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SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
1912-1913
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1913
<^j (
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ON FEBRUARY 1. 1913.
JOSIAH H. BENTON. President
Term expires April 30, 1914.
SAMUEL CARR. WILLIAM F. KENNEY.
Term expires April 30, 1913. Term expires April 30, 1916.
ALEXANDER MANN. JOHN A. BRETT.
Term expires April 30, 1915. Term expires April 30, 1917.
LIBRARIAN.
HORACE G. WADLIN.
ORGANIZATION OF THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT.
The Trustees of the Public 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 councilmcm 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 chamged to include one alderman, one
councilmcin, and five citizens at large, as before 1867; and in
1885, 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, 1879-95.
Appleton, Thomas Gold, 1852-56.
Benton, Josiah Henry, ll.d., 1 894-.
BiGELow, Hon. John Prescott, 1 852-68.
BowDiTCH, Henry Ingersoll, m.d., 1865-67.
BowDiTCH, Henry Pickering, m.d., 1894-1902.
Boyle, Thomas Francis, 1902-1912.
Braman, Jarvis Dwight, 1 869-72.
Brett, John A., 1912-
Carr, Samuel. 1895-96, 1908-.
Chase, George Bigelow, 1876-85.
Clarke, James Freeman, d.d., 1878-1888.
Curtis, Daniel Sargent, 1873-75.
DeNormandie, James, d.d., 1895-1908.
Dwight, Thomas, m.d., 1899-1908.
Everett, Hon. Edward, 1 852-64.
Frothingham, Richard, ll.d., 1875-79.
Green, Samuel Abbott, m.d., 1868-78.
Greenough, William Whitwell, 1856-88.
Haynes, Prof. Henry Williamson, 1 880-94.
HiLLARD, Hon. George Stillman, 1872-75; 76-77.
Kenney, William Francis, a.m., 1908-.
Lewis. Weston, 1 868-79.
Lewis, Winslow, m.d., 1867.
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., 1 868-77.
Richards, William Reuben, 1889-95.
Shurtleff, Hon. Nathaniel Bradstreet, 1852-68.
Thomas, Benjamin Franklin, ll.d., 1877-78.
TicKNOR, George, ll.d., 1852-66.
Walker, Francis Amasa, ll.d., 1896.
Whipple, Edwin Percy, 1 867-70.
Whitmore, William Henry, 1 885-88.
WiNsoR, Justin, ll.d., 1867-68.
The Hon. Edward Everett was President of the Board
from 1852 to 1864; George Ticknor, in 1865; 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, 1893; 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, 1908.
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, 1 858-January 9, 1 868.
WiNSOR, Justin, ll.d.. Superintendent, February 25, 1 868-Septem-
ber30, 1877.
Green, Samuel A., m.d., Trustee, Acting Librarian, October 1,
1877-September 30, 1878.
Chamberlain, Mellen, ll.d.. Librarian, October 1, 1878-Septem-
ber 30. 1890.
DwiGHT, Theodore F., Librarian, April 13, 1892-April 30, 1894.
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, 1913.
Departments. Opened.
Central Library. Copley Sq. Established May 2, 1854 Mar. 1 1, 1895
JEast Boston Branch, Austin School Biding, Paris Street Jan. 28, 1871
§South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway May 1. 1872
IIRoxbury Branch, 46 Millmont St July, 1873
^Charlestown Branch, City Sq *Jan., 1 874
tBrighton Branch. Academy Hill Rd *Jan., 1874
^Dorchester Branch, Arcadia, cor. Adams St Jan. 25. 1 874
§South End Branch, 397 Shawmut Ave Aug.. 1877
tJamaica Plain Branch. Sedgwick, cor. South St Sept., 1877
JWest Roxbury Branch, Centre, near Mt. Vernon St *Jan. 6, 1880
t West End Branch, Cambridge, cor. Lynde St Feb. 1 . 1 896
JUpham's Corner Branch, Columbia Rd., cor. Bird St Mar. 16, 1896
tHyde Park Branch, Harvard Ave., cor. Winthrop St *Jan. 1,1912
tNorth End Branch, 3a North Bennel Street
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, 6 Harvard Ave Mar. 1 1 , 1889
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 Ejctension 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, 1 1 54 Tremont St ... . Jan. 1 8, 1 897
T. Boylston Station Reading Room, The Lamartine, De-
pot Sq Nov. 1. 1897
" Z. Orient Heighu Reading Room, 1030 Bennington St June 25, 1901
" 23. City Point Reading Room, 61 5 Broadway July 1 8, 1 906
" 24. Parker Hill Reading Room, 1518 Tremont St July 15, 1907
*A8 a branch. tin building owned by City, and exclusively devoted to library uses. Jin City building,
in part devoted to other municipal uses. §Occupies rented rooms. llThe lessee of the Fellowes Athe-
naeum, a private library association.
