FIFTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
1909-1910
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1910
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ON FEBRUARY 1. 1910.
JOSIAH H. BENTON. President,
Term expires May I, 1914.
THOMAS F. BOYLE. WILLIAM F. KENNEY.
Term expires May I. 1912. Term expires May l> 1911.
SAMUEL CARR. ALEXANDER MANN.
Term e^ires May 1, 1913. Term e^res May 1. 1910.
LIBRARIAN.
HORACE G. WADLIN.
ORGANIZATION OF THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT.
The Trustees of the PubHc Library of the City of Boston,
organized in 1 852, are now incorporated under the provisions of
Chapter 1 1 4, of the Acts of 1 878, as amended. The Board for
1852 was a preliminary organization; that for 1853 made the
first annual report. At first the Board consisted of one alderman
and one common councilman and five citizens at large, until
1 867, when a revised ordinance made it to consist of one alder-
man, two common councilmen and six citizens at large, two of
whom retired, unless re-elected, each year, while the members
from the City Council were elected yearly. In 1 878 the organi-
zation of the Board was changed to include one alderman, one
councilman, and five citizens at large, as before 1867; and in
1 885, by the provisions of the amended city charter, the repre-
sentation of the City Government upon the Board by an alder-
man and a councilman was abolished, leaving the Board as at
present, consisting of five citizens at large, appointed by the
Mayor, for five-year terms, the term of one member expiring
each year. The following citizens at large have been members
of the Board since its organization in 1 852 :
Abbott, Samuel Appleton Browne, 1 879-95.
Appleton, Thomas Gold, 1852-57.
Benton, Josiah Henry, ll.d,, 1894-.
BiGELOw, Hon. John Prescott, 1 852-68.
BowDiTCH, Henry Ingersoll, m.d., 1 865-68.
BowDiTCH, Henry Pickering, m.d., 1894-1902.
Boyle, Thomas Francis, 1902-
Braman, Jarvis Dwight, 1869-72.
Carr, Samuel, 1895-96, 1908-.
Chase, George Bigelow, 1876-85.
Clarke, James Freeman, d.d., 1895-1907.
Curtis, Daniel Sargent, 1873-75.
DeNormandie, James, d.d., 1895-1907.
Dwight, Thomas, m.d., 1899-1907.
Everett, Hon. Edward, 1852-64.
Frothingham, Richard, ll.d., 1875-79.
Green, Samuel Abbott, m.d., 1868-78.
Greenough, William Whitwell, 1856-88.
Haynes, Prof. Henry Williamson, 1 880-95.
HiLLARD. Hon. George Stillman, 1 872-75 ; 76-77.
Kenney, William Francis, 1907-.
Lincoln, Solomon, 1897-1907.
Mann, Alexander, d.d., 1908-.
Morton, Hon. Ellis Wesley, 1 870-73.
Pierce Phineas, 1 888-94.
Prince, Hon. Frederick Octavius, 1 888-99.
Putnam, George, d.d., 1868-77.
Richards, William Reuben, 1 889-95.
Shurtleff, Hon. Nathaniel Bradstreet, 1 852-68.
Thomas, Benjamin Franklin, ll.d., 1877-78.
TicKNOR, George, ll.d., 1852-66.
Walker, Francis Amasa, ll.d., 1 896.
Whipple, Edwin Pevey, 1868-70.
Whitmore, William Henry, 1885-88.
WiNsoR, Justin, ll.d., 1 867-68.
The Hon. Edward Everett was President of the Board
from 1 852 to 1 864 ; George Ticknor, in 1 865 ; William W.
Greenough, from 1866 to April, 1888; Prof. Henry W.
Haynes, from May 7, 1888, to May 12, 1888; Samuel A.
B. Abbott, May 12, 1888. to April 30, 1895; Hon. F. O.
Prince, October 8, 1895, to May 8, 1899; Solomon Lin-
coln, May 12, 1899, to October 15, 1907; Rev. James De
NoRMANDiE, January 31. 1908, to May 8, 1908; Josiah H.
Benton, since May 8. 1 908.
LIBRARIANS.
(From 1858 to 1877, the chief executive officer was entitled Superintendent.)
Capen, Edward, Librarian, May 13, 1852-December 16, 1874.
Jewett, Charles C, Superintendent, 1858-January 9, 1868.
WiNSOR, Justin, ll.d.. Superintendent, February 25, 1868-Seplem-
ber30, 1877.
Green, Samuel A., M.D., Trustee, Acting Librarian, October 1,
1877-September 30, 1878.
Chamberlain, Mellen, ll.d.. Librarian, October 1, 1 878-Septem-
ber 30, 1890.
DwiGHT, Theodore F., Librarian, April 1 3, 1 892-April 30, 1 894.
Putnam, Herbert, ll.d.. Librarian, February 11,1 895-April 30,
1899.
Whitney, James L., Acting Librarian, March 31, 1 899-December
21, 1899; Librarian. December 22. 1899-January 31, 1903.
Wadlin, Horace G., LITT.D., Librarian, since February 1 1903.
LIBRARY SYSTEM, FEBRUARY 1, 1910.
Departments. Opened.
Central Library. Copley Sq. Established May 2, 1854 Mar. 1 1. 1895
$East Boston Branch. 37 Meridian St Jan. 28. 1871
§South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway May 1, 1872
IIRoxbury Branch, 46 Millmont St July, 1873
JCharlestown Branch. City Sq *Jan., 1 874
tBrighton Branch. Academy Hill Rd *Jan.. 1874
JDorchester Branch. Arcadia, cor. Adcims St Jan. 25. 1874
§South End Branch, 397 Shawmul Ave Aug., 1 877
§Jamaica Plain Branch. Jackson Hall, (temporarily) Centre St.... Sept., 1877
JWest Roxbury Branch, Centre, near Ml. Vernon St *Jan. 6. 1880
tWesl End Branch. Cambridge, cor. Lynde St Feb. 1 . 1896
JUpham's Corner Branch. Columbia Rd.. cor. Bird St Mar. 16, 1896
Station A. Lower Mills Reading Room, Washington St June 7, 1875
B. Roslindale Reading Room, Washington St., cor. Ash-
land St Dec. 3.1878
" D. Mattapan Reading Room. 727 Walk Hill St Dec. 27. 1881
E. Neponset Reading Room, 362 Neponsel Ave Jan. 1,1883
F. Mt. Bowdoin Reading Room. Washington, cor. Eldon
St Nov. 1,1886
" G. Allston Reading Room, 354 Cambridge St Mar. 1 1 , 1 889
J. Codman Square Reading Room, Washington, cor. Nor-
folk St Nov. 12,1890
" N. Mt. Pleasant Reading Room, Dudley, cor. Magazine St. Apr. 29, 1892
P. Broadway Extension Reading Room, 13 Broadway
Extension Jan. 1 6. 1 896
" R. Warren Street Reading Room. 390 Warren St May 1 . 1896
S. Roxbury Crossing Reading Room. 1154 Tremont St.... Jan. 18. 1897
T. Boylston Station Reading Room. The Lamartine. De-
pot Sq Nov. 1,1897
" W. Industrial School Reading Room, 39 North Bennet St.. Nov. 3, 1899
" Z. Orient Heights Reading Room, 1030 Bennington St... June 25, 1901
" 22. North Street Reading Room, 207 North St June 9,1903
" 23. City Point Reading Room, 615 Broadway July 18.1906
" 24. Parker Hill Reading Room. 1518 Tremont St July 15.1907
*At a branch. ■'In building owned by City, and exclusively devoted fo library uses. Jin City building,
in part devoted to other municipsj usei. §Occupies tented room*. II The lessee of the Fellowes Athe-
naeum, a private library association.
I of City, 43 Square miles.
. Brighton Branch, Holtoti Library Building, Academy Hill Road.
. Charlestown Branch, City Square.
. Dorchester Branch, Arcadia, cor. Adams St.
. East Boston Branch, 37 Meridian St.
, Jamaica Plain Branch, Jackson Hall, Centre St.
I. Central Library, Copley Square.
Branch Libraries, February i, 1910.
Roxbury Branch, 46 Milln:
South Boston Branch,
: ^i'
End Branch. Cambridge,
Lower Mills Reading Room, Washington, coi
Roslindale Reading Room, Washington, cor.
Mattapan Reading Room, 717 Walk Hill St.
Neponset Reading Room, 362 Neponset Ave.
Mount Bowdoin Reading Room, Washington,
Allston Reading Room, 6 Harvard Ave.
Codraan Square Reading Room, Washington,
Mt. Pleasant Reading Room. Dudley, cor. M:
West Roxbury Branch, Cent
Delivery Stations, February i, 1910.
Richmond St
■oadway Extensi
ig Room, 13 Broadway Extension.
K. Warren Street Reading Room, 390 Warren St.
S. Roxbury Crossing Reading Room. 1154 Tremont St.
T. Boylston Station Reading Room, The Lamartine, Depot Squai
W. Industrial School Reading Room, 30 North Bennet St.
Heights Reading Room, 1010 Bennington St.
O. No
: Readii
, Dorchester. V. City Point Rendir^
X. Parker Hill Reading Room,
t St.
CONTENTS.
Report of the Trustees
Balance Sheet ....
Report of the Examining Committee
Report of the Librarian
Index to the Annual Report, 1909-1910
1
28
32
39
70
To His Honor John F. Fitzgerald,
Mayor of the City of Boston:
Sir, — The Board of Trustees of the PubHc Library of the
City of Boston present the following report of its condition and
affairs for the year ending January 31, 1910, being their fifty-
eighth annual report.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
The Board organized on May 7, 1909, by the election of
Mr. Josiah H. Benton as President, Mr. Thomas F. Boyle,
Vice President, and Miss Delia Jean Deery, Clerk.
The term of Mr. Benton expired on April 30, 1 909, and he
was re-appointed and qualified a member of the Board for five
years from that date.
RECEIPTS OF THE LIBRARY.
The receipts of the Library are of two classes: First, those
which are to be expended by the Trustees in the maintenance of
the Library. These consist of the annual appropriation by the
City Council, and the income from Trust funds, given to the
Trustees but invested by the City Treasurer under the direction
of the Finance Committee of the City. During the past year
these receipts were as follows :
Annual appropriation $349,455.00
Income from Trust funds, including unexpended balance of previous
year 36,667.11
Total $386,122.11
Second, receipts which are accounted for and paid into the
City treasury. These consist of receipts from fines for the deten-
tion of books, from sales of finding lists, bulletins, and catalogues;
from commissions paid for the use of telephone facilities; from
[2]
sales of waste; from payments for lost books; and from money
found in the Library. These receipts, during the year, have
been as follows :
From fines $5372.22
From sales of catalogues, etc 79,19
From telephone commissions 141.12
From sales of waste 210.83
From payments for lost books . 314.72
From money found in the Library 3.57
Total $6,121.65
The $314.72 received for lost books, being received only to
replace lost library property is, when paid into the City treasury,
added to the appropriation for library maintenance. A balance
sheet showing all the receipts cmd expenditures of the Library
Department in detail is hereinafter contained.
CITY APPROPRIATION.
The appropriation made last year for the support of the Li-
brary was generous, but not in excess of the sum required to
maintain and administer the institution efficiently. To provide
for its proper administration, taking into account the increase in
the population of the City, and the enlarged demands made
upon the library system, a progressive increase in appropriations
will be necessary. As we said in our report last year: "It was
the original design of the wise, sagacious, and public-spirited citi-
zens who promoted the foundation of the Public Library that it
should be a means of education for all. Such has been the
course of its development up to this time, and such should be its
future development. This means constantly increasing appro-
priations for its support and improvement. The proper main-
tenance, work, and development of the library system requires
an annual appropriation of not less than $350,000. Without
this, the Library will fail to be efficiently worked and improved
to its full capacity for the education of our people, and its use-
fulness will surely decrease. The Library cannot simply mark
time. It must either march forward, or fall behind in its work."
[3]
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
During the year, 38,637 volumes have been added to the
library collection. Of these, 26,297 were purchased, 9,357
were given to the Library, and the remainder were received by
exchange, binding of periodicals into volumes, etc.; 13,152 vol-
umes were purchased for the Central Library, and 13,145 for
the branch libraries and reading-room stations.
The total amount expended for books, including $9,952.68
for periodicals and $2,247.06 for newspapers, was $42,979.52,
or about 1 2 per cent of the entire expense of the Library for all
purposes.
The average cost of all books purchased was $1.15 per vol-
ume. Of the books purchased, 22,356 were bought from money
appropriated by the City, at an average cost of $0.95 a volume,
and 3,941 were bought with the income of Trust funds, at an
average cost of $2.33 a volume.
In the purchase of books the Trustees have endeavored, within
the means at their command, to provide current instructive and
useful books for the people and to replace such books worn out
by use. And they have sought as well to provide books for the
use of scholars so that the Library may not lose its distinctive
character not only as a popular library for the use of the people
but also as a library for scholarly research and work. They are
convinced that it is only by keeping the Library strong in both
these directions that it can continue to be a great permanent edu-
cational institution and of the greatest benefit to the City.
BOOK CIRCULATION AND USE OF THE LIBRARY.
TTiere were issued during the year for direct home use
297,567 volumes at the Central Library, and from the Central
Library through the branches and reading-room stations 75,372
others, while the branches and reading-room stations also issued
1 , 1 24,456 volumes for direct home use. TTiere were also issued
from the Central Library, branches and reading-room stations,
for use at schools and institutions, 1 50,45 1 volumes, making the
entire issue for use outside the library buildings 1,647,846
volumes.
[4]
The use of the Library for general reference and study, being
unrestricted, is not recorded statistically. Its extent, however,
is shown by the fact that about half a million call slips for the
table use of books in Bates Hall alone are required during the
year. The daily use of books and other library material in the
Central Library and in the branches is many times greater than
the home use of books drawn out upon cards.
BINDING AND REPAIR OF BOOKS.
During the year 3 1 ,088 volumes have been bound in the
Bindery. Besides this, a large amount of miscellaneous work
has been completed, consisting of the folding, stitching and trim-
ming of 201 ,883 library publications, the mounting of maps and
photographs, the repairing of books, the making of periodical
covers, etc. The expense of performing this necessary miscel-
laneous work is equivalent to about 1 6 per cent of the total ex-
pense of the Department. The ability to do it promptly in our
own Bindery, greatly promotes the convenience, economy and
efficiency of the library work.
The re-binding and repair of books, other than that included
in ordinary current binding, had, as stated in our last report, been
much neglected on account of insufficient appropriations in past
years. But, as the appropriation for this year allowed, this work
has been taken up by the Trustees and arrangements made for
carrying on the work in the library bindery, by the temporary
employment of an extra force. It was begun July 1 st, and up to
February 1st, 3,056 volumes had been completed. It is pro-
posed to continue the work until all the books in our collection
which require attention have been put in good order if the appro-
priations are adequate to do so.
SALARIES AND WAGES.
The Trustees have deemed it necessary during the past year
to increase the salaries paid in many of the positions in the library
service. The total annual salary expenditure of the Library on
full time has been thereby increased in the sum of $1 1,042, or
151
about 5.3 per cent. These increases make the average salary
paid to library employees in the regular library staff, excluding
janitors and persons engaged in mechanical work, $719.43,
being $903.66 for male employees and $630.45 for female
employees.
The employees in the Binding and Printing Departments are
paid union wages and work union hours. All other employees,
who are classed either as "laborers, workmen or mechanics," are
employed at wages prevailing in those employments and for
hours fixed by the State law applicable to cities which have ac-
cepted its provisions, as Boston has, namely: "not more than
eight hours in any one calendar day, or more than forty-eight
hours in any one week."
Excluding the librarian, assistant librarian, and ten other per-
sons employed as heads of departments, the average salary paid
to the remaining two hundred and six persons of the regular
library staff is $628.57 a year. Of these persons sixty-one are
males who receive the average salary of $646.03 a year, and
one hundred and forty-five are females who receive the average
salary of $62 1 .2 1 a year.
PENSION FUND.
