USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1872-1873 > Part 3
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gates on Main street 41 22
539 92
Amount due the Committee
$75 98
F. O. DEWEY, F. H. KNIGHT, THOMAS B. PRATT, GILMAN C. GLEASON, WILLIAM PROCTOR. SOLON BANCROFT.
READING, March, 1873.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
TOWN OF READING
FOR 1872-73.
REPORT.
Pursuant to custom, we submit to the Town our Annual Report :
We have nothing particularly new or startling to report for the past year. The interest in the Library is well kept up, and we are pleased to record that the demand for the more solid reading matter has materially increased, while, as a conse- quence, the call for works of fiction diminishes. We have purchased, the past year, one hundred and ninety-six volumes. Of these, a considerable portion was of what are termed popu- lar works, or light reading. This we did, as there had been a call for such that we were previously unable to supply. We are now having a call for more works of a substantial nature, and the coming year propose to devote more attention to Travels, Historical works, and works devoted to the Fine Arts ; at the same time, it will be necessary to add such new works of fiction and juveniles as will keep our Library well assorted, that all classes of readers may have an opportunity of gratifying their peculiar tastes.
It will be seen, by reference to the Librarian's Report, here- with appended, that we still have to devote a large share of our appropriation to binding ; probably we shall have to do more the coming than the past year in that direction. We were much pleased with the action of the Town, last season, in granting for the use of the Library the money received for dog licenses, although, from the long string of tape it has to trav- erse, it does not reach us till the close of the year. We hope
4
TRUSTEES' REPORT. -
the Town will appropriate it to our use the coming year, and, in addition, think we shall not be considered unreasonable in asking for our usual appropriation of five hundred dollars.
We are happy to credit our young men with a great improve- ment in deportment about the Library Rooms, the past year, there not having been a case of suspension for disorderly con- duct, nor even a complaint entered by the Librarian, for any breach of etiquette about the building. As our number of books increase, we shall be obliged to provide more shelf-room, and the size of our Library-room, we are sorry to say, is none too large ; still we can so economize our room as to be able to use it a short time longer. But, in this connection, we have rumors that the High School is very much needing more room for laboratory and recitation purposes ; and we submit whether it may not be for the interest of the Town to provide us, by lease or otherwise, more commodious quarters, and devote the whole of the building to School purposes.
·
It will be noticed, from the Librarian's Report, that there is quite a falling-off in our list of donations. We wish, particu- larly, to call the attention of our citizens to this, as there are, no doubt, many who merely need to be reminded that donations are acceptable, and are able and willing to respond.
Our thanks are due to those who sent us in books the past year, to those publishers who have furnished us their publica- tions, and to the Libraries, etc., who have sent us their reports and catalogues, and to all who in any way have added to the interest and usefulness of the Library. To our worthy Libra- rian, Miss M. H. Appleton, who has so faithfully performed all the perplexing duties of her office, from the establishment of the Library, we take occasion to tender our special acknowl- edgments. .
It will be the duty of the Town, at the approaching Town
5
TRUSTEES' REPORT.
Meeting, to choose two Trustees to fill vacancies caused by the expiration of the terms of Hiram Barrus and William Proctor.
Soliciting the continued interest of the people of the Town in the Reading Public Library, we are,
Respectfully,
EDWARD APPLETON, F. O. DEWEY, STEPHEN FOSTER, F. H. KNIGHT, HIRAM BARRUS, WILLIAM PROCTOR,
Trustees.
E. APPLETON, President. F. H. KNIGHT, Secretary.
6
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. FEBRUARY 22ND, 1873.
INCREASE.
Number of Volumes, per Accession Catalogue, Feb. 20, 1872 (duplicates, 401), 2,692
DONATIONS SINCE, IN ORDER OF DATE. VOLS.
E. Appleton 4
State of Massachusetts
6
Little, Brown & Co. 1
Hon. N. P. Banks 4
H. Barrus 5
T. Appleton, 2nd . 1
S. L. Dolson 2
Mrs. A. Hunten
2 1
Anna E. Appleton
Holton Library of Brighton
1
G. A. Soulé 1
Fred. E. Brown .
2
7th-Day Adventist Tract Society 4
Mercantile Library of New York . 1
Ch. Reiche & Co. 1
Total donations (duplicates, 1)
36
Purchased
196
Total increase 232
Number of volumes, per Accession Catalogue,
Feb. 22, 1873, . . 2,924
DECREASE.
