USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1880-1881 > Part 12
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59
Newton
·
3
Total increase
142
Total decrease
11
Net increase
131 as before.
As might be expected, more than half of this increase appears in the first grade.
The enrollment in the High School for September was 286 (boys, 135 ; girls, 151), a decrease of 18 from last year, dis- tributed among the several classes as follows : -
Fourth class, 114 as against 104 of last year.
Third class, 58 as against
97 of last year.
Second class, 77 as against 60 of last year.
First class, 37 as against 43 of last year.
Total, 286 as against 304 of last year.
77
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
The average whole number in the primary and grammar schools for the three months ending with November is 2,832.2; the average attendance, 2,612.5; giving as the percentage of attendance, 92.3.
The total number of cases of tardiness is 1,110, which, computed on the average attendance, amount to .355 of one per cent.
The attendance is fair for the city, as a whole, perhaps nearly as high as it should be; but the great disparity (from four to eight per cent) between schools and sections which represent the extremes suggests the presence, in some quarters, of evils which an earnest co-operation on the part of parents and teachers should correct.
The same is true of tardiness. While slight allowance may be made for local differences, the fact that one school is subjected to a tenfold greater annoyance from this source than another calls for special efforts to bring it to the atten- tion of those who have the power to remedy the evil.
It is doubtful if some of the patrons of the public schools who are best informed, and have their welfare most at heart, appreciate the extent to which those schools suffer from their failure to insist on the punctual and regular attendance of their children when not prevented by circumstances beyond control.
This is, of course, but one of the conditions of prosperity ; but its importance demands that no means be left untried to create and foster a healthy sentiment in regard to it.
The time hitherto devoted to a personal inspection of the schools, and, indeed, the written examination at the close of the first quarter, have had special reference to an acquaint- ance with what Is, rather than to an indication of what OUGHT TO BE, with a view to recognize and conserve all that is excellent in the future effort to modify or change for the better.
In these not infrequent visits, certain apparent defects have come to my notice, and subsequent observation and reflec- tion have only confirmed first impressions ; and, in suggest-
78
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ing changes which seem to be improvements, I am happy to believe that such changes would meet the hearty welcome of a corps of teachers whose exceptional competence and fidelity have impressed me as one of the noteworthy features of the Newton schools.
A right plan of organization, while it can never compensate for defects in the details of its working, is an indispensable requisite to the highest success. In a system of graded schools it would seem that the school representing the vari- ous grades is the unit of that system. This theory would, further, seem to be recognized in the title of Master, and the subordinate titles of Principal and Assistants ; and yet the masters are so generally, and at present of necessity, but in name. Confined to their respective rooms by the responsi- bility of teaching and caring for two and sometimes three grades, no time, no facilities, are given for supervision of teachers and pupils ostensibly under their jurisdiction ; and the result is, if not a want of harmony, a want of unity and mutual adaptation, which can only result in a waste of power. If this lack of unity is manifest in any given school, it must be felt in a higher degree in a system composed of many schools. That this lack Is felt to-day in all departments I do not hesitate to affirm, and also express it as my confident belief, that a gradual but speedy return to the plan whereby the master is afforded the time to supervise, and made respon- sible for, the several departments under his nominal headship, would result in securing greater unity and higher efficiency to the entire system.
Another vital question is that relating to the employment of special teachers. That such teachers are a necessity in certain departments is generally conceded ; and, when it is proposed to increase their number, the natural inquiry is, " Why any limit ? Why not a specialist for each branch ?" It were to be wished that all our teachers were fully com- petent to give instruction in all the specialties required in our schools ; but we know it is the prerogative of genius to excel in many, and, until such specialties have become and
79
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
are universally recognized as essentials in the common-school curriculum, it is idle to expect all teachers to be qualified to instruct wisely and well in them; and, until such time as these qualifications can be required, the proper question seems to be, "Is the special branch a necessity in our schools ? " This, in turn, involves a financial question ; and this consideration may have operated to practically elimi- nate certain branches of acknowledged value. If so, it is much to be regretted that retrenchment has been effected in the direction of vocal music.