CONTENTS.
Report of the Trustees
Balance Sheet ....
Report of the Examining Committee
Report of the Librarian
Index to the Annual Report 1912-1913
1
22
26
36
73
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Central Library Building ...... Frontispiece
Map of the Library System . . . . . At the end
New North End Branch Library .... Facing page 6
Adult's Reading Room, New North End Branch Library . . 22
Children's Reading Room, New North End Branch Library . . 38
Hyde Park Branch Library . . . . . . .54
Showing Extension to Juvenile Room.
To His Honor John F. Fitzgerald,
Mayor of the City of Boston:
Sir, — The Board of Trustees of the Public Library of the
City of Boston present the following report of its condition and
affairs for the year ending January 31, 1913, being their sixty-
first annual report.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
The Board organized on May 3, 1912, by the election of
Josiah H. Benton as President, William F. Kenney, Vice Presi-
dent, and Delia Jean Deery, Clerk.
Thomas F. Boyle resigned on April 1, and John A. Brett
was appointed for the term expiring April 30, 1917; and quali-
fied April 12.
Mr. Boyle was a Trustee for ten years. Resolutions in ap-
proval of his long and valuable service, and extending to him
the freedom of the alcoves have been placed upon our permanent
records.
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 $367,165.00
Income from Trust funds 17,034.89
Unexpended balance of Trust fund income of previous years 18,923.54
Total $403,123.43
[21
Second, receipts which are accounted for and paid into the
City treasury for general municipal purposes. These consist of
receipts from fines for the detention of books, from sales of find-
ing lists, bulletins, cind catalogues; from commissions paid for
the use of telephone facilities; from sales of waste; from pay-
ments for lost books; and from money found in the Library.
These receipts, during the year, have been as follows :
From fines . $5,993.58
From sales of catalogues, etc. ........ 136.73
From telephone commissions ......... 256.31
From sales of waste .......... 262.37
From payments for lost books ........ 353.72
From money found in the Library . . . . . . . 11.15
Total $7,013.86
The $353.72 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 and expenditures of the Library
Department in detail is hereinafter contained.
CITY APPROPRIATION.
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.
During the past ten years the estimates of the Trustees, the
recommendations by the Mayor, and the amounts appropriated
by the City Council have been as follows :
AMOUNTS AMOUNTS
RECOMMENDED APPROPRIATED
BY MAYOR. BY CITY COUNCIL.
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
1910 351.978.00 351,978.00 351,978.00
1911 359,497.00 355,200.00 355,200.00
1912 374.665.00 367,165.00 367.165.00
ESTIMATES
OF TRUSTEES.
[3]
As we have pointed out in previous reports, the sum required
for the proper administration of the Library, taking into account
the increase in the population of the city, and the enlarged de-
mands made upon the library system, will require a progressive
increase in appropriations. Without such an increase, the Li-
brary will fail to be efficiently worked and improved to its full
capacity for the education of our people, and its usefulness will
surely decrease. Hie Library cannot simply mark time. It must
either march forward, or fall behind in its work. The appropria-
tion last year was fully required for the efficient administration
and maintenance of the library system.
HOURS OF SERVICE.
The 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. TTie 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 15 until September 15
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, 4,680 hours,
during each twelve months.
The Sunday service as now arranged includes the Central Li-
brary 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 Sun-
day 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 Branch
[41
from twelve o'clock to nine o'clock. At the other branches,
and at the eight largest reading rooms (namely, Allston, Cod-
man Square, Broadway Extension, Warren Street, Roxbury
Crossing, Boylston Station, City Point, Parker Hill), from two
o'clock to nine 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
507 each; at the South End Branch, 234 hours; at the other
branches, 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.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
During the year, 35,538 volumes have been added to the
Library collection. Of these, 24,724 were purchased, 7,835
were given to the Library, and the remainder were received by
exchange, binding of periodicals into volumes, etc. There were
purchased for the Central Library 12,064 volumes, and 12,660
for the branch libraries and reading-room stations.