Worn out, at examination of 1872 7
66 1871 8
Duplicates exchanged .
25
Burned at the Morse fire . 2
1
66
66 1871 .
2
-
* Total decrease
45
Not returned, 1870
(Duplicates, 25.)
* The works "worn out" are mostly "Oliver Optics" and other Juveniles.
7
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Actual number in Library
2,879
Duplicates .
377
Actual number in circulation .
2,502
CIRCULATION FOR THE YEAR ENDING July 6, 1872.
Cards issued
1,110
Books taken out 13,210
Fiction
7,616
Juveniles
3,057
Retained at examination
7
All of which were subsequently returned.
There have been no suspensions for disorderly conduct, and the general order at the Library-room has been much better than last year.
The circulation of 1871-2 shows a decrease of 1,176 volumes from that of 1870-1 ; but while in 1870-1, Fiction and Juveniles amounted to 12,563 volumes, and all other reading to only 1,823 volumes, in 1871-2 there were but 10,673 volumes of Fiction and Juveniles taken out, to 2,537 of other reading ; so I think we are gaining in quality, if not in quantity, of reading matter circulated.
One hundred and twelve volumes have been rebound since last year's Report ; probably 125 to 150 more will need binding at the next examination.
Besides the donations above recorded, we have received files of the "Reading Chronicle," Report and Bulletins of the Boston Public Library, Reports of the Libraries of Charlestown, Medford, Wake- field, Woburn, Quincy, Holton Library of Brighton, Manchester, N. H., and Mercantile Library of New York. Miss Mabel J. Barden has given us three numbers of the "Chronicle," called for in last Report.
We now need, to complete sets :
Reading Chronicle, Vol. I., Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 35, 51. " II., No. 16. Board of Education Reports, Nos. 1, 9.
Agriculture of Massachusetts, 1836, 1842-52, 1854, 1857. Patent Office Reports, Agricultural, 1862, 1864, 1869.
Mechanical, 1854-66, 1868, 1871. Still missing from the Franklin Library: Galt's Life of Byron.
Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft.
Lights and Shadows of European History.
8
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Prairie Land.
Five Years in South Africa, 2 vols.
Footprints of the Creator. A Summer in Scotland. The Red Rover. Jack Tier. Wyandotte. The Living Age for 1857.
Missing from Reading Agricultural Library: Mills's Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Gardener's Companion.
Missing from the Town Library: Winthrop's History of New Eng- land, 1630-49, vol. 2.
We have subscribed for the "Literary World" and the "Scientific American," for the current year.
If we buy as many books this year as last, it will fill our shelves completely. The Juvenile case is now full; the Fiction cases full all but two shelves; so it will be best, I think, to buy rather more solid literature this time, to fill the other cases in proportion. Perhaps some entertaining Historical Memoirs, and some more works on the Fine Arts, especially illustrated ones, would be most popular among our patrons.
M. H. APPLETON,
Librarian.
Dr.
Cr.
1872. March 1 May 15 Nov. 5
Balance in hands of Treasurer
Received from J. A. Bancroft, Town Treas., acc. Approp'n
$5.86 200.00 300.00
13
9.60
Aug.
22 22
Aaron R. Gay & Co., stationery
1.90
" M. H. Appleton, balance last year's salary .
15.00
3.77
Nov.
8
2.00
5.50
8
66 W. H. Piper & Co. for books .
276.13
08
1873.
11
H. G. Terry for binding .
47.10
Feb.
12
Manuf. Ins. Co. for insurance
35.00
March
9
Aaron R. Gay & Co. for stationery_
24.50
=
15
"
Do., salary, Aug. 7, '72, to Feb. 22, '73 Do., extra work . .
·
15
Do., express, $1.20; postage, $0.60 .
1.80
15
Do., subscription Literary World .
1.00
15
" Do., extra papers, to fill sets
0.20
15
Do., ink, $0.40; duster, $0.50
0.90
15
Do., corkscrew (for opening mucilage and ink bottles).
0.25
15
Balance of fines in hands of Librarian .
0.97
$59 .95
There is in the hands of Town Treasurer $80.59, received from dog licenses, which we expect soon to receive, as per appropriation of the Town.
F. H. KNIGHT, Treasurer Reading Public Library.
READING, March 15, 1873.
.
1873. March 15
Librarian, balance in hands last year
66
for catalogues sold
.
.
·
.
