USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1882-1883 > Part 23
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We trust it will prove equally gratifying to you and them, showing, as it does, the marked and steady progress of the Library in the character claimed for it as a great educational aid in our city.
Tables A and B in the Appendix to that Report show the receipts from all sources during the past year to have been $8,878.39, and the expenditures $8,874.73 ; leaving a balance on hand, at the close of the year, of $3.66.
There has also been expended from the income derived from the Jewett Art Fund, in the purchase of works on art, illustrations, and photographs, the sum of $369.70, and from the Alden-Speare Fund, for works on manufacturing and its related subjects, the sum of $48.42. These are in- dependent and special funds, the incomes from which are devoted and applied to the purchase of the specialties called for by the terms of their endowment, and in the accounts of the Library are kept separate and distinct from those of the appropriations made to the Library by the City Council.
The forty thousand dollars devised to the City of Newton by the late Charles A. Read, for library and other purposes, having now been received by the city, and the amount in- vested for account of the beneficiaries under his will, we may reasonably conclude that the Library will receive during the current year the portion of the income therefrom to
8
which it is entitled under the terms of the will. Such, we presume, was also the expectation of the City Council when it reduced the annual appropriation for the Library for the current year five hundred dollars below that of last year. The estimates given in Table G of the Superintendent's Report show conclusively that we shall require every dollar we can realize this year from the bequest of Mr. Read for the necessary purchase of books, in order to meet the just requirements of our readers. In this connection we would respectfully renew the suggestion made to the City Council in our Report of last year ; viz., that the portion of the income derived from the bequest of Charles A. Read which the Library is entitled to receive from the City, under the provisions of his will, be made a special appropriation to the Trustees of the Library, 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 donor, and to be denominated the Charles A. Read Fund, or such other as may be deemed most appropriate.
We would call the particular attention of the City Coun- cil to the suggestions in the Report of the Superintendent, touching the need of the Library, in the near future, of an addition to its building, for the better accommodation of its reference department and those of our people having occa- sion to consult it. This reference department is now one of great importance and usefulness to our school-teachers and others, and certainly requires better facilities in order to properly fulfil its purpose than the present library building can now furnish.
The pleasure derived by the Trustees in the performance of their duties has been greatly enhanced by the harmonious and quiet manner in which all the details of the business affairs of the Library have been conducted by every one con- nected with it. We earnestly hope that the Mayor, and members of the City Council, will make many visits (o it during the year, and witness for themselves the evidences on every hand of the great good it is accomplishing, and the manner of its doing.
J. S. FARLOW, President of the Board of Trustees.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Board of Trustees of the Newton Free Library.
GENTLEMEN, - I have the honor to present to you the Annual Report of the Library for 1883, with the usual tables of statistics, which show the cost of administration, the amount expended for books, the character of the purchases made, the comparative circulation, and the proportion in which the different departments of literature are used and enjoyed by our citizens. The City Council generously en- larged our appropriation by five hundred dollars last year ; but the whole of this amount was nearly exhausted in the increased expense of administration, and in the publication, which had become indispensable, of the additions to our Cata- logue. In every other instance it will be seen, by examining our Table B, we have kept the incidental expenses within the averages of late years.
We have succeeded in securing from the appropriation a hundred dollars more for books during the past year than the previous one, and very considerable and valuable addi- tions from the funds held by the Trustees of the Library. The visit of Miss James, the Librarian, to England, enabled us, at very much reduced prices, to secure a fine collection of books, both for the general list and the art department.
The weekly announcement of the new books, with a short description of their contents, in the local papers, has served to bring the fresh acquisitions to the knowledge of our patrons, and to awaken interest in their perusal.
This plan, which has now been in successful operation for two years, has attracted the attention of neighboring libraries,
10
and the same course has been followed, or slips from our papers containing these titles have been sought.
The disproportion between the amount expended in the administration of the Library and that for books arises from the successful effort to make daily exchanges in all our widely separated wards. By this plan we not only secure the advan- tage of one central institution and a more rapid and economi- cal increase of books, but we really carry the advantages of the Library almost to the doors of all our citizens. There has been scarcely any complaint during the year of failure to meet the just expectations of all our patrons in the most distant portions of the city.