The total amount expended for books, including $7,133.18
for periodicals, $2,000.00 for newspapers, and $1,022.19 for
photographs, was $50,264.51, or about 13.6 per cent of the
entire expense of the Library for all purposes.
The average cost of all books purchased was $1.50 per vol-
ume. Of the books purchased, 20,087 were bought from money
appropriated by the City, at an average cost of $ 1 . 1 8 a volume,
and 4,637 were bought with the income of Trust funds, at an
average cost of $3.27 a volume.
BOOK CIRCULATION AND USE OF THE LIBRARY.
There were issued during the year for direct home use
264,507 volumes at the Central Library, and from the Central
Library through the branches and reading-room stations 77,325
others, while the branches and reading-room stations also issued
[5]
1 ,2 1 1 ,3 1 0 volumes for direct home use. There were also issued
from the Central Library, branches and reading-room stations,
for use at schools and institutions, 191,736 volumes, making the
entire issue for use outside the library buildings 1,744,878
volumes.
The use of the Library for general reference and study is un-
restricted. It is therefore impracticable to record this use statis-
tically. Its extent, however, is shown by the fact that about half
a million call slips for the table use of books in Bates Hall in the
Central Library alone are required during the year. The daily
use of books and other library material in the Central Library
and in the branches is doubtless many times greater than the home
use of books dravm out upon cards.
BINDING AND REPAIR OF BOOKS.
During the year 42,492 volumes have been bound in the
Bindery. Besides this, a large amount of miscellaneous work
has been completed, such as the folding, stitching and trimming
of 154,451 library publications, the mounting of maps and
photographs, the repairing of books, the making of covers for
periodicals, etc. The expense of performing this necessary mis-
cellaneous work is equivalent to about 1 7 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.
LIBRARY COOPERATION WITH SCHOOLS, ETC.
The Trustees continue to cooperate with the educationzJ work
of the schools, and, during the past year, the Library has sup-
plied the public with books through 28 branches and reading
rooms, and has placed deposits at 131 public and parochial
schools, 61 engine houses and 31 other institutions, and sends 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 42,587, of which 1 1 , 432 were sent to schools. There were
[6]
also sent from the branches themselves and from two of the larg-
est reading rooms 25,654 volumes on deposit, distributed among
153 places. Of these, 20,056 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.
NORTH END BRANCH.
TTie new North End Branch Building has been completed
and will be opened to the public as soon as removal from the
quarters heretofore occupied can be effected.
The building formerly upon the site, the Church of St.
John Baptist has been remodeled and enlarged, and the
changes have been carried out so that the building as completed
is practically a new structure, in every way adapted to the re-
quirements of a branch library. The basement contains a fuel
room, boiler room, a lunch room for employees, and a large store
room. A separate entrance to the basement is provided for the
use of the janitor and the reception of freight.
Hie principal entrance to the building opens directly from
North Bennet Street. The first story contains an adult reading
room in front with reading tables for forty readers, and a lecture
or class room in the rear, equipped with two hundred and eighty
folding chairs. In the second story there is a children's reading
and delivery room equipped with circular tables for seventy
readers, and a children's reference reading room with similar
tables for fifty readers. Ample toilet conveniences are provided
on each floor. An open-air reading room, to be covered with an
awning, is provided on the roof for use during the summer time,
directly accessible from the main stair hall.
The entire building is of first class construction, the stairs of
iron and marble, the stair hall floors of terrazzo, the reading room
floors of cork tiling, and the finish of quartered oak. The book
cases are arranged on the walls of the rooms so as to permit open
access to the books. A book lift runs up through the building
NEW NORTH END BRANCH LIBRARY.
[7]
from basement to roof reading room, and for use upon each floor
of the building. In every respect the building is arranged
and fitted, for the operation of a first class branch in this con-
gested district of the City. Especial attention has been given to
the lighting of the different reading rooms, a matter of some dif-
ficulty upon a site closely surrounded by other buildings. The
result, however, is entirely satisfactory. All the furnishings are
of oak, finished in harmony with the finish of the building.