In this connection the Trustees desire to call attention to the
importance of legislation which will enable some provision to be
made by the Trustees for a contribution to the support of em-
ployees who become worn out in the service of the Library. A
large part of this service is specialized work, and it is very desira-
ble that persons who enter the library profession for such work
should remain in it. In fact, after they have been in this profes-
sion long enough to be of the best service to it they are practically
unfitted for any other work.
The margin between the salaries which can be paid them and
their necessary expenses for reasonable and decent living is very
small. As was said by the Examining Committee of last year:
"It is manifestly impossible for persons receiving such rates of
compensation to create and maintain any adequate fund to which
resort can be had in the emergencies of life which confront,
[6]
or are likely to confront them." The result necessarily is that
persons remain in the library sers^ice after their ability to do
efficient work is impaired, and when for that reason they should
be retired from it without becoming objects of charity or requir-
ing the assistance of others for their support.
The efficiency of the public service suffers from this because
the worn-out employee is not able to do as good work as ought
to be done, and the expense of the service is also increased be-
cause it is necessary to have more employees if a portion of them
are unable to do the best work. A worn-out tool is the most
expensive tool for use, whether it be a combination of merely
material things like wood and metal, or a living human being.
The Trustees have given much consideration to this subject
and would be glad to do something in this direction if it were in
their power, but they have no trust fund the income of which is
applicable to this purpose, and the law does not permit them to
retain any portion of the annual appropriation for such purpose.
Indeed it mav be said that as the law now stands the em-
ployees of the Library themselves cannot, if they had the means,
as they have not, create any fund for this purpose. They have
established a Mutual Benefit Association to which they make
contributions within their means, and out of which benefits are
paid for time lost by employees on account of sickness, and a
moderate sum paid at death to the beneficiary of the deceased
member of the Association. They are much to be commended
for what they have done, and we trust that their efforts in this
direction may be aided by contributions from others.
But what we wish to earnestly press upon the consideration of
the City Government and of the people of the City, is the im-
portance, not only from humanitarian but also from business
considerations, of some provision which will render it unneces-
sary to retain in our service those who have been worn out by
years of work in it, and whose retirement with suitable provision
for their proper support is demanded, not only because it is hu-
mane but because it is for the best business interests of the Li-
brary and of the City. TTie annual expense for this purpose need
not be large and it should, we think, be met in part by contribu-
[71
tions from the employees who are to be benefitted by it. But we
feel that the interests of the Library require that the Trustees
should have the power to deal with this important matter in such
just and reasonable way as may be found for the best interests of
the City.
HOURS OF SERVICE.
TTie Central Library and the branches open and their work
begins at nine o'clock in the morning. The reading-room sta-
tions open in the afternoon at varying hours, most of them at two
o'clock. The service continues until ten o'clock at night at the
Central Library building and at the West End Branch, and un-
til nine at the other branches and reading-room stations except
during the summer months. From June 1 5 until September 1 5
the Central Library and West End Branch are closed at nine
o'clock. The other branches and reading rooms during a shorter
period close earlier than in winter, most of them at six o'clock.
The Central Library is in operation 102 week days of twelve
hours each, 203 week days of thirteen hours each, 1 7 Sundays
of nine hours each, and 35 Sundays and two holidays of ten
hours each, making an aggregate of 359 days, or 4,680 hours,
during each twelve months.
The Sunday service has been extended during the year and
as now arranged includes the Central Library and the West End
Branch throughout the year. All the other branches (except
the West Roxbury Branch, which has no Sunday service) and
the eight largest reading rooms provide Sunday service from
November 1 to May 1 only. The hours are as follows:
At the Central Library and West End Branch, from twelve
o'clock to ten o'clock, except that the closing hour is nine o'clock
from June 15 until September 15. At the South End and
South Boston Branches from twelve o'clock to nine o'clock.
At the other branches (except West Roxbury), and at the eight
largest reading rooms (namely, Allston, Codman Square,
Broadway Extension, Warren Street, Roxbury Crossing, Boyl-
ston Station, City Point, Parker Hill), from two o'clock to nine
[8]
o'clock. At all of these reading rooms except Codman Square
the room is closed from six to seven o'clock.
The total number of hours of Sunday service provided an-
nually at the Central Library and at the West End Branch is
503 each; at the South End and South Boston Branches, 234
hours each; at the other branches (except West Roxbury) and
at the Codman Square Reading Room, 1 82 hours each ; and at
the following reading rooms: Allston, Broadway Extension,
Warren Street, Roxbury Crossing, Boylston Station, City Point,
Parker Hill, 1 56 hours each.
LIBRARY COOPERATION WITH SCHOOLS, ETC.
The Trustees endeavor to cooperate with the educational
work of the schools as far as possible without impairing the
Library service in other directions.
During the past year the Library has been daily supplying
with books 28 branches and reading rooms, 120 public and
parochial schools, 58 engine houses, and 29 institutions, and
sending out upon the average from the Central Library, about
400 volumes every day by its delivery wagons. The number of
volumes sent on deposit from the Central Library through the
branch system was 38,298, of which 7,678 were sent to schools.
There were also sent from the branches themselves and from two
of the largest reading rooms 19,322 volumes on deposit distrib-
uted among 134 places. Of these 14,585 were sent to schools.
That is to say, not only is the collection of the Central Library
used as a reservoir from which books may be drawn for use in
the branches and reading rooms, but each of the branches and
reading rooms is in itself a reservoir from which books are drawn
for use by teachers in schools in its immediate vicinity.
We desire in this connection, however, to renew the sugges-
tion contained in our last report, that the Library cannot be made
a mere adjunct to the schools without impairing its efficiency for
public use which is the main purpose for which it is designed and
should be maintained. It must also be borne in mind that so far
as the Library aids the schools by doing that which the schools
would otherwise be required to do, it adds to its own expenses
[9]
and correspondingly reduces the expenses of the schools. The
question of how far the Library ought, with due regard to its
other work, or can within the appropriations made for it by the
City Council, increase its work with the schools is therefore im-
portant, and requires constant and careful consideration.
BRANCH LIBE^RY SYSTEM.
It seems desirable at this time to call attention to the branch
library system by a more detailed statement of its growth and
work, and of its accommodations, especially in the way of build-
ings, than has heretofore been made in our reports. The year
1894 is a proper date upon which to base such statement, as
early in 1 895 the branches were first worked as a system in con-
nection with the new Central Library building opened at that
time.
Of the nine branches existing in 1894, the first to be estab-
lished was in East Boston, opened in 1871 in the old Lyman
School building, 37 Meridian Street. Rooms on the second
floor of this building were assigned to the use of the branch, and
it still retains them, without enlargement or substantial alteration
during the thirty-nine years. They are reached by means of a
winding and inconvenient stairway leading from the street. The
first story of the building in not only occupied by primary school
classes, but by the police court. The circulation for home use
from the branch in the year following its establishment was
74,804, and in 1895, the year in which the Central Library
building in Copley Square was opened, it was 66,386 volumes.
During the year just closed it had risen to 89,462.
The second branch to be established was opened in South
Boston, May 1, 1872, in leased premises at 372 Broadway, on
the second floor of the building, still used substantially without
change. It circulated for home use in the following year
101 ,688 volumes, and in the year 1 895, 97, 1 04 volumes. Dur-
ing the year just closed the circulation was 96,999 volumes.
TTie Roxbury Branch was opened in January, 1873, in a
rented building, erected for library purposes by the Fellowes
Athenaeum, at 46 Millmont Street. Its circulation for home
[101
use in the following year was 64,092, rising in 1 895 to 94,073.
During the year just closed the circulation was 82,983.
The Charlestown Branch, formerly the public library of the
City of Charlestown, was made part of the Boston Public Li-
brary system through the annexation of Charlestown to Boston
in January, 1 874. It occupies restricted quarters on the second
floor of the old Charlestown city hall building in City Square.
Its circulation for home use in 1 874, the first year recorded after
the library became a part of our system, was 32,023, rising in
1895 to 59,930. For the year just closed it was 54,661.
In 1874, the Brighton Public Library, known as the Holton
Library, also became a branch of the Boston Public Library
by the annexation of the town of Brighton. It is located in a
convenient building erected especially for its occupancy on
Academy Hill Road. Its circulation for home use in 1 874 was
9,652, rising in 1895 to 24,389, and in the year just closed to
43,923.
TTie Dorchester Branch occupies quarters in a municipal
building at the corner of Arcadia and Adams Streets. It was
opened in 1875. Its circulation for home use in that year 'was
15,675, rising to 65,929 in 1895, and declining to 50,943 in the
year just closed. The space devoted to this branch has recently
been increased by an enlargement of the building, but it is still
inadequate to the proper use of the branch. The children's
room, which is located on the upper floor, is small, low, and is
reached by a narrow and inconvenient stairway.
The South End Branch was opened in August, 1877, in
rooms formerly occupied by the Mercantile Library Associa-
tion, at the corner of West Newton and Tremont Streets. It
circulated for home use in the following year 41,303 volumes.
In 1895 its circulation had risen to 89,219. At that time it
occupied rooms in the basement of the English High School
building which were very inadequate. In July, 1904, it was
moved to the building at 397 Shawmut Avenue, formerly occu-
pied by the Every Day Church, taken under lease by the Li-
brary and refitted for library purposes. The direct circulation
for home use during the year just closed was 97,700 volumes.
The Jamaica Plain Branch was also opened in 1877 in a
building belonging to the City, known as Curtis Hall, which was
[11]
destroyed by fire in December, 1 908. Plans for a new branch
building have been prepared, and an appropriation of $30,000
made for its construction. It is expected that it will be ready for
occupancy during the coming year. This Branch circulated
during the year following its opening 28,1 74 volumes for home
reading. In 1895 the circulation had risen to 56,220. During
the year just closed the circulation for home use was 40,907.
The Library is now located in very inconvenient temporary
quarters in Jackson Hall on Centre Street.
The West Roxbury Branch, opened first as a delivery sta-
tion in 1 880 and later as a branch, occupies the second story of
a wooden building owned by the City and previously devoted to
other uses; but now enlarged so as to make it fairly suitable for
its purpose. It is, however, subject to some danger from fire.
The circulation for home use from this branch in 1 893, the first
year for which it was recorded, was 6,953. In 1 895 it had be-
come 9,982. For the year just closed it was 36,309 volumes.
These were the nine branches existing at the time the present
Central Library building was opened to public use in 1895.
There are now two others, — the West End Branch and the
branch at Upham's Corner. The West End Branch at the
corner of Cambridge and Lynde Streets, was opened in 1 896 in
the old West Church building which had been purchased by the
City and fitted up for library uses. Its circulation for home use
in the year following its opening was 81,428, and in the year
just closed 1 49,842.
The latest branch to be added to the system is that at
Upham's Corner, located on the first floor of the Municipal
Building on Columbia Road. It was first opened in another
location as a delivery station merely, and transferred to the
present building in 1904. It was made a branch in February,
1907. The circulation for home use, of the delivery station in
1 896, its first year, was 9,287 ; while the branch during the year
just closed circulated for home use 74,085 volumes.
THE READING-ROOM STATIONS.
Besides the branches referred to, the branch system includes
seventeen reading-room stations in different parts of the city,
[12]
nearly all of them opened since 1875, originally as shop sta-
tions or places of call merely, for the return and delivery of
books. All but two of these occupy rented premises, and they
are now all administered as reading-room stations, with small
permanent collections of books. They are in effect minor
branches, directly controlled by the library staff.
The reading-room stations are located and accommodated as
follows :
The Dorchester Lower Mills Reading Room, is in a city
building, shared by the Police Station, at the corner of Wash-
ington and Richmond Streets. It is adequately provided for at
present.
The Roslindale Reading Room, is in a leased building, en-
tirely devoted to library uses, at the corner of Washington and
Ashland Streets, Roslindale. It is adequate now, but in a short
time should be made a branch, with a new, modern library
building.
The Mattapan Reading Room, occupies a leased room at
727 Walk Hill Street. The room was intended for mercantile
purposes, to which the remainder of the first story of the building
is devoted, the upper stories containing residential apartments. It
is adequate now in space but not in equipment, and new and
better quarters will soon be needed.
The Neponset Reading Room, is in a small leased building
entirely occupied by the reading room, at 362 Neponset Ave-
nue. Its quarters are at present adequate for its uses.
The Mt. Bowdoin Reading Room, is in a leased store, at the
corner of Washington and Eldon Streets, Dorchester. It should
soon have larger and better accommodation for its increasing use.
The Allston Reading Room, occupies a leased store, at 6
Harvard Avenue, Allston, which is now adequate for its pur-
poses.
The Codman Square Reading Room, is in a city building, de-
voted entirely to library purposes, except the ward room in the
basement, at Codman Square, Dorchester. It is adequate to its
purposes and likely to be so for some time.
The Mt. Pleasant Reading Room, occupies rented rooms on
the first floor of a building at the corner of Dudley and Maga-
[13]
zine Streets. The upper floors are occupied by classes from a
neighboring parochial school. The quarters are adequate for
present uses.
The Broadway Extension Reading Room, is in a leased store
at 13 Broadway Extension. The apartment is much too small,
is unventilated, poorly lighted, and so noisy on account of the
proximity of the Washington Street Elevated Railway that it
should be abandoned for library purposes.
The Warren Street Reading Room, is in a leased store at 390
Warren Street, Roxbury, which is not adequate nor suitable for
the best use of the public.
The Roxbury Crossing Reading Room, is in a leased store at
1 1 54 Tremont Street, Roxbury, which is fairly adequate for its
present purposes.
The Boylston Station Reading Room, is in a leased store, at
Depot Square, Boylston Station, which is fairly adequate but in
some respects not well adapted for its public uses.
The Industrial School Reading Room, is in rooms in the
building occupied by the North Bennet Street Industrial School,
at 39 North Bennet Street. These rooms are wholly inadequate
for library purposes.
The Orient Heights Reading Room, has rented apartments
on the ground floor of a building at 1030 Bennington Street,
East Boston, which are at present adequate for its purpose.
The North Street Reading Room, is in a rented apartment,
on the ground floor of the building at 207 North Street, which
is adequate for present purposes.
The City Point Reading Room, is in a leased store on the
ground floor of the Gray's Hall building, 615 Broadway, South
Boston, with a moving picture show over it. TTiis is wholly in-
adequate for the public use.
The Parker Hill Reading Room, is in a leased store on the
ground floor of a building at 1518 Tremont Street, which is
adequate for the present public use.
THE BRANCH CIRCULATION.
The nine branches which existed in 1 894 circulated for home
use in that year 484,768 volumes. The eleven branches which
[141
now exist circulated for home use in the year just closed about
817,814 volumes, and in addition about 23,500 volumes were
issued through these branches from the Central Library. This
statement, it will be noticed, covers the branches only, and does
not include the circulation from the reading-room stations as
part of the branch system.
It will be noticed that the circulation for home use in some of
the branches has declined since they were first opened, while in
others a very substantial increase appears. The decline, where
it is found, is due to various causes, such, for example, as the
change in residential conditions in the neighborhood served by
the branch, the establishment of reading-room stations in the
vicinity, which take away part of the patronage formerly be-
stowed upon the branch, the greater use of the central library
collection as supplementary to the branch collections, etc.
The circulation for home use, however, cannot be taken as an
adequate measure of the work of the branches, although it is
the only part of the work which is recorded so as to be expressed
statistically. The increase in the work of the branches as a
whole is due to the changed conditions affecting the library sys-
tem, and especially to the very great increase in the reference
work so-called. In 1 894, for example, although there were nine
branch libraries, they were not worked together as parts of a
system operated in connection with the Central Library so as to
best serve the public. But irrespective of the circulation of books
for home reading the work done through the branches has in-
creased to such an extent that the accommodations provided in
many of the buildings occupied by them are most inadequate
and inconvenient.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORK THROUGH THE BRANCHES.
A comparison of the work performed by the branches when
the central library building was opened for use in March, 1895,
with existing conditions, gives substantially the following results :
At that time there were nine branches; there are now eleven.
TTiere were then five reading-room stations (minor branches)
maintained, with small collections of books, and nine shop
[15]
stations (places of call) for the delivery and return of books.