This arrangement of agencies in the different wards entails a large annual cost in carrying out and returning the books daily, and in the incidental expenses of the different deposi- tories, but is far more economical than the establishment of separate branches.
Up to last year there had been an annual increase in the number of volumes taken from the Library. This year, for the first time, a slight falling off will be noticed. For one or two years, in all the larger circulating-libraries of the coun- try a similar decrease has been experienced, and has been a matter of consideration, particularly in the Boston Public Library; and different reasons have been suggested as the occasion for it.
With us many reasons have operated to produce this result. First, the absence of our families from the city during the summer vacation increases both in length of time and in the number of those availing themselves of the opportunity. The number of books taken from the Library during these months is much smaller than in other portions of the year. Second, the increase of cheap periodicals publishing the sen- sational fictions of the day, and freely purchased by families, especially at the close of the week, makes a sensible impres- sion upon the circulation of the libraries. We have not sought to win back any such readers, or to offer facilities for the cultivation of a taste for this form of literature, by taking special pains to provide, and publicly announce, accessions to our shelves of any of the unwholesome, exciting, and badly-written novels of the hour.
11
On the other hand, we have not failed to secure several copies of each of such works of fiction as can pass the ordeal of a fair criticism, and apparently carry no specially evil influ- ence with them in their general circulation. It is proper to say, in commendation of our Newton community of readers, that we have but a small demand for the other class of ficti- tious works. It may be that these are seldom asked for on account of the well-established and known policy of the Library from its origin.
Third, a more marked reason for this slight falling away in the aggregate number of volumes issued during the year is found in the gradual but healthful change in the taste and requisitions of our readers. Our comparative statistics show a significant gain in the percentage of works of history, of natural science, of essays, poetry and dramatic works, and of theology, and a slight decrease in the percentage of fiction. Two things result from this fact. It requires much more time to read these substantial books, and fewer books will therefore be taken out during the year; and the neglect, which this better reading renders necessary, of the lighter literature, decreases (without occasioning regret) the circu- lation of the Library at the point where it is most sensitive, and where it usually finds its largest field for growth. In the different wards of the city, clubs have been formed, both of adults and youth, for general reading, for historical study, for political discussions, and for investigations in natural science.
The effect of these associations is felt in a marked degree at the Library, both in the quality of books now sought, and in the use of it for constant reference and study. The very highest office that can be sought or desired for the Library, it is already beginning to accomplish for the community. Its work as a people's university is fairly opened. Every day its tables are covered with volumes for examination by those who are interested in some special form of study. It is becoming more and more a reference library, without limit- ing its usefulness and breadth as a circulating mediu m.
In a community like ours, becoming so inviting to literary men, and already the residence of an unusual number of pro-
12
fessional writers and students, the requisitions upon such an institution as ours must continually increase. We have sought every year, while securing the current literature of the day, to add to our substantial books the most important and rarest works of reference. The twenty thousand vol- umes already upon our shelves seem to be quite an extensive collection ; but their comparatively meagre character is re- vealed when one is engaged upon an historical, philosophical, or scientific problem, and wishes to refer to original sources for information or confirmation. One of our cultivated ladies, in preparing a paper for the historical club to which she belonged, desired to obtain as much information as possi- ble of Louis XIV. of France and his times. Our card cata- logue offered some interesting material; but it was of the most familiar character, and very limited.
Some of the most valuable literature of the times is con- tributed in a condensed form to the quarterly and monthly periodicals, American and foreign. We have made a good beginning in supplying our alcoves in this direction ; but very much land in this field of accession remains to be possessed. The invaluable "Index of Periodicals," by Mr. Poole of Chicago, to be continued by him, with the assistance of the Library Association, opens up the richest treasures in all branches of literature, science, and art, for both the amateur and the scholar.
In some of our families full sets, or the earlier series, of such serials as the "Gentleman's Magazine," are preserved. It would be both a graceful and a gratefully-appreciated gift to the Library, if they could be intrusted to our shelves, and made to gladden a wider circle of delighted readers.