The appropriation for building, site and furnishings was $86,-
000 and the expenditures to date are as follows :
Sile (including building theron) . . ." . . . . $38,000.00
Payments on contract .......... 33,224.62
Architects' commission, on account ....... 3,616.93
Furniture and fixtures ......... 2,265.50
Advertising proposals ......... 3.90
Total $77,110.95
TTie amount remaining unexpended, $8,889.05, is required to
complete the final payments on the contract, the remainder of
the commission to the architects, and for furniture and fittings
not yet paid for. The appropriation is sufficient to cover all these
expenditures.
CHARLESTOWN BRANCH BUILDING.
In our last report we stated that a site had been selected for
this building, and approved by Your Honor. This site was
located on the corner of Monument Avenue and Monument
Square, and it Jiad upon it a residence of brick and stone, the
materials of which, so far as suitable were to be used in the pro-
posed new building. Since our last report, the appropriation for
this building, including site and furnishings, which was at the be-
ginning of the present year $60,000, has been enlarged by the
transfer from the Reserve Fund, made by the City Council in ac-
cordance with and after the written recommendation of Your
Honor, of the sum of $12,200, thus making the aggregate appro-
priation, $72,200. On the 12th of April the Trustees selected
Fox & Gale as Architects, who proceeded with the plans for the
[8]
Contract
Option
Option
Option
Sum
No. 1 .»
No. 2.t
No. 3.$
$75,500
$400
$ 800
$100
74,490
600
2,365
715
64,000
530
2.360
745
63.596
525
2.394
624
63,584
955
2.394
840
60,069
600
2,365
933
59,529
571
2.365
724
58,360
380
2,000
610
56,640
384
2,365
835
53,412
340
2,365
630
52.216
460
2.394
654
new building, and after public advertisement proposals were
opened for the work of construction as follows :
Name of
Bidder
Inter State Engineering
& Contracting Co.
Gilbert Bros.
Connor Bros. Co.
L. D. Willcutt & Sons Co.
J. Slotnik .
Richard Gibson .
A. Varnerin Co.
William Crane
Arthur C. Whitney
J. E. Localelii Co.
McGahey & O'Connor
* Add, if external walls are made 16 inches thick from second floor to roof.
t Deduct if inlet fan, motor, air-washer, and galvanized iron work are omitted.
$ Deduct if ash-hoist and masonry work for same are omitted.
The proposal of the lowest bidders, Messrs, McGahey &
O'Connor was accepted, after the deduction of $2,394 covered
by items in option No. 2 in the proposal, and the addition of
$460 covered by option No. 1 , making the net accepted contract
sum $50,282. Subsequently, the use of natural instead of arti-
ficial stone in the exterior trimming of the building was provided
for, the adjusted contract amount becoming $50,268.00.
The work has proceeded with the intention of completing the
building, ready for occupancy, early in the fall of 1913. When
completed the structure will be in every way adapted to the needs
of this important branch, and in planning and construction a
model branch building. The expenditures to date have been as
follows :
Cost of site ....
Brokerage ....
Perliminary excavation
Payments on contract .
Architects' commission, on account
Advertising profkosals .
Total
$15,000.00
150.00
20.16
10.132.00
1,810.15
3.30
$27,115.61
The unexpended balance of the appropriation, $45,084.39 is
sufficient to meet the authorized remaining contract expendi-
tures and the expense of furniture and fittings.
[9]
ENLARGEMENT OF HYDE PARK BRANCH.
When the Hyde Park Public Library became part of our
system, the Treasurer of that town transmitted to the City Treas-
urer the sum of $4,891.53 which had been accumulated by the
Trustees of that Library, from gifts and donations, and set apart
as a building fund for the purpose of enlarging the Juvenile
Room, which was too small to accommodate the increasing use
of the library. During the present year, the work has been car-
ried out under our direction.
