USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1881-1882 > Part 12
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445
359.6
319.9
13
Albert L. Harwood
Master.
9
George A. Moore
Head Assist.
Sarah H. Munger
Assistant.
Maria F. Wood .
6
Mary Tenney
5
Lizzie S. Friend
4
Ellena H. Thompson
3
Harriette E. Bird
66
1
Margaret Martin
1
Oak-Hill School. Mattie R. T. Owler
35
31.3
26.2
1
4
§ 1,2,3,4
Principal.
1 5,6,7,8
35
28.5
25
7
Thompsonville School. Helen A. Davis .
Principal.
1, 2,3
201
179.6
163.6
7
George S. Turner .
Master.
8,9
Charlotte E. Cameron
Head Assist.
6, 7
Alice M. Hammond
Assistant.
4,5
Alice F. Whitcomb
Cornelia Collins
2,3 1
of Pupils dur-
S. Alice Worcester
M. Abby Smith .
Calistlienics.
Eliza B. Barry .
2
Ellen M. Cook .
Hyde School.
Pupils under 5.
83
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
STATISTICS- Continued.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Grade.
Whole Number
of Pupils dur-
ing the Year.
Average Whole
Number.
Average Attend-
Number of
Number of
Pupils over 15.
Prospect School.
270
225.2
210.7
6
3
Walter C. Frost
8,9
Martha L. Perkins
Master. Head Assist. Assistant. 66
6, 7 4, 5
Kate P. Richardson
3
Lizzie W. Everett.
2
Mary P. Fanning
Hamilton School.
122
107.1
100.7
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.
285
244.8
221.6
26
George L. Chandler
Master.
8, 9
Elizabeth A. Pinnock
Head Assist.
7
Louise N. Burbank
Assistant.
5, 6 4
Helen I. Merrill
66
2,3
Ann B. Smith
1, 2
Pierce School.
196
163.5
154.2
52
Levi F. Warren
Master. Head Assist.
8
Mary J. Pickering .
Assistant.
6, 7
Eliza E. Simmons .
5, 6
Davis School.
258
197.5
184.2
Ella G. Bates
Principal. Assistant.
3
Susan E. Copeland
2
Sarah E. Foster
1
Franklin School.
192
152.6
138.9
1
Elizabeth F. Paddock
Principal.
5, 6
M. Isabel Jenkins .
Assistant. -
3, 4
Emma J. Thompson
1, 2
Margaret A. Mague
Adams School.
211
163.8
148.4
2
13
William A. Spinney .
Master.
8, 9
Jennie M. Edwards
Head Assist.
7.8
Estella M. Haynes
Assistant.
3, 4
Lydia A. Brierley .
1, 2
Claflin School.
227
192.1
170.5
1
Emmeline F. Tucker .
6, 7
Lilla T. Wilder .
5, 6
Mary R. Ware
66
3, 4
Lizzie Jones
1,2 1
Jackson School.
380
256.5
222.9
2
4
George G. Edwards .
Principal.
5, 6
H. Augusta Millard
Assistant.
4, 5
Louise W. Clelland
66
Anna F. Gage
66
3, 4 2
Abby J. Clark
1
Eliza J. Lovely
1
Laura Saltonstall
66
9
Sarah A. Warren
Calista S. Wood
4
Principal. Assistant.
Ellen S. Tewksbury
ance.
Pupils under 5.
Ella F. Crooker .
1
84
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
STATISTICS - Concluded.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Grade.
Whole Number
of Pupils dur- ing the Year.
Average Whole
Number.
Average Attend-
ance.
Number of
Number of
Pupils over 15.
Bigelow School.
349
306.8
281.1
56
H. Chapin Sawin
Master.
8,9
Eudora Sanford
Head Assist.
7, 8
Martha M. Bakeman
Assistant.
7
S. Louise Shelton .
66
5
Mary H. Dwyer
66
4, 5
Clara J. Calley
66
4
Underwood School.
213
161.8
145.9
5
Emma M. Cleary
Assistant.
3
Lizzie C. Clarke
66
2, 3
Annie L. Wood .
1, 2
Josephine W. Littlefield
66
1
Lincoln School.
38
36
32.4
Allotta C. Wilmarth .
Assistant.
1, 2,3
6
Augusta A. Lentell
Pupils under 5.
