USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875-1877 > Part 13
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Population is an element not to be disregarded. The greatest good to the largest number is the object of a Free City Library. It is as needful to consult the taste of the desultory reader as of those whose intel- lectual habits are fixed on a higher scale, and the variety of the collection must be sufficiently compre- hensive to promote the culture of the community in every stage of its development. We may invite the public to the library, but only as it contributes to self gratification has it any charm to induce an habitual use
9
of it, and the books must be such as will meet the intellectual condition and wants of its visitors. A se- lection confined to the works of the deepest thinkers among authors might prove of the highest good to the few who read them, but by all but the few they would be treated as undesirable as so many manuscripts. Books of fiction and light reading seem indispensable for the present and they will continue to be supplied, as they make up a large portion of the demand on all public libraries.
We are fully aware of the divergence of opinion as to the character of the reading which should be offered to the public, some believing that novels and fanciful literature serve only to excite and actually enervate the mind, and these would discountenance the use of the public funds by the purchase of books of this de- scription. Our experience, and that of managers of other public libraries, leads to the conclusion that a course of action controlled by such views would be un- favorable to the success of the library and to the interests of the community, as effected by the pros- perity of the library. It is the natural order of mental progress, and particularly in the process of popular culture, for imaginative and alluring literature to pre- lude that of a higher order. As regards the objectors to light literature, it is a safe conjecture that this stimulating mental diet may have been partaken by them in other days, and possibly may have been the primary cause of that advancement in refinement which now requires the best books of a library's col- lection.
We conceive that it would be taking too narrow a view of the design of the city in carrying on the library,
10
to confine its beneficial agency to the cultivated of the community, however numerous they may be. Its good influences should affect those who have not, as well as those who have, acquired a taste for reading; and its highest usefulness is served in bringing within its circle of readers those whose leisure hours are passed in rapid thought or worthless employment. We may regard a free library in public service as a ladder of ascent to the higher planes of culture, visible to all, but unused by many, unless its lower and higher rounds are complete.
It does not seem reasonable to denounce a book be- cause of its class in the collection. Fiction occupies a large space in the field of literature, and in this depart- ment there is a very wide range in the scale of merit. It includes the long-famed productions of authors of genius and learning, and humor without coarseness, as well as those which prove as ephemeral as the fashions of the season. Hence the works of fiction enumerated in a library catalogue do not necessarily imply so many frivolous and worthless books; and when the practice is continued of selecting the most meritorious of this department, the work of improvement is going on although not apparent from the classification, the degree of improvement depending upon the partic- ularity in culling. We have referred prominently to the miscellaneous material of our collection from a desire that the scope of the library, and the spirit of its management, should be fully comprehended, and that all should understand that it is a depository of books suited to their varied tastes; in short, the library is to be conducted in the interest of the community at large.
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In making the library the general resort for readers the way is opened for an improvement in the kind of reading in the hands of the public. Those who use it for light reading, as a means of recreation, will soon be found availing of its privileges for the purpose of information and study. Books that corrupt the moral sense, and deprave the taste of their readers, are entirely excluded as baneful to all, and the merely sensational, trashy publications are avoided.
The shelves must be often replenished with the latest works; fresh accessions have incidental advan- tages beyond the benefits accruing to their special readers. They not only attract to the library those who seek for books which, because new, become the current topics of the social hour, but they keep alive the interest of the habitues of the library. They serve, too, to utilize the whole collection, for as the love of reading denotes activity of intellect and promotes its development, the best books, new or old, sooner or later come into request.
Viewing the library in its business aspect, the most noticeable feature is the progressiveness, especially in the immediate past. We find that there were 24,475 more books delivered the past twelve months than in 1875, and very nearly twice as many as in 1873. The circulation since the last report was made (fifteen months) amounts to 99,616. The number of books in the library is 11,939.
