USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > Annual report of the city of Rochester, New Hampshire : for the year ending 1910 > Part 6
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Entire number of books in library at date
14,457
The interest in books as a source of entertainment, and the habit of depending upon the library for informa- tion on practical subjects is well-fixed. The following statistics of circulation will give some idea of the num- ber of books given out :
Books given out from the main desk 35,405
Children's room 12,097
Total circulation at the library
47,502
Increase over last year
3,670
Number of books given out at stations
5,148
Entire circulation for the year
52,650
Increase over last year.
4,014
The agencies have now been established long enough to prove their usefulness to the sections of the city where they are placed. No doubt their growth in circulation is hampered by an inadequate collection of books. The large majority of the readers, at the agencies, want light fiction or new fiction, and books of
152
ANNUAL REPORT
this sort are not added fast enough to satisfy the de- mand. Two thousand and sixty-three volumes have been sent out to the different agencies during the year, visits to them show the books to be kept in good con- dition.
The Gonic agency is still doing excellent work. It has been open to the public 101 days, and 3,226 books have been given out; 288 more than last year. Mr. Marsh still maintains a reading-room in connection with the circulating department. In addition to the nine periodicals provided from library funds, several are contributed by patrons. Many things are needed to make this room more attractive, such as tables, lights, and a suitable desk or table for the librarian as he has to do his work with few conveniences.
The East Rochester agency does not ask for many books, as they are not entirely dependent on the library for reading matter. They have given out, during the 105 open days, 1,288 Rochester books.
Perhaps no part of the library service is carried on with a more genuine love for the work and the com- munity than the little agency at Meaderboro. Mrs. Brock asks no other reward than the pleasure of hand- ling the books, and the happiness which she gives her neighbors and friends. She has given out 634 books during the year, and surely deserves great commenda- tion for the good work she is doing.
If more of these small agencies could be started and maintained, the library could be enjoyed to some extent by the outside districts, as well as by those within easy reach of its doors.
With the pressure of the year's work and the limited staff, it has been a source of regret, that less
153
CITY OF ROCHESTER
work could be done with the individual. Nevertheless, reference assistance has been given to those needing it, as far forth as time permitted. Eleven thousand and seventy-two readers have been reported, not as many as last year, but as there has been no noticable dropping off of readers, and as the reference work has taken much time, it is possible that all have not been counted.
The library has received a few gifts this year as you will note by the list of gifts appended. The ex- hibits of pictures, furnished through the kindness of the Rochester Woman's club have proved not only inter- esting, but instructive. Miss Evelyn Tucker, a student at the Eric Pape Art School of Boston, kindly placed some of her studies in the children's room for a few weeks. These were greatly admired by young and old.
As we think back for items that will give you some conception of the work of the year, there seems little to tell, but it is always the unwritten work which counts for most. The busy occurances of the daily life of the library, that which denotes progress to us, cannot be summed up by figures. The increasing circulation, the work with the stations, the enlarging correspondence, the preparation of reading matter, the answering of questions, the adding of new books, and the care of old ones, brings each day an endless amount of work. The number of books rebound has been smaller this year than last, but the mending list shows 4,354 books repaired. This does not include renewing slips or labels.
Another source of regret, is that as the circulation has increased, the proportion of books given out in the classes has decreased, and the demand for standard fiction has been very small. As far forth as possible,
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ANNUAL REPORT
these good things are kept well to the front, but few know that the library can furnish something on almost every subject, as well as the best things in literature and history. More and more does it seem necessary to print a supplementary book list, giving the books which have been added since the catalogue of 1899 was issued. Then, it would seem advisible, to admit those interested in better reading, to the shelves containing the classes, at least on certain days each week. The card catalogue, no matter how carefully perused, does not always con- vey to the seeker all that he wants to know about the books on his subject.
We make no promises for the future, but sincerely hope that the past may be but a harbinger of the years to come, and trust that this record of a busy year will be the proof of the conscientious and painstaking work of the entire staff.
The entire staff joins with me in expressing their appreciation of the never-failing courtesy and considera- tion of the Board of Trustees.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN E. PARSHLEY, Librarian. Rochester N. H., Dec. 30, 1910.
Circulation by Classes for 1910
Library
Gonic
East
Rochester
Meaderboro
Total
Fiction
28,890
1,921
727 485
503 131
32,041
Juvenile
10,306
678
11,600
Biography
379
17
4
400
Periodicals
3,345
490
3,835
General Works
60
60
Philosophy
69
69
Religion
255
4
6
265
Sociology
173
173
Philology
4
4
Science .
256
25
25
306
Useful Arts
225
6
7
238
Fine Arts .