The following Table gives the Statistics of Monthly Attendance, and the Aggregate Attendance, for School-Year ending June 30, 1882.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER.
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
Average
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason .
357.2
213.8
323.35 206.45 176
90.52 96.56 94.64
373.4 215.3
338.25 202.9 174.15 29.72 25.3
95.86 94.24 93.85 92 87 90
362.5 221.3 180.9 33 27.2
317.6 213.58 163.05 29.25 24.1
87.61 96.51 91.32 88.7 88.6
361.75 225.05 178.07 33 29.6
314.84 203.4 160.65 29.35 26.7
87.03 90.38 89.96 88 90
353.25 226.85| 174.66 33 30.2
292.75 208 152.83 22.75 25
82.93 92.52 87.5 75 82.7
344.1 222.5 172.4 32.5 29
300.4 206.85 152.68 27.25 24.7
87.3 92.96 88.56 83 85.2
District No. 1 .
821
762.6
92.88
834.35
770.32
92.32
824.9
747.58
90.62
827.47
734.94
88.81
817.96
701.33
85.74
800.5
711.88
88.92
Williams .
247.55 236.4
95.49
252.95
236.85 104.8
93.63 95.79
246.4 110.75
219.92 106.67
89.25 96.31
214.1 105.6
88.76 94.79
238.65 106
200.39 98.8
83.96 93.21
237.5 102.9
209.34 93.2
88.14 95.73
District No. 2
353.35
338.8
95.88
362.35
341.65
94.26
357.15
326.69
91.47
352.6
319.7
90.67
344.65
299.19
86.81
340.4
302.54
88.87
Pierce .
174.8
167.7
95.94
171.1
163.75 187.1
95.7
168.45
162.3
96.35
159.23
153.45
140.08 143
91.28 87.67
163.75 188.5
152.77
93.91
Davis .
193 2 184.6
95.1
199.1
93.97
198.7
183.5
92.35
167.05 198.1
186.3 137.37 159 174.8
91.51 91.95 89
133.25 164.5 185
114.61 138 155.3
83.89 83.4
186.05
167.35
89.94
District No. 3
859.65 803.8
93.5
888.35
833.07
93.78
880.55
814.77
92.52
884.25
816.7
92.36
799.3
690.99
86.45
837.7
767.02
91.56
Bigelow ·
319.8
300.4
93.9
323.05
288.85 151.4
89.84 92.93 90.6 89.25
36.25 250.9
33.3 219.4
86.58 91.86 87.44
319.6 159 34.6 244.8
291.3 140.7 30 208.3
91.14 88.49 86.7 85.09
314.6 145.6 36 247.9
280.5 130.4 30.2 200.3
83.8 82
35.45 254.5
223.8
87.97
District No. 4 .
765.9
701.25
91.56
769.95
694.35
88.79
774.5
691.52
89.28
758
670.3
88.43
744.1
641.4
85.66
758.1
691.74
91.24
High
282.6
274.3
97.1
286.8
274.9
95.8
284.6
270.3
94.9
279.7
263.5
94.2
274.6
255.6
93.1
274
258.3
94.2
Total
3082.5
2907.5
94.32
3141.85 2914.29
92.7
3121.7
2850.86
91.3
3102.02 2805.14
90.4
3080.61
2588.51
84
3010.7
2631.48
87.4
·
·
34.5
30.6
39
32
26.2
88.8
28.1
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Prospect .
.
186
.
.
.
.
.
.
170.2
158.1
92.89
186.4
93.4
171.3 191.6
135.87 156.5 176.6
90.27 91.95 92.17
150 172.8 196.3
Adams
167.2 150
89.76
175
145.32 162.9 174
92.78 93.1
150.5
125.66
90.4
Franklin .
.
.
154.25 143.4
92.96
156.75
84.73
139
160.4
146.5
91.34
90.6
Lincoln .
35.6
32.15
90.3
36.5
Jackson
257.4
223.9
86.98
247.6
33.1 221
324.85 162.5
297.92| 140.9
91.71
·
.
.
·
.
.
153.1
144.8
94.57
162.8
152.6
136.1
89.18
Underwood .
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
85
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Thompsonville . ·
29.5
105.8
102.4
96.78
· 109.4
Hamilton
241.2
111.4
95.32 94.14
163.1
89.09 89.56
315.55
299.72
93.08
174.8
92.73
·
Claflin . .