There are now seventeen reading-room stations all directly con-
trolled from the Central Library, with small permanent collec-
tions of books. The number of volumes in the branch collections
at the end of the year 1894 was 145,744. It is now 184,816,
although many old and little used volumes have been withdrawn
from the branch collections. In the reading-room stations at the
close of the year 1 894 there were not more than a few hundred
volumes. Such stations now contain 24,524 volumes.
The yearly accessions for the branches in 1894 amounted to
about 4,200 volumes. The accessions of the branches in 1 909—
10 were 7,530 volumes. Besides these, 2,846 volumes were
purchased for the reading-room stations, as against practically
none in 1 894. Under the present system new books at the Cen-
tral Library are made available through the branches, thus
obviating the necessity of duplicating all new purchases by copies
bought for branches. In 1 894 there was no collection of books
on deposit at the Central Library for branch use. Now 33,107
volumes are kept in a deposit collection at the Central Library
and sent out through the Branch Department to branches, read-
ing-room stations, schools, institutions, clubs, etc. In 1 894 there
was very slight duplication of copies of books purchased for the
branches. Now there is extensive duplication.
In 1 894 practically no volumes were sent on deposit through
the Branch Department to the schools. Now about 22,000
volumes are sent out annually in this way. Then, teachers were
not supplied with special collections. Now about 540 teachers
are thus supplied. In 1 894 there were few volumes reserved at
the branches for the special use of students and pupils from the
schools. Now a considerable number are thus reserved each
year, selected for special occasions or upon the request of
teachers, and put on special shelves for reading-room use in the
branches.
In 1894 no public or parochial schools received particular
attention at the branches. Now, 1 20 such schools are cared for.
Each branch forms a centre, having assigned to it a certain
number of schools whose wants are cared for by the custodian.
This intimate cooperation largely extends the use of the branch
[16]
collections, develops the use of the central collection through
the branches as intermediaries, and it brings large numbers of
pupils to the branches for reference work and for the general
use of the reading tables, thus making each branch an importeint
factor as a library agency in the educational work of the City.
Talks are given at some of the branches, supplementing those
given at the Central Library, on the use of the Library, thus
extending the knowledge of books. Typewritten lists of books
in connection with school work are prepared and posted at the
branches. Helps on home reading are given. Teachers' cards
are issued. Each year the branches are used as agencies for
taking applications for library cards through the schools. About
800 portfolios of pictures are annually sent out to schools from
the Central Library through the branches. Small branch collec-
tions of pictures are kept at the branches, and from these collec-
tions about 1 8,000 pictures are annually lent to schools. None
of this work was attempted in 1 894. It is now fully organized
and constantly increasing in bulk and importance.
The age limit for issuing borrowers' cards was 12 years in
1 894. It is now 1 0 years, thus bringing large numbers to use the
branches. In 1894 the branches closed at 8 P.M. They are
now open from 9 A. M to 9 P.M. In 1 894 no branches were open
on Sunday. Now all the branches (except at West Roxbury)
and also certain reading-room stations are opened on Sunday
afternoons, closing at 9 P.M., and the Sunday hours at the larger
branches have recently been extended. The use of the reading
rooms in branches will probably increase. The use of the
branches has been extended since 1894 by the introduction of
card catalogues, the publication of printed finding lists of books
common to the branches, and especially by the placing of a large
proportion of the branch collections upon open shelves. Of the
nearly 87,000 cards which now are valid for the issue of books
for home use, about 62,000 have been issued through the
branches. In 1897, the first year of record, only 24,769 were
so issued. The total annual cost of the branch system in 1894
was $40,926. It is now about $95,000, exclusive of the cost of
administration of the Branch Department at the Central Library.
[17]
The foregoing comparison shows the importance of the
branches as a part of the general Hbrary system. The Branches
promote the convenience of the public materially, not only by the
direct library facilities which they provide, but indirectly as
agencies through which the collections of the Central Library
may be more conveniently used in the different districts of the
City.
CLASSIFICATION OF BRANCHES BY GROUPS.
Upon the basis of circulation for home use the branches at
present may be roughly grouped as follows :
1 St. The West End Branch. This stands by itself with an
annual direct circulation of 149,842. The service expense, i. e.,
the expense of administration, of this Branch is $6,663 annually.
It occupies a large building which must be properly cared for
and kept in repair, and there are two floors to supervise.
2d. The South Boston, South End and East Boston
Branches form the next group, with a circulation of from 90,000
to 100,000 volumes. The service expense at East Boston is
about $4,322 annually, and at South Boston $4,409, each
branch being operated on a single floor. At the South End,
which occupies a large building with two floors, the service
expense is about $5,305 annually.
3d. The next group includes the branches at Roxbury and
at Uphcim's Corner, with a circulation from 75,000 to 85,000
annually. TTie Roxbury Branch occupies a large building with
a considerable collection of books, upon two floors, and the
annual expense is about $4,969. The Upham's Corner Branch
is operated upon one floor, and the annual service expense is
about $2,696.
4th. The next group includes the branches at Charlestown,
Jamaica Plain, Dorchester and Brighton, with a circulation
from 40,000 to 54,500 annually. The Charlestown Branch,
although upon a single floor, contains a large collection of books
which must be cared for, and the service expense is about $4, 1 1 8.
At Brighton, the branch is housed in a convenient building en-
tirely devoted to library uses, although confined to one floor.
[18]
There are grounds which must be cared for, and the annual ser-
vice expense is about $4,079. At the Dorchester Branch there
are two floors, the annual service cost being about $3,949. The
Jamaica Plain Branch, temporarily located upon the second
floor of a rented building, requires an annual service expenditure,
under present conditions, of about $3,026.
5th. Finally, there is the West Roxbury Branch, located
in a residential district partly rural, with a small collection of
books. Its annual circulation is from 36,000 to 38,000, and
the service expense is annually about $2,158.
Of the foregoing branches, all except those at South Boston,
Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and the South End Branch, are in
buildings owned by the City. The Jamaica Plain Branch, how-
ever, will during the coming year be removed to a City library
building. At the South Boston Branch the annual rental charge
is $2,000; at Roxbury, $1,600; and at the South End Branch,
$2,500, besides taxes and insurance. Of the seventeen reading-
room stations operated separately from the branches as a part of
the branch system, fifteen are in rented premises, the aggregate
rental amounting to $8,800.
THE NEED OF BETTER BRANCH BUILDINGS.
The circulation of books for home use, which in 1 894 repre-
sented practically all the activity of the branches, has, it will be
seen, now become only one element in their public work. The
use of books in the buildings, promoted by the open shelves, by
reserve collections for the schools, by special deposits from the
Central Library, and by the close general cooperation with edu-
cational institutions and study classes, has added very largely to
the work performed at the branches. This, grouped under the
general and somewhat misleading term of "reference work," is in
many ways the most important part of the work of the branches.
It constantly increases, and in Boston, as in other cities, requires
for its proper administration not only more space, but better
arrangement and more generous equipment than formerly, when
the use of the buildings was principally as places of call for
obtaining and returning books to be read at home. Hie total
[19]
floor area of the ten branches now maintained, which were in
operation either as branches or reading-room stations in 1 896, is
68,940 square feet. In 1896 these same branches had a floor
area of 53,475 square feet. The increase is wholly at the fol-
lowing branches:
Dorchester, increase 708 square feel
South End, " 13,800 "
West Roxbury. " 957 "
Fourteen years, total increase 15,465
Some of the others are adequate, notably the branches at
Brighton and Roxbury, and at the West End, which occupy
buildings constructed or re-arranged for library purposes and
with due regard to growth. The branch at Jamaica Plain, for-
merly in the Curtis Hall building, will be amply provided for in
its new building, planned especially for its needs, and soon to
be erected on part of the lot which was occupied by the old
building. Others, especially the branches at Charlestown, East
Boston and South Boston, ought very soon to have independent
buildings, adapted to the important uses of these leading
branches, and there should be a building for a new branch at
some proper place in the North End at an early day. The
Trustees have had under consideration a new building for the
Charlestown Branch, but a suitable site has not been found; and
besides the present appropriation of $30,000 for land and build-
ings is inadequate for the purpose. The present location is
neither central nor suitable. The East Boston Branch is very
much crowded, and its location is not satisfactory. Propositions
to build nev/ buildings for city purposes in East Boston have not
yet included proper arrangements for the branch, nor have the
Trustees been consulted as to its needs. The South Boston
Branch has a large circulation, and is one of the most important
branches from every point of view. It occupies inadequate
second-story apartments under lease.
The selection and the procuring of proper sites for branch li-
braries and reading rooms is a very difficult matter. They must
be located where they will best serve the people within the terri-
tory for which they are established, and this necessarily confines
[20]
the selection to a very limited area. It is seldom that the best
premises are available vs^ithin such area, at a reasonable price. It
is worthy of consideration whether the city should not exercise in
this matter the right to take by eminent domain, property neces-
sary for this purpose where it cannot be obtained at a reasonable
price by purchase, or at a satisfactory rental.
Boston should have the best equipped library system in the
United States. Our citizens are proud of its Central Library
building, and we believe are satisfied with the administration and
working of the Library Department as a whole. But in respect
to the branch system, which comes most directly in contact with
those of our people who most need the Library, we are, on the
whole, behind any other important city in the Union. We have
no branch library building so constructed as to be operated with
the utmost efficiency and economy and with the best service for
the public.
The reading-room stations, which are of very great importance
in bringing instructive books to those who would not otherwise
have them, — which is the primary purpose of a library sup-
ported by taxation, — are many of them inadequate and incon-
venient, badly situated for convenient use, ill ventilated, and in
general not creditable to a city of the wealth and population of
Boston.
We invite the attention of the City Council especially to the
matter of better accommodations for some of our branch libraries
and reading-room stations. An examination of them, which we
trust will be made, will show what they are more forcibly than
any description we can give in this report.
The time has passed when the branch libraries can be properly
operated in buildings partly devoted to other uses. The scheme
of a municipal building devoted to baths, gymnasiums, and other
activities, and also providing for the Library, while apparently
having advantages from the point of view of a neighborhood
centre, does not properly provide for the work of the Library.
The work the Library is doing is so far educational that it should
be treated with the same consideration as to its accommodations
as is given to the schools. Branch library buildings ought to be
planned especially and solely for library purposes and should be
[21]
dignified but not expensive or elaborate structures. The other
important cities in the United States are providing for their
branch Hbraries, independent buildings of modern construction
specially adapted to library work. The Trustees are of the
opinion that the same course should be followed here. It would
add to the efficiency of the service, and benefit the people at
large as much as any improvement which could be made in our
library system.
NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS.
The newspaper room at the Central Library, the papers for
which are mainly purchased from the income of a bequest of the
late William C. Todd for that purpose, has 343 different papers
filed for current reading, of which 255 are in the English lan-
guage, 1 6 French, 1 6 German, 7 Italian, 7 Spanish, 7 Swedish,
and the rest in 1 4 other languages, including one in Old Hebrew,
published in Jerusalem, and one in Tagalese and English, pub-
lished in the Philippines; also Greek, Russian, Armenian, Po-
lish, Welsh, Hungarian, etc. During the last year about 1 7,1 5 1
newspaper volumes were consulted by readers.
One thousand five hundred and sixty-two different periodi-
cals, including serial issues published by institutions and by the
state and national governments, are regularly filed and used in
the Periodical Room at the Central Library, 1 67 in the Statis-
tical, Music, Patent, and Fine Arts Departments and in the
Children's Room, making with the 89 taken at the branches,
1,815 in all. These include all the leading periodicals of the
world in every department of literature and science and in almost
every language, all of which find ready readers.
INTER-LIBRARY LOANS.
Under the cooperative inter-library loan system books are
occasionally lent to public libraries in other cities or towns for
the temporary use of a person who wishes to consult a book
which his local library does not possess. In this way there were
lent to libraries in the State, during the year 1 909, 792 volumes.
[22]
and to libraries outside Massachusetts 252 volumes. On the
other hand, a person in Boston can by this arrangement obtain in
the same way from other libraries books which our Library does
not have, and during the year 89 volumes were thus borrowed.
LECTURES.
During the year 32 lectures were given in the Lecture Hall
of the Central Library, for which no compensation was paid to
the persons who lectured, and admission to which was free to all.
The lectures were chiefly on subjects connected with the fine arts,
architecture, the aesthetic side of literature and printing, pictur-
esque notes of travel, etc., including among others: "Recent
Developments in Civic Art," "Colonial and Revolutionary
Churches," "The Future of the City," "Imagination and Liter-
alism in Illustration," "The Nature and Scope of Art," "Types
of Art Composition and Drawing," "Style," "Books and Book
Lovers," and accounts of picturesque travels in Portugal, Sicily,
North Africa, Algiers, Tunis, Biskra, Norway, Spain and Italy.
CENTER ESTATE BEQUEST.
The real estate, 1 1 99 Washington Street, received by the Li-
brary as part of the bequest of Joseph H. Center, consisting of
land and the brick building thereon, occupied under lease by the
South End National Bank, was sold to the bank under a vote
passed by the Trustees, April 30, 1909. The sum received
therefor, $14,500, was paid to the City Treasurer and added to
the principal of the Center Fund.
The only real estate now held by the Trustees is a small estate
on Arnold Street given by the will of Mr. Center, which they
have not been able to sell at a satisfactory price. It is assessed at
$1,900.
MONEY FOR MAINTAINING AND WORKING THE LIBRARY.
Substantially all the money which the Trustees can use for the
maintenance and working of the library system comes from the
annual appropriation by the City Council. The Trust funds.
[23]
that is, property given to the Trustees in trust for the uses of the
Library, are by law required to be invested by the City Treasurer
under the direction of the Finance Committee of the City.
A detailed statement of these funds is annually contained in
the report of the City Treasurer and in the report of the City
Auditor, and therefore is not presented here. The income re-
ceived from them in 1909 was $19,546.10. This income can
only be used for the specific purposes of the several trusts under
which it is held, which vary widely. Some are for the purchase
of books for separate branches; some for the addition of books
to special collections, such as books on government and political
economy, books in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, valu-
able rare editions of books, books of a military and patriotic
character, books in memory of specific persons, and, in one case
only, for books published before 1 850.
During the past nine years the estimates of the Trustees, the
recommendations by the Mayor, and the amounts appropriated
by the City Council have been as follows :
ESTIMATES
OF TRUSTEES.
AMOUNTS
RECOMMENDED
BY MAYOR.
AMOUNTS
APPROPRIATED
BY CITY COUNCIL
1901 $291,713.65
$300,000.00
$302,000.00
1902 .
310.144.67
305.000.00
300.000.00
1903 .
*
318.383.10
305,500.00
305.500.00
1904 .
320.414.00
300.000.00
305.000.00
1905 .
325.465.00
310.000.00
310.000.00
1906 . .
324.550.00
320.000.00
324.550.00
1907 .
326.100.00
325.000.00
325.000.00
1908 .
332.800.00
325.000.00
310.000.00
1909 .
335,200.00
335,200.00
349,455.00
GIFT OF
TH
E"
ALL
EN
A. BROWN DRAMATIC COLLECTION."
The Library received in December, from Mr. Allen A.
Brown, his valuable and extensive collection of books relating
to the stage.
[24]
In transmitting this gift Mr. Brown sent the following com-
munication to the Trustees:
I wish to offer to the Public Library my collection of Books relating
to the stage and gathered during the past fifty years, subject to the fol-
lowing conditions and restrictions:
1 St. The Collection to be known as the "Allen A. Brown Dramatic
Collection," and to be kept in an apartment or alcove by itself, and located
near the "Allen A. Brown Collection of Music." Each volume to bear
a Book-plate or Stamp designating the same as belonging to said Collec-
tion.
2d. That it shall be held by the Trustees and treated as a library of
reference; nothing to be taken from the Library except for binding and
needful repairs, or as hereinafter provided.
3d. That during my life time I may have free access to the Collec-
tion at all proper times, and may take from the building such volumes as
I may need, holding myself responsible for their safe return.
4th. That I shall have the privilege of inserting in the works any
items of interest such as bills of performances, notices of works, and
various cuttings relating to the same.