It were unnecessary, if not discourteous, at this day and before this Board, to insist upon the value of vocal music in the schoolroom, whether as a sanitary, disciplinary, educat- ing and refining agent, or in its more practical aspects as furnishing a necessary relaxation from study, and often dis- covering a future means of livelihood. This value conceded, can or will music be well taught by the regular teachers ? In some cases, Yes. In many and most cases, No. Many have not the requisite knowlege of music ; more have not the confidence which comes of familiarity and practice. And the fact that some teachers have both the ability and disposition to train their pupils in the rudiments of a musical education is of itself a strong argument for the employment of a special teacher to equalize the advantages enjoyed by the more favored pupils. That this department is suffering for the want of a competent and enthusiastic director is patent to all who will investigate, and that this suffering is shared by most who appreciate its place in school-training is but too evident. I most earnestly commend the subject to the early attention of the Board.
The interests of sewing, elementary evening school, and school for mechanical drawing, are in the hands of special and standing committees, and will be reported in due time. Pending the report of the first, it may be observed, that, at the instance of the special committee having the matter in charge, I have given the subject of sewing in school sufficient attention to become convinced of its great practical value, if
80
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
once successfully inaugurated, and that, to make it most nearly self-supporting, a demand for it should be created, and facilities furnished only as that demand increases ; and, fur- ther, if a small expenditure is requisite to the creation of that first demand, by supplying material, etc., it will be a wise and safe investment.
The matter of vaccination has received renewed attention in all the schools, and it is believed that few, if any, of the pupils, have not already complied with the requirements of the statute and the regulation pursuant thereto.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
JOHN E. KIMBALL,
NEWTON, MASS., Dec. 28, 1881.
Superintendent.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
STATISTICS.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Class.
Whole Number
of Pupils dur-
ing the Year.
Average Whole
Number.
Average Attend-
ance.
Number of
Number of
Pupils over 15.
High School.
Edward H. Cutler
Ezra W. Sampson
John F. Kent
Asst. Master. Assistant.
Caroline Spear
M. Isabel Hanson
M. Abby Smith
Martha E. Foote
Maybell P. Davis
66
Special Teachers.
Mrs. Emma F. Bowler
Drawing.
Jennie E. Ireson
Elocution. Military Drill. Rhetoric.
Mason School.
444
343.7
303
8
13
Albert L. Harwood
Master.
9
George A. Moore
Head Assist.
8
Sarah H. Munger
7
Maria F. Wood .
6
Mary Tenney
66
5
Lizzie S. Friend
4
Ellena H. Thompson
3
Harriette E. Bird
66
2
Ellen M. Cook
1
Oak-Hill School.
34
25
21
1
2
Mattie R. T. Owler
Principal.
¿ 6,7,8
Thompsonville School. Helen A. Davis .
Principal.
1,2,3
Hyde School.
185
161.3
147.7
8
George S. Turner
Master.
8,9
Lilla M. Means
Head Assist.
6, 7
Alice M. Hammond
Assistant.
4,5
Alice F. Whitcomb
2,3
Cornelia Collins .
66
1
313
268.9
251.6
242
S. Alice Worcester
Head Master. Master.
Calisthenics.
Frank N. Brown
Eliza B. Barry
Assistant. 66
§ 1,2,3,4
44
29.6
26
7
Pupils under 5.
82
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
STATISTICS - Continued.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Class.
Whole Number
of Pupils dur-
ing the Year.
Average Whole
number.
Average Attend-
ance.
Number of
Number of
Pupils over 15.
Prospect School.
284
215
197.4
7
1
Walter C. Frost
Master.
8,9
Martha L. Perkins .
Head Assist.
6, 7
Ella F. Crooker .
Assistant.
4,5
Kate P. Richardson
3
Lizzie W. Everett .
2
Mary P. Fanning
Hamilton School.
132
98.9
93.4
2
4
Luther E. Leland
Master
7, 8,9
Anna G. Swain .
Head Assist.
4, 5,6
Sarah H. Jumper
Assistant.
1, 2,3
Addie P. Tuttle .
Williams School.
290
219
197.8
2
16
George L. Chandler
Master.
8.9
Elizabeth A. Pinnock
Head Assist.
7
Louise I. Burbank .
Assistant.
5, 6
Laura Saltonstall
4
Helen I. Merrill .
2,3
Ann B. Smith
1,2
Peirce School.
182
154.7
146.1
31
Levi F. Warren .
Master.
9
Sarah A. Warren
Head Assist.
8
Mary J. Pickering .
Assistant.
6, 7
Eliza E. Simmons .
5
Davis School.
245
174.6
162.8
Ella G. Bates
Principal.
4
Calista S. Wood
Assistant.
3
Susan E. Copeland
2
Sarah E. Foster .
1
· Franklin School.
165
129.6
121.1
2
Elizabeth F. Paddock
Principal.