SCHOOLS.
Average
Average
Attendance.
Whole No.
Hyde
185.55
Oak Hill
32.12
The following Table gives the Statistics of Monthly Attendance, and the Aggregate Attendance, for School-Year ending June 30, 1882.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
YEARS.
Average
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Average
Per cent
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason .
349.47 220.65
316.8 206.25 149.15 29.5 23.4
90.65 93.55 90.2 92 84.7
184.45 31 28
347.17 229.03 169.83 28.6 25.1
90.38 95.38 92.12 92 89.6
376 235.9 183.75 29 27.4
330.95 215.52 169.59 20.05 24.2
88 91.36 91.20 69.13 88.32
354 229.15 184.25 23.3 28
317.3 215.32 167.7 15.1 25
89.6 93.96 91.07 64.8 89.2
..... .....
.
.
.
795.12
729.1
91.71
868.8
799.23
91.99
852.05
760.31
83.24
818.7
734.42
89.7
826.13
745.17
90.2
Williams .
239.15
214.43 94.3
89.66 93.91
106.8
225.72 101.6
89.88 95.13
253.05 108.5
231.22 101.5
91.37
: 249.05 108.7
227.7 104.2
95.85
.....
District No. 2
339.55
308.73
90.92
358.05
327.32
91.41
361.55
332.72
91.99
357.75
331.9
92.77
352.74
332.92
94.38
Pierce .
163.5
150.12
91.81
158.9 216.6
151.25 204.9
159.45 212.8
149.32 196.7
154.75 203.9
145.87
94.26
Davis
200.8
186.6
92.92
92
161 161.3 203.45
145.31 148.8 183.3
158 206.3
152.8 142.9 177.79
90.44 86.18
151.3 194.25
151.9 140.3 169.42
92.72
......
Claflin .
191.2
168.22
87.98
District No. 3
860.25
779.94
90.66
901.25
832.66
92.39
903.45
819.51
90.8
870.45
802.19
92.15
868.52
795.99
91.65
Bigelow
308
274.8
89.22
291.9 177.1 35.95 273.6
271.1 160.3 33.95 240.8
92.84 90.51 94.43 88.01
281.3 175.9 36.65 269.7
258.8 156.5 33.07 232.3
92.35 88.96 90.2 86.88
37.5 259.3
34.8 231.2
89.16
....
District No. 4
761.85
680.87
89.37
778.55
706.15
90.7
763.55
680.67
89.14
736
664.5
90.28
761.03
682.27
89.65
High .
269.1
249.8
92.8
266.5
244.4
91.7
269.4
250.1
92.8
255.5
234.7
91.8
274.3
257.6
93.9
Total
3025.87
2748.44
90.8
3173.15
2909.76
91.7
3150
2843.31
90
3038.4
2767.71
91
3092.68
2796.7
90.43
. .
....
Franklin
148.25
136.4
166.25
91.36
......
Adams
156.5
138.6
88.56
87.22
.
269.2 170
247.9 150.6
92.08
Underwood
159.3
146.9
88.55
Lincoln .
35.35
92.8
.....
Jackson .
259.2
31.17 228
Per cent
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Average
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Average
Prospect .
Hyde .
165.35
.
.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
86
SCHOOLS.
Average
Attendance.
...... ......
........ ......
.....
Thompsonville
....
District No. 1
.....
Hamilton
100.4
251.25
95.21 94.59 90.25 92.87 90.09
166.9
91.55
194.7
95.48
....
....
....
91.58 88.17 87.96
384.1 241.25
Oak Hill
32.05 27.6
Per cent
91.42
93.55
93.65
92.43
87
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1882.
General Appropriation for Schools $80,500 00
General Appropriation for Schools, Additional . 1,500 00
Received from the Dog Tax . 702 72
$82,702 72
Amount transferred to Appropriation for School Incidentals 3,041 93
$79,660 79
Amount paid to the Superintendent
$2,700 00
Amount paid to the Teachers
67,633 09
Amount paid to the Janitors
4,094 00
Amount paid to the Secretary
300 00
Amount paid for Fuel
4,933 70
Amount expended
$79,660 79
Appropriation for Evening School
$550 00
Amount transferred from Appropriation for Conveyance of Pupils 22 54
Amount transferred from Appropriation for Industrial Drawing 50 33
$622 87
Amount paid to the Teachers
$487 50
Amount paid to the Janitor .