569
7
2
578
Literature .
.
891
12
5
908
Travel and History
2,080
66
27
2,173
47,502
3,226
1,288
634
52,650
.
.
.
.
·
.
CITY OF ROCHESTER
155
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ANNUAL REPORT
Number of days Public Library has been open
305
Largest circulation any one day 416
Smallest circulation
24
Largest number of books given out in one week
1,154
Smallest number
637
Largest circulation in one month, March
4,925
Smallest circulation 66
September 3,142
Average daily circulation
173
Increase daily
23
Circulation in Children's Room
Fiction
10,306
Biography
105
Periodicals
402
Religion
40
Sociology
62
Science
63
Useful Arts
11
Fine Arts
186
Literature
110
Travel and History
812
Total
12,097
Increase in circulation over last year 1,221
Average daily circulation 40
157
CITY OF ROCHESTER
Number of juvenile readers
4,763
Number of adult readers 6,309
Entire number for the year as counted
11,072
Mounted pictures and unbound periodcals cir- culated 2,672
Number of books given out to teachers for
school work
333
Number of books newly bound
56
Rebound
381
Repaired
4,354
and pamphlets catalogued and classified 780
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ANNUAL REPORT
Gifts for 1910
Volumes
Pamph- lets
Periodi- cals
Plates
Abbott, Dr. E. Stanley
2
Acheson Oildag Co.
1
Aldrich, Edgar and others
1
Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division No. 2 .
2
Berlin Public Library
1
Bickford, the late Charles W.
4
4
Bowdoin College
1
Brown University
1
Carnegie Hero Fund Com.
1
Clark College .
2
Colby College .
1
Concord Public Library
1
Crockett, Edward S.
1
Debar, Joseph
1
Dover Public Library
3
Fernald, C. A., M.D.
1
1
Gillett, King Camp
1
Goodwin, Francis J.
17
Griffith, P. DeGos
4
1
Hall, Angelo
1
Harvard University
1
Haverhill Public Library
5
Horr, Mrs. M. A.
Howard, Harry F. .
1
1
Lake Mohonk Conference
2
Langdon Public Library, New- ington
1
Lawrence, Sir Edwin Durnung
4
143
Laconia Public Library
159
CITY OF ROCHESTER
Volumes
Pamph- lets
Periodi- cals
Plates
Library of Congress
20
McClurg, A. G. & Co.
1
Maine State Board of Health .
6
Milford Public Library
1
Moon, James H.
1
Nashua Public Library
1
New Hampshire College .
9
New York Dental and Oral Surgery, College of .
1
Osgood, Mrs. S.
1
Parshley, Mrs. A. S.
2
Parsonfield Seminary
.
1
Peters, Madison C.
1
Princeton University
1
Peace Society of New York City
1
Penn. Prison Society
1
Publishers :
Christian Science Journal
1
Christian Socialist
1
Coming Country
1
Foster's Daily Democrat
1
Green's Fruit Grower
1
Manchester Union
1
New England Shoe and Leather Gazette
1
Motorcycle Illustrated
3Nos.
Practical Engineer
1
Rochester Courier
1
Springvale Advocate
1
Strafford County Record
1
4
.
.
·
160
ANNUAL REPORT
Volumes
Pamph- lets
Periodi- cals
Plates
Snow, Conrad
·
13
Southern Pacific Railroad
Taylor, C. F. .
Worcester, Mrs. H. L.
.
27
Yale University
1
CURIOS GIVEN DURING 1910
Felker, Hon. S. D.
Horne, Byron H.
Horr, Mrs. M. A.
1 old paper Indian relics
Mounted banknotes, etc.
DEPOSIT OF BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS
United States Government 12 volumes, 50 pamphlets
Financial Report for 1910
Amount of money on hand Jan. 1, 1910 $ 9 30
Received from fines and book damages 192 90
Out-of-town patrons 3 10
All other sources 5 25
Total $210 55
.
3
1
COUNTER IN DELIVERY ROOM
CITY OF ROCHESTER
161
Turned over to John L. Copp, city treasurer
$200 00
Cash on hand
10 55
$210 55
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN E. PARSHLEY,
Librarian.
Rochester, N. H., Dec. 30, 1910.