5, 6
M. Isabel Jenkins
Assistant. 66
3, 4
Emma J. Thompson
1,2
Adams School.
225
154.3
141.7
9
William A. Spinney
Master.
8,9
Jennie M. Edwards
Head Assist.
7,8
Estella M. Haynes .
Assistant.
3, 4
Lydia A. Brierly
1,2
Claflin School.
207
163.4
149.1
3
Alice Pitts
Principal.
6,7
Lilla T. Wilder
Head Assist.
5, 6
Mary R. Ware
Assistant.
3. 4
Lizzie Jones .
1, 2
Jackson School.
311
203
181
2
George G. Edwards
Principal.
5, 6
H. Augusta Millard
Assistant.
4,5
Louise W. Clelland
Anna F. Gage
Abby J. Clark
1
3, 4 2
Eliza J. Lovely
1
1
Pupils under 5.
.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
STATISTICS - Concluded.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Class.
Whole Number
of Pupils dur- ing the Year.
Average Whole
Number.
Average Attend-
Number of
Number of
Pupils over 15.
Bigelow School.
351
302.4
275.8
41
H. Chapin Sawin
Master.
8,9
Eudora Sanford .
Head Assist.
7,8
Martha M. Bakeman
Assistant.
7
S. Louise Shelton
66
6, 7
Augusta A. Lentell
6
Mary H. Dwyer
4,5
Clara J. Calley
4
Underwood School.
214
155.4
136.9
1
Emma M. Cleary
Assistant.
3
Lizzie C. Clarke
2,3
Annie L. Wood .
1,2 1
Josephine W. Littlefield
Lincoln School.
51
34.5
28.8
Allotta C. Wilmarth
Assistant.
1, 2, 3
-
.
ance.
l'upils under 5.
83
The following Table gives the Statistics of Monthly Attendance, and the Aggregate Attendance, for School Year ending June 25, 1881.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER.
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
Average
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason .
371.6
353.8
95.3
370.5
344.6
92.8
329.3!
364.2
329.4
87.7
337.8
287 198.6
85.6 91.6
309.2
260.5
84.6
Prospect
217.9
202.1|
93.2
218.4
204.2
93.6
199.8
91.5
206.4
189.4
91.9
216.5
122.9
91.5
139.4
123.3
88.4
Oak-Hill
18.3
16
88.8
20.9
19.5
90
23.1
88.9
167.8 26.5 33
150.8 23.2 28.9;
87.5 25.5 22.3
20.6! 21
80.8 94.1
22.5
19.4
86.2
District No. 1
785.9
740.3
92.3
809.3
755.7
91.7
813.4
741.4
90.6
797.9
721.7
89.2
737.3
650.1
88.7
705.5
619.5
85.5
Williams .
223.5
212.7
95.2
243.8
230.9
94.1
239.1
216.2
90.4
204.3
184.7
90.1
212.3
185.3
86.7
191
165.9
86.6
Hamilton
110.8
106.9
97.3
111.8
108.1
96.6
111.5
108.5
97.2
109.7
103.5
94.5
106.5
100.2
94.3
98.4
89.4
90.9
District No. 2
334.3
319.6
96.2
355.6
339
95.3
350.6
324.7
93.7
314
288.2
92.3
318.8
285.5
90
289.4
255.3
88.7
Peirce .
161.5
157.3
97.2
166.7
161
96.5
164.2
156
95
153.3
146.1
95.2
158.1
151.4
95.7
158.2
148.9
94.5
Davis .
203.9
193.8
95
190.4
182.3
95.7
173.1
161.7
93.4
134.4
125.9
93.4
163.3
150.6
91.9
161.4
147.7
91
Franklin
154.3
146.8
95.2
150.2
138.8
92.3
137.5
123.3
90
100
91.6
91.3
117.5
107.7
91.5
117
104.7
89.3
Adams
169.6
160.9
94.6
167.4
156.2
93.1
147.9
136.7
92.2
152.1
139.2
91.3
145.6
141.8
89.7
144 5
130
89.4
Claflin .
162.5
153.4
94.2
174
162.3
93.6
171.9
155.5
163.5
147.7
90.9
155.5
136.7
88.2
156.5
137.3
87.9
District No. 3
851.8
812.2
95.2
848.7
800.6
94.2
794.6
733.2
92.3
703.3
650.5
92.4
740
688.2
91.4
737.6
668.6
90.4
Bigelow
316.5
297.9
94.1
318.8
288.6
93.7
312.3
287.1
92
308.5
276.4
89.6
302.9
275.8
91.4
304.1
269.6
88.6
Underwood
150.5;
140.2
92.9
161.6
150.7
93.3
173.2
155.5
89.7
154.7
136.2
87.8
155.9
140.1
89.8
155
124.9
81
Lincoln .
