USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1878-1879 > Part 15
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Our Library is quite rich in this material, and opportunities for increasing this department are not overlooked.
During the year we have been able to secure larger acces- sions to the Library than during any year since it came un- der the care of the present Board of Trustees, and the books obtained have been chiefly of the highest character, while the demands for popular and juvenile reading have not been for- gotten. With the income of the Speare Fund, contributed by Hon. Alden Speare, a very fine collection of volumes, ac- cording to the terms of the gift, "for the Promotion of Man- ufactures and the Mechanic Arts," have been purchased, as the foundation of a broad selection ultimately, of such impor- tant works. During the year, by purchase, 1,516 volumes have been added to the shelves of the Library, and 173 by donations. Two missing books have been restored ; making the total accessions 1,691. There has been but one volume lost the present year, and 117 worn out by long use ; which, subtracted from the above figures, leave our net increase at 1,573. Last year the actual increase was 1,039. The total number of volumes now in the Library is 15, 548. It is quite a singular fact, that the first book lost from our shelves, Sept. 5, 1867, has been returned within a few weeks. It was found in the Providence railroad station, laid away and for- gotton by the gentleman discovering it, until the present time. When it came to light, it was at once forwarded to the Library.
Among the donors to the Library during the past year, we notice the gift of 17 volumes by Mr. S. E. Decker, 13 by Mr. John T. Banchor, 4 from Rev. G. W. Shinn, and the same number from A. C. Fearing jr., 3 from Mr. Frederick Jackson, and 2 each from I. F. Kingsbury, Samuel P. May, and W. W. Keith. A number of gentlemen have contributed single volumes ; a donation of books was received from Mrs. J. W. Hayes, and 29 have been received from the Superin- tendent of the Library. Valuable Congressional documents have been secured through the kind offices of Ex-Governor Claflin.
.
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Of the additions made, 381 are classified under the head of Prose Fiction and Juvenile Works; 213 as Essays, Poetic, and Dramatic volumes ; 92 Literary periodicals ; 134 Geo- graphical volumes and Travels ; 160 Biographical and Relig- ious works; 170 Historical ; 199 volumes upon the Natural Sciences ; 31 upon Political and Social Science ; and 120 vol- umes for the Reference library - a division of subjects which, we think, must strike our citizens as giving a fair proportion to the various departments of the Library. We have kept abreast of the current publications of the day, and have pro- vided duplicates where volumes of special interest have been issued.
It is an interesting and encouraging fact that we continue, slowly indeed, to decrease the average of fictitious reading among our patrons ; and this is not to be attributed to a lack of provision of the best class of these works, but to a growing taste in the community for something more substantial. The percentage of novels, which in the majority of public libraries reaches about seventy-five, on a scale of one hundred, falls with us this year as low as 65.3, and during some months has ranged at 62.5. As a confirmation of the emphatic remarks, made at the late Conference of Librarians by C. F. Adams, jr., Esq., as to the value and popularity of the bound volumes of Harper's Monthly Magazine, in a public library, we can tes- tify that there is scarcely a work upon our shelves that pre- serves such a hold upon our young readers as a set of these magazines, and many of the volumes are fairly worn out in honest service.
The additions of books during the year have about filled all the available space, and portions of our volumes have al- ready to be placed upon shelves in a storage room adjoining the Reading-Room. It will be indispensable that we have, at an early day, an increase of shelving-room. A beautiful de- sign by A. B. Meacham, Esq., which has been submitted to the Board, shows how an additional line of alcoves, above the present, on the west side of Edmands Hall, can be constructed
17
without changing any of its permanent features, or, in the least, detracting from its graceful appearance, or injuring the light of the alcoves. If this plan were carried out, our shelv- ing-room would be increased by about one-half of the pres- ent capacity.
During the year the appreciation of the Reading-Room has been shown by a marked increase of its visitors. Its files have been sustained, and new periodicals have been added. It now affords a wide opportunity for the perusal of the is- sues of the newspaper press from all parts of the country, and of the leading English and American monthlies and quarter- lies. Several German, French, and Spanish periodicals have also been regularly supplied to its files by the Superintendent. We have striven to meet the suggestions of our citizens as to the hours during which it was desirable to have this room accessible to the public. Attention is now being given to the question of its ventilation, which has been the chief occa- sion of complaint in this department during the fall and winter.