Public Library Receipts BEQUESTS
Jennie Farrington Annex fund and interest
to January 1, 1911
$1,108 86
Transferred to treasurer for purchase of ju- venile books 50 00
Balance in bank Jan. 1, 1911
1,058 86
RECEIPTS
Balance from 1909
$ 187 84
City appropriation
3,000 00
From librarian
200 00
Interest Jennie Farrington Annex fund
50 00
$3,437 84
11
162
ANNUAL REPORT EXPENDITURES
Books $582 28
Books, juvenile, from interest of
Jennie Farrington Annex fund
50 00
Periodicals
125 20
Binding books
195 81
Printing and supplies
196 50
Furnishings for library
4 00
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
25 70
Repairs and materials
25 25
Electric lights
150 32
Electric supplies
8 50
Coal
161 00
Wood
6 50
Librarian
600 00
First assistant
350 00
Second assistant
186 58
Extra help
4 66
Janitor
360 00
Secretary, Board of Trustees
25 00
Librarian at Gonic
50 00
Periodicals for Gonic
12 55
Supplies, Gonic library
1 47
Insurance on books at Gonic library
2 50
$3,123 82
Balance in treasury
314 02
Total
$3,437 84
163
CITY OF ROCHESTER
I have examined the receipts and expenditures of the financial reports of the librarian, Lillian E. Parsh- ley, and the treasurer, John L. Copp. I find the same correctly cast and properly vouched.
JOHN YOUNG, Secretary Board of Trustees.
Rochester, N. H., December 30, 1910.
Annual Report Of the School Board of Rochester 1910
11a
At the annual meeting of the School Board of Roches- ter, January 12, 1911, the Superintendent of Schools read his report for the year ending December, 31, 1910. This report was accepted and adopted and ordered printed as the report of the School Board to the City Council and to the citizens of the city.
EVERETT A. PUGSLEY,
Rochester, N. H., Jan. 13, 1911.
Secretary.
School Board City of Rochester As Organized for 1910
PRESIDENT HON. JOSEPH WARREN SECRETARY ANDREW JACKSON
Ward One
DR. JOHN H. BATES IRVING C. FAUNCE
DR. AI S. ANNIS
Ward Two
FRANK B. PRESTON
Ward Three .
GRANVILLE F. GRANT WALTER S. MEADER
Ward Four
LOUIS S. BERGERON FREDERIC E. SMALL
Ward Five
ERNEST H. TRICKEY WILLIAM E. JACOBS
Ward Six
THOMAS W. OSGOOD ALBERT B. HUNTER
168
ANNUAL REPORT
Standing Committees
Accounts-Warren, Hunter, Jacobs
Teachers and Salaries-Warren, Annis, Trickey Music and Drawing-Trickey, Osgood, Bergeron Schoolhouses and Grounds-Preston, Grant, Small Supplies-Warren, Osgood, Faunce Text-books-Bates, Meader, Preston Rules and Regulations-Meader, Osgood, Small Transportation-Bates, Annis, Jacobs
Ungraded Schools-Preston, Bergeron, Trickey Truancy-Grant, Hunter, Faunce Superintendent of Schools-Andrew Jackson
School Board City of Rochester As Organized for 1911
PRESIDENT HON. JOSEPH WARREN
SECRETARY
EVERETT A. PUGSLEY
Ward One
IRVING C. FAUNCE JOHN H. BATES, M.D.
Ward Two
AI S. ANNIS, M.D. FRANK B. PRESTON
Ward Three .
WALTER S. MEADER GRANVILLE F. GRANT
Ward Four
FREDERIC E. SMALL LOUIS S. BERGERON
Ward Five
ERNEST H. TRICKEY WILLIAM E. JACOBS
Ward Six
ALBERT B. HUNTER THOMAS W. OSGOOD
170
ANNUAL REPORT
Standing Committees
Accounts-Warren, Hunter, Jacobs
Teachers and Salaries-Warren, Bates, Annis, Meader, Bergeron, Trickey, Hunter Music and Drawing-Trickey, Osgood, Bergeron Schoolhouses and Grounds-Preston, Grant, Small
Supplies-Warren, Osgood, Faunce Text-Books-Bates, Meader, Preston Rules and Regulations-Meader, Osgood, Small
Transportation-Bates, Annis, Jacobs
Ungraded Schools-Preston, Bergeron, Trickey
Truancy-Grant, Hunter, Faunce
Head Janitor-Charles Rafferty
Superintendent of Schools EVERETT A. PUGSLEY
Office at the High School Building. Office hours: 8.00 a. m. to 9.00 a. m .; 3.30 p. m. to 4.30 p. m., daily except Saturday.
TRUANT OFFICERS
C. Edward Goodwin Frank R. Hayes
George M. Rankin
171
CITY OF ROCHESTER JANITORS
Charles Rafferty James Kay Charles R. Brackett
Frank R. Hayes George M. Rankin
Willis Meader .