42
37.6
89.5
43.7
37.6
86
24.3
13.6
55.8
16.4
12.4
75.3
28 9
24.9
86.1
31.7
25.8
81.3
Jackson
228.6
210.9
92.4
202.8
182.6
89.6
141.1
123.4
164.6
146.5
88.8
176.3
155.9
88.3
195.2
170.1
87.3
District No. 4
737.6
686.6
92.2
726.9
659.5
90.7
650.9
579.6
81.1
744.2
681.5
85.4
664
596.7
88.9
686
590.4
84.6
High
298.3
291.9
97.8
292.2
281.1
96.7
286.1
272.9
95.5
277.3
265
95 5
272.6
252
92.5
264.1
246.2
93.2
'Total
3007.9
2860.6
94.7
3032.7
2835.9
93.7
2895.6
2651.8
90.6
2836.7
2606.9
91
2732 5
2472.5
90.3
2682.6
2380
88.5
·
27.4
24.1
83.3
33.5
29.1
86.8
32.3
89.6
87.8
Thompsonville
150.7
144.8
96.1
166
158.3
95.5
170.4
156.9
92.5
Hyde .
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Attendance.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
84
SCHOOLS.
Average
209.4
190.9
90.5
91.2
135.2
25
19.4
77.6
26 36
363.8 217.2
90.2
91
87
Average
The following Table gives the Statistics of Monthly Attendance, and the Aggregate Attendance, for School Year ending June 25, 1881.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
YEARS.
Average
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Average
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason .
309.2
260.5
84.2
345.9
279.9
82.3 88.5 91.2
331.6 213.4 182.8 28 34.8
166.3 21.7 29
77.3 83.3
32
29.1
90.9
.....
· ... .
.. .
District No. 1
724.4
635.2
87
784
668
86.6
790.6
695.8
85
796.3
724.9
91.2
774.5
695.3
88.8
Williams
204.3
182.5
89.3
222.6
198.8
89.5
226.8
201
88.8
222.3
200.1
90.5
.. ....
....
Hamilton .
75.5
68.7
90.6
85.7
78.9
92.2
89.2
84
94.2
90.2
85.7
95.1
District No. 2
279.8
251.2
89.9
308.3
277.7
90.8
316
285
91.5
312.5
285.8
92.8
317.9
290.6
92.1
Peirce .
153.1
139.5
91.2
143.5
125.1
94.1
147.1
138.6
94.3
141.5
133.2
94.2
... .
....
Davis
160.8
149.5
92.6
183.9
172
93.5
184.9
175
94.6
181.6
169.8
93.5
. .
.
...
....
Franklin .
125.8
112.1
89.1
125.5
111.6
88.9
132.2
117.8
90.1
136.2
126.2
92.4
.....
... ....
....
·
·
·
147.4
137.1
92.9
160.7
145.2
90.6
159
139.3
88.8
148.5
130.5
89
.....
....
Claflin .
151.9
139.2
91.8
169.3
150.6
89.6
171.7
154.8
90.7
157
153.1
91.5
.... ..
...
District No. 3
739
677.4
91.5
782.9
704.5
91.3
794.9
725.5
91.7
764.8
712.8
92.1
775.8
717.4
92.3
Bigelow
300.4
270
89.4
301.6
274
91.2
290.1
262.2
90 6
272.1
256.1
94.3
......
....
....
Underwood
158
133.1
84
168
138.2
82.9
146.2
115
78.6
151.1
134.8
89.5
Lincoln
32.9
27.4
83.2
39.6
34.4
86.8
42.6
85.3
42.8
38.2
89.2
Jackson
207.6
184.6
88.4
234.3
209.2
89.2
243.4
88.6
236
210.4
88.7
.. .
....
District No. 4
698.9
615.1
86.3
743.5
655.8
87.5
722.3
629.5
85.8
702
639.5
90.4
707.6
633.4
87.3
High
253.5
231.2
91.2
255.2
232.1
90.9
249.5
230
92.2
240.1
213.6
88.9
268.9
251.6
93.5
Total
2695.6
2410.1
89.2
2873.9
2538.1
89.4
2873.3
2565.8
89.3
2815.7
2576.6
91.1
2844.7
2588.3
91
.
..
... ..
. . .
Hyde .