Whether this large increase of circulation is mainly due to the improvement of the facilities for obtaining books through the agencies, or to the adoption of the library by the city, thereby enlisting the popular favor, or to the accessions of new books, it certainly evinces
12
the growing disposition of the public to resort to the library for their reading, or whether cause or effect, this dependence on the library will necessitate more liberal supplies of books. More than can be supplied by the appropriation herein recommended could be used beneficially, and we should not recommend even this increase under any factitious extension of cir- culation.
The favorable conditions attending the progress of the library, point to the present as the auspicious time to strengthen it. Indeed, in one respect, its position relative to the public is becoming changed. In pre- vious years, all procurable means were expended to draw visitors to the library, and to enlist the interest of the community in it. Now the reading public are taking the advance, and it is their requirements, and the necessary appliances to meet them, which now claim the first consideration of the library managers. The once familiar question, whether the public would sustain the library when established, is fully answered in the records of its history, and so long as it receives the watchful care and attention to its supplies which its conditions of growth requires, its adequacy to meet the demands of the community is assured.
The value of our collection would be enhanced by the addition of some works which have been dispensed with heretofore on account of their comparatively high cost, and the interests of the library require that improvement should now be made in this direction. Fortunately the building is capable of holding, without change, the additional supplies of new books for several years to come.
Another item of exceptional occurrence will help to
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swell the expenditure of the next two years. The constant enlargement of the collection, making the old catalogue more and more inconvenient to the borrowers of books, calls for the publication of a new one. That in use is incomplete in those respects which every first- class library now considers important and requisite for its purpose. A great advance has been made in the style of catalogue now in vogue, and experts among librarians have given attention to its improvement, treating it as a subject of elaborate study for the best system ; and the trustees will have the benefit of their conclusions.
Whatever may be the particular form adopted, it probably will be what in general may be called a de- scriptive dictionary catalogue, furnishing the title of the book, the author's name, and the subject of the work, with references. The preparation of such a catalogue obviously involves much labor, as also the adequate knowledge and aptitude for its accomplish- ment. We invite attention to what is presented on this subject in the report of the Superintendent.
When a catalogue of the most approved system is furnished, it will be considered a most important accessory to the library by all who consult it, and we recommend an extra appropriation in order to com- mence the preparation during the coming year.
The system of agencies has thus far worked satis- factorily, and has proved of much advantage in extend- ing the use of the library, although at some additional expense. The Trustees will avail of every opportunity to improve it, and will respond to every call coming from a distant ward for the establishment of an agency, requiring only the co-operation of the residents therein.
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We heartily concur in the commendations in the Superintendent's report of all that are engaged in the service of the library, for their attentive and faithful labors in the book department under the pressure of the large business of the year. We would emphasize one omission of the Superintendent, if it can be called an omission in a report from himself, and allude to his own valuable services in managing the business affairs of the library so advantageously as to conduce largely to its success. In this connection we would state the fact as worthy of special recognition, that in order to utilize in the largest measure for the benefit of the library all of the municipal appropriations, he has made no charge, and has received nothing for his time and services as Superintendent.
We take pleasure in mentioning the present made by His Honor the Mayor, of the portrait of our President, which now hangs on the wall with other portraits and gifts of friends of the library. This expression of regard for the library will be doubly valuable if it serves to suggest to others that the ornaments of the hall must be supplied, if at all, by private generosity. Objects of attraction and artistic value are a source of gratification to its visitors, and will be appreciated as practical illustrations of the attachment of the donors to the library, and their desire to promote its influence. The library has also been favored by another act of Mr. Speare's, the placing in the hands of the City Treasurer two hundred and fifty dollars, the interest of which is to be perpetually paid to the Library Trustees.
The use of the reading-room is a favor to many, which is much appreciated. Some increase of the journals and periodicals would enhance its value to visitors, and
15
we would suggest that friends have an opportunity to gratify many, at no sacrifice to themselves, by sending there the papers and magazines, which are not of use in their families. A foreign journal or magazine, after being laid aside, would be much appreciated in the reading-room, and by such disposal, would interest many persons.