The Library and Reading-Room have been open every day during the year, with the exception of the Sabbath and legal holidays. The circulation of books, as last year, has fallen off several thousand volumes. It is a singular fact that the same limitation of circulation has occurred in other pub- lic libraries. Much of this, with us, however, is due to our inability to supply catalogues and bulletins of our late very interesting purchases. This has been specially true in the wards of the city supplied by agencies. From these con- stant and earnest inquiries have come for lists of our new books Some of this falling off, doubtless, arises from the fact that we have not loaded our shelves with the class of sensational novels, new and old, which find such an amazing circulation in the libraries where they are provided for their patrons. We do not consider this an occasion for lam- entation, while it is a source of congratulation that the circu- lation of substantial works has largely increased.
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At the late Conference of Librarians, held in Boston, last July, Dr. James Freeman Clarke remarked, at the opening of a short address, that, in his youth, " a library was regarded as a prison where books were to be confined. The Librarian was the Jailer answerable for their safe-keeping; readers and bor- rowers were regarded with distrust, as those who might injure the books, or, perhaps, never return them. All sorts of pre- cautions, therefore, were taken to keep these pestilent bor- rowers at a safe distance." But now, he rejoiced that he had been permitted to listen to Librarians who think it a part of their duty to encourage readers to take out books, and to help them to find what they want. Referring to this sentiment Prof. W. P. Atkinson, speaking on the same occasion, remark- ed : "There cannot be a doubt that we are discovering along with their immensely increased powers of usefulness there is coming a corresponding enlargement of capacity for mischief ; that to make a working library, something more -much more - is necessary than simply to pile books together ; that libraries cannot be left to run themselves any longer ; that with enlargement of sphere and increasing complications of machinery there have come increased responsibility, and a vastly increased demand for skill, and knowledge, and judg- ment in the management of so potent an instrumentality." It was the growing apprehension of this responsibility that occasioned, some four years since, the calling of the first Congress of Librarians for mutual consultation and for the arrangement of annual national or international sessions. The second meeting of this body was held in Manchester, Eng- land, and awakened much interest. Our Library was well represented on the occasion by our late efficient Superintend- ent. Full reports of the proceedings and the papers read were published, forming a very valuable volume. The third session of the Conference was held, as noticed above, in Boston, last summer, and was by far the most interesting and important of them all. It drew to its sessions the leading Librarians of the country, many of the Trustees of public libraries, and a
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large body of the most intelligent literary men and women of the vicinity. The sessions, during portions of four days, were crowded with practical essays upon the various questions relating to the construction, ventilation, management, influence, means of increased usefulness, and possible perils of public libraries, and, as opportunity offered, with vigorous and in- structive discussions. The testimonies of persons connected with the practical workings of these institutions awakened in the minds of intelligent listners a fresh sense, both of their possibilities of usefulness, and their liabilities of becoming a positive intellectual and moral injury to the community. By the facilities which a carelessly administered library offers for the unlimited reading of light, emasculating, and even deprav- ing literature, it may become a curse to the young people in its vicinity. Extraordinary statements were made by Librarians of the number of novels, of the poorest classes, taken out, week after week, (more than one a day in some instances), and the evil results to be expected from such a misuse, or rather positive abuse, of these free institutions.
Many suggestions were made as to the best measures for correcting this very serious evil, thus perpetuated at the public expense. Charles Francis Adams, jr., proposed to place the axe at the root of the tree, and to provide no works of fiction for the free library. Let those, he urged, who wish for novels purchase them for themselves, as they are obliged to do, if they desire other luxuries. But this radical step would both cut off a large class of readers, who, it is found, are won to the library by works of the imagination, but come gradually, under proper directions, to acquire a taste for more serious, and not less entertaining works, and also would shut out from the library shelves a very large portion of really improving and inspiring literature- the masterpieces of the leading minds of their times. The evil is not beyond correction, although the public character of the institution renders its close supervision somewhat delicate and difficult. There must be a careful sifting of this vast body of the litera-
20
ture of the imagination. Our Library in Newton has never admitted to its shelves the works that have chiefly fallen under the sharp criticism of conscientious educators and guardians of the young. We have not on our list the sensa- tional works of fiction which, in other public libraries, exceed all other books in their circulation. Where the writer of a novel is not known by the Superintendent, Book Committee, or Librarian, especially if a French translation, the work is sub- mitted to a judicious reader before being placed upon the list; particularly is this true in the instance of juvenile books. Much of this important service has been rendered by ladies of our city, who merit the thanks of the community for the performance of this laborous, but very useful task.