Messrs. Clark & Russell, Architects, who designed the build-
ing originally, were instructed to prepare plans for the enlarge-
ment, and bids were received from contractors for the execution
of the work exclusive of changes required in the heating appa-
ratus, as follows:
John F. Griffin Company $3,949
Coveny Building Company ......... 4,200
Holmes Building Company 4,484
Christopher F. Brown 4,775
A. Vamerin Company 7,835
The proposal of the lowest bidder, the John F. Griffin Com-
pany, was accepted, and the work has been completed by the
contractor. Slight changes were required in the heating appa-
ratus in the building on account of the enlargement, and subse-
quently these changes were provided for and completed by a
contract with Maurice E. Chase, the lowest bidder, for the sum
of $325. The enlarged room is now ready for occupancy, and
affords accommodation for thirty readers in addition to the
number for which chairs were previously provided. The finish
conforms, both upon the interior and exterior to the original
structure. The expenditures to date have been as follows:
Pa)rmenls on building contract ........ $3,409.00
Enlargement of heating apparatus ........ 325.00
Architects' commission .......... 325.00
Advertising proposals . . . . . . . . . . 3.40
The unexpended balance, which with accumulations of interest
amounts to $81 1.55, will be required to meet the final payment
on contract, and for fittings.
[10]
CITY POINT AND BROADWAY EXTENSION READING ROOMS.
Accommodations for these reading rooms is to be provided in
the new municipal buildings now under contract, to be completed
during the year 1913. This work is not in direct charge of this
Board. The requirements of the Trustees have been in each
case amply met by the Public Buildings Department, particularly
in the matter of providing independent entrances to the library
apartments, so as to permit the operation of the reading rooms en-
tirely apart from the other functions of the buildings.
PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
The landlords from whom we held under lease the premises on
Stanhope Street, occupied by the Bindery and Printing Depart-
ments of the Library, notified us in April that these premises
would thereafter be required for their own use. We were there-
fore obliged to seek other quarters and were fortunate in finding
at 1 72 Columbus Avenue a suitable flat not too far removed from
the Central Library. Hie new premises were taken under lease,
and were arranged to meet the requirements of both departments,
which were removed thereto in May.
SUBWAY STATION ON BOYLSTON STREET.
In April the Trustees received from the Boston Transit Com-
mission a communication, accompanied by a drawing, relating to
the location of a subway station opening on Boylston Street in
space adjoining the Central Library building, and requesting the
approval of the Board or any suggestion concerning the same.
After consideration of the subject the Board voted to approve the
sketch submitted with the suggestion that no exterior signs be
placed upon the structure without the approval thereof by the
Trustees.
In view of the fact that work upon the Boylston Street Sub-
way was soon to go forward, the Trustees thought it advisable
to have the grade levels around the Central Library building
taken by an engineer, in order that the conditions existing might
ill]
be made a matter of record before excavation was begun. Under
the direction of the Board this work was completed by J. R.
Worcester & Company, Engineers, who have filed with the
Board the data requested. The original levels were taken ten
years ago by the same engineers. A slight settlement of the
building has taken place since that time, reflecting conditions not
unusual on the Back Bay, and without affecting the stability of
the structure. The engineers report that the greatest settlement
is upon the westerly side of the building, amounting at the south-
west and north-west corners to 31/2 inches and 4 inches respec-
tively, whereas at the front of the building the settlement appears
to have been only about 2 inches.
COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACT WITH BELA L. PRATT.
The work under the contract with Bela L. Pratt, sculptor, for
statuary groups flanking the principal entrance of the Library
Building on Copley Square was completed during the summer
and the groups placed in position. The final payment on ac-
count of the full contract sum of $30,000 has been made.
The amount remaining of the appropriation for the construc-
tion and decoration of this building, $2,558,559.00, is now $24,-
640.44, of which $10,000 must be reserved to meet the final
payments when the contract with Mr. Sargent for mural paint-
ings is completed, including architects' commission and incidental
expenses. This will leave unexpended $14,640.44. This ac-
count may therefore be closed and the $14,640.44 carried to
the sinking fund.
GIFT OF A MEMORIAL TO DANTE.
The Boston Branch of the Societa Nazionale Dante Alighieri,
by its President, Dr. Brindisi, under date of October 10, 191 1,
sent to the Trustees the following communication :
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library, Boston,
Mass.
Gentlemen:
Our association, one of the many branches of the "Dante Alighieri"
Society of Rome, aims to the spreading of the study of Italian language
[12]
and literature especially among the young people of Italian extraction in
order to promote the development of their racial virtues for the general
w^elfare of the community.
Knowing that a branch of the Pubhc Library is to be built in the North
End, and wishing to express to the City our deep appreciation for this act,
the Society has resolved to offer a piece of sculpture, which may be an
ornament to the building and an inspiration to the young folks who will
frequent the Library.