34 50
Amount paid for Incidentals
100 87
Amount expended
$622 87
Appropriation for Industrial Drawing .
$300 00
Amount transferred to Appropriation for Evening School 50 33
Amount expended
$249 67
Appropriation for School Incidentals
$7,000 00
Amount transferred from General Appropriation for Schools
3,041 93
Amount transferred from Appropriation for Conveyance of Pupils
16 64
Amount expended
$10,058 57
Appropriation for Conveyance of Pupils to the High School
$700 00
Amount transferred to Appropriation for Evening School .
$22 54
Amount transferred to Appropriation for School Incidentals
16 64
Amount expended
650 00
689 18
Balance unexpended
$10 82
ISAAC HAGAR,
Secretary.
APPENDIX.
THE following is the report referred to on p. 16 of the foregoing : -
REPORT ON SEWING IN THE SCHOOLS.
It is unnecessary now to take the time of this Board to consider the arguments in favor of the introduction of instruction in sewing into our public schools. Even the most indifferent person must have been convinced of the value and practicability of this plan, upon listening to the ear- nest words of those who addressed us upon this subject four weeks since.
Your Committee firmly believe that the usefulness of the schools would be greatly enhanced by this addition, and that their efficiency in respect to other branches of education would in no wise be impaired. They also believe that no girl can be considered properly educated who cannot sew.
In the last report upon instruction in sewing in the schools of Boston, the writer says that " the practical value of such instruction is rendered more apparent by each year's experi- ence." It is the design to make this instruction in our schools as practical as possible. Plain sewing upon useful garments, mending and darning of old garments, should first of all be taught to the child.
It is also the design to so systematize and arrange the work that it shall be a diversion rather than a task, and the return to regular school-work after the sewing-hour shall be with fresh zest and relish.
90
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To attain the results desired, it will be necessary to secure competent and skilful teachers. By careful examination of the charts, and by an equal division of the schools, your Committee believe that two teachers can give two hours' instruction each week to the classes of the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades in all the schools of our city, with the possibility of the sixth grade sharing in this instruction, if it should be deemed expedient.
Therefore your Committee do hereby recommend that instruction in sewing be introduced into the classes of the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades of all our public schools; also that two ladies be employed as teachers of sewing, whose combined salaries shall not exceed $1,000 (one thousand dollars) per annum. We also recommend that the introduc- tion of instruction in sewing be at the commencement of the next school-year, September, 1883.
MISS A. A. SMEAD. EMILY W. HYDE. GEORGE WOLFE SHINN.
CITY OF NEWTON.
ANNUAL REPORT 1
OF
THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1882.
BERTY AND UNION.
FOUNDED 163
CITY 1873
188
CORP
NONA
NTUM
RATED AT
Lakeview Press : J. C. CLARK PRINTING CO., SOUTH FRAMINGHAM. 1883.
.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1882.
AT LARGE.
JULIUS L. CLARKE TERM EXPIRES 1883
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE TERM EXPIRES 1884
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 COMMON COUNCIL.
ALSON A. SMITH TERM EXPIRES 1882
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1883.
AT LARGE.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE . TERM EXPIRES 1884 JOHN S. FARLOW TERM EXPIRES 1885
WILLIAM CLAFLIN TERM EXPIRES 1886 A. L. EDMANDS . TERM EXPIRES 1887
JULIUS L. CLARKE TERM EXPIRES 1888
FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
DAVID T. BUNKER TERM EXPIRES 1883
FROM THE BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL. WILLIAM PEIRCE TERM EXPIRES 1883
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.
ELIZABETH P. THURSTON. LOUISE J. SMALLWOOD.
ETTA P. CLEAVELAND. MILLIE E. MICHAELS.
JANITOR.
JAMES J. TOWER.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1883.
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. WILLIAM PEIRCE.
A. L. EDMANDS. DAVID T. BUNKER.
SUPERINTENDENT.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE.
LIBRARIAN. HANNAH P. JAMES.
ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS.
ELIZABETH P. THURSTON. LOUISE J. SMALLWOOD.
ETTA P. CLEAVELAND. MILLIE E. MICHAELS.