3.00
$596.95
15
15
=
M.H. Appleton, Librarian, salary, Feb. 17 to July 6,'72
35.00
50.75
15
1.50
66
for fines collected
74.27
Jan.
Balance due Treasurer
5. 7
1872. Junc
4 Paid H. G. Terry for binding . zines E. Appleton, books and mag
$69.35
66
"
Balance.
Do., extra work, cleaning, arranging and exam'g Lib'ry Cash for book .
21.00
for old paper sold
for one lamp sold
E. Appleton, for Scientific American
1.50
TREASURER'S REPORT.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING
FOR 1872-73.
REPORT.
At the commencement of the present school year the schools, almost without exception, were found in a gratifying condition. To be sure some surpassed others, but by close attention to the needs of each case, the adaptability of teachers to the wants of those under their charge and cognizance of what must be done, we have been able to close the year without, at the present time, a single complaint existing. Teachers have fully co-ope- rated with the Committee, and while changes have been made during the year, the outgoing teachers have left their work with the best wishes of all to follow them, and with the satisfaction of conscientious discharge of duties. A teacher often finds herself in the wrong school, that is, a person might succeed in one locality and utterly fail in another, so that changes are imperative.
An attempt was made, early in the year, to bring teachers and committee together at stated times ; but after a series of meet- ings, which, we think, were not without profit to all concerned, the undertaking was abandoned, for the reason that those who most needed the benefit of such a course were the very ones who neglected the meetings. A not infrequent proceeding. Quite a number of the teachers were prompt in attendance, and faithful in their endeavors to help themselves, and, while doing so assist others.
The example afforded us by the Committee last year, of giving individual reports of the schools, has been generally commend- ed, not only at home, but by the State Board of Education, and we have followed in the path so well laid out for us.
4
REPORT OF
LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS RUTHI L. PRATT, TEACHER.
This school has had the advantage of one of the most conscien- tious primary teachers in the State, - Miss Mary Shankland. Ill health, however, caused her resignation ; and good fortune gave us Miss Pratt, who has made a model school of the Walnut Primary.
The most important school in town is in excellent hands, and we regret we have no report from the teacher.
UNION STREET UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS SARAH A. SWEETSER, TEACHER.
" The parents have taken great interest in the school during the past year; we have had 135 visitors.
During the Fall term there were sixteen scholars neither absent nor tardy; in the Winter term there were six; five others were absent but one day each, the deep snow rendering it impossible for them to come.
The deportment of the school, with few exceptions, has been excellent.
We have general exercises every Friday P. M .; also a spelling- match, in which both classes take great interest; the one in each class that remains longest upon the floor has the privilege of choosing the next week. They also manifest much interest in writing.
During the absence of the Teacher, on account of sickness, in the Winter term, the school was successfully taught by Miss Sarah L. Stoodley."
LOWER MEDIUM SCHOOL.
MISS E. S. FOSTER, TEACHER.
"It has been my aim to make the school-room attractive to the children, and to make their school life as cheerful and pleasant as possible, thinking this one way to make it improving.
I have sought to have my scholars thoroughly understand the subjects taken up, rather than to have them go over a great extent of ground.
In conducting the recitations I have sought variety: the spelling has sometimes been oral, sometimss written; simple calisthenics have been
5
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
taken in connection with the spelling. In teaching I have not confined myself to the Reader, but have allowed the scholars to make selec- tions from the "Nursery," etc. Map drawing has received considera- ble attention. I have writing Wednesdays and Fridays; drawing Tuesdays and Thursdays. The children enjoy both exercises very much, and often beg to continue them at recess or after school.
I have exercises in singing every day, and often recitations of poetry, the children sometimes reciting in concert.
I have read to them from the "Child's Book of Nature," and given them some oral instruction from it.
I find these general exercises profitable in two ways: they are im- proving in themselves, and tend to aid in the regular studies.
The attendance has been good, with the exception of the last term, which was somewhat broken up by the weather.
The improvement has been gratifying, especially in writing and drawing."
UPPER MEDIUM SCHOOL.
MISS MARY A. WILLIS, TEACHER.
" My first aim is to interest my pupils in their studies. To do this I make as much variety as possible in the recitations. I often draw by lot two from the class, who choose sides, keeping the names of each side on a slip of paper, and at the close of the recitation I report which side ranks higher. This makes them ambitious to recite as well as possible. I sometimes assign a short lesson to be written by the class. I find this particularly effectual in arithmetic, in which the improvement has been very marked. Before requiring a class to commit a lesson, I read the lesson to them, often purposely making a mistake, to be sure that all are giving their attention. Then I require them to read the lesson in concert.