The sculpture, of which the enclosed photograph and the ones I handed
to your President will give you an idea, has been made by a distinguished
Italian artist, Mr. Luciano Campise, No. 47 Wareham Street, who has
given free his actual labor; while the Society itself is prepared to meet all
the expenses necessary to the completion and placing of the monument either
inside or outside the Library, according to the wishes of the Board.
It is a symbohcal representation of Italian art and literature feeding the
Italian sentiment under the inspiration of Dante the great Father of Itahan
language. The name of Dante is very close to the Italian hearts. His
effigy in the new building, which will be dedicated mainly to the education
of Italo-American citizens, will be a constant reminder of the glory
achieved by one of their race and an incitement to a life of uplifting aspira-
tions. It will also help to create an atmosphere of homelikeness in the
building, by which the new-comer will be attracted and encouraged.
I am ready to answer to any call from you and to give you all the ex-
planations you may need.
Trusting that our proposition will meet your 'approval and that in con-
sequence the gift will be accepted by the City, I remain
Very respectfully yours
(Signed) R. Brindisi,
President.
The proffered gift was accepted by the Board, subject to its
approval by the Art Commission of the City, and a suitable posi-
tion has been reserved for it in the new North End Branch build-
ing.
BEQUEST OF SARAH A. MATCHETT.
Under the will of Sarah A. Matchett of Brookline, who died
October 6, 1910, the Library has received the sum of $25,000
which has, by vote of the Board, been funded by the City
Treasurer in accordance with the conditions established by the
testator in the following clause of her will :
tl3]
I give and bequeath to the Trustees of the Public Library of the City
of Boston, Twenty-five thousand dollars, to be called in memory of my
mother, Elizabeth L. Bennett, the "EHzabeth Fund," to be received, held
and securely invested and only the net income therefrom expended every
year in the purchase of such books of permanent value and authority as
may be most useful in said Library.
The following biographical note, relating to Mrs. Matchett,
has been supplied by her executor, L. H. H. Johnson, Esq. :
Sarah Amanda Matchett vs^as born in the Brighton District of Boston
March 27, 1 833, being the daughter of Stephen H. and Elizabeth (Liver-
more) Bennett. She married William F. Matchett, well known as the
Treasurer of the Boston and Roxbury Mill Corporation, and other organ-
izations, and survived him some ten years, dying herself October 6, 1910.
They had no children, and the fact that Mr. Matchett was cared for
during the last few years of his life at Waverley, his breakdown from over-
work having finally affected him mentally will account for his wife's in-
terest in the McLean Hospital and the large bequest made to it in her will.
For many years she had a pew at the First Church, Boston, retaining it
even after moving to Brookline, where she built a house in 1906 which
probably explains another large bequest, but no reason is known by the
surviving members of her family for her special interest in Harvard Col-
lege.
Mrs. Matchett received property both from her father and mother, but
being like them careful by nature and possessed of much shrewd common
sense she more than trebled what she had received, and that in spite of
many gifts, charitable and philanthropic, during her lifetime.
ELIZABETH FARLEY CARTEE.
The Library has lost from its service during the year a person
whose term of service together with that of her father, is so unique
that the Trustees deem it proper to make mention thereof. Eliza-
beth Farley Cartee was the daughter of Cornelius S. Cartee who
was Hbrarian of the Charlestown Public Library from Septem-
ber 1 870 until by the union of Charlestown with Boston that Li-
brary became a branch of the Boston Public Library. He con-
tinued in service as custodian of that branch until his death,
December 24, 1885, having served twenty-five years and three
months. His daughter was appointed as his successor. She en-
tered the service as custodian, February 1 , 1 886, remaining until
her death December 27, 1912, a period of twenty-six years, ten
months and twenty-six days. The united term of service of her-
[14]
self and father was fifty-two years one month and twenty-six
days. Miss Cartee was a person of literary tastes and ability and
very much respected by the people of Charlestown. We take
this occasion to express our appreciation of the long and valued
service of herself and her father.
TRUST FUNDS.
The Trust Funds, that is, property given to the Trustees in
trust for the uses of the Library, are by law required to be in-
vested by the City Treasurer under the direction of the Finance
Committee of the City.