In estimating the appropriations for the coming year, we must act independent of past requirements, and have regard to a condition of the library representing a growth of business beyond all anticipation ; a result which must be highly satisfactory to the City Govern- ment, jealous of the high order of its institutions. It is a pertinent inquiry, whether the amount asked for is needful for the well being of the library. This report shows that the number of books delivered, during this first year of its organization by the city, has increased forty per cent, and the expenses eleven per cent, a fact sufficiently explanatory of the call for increased appropriations, and of the prevailing economy of administration.
We believe that there are but few public libraries in this part of the country that are distributing so much reading, at so little expense, as our own.
We might refer to one public library having a much larger circulation, the cost of which is proportionally nearly twice that of the Newton Library. It should be considered that the appropriation recommended, exclu- sive of the extra item for catalogue, is somewhat less in proportion to the present business of the library than was the annual expense averaged on the books circulated when the city adopted the library, and that this sum, if appropriated, is at least no advance on the
16
cost of each loan of books beyond that of the last year.
We consider the suggestion of the Superintendent, that the services of the police officers should be made available in the collection of unreturned books worthy of consideration. The call on them would not be frequent, and would not interfere with their duties. It is not proposed that they should make force collections, but by their agency the case of delinquencies would doubtless be materially lessened, and the library re- lieved of considerable expense.
We are quite aware that it is the policy of the City Government to reduce city expenses to the minimum point. The expenses of the library have been kept as low as a close consideration of its necessities would permit, but increased expenses must follow increased business.
In 1873, the circulation was 41,249 volumes. Expenses, $4,228 75
" 1874, " " 47,642 66
66
5,478 60
" 1875, " 66 “ 57,249 66
66 5,418 18
" 1876, " " (12 mos.) 81,705 66
66 5,982 73
It is our duty to present a statement of the condition and the needs of the library, and these figures will enable the City Council to determine understandingly the extent of the library appropriations for the coming year. The working force must be strengthened in some proportion to the increase of business by the employ- ment of assistants.
We recommend an appropriation of $6,000, beyond the balance now to the credit of the library, estimated as follows:
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Salaries,
$2,500
Light and Fuel, .
725
Binding,
175
Printing,
300
Agencies,
325
Incidentals,
300
Stationary, .
100
Building,
162
Reading-room,
350
Books,
1,400
Catalogue, .
1,000
In all,
$7,337
of which thirteen hundred and thirty-seven dollars are now on hand.
Respectfully submitted, J. WILEY EDMANDS,
President.
NEWTON, January 1, 1877.
2
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Trustees :
In compliance with the ordinance relating to the Newton Free Library, I hereby submit my annual. report.
Although the present organization of the Board of Management dates from May 5, 1876, it has been thought proper to include herein, the record of the library since the last annual report made to the New- ton Free Library Corporation, dated September 30, 1875.
The financial statement made by the treasurer of the late corporation, dated March 14, 1876, as well as a similar statement of receipts and expenditures since that date, will be found in appendixes "A" and "B," herewith submitted.
Owing to the fact that neither of the above state- ments cover the term of the past twelve months, I refer you to appendix "C" for a list of such expenses as have been actually incurred since January 1, 1876.
The fifteen months embraced in this report has witnessed a steady increase in the use of the library, and an extension to all parts of the city of facilities for taking out and returning books through the library agencies. The change that has taken place in the transfer of the maintenance of the library from the
19
late corporation to its present guardian, the City of Newton, has not in any degree interrupted the dis- charge of its peculiar work, but has, on the other hand, by the greater prominence given to the institution, furnished a stimulus to its activity that is clearly shown in the statistics embodied in this report.
The Library and Reading-room have been opened each secular day of the past term, except ten and one-half holidays.
The circulation of books for the fifteen months end- ing December 31, 1876, has been 99,616 volumes, and are divided as follows :
Newton,
62,146 volumes.