JANITOR.
JAMES J. TOWER.
TRUSTEES' REPORT.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of Newton :
THE Trustees of the Newton Free Library in this their Annual Report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1882, endorse with pleasure all that the Superintendent says in his report, herewith submitted, in regard to the excellent condition of the Library in all its departments.
The tables in the appendix to the Superintendent's Report, will show in detailed figures the cost of maintaining the Library the past year, and also estimates showing that it will require an appropriation by the City Government of $8,775.93 to meet the expenses of the current year. During the past two years the Trustees have been compelled to restrict their purchases of books below what they considered the wants of our people and the standing of the Library fairly required, in consequence of a necessary diversion of funds to meet the increased expense of a daily distribution of books by express to the various wards of our city. This increased expense, how- ever, has been fully justified by the increased facilities afforded for the enjoyment of the benefits of the Library by the inhabitants of our more distant wards. It should not, how- ever, in the estimation of the Trustees, be allowed to continue any longer to restrict the purchase of books actually required for the proper extension of the Library. An appropriation of the amount asked for in the Superintendent's estimates will fully meet the requirements of the Library, including the cost of such daily distribution, and we trust it will not fail to be voted.
8
During the past year there has been expended of the income derived from the " Jewett Art Fund " the sum of $291.88, and from that of the " Alden Speare Fund" the sum of $98.24 for the purchase of books suited to their special departments in the Library.
It is hoped and expected, that the income derivable from the bequest of the late Charles A. Reed, will become avail- able for the uses of the Library under that bequest during the current year. The Trustees would respectfully suggest to the City Council the propriety of making such income - when received - a special appropriation to them, so that they may be enabled to devote and apply it to the creation and support of a special department of the Library, commemorative of the beneficiary, to be denominated the Charles A. Reed Fund, or such other as may be deemed most appropriate.
The Jersey Stock Club of Newton has, in the year just closed, supplemented its previous gift to the Library of a por- trait of the late Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, by another, a full- length painted portrait of that other great friend and patron of the Library, George H. Jones, Esq. The two portraits now hang side by side in Edmands Hall, commemorative of their originals as worthy companions in good words and works.
The Trustees acknowledge these gifts with pride and pleas- ure in behalf of the city, and the Library in particular.
Nothing has yet occurred to diminish in the least the high opinion heretofore expressed by the Trustees, of the advan- tages derived by our people from the establishment in our city of a Free Public Library ; on the contrary, they are more than ever impressed with the benefits resulting therefrom, and it is matter of great satisfaction to find those benefits so happily and so generally appreciated.
J. S. FARLOW,
President of the Board of Trustees.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Trustees of Newton Free Library :
GENTLEMEN. - The usual tables of statistics appended to this report give the details of the practical working and expenses of the Library for the past year. We have been unable for the last two years to make the annual additions needed to our catalogue of books, on account of the increased expense attending the daily distribution throughout the wards of the city, requested at our hands by the City Council. The amount appropriated by the city last year was $500 less than seemed requisite, and was asked for at the opening of the year.
In 1880 we expended $2,311.64 for books; in 1881, only $1,758.82 ; last year, $1,911.29; while in 1879 we were able to devote to the enlargement of the contents of the Library, $2,518.52. We have made the best possible use of the amount placed at our disposal, limiting our expenses at every point where we could economize in order to secure as much as pos- sible for the purchase of books. All the incidental expenses, with the exception of salaries and agencies, have been brought down to a lower figure during the past year, as will be seen in the comparative statement at the end of the report. We cannot hope that the expenses of administration, in view of our widely separated wards, will be less in future. There will be a natural and necessary small annual increase.
The only advance of salary connected with the Library for the ensuing year will be in the case of the very faithful and useful janitor, whose services merit, as his necessities require,
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a small addition to his present allowance. The only requisi- tion for additional accommodations is a larger provision for our valuable illustrated volumes. The present arrangement for their preservation is too limited, and they are now some- what exposed to dampness from the windows. A case can be placed for them in the Trustees' room, and such a provision is an immediate necessity.