Often in the morning, or just before recess, I give the whole school numbers to add mentally. I find the pupils of this school very easily governed, having, except in one instance, had no occasion to resort to corporeal punishment in the two terms I have been con- nected with the school."
Miss Willis has been connected with this school but two terms, the Spring term of 1872 having been taught by Mrs. M. S. Woods; and, by the exertions of both teachers, this school has become one of the best.
6
REPORT OF
VILLAGE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISS A. M. KNIGHT, TEACHER.
" The last term of the school year was pleasantly and, I think, pro- fitably spent by the pupils of this school in review of the work done during the year. Written examinations once in two weeks. At the close of the term, examinations for promotion were given the first class. The names of the pupils, with the average per cent. of these papers, were given to the Committee, and the twelve highest in rank were promoted to the Preparatory, there being room for no more- At the beginning of the year, ten pupils from the Upper Medium entered this school ; at the end of three weeks, three more, and the seats were filled.
READING. The idea I endeavor to impress upon the pupils is-first, to understand perfectly the lesson to be read; then read it so as to be understood by others. The second class are using the Fourth Reader, commenced in Lower Medium, and continued through Upper Medium. I think it would be advisable to introduce the Fifth Reader at the beginning of the first year in this school.
SPELLING. The pupils spell every reading lesson, and write a lesson learned from "Swinton's Word Book."
ARITHMETIC. First class-commenced common fractions, have taken to percentage.
Second class, commenced reduction, have finished nine problems in fractions.
We spend a few moments each day in mental exercises, and a great improvement has been made in rapidity and accuracy.
HISTORY. "Swinton's History " introduced. The class have taken period of discoveries and colonial period.
GEOGRAPHY. One class is studying the continents ; the other United States. This study could be made more interesting by using maps or globe, but all the maps we have are drawn by the pupils. To vary the exercise, the class prepare questions on the lesson as- signed, and conduct the recitation themselves.
GRAMMAR. First class have parsed and analyzed somewhat, but have paid more attention to incorrect construction.
Second class began this study the first term, and were doing very well; but were somewhat interrupted by the pupils promoted from Upper Medium at the beginning of second term. Both classes are expected to bring to recitation, and criticise, the incorrect sentences they hear.
7
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
MUSIC. I think every family knows with what delight the children look forward to our music lesson. We fully appreciate the instruc- tion received from our teacher.
At the close of the year, the school will be in advance of last year, though, with the second class, the last term has been mostly a repe- tition of the one before, for the benefit of the pupils last promoted. Written examinations have been continued, though not as often as last year.
Teacher and scholars were considerably disappointed that they did not have either one session or an afternoon session of two hours. I think we might accomplish all we now do, and the extra hour would be of great use to the teacher in correcting papers, preparing for recitations, etc."
PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL.
MISS LENA T. WOOD, TEACHER.
" The changes made in the High School building during the Thanksgiving vacation are of great value to my school. The in- creased size of the school-room renders it much more cheerful, con- venient and healthful, while the recitation and ante-rooms are found to be now indispensible, they add so much to the orderly conduct of the school.
Since I have had the assistance of Miss Barrus, I find the results of our work much more satisfactory than before.
My first class have, during the past term, paid some attention to the writing of compositions, alternating with declamation, and the recitation of selections in prose and verse.
The improvement already made in these exercises is gratifying to me, as the pupils show great interest in them, and work with a will.
Perhaps the results of our work are more apparent in the depart- ment of music than any other. I cannot speak too highly of the value of Mr. Carey's services in my school.
With his weekly lessons, and an average of fifteen minutes devoted to hard work each day, results have been attained which are, I believe, satisfactory to all who have witnessed them, and which show what might be done in this, if the pupils were trained from the Primary Schools.
My pupils have worked enthusiastically during the past year, and some have made great exertions to inform themselves on all topics in
S
REPORT OF
any way connected with their lessons, and, by so doing, have accom- plished far more than would otherwise be possible.
I trust the substantial fruits of our exhibition will assist them in this work in the future. I am satisfied that -although the last week of the term was disturbed by our preparations for this exhi- bition - the school is to be much benefitted by it in many ways."
MAIN STREET SCHOOL.