Newtonville, .
.
9,667 66
Newton Centre,
9,185 66
Auburndale, . .
5,979 66
Newton Upper Falls,
.
5,363 66
Newton Highlands,
3,672 .
66
West Newton,
2,058 66
Newton Lower Falls, (11 months), 1,445 66
North Village, (4 weeks),
101 66
Total, 99,616 66
The circulation charged to Newton represents de- liveries at the Library building directly to borrowers, and the remaining 37,470 volumes were delivered through the several agencies.
The deliveries at the Library for the past twelve months was 50,530 volumes.
The deliveries through the agencies for the past twelve months was . 31,175
Total circulation for the year ending Dec. 31, 1876, 81,705 66
Circulation for the year ending Sept. 30, 1875, 57,248 66
Increase of circulation during the last year, 24,457 66
.
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The largest daily issue was 504 volumes, on April 14th. The largest delivery in one month was 8,535 volumes, in March.
The daily average has been 264 volumes, an in- crease of seventy-six volumes over the previous year. Nineteen volumes have been replaced since the last report; fifty were worn out and not replaced; sixteen · volumes were lost or damaged and paid for by bor- rowers, and fifteen volumes cannot at present be accounted for.
There have been during the past term 16,021 vol- umes re-covered. Much of the work implied in the last statement has been made necessary, in the interest of neatness and good order, by the careless habits of borrowers in using and keeping library books. If all who prefer a cleanly covered book were to take rea- sonable care of the library books in their possession, our labors in this department would be largely dimin- ished.
A recent careful examination of the Library shows a loss since last report of fifteen volumes. In view of the large circulation reported, this can hardly be con- sidered a serious deficit, and as the books belong to the cheapest class, the loss to the library is trifling, even if they should not be hereafter recovered.
Although we have adopted during the past year an improved method of charging loans to borrowers, still an occasional loss will occur in a large circulation, where several persons are depended upon to make a correct record of the work in progress. The system adopted last spring of charging each loan on a separate slip, and keeping each day's delivery in a pack, enables
21
us to discover immediately the detention of any book over its allotted time. In this connection we have adopted the plan pursued in other libraries of notifying borrowers, by postal card, when books are overdue. It is of course important that books should be returned as soon as possible, that other readers may have the use of them, thus saving in some measure the necessity for duplicates.
During the past nine months 1,586 notices have been sent to delinquents. The result of these notifications is shown by the statement, that while the amount col- lected for fines during the last nine months is fifteen per cent less than the same period of the previous year, the circulation has increased eighteen per cent. Our present method of recording loans enables us to state accurately the percentage of the circulation represented by the several classes of books drawn from the library. The following analysis must, however, be confined to the past nine months, omitting the three months when the demand for fiction is at the lowest point. Under these conditions the percentage of fiction reported would be larger than would appear in a full twelve month's statement. It also seems ne- cessary to say in explanation of our classification, that our system of alcoves limits us to ten divisions only, and that we are thus obliged to group together certain classes that do not properly belong under the same head. As the use of the reference alcove has not been noted, its record is of course omitted.
The character of the circulation may be stated as follows, for the nine months ending December 31, 1876 :-
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Per cent of Fiction and Juvenile Reading, . . 73.907%
" Poetry, Essays and Art, .
7.70%
66 " Travels, Agriculture and Horticulture, 6.22010
66 " Biography and Theology, .
66
" Historical Reading,
.
66
" Natural Science, .
