendent of Public Build's,
APPENDIX NO. 2.
GIFTS TO THE READING ROOM.
American Gas Light Journal, American Journal of Education, American Machinist, American Manufacturer and Iron World, Berrow's Worcester Journal,
Book Buyer, Book Seller, Boston Investigator, Bulletin of the National Association of Wool Manufacturers, Christian Register, Churchman, Congressional Record, Index, Inventors' and Manufacturers' Gazette, Librarian, Metric Bulletin, Monthly Record of Scientific Literature. Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Our Dumb Animals, Public Ledger, Sherman & Hyde's Musical Review, Southern Workman, Sunday Herald, Tuftonian, Unitarian Review and Religious Magazine, Universalist, Universalist Quarterly, Vox Humana, Watchman, Westminster Papers, Woman's Journal, Worcester Daily Spy, Worcester Evening Gazette, World's Crisis, Zion's Herald.
G. Warren Dresser, Editor. J. B. Merwin, Editor. Publishers.
Jackson Bailey, Corresponding Editor Charles H. Birbeck, Proprietor. Publishers. E. G. Allen. Publishers.
Association. American Unitarian Association. Edward L. Davis. W. W. Rice. Sarah F. Earle.
Publishers. Lloyd P. Smith. Samuel S. Green. D. Van Nostrand.
U. S. Patent Office. Publishers. George W. Childs. Publishers. Mrs. P. S. L. Camfield. Easton & Pratt. Tufts College. American Unitarian Association. Universalist Publishing House. T. E. St. John. George Woods & Co., Publishers Publishers. Publishers. Sarah F. Earle. Publishers. Publishers. Publishers,
REPORT
OF THE
Committee on the Library.
To the Directors of the Free Public Library :
GENTLEMEN :
THE Committee on the Library has held thirteen meetings during the past year, and has recommended to the Board 338 volumes for the Green Library, 187 for the Intermediate, and 892 for the Circulating Department. The amount expended upon these books appears in the report of the Librarian.
The annual examination of the Library, as performed by the Librarian and his assistants, shows 202 volumes withdrawn from circulation, and 14 lost from the Circulating Depart- · ment, of which 11 have been paid for. Only one book of the 132,384 in circulation during the year, remains unaccounted for. Four volumes have disappeared from the Green Library. In this respect, as in all others which come under their supervi- sion, your Committee feel that the interests of the Library have been well cared for by those in immediate charge, and that its present condition is one with which the Board may feel wholly satisfied.
They can only express their regret that under the appropria tion of the present year, the purchase of books has been of necessity so greatly curtailed, and the usefulness of the Library to the community so seriously diminished.
For further information on that important point, we refer to the figures of the Librarian.
For the Committee,
EDWARD H. HALL,
Chairman.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON THE READING ROOM.
To the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library.
The Committee on the Reading Room have the honor to sub- mit their Annual Report.
The list of publications to which the Library subscribes, remains substantially unchanged, but the use of the newspapers and periodicals is increasing. It is not practicable, with the present working force of the institution, to keep a record of visitors which would show the gain, but it is not now unusual at certain hours of the day to find a hundred persons at one time quietly reading the periodicals in Green Hall and the newspapers in the room under it. Recent alterations in the building have made a moderate enlargement of the crowded newspaper room possible, and a number of new stands have been added. The department of the Library in charge of this Committee gives pleasure and profit to very many persons. Not only do those whose reading stops with the newspapers acquire broader views from the wide field of opinion and fact here presented to them, but the leading trades journals to which we subscribe enable the intelligent artisan to keep pace with new inventions and new fashions in his own calling.
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.