A new bulletin, which will add somewhat to our expenses this year, is to be immediately prepared. It has been delayed too long by our reluctance to incur any expense which might be postponed. This bulletin, with the one already printed, will be bound up with the sheets of the lately published cata- logue still remaining. A full author-index of the whole will be added, which will render the volume, thus issued, more satisfactory to our patrons. Should it please the City Council to relieve us from the requirement to pay into the hands of the City Treasurer the amount hereafter received for cata- logues, we could meet the expenses of printing and binding the bulletins without encroaching upon our annual appro- priation for books.
It is proper, as one of the marked incidents of the year connected with the administration of libraries, to refer to the great work of Mr. W. F. Poole, just issued from the press of J. R. Osgood & Co., upon which, with many assistants, he has been engaged for a long period. The work to which we refer is the third edition of an Index of Periodical Literature, brought down to 1882. This very laborious and voluminous work has opened up immense treasures of literature, phi- losophy and science, buried in the mass of valuable, but unmanageable, monthly and quarterly serials. We have full sets of a number of the leading home and foreign periodicals, and shall, from time to time, add to the list, now that their contents have been made available. Mr. Poole has established for himself a permanent monument of diligent, pains taking and intelligent labor, which will also secure for him the hearty thanks of librarians and scholars.
In seeking to aid our citizens in every practicable way to learn the character of the additions made to the Library, the Librarian, during the year has, from week to week, occupied
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considerable space in the Newton Fournal (the proprietors generously offering their columns for this purpose) in giving the titles of new volumes, with short notices of their contents and character. This work has been evidently appreciated, for the books thus announced have been quite sure to be called for during the ensuing week.
While, in nearly every instance which has come under our notice, the reports of librarians show a falling off during the past year in circulation, the Newton Library, although we have not added the usual number of fresh books, has increased its annual circulation by four hundred. And, what is still more gratifying, the purchases during the year have been largely of a substantial character, and there has been a dim- inution to the extent of four hundred volumes, as compared with the previous year, in the demand for works of fiction, with a corresponding increase in the distribution of works of a higher order. There are very few instances of the abuse of the Library by over-indulgence or morbid tastes now occur- ring. We have just reason to feel proud of our community in this respect. The aid of parents and teachers, in the defence both of the Library and of the young people, has not been invoked in vain. The effect of the increasing excellent habit of forming reading, and literary and scientific clubs in the city is being appreciably felt in the quality of the books sought for at the desk of the Library.
In the appendix will be found a table giving a careful esti- mate of the probable expense of administering the Library for the ensuing year. Only an advance of three hundred dollars is added to the amount expended for books during the past year. A larger sum is greatly to be desired. Upon the estimate there given, $8,776 will be required from the city to meet the most economical administration of the Library, and this amount, at least, we doubt not, the City Council will feel disposed to appropriate.
It has been suggested to the Superintendent that, as no sketch of the rise and progress of the Library has appeared in the reports since the Institution came into the hands of the city authorities, a short outline of its history would be of interest, at least, to its later patrons. Besides, in the various
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records of it which have been made, varying statements and errors have crept in. The original movers in this important undertaking are rapidly passing away. But few of them are now remaining. They all builded far better than they knew when they aided in the incipient steps which resulted in the present tasteful and commodious edifice, and its rapidly grow- ing collection of valuable books. The details of preliminary movements are to be found in the records of the different associations which preceded the final successful effort to establish a permanent library.
There had been for many years social library associations in several of the different parishes of the town ; those in West Newton, Newton Centre, and Newton Corner, were, at times, quite flourishing, gathering together several hundred volumes, and purchasing annually a considerable number of the cur- rent issues of the day. The distance of the villages from each other, and the difficulties, in an early day, of readily reaching a central point, prevented for years the establishment of one well-appointed and adequate town library. A literary associa- tion formed at Newton Corner as early as 1848, having gathered a small library of volumes, and appreciating the importance of a larger, free, public collection, took probably the first steps which afterwards resulted in the present institution. In 1865 this association appointed a committee to devise a plan for a free library, and to secure subscriptions for this purpose. Nothing definitely came of this except to awaken interest and to keep the project alive. In the summer of 1866, Mr. Joel H. Hills, a public-spirited citizen of the Corner, secured a subscription of $3,300, and purchased the central and very eligible lot of land upon which the Free Library now stands. In the succeeding September the subscribers to the fund met and formed an organization. They chose a Board of Trustees which collected the subscriptions, received the deed of the land, and appealed to their fellow-citizens for further dona- tions for the erection of a suitable building.
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