5 th. That a Catalogue of the Collection shall be made and issued
by the Trustees within a reasonable period: Also that such portions of
the Library as still remain unbound, shall be put in condition for the
shelves without delay, and that the general style of binding I have adopted
be preserved as far as possible.
I also reserve the right of placing the books upon the shelves, in such
manner as may best carry out my ideas of economy of space and outward
appearance.
Yours very respectfully,
(Signed) Allen A. Brown.
The Trustees thereupon voted to accept the gift, subject to
the conditions and limitations set forth in Mr. Brown's letter,
and requested the President to transmit a copy of the record of
acceptance, with suitable acknowledgment, to Mr. Brown, in the
name of the Corporation, which was done by the following
letter:
January 7, 19 10.
My dear Mr. Brown:
I enclose herewith a certified copy of the record of the action of the
Trustees in accepting the generous gift by you of the "Allen A. Brown
Dramatic Collection," I beg to assure you not only for myself but for
[25]
each member of the Board, that we very much appreciate your action in
this matter, and trust you may long be able to give to this Collection the
same care and attention you have so generously given to the "Allen A.
Brown Collection of Music" which you presented to the Library in 1895.
You have conferred a great public benefit upon our City, and have added
still more to your monument in the Library for which we all have so much
regard.
With assurances of personal regard,
I remain
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) J. H. BentON,
President.
THE SERVICE OF JAMES LYMAN WHITNEY.
On the 8th of November, 1 909, Mr. James Lyman Whitney
completed forty years of service in the Library. For twenty
years he was in charge of the Catalogue Department. On
March 31,1 899, he became Acting Librarian, and on Decem-
ber 22, 1899, Librarian. He resigned as Librarian February
1, 1903, and became Chief of the Statistical Department at
that time. He is one of the most eminent scholars in the library
profession, and in recognition of that fact in connection with his
long service, the Trustees, on November 5, 1909, adopted the
following resolution:
"Whereas, Mr. James Lyman Whitney, who entered the Boston
Public Library on the 8th of November, I 869, will have completed forty
years of service on Monday, November 8, 1909, the Trustees of the
Library desire to put on record their appreciation of his long, faithful and
efficient service in the various important positions which he has filled in the
Library service."
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE WEST END BRANCH.
The grounds in front of the West End Branch, at the corner
of Cambridge and Lynde Streets, known as Lowell Square,
were formerly in charge of the Public Grounds Department, but
were transferred to the custody of the Trustees of the Library
in July, 1903.
The square was enclosed by a cast-iron fence which had
become much dilapidated and was beyond repair. This has
[26]
been removed and the square enclosed by a wrought-iron fence
upon a brick base with brick piers and stone dressings, and with
ornamental wrought-iron gates in front; the design harmonizing
with the architecture of the old building, which is one of the
historic monuments of the City.
The expense of this improvement was $2,673. Of this sum
$2,500 was derived from the income of the Phillips Street Fund,
appropriated in November, 1899, by the Board of Aldermen,
for a fountain in the courtyard of the building in Copley Square,
or for any other work of sculpture to be placed in the courtyard.
The money was never expended for such purposes, and it ap-
peared that it could not have been so used, unless in contraven-
tion of the terms under which the Phillips Street Fund was
received by the City, the giver, Jonathan Phillips, having pro-
vided in his will that the income from his bequest should be
"expended to adorn and embellish the streets and public places"
in the City. The amount was therefore re-appropriated by the
Board of Aldermen, in January, 1909, to be expended by the
Trustees of the Library for the contemplated improvement of
Lowell Square.
It is our intention to still further improve the grounds during
the coming year by shrubbery planting, and by re-grading and
repairing the walks.
EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
The Trustees appointed an Examining Committee of persons
not members of the Board, and joined with them the President
of the Board as Chairman, to examine the Library and make to
the Board a report of its condition, as required by the ordinance.
That Committee consisted of the following persons:
Mr. Jeffrey R. Brackett. Mrs. James Fay.
Mr. George W. Chadwick. Mr. James A. Gallivan,
Mr. Pio DeLuca. Mrs. Thomas F. Harrington.
Mrs. Wirt Dexter. Mrs. George A. Hibbard.
Mr. George C. Dickson. Mr. Samuel H. Hudson.
Mr. Nathan Haskell Dole. Mr. Stanton H. King.
Mr. Thomas M. Donnelly. Mr. Henry Lefavour.
[27]
Mrs. Alice M. MacDonald. Mr. George H. Sargent.
Mr. Francis P. Malgeri. Rev. Samuel Snelling.
Mrs. T. E. Masterson. Mr. Alexander Steinert.
Mr. Oliver W. Mink. Rev. James A. Supple, D.D.
Miss Alice F. Murray. Mr. Raymond Titus.
Mr. George P. Sanger. Mr. Charles H. Tyler.
Mr. George N. Whipple.
The growing public interest in the Library is indicated by the
fact that this year, for the first time, every person invited by the
Trustees to serve on the Examining Committee accepted and
served. The City is under obligations to these persons who have
taken time from their other engagements to give attention to the
performance of the duties of this important committee. The
report of the Committee is hereto annexed and included as part
of this report.
CONCLUSION.
The Trustees have held regular meetings each week during
the year except during the summer months, for the transaction of
the business of the Department, which is constantly increasing in
amount and in the detail required for its proper administration.
They feel that the Library service has been well administered
during the year, and that this is due to the industry, intelligence,
and loyalty with which the employees of the Library have per-
formed their respective duties. The Trustees are glad to be able
to bear testimony to the substantially uniform excellence of their
work.
JosiAH H. Benton.
Thomas F. Boyle.
William F. Kenney.
Samuel Carr.
Alexander Mann.
[28]
BALANCE SHEET. RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Central Library and Branches:
To expenditures for salaries —
General administration
Sunday and evening force
To expenditures for books —
From City appropriation .
Trust funds income
Carnegie gift, Galatea collection
Sullivan gift
To *general expenditures —
Newspapers, from Todd fund income
Periodicals
Furniture and fixtures
Gas
Electric lighting
Cleaning
Small supplies
Ice
Stationery
Rents
Fuel
Repairs
Freights and cartage
Transportation between Central and
Telephone ....
Postage and telegrams
Typewriting ....
Travelling expenses (including street
brary service)
Grounds
Lecture account (lantern slides and operator)
Miscellaneous expense ....
Branches
car tares
Printing Department:
To expenditures for salaries
To general expenditures —
Stock
Equipment
Electric light and power
Contract work
Rent
Freights and cartage
Insurance
Gas
Cleaning
Small supplies, ice, repairs, furniture and fixtures
Carried forward
$173,628.33
25,468.99
$21,361.07
9,340.76
29.65
48.30
$2,247.06
9,952.68
4,931.96
2,858.01
1,205.50
8,384.73
3,706.15
236.43
1,919.90
19,461.74
12,673.42
6,511.99
2,186.47
5,644.45
540.27
1,325.08
10.60
400.86
54.55
231.05
28.14
$7,028.60
1,854.14
60.00
327.10
538.45
573.01
430.00
220.53
262.33
22.90
298.22
$199,097.32
30,779.78
84,511.04
11,615.28
$326,003.42
[29]
EXPENSES, JANUARY 31, 1910.
By City Appropriation, 1909-10 .
Income from Trust funds
Interest credited on bank deposits
Pa)rment received for books lost .
Income from Center fund real estate
Carnegie gift for Galatea collection
Interest credited on Sullivem gift .
By Balances brought forward February 1, 1909:
Trust fund income on deposit in London
Accrued interest on bank deposits
Accrued income, Center fund real estate
Trust fund income balance, City Treasury
Carnegie gift for Galatea collection .
$349,455.00
19,546.10
226.20
314.72
765.42
100.00
90.42
$2,847.39
2,186.17
2,546.18
14,346.37
100.00
Cr.
$370,497.86
22,026.11
Carried lorreard
$392,523.97
[30]
BALANCE SHEET. RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Brought forrvard
Binding Department:
To expenditures for salaries
To general expenditures —
Slock ....
Electric light and power .
Contract work
Rent ....
Freights and cartage
Insurance
Gas ....
Cleaning
Small supplies, ice, repairs
To AMOUNT PAID INTO CiTY TREASURY:
From fines .......
Sales of catalogues, bulletins, eind lists .
Commissions for use of telephone
Sales of waste paper and other waste material
Money found in the Library
Accrued income Center fund real estate, to be funded
To Balances, January 31, 1910:
Trust funds income on deposit in London
City appropriation on deposit in London
Accrued interest on bank deposits
Trust fund income balance, City Treasury
Carnegie gift for Galatea collection
Sullivan gift, income ....
$25,851.00
3,702.58
81.30
26.80
1,006.33
430.00
195.75
71.93
22.90
397.02
$5,372.22
79.19
141.12
210.83
3.57
3,311.60
$5,351.01
3,689.56
2.230.47
19,910.18
200.00
42.12
$326,003.42
31,785.61
9,118.53
31,423.34
$398,330.90
[31]
EXPENSES, JANUARY 31, 1910.
Brought forward ....
Bj> Receipts:
From fines .......
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists .
Commissions for use of telephone
Sales of waste paper and other waste material
Money foimd in the Library
Cr.
$392,523.97
$5,372.22
79.19
141.12
210.83
3.57
5,806.93
$398330.90
REPORT OF THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
To the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston:
The Committee appointed by you in accordance with the City
Ordinance to examine the condition of the Pubhc Library met
for the purpose of organization on November 29, 1909, with
Mr. Josiah H. Benton, the representative of the Board of
Trustees, as Chairman ex officio. Miss Delia J. Deery of the
library staff was appointed Secretary, and the work of investiga-
tion and report was distributed among the following sub-commit-
tees :
ADMINISTRATION.
Mr. Raymond Titus, Chairman.
Mr. Samuel H. Hudson. Mr. Pio DeLuca.
Miss Alice F. Murray.
BOOKS.
Mr. Nathan Haskell Dole, Chairman.
Mr. Francis P. Malgeri. Mrs. George A. Hibbard.
Mr. Thomas H. Donnelly.
BRANCHES.
Mr. Henry Lefavour, Chairman.
Mr. George C. Dickson. Mrs. James Fay.
Rev. James A. Supple.
CATALOGUES.
Rev. Samuel Snelling, Chairman.
Mrs. T. E. Masterson. Mrs. Thomas F. Harrington.
Mr. George N. Whipple.
[33]
FINANCE.
Mr. Charles H. Tyler, Chairman.
Mr. Alexander Steinert. Mr. Oliver W. Mink.
Mr. James A. Gallivan.
PRINTING AND BINDING.
Mr. George P. Sanger, Chairman.
Mr. Stanton H. King. Mrs. Alice M. Macdonald.
FINE ARTS.
Mr. George W, Chadwick, Chairman.
Mrs. Wirt Dexter. Mr. Jeffrey R. Brackett.
Mr. George H. Sargent.
ON THE DRAFTING OF THE REPORT.
Mr. Nathan Haskell Dole, Chairman.
Mr. Raymond Titus. Mr. Samuel Snelling.
Mr. George P. Sanger. Mr. Henry Lefavour.
Mr. Charles H. Tyler. Mr. George W. Chadwick.
These sub-committees have held a number of meetings and
the general committee has held two meetings for the considera-
tion of the conclusions of the sub-committees, and has now the
honor of submitting the following report:
In general, the Committee has found the property of the Li-
brary to be well cared for, the officers and employees loyal to
their duties, cind the general plan of administering the various
interests of the institution well adapted to its purpose.
With reference to the financial needs of the Library, the
Committee would point again to the conclusions which were
reached in the report of last year concerning the constantly in-
creasing demands made upon the resources of the Library for
educational purposes, and reinforce the opinion then expressed
as to the reasonable expectations of the community that the bur-
dens resting upon the Library shall be cheerfully met by the
city authorities, so that the scope of its usefulness may be ex-
tended and enlarged. The Committee is gratified by the fact
[34]
that the suggestions of the Trustees for an increase in the appro-
priation on the part of the City were so generously met at a time
when, through the demands made upon the City's exchequer in
so many directions, the necessity existed for the exercise of the
most discriminating care in this and in other particulars.
The Committee has given further consideration to the inquiry
instituted by the Committee of last year as to the wisdom of es-
tablishing a fund from which contributions can be made for the
benefit of those connected with the Library when they become
aged or incapacitated, but the obligations which rest upon the
City, and are now the subject of such careful scrutiny, lead the
Committee to defer for the moment the making of any further
recommendations on that subject.
While more books have been purchased than in the preceding
year, the demand for new and timely books is far from being
satisfied. It is, of course, the duty of the Library to purchase
as many books of permanent value as it is possible to buy, not
only because the great collection must include all that it may
reasonably be expected to contain in order to answer the needs
of scholars, but also because certain Trust funds held by the
Library have been given for that purpose, still it is more imme-
diately the duty of the Library, which is mainly supported by
money raised by taxation, to meet the needs of the citizens in
the most convenient manner. To this end, books of present
interest should be as generously purchased as possible, and
placed not only in the Central Library but also in the branches,
where they may be accessible. We find that, after meeting the
necessary administrative expenses of the Library and providing
for periodicals, only six per cent of the city appropriation for
1909—10 remained available for books, and of these books only
one-half were placed in the branches. In order that the interest
of the people may be aroused, it is not sufficient to have a copy
of any book at the Central Library with merely the title regis-
tered at the branches, especially as the chance of obtaining the
book when sent for is very small, but the people need to see the
books themselves. The display of the new books in Bates Hall
and the larger branches shows the usefulness of this principle.
[35]
This may mean that a dozen copies of every such desirable book
must be purchased, even though their period of usefulness may
not extend over many years. It is only in this way, however,
that the Library will serve its most useful educational purpose.
Popular books rapidly deteriorate and should be repaired and
rebound at the earliest moment, preference being given at the
bindery to such books. There is a lack of books and newspapers
in foreign languages at those reading rooms which are situated
in the districts in which live the larger number of people who do
not read English, and whose lives it is highly desirable should be
helped by making accessible books that they can read.
TTie Committee believes that the selection of books for pur-
chase might be made more systematic, that the different fields of
literature might be more evenly balanced, and the desirableness
of certain books for popular educational purposes be more care-
fully scrutinized. TTiis is especially applicable in the case of
the small collections in the reading rooms.
The work of the binding and printing departments merits high
commendation. The temporary employment of a larger force
to bring the work forward to immediate needs would be a wise
expenditure, if the appropriation permits.
The relation of the library system to the schools is very close.
It is, indeed, an important part of the educational system of the
City, and the best thought of many of the staff is devoted to
making the libraries supplement the work of the class-room.
The circulation of pictures is of great service, and much skill has
been shown by branch custodians in increasing the collection at
insignificant expense. An inquiry has been directed to the school
authorities as to increasing the serviceableness of the library
system, and it is understood that a committee of teachers has been
appointed to consider the question.
While the Library Department aims to be of the highest use-
fulness, it is questionable if it should be called upon to furnish
study rooms for children in the districts where the conditions of
the homes are such as not to permit children to prepare their les-
sons in quiet and comfort. The Library should not lessen this
privilege until better provision is made elsewhere, but the Com-
[36]
mittee believes that the City may well ask that some rooms of
the school houses in these districts be made available after school
hours in the afternoons and in the early evenings for study pur-
poses. The expense would be small, it would mean a larger
utilization of city property which at those hours is now idle, and
it would relieve the congestion at some of the library stations and
give better opportunities for adult readers.
The work of the ordering and cataloguing departments is well
done, and the extent of cross references and abstracting of com-
plete titles of books seems to be wisely limited. The Committee
is inclined to question only the time required for placing a book
in circulation. It is not in a position to criticize the efficiency of
the system, but would suggest that if the time now taken could be
diminished, it would be a great satisfaction to the public, which
is apt to be impatient at the long interval between the publication
of a book and its availability in the circulation department.
The Committee observes with approval the revival of weekly
accession lists. It suggests a new edition of the catalogues of
standard fiction, and that this should contain likewise the books
in Yiddish. The problem of keeping the catalogue cards clean
is still unsolved. The Committee recommends a determined
search for some celluloiding process, or a varnish or shellac, to
be used in covering such cards as are most likely to become
soiled. A prize might be offered to technical schools or labora-
tories for the discovery of such a substance.