2. 69 100
66
" Magazine Reading, . 1. 46 100
66 " French, German and Italian, 0.47
66
" Political Science, 0.2.4%
The last annual report did not present a similar analysis that could be used for purposes of comparison. Those that appear in former reports are probably only approximate statements, because of some peculiarities of the system then in use for recording loans. I am confident, however, that if the analysis for twelve months could be shown, the percentage of fiction issued would fall as low as in any public library in the State. There is one consideration that should be borne in mind in regarding such statements as above, and that is, the library is constantly receiving accessions of new names to its register, and that the average reader begins to use the library by drawing upon the depart- ment of fiction. Whenever we can supply our readers with class lists, that are so important a feature of the Boston Public Library, or a new catalogue that shall include this classification with notes, we may then con- fidently expect to see this percentage of fiction very materially reduced, and greater attention given to more instructive grades of reading. Such improved facilities for finding books will also undoubtedly lead to a large increase in the circulation.
The establishment of agencies in various parts of the city, for the purpose of delivering and receiving books, has thus far met with fair success. Of the eight now in
23
operation, six have been in use over fifteen months, and the remainder for shorter periods. As this feature of the library management is, I think, peculiar to Newton, it may be well to give some particulars of it. The co- operation of responsible persons, usually store-keepers, has been secured in the different sections of the city to receive from the Library, two days in the week, baskets of books previously ordered by borrowers in their vicinity, and to deliver them as called for; also, to receive books to be returned to the Library on regular days ; as this service has thus far been gratuitous, the agent is only required to take reasonable care of the books while in his possession. The matter of reclaim- ing books overdue, and collecting fines and forfeitures, still continues in the hands of the librarian. Three agencies on the south side of the city, and one on the north, are supplied Mondays and Thursdays; the remaining four, on the line of the Boston and Albany Railroad, are supplied Tuesdays and Fridays. Borrowers may leave their cards at these agencies, and receive their books after five P. M., on the days above stated. The carrying back and forth of these books is done by expressmen, and the entire expense may be averaged at eighty-two cents per hundred volumes, delivered at the agencies.
A portion of the books lost should be charged to certain imperfections of this method of delivery, but the loss is trifling compared to the accommodations afforded to readers living at a distance from the Library build- ing. In view of the successful results attained, I think some expression of appreciation from your Board is due to these agents for the service which they have faith- fully rendered. Although this portion of the library
24
work has largely increased during the past season, I think the present arrangements will accommodate the business of the coming year without any radical change being found necessary.
For the purpose of showing the composition of the Library, as well as the character of the accessions during the past season, I have had the following inventory, of all the books which compose this Library at this date, carefully prepared.
Accessions of the year, vols. 415
Total number of volumes.
English Prose Fiction, and Juvenile Works,
3,607
Biographical and Religious
66
92
1,623
Poetry, Essays and Art
66
114
1,458
Historical
66
46
1,093
Travels, Agricultural and Horticultural "
59
1,066
Natural Science,
104
773
Periodical Literature,
35
687
Political Science (including Public Documents),
89
695
Reference Library,
29
533
French, German and Italian Literature,
1
404
Total since last report,
984
11,939
The above statement includes 791 duplicate volumes, mostly works of fiction. There have been added to the Library, by purchase, 831 volumes, at an expense of $1,126.37. We have also received gifts from various friends amounting to 62 volumes, and 91 volumes of Public Documents. Among the gifts, I wish to mention Van Horne's "History of the Army of the Cumber- land," complete in three volumes, with maps, presented by A. B. Underwood, Esq. We have also received from Rev. B. K. Pierce, one volume of the American Architect and Building News; fourteen volumes of miscellaneous books, and a number of valuable pam-
25
phlets on sanitary and educational matters. We are also indebted to G. D. Gilman, Esq., for a finely bound copy of the "Newton Centennial Memorial," published by the City, under the supervision of Mr. Gilman as chairman of the publication committee. This addition to our historical department is of great value because of its local character, and will surely be regarded with increasing interest in future years. I wish to make known on behalf of the Library committee their desire to secure for the Library any books, pamphlets, letters, etc., of a local historical character for preservation. Among the parcels of old books and papers yearly destroyed or sold, there are sure to be a few worthy of preservation in the public library for future reference. Especially is this the case with reports of the Town of Newton previous to 1851.
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