MISS JULIA MCDUFFIE, TEACHER.
" My scholars, with a few exceptions, have reached standpoints un- questionably in advance of those attained last year.
Ambition (the right kind) has seemed to be the ruling spirit of the school; and a large per cent. of the interest manifested by the younger members is due to training received at home.
My methods of teaching have been similar to those adopted last year, making reading, writing and spelling first in importance.
The school room has received a very desirable addition in "The Child's Book of Nature." We have completed the first book, and hope to begin the next the coming term. Its chief attraction lies in the simplicity of its language, which a very young child may com- prehend. Surely no school room or home should be without one.
We have given some attention to composition writing, but not with a proportion to correspond with the importance of the branch. It is generally considered by pupils to be a very irksome duty; my plan, therefore, has been to render it less irksome, which has, thus far, met with only partial success.
The conduct of the school, during the past year, compares fa- vorably with that of last year."
LOWELL STREET SCHOOL.
MISS LIZZIE F. B. CLARKE, TEACHER.
" The Lowell Street School has been under my charge since Sept. 2nd. The average attendance during the Fall term was fifteen; dur- ing the Winter term, eighteen. The diversity in age rendered many classes necessary, and these, of course, were all quite small; conse- quently, no detailed report respecting them will be expected.
9
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
On the whole, satisfactory progress may be reported in all the studies.
My aim has been to secure the love and respect of the pupils, so that severe discipline would not be necessary. In this, gratifying success has been attained.
The importance of promptness, punctuality and thoroughness has been urged upon the pupils, rather than rapid progress ; and the result appears in the increased confidence which the pupils appear to have in themselves and their attainments."
HAVERHILL STREET SCHOOL.
MISS ABBIE WAKEFIELD, TEACHER.
"I have had more scholars during the last term than during any of the other terms in the year. The scholars seem to take considera- ble interest in their studies.
I have a great many classes; most of the classes, excepting those in reading and spelling, consist of only one or two scholars. If these classes were larger, the scholars would have more ambition. It is quite difficut to classify them, as they are of different ages, and some of the scholars attend school only one term in the year, some two terms, and some the whole school year.
I keep the scholars employed. When a scholar has nothing to do I give him some exercises of the lower classes to correct, or to write as many words as he can think of commencing or ending with a certain letter.
I have five classes in arithmetic and geography (having three different geographies). The classes in each of these studies have have made great progress. The scholars draw maps very nicely. I give the whole school exercises in mental arithmetic as often as I can.
The scholars write nicely. A short time most every day has been devoted to drawing.
I have two classes in spelling. The first class is very dull. The second class are very good spellers. Each class has oral and written exercises. This is one way I try to keep them interested; if they have a lesson on the names of cloths, trees, &c., I tell them to make sentences, and in each sentence bring in one word, at least, of the lesson. The scholars like it, and make very good sentences. It teaches them to compose as well as spell.
10
REPORT OF
Though the scholars have made a little improvement in reading, there is room for a great deal more, especially among the older classes. For the last half of this term I have had them read selections from books or papers, and with good results.
The classes in grammar have improved much during the last term, having disliked it before.
The deportment of the school is good, very good."
WALNUT STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS ADDIE B. HOWES, TEACHER.
"Owing to the severe weather that we have had this winter, the average attendance of the school is very low. There has been a gradual falling-off of the scholars, so that at the end of the term there are not as many scholars as at the beginning of the term. Sickness is the cause of this. My scholars, however, have made decided progress in reading, spelling, arithmetic and writing. They take a great deal of interest in obtaining information about different topics mentioned in their lessons. The general deportment of the school is good."
WALNUT STREET GRAMMAR SCHOOL. .
MISS E. M. PORTER, TEACHER.
1
" I have been connected with this school one term. There are two classes in each study, except in arithmetic, in which three were required. The first class have advanced in arithmetic from decimal fractions to duodecimals ; the second class have studied common fractions to decimals ; and the third commenced written arithmetic this term, and have studied it in connection with the mental arith- metic, performing examples written for them each day upon the black-board. They can now do examples in long division. All the classes in arithmetic have nearly every day performed examples in review placed upon the board, together with the advance lesson. In geography, the first class are studying the United States, and the second class have studied the Continents of North America and Africa. The recitations in geography have consisted of drawing the state or country, reciting from the topics of surface, soil, climate, productions, occupations, etc., giving information gleaned from other
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