One of our citizens who has taken a deep and intelligent interest in the Library, Mr. Samuel P. May, suggests that it would be of service to students if persons owning rare books or collections, if willing to have them consulted, should fur- nish a list of them to the librarian. He has himself made the Island of Guernsey a special study, and has on his shelves every history of it that has been published, with portfolios of natural scenery, and architectural views and photographs. He has guide-books also to all the Channel Islands. He
13
mentions in the same note the very full collection of litera- ture relating to the Sandwich Islands, in the possession of Mr. G. D. Gilman of Ward 7.
A large and attractive addition to the Library was made during the visit of Miss James to England and Scotland last summer. Among the most interesting portions of this collec- tion are a fine series of photographs of the English cathedrals, and a rich portfolio of Scotch views. The former will be arranged in volumes, beautifully mounted, with short descrip- tive notes, and when completed will afford an interesting study, both to those who have visited these historical and noble structures, and to those who have never seen them.
This reference to our art collections, and to the growing use of the Library for purposes of reference and study, reminds us of what is already a very important requisition of the institution, and will become more and more necessary during every succeeding year.
We shall be able to find shelf-room in Edmands Hall for the regular accumulations of the Library for several years to come ; but already great inconvenience is experienced by those who come daily to the Library to examine its books of reference, to take notes, and to study up on some subject.
We have no retiring, quiet rooms or alcoves. Our two tables are often crowded both in the afternoon and evening. For the very best services that the Library can offer the com- munity we have the poorest provisions. There is every reason for encouraging this study of the contents of our shelves on the part of our young people and citizens. It is thus both bestowing upon the people a form of liberal educa- tion, and creating higher and more improving tastes.
Besides, our art collections need opportunity for their better display. We have no doubt, that, if we had suitable walls on which to hang pictures, we should receive additional works of art like those which now grace our limited space.
Our Art Fund, the gift of a generous and cultivated citizen, annually affords the means of adding to such collections.
What is greatly needed is an additional hall at the rear of the main building. There is an adequate site for this on the Library premises. Being hidden by the front edifice, no ex-
14
pense for architectural embellishment on the outside would be required. For a comparatively small sum a building could be constructed which would meet these very necessary requi- sitions for art-room and study, as well as for such additional shelving as will become indispensable a few years hence.
In such a community as ours, it would not seem impossible that some public-spirited citizen endowed with wealth, appre- ciating this opportunity to make a permanent and very useful gift to the city, might be pleased to connect his name with a new hall erected for these purposes. The large subscriptions from our citizens by which the fine stone edifice was erected, and fifteen thousand volumes placed upon its shelves, when it was made a free gift to the City of Newton, suggest the possibility that such worthy deeds have not exhausted the intelligent generosity of our men of property, and that other names may yet be added to the founders of this popular institution.
We desire to bear our testimony once more to the value of the American Library Association, which holds its annual meetings in different portions of the country. Last August the sixth general convention was held in Buffalo. Nearly a hundred representatives of public and special libraries were in attendance, and the four days' sessions drew together quite a large audience from the city. The very valuable papers and discussions of these congresses of expert librarians and superintendents become of wider and permanent service by their publication in full. All the important questions relat- ing to the administration of libraries, the preservation of the books, the means of rendering the library of the greatest benefit and the least peril to the community, especially the wisest practical measures for connecting the public school and the free libraries, and making the latter administer to the usefulness of the former, are amply discussed, and illus- trated by individual experiments, in the progress of these annual gatherings.
These conferences also disclose the treasures of the differ- ent collections of books in the country, and, by the combina- tion of workers, provide such important keys to the resources of libraries as the " Index to Periodicals," and other works of a similar description.
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The sessions of the association form an admirable normal school for the assistants in libraries, of which an increasing number every year avail themselves.
We see no occasion during the current year for any large expense outside the ordinary requirements of the Library.
The adequate ventilation of the reading-room, which is now used by a large number of persons, is a problem that has not yet been solved. The occupants of the room, par- ticularly in the evening, very justly complain of the stifling and unwholesome atmosphere. If the Committee on Public Buildings can secure relief in this direction, they will receive the hearty thanks of many suffering citizens, both gentlemen and ladies.
Our staff has remained unchanged, and we have reason to hope will continue as heretofore during the present year. Familiar with the contents of the Library, attentive and cour- teous, they justly receive the warm commendations of those visiting Edmands Hall, and availing themselves of its privi- leges. The Librarian is our best catalogue, and is able to give and does devote much of her time in' aid of those seek- ing the advantage of our collections who hardly know where to look to find what they require.