158.3
142.1
90.6
163.3
149.1
91.2
179.9
163.2
90.5
....
.
....
....
Oak-Hill
25
20.4
81
25.3 31.9
21.5 26.8
87 84
284.1 194.7
86.6 91.5
336.7 218.7
300.2 208.2
91.7 95.9
Prospect .
209.4
192.8
92.4
217.6
190 7
Thompsonville .
22.5
19.4
86.2
.....
.... .
.. ..
·
Attendance.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Per cent
Average
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
85
. .
....
· ·
.
....
...
..... .
....
.
.
87
29
24.2
......
.
Attendance.
SCHOOLS.
.
Adams .
36.4 215.9
1
86
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1881.
General Appropriation for Support of Schools .
$75,700 00
Received from the Dog Tax . 733 32
$76,433 32
Amount transferred to School Incidentals
992 63
$75,440 69
Amount paid to Superintendent
$2,430 00
Amount paid to Teachers
64,030 25
Amount paid to Janitors .
4,088 00
Amount paid to Secretary
300 00
Amount paid for Fuel .
4,592 44
Amount expended
$75,440 69
Appropriation for Evening School
$400 00
Amount transferred from Appropriation for Conveyance of Pupils 68 54
Amount transferred from Appropriation for Industrial Drawing 66 95
$535 49
Amount paid to Teachers
$439 50
Amount paid to Janitor
33 75
Amount paid for Incidentals
62 24
Amount expended
$535 49
Appropriation for Conveyance of Pupils to and from the High School .
$800 00
Amount transferred to School Incidentals
$131 46
Amount transferred to Evening School
68 54
200 00
Amount expended
$600 00
Appropriation for School Incidentals
$6,000 00
Amount transferred from General Appropriation .
992 63
Amount transferred from Appropriation for Conveyance of Pupils
131 46
Amount expended
$7,124 09
Appropriation for Industrial Drawing.
$100 00
Amount transferred to Evening School . 66 95
Balance unexpended
$33 05
ISAAC HAGAR, Secretary.
NOKM
1. NEWTON,
CITY OF NEWTON.
ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1881.
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ERTY AND UNI
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BOSTON : FRANKLIN PRESS : RAND, AVERY, & COMPANY. 1882.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1881.
AT LARGE.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE
TERM EXPIRES 1884.
JULIUS L. CLARKE .
TERM EXPIRES 1883.
JAMES F. C. HYDE TERM EXPIRES 1882.
JOHN S. FARLOW TERM EXPIRES 1885.
WILLIAM CLAFLIN .
TERM EXPIRES 1886.
FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CHARLES C. BURR TERM EXPIRES 1881.
FROM THE BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL.
EDWARD W. CATE TERM EXPIRES 1881.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1882.
AT LARGE.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE TERM EXPIRES 1884.
JULIUS L. CLARKE .
TERM EXPIRES 1883.
JOHN S. FARLOW
TERM EXPIRES 1885.
WILLIAM CLAFLIN TERM EXPIRES 1886.
A. L. EDMANDS TERM EXPIRES 1887.
FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CHARLES C. BURR TERM EXPIRES 1882.
FROM THE BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL.
ALSON A. SMITH . TERM EXPIRES 1882.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1881.
PRESIDENT. JOHN S. FARLOW.
SECRETARY. JULIUS L. CLARKE.
COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY.
PRESIDENT, ex officio. JULIUS L. CLARKE.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE. WILLIAM CLAFLIN.
COMMITTEE ON THE BUILDING.
PRESIDENT, ex officio. EDWARD W. CATE.
JAMES F. C. HYDE. CHARLES C. BURR.
SUPERINTENDENT. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE.
LIBRARIAN. HANNAH P. JAMES.
ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS.
E. P. THURSTON. J. L. SMALLWOOD.
JANITOR. JAMES J. TOWER.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1882.
PRESIDENT. JOHN S. FARLOW.
SECRETARY. JULIUS L. CLARKE.
COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY.
PRESIDENT, ex officio. JULIUS L. CLARKE.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE. WILLIAM CLAFLIN.
COMMITTEE ON THE BUILDING.
PRESIDENT, ex officio. ALSON A. SMITH.
. A. L. EDMANDS. CHARLES C. BURR.
SUPERINTENDENT. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE.
LIBRARIAN.
HANNAH P. JAMES.
ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS.
E. P. THURSTON. L. J. SMALLWOOD.
E. P. CLEAVELAND. M. E. MICHAELS.
JANITOR.
JAMES J. TOWER.