A detailed statement of these funds and the income therefrom
is contained in the report of the City Auditor, but a condensed
statement of the amounts of the funds is as follows :
Arte Fund $ 10.000.00
Bales Fund 50,000.00
Bigelow Fund 1.000.00
Robert Charles Billings Fund 100,000.00
Bowditch Fund 10,000.00
Bradlee Fund 1,000.00
Joseph H. Center Fund 39.543.14
Henry Sargent Codman Memorial Fund ...... 2,854.41
Cutter Fund 4,000.00
"Elizabeth Fund" under Matchett will 25,000.00
Daniel Sharp Ford Fund 6,000.00
Franklin Club Fund 1,000.00
Green Fund 2,000.00
Charlotte Harris Fund 10,000.00
Thomas B. Harris Fund 1,000.00
Abbott Lawrence Fund 10,000.00
Edward Lawrence Fund . . . . . . . . . 500 00
Mrs. John A. Lewis Fund 5,000.00
Charles Greely Loring Memorial Fund ...... 500.00
Charles Mead Fund 2,500.00
John Boyle O'Reilly Fund 1,000.00
Phillips Fund 30,000.00
Pierce Fund 5,000.00
Schofield Fund 61,800.00
South Boston Branch Library Trust Fund 1 00.00
Ticknor Fund 4,000.00
William C. Todd Newspaper Fund 50,000.00
Townsend Fund 4,000.00
Treadwell Fund 13,987.69
Nathan A. Tufts Fund 10,131.77
Twentieth Regiment Fund Memorial Fund 5,000.00
Total $466,917.01
[15]
These funds, except small uninvested balances amounting to
$167.01 held on deposit, are all invested in bonds of the City of
Boston at the following rates : $253, 450 at 4 per cent; $202,800
at 3|/2 per cent; and $10,500 at 3 per cent; the average rate
being 3.76 per cent, and the annual income $1 7,551. This in-
come can be used only for the specific purposes of the several
trusts under which it is held, which vary widely.
Besides the Trust funds above enumerated there is annually
paid to the Trustees of the Library under the will of Mr. James
Lyman Whitney, formerly librarian, a portion of the income of a
Trust fund established by the testator to be held and accumulated
by us for certain specific purposes. The first $5,000 thus ac-
cumulated is to be funded in the name of Mr. Whitney's sister,
Alice Lincoln Whitney, and the income of this fund or so much
of the income as may be required, is to be paid to such employees
of the Library who are sick and in need of help, as the Trustees
may, in their discretion, deem most worthy. Any excess of in-
come from the fund not needed for the purpose mentioned is to be
used for the purchase of books and manuscripts. The Trustees
have received during the year from Mr. Whitney's Trustees
$1 ,825.98, and this amount is held by the City Treasurer for ac-
cumulation under the terms of the will. The Trustees have also
received from Mr. Whitney's Trustees, the sum of $1,614.79
which under another provision of Mr. Whitney's will is to be ex-
pended under our discretion on bibliographical work for the bene-
fit of the Library. This sum is not funded but is held by the City
Treasurer in a separate account, entitled "The Jcimes L. Whit-
ney Bibliographical Account," pending arrangements for its ex-
penditure.
The Treasurer also holds $832.55, unexpended balance of
the Patrick F. Sullivan bequest of $5,000.00, to be used for the
purchase of standard Catholic books, under the terms of Mr.
Sullivan's will.
USE OF THE LIBRARY FOR RESEARCH.
We note with interest the increasing use of the Library by per-
sons who seek its help for purposes of real research. We think
this work of the Library is not fully understood by our citizens.
[16]
The following classification of books called for and used in Bates
Hall reading room during three days of this year tells the story :
Classification No. of volumes used.
Bibliography ......... 74
History, General ........ 205
American ........ 1,075
English 620
French 293
Italian 59
German ........ 138
Greek and Latin classics ....... 108
Theology .......... 219
Social Science . . ....... 305
Political Econocy . . . . i . . . 132
Jurisprudence ......... 171
Natural Science ........ 237
Mathematics ......... 154
Useful and mechanic arts ....... 243
Fine arts and music ........ 35
Foreign languages, unclassified ...... 134
English literature, unclassified ...... 19
Periodicals, unclassified ....... 24
Transactions of societies ....... 22
Encyclopaedias ......... 118
Fiction 74
Total 4.432
These figures are instructive and suggestive.