Meaderboro
CONTRACTORS FOR TRANSPORTATION
Joseph Aubert
Joseph O. Hayes
Jesse Baker
Arthur G. Berry
Mrs. Addie F. Hussey
Mrs. Lucy A. Jenness
Wesley Blaisdell George W. Emery
Daniel Lea
Ezra Smart
Nehemiah Varney
George Gagne Ralph Hall
High School Building Allen
Maple St.
School St.
Gonic
E. Rochester
Mrs. Frank Hodgdon
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School. Board of Rochester :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit for your consider- ation the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools, together with reports of the Principal of the High School and the Supervisor of Music.
In assuming the position of Superintendent of Schools of Rochester I may say that the duties of the office have been taken up with no desire to carry out any special plans or to make any radical changes. The idea has been and still is to increase the efficiency of the schools by proceeding along well established and thoroughly approved lines. Having come to the office of Superintendent on the first day of August, whatever I may say at this time is of necessity from a somewhat limited point of view. Yet some of the problems con- nected with the management of the schools of the city have been studied to some extent and it is possible to speak with some degree of certainty concerning these.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
In the last report of your former Superintendent attention was called to the fact that there was a serious lack of proper school-room accommodation in the city,
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
especially, for the children living to the east of the rail- road tracks. During the year just closed, attention has been given to this matter and as a result a new, eight- roomed school building has been constructed on the old School street lot, the lot having been enlarged by the purchase of adjoining land. This new building with those already in use will give to the city ample room for its schools for a long time to come. An appropriation of seventeen thousand dollars was made by the City Council for the construction of the new house, and the building committee will undoubtedly be able to finish the building and possibly grade the grounds, with the above named amount. The new building will be ready for occupancy at the opening of the spring term.
REPAIRS
During the year repairs have been made on the school buildings in use, costing about one thousand dollars. These repairs consist chiefly in new concrete in the basement of the Allen building, paints, painting and varnish at nearly all the buildings, shingling at the Meaderboro building, and four new hardwood floors at the Allen building. All the structures used for school purposes are now in a fair state of repair, but each year must see something done in order to keep them where they are.
The city now has or will have seven school buildings in use. All of the old and unused buildings have been sold in accordance with a vote of the City Council.
SCHOOLS
During the past year the city has maintained thirty schools, exclusive of the High School. This makes the
174
ANNUAL REPORT
number thirty-one in all. These schools have been located at the following named places : Ten schools have held their sessions at the Allen building, five in- cluding the High School, at the High School building, three at the Maple street building, one at the School street building, six at the Gonic building, five at the East Rochester building, and one at the Meaderboro building. During the term just finished the School street school has been in session at the St. Mary's Parochial building where it will remain until the open- ing of the spring term. This arrangement was a necessity since the old Upham street building had been sold, and the old School street building had been removed to make room for the new structure. The arrangement has worked satisfactorily; still, all will be pleased to be in the new building as soon as possible.
Considering the schools as to grades the number in each grade is as follows : There are four schools in the city, of the first grade, four of the second, three of the third, three of the fourth, two of the fifth, two of the sixth, one of the seventh, one of the eighth; one of the first and second, one of the second and third, two of the third and fourth, two of the fifth and sixth, three of the seventh and eighth, and one, the Meader- boro, of all grades.
From the above it will be noted that we have a somewhat large number of schools of two grades. In some cases the double grade school is a necessity, in others, with our new facilities, this arrangement may be avoided.
It now appears that no additional schools need to be opened during the coming year. It would be well, how- ever, to make some arrangement as soon as it can be
175
CITY OF ROCHESTER
readily done by which we may have two seventh and two eighth-grade schools in the section of the city which is sometimes designated as Norway Plains, instead of the one seventh, one seventh and eighth, and one eighth which we now have. This arrangement would reduce the number of pupils in each of the schools just mentioned ; it would permit the bringing in of the eighth grade at Meaderboro, if this should be found desirable, and it would enable us to fit in a better way for the High School, which, with its state approved courses, is demanding more and more of the grades.
THE TEACHING FORCE
The teaching force in the schools of the city now numbers, including Mr. French the teacher of music, forty. Eight of these constitute the board of teachers in the High School. But one teacher has been added during the year. This was a teacher of Mathematics and English who was added to the corps of teachers in the High School. So far as is now known no additional teachers will be required during the year ensuing. The changes of teachers in the High School are noted in the report of the Principal of that school and so need no mention here. The loss of teachers in the grades has been less this past year than usual, and this has had a good effect upon the schools.