Some of the rooms leased by the City for reading rooms are
very unfit and inadequate. In particular, the reading room on
Broadway Extension is too small, is badly lighted, very noisy
and not well heated, and yet it is the most frequented of the small
stations. Criticisms of this station have been made for several
years, and it is the duty of the City to remedy the difficulty. If
it is impossible to rent a suitable room in the district, even at a
much larger rental, a building should be purchased. Tlie con-
gested population in this section of Wards 7 and 9 needs far
better treatment. The station on North Street is also in need of
improvement. As the present room must soon be vacated, it is
hoped that its successor will be more satisfactory.
[37]
Although Boston has the most beautiful municipal central
library building anywhere in use, its branch buildings are far
from being commendable. Though some of them are commo-
dious, and some are sufficiently well adapted to the needs of their
patrons, there is not a single building that would for a moment
compare with the numerous branch buildings of the smaller cities
of Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Pittsburgh. If all the buildings that
we now have were serving their purpose satisfactorily, it would
not be pertinent to criticize the City because of lack of finer
buildings. But in several instances the branches are entirely
inadequate, uninviting, and insufficiently protected from fire.
In some cases, they are situated in buildings owned by the City,
but constructed for other purposes, and in these the branches
have been placed, simply because the buildings offered some un-
used space. The burning of the municipal building in Jamaica
Plain is to lead to the construction of a small but adequate inde-
pendent branch library building. Without waiting for a fire, the
City should provide other such buildings in the districts where the
need is greatest. It would be a wise expenditure of money if
each year for the next five or ten years the City should appro-
priate from taxes or loans the sum of sixty thousand dollars and
build therewith a modern attractive building of which the people
in the district in which it is built would be proud. In the opinion
of the Committee, the need for such branch buildings is greatest
in East Boston, where a large work is being carried on in entirely
inadequate rooms ; in Charlestown, where a new and more acces-
sible location with an inviting building should replace the incon-
venience of the old municipal building; and in the North End,
where a large population of children is inadequately supplied
by the present reading rooms.
In conclusion, the Committee desires to emphasize the service
of the Library as a popular educational institution. It is a source
of satisfaction to have a large and valuable collection of books to
which scholars may resort, but it is far more necessary in a city
like this to have the resources of the Library made accessible to
the multitude, many of whom cannot afford the necessary car
fares to go to and from the central building. More than that,
the people need to learn that the Library is not merely a collec-
[38]
tion of books, but includes trained servants of the people, whose
aim is to make available to them the treasures of knowledge
which are in these books, and who are at their disposal for direct-
ing their study, and for aiding them in obtaining information in
any form whatever, so that the people in any district may look to
the nearest representative of the Library for any of these pur-
poses. The machinery of the whole library system should be
first applied to meeting these needs of the people, where the peo-
ple are. It will then be, as it is indeed the desire of the Trustees
that it should be, — a people's library, as necessary to them as
their schools and worthy of as generous support.
The foregoing was adopted as the report of the whole Com-
mittee at a meeting held January 21, 1910.
Della Jean Deery,
Secretary.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
To the Board of Trustees:
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending January
31. 1910.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
During the year many new bookcases and shelves have been
placed in the branch buildings and also in the special library gal-
leries at the central building. The entire work of construction
was performed by the direct employment of the necessary work-
men, under the supervision of the library carpenter, and the
material was prepared in our own shop. Under the supervision
of our painter, whose labor was reinforced by others temporarily
employed, the rooms occupied at the central library building by
the Ordering, Catalogue and Branch Departments were com-
pletely renovated, and also the Newspaper Room, the Sargent
hall, and the stacks. Minor repairs, as usual, have been made
at the central building in order to keep the structure and ma-
chinery in good condition. The boilers, motors, elevators, and
other appliances are in perfect order. During the year it has
been found possible to obtain the entire service needed for the
building by the use of two boilers only, leaving the third free for
emergencies. The boilers and the elevators are regularly sub-
jected to expert inspection.
The terrazo floor in the corridor leading from the entrance
hall to the Newspaper and Periodical Rooms at the central
building, which had become much worn, has been replaced by
marble tiling. The entire basement, except the quarters occu-
pied by the carpenter, has been cleaned and whitened.
[40]
Extensive repairs have been made upon the roof at the
Brighton Branch, and the Hghting has been improved by changes
in the gas piping and fixtures. At the Dorchester Branch, since
the extension of the building by the PubHc Buildings Depart-
ment, an office has been built for the Custodian. Repairs have
been made upon the roof at the South End Branch. At the
West End Branch a new wrought-iron fence, upon a brick and
stone base, has been substituted for the old broken cast-iron
fencing. At the Roslindale Reading Room the interior has
been repainted. Our landlords at the following reading rooms
have made the repairs specified: Mattapan, new heating appa-
ratus and granolithic sidewalk; Neponset, electric wiring and
fixtures (partly at our expense) ; Roxbury Crossing, gas fixtures
and radiators re-bronzed; Boylston Station, repainted; City
Point, repainted, and the wall of the adjacent building whitened,
improving the light; Mt. Bowdoin and Warren Street, various
minor repairs.
Signs calling attention to certain branches not centrally located
have been placed on the principal thoroughfares in the vicinity,
each with an arrow pointing towards the street upon which
the branch is located. The stations thus pointed out are the
Brighton, Dorchester, Roxbury, South End and Upham's Cor-
ner Branches, and the Parker Hill Reading Room.
THE USE OF BOOKS.
The number of volumes borrowed for use outside the library
buildings is recorded statistically, and is shown for the year
under consideration in the table on page 42. It is necessary to
repeat the statement made in previous reports, that these figures
furnish an inadequate measure of the use of the Library, and
that they are not to be compared with those which relate to cir-
culation in other libraries, unless it is clear that in every case the
record is kept in the same way. They are chiefly of value in
comparison with our own similar figures in other years. The cir-
culation is affected by various influences, some of which cannot
be easily traced. For example, the constant increase in the ref-
[41]
erence use of books within the reading rooms, promoted by closer
cooperation with the pubHc and parochial schools and other
institutions of learning, reduces, to a certain extent, the number
of volumes taken out for home use. Periods of fine weather,
offering opportunities for out-of-door recreation, diminish the use
of books for home reading. Whenever business is active and
full employment becomes general, less attention is given to
books, and the library circulation declines. These influences,
and others which are purely local and perhaps transitory, such
as changes in the character of the population of a particular dis-
trict, the removal of a library station from one location to another,
diminution in the supply of new books on account of a reduced
appropriation, — affect the recorded circulation, and should be
taken into account in drawing inferences from comparisons based
upon the figures, even between two successive years. A slight
decline appears in the circulation during the present year as com-
pared with that in 1 908-09. An increase appeared in 1 908—09
as compared with 1 907—08, and it is probable that the loss now
shown will be more than made up in the coming year. The re-
duced appropriation in 1 908 restricted purchases of books in that
year, and this has been felt in the reduced circulation of the year
just ended. Some of the other influences which have been men-
tioned have also been felt.
[42]
?
n
a 5 S 9
S < ui ir>
tna0OO00'^C3NO00rri'^f:;P<>:>0 —
3 n
. 00 • • .
• 1^
• CM • • .
• vO
'. '.'•'.
• C>)
s
u-i p<l in 00 (_<
vO — 00 «JJ O^
o o 00 "^ r^
C^J vO —
Q OO CA ■'I- t> ,,
-. .— . . - oq(N4'^cnf»>(si'^>AO^o^oqTr
t>. ^ oo f*^ ■^
z
o
CO
s
o
o
u
6
z
Q
<
S "
s
"rt o
^ J
'o
cu
J K S 2
- s
S < q3
o
■ w
S OQ ^ Di CQ 2
<CQQWu:d.-:,2cuDicoH^
•2
C o
O 2
N ?i
(V] CO — cn<vjr^cAo^o»no<io>>
t^ (NvO'^vOOOOO^OOO'^O
oo o\\oo^'^c>o^o^i~^ooqc<\
•«r Trmu-iaO'^oOCT>o^t^"^fo
8g
X <
u
CQ
O'^nOO^'^OO — {^CAU^O
ooco«nvoocqooq>Ar>.o^
r>r — * rC oo" en od rC o^ in tn
o 2
en r^ t>« en
en "^ 00 t^ c^i
m oo m •* (S
oo O o^ oo in
in m
o oq
vOfScnorC'^o^i^
cn'^'^aocnt-^oooo
Q
O <~i
-J r.
U
CO 00
.S
a: -^
CQ
? h 2 £1,
■S " O (S
J ^ CQ .y
o
-° •£ •£
CQ
Q W J2, K CO CO
-3 ^
e o t
D ^ ^
[43]
The figures reported by months by Mr. Frank C. Blaisdell,
Chief of the Issue Department, are presented in detail in the
following table:
CIRCULATION FROM CENTRAL BY MONTHS.
HOME USE
DIRECT.
HOME USE
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
SCHOOLS AND
INSTITUTIONS
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
TOTALS.
February, 1909 . . 30,032
7.645
7,371
45.048
March,
*
31,462
8.683
7,377
47,522
April,
*
27,006
6.436
7,382
40.824
May,
*
25.343
5.787
7.375
38,505
June,
*
18.635
4.689
6.424
29,748
July.
*
18.002
4.134
2,759
24,895
August.
*
17,916
3.730
2,420
24.066
September,
'
19.115
4,412
4,165
27.692
October,
*
26.074
6.500
6,777
39,351
November,
*
27.830
7.471
6,935
42,236
December,
25.568
7,935
6,917
40.420
January, 190'
?
30.584
7,949
7.032
45,565
Totals
297.567
75,371
72,934
445.872
The following summary condenses the figures for the entire
system :
Boo1(s lent for Home Use, including Circulalion through Schools and Institutions.
From Central Library (including Central Library books issued through the
branches and reading-room stations) ....... 445,872
From branches and reading-room stations (other than books received from
Central) 1.201,974
Total number of volumes lent for home use and through schools and
institutions 1,647,846
Comparative statements follow, showing the circulation of
books for use outside the library buildings in each of two suc-
ceeding years:
Central Library circulation
(excluding schools and Institutions) :
Direct home use ..... 308,178
Through branches and reading-room sta-
tions for home use .... 83,957
1908-09.
392,135
297,567
75.371
1909-10.
372,938
[44]
Carried forivard .... 392.135 372.938
Brought forward .... 392,135 372.938
Branch Department circulation
(excluding schools and institutions) :
Direct home use
From branch collections . . . 774,058 740,691
From reading-room stations . . . 388,834 383,765
1.162.892 1.124.456
Schools and institutions, circulation:
(including books from Central through
the branch system) .... 124,415 150,452
Totals 1.679.442 1,647,846
The net decline in circulation was 21 ,576 volumes, in a total
of 1 ,647,846. More than one-third of this loss, namely, 7,475
volumes, was found at the Jamaica Plain Branch, which, since
the fire at Curtis Hall in December, 1 908, has been operated in
restricted quarters with only part of its collection upon the shelves.
Notwithstanding the net decline, a few of the branches and
reading-room stations report an increase in their direct circulation.
These are: Charlestown, Dorchester and South End Branches;
Lower Mills, Roslindale, Warren Street, Orient Heights, City
Point, Roxbury Crossing and North Street Reading Rooms.
The increase at the last named two was slight.
The percentages of fiction and non-fiction in the books circu-
lated for home use were: Central Library (including books
sent through the branch system, fiction, 52.3 per cent; non-fiction,
47.7 per cent. Branches and reading-room stations, fiction, 69.8
per cent; non-fiction, 30.2 per cent. Or, reduced to single per-
centages for the entire library system, fiction, 65.3 ; non-fiction,
34.7 per cent. The term "fiction" is somewhat ambiguous unless
defined. It may include cheap and ephemeral novels without
literary merit or interest, as well as books which have become
classics. Of the volumes circulated by us, however, and in-
cluded in these statistical statements, about one-half are carefully
selected stories for young readers. The others comprise standard
fiction for adults, including the best books among recent publica-
tions in this department of literature, and the works of the well-
[45]
known writers, — Scott, Dickens, Thackeray, and the other
masters of English prose fiction.
Books have been sent on deposit from the Central Library
through the Branch Department to 137 different places, as com-
pared with 1 25 in 1 908-09. The number of volumes sent was
38,298 as compared with 33,256 in 1908-09, an increase of
15 per cent. The proportion of fiction, in the books sent on
deposit alone, is 48 per cent. Among the new places of deposit
are the Boston High School of Commerce, the Newsboys' Club,
and the State Prison in Charlestown.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
A statistical summary of the books acquired by purchase
appears in the following statement, covering two successive years.
It should be borne in mind that purchases were much below the
normal number in 1908-09 on account of the reduced appro-
priation in that year.
Bool^s acquired fcy purchase.
1908-09. 1909-1910.
For the Central Library:
From City appropriation .... 3,478 10,527
From Trust Funds income . . 3,868 2,671
7,346 13.198
For branches and reading-room stations:
From City appropriation .... 3,542 10,738
From Trust Funds income . . 1,604 1,270
By Fellowes Athenaeum (for the Rox-
bury Branch) 640 1,086
5.786 13,094
13,132 26,292
The details, showing whether the books added to the Library
during the year covered by the present report have been obtained
by purchase, gift or exchange, appear in the following statement :
CENTRAL, BRANCHES, TOTAL,
VOLUMES. VOLUMES. VOLUMES.
Accessions by purchase 13.023 11,558 24,581
Accessions by gift 8.348 624 8.972
Accessions by exchange 495 ^"5
[46]
Accessions by Statistical Department
Accessions of periodicals (bound) .
Accessions of newspapers (bound)
Accessions by Fellowes Athenaeum
463
463
2.488
450
2.938
175
175
1.119
1,119
24.992 13,751 38,743
The total number of accessions, 38,743 volumes, compares
with 22,93 1 volumes acquired in 1 908-09.
PURCHASES OF FICTION.
There have been purchased 1 ,236 copies of current prose fic-
tion, comprising 115 different titles, and costing $1,170.51.
The purchases of fiction to replace worn-out and discarded
copies number 10,382 volumes, costing $7,786.50. The sum
spent for new copies and replacements of fiction constitutes 25.3
per cent of the entire amount expended for all books. The cur-
rent fiction purchased, 1 1 5 different titles, represents a selection
from 785 different works which were carefully read and con-
sidered. It is perhaps well to repeat that, as stated in a previous
report, our purchases of current fiction include a fair representa-
tion of the best fiction, that which is likeliest to remain in constant
request, but they are mainly confined to works of the highest
merit as determined by a conservative method of selection. Our
supply of standard fiction is large and is constantly replaced as
the books are worn out. We are liberal in providing good fiction
for the young. But, unless our funds are enlarged, we cannot
much enlarge our purchases in this field without impairing the
growth of the Library in other important directions.
NOTEWORTHY ACCESSIONS.
TTie annual report prepared by Miss Hieodosia E. Macurdy,
Chief of the Ordering Department, contains details relating to
the important accessions, from which the following are extracted :
PURCHASES.
The following titles represent a selection from the important
purchases of the year bought with the income from the Trust
Funds.
[47]
Ackermann, Rudolph. History of the University of Cambridge, its col-
leges, halls, and public buildings. With numerous coloured plates,
consisting of views of the exteriors and interiors of the various Colleges
and Halls, including portraits of the founders, etc. London. 1815.
2 V.
Beilstein, Friedrich Conrad. Handbuch der organischen Chemie. 3d
revised edition. Hamburg. 4 v.
Bible. The English Bible, containing the Old Testament and the New,
collated with the early editions, etc., by F. H. Scrivener for the Syn-
dics of the Cambridge University Press. Hammersmith. Doves Press.
1903-1905. 5 V. Folio, limp vellum.
Bodleian Library. Irish manuscripts in the Bodleian Library. Vol. 1 .
With an introduction and indexes by Kuno Meyer. Oxford. 1909.
Brown, G. Baldwin. The Glasgow school of painters. With 54 repro-
ductions in photogravure by J. Craig Annan. Glasgow. 1908.