Our school teachers can render valuable aid in directing the reading of their pupils. Much interest was awakened by Mr. R. C. Metcalf, Master of the Wells school, Boston, and by Mr. S. S. Green, of the Worcester Public Library, at the late Conference, by their very practical suggestions as to the relation of the public school to the public library. The former showed how successful had been his endeavors, with the aid of the Librarian of the City Library, to direct the reading of his pupils.
One of our earnest city pastors- a member of the School Board - has imposed upon himself the task of calling the attention of our young people, through the columns of the local paper, to the attractive and instructive works that have been, from time to time, added to the Library. Such a service cannot be too highly appreciated.
But, after all, we must press upon parents a responsibility which falls chiefly upon them, as the immediate guardians of their children, of watching over their reading. There is no less occasion, but rather more, for them to consider carefully the character and influence of the books of their children, than that of the companions with whom they associate. The influ- ence of the former is more subtile and permanent, and the con- sequences are often more serious. By family reading a taste
21
for works of a higher character can be readily formed and nourished.
We do not shrink, however, from the portion of responsi- bility that falls upon the official management of the institu- tion. By securing as we hope to do, more leisure for the Librarian, she will be enabled to give personal attention and advice to the young people that avail themselves of the op- portunities of the Library. By conspicuous bulletins we now call attention to the fresh works of travel, of history, of sci- ence, and biography, which we are constantly adding to our shelves. It is one of the most encouraging sights to an intel- ligent well-wisher of his race, nearly every evening that it is open, to see the different tables in Edmands Hall surrounded by youths of both sexes, consulting books of reference, or examining with keen pleasure some of the many illustrated volumes with which the Library is now so well supplied.
If the Free Library is indeed becoming, as it is often called, " the People's University," succeeding and supplementing the public school, gathering into it all ages, and every variety of character, one of the great positive defences against the saloon and the gambling hall, and a powerful inspiration to the intelligence and good morals of the community, no painstak- ing or necessary expense should be spared to save it from all its abuses, and to secure to it the highest abilities and most conscientious faithfulness in its administration. We have reason to believe that the Free Library of Newton is largely defended from demoralizing elements, and is continually grow- ing in usefulness and in power for accomplishing good in our community.
The Superintendent is happy to bear testimony to the faithfulness and courtesy with which the Librarian and her assistants have administered the internal details of the Libra- ry, and the cheerfulness and ability with which they have met the constant demands upon their skill and patience.
I would also speak of the ready attention which the Com-
22
mittee upon Public Property of the City Council has given to any calls that have been made for repairs or improvements in the Library building.
I have the honor, gentlemen, with sentiments of sincere respect, to submit to you the above details of the conduct of the Free Library for the past year.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE.
Superintendent.
-
APPENDIX.
A.
RECEIPTS.
1879.
1878.
1877.
Dec. 31.
Municipal Appropriation
$7,000.00
$7,500.00
$6,000.00
Fines, Bulletins, Catalogues, etc. .
286.08
327.98
322.09
Cash on hand at last report .
32.76
7.96
1,337.61
$7,318.84
$7,835.94
$7,659.70
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B.
EXPENDITURES.
1879.
1878.
1877.
Salaries
$2,601.60
$2,698.26
$2,480.58
Reading Room
302.65
370.20
367.82
Incidentals
203.49
225.87
353.39
Repairs
59.39
23.28
211.10
Furniture and Fixtures
111.98
741.08
41.04
Printing and Advertising
59.51
59.83
33.60
Binding
215.05
322.78
290.09
Books
2,518.52
2,013.80
1,378.90
Light and Fuel
674.85
760.55
684.55
Agency and Express
377.07
310.78
304.35
Blanks and Stationery
115.17
130.18
177.88
Postage account
13.37
13.64
37.42
Total Expenditures
$7,252.65
$7,670.25
$6,360.72
Balance with City Treasurer $36.21
at the Library 29.98
1
Total balance
66.19
165.69
1,298.98
$7,318.84
$7,835.94
$7,659.70
25
C.