In every school or system of schools, it is the teacher after all who counts for most in the educating of the child. Rochester has at present a body of strong, con- scientious workers in her school-rooms, many of whom are working many more hours per day than are ever credited to those giving instruction in the schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
COURSES OF STUDY
The courses of study in the Rochester schools are based on the state courses as outlined by the State Superintendent. The High School is one of the approved High Schools of the state. In consequence, its courses of study must meet the approval of the state.
There was a feeling at the close of the schools in June that the Commercial Course in the High School needed strengthening. In consequence, your former Superintendent and some of the members of the School Board set to work on a revision of the said course. A draught of this revised course was handed me at the commencement of my duties as superintendent, for my consideration. The course as revised was sent to Con- cord for State approval, but approval was refused on the ground that the course as revised was weaker than the other courses of the High School and therefore a temptation that would draw pupils from the other courses. A commercial course was finally arranged and approved, and it is in use in the High School today.
It is felt by many that, if commercial courses in high schools are to be of much benefit to those taking them, much actual business, so to speak, should be done, in other words, that the pupils should put in practice daily what they are learning. To give this practice in our High School it would be necessary to fit a room with the proper desks, stations for banks, stores, etc., for we now have nothing in this line of outfit. If this should be done, then, with school money, certificates of property, blanks for notes, receipts, etc., actual business, so to speak, might be done that would be of great help to those taking the course. If a room should be fitted out as suggested, there would be some extra cost in teach- ing the course during the first year, but practically none
بيع
ROCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL
----
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
after that. What has been said is simply a discussion of the commercial course. No action is urged at present.
The Commercial Course is one of the best. It is a popular one with both parents and pupils. It must, however, be thoroughly mastered to be of value.
METHODS
The methods pursued in giving instruction are large- ly the approved normal methods. There have been as all know great changes within the last twenty years in the methods of teaching. While many of the changes have been and are of great value, yet it is a serious error to throw aside all the principles of our fathers simply because they are old or to label everything pro- gressive because it is new.
COURSES AND METHODS
There is a feeling, more or less prevalent, that the work in the High School is in some degree difficult for pupils of medium ability and that, because of this, many are failing to complete four years of work in that school.
Failure in High School work is confined to no local- ity. It is found everywhere. There is considerable of it in New Hampshire. The State Superintendent's report on work in the school-room in secondary schools, for the year 1910, gives some figures concerning it. According to that report, the failure in Advanced Arith- metic throughout New Hampshire for the year, was 14 per cent. The failure in first year work in Algebra was 19 per cent ; that in Algebra II, or what seems to be second year work, amounted to 11 per cent ; that in
12
178
ANNUAL REPORT
Algebra III, Algebra review with some advanced work, amounted to 3 per cent. The failure in Latin in first year work was 12 per cent; that in second year work amounted to 7 per cent; that in third year work amounted to 5 per cent; and that in the fourth year work, to 2 per cent. These seem to be rather large percentages, especially, those in Algebra. The reason for such an amount of failure, is by one educator as- cribed to one thing and by another to another. Some High School instructors feel that it is due to poor prepara- tion in the grades. Some Superintendents think it due to poor teaching in the High Schools. Some say it is due to lack of interest, others, to lack of ability on the part of the pupils.
There is probably something of all these things responsible for the failure of many pupils. To say, however, that 14 per cent of our pupils taking Ad- vanced Arithmetic cannot pass it, to say that 19 per cent, 11 per cent, and 3 per cent of the pupils in the divisions of the work in Algebra, leaving out those who barely get through, are failures ; to say that the pupils represented by the percentages in Latin, cannot get along in the subject under proper conditions, is making an assertion that many parents and school officials, as well, find difficulty in believing. We cannot cut the basis from beneath any subject and then expect pupils to master it readily. The methods of doing college work cannot well be used in the secondary schools. The back bone of a subject should be learned in the secondary schools, and this largely from one or two books instead of a dozen. Side reading, that sides to nothing in the pupil's mind and many notes of this and that distract the child mind, rather than broaden it.
There is, to the minds of many, not enough work
179
CITY OF ROCHESTER
in Arithmetic given to properly support Algebra, and there is not enough time given to the mastery of the principles of Algebra, as they think, to enable the pupil of medium ability to obtain a usable knowledge of the subject. These people are correct in their judgment in a very large degree. There should be some High School Arthmetic.
What has been said of Algebra may, in a great meas- ure, be said of other studies. The courses of studies and the methods are largely to blame for the difficulties of many, many students. A boy fails in Algebra when he would not in Advanced Arithmetic. He cannot change from one to the other. He loses interest, asks for a certificate enabling him to go to work, and goes out of school a disappointment to himself and to his parents. A few things well taught to each pupil, according to his ability, will do away with much of the failure that now takes place.
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