Boston Burying Grounds. (Records in manuscripts.) Twenty- four
volumes of records, epitaphs and tombs, of Copp's Hill, Granary,
King's Chapel, Central, Phipps Street, and North and South Dorches-
ter burying grounds.
— Seven collections of newspaper clippings relating to these burying
grounds.
— Twenty-seven plans of burying grounds.
— Three manuscripts.
Cladel, Judith. Auguste Rodin. L'oeuvre et I'homme. Preface par
Camille Lemonnier. Bruxelles. 1908.
Codices e Vaticanis selecti phototypice expressi. Le miniature della topo-
grafia Cristiana. Codice Vaticano greco 699. Milano. 1 908.
— Historiarum Romanarum libri 79-80 quae supersunt. Codex Vati-
canus graecus 1288. Lipsiae. 1908.
Durrieu, Paul. Le Boccace de Munich. Reproduction des 91 minia-
tures du celebre manuscrit de la Bibliotheque Royale de Munich.
Munich. 1909.
Fevret de Saint-Memin, Charles Balthasar Julien. The St. Memin col-
lection of portraits, consisting of seven hundred and sixty medallion
portraits, principally of distinguished Americans, photographed by J.
Gurney & Son, of New York, from proof impressions of the original
copper plates . . . Prefixed a memoir of M. de St. Memin. New
York. 1862.
Hsiang Yuan-P'ien. Chinese porcelain. Sixteenth-century coloured illus-
trations with Chinese MS. text. Translated and annotated by Stephen
W. Bushell. Oxford. 1908.
Hodder, James. Hodder's Arifhmetick : or, that necessary art made most
easy. Boston: Printed by J. Franklin, for S. Phillips. 1719.
Howgill, Francis. The Heart of New England Hardned through
148]
Wickednes: in Answer to a Book Entituled the Heart of New-Eng-
land Rent, Published by John Norton, appointed thereunto by the
General Court . . . London. Thomas Simmons. 1 659.
Jacobs Kampff- und-Ritter-Platz, allwo der nach seinem Ursprung sich
sehnende Geist der in Sophiam verliebten Seele mit Gott um den neuen
Gerungen und der Sieg davon getragen. Philadelphia. Gedruckt bey
B. F. [Benjamin Franklinl. 1736. [Ephrata Hymn-book.]
Leinsula, Franciscus. The Kingdom's divisions anatomized, together
with a vindication of the armies proceedings. London. 1 649.
Milton, John. Poetical works of John Milton. With life of the author
by William Hayley. Boydell edition. Illustrated with three por-
traits of Milton, and 29 stipple engravings by Schiavonetti, Ogborne,
Earlom, and other famous engravers. London. 1 794—97. 3 v.
Patent (A) for Plymouth in New-England. To which is annexed
extracts from the records of that colony. Boston. New-England.
Printed by John Draper. I 75 1 .
GIFTS.
Tlie following list includes tlie more notable books and collec-
tions of books received by gift :
Benton, Josiah H. Twenty-eight copies of the portrait of Abraham Lin-
coln, enlarged from a photograph by Brady, framed in dark oak,
32x38, for the branches and reading rooms, and one framed and two
un framed for the Central Library; also one hundred and thirty- four
volumes.
Bierstadt, Oscar A. One hundred and seventy-six historic and artistic
bookbindings, dating from the 15 th century to the present time, from
the originals in the library of Robert Hoe. Vol. 1 and 2.
— A catalogue of books printed in foreign languages before the year
1 600, comprising a portion of the library of Robert Hoe. Vol. 1 and
2. Limited editions.
Bixby, W. K., St. Louis. Inventory of the contents of Mount Vernon.
1810. With a prefatory note by Worthington Chauncey Ford.
Limited edition.
Black, Mrs. Emma L., New York City. A portrait in oil, life size, of
Dr. Jerome van Crowninshield Smith, Mayor of Boston. 1854.
Brown, Allen A. Two hundred and ninety-six volumes of music for the
Brown Collection. Also his Dramatic Collection, consisting of 3,500
volumes.
Bullard, Francis. Seven hundred and sixty-five volumes of miscellaneous
works and eighteen hundred and twenty-five numbers of periodicals.
From the periodicals forty volumes of Littell's Living Age were made
up for the library files. (Two gifts.)
[49]
Case, Mrs. James B. One hundred and twenty-six volumes, chiefly re-
ports, and eighteen numbers of periodicals.
The Catholics of Boston, Bronze bust of Archbishop J. J. WiUiams,
by Samuel J. Kitson. Also the pedestal.
Fay, Eugene F. One hundred and forty-six pamphlets, chiefly old al-
manacks, and a number of theatre programs.
Geist, Friederika L., widow of Christian E. Geist, M.D. Bronze bust
of Samuel Christian Friedrich Hahnemann, M.D.
Germany, Kaiserliches Patentamt. Patentschriften, 1 1 ,468 numbers.
Green, Dr. S. A. Five engravings from the Columbian and Massachu-
setts Magazines, 1 787-9 1 , two of which were lacking in the library
set of the Columbian Magazine.
Higginson, Thomas Wentworth. Twenty-four volumes for the Galatea
Collection.
Marrs, Mrs. Kingsmill, Saxonville, Mass. Two hundred and sixty-six
photographs of paintings in Italian galleries. For the Graupner Collec-
tion.
Minns, Miss Susan. Eighty-three volumes, including "Frauen Zeitung,"
1878-1908. "Ober Land und Meer." 2 v. "La Mode Illustree,"
1 887. Twelve folios of facsimiles of English, French and Italian
bindings of various styles, and thirty-eight volumes, chiefly modern novels
in French, German, Spanish and Italian.
Morgan, J. Pierpont, New York City. Collections Georges Hoentschel,
acquises par M. J. Pierpont Morgan, pretees au Metropolitan Museum
de New York. Tome 1-4.
New England Society in the City of New York. Bronze medal com-
memorative of the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the
Society.
Parker, Charles Henry, Children of. Marble bust of James Fenimore
Cooper, by Horatio Greenough.
Parloa, Miss Maria, Estate of. One hundred and fifty-three volumes,
books relating to cookery ; also $ 1 00 to bind such books in the collec-
tion as need rebinding. (The sum not paid over.)
Perkins, Mrs. Charles F., Jamaica Plain. Two hundred and thirty-one
volumes of music, including manuscript and a collection of unbound
sheet music.
Pickering, Mrs. Henry. One hundred and five mounted photographs,
miscellaneous collection.
Rowe, Dr. George H. M. Three hundred and twenty books and pam-
phlets, miscellaneous collection.
Thayer, Mrs. Bayard, Lancaster. Four hundred and sixty-three photo-
graphs of the architecture of Germany, issued by the German govern-
ment, and fifteen operas in score.
1908-09.
1909
-10.
PARTS.
VOLS. AND
PARTS.
TITLES.
15,784 11,332
6,928
11,822 10,534
21,892 11,423
22,939
6,830
11,139
14,400
13,555
Vd,iJ8
8,460
[50]
Walters, Henry, Baltimore, Md. Incunabula typographica. A de-
scriptive catalogue of the books printed in the 15 th century, 1460—
1500, in the library of Henry Walters.
THE CATALOGUE DEPARTMENT.
In this Department, during the year, 55,308 volumes and parts
of volumes have been catalogued, covering 32,133 different
titles. Mr. S. A. Chevalier, Chief of this Department, in his
annual report presents figures which permit the following com-
parative statement to be made:
Catalogued (new) :
Central Library Catalogue
Serials ....
Branches ....
Re-catalogued ....
Totals . . . . . 56,426 33,289 55.308 32,133
There were 160,560 cards added to the catalogues during
the year; of these 153,688 were added to the central library
catalogues, and 6,872 to the catalogues at the Branches. The
use of typewritten entries made in the department in connection
with new editions purchased, or gifts received, or transfers made
from the Branches, of works previously represented in the cen-
tral catalogues, has effected a saving in the number of printed
cards.
The soiled condition of cards in the public catalogue drawers
has required the reprinting of several thousand cards; and many
clean new labels have been introduced. The public fiction cata-
logue has been entirely re-arranged and supplied with new labels
on the outside of the drawers. A finding list of the books be-
queathed to the Library by Mrs. Louise Chandler Moulton has
been made and published, and the copy for the printed catalogue
of the John Adams Library, now placed within this Library,
3,019 volumes, is completed. The larger part of the books
received by gift from the bequest of Abram E. Cutter, and not
[51]
previously in the Library, have been catalogued. The printed
catalogue of the Allen A. Brown Music Library has been car-
ried through Part IV, completing the first volume; Part V is
wholly in type and Part VI is well advanced. The catalogue
of the Statistical Department, containing 104 drawers of cards
formerly in two alphabets, has been consolidated, re-arranged
and re-labelled.
SHELF DEPARTMENT.
The following condensed statement is derived from the statis-
tical tables prepared by Mr. W. G. T. Roffe, in charge of the
Shelf Department:
Placed on the central library shelves during the year: vols.
General collection, new books (including continuations) .... 16,870
Special collections, new books ........ 2,680
Books reported lost, or missing in previous years but now found, transfers
from branches, etc. .......... 495
20,045
Removed from the central library shelves during the year:
Books reported lost or missing, condemned copies not yet replaced, trans-
fers, etc 4,021
Net gain at Central Library ......... 16,024
Net gain at branches and reading-room stations ...... 4,474
Net gain, entire library system ......... 20,498
The total number of volumes available for public use in the
Library at the end of each year since the formation of the Library
is shown in the following statement :
1852-53 .
9,688
1864-65
123,016
1853-54
16.221
1865-66
130,678
1854-55
22,617
1866-67
136,080
1855-56
28,080
1867-68
144,092
1856-57
34,896
1868-69
152,796
1857-58
70,851
1869-70
160,573
1858-59
78,043
1870-71
179,250
1859-60
85,031
1871-72
192,958
1860-61
97,386
1872-73
209,456
1861-62
105,034
1873-74
260,550
1862-63
110,563
1874-75
276,918
1863-64
116,934
1875-76
297.873
[52]
1876-77
. 312,010
1893 .
597.152
1877-78
345,734
1894 .
610,375
1878-79
. 360,963
1895 .
628,297
1879-80
377,225
1896-97
663,763
1880-81
390,982
1897-98
698.888
1881-82
404,221
1898-99
716.050
1882-83
422,116
1899-00
746.383
1883-84
438,594
1900-01
781.377
1884-85
453,947
1901-02
812.264
1885 .
460,993
1902-03
835.904
1886 .
479,421
1903-04
848.884
1887 .
492.956
1904-05
871.050
1888 .
505,872
1905-06
878.933
1889 .
520,508
1906-07
903.349
1890 .
536,027
1907-08 .
922,348
1891 .
556,283
1908-09
941.024
1892 .
576.237
1909-10
'
961,522
These volumes are located as
follows :
Central Library , . . 752,182
RosIIndale (Station B) .
5,191
Brighton .... 17,633
Mattapan (Station D)
639
Charlestown .... 21,585
Neponsel (Station E)
544
Dorchester .... 18,946
Mt. Bowdoin (Station F)
. 2.891
East Boston .... 15,558
Allston (Station G)
727
Jamaica Plain ... 1 5,743
Codman Square (Station J^
> . 3.456
Roxbury Branch:
Mt. Pleasant (Station N)
628
Fellowes Athenaeum 26.751
Broadway Ext. (Station P)
. 2,782
Owned by City 9.241
Warren Street (Station R)
735
Total, Roxbury Branch . 35,992
Roxbury Crossing (Station
S) 896
South Boston .... 16,766
Boylston Station (Station T"
769
South End ... . 15,638
North Bennet St. (Station W) 544
Upham's Corner . . . 4,777
Orient Heights (Station Z)
1.167
West End .... 14,781
North Street (Station 22)
606
West Roxbury . . . 7,397
City Point (Station 23) .
1,575
Lower Mills
(Sic
ition
A)
631
Parker Hill
(Station 24)
743
PUBLICATIONS.
Under the editorial supervision of Mr. Lindsay Swift, the
following serial publications have been issued from the library
press :
1 . Quarterly Bulletin, four issues, March 3 1 , June 30, September 30,
and December 3 1 ; aggregate pages, 320 ; edition, 3,000 copies.
2. Weekly Book List, each week; aggregate pages, 318; edition, 2,500
copies.
Hie usual announcements of the free public lectures, pro-
grammes of exhibitions, the Lowell Institute courses, and the
[53]
Harvard-Lowell Collegiate courses have appeared in the Quar-
terly Bulletins. A list of the titles of the books comprising the
bequest to the Library from Louise Chandler Moulton appeared
in the Quarterly Bulletin for September 30, and an edition of
500 copies was published separately.
THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
The Printing Department has performed the usual miscel-
laneous printing required in the administration of the Library,
including the catalogue cards, call slips, stationery, blank forms;
etc., and has also printed the bulletins, weekly lists, and the num-
bers of the Allen A. Brown Music Catalogue which have been
issued during the year. Mr. Francis Watts Lee, Chief, has com-
piled the following table showing the miscellaneous work of the
Department, in two successive years:
1908-09. 1909-10.
Requisitions on hand, February 1 ..... . 13 3
Requisitions received during year ...... 207 241
Requisitions on hand, January 31 ..... . 3 17
Requisitions filled during year . . . . . . 217 224
Card Catalogue (Central) :
Titles (Printing Dept. count) 17,190 15,468
Cards finished (excluding extras) ..... 1 37,686 1 53,688
Titles in type, but not printed ...... 240 380
Guide cards printed 3,600 800
Card Catalogue (Branches):
Titles (Printing Dept. count) 424 264
Cards (approximately) 33,920 19,800
Pamphlets not counted by the Editor 63,650
Call slips 1,334,000 1,865,000
Stationery and blank forms 555,828 659,937
Signs 651 768
Blank books 56 58
THE BINDERY.
Mr. Frank Ryder, Chief of the Bindery, reports the following
for the year :
Number of volumes bound, various styles ....... 34,144
Volumes repaired i oxo
Volimies guarded .......•••• 1, 34V
[54]
Maps mounted 344
Photographs and engravings mounted ........ 3,514
Magazines stitched ........... 233
Library pubHcalions folded, stitched and trimmed 201,883
The miscellaneous work performed, not included in this state-
ment, includes the manufacture of periodical covers, the making
of paper boxes, the mounting of cards, the blocking of memo-
randum paper, etc. The bindery benches have been re-arranged
during the year and other changes made in order to accommodate
a temporary force upon the special binding and repair of books
other than those included in our current binding. Of this class
3,056 volumes have been completed. The entire plant is now
in excellent condition, and is equipped so as to execute each year
a large amount of work.
DOCUMENTS AND SUPPLIES.
From the Stock Department at the Central Library, in charge
of Mr. George V. Mooney, 168,286 copies of library publica-
tions have been distributed for public use during the year. Be-
sides these, 1 ,942,000 call slips have been required in the various
departments, and 371,308 miscellaneous forms.
REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT.
From the annual report of Mr. John J. Keenan, Chief of the
Registration Department, it appears that the number of cards in
the hands of borrowers, entitling them to take books from the
Library for home use, was 86,1 04, on January 31, 1910. The
increase for the year in the number of such cards was 632. The
department issued during the year 44,81 0 cards to replace others
which had been lost by the holders, or which had become soiled
or filled with entries, or which had been rendered invalid on
account of the holder's change of residence.
The number of available cards held by men and boys is
27,941, and by women and girls, 58,163. Of the whole num-
ber, 68,804 are held by persons over 16 years old, and 21,300
by persons under 16. The teachers' cards number 4,782;
[55]
pupils' cards, held by pupils in the public and parochial schools,
number 22,092; and those held by students in higher institutions
of learning number 19,814.
children's department.