CIRCULATION.
1879.
1878.
1877.
Number of days the Library was open . of holidays the Library was closed
307
308
256
6
5
5
of other week days the Library was closed
.
.
. .
52
of volumes delivered for home use
77,437
81,030
68,023
Average daily use
252
263
265
Largest daily use, Feb. 24
515
678
576
Smallest daily use, May 30
23
32
5
Number of books lost, and not paid for .
1
11
10
of books worn-out and withdrawn
117
168
65
of volumes re-covered
11,481
13,276
12,279
of volumes bound
482
544
298
of names registered during the year .
849
938
68
Total number of names registered .
8,624
7,775
6,837
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D.
ACCESSIONS.
1879.
1878.
1877.
Increase by purchase .
1,453
982
869
by gift .
173
130
111
by binding pamphlets
1
48
10
by binding periodicals
62
55
82
Number of missing volumes restored since last report
2
3
Total accessions for the year
1,691
1,218
1,072
Number of volumes missing or withdrawn since last report
118
179
75
Actual increase .
1,573
1,039
997
Number of volumes in the Library as last reported
. 13, 975 12, 936 11, 939
Total number of volumes in the Library
. 15, 548 13, 975 12, 936
Increase of pamphlets by purchase
4
17
5
by gift .
15
103
23
Accessions for the year
19
120
28
Number of pamphlets as last reported .
65
61
64
84
181
92
Number of pamphlets bound since last report .
2
116
31
of pamphlets on hand
82
65
61
of newspapers subscribed for .
36
34
34
of newspapers given
11
12
9
of magazines subscribed for
30
24
20
of magazines given
2
1
1
Total number received
79
71
64
27
E.
CLASSIFICATION, GROWTH, SIZE, AND USE.
Vols. added
during the
year.
Total num-
ber of vols.
Vols. issued
during the
year.
1879.
1878.
1877.
Literature.
Prose fiction and juvenile read-
ing .
381
4,087 50, 583
65.3
67.36
71.38
Essays, poetry, and drama
213
1,901
6,335
8.2
8.41
8.27
Literary periodicals .
92
1,085
2,148
2.7
2.01
1.91
Foreign literature
438
298
.4
.40
.39
History.
Geography and travels .
134
1,418
6,258
8.2
7.43
6.95
Biography
160
1,403
3,796
4.9
4.27
3.68
History
170
1,454
3,380
4.3
4.13
3.02
Arts and Sciences.
Natural science and industrial
arts .
199
1,240
3,798
4.9
4.67
3.28
Political and social science
31
783
300
.4
.40
.22
Theology
73
689
368
.5
.79
.50
*Reference Library
120
1,050
173
.2
.08
-
Accessions for the year
1,573
Number of volumes in the Li-
brary
15,548
Circulation for the year
77,437
Per cent of Circulation.
*Represents books loaned for home use by special permission.
28
F.
Appropriations for Catalogue $1.000.00
EXPENDITURES ON CATALOGUE.
Salary Marie L. Clapp $275.00
Paid for catalogue cards 5.74
Rand, Avery, & Co., printing and binding 672.50
$953.24
Balance with Treasurer 46.76
$1,000.00
City of Newton.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THE CHIEF ENGINEER
OF THE
NEWTON FIRE DEPARTMENT,
For the Year ending December 31, 1879.
ET
LIBERTY
AND UNION
FOUNDED 163
688. A CITY 1873
. IN
TAN
R
IT
BOSTON: T. W. RIPLEY, PRINTER, 138 CONGRESS STREET.
1880.
REPORT.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen :-
IN accordance with the requirements of the ordinance, I beg leave to submit my first Annual Report of the condition of the Fire Department of this city, for the year ending December 31, 1879.
I have embodied, in this Report, all matters pertaining to the department, together with a list of officers and members, salaries paid, inventory of property, location of Fire Alarm stations, hydrants and reservoirs, account of fires, alarms, losses, and insurance on same, so far as could be ascertained, with such other items as may be of interest to your honorable body, and to the citizens of Newton.