TRUSTEES' REPORT.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of Newton.
IN this their Annual Report the Trustees of the Newton Free Library can add but little to the exhaustive report of the Superintendent herewith submitted.
The Library is in good condition throughout, and continues to fulfil the high expectations of its founders, both as an educator of the young, and as a means for the culture and recreation of those more advanced in years.
The daily distribution of books in the several wards of the city, which was inaugurated last spring, has proved eminent- ly successful, and been the means of largely extending the benefits of the Library. This has been clearly manifested, not only in the greatly increased circulation of books in those localities, but also in the wider interest taken in the general affairs of the Library by the citizens of the other wards.
The reading-room grows in use and favor year by year, and it affords great pleasure to the Trustees to witness the increasing appreciation by our people of the advantages it offers them.
The tabulated statements in the report of the Superintend- ent show that the cost of operating the library and reading- room last year was $7,827.55, and that it will require an appropriation of $8,500 to meet the estimated expenses for the current year, which sum the Trustees respectfully request the City Council to appropriate therefor.
It will be remembered that early last year the City Council requested the Trustees of the Library to provide for a daily
8
distribution of the books in all the wards of the city, but failed to appropriate a sum sufficient to meet the additional expense consequent on such a daily distribution.
The Trustees, anxious to do all in their power to carry out the expressed wish of the City Council, and extend, as far as possible, the benefits and advantages of the Library to every part of the city, determined to make the daily distri- bution, with the full knowledge on their part that it could only be done by using a portion of the funds they had relied on for the purchase of books during the year.
The Superintendent's report will show that a goodly por- tion of that estimated book money was actually thus used. The necessity for this was particularly to be regretted last year; for the visit of our Superintendent to Europe last sum- mer afforded an opportunity for the selection and purchase of books at low cost, which the Trustees would have gladly availed of, had they possessed the necessary funds.
The amount asked for this year is only five hundred dollars in excess of that asked for last year, and one thousand more than was then appropriated. The extra cost for this daily distribution, as shown by the Superintendent's tables, was only for nine months of last year. To that cost, therefore, one-third must be added, in order to meet the requirements of this entire current year, and for which the estimates, on which the appropriation now asked for is based, provide.
Whilst the Trustees, and others in charge of the operations of the Library, desire at all times to do what they can in aid of the efforts of the City Council to maintain a judicious economy in its administration of the affairs of the city, they are well satisfied that the diversion to other purposes of funds really needed for the purchase of books is a serious drawback to the usefulness of the Library, and hope it will not be necessary to repeat the experiment of last year.
Very little is likely to be required in the way of additions or repairs to the Library this year. We need, indeed, increased storage capacity for coal, or else the contracts for coal made for us by the city should provide that the Library be fur- nished at the contract price all through the season. We were compelled last year to pay some thirty or forty dollars over
9
the contract price for the later deliveries, for want of such a provision.
The Trustees, in their own behalf, and in behalf of the Library and the city at large, acknowledge with pleasure and gratitude the valuable services rendered by our Superintend- ent, the Rev. Bradford K. Peirce. Without fee or reward he continues to labor faithfully and devotedly in the firm belief of the great good that may be made to result from the proper conduct of the institution so largely under his direc- tion and charge.
J. S. FARLOW, Pres't of the Board of Trustees.
10
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Trustees of the Newton Free Library.
GENTLEMEN, - In submitting the Annual Report of the Library for the past year, we have but few special incidents to record. Its regular work, increased nearly fifty per cent during three-quarters of the year, has moved on with un- broken regularity. The usual very full statistical tables, forming the appendix to this report, will give the details of what has been done during the year, the expenses of adminis- tration, and the growth and present condition of the Library. It will be seen that the expense at the agencies, and for the distribution of the books, has been largely increased. As this enlargement extends over only three-quarters of the year, the expense for the coming year can be readily estimated.
The circulation of books has been increased by about two thousand over the previous year, reaching the number of 85,333. There are now over ten thousand names registered as patrons of the Library, -a very considerable proportion of the inhabitants of the city. Last year, for reasons that will appear in the report, a smaller number of volumes was added to the Library than in previous years. The. total accessions for the year were 1,242, and these volumes are in larger proportion than usual composed of substantial, as well as very interesting, works of science, history, biography, travels, and illustrations of art. But two volumes during the year remain unaccounted for. Fifty-three have been worn out and not replaced, or have been withdrawn from circulation, leaving in the Library, at the opening of the present year, 18,202 volumes. While a portion of the annual
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