It is only becoming on our part to tender our hearty thanks to Hon. W. P. Ellison, our late Mayor, for his unfailing inter- est in the Library, and his personal attentions to its wants ; and to the gentlemen of the City Council for their cheerful and generous appropriations. Several of them have made visits to the Library, looking into its manner of administra- tion, learning the nature of its work throughout the city, and inquiring as to any of its unsatisfied wants. These visits are always heartily welcomed.
The work of the Superintendent has been rendered com- paratively light by the ready assistance of the Librarian, and the valuable services, freely offered, of the members of the Board.
Respectfully submitted.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, Superintendent.
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APPENDIX.
A.
RECEIPTS.
1883.
1882.
1881.
Dec. 31.
Municipal appropriation .
$8,500 00
$8,000 00
$7,500 00
Fines, bulletins, etc. .
329 32
309 54
333 91
Cash on hand at last report .
49 07
18 83
17 28
$8,878 39
$8,328 37
$7,851 19
B.
EXPENDITURES.
1883.
1882.
1881.
Dec. 31.
Salaries
$3,611 94
$3,410 00
$3,006 24
Reading-rocin
345 12
391 25
404 27
Incidentals
300 22
209 73
240 76
Repairs
22 00
46 35
99 18
Furniture and fixtures
53 19
45 30
86 63
Printing and advertising.
306 50
35 00
105 77
Binding
252 11
265 90
279 93
Books
2,013 44
1,911 29
1,758 82
Light and fuel
696 15
675 88
742 15
Distributing agencies and express .
1,140 99
1,141 66
977 27
Blanks and stationery .
110 93
128 41
119 74
Postage account
22 14
18 46
6 79
Total expenditures
$8,874 73
$8,279 23
$7,827 55
Bal. with City Treasurer $01
at the Library
3 65
Total balance
3 66
49 14
23 64
$8,878 39
$8,328 37
$7,851 19
17
C.
CIRCULATION.
1883.
1882.
1881.
Number of days the Library was open
306
305
306
of holidays the Library was closed . of other week-days the Library was closed . of volumes delivered for home use
7
7
6
Largest daily use March 17 and 31, Feb. 25, and March 18, 1882; Feb. 19, 1881
505
536
526
Smallest daily use Aug. 16, 1883;
April 27, 1882; Dec. 26, 1881
144
164
8
Number of books lost and not paid for
10
5
2
of books worn out and withdrawn
46
44
51
of notices to delinquents .
787
643
835
of volumes re-covered .
11,047
12,295
16,453
of volumes bound
465
556
577
of names registered during the year
850
1,254
631 10,157
Total number of names registered,
12,261
11,411
.
1
Average daily use
83,430 272.7
85,701 280.9
85.333 278.8
.
18
1
D.
ACCESSIONS.
1883.
1882.
1881.
Increase by purchase .
1,073
1,084
994
by gift
93
54
164
by binding pamphlets .
1
5
by binding periodicals
79
69
79
Number of missing volumes re- stored since last report .
Total accessions for the year .
1,246
1,207
1,242
Number of volumes missing or withdrawn since last report .
60
49
53
Actual increase
1,186
1,158
1,189
Number of volumes in the Library as last reported
19,360
18,202
17,013
Total number of volumes in the Library .
20,546
19,360
18,202
Number of pamphlets bound since last report .
5
.
15
Number of newspapers subscribed for
42
41
39
of newspapers given
20
20
20
of magazines subscribed for
36
32
31
of magazines given
2
4
3
Total number received .
100
97
93
19
E.
CLASSIFICATION, GROWTH, SIZE, AND USE.
Increase dur-
ing the
Year.
Total Num-
ber of Vol-
umes.
Volumes is-
sued during
the Year.
PER CENT OF CIR- CULATION.
1883.
1882.
1881.
Literature.
Prose, fiction, and juvenile reading
180
4,778
56,830
68.1
68.3
69.1
Essays, poetry, and drama,
168
2,567
5,797
6.95
6.4
6.9
Periodicals .