The department, the past year, has shown itself competent to meet any and all emergencies to which it has been called upon to respond. With a large increase of incendiary fires, the losses are less than for many preceding years, due, in a great measure, to the prompt and efficient service of this department.
With the large territory to which the department is called upon to afford protection, the liability to total loss in the distant sections is very great, and for which this depart- ment is no way responsible. Lack of water facilities, or, if any, so far removed as to necessitate long lines of hose and decreased pressure, together with the distant location of fire and alarm stations, requires the most energetic efforts on the part of the Fire Department, with but small hopes of suc- cess. With the extension of the water mains, additional hydrants, and Fire Alarm stations, the department will be enabled to render more efficient service in these localities.
4
It is very necessary that the full working force of the de- partment be kept up. Days and weeks may pass, and their services not be required, still it is imperative that the depart- ment be "Always Ready."
It will be for the interest of the City Council, and the citizens generally, that all proper means be furnished to keep the department up to its present standard.
Large sums of money are invested in apparatus and equip- ments, and in keeping the several stations where they are located, in order. It should be a matter of personal interest, to the tax-payers and the citizens, to visit the several sta- tions, that they may see how their money is invested, at the same time encourage the members by their presence, and show them that their services are appreciated.
The several stations where permanent men are located, will be open each day (Sunday excepted), from 10 A.M. until 10 P.M. ; during these hours visitors will always be welcomed, and every courtesy consistent with the service will be shown them.
INCENDIARY FIRES.
The frequency of fires of undoubted incendiary origin, the past year, is a matter of grave importance. That many of these fires can be traced to over-insurance, there seems no question, so long as the premiums are promptly paid ; the matter of insurance is neglected, and only brought to notice through the investigations of fire department officials in ascertaining the cause of fires. While the promptness of the department is proverbial, still, every care and precaution should be exercised to guard against fire.
LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
For fires, losses, and insurance, which will be found to compare favorably with previous years, I refer you to the printed table of the same.
MANUAL FORCE.
The manual force of the department consists of a Chief Engineer, one Assistant Engineer, one Secretary, one Fire Alarm Operator, forty-five members of engine companies,
5
including Engineers and Drivers ; thirteen members of Hook- and-Ladder Company, twenty-four members of Hose Com- panies, making a total of eighty-six men.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the department consists of three steam fire engines, -two built by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, N. H., one by Hunneman & Co. of Boston ; seven four-wheeled hose-carriages, -four built by Hunneman & Co., two built by the Amoskeag Manufac- turing Co., one built in Philadelphia, -the hose carriages carrying five thousand feet of hose; one Hook-and-Ladder Truck, built by Bulkley & Merritt, New York.
ENGINEERS.
The several engines are in charge of skilled mechanics, and all repairs the past year have been made by their respect- ive engineers.
DRIVERS.
The drivers permanently employed are thoroughly compe- tent and reliable. No accident of any kind has occurred to either horses or apparatus, while in their charge, and the wisdom for the continuance in the service of such employees cannot be questioned.
UNIFORM.
For the better appearance, and increased efficiency of the permanent force, I would recommend that they be uni- formed.
PERMANENT DRIVERS.
The necessity of having permanent drivers for the hose carriages, and particularly those attached to the engines, is obvious.
The engines leave their houses immediately on receiving an alarm, while the hose carriages are delayed until a mem- ber comes in from the street. In case of day fires, this has proved a serious drawback. To obviate this, and for the increased efficiency to be gained, I would recommend the appointing of permanent drivers for Hose Carriages 1, 2, 3, and 4.
6
CALL MEMBERS.
The call members, those who do duty only in response to an alarm, have, as a rule, rendered a fair service the past year. But, as these members are employed in various capaci- ties, and are scattered throughout the city, the service must of a necessity prove unreliable. Instances have occurred where employers have objected to their men leaving work in response to an alarm ; situations, even, have been endan- gered from these causes, all of which tend to seriously cripple our working force during business hours.
Good men for this especial service are imperative, none other should be accepted.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
This important auxiliary to the Fire Department, under the management of G. W. Ulmer, as operator, has performed its duties with unvarying regularity, and to its efficiency is due in a great measure the successful work of the depart- ment.
THE OPERATOR.
The operator in charge, although paid but a nominal sum, has devoted his whole time to the service. The result has been, that this branch of the department has never been in such complete working order since its introduction.
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