The number of volumes lent for use at home to borrowers
directly applying in the Children's Room at the Central Library
increased during the year to 58,949, as compared with 57,551
reported in 1908—09. There were also 16,705 volumes sent to
borrowers through the Branch Department. This recorded use
of the Children's Department at the Central Library is, however,
but a partial indication of the work of the year. Pupils from the
schools frequent the rooms whenever the schools are not in ses-
sion, and there is noted a considerable use of the reading-room
opportunities during the forenoon by young men and boys who
are engaged in remunerative employment during the afternoon
or in the evening. An enlargement of the reserve collection is
thus referred to by the Custodian, Miss Alice M. Jordan, in her
annual report:
During the last year there has been formed in the Reference Room a
group of some of the best books for children, in attractive editions, for
reading-room use only. In the past we have frequently been unable to
supply to a child who wished to read in the Library, books like Kipling's
"Jungle Book" or Dodge's "Hans Brinker," because all the copies were
issued to borrowers. Now this defect has been overcome and the best
books, which are often popular also, are always at hand for hall use.
Even in the short time since these books have been so placed many children
have had great satisfaction in using them. We hope the collection will
prove of value to older people, who wish to examine good editions of such
books.
Copies of certain books especially reserved for the use of
teachers and students who are taking the Harvard-Lowell Col-
legiate courses have been placed upon the shelves of the refer-
ence room in this department and have been largely used. In
general, the department has received a larger supply of new
books than in previous years, comprising, principally, duplicates
[56]
of standard works which are in constant demand. As to the
work of the department with the schools the Custodian remarks :
Visits have been made by the Custodian to the schools whenever oppor-
tunity offered and classes received at the Library whenever they would
come. In 1909 about 900 pupils received the lessons on the use of the
Library, There have been four satisfactory meetings with the Parents'
Associations connected with schools in different parts of the City. At
these meetings a talk has been given on the value of good books and the
aid to be expected from the Library, information which is always received
with appreciation.
The experience of several years has demonstrated the value
of the kind of service rendered by this department of the Library,
through the direct contact with the pupils and their teachers by
means of the visits of classes referred to above. The schools
which have accepted this service have generally continued it.
The Library will at any time make arrangements with others
who have not yet sent classes here.
Two brief finding lists which have been prepared in the Chil-
dren's Department have been found very useful. These are:
"A Brief List of Books for Home Reading for Boys and Girls,"
issued late in 1908, in cooperation with the Boston Home and
School Association, and "Helps in the Public Library to the
Study of the History of Boston in the Public Schools." Copies
of the last named list were distributed through the schools, and
both lists have been in constant demand at the Library.
BATES HALL.
The reference use of the open-shelf collection in Bates Hall
continues to increase, and a large number of volumes are also
issued daily from the stacks to readers in the hall. Of the
character of this use of books within the Library, Mr. Oscar A.
Bierstadt, the Chief of the Reference Department remarks:
No other room can accommodate so many visitors, and yet in busy
seasons its capacity is sometimes taxed to the utmost. These readers do
not come here to read the news of the day, or to look through the latest
magazines, and comparatively few call for fiction, but they are mostly
[57]
inspired by a desire for serious study, with a thirst for learning. The
books used by them are generally of a high order, and the industrious
manner in which they take notes indicates a laudable effort to store up
knowledge for the future. The total number of volumes consulted would
be found very large, if an accurate account were kept of all the works taken
from the open shelves and of those called from the stacks. No attempt
is made to keep any such statistics. The maximum attendance of 298
readers at one time in Bates Hall was attained on the afternoon of May 9,
1909, and the attendance dropped to 84 on the afternoon of July 3,
1 909. During the year. Bates Hall readers have used 320,000 hall use
call slips and 680,000 home use slips, making a total of 1 ,000,000.
A further indication of the extent of the otherwise unrecorded
use of books in this principal reading room of the library system
appears in the following statement from the report of Mr. Pierce
E. Buckley, in charge of the Centre Desk :
On January 1 5 a record of hall use slips was kept. There were 1 ,052
slips presented at the desks in Bates Hall. Of this number there were
195 unsuccessful applications, and 1,053 books were sent up on 857
slips. There were 157 books charged on readers' cards. If bad weather
had not prevented, the attendance and the number of books asked for
would have been much larger.
For the past two months the assistants at the Centre Desk have made a
special search for every unsuccessful application. It is quite a task, but
many mistakes in the Indicator, Catalogue and Shelf Lists have been dis-
covered. As soon as a mistake has been found it has been rectified.
THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES.
The following details are condensed from the report of Mr.
Garrick M. Borden, Custodian, covering the work of the year:
THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT.
Photographs and Lantern Slides.
There have been added to the collection: 472 photographs,
442 half-tone reproductions; and a few lantern slides. The
collection now contains 19,774 photographs, 8,626 half-tone
and process pictures, 1,868 colored photographs, and 2,745
lantern slides. The collection of slides is increased slowly, since
[58]
they are bought only as needed in connection with our own lec-
ture courses.
The gift of 461 photographs, received from Mrs. Bayard
Thayer, is an important accession. These comprise large size
views of German architecture of all periods, including interiors
and exteriors. They have been properly mounted and will be
arranged alphabetically in portfolios.
Circulation of Books and Pictures.
There were issued for home use from the Fine Arts Collection
(included in the statement of total circulation, page 42), di-
rectly, 1 7,295 volumes ; and from the collection through other
departments 5,878. Besides these books issued from the special
Fine Arts collection, 1 1,41 7 books from the stacks were issued
from the Fine Arts desk.
BARTON-TICKNOR ROOM.
The following statistics show the recorded use of this room :
Barlon-Ticknor books issued 12,539
Maps issued 1,077
Books from other departments, issued for readers applying in this room . 10,739
These figures indicate an increased use as compared with the
preceding year.
ALLEN A. BROWN MUSIC ROOM.
To the collection in this room, 529 volumes have been added
during the year. Of these, 296 were presented by Mr. Brown.
The important additions include :
Early editions of chamber music by Handel, Corelli, Geminiani, Sam-
martini, and Avison; Book I of the first edition of Purcell's Orpheus
Britannicus; early English operas, namely, Bononcini's Camilla and
Graber's Albion and Albanius. Of the full scores of orchestral works
there are Loeffler's Pagan Poem, Mahler's Seventh Symphony, Grieg's
incidental music to Peer Gynt, and Ravel's Rapsodie espagnole. The
[59]
operatic full scores include: Franck's Hulda; Bruneau's L'attaque du
moulin; and d' Albert's Tragaldabas.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES.
The statistics gleaned from the annual reports of the special
libraries afford but slight indication of the importance of these
collections. The use of the books, photographs, and other ma-
terial contained in them, by individual students and by classes,
increases every year and requires the careful attention of trained
specalists in the staff. Many of the most important books are
restricted to reading-room use within the library building, and
the circulation of these volumes is not apparent in the recorded
statistics which cover only books taken from the building. The
photographs, which do not circulate out of the Library, are espe-
cially valuable in class and exhibition work, and are in constant
demand. The larger cabinet folios, and the more expensive
volumes relating to the arts of architecture, painting, and decora-
tion are extensively used, but the use is not recorded statistically.
Students from the art schools or sent by private instructors are
engaged in tracing, or are otherwise employed with drawing
materials, using the books which the Fine Arts Department con-
tains, without formality, tables being set apart for this purpose.
The entire Allen A. Brown Collection is reserved for hall use,
but, although not recorded statistically, this use is neither re-
stricted nor unimportant. The tables in the Barton Gallery are
reserved for persons engaged in authorship or in extended re-
search, and this quiet reading room is largely used by readers
whose books are not enumerated in the tables of circulation.
Visits of Classes.
The reservation of tables and the provision of library material
in the Fine Arts Reading Room has been required for 58 visits
of study clubs, attended by 877 members; and for 49 visits
of classes from schools or colleges, attended by 492 students.
There were also 59 classes under private direction, which were
accommodated in the same way, including 316 persons. The
[60]
conferences between the students who are taking the Harvard-
Lowell Collegiate Courses and their instructors, for which pro-
vision is made in the Fine Arts Reading Room, have required
about 2,200 individual visits.
Circulation of Pictures.
The following table exhibits not only the number of folios of
pictures issued during the year for use in the public and private
schools, and by classes out of the library building, but shows the
progressive increase in this branch of the service since 1 905 :
Portfolios of Pictures Issued feij Years.
Borrowers. 1909. 1908. 1907. 1906. 1905. 1904.
Public schools
Private schools
Clubs
Classes
Miscellaneous
Totals . . . 1,007 952 773 675 381 256
LECTURES AND EXHIBITIONS.
The free public lectures given in the Lecture Hall, and the
exhibitions given in the Fine Arts Exhibition Room, which, in
many cases, have reference to the subjects of the lectures, are
enumerated in the following lists :
Lectures.
1909, February 4. Some Masters of the Graphic Arts. By Emil H.
Richter. Under the auspices of the Museum of Fine Arts.
February 1 0. Abraham Lincoln. By William H. Lewis.
February 1 1 . Some Types of Roman Art. By Karl P. Harrington.
February 18. A Visit to Samos and the Coast of Asia Minor. By
Lacey D. Caskey.
February 25, The Future of the City. By Walter H, Kilham.
February 25, at 3 P.M. Greek Domestic Life, as illustrated by the
Collections of the Museum of Fine Arts. By L, Earle Rowe.
860
832
646
493
264
173
26
21
32
50
30
30
35
49
68
88
53
26
22
24
12
12
6
15
64
26
15
32
28
12
[61]
March 4. Imagination and Literalism in Illustration. By Charles H.
Caffin. Under the auspices of the Society of Printers.
March 1 1 . Some of the Treasures of the Museum of Fine Arts. By
Henry Warren Poor.
March 15, 3 P.M. Homes and Haunts of Ruskin. By Wm. C. Minifie.
Before the Ruskin Club.
March 1 6. German Art. By Edmund Von Mach.
March 1 8. Glimpses of Ireland's Bright Side. By Daniel J. Dwyer.
March 25. The Madonna in Art. By H. H. Powers.
May 6. The Paintings of SoroUa. By W. E. B. Starkweather. Re-
peated May 1 0.
May 1 4. On Trees. By John G. Jack. For the benefit of pupils from
the public schools.
October 21. The New Museum of Fine Arts. By Arthur Fairbanks.
October 28. The Nature and Scope of Art. By F. Melbourne Greene.
November 4. Types of Composition and Drawing. By M. Melbourne
Greene.
November 1 1 . Style (in art) . By F. Melbourne Greene.
November 15. Rembrandt's Etchings. By F. Melbourne Greene.
November 1 8. Books and Book Lovers. By Harry Lyman Koopman.
Under the auspices of the Society of Printers.
December 2. Portugal. By John C. Bowker.
December 6. Hawaii. By Mary E. Haskell. Under the auspices of
the Field and Forest Club.
December 9. Picturesque Sicily. By Minna Eliot Tenney.
December 30. Through North Africa, including the Buried Roman
City of Timgad. By George B. Dexter.
1910. January 6. Algiers, Tunis, Biskra. By George B. Dexter.
January 10. Alaska. By Charles A. Stone. Under the auspices of
the Field and Forest Club.
January 13. A Summer in Norway. By Minna Eliot Tenney. Re-
peated January 1 7.
January 20. Spanish Cities and Spanish Artists. By Martha A. S.
Shannon. Repeated January 24.
January 27. Italy. By Henry J. Kilbourn.
Exhibitions, Central Library.
1909. February 1. Lincolniana.
March 1 . The New Museum of Fine Arts.
March 1 . German Art. In connection with the exhibition of German
Art of the Copley Society.
March 1 7. Ireland.
March 22. Madonna in Art.
March 22. Bibles.
[62]
April 8. Photogravures of the work of Van Meer of Delft and Fabritius.
May 3. Modern Spanish Painting. In connection with the exhibition
of the works of Sorolla of the Copley Society.
May 15. Work of Abbey at the Pennsylvania State Capitol (Copley
Prints).
June. Chromolithographs by Prang of the Walters Collection of Chi-
nese Porcelain and Japanese Porcelain. (Mr. Prang died June 15,
1909.)
July 20. Chaucer Exhibition, books and pictures. In connection with
the pageant at Gloucester, August 4.
July 23, O. W. Holmes Centenary Exhibit.
August 2. Recent acquisitions of photographs (mainly Mansell photo-
graphs of paintings in Great Britain) .
August 5. Tennysoniana, portraits and books.
September 25. Photographs of German Architecture. Four hundred
and fifty photographs presented by Mrs. Bayard Thayer.
September 25. Dictionaries and Pictures of Samuel Johnson.
September 25. Pictures and books in connection with the Hudson-
Fulton Celebration in New York.
October 1 . Books and pictures in connection with the inauguration of
President Lowell at Harvard College.
October 4. Second installment of photographs of German Architecture.
November 1 . Views of Old Boston. In connection with the Boston
1915 Exhibition.
December 1 . Portugal photographs.
December 1 . Airships and Flying Machines pictures.
December 7. New Medici prints.
December 1 3. Sicily photographs.
December 27. Pictures of Northern Africa.
December 28. Colored etchings and pencil drawings by Lester G.
Hornby.
1910. January 10. Pictures of Norway.
January 20. Pictures of Spain.
January 27. Pictures of Italy.
DEPARTMENT OF DOCUMENTS AND STATISTICS.
This Department is in charge of Mr. James L. Whitney.
From the records it appears that the number of volumes placed
upon the shelves during the year which ended January 15, 1910,
was 695. Twenty-one volumes have been eliminated. The net
gain is, therefore, 674 volumes. The entire collection now num-
bers 16,160 volumes, exclusive of the documents in the second
[63]
gallery and on the Special Libraries floor. The gifts through the
American Statistical Association comprise 512 volumes and
1 ,876 numbers or parts.
The work of cataloguing the Chamberlain manuscripts in de-
tail has progressed faster than in former years. During the past
twelve months Mr. Whitney has personally completed a de-
scriptive schedule list covering 3,843 manuscripts and 1,780
autograph signatures. In passing from the literary part of the
Chamberlain collection to the historical and political, these
manuscripts have increased in interest and significance.
BRANCHES AND STATIONS.
EXPENSE OF OPERATION.
The total expense of operation of the branch system, charge-
able against the city appropriation, including the 1 1 principal
branches and the 1 7 reading-room stations, or minor branches,
was $107,287.41 for the year.
Mr. Langdon L. Ward, Supervisor, thus reports upon certain
parts of the work :
THE SCHOOLS AND THE BRANCHES.
The number of volumes sent on deposit to the schools from the Central
Library and the branches is 22,263, as against 19,638 in the year 1908—
09, and 19,555 in 1907-08, a very gratifying increase. The number
of schools supplied has increased and also the number of teachers. The
latter number is 577. Of these teachers 406 were supplied by branches,
as against 367 in the preceding year.
The number of volumes lent out for use at schools at any one time from
a large branch often exceeds 1 ,000, and these may be in the hands of
nearly fifty teachers.
The requests for school deposits came in earlier and in greater number
this year than ever before. At the Central Library there were approxi-
mately seventy requests between September 8 and September 30, and
2,204 volumes were sent in response.
A few talks to classes have been given by custodians this year, the
places being the Dorchester and Upham's Corner Branches and the Cod-
man Square Reading Room.
[641
The Director of vacation schools was informed last summer of the
willingness of the Library to send books to his schools, and some play-
grounds were supplied. A conference was held in September with the
Supervisor of parochial schools, for the purpose of extending the work
with these schools.
The number of pictures lent from the branch collections, chiefly to
schools and reading rooms, is 1 7,772, as against 1 1 ,097 in 1908—09, an
increase of sixty per cent. At one branch, during the month of October,
7 1 3 pictures were asked for and sent to schools. Through one reading
room 663 branch and central pictures were sent to teachers. The branch
collections of pictures have grown steadily. The custodians are allowed
a small sum yearly for buying them, but most of them are cut from periodi-
cals and mounted at the branches. Several reading rooms also are build-
ing up small collections. The lists of pictures in the branch collections,
which were printed about a year ago, have proved most useful. One
custodian says: "We lent 3,045 branch pictures, the requests covering
a variety of subjects, largely folk life and nature topics, but including also
such variety as Arctic Regions, Old Boston, 'Sunlight and TwiHght,'
Occupations, Industries, Races of the World, Forms of Water, Land and
Shore Forms, etc."
REFERENCE AND DEPOSIT WORK.