63
1,351
1,950
2.3
2.85
2.5
Foreign literature
3
457
275
.3
.5
.34
History.
Geography and travels .
118
1,866
5,781
6.9
7.5
7.23
Biography
130
1,966
3,061
3.7
3.97
3.94
History .
122
1,899
3,666
4.4
3.96
4.08
Arts and Sciences.
Natural science and indus- trial arts .
131
1,869
4,877
5.9
5.4
5.04
Political and social science,
58
1,024
395
.5
.4
.4
Theology
66
975
699
.83
.52
.34
Reference library
147
1,794
99
.12
2
.13
Accessions for the year,
1,186
Number of volumes in the Library .
20,546
·
·
Circulation for the year,
83,430
.
20
F.
Received for catalogues sold in 1883 .
$20 80
Paid City Treasurer
$20 80
G.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1884.
Salaries
$3,612
Reading-room
350
Incidentals
250
Repairs
50
Furniture and fixtures
60
Printing and advertising
100
Binding
260
Books .
2,000
Light and fuel .
700
Distributing agencies and express
1,200
Blanks and stationery
120
Postage account
25
$8,827
Probable amount of fines
$300 00
Cash on hand .
3 65
Required appropriation
8,523 35
$8,827
CITY OF NEWTON.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
OF THE
CITY OF NEWTON,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1883.
WITH A STATEMENT OF THE FIRES AND ALARMS, ALSO LOSSES AND INSURANCE, DURING THE YEAR.
WT
LIBERTY AND UNIO
FOUNDED
18
CITY
N
89
COR
ON
NTUM
PORATED AT
BOSTON: FRANKLIN PRESS: RAND, AVERY, AND COMPANY. 1884.
CITY OF NEWTON.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 21, 1884.
ORDERED, That the Committee on Printing is hereby authorized to have printed five hundred and fifty copies of the Report of the Chief of the Fire Department, expense of same to be charged to the general appropriation for printing.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 21, 1884. Read twice, and adopted; sent down for concurrence.
J. F. KINGSBURY, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 28, 1884. Read twice, and adopted in concurrence.
ALBERT S. GLOVER, Clerk.
Approved Jan. 30, 1884.
J. WESLEY KIMBALL, Mayor.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, OFFICE OF CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT, CITY HALL, WEST NEWTON, MASS., Dec. 31, 1883.
To his Honor the Mayor, and City Council.
IN accordance with the requirements of the Ordinance governing the Fire Department of this city, I have the honor to present my Fifth and the Ninth Annual Report of the present system, giving a detailed statement of the manual force and apparatus, a record of fires and cause of same, loss, insurance, and insurance paid, together with such other in- formation as may be of interest to your honorable body.
MANUAL FORCE. .
The manual force consists of 79 officers and privates, which are apportioned as follows : -
PERMANENT EMPLOYEES.
1 Chief of Department.
1 fire-alarm operator.
3 engineers of engines.
3 drivers of engines.
1 driver of truck.
1 driver of hose-reel. Total, 10.
CALL FORCE.
1 Assistant Chief of Department.
8 foremen of companies.
4
8 assistant foremen of companies.
3 stokers of engines.
10 truckmen.
39 hosemen. Total, 69.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus in service consists of -
3 steam fire-engines (complete).
7 four-wheel horse hose-reels.
1 two-horse truck.
3 coal-tenders.
6 hose and exercise sleighs.
1 Concord buggy, 1 cutter, for Chief of Department.
1 wagon, 1 sleigh, for Fire-Alarm Department.
1 truck platform on runners.
PRESENT CONDITION OF APPARATUS.
No. 1 Engine is in perfect repair. The reel at this station should be fitted with brakes, a tool-locker, and the running gear painted.
No. 2 Engine is in good repair, but requires touching up and varnishing. The reel at this station requires very ex- tended repairs. I would recommend the purchase of a new reel.
No. 3 Engine will require thorough overhauling and exten- sive repairs throughout. The reel at this station is in good repair, requiring only repair to paint, and varnishing.
No. 1 Truck requires heavier set of rear wheels: otherwise in excellent repair.
No. 4 Reel is in complete order.
No. 5 Reel requires set of brakes and tool-locker : other- wise in good repair.
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