Though we have few figures to show the attendance of readers at the
branches and reading rooms, the Custodians' rep>orts indicate that it has
been large, and that a slight loss in circulation has not meant a decline in
the activities of the branches.
The branches and the two largest reading rooms sent out on deposit
this year 19,322 volumes, as against 16,629 volumes in the year 1908—
09 (11 1/2 months), and 16,352 volumes in 1907-08. The number
of places to v/hich the deposits were sent was 1 34. This part of the
activities of the branches depends greatly upon the enterprise and judg-
ment of the custodians, and is increasingly satisfactory.
The collections of reference books at the branches and reading rooms,
but particularly at the latter, have had substantial additions this year, and
the use of these books continues to increase.
One custodian says: "The reference books are used constantly by
pupils from the schools. All sorts of questions are brought to the cus-
todian to settle, from the area of the delta of the Nile to the family name
of King Edward. Where there was a constant demand for a certain book
it was held at the desk for the use of the school. In this way two books
relating to the Hudson and Fulton celebration, ten on gardening, three on
industries, two on Thanksgiving, one on Christmas, and one on physics
were ready for use at any time."
[65]
Another says: "Our material gain has been in helpfulness. We have
not only given out books, but we have been able to give the particular
books that people desired. We have catered to specific needs,"
The number of volumes of new books placed upon the shelves at the
branches is 3,146, as against 3,653 in the year preceding. The replace-
ments, however, number 4,384 volumes, as against 2,148 in 1908—09
(II 1/2 months) . The additions to the permanent collections of the
reading room stations number only 2,846 volumes, as against 5,259
volumes in 1908—09. Of the volumes added, however, many were
expensive reference books, such as the New International Encyclopaedia,
the Century Dictionary, and Nicolay and Hay's Life of Lincoln.
The importance of the branches in the library system increases
each year. Through them the use of the books in the Central
Library, as well as of those in the individual branches, is largely
extended. At the Upham's Corner Branch an additional room
has been provided for the especial use of children. The pro-
posed new branch building for the Jamaica Plain Branch is
under contract, and will probably be ready for occupancy during
the coming year. This work is not under the control of the
Library Department, but is in charge of the Commissioner of
Public Buildings. The new building will provide for the sepa-
ration of the adult and juvenile readers, and will present such
other desirable features as are required in modern branch library
buildings. All the books will be upon open shelves, and the
basement will contain a small lecture hall, for the use of study
classes, an occasional story hour for the children, or for other
library uses. It is extremely important that, as soon as possible,
similar facilities shall be provided for the effective operation of
every branch in the system.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PATENTS.
During the year 391 volumes have been added to the Patent
collection. The total number in this department is now 1 0,968.
The recorded number of persons who have consulted the files is
8,538, a gain of 1.744 as compared with the previous year.
They have used 70.807 volumes, as compared with 66,454, the
number of volumes consulted in 1 908—09.
[66]
THE PERIODICAL ROOM, CENTRAL LIBRARY.
The number of periodicals now regularly placed upon the
periodical reading tables is 1 ,477, exclusive of government and
state publications or library bulletins.
The usual record of attendance is appended, showing the
number of readers in the Periodical Room, at specified hours,
aggregated for the year, in each of two successive years :
Hours. 10 12 2 4 6 8 10
a.m. m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.
1909-10 . . . 9,632 13,430 19,027 24,932 20,119 23,099 7,949
1908-09 . . . 8,844 13,239 15,421 22.861 17,585 21,135 4,164
The number of bound volumes from the files consulted during
the year, in the daytime (week days only), was 28,559; and in
the evening or on Sundays 8,008. In each case the figures show
a considerable increase as compared with the preceding year.
Besides these, 23,507 unbound back numbers of periodicals were
issued to readers at the tables during week days, and 15,540 in
the evening or on Sunday.
THE NEWSPAPER ROOM, CENTRAL LIBRARY.
The Newspaper Reading Room is generally filled with read-
ers. The maximum attendance for the year was 1 92, at 5 P.M.,
January 28.
Mr. Pierce E. Buckley, in charge of the Department, thus
reports upon certain accessions to the files of old newspapers
during the year:
A large number of 1 8th century American newspapers were added to
the files, filling many breaks. They were: Pennsylvania Chronicle,
1768—9, 72 nos. ; Pennsylvania Journal, 1752—83, 13 nos. ; Pennsyl-
vania Ledger, 1778, 1 no.; Boston News Letter, 1761, 30 nos.; Boston
Gazette, 1 761 , 62, 68, 80, 22 nos. ; Boston Evening Post, 1 760, 2 nos. ;
Newport Mercury, 1 761 , 30 nos. ; Independent Gazetteer, 1 724—1 786,
144 nos.; Independent Ledger, 1781, 1 no.; N. H. Gazette, 1774-83,
2 nos.
There were also added some interesting English papers: St. James
Chronicle, 1764-1780, 13 nos.; Lloyds Evening Post, 1769, 1 no.;
[671
Morning Post, 1782, 1 no.; Public Advertiser, 1791, 7 no.; British
Press, 1812, 2 nos.
These papers were purchased because of their historic interest to Bos-
ton. The St. James Chronicle for December 6, 1 764, gives an account
of a meeting of the House of Representatives regarding the condition of
affairs in New England. In the issue for October 8, 1 765, of this paper
are accounts of the Stamp Act Riots and the burning of the Governor's
property. In the issue for November 1 6, 1 780, there is an account of the
capture and hanging of Major Andre. The Morning Post for Decem-
ber 12, 1782, has a notice of "Articles being signed between England
and the United States."
In all, 265 volumes of newspapers were added to the files.
There are now 7,243 bound volumes in the collection, many of
them of great value in reference work relating to the progress
and development of the City, or in historic research. The files
were consulted by 7,231 persons during the year, who used
1 7, 1 5 1 bound volumes.
A tablet in memory of William C. Todd, who gave to the
City the sum of $50,000, of which the income is devoted to the
purchase of newspapers for the Library, has been placed upon
the wall of the Newspaper Reading Room. This tablet was
designed by Mr. Frank Chouteau Brown, and the expense was
met by Mr. Edmund K. Turner, the executor of Mr. Todd's
estate.
SUNDAY AND EVENING SERVICE.
The Sunday service has been extended during the year by
opening the Central Library at 12 o'clock noon, instead of at
2 o'clock in the afternoon, and a similar extension of Sunday
hours has been made at the West End, South Boston and South
End Branches. The usual diminution of evening service during
the summer was this year delayed until June 1 5, instead of taking
effect June 1 ; and ceased September 1 5 instead of September
30, as formerly. The evening service, both week days and Sun-
days, has thus been extended during a period of four weeks in
the summer, beyond that provided in the preceding years. The
average number of books lent upon Sundays and holidays for
[68]
use at home was 725 ; the largest number on any single day being
1,101. The largest attendance on any single Sunday in the
Bates Hall Reading Room was 293, at 5 P.M., on the ninth of
May. For the purpose of determining approximately the num-
ber of visitors at the Central building on an ordinary Sunday, a
count was made of the number of persons who entered and left
the building on Sunday, January 1 6.
Hours.
In.
Out. Hours.
In.
Out
12-1
406
178 5_6
734
931
1-2
382
180 6-7
527
767
2-3
675
367 7-8
336
650
3-4
997
689 8-9 . .
242
475
4-5
. 1,048
846 9-10 .
37
301
Totals .
. 5.384
5,384
EXAMINATIONS.
Examinations for the library service were given as follows :
June 19, 1909, Grade E (65 applicants, 24 passed) ; Sep-
tember 10, Grade E (7 applicants, 3 passed); and December
18, Grade E (89 applicants, 56 passed).
CHIEFS OF DEPARTMENTS AND CUSTODIANS OF BRANCHES
AND STATIONS.
As at present organized, the various departments of the Li-
brary and the Branches and Reading-room Stations are in charge
of the following persons:
Samuel A. Chevalier, Chief of Catalogue and Shelf Department.
Theodosia E. Macurdy, Chief of Ordering Department.
Oscar A. Bierstadt, Custodian of Bates Hall Reference Department.
Pierce E. Buckley, Custodian of Bates Hall Centre Desk, Patent and
Newspaper Departments.
Garrick M. Borden, Custodian of the Special Libraries.
Frank C. Blaisdell, Chief of Issue Department.
Langdon L. Ward, Supervisor of Branches and Stations.
Alice M. Jordan, Chief of Children's Department.
John J. Keenan, Chief of Registration Department.
James L. Whitney, Chief of Statistical Department.
[69]
Francis W. Lee, Chief of Printing Department.
Frank Ryder, Chief of Bindery Department.
Henry Niederauer, Chief of Engineer and Janitor Department.
Louise Prouty, Custodian of Brighton Branch.
Ehzabeth F. Cartee, Custodian of Charlestown Branch.
Elizabeth T. Reed, Custodian of Dorchester Branch.
Ellen O. Walkley, Custodian of East Boston Branch.
Mary P. Swain, Custodian of Jamaica Plain Branch.
Helen M. Bell, Custodian of Roxbury Branch.
Alice M. Robinson, Custodian of South Boston Branch.
Margaret A. Sheridan, Custodian of South End Branch.
Mary L. Brick, Custodian of Upham's Corner Branch.
Eliza R. Davis, Custodian of West End Branch.
M. Addie Hill, Custodian of Station A, Lower Mills Reading Room,
Grace L. Murray, Custodian of Station B, Roslindale Reading Room.
Emma D. Capewell, Custodian of Station D, Mattapan Reading Room.
Mary M. Sullivan, Custodian of Station E, Neponset Reading Room.
Elizabeth G. Fairbrother, Custodian of Station F, Mt. Bowdoin Reading
Room.
Katherine F. Muldoon, Custodian of Station G, Allston Reading Room.
Gertrude M. Harkins, Custodian of Station J, Codman Square Reading
Room.
Margaret H. Reid, Custodian of Station N, Mt. Pleasant Reading Room.
Cora L. Stewart, Custodian of Station P, Broadway Extension Reading
Room.
Mary L. Kelly, Custodian of Station R, Warren Street Reading Room.
Laura N. Cross, Custodian of Station S, Roxbury Crossing Reading
Room.
Elizabeth P. Ross, Custodian of Station T, Boylston Station Reading
Room.
Florence Bethune, Custodian of Station Z, Orient Heights Reading Room.
Iside Boggiano, Custodian of Station 22, North Street Reading Room.
Josephine E. Kenney, Custodian of Station 23, City Point Reading Room.
Mary F. Kelley, Custodian of Station 24, Parker Hill Reading Room.
I desire to record my acknowledgment of the faithful service
of the foregoing, of the employees generally, and especially that
of Mr. Otto Fleischner, Assistant Librarian, whose loyal coope-
ration in the work of administration has been of great assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
Horace G. Wadlin,
Librarian.
INDEX.
Accessions. (See Books.)
John Adams Library, copy for printed
catalogue completed, 50.
Additions. {See Books.)
Appropriation. (5ee Finance.)
Attendance. Bates Hall, 57, 68;
Newspaper Room, 66, 67; Patent
Room, 65; Periodical Room, 66;
Special libraries, 59.
Average cost of books, 3.
Balance sheet, 28-31.
Barton-Ticknor Room, 58.
Bates Hall, 56, 57.
Benton, Josiah H., reappointed Trustee
for five years, 1 ; elected President, I .
Bindery Department, employees, 5;
work of, 35, 53.
Binding and repair of books, 4.
Board of Trustees, organization, I .
Books, accessions, 3, 45-51, 58; aver-
age cost, 3; binding and repair, 4;
for children, 55; circulation, 3, 13, 14,
4CH45, 55; comparisons at branches,
15; expenditures, 3, 34; fiction, 44,
46; more new titles needed, 34; needs
of foreign population, 35; music col-
lection, 58; newspapers and periodi-
cals, 21, 66; Patent Room, 65; pro-
portion of city money spent for, 34;
reference use, 4, 56, 57; reserved for
special use, 55, 59; sent to schools,
etc., 8, 35, 55, 63. 64; Statistical
Department, 62; typewritten lists for
schools, 16; total volumes, 51.
Borrowers. (5ee Card holders.)
Branches and reading-room stations,
63, 68; children's room at Upham's
Corner, 65; circulation, 13, 44, 55;
classification by groups, 1 7 ; custo-
dians, 68; development and compari-
son of work, 14, 16; cost of system,
63 ; service cost, 1 7 ; detailed state-
ment, 9; improvements needed, 36;
need of better buildings, 18; new
building for Jamaica Plain Branch,
65; separate buildings, 20; reference
and deposit work, 8, 45, 63, 64; re-
pairs and improvements, 25, 39, 40;
Sunday service, 7, 67; talks at, 16;
total volumes, 52; typewritten lists of
books for school work, 16; work with
schools, 8, 35, 55, 63, 64.
Boyle, Thomas F., elected Vice Presi-
dent, 1.
Brown, Allen A., gift of Dramatic
collection, 23; Music collection, addi-
tions, 58; work on music catalogue,
51.
Card holders, number, 54.
Catalogue Department, 36, 50.
Center bequest, sale of real estate, 22.
Chiefs of Departments, 68.
Children's Department, 55.
Circulation, 3, 9, 13, 40-45, 57;
Children's Department, 55; deposit
collection, 65; pictures, 58_60; Sun-
days, 67-68; with schools, 63.
Classes and clubs, provision for, 56,
59.
Comparisons, branch system, 9, 14.
Cutter, Abram E., library catalogued,
Deposits, 8, 45, 63.
Documents, department of, 62.
Employees, Mutual Benefit Associa-
tion, 6; service well administered, 27;
salaries and wages, 5.
Examining Committee, 26; report, 32.
Examinations, 68.
Exhibitions, 61, 62.
Expense. (See Finance.)
Fiction, circulation, 44; purchases, 46.
Finance, Balance Sheet, 28-31 (ta-
bles) ; Center bequest, sale of real
estate, 22; city appropriations neces-
sary, 2 ; for nine years, 23 ; cost of
branch system, 16, 63; maintenance
and work, 22; proportion of city
money for books, 34; receipts and
expenditures, I, 28_3I ; service cost
of branches, 17; Trust funds income,
23.
[71]
Fine Arts Department, 57.
Fleischner, Otto, assistance of, 69.
Foreign population, more books and
newspapers for, 35.
Gifts, 23. 48.
Harvard-Lowell Collegiate courses,
books reserved, 52, 55, 60.
Hours of service, 7; extended on Sun-
days, 67.
Improvements and repairs, 39.
Institutions, deposits sent to, 8, 45, 63.
Inter-library loans, 21.
Issue Department, 43.
Lantern slides, 57.
Lectures, 22, 52, 60, 61 .
Librarian's report, 39.
Library, as an educational institution,
37; service, pension fund, 5, 34; cost
of branches, 17, 63; salaries and
wages, 4, 5 ; hours, 7, 67 ; Sunday and
evening service, 7, 67 ; service well
administered, 27.
Manuscripts, 63.
Moulton, Louise Chandler, Library,
finding list, 50, 53.
Mutual Benefit Association, 6.
Newspapers, 21, 66.
Ordering Department, 36, 46.
Patent Department, 65.
Pension fund, 5, 34.
Periodicals, 21, 66.
Phillips Street Fund, used for im-
provements at West End Branch, 26.
Photographs and other pictures, 16,
35, 57, 58, 60.
Pictures. (See Photographs.)
Printing Department, 5, 35, 53.
Publications, 50, 52, 53, 56; number
distributed, 54.
Reading-room stations. (See Branches.)
Reference work, 4; Bates Hall, 56;
Children's Room, 55; Patent Room,
65; branches, 64.
Registration Department, 54.
Repairs and improvements, 26, 39.
Salaries and wages, 4.
Schools, work with, 8, 35, 55, 63, 64.
Shelf Department, 51.
Special Libraries Department, 57, 59.
Statistical Department, 62.
Stock Department, 54.
Sunday and evening service, 7; exten-
sion of, 67.
Todd, William C, memorial tablet, 67.
Whitney, James L3Tnan, completes
forty years of service. Resolution
adopted by Trustees, 25.
Working hours, 7, 67.
The Public Library of the City of Boston: Printing Department.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 9999 06314 650 8
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11