It is to be observed in connection w^ith this list that it represents
only books called for and brought to the readers by attendants,
and does not include the very large number of books taken by the
readers directly from the open-shelf collection of 1 0,000 volumes,
placed in Bates Hall for use in real research and study. In ad-
dition to these there are the collections in the Fine Arts Depart-
ment, the Barton-Ticknor room and the Patent room. All books
in these departments are for study and research.
The statistics in the annual reports of the special libraries give
but slight indication of the importance of these collections to stu-
dents. Many of the most important books are restricted to use
within the library building and the circulation of these volumes is
not apparent. The photographs, which do not circulate out of
the Library, are especially 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, paint-
ing and decoration are extensively used, but their use is not re-
[17]
corded statistically. Students from the art schools, or sent by
private instructors, are engaged in tracing, or are otherwise em-
ployed with drawing materials, using the books which the Fine
Arts Department gives to them, without formality, upon tables
set apart for this purpose. The entire Allen A. Brown Music
Collection is reserved for hall use. The tables in the Barton
Gallery are reserved for persons engaged in authorship or in ex-
tended research and this quiet reading room is largely used by
readers whose books are not enumerated in the tables of circula-
tion.
The same is true of the Department of Statistics and Docu-
ments and of the Department of Patents. The number of per-
sons who have consulted the files in the Patent Department dur-
ing last year was 13,946, a gain of 2,1 14 as compared with the
previous year. They have used 89,437 volumes as compared
with 81,397 volumes consulted the previous year. But in ad-
dition to this there is the constant use of this department by stu-
dents direct from the shelves, which is not recorded.
This use of the Library, which is situated at the centre of edu-
cational institutions accommodating probably 1 0,000 people, has
grown so quietly that its importance to the interests of real educa-
tion is not understood. In fact it may fairly be said that this use
of the Library is the supplement and complement of all the edu-
cational institutions in and about Boston. It is unthinkable that
the great work of education which gives so much importance to
the city could go on for a single day without the assistance of the
Library.
PENSION FUND.
We repeat the recommendations contained in previous reports,
for some provision which will enable the Trustees to establish a
pension fund for employees who become worn out in the service
of the Library.
ANNUAL INVENTORY.
An annual inventory is made at the end of each year of the
personal property of the Library, except books and other material
shown on the catalogue or included in the catalogue shelf list.
[181
EAST BOSTON BRANCH.
On the 19th of December, 1911, an appropriation of
$50,000 was made for a branch library building in East Boston.
This was in answer to a pressing and imperative need for a new
building. The necessity is still more pressing now. The ques-
tion of a site was carefully considered by the Board and they
were clear that a location at the corner of Bennington and Porter
Streets, adjacent to land now owned by the City and occupied
by the Hospital Relief Station, was the best site for the proposed
building and so stated in a communication to Your Honor dated
December 29. Upon investigation by the expert of Your Honor,
it appeared that the expense of this site exceeded what was
reasonable, and on April 12, 1912 the Board reconsidered its
action in selecting this site and selected another site at the corner
of Brooks and Havre Streets, which site for various reasons has
proved unacceptable and has been abandoned by us.
At a meeting of the Board held January 28, the following
vote was passed :
"Voted, that the Board hereby selects as a site for the Branch Library
building in East Boston the premises now owned by Caroline M. Pigeon
and for which the City has an option of purchase at the sum of twenty
thousand dollars ($20,000) which expires the fifteenth day of March,
1913, said premises being numbered 276-282 Meridian Street and con-
taining about 10,600 square feet; and that His Honor the Mayor be so
advised and his approval of the taking thereof requested."
EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
As required by the City Ordinance, we appointed an Examin-
ing Committee for this year, and joined the President of the Li-
brary Board with it, as Chairman. The names of those persons
who were appointed and who have served as members of the
Committee are as follows :
Mrs. Charles E. Aldrich. Mr. Michael S. Cooney.
Dr. Fred W. Allen. Mr. John F. Cronin.
Dr. Barnard L. Bernard. Mrs. Thomas Downey.
Mr. Sewall C. Brackett. Mr. Charles C. Haines.
Mr. George E. Cabot. Mr. James Frederick Hopkins.
[19]
Rev. William E. Jones. Mr. John Ritchie, Jr.
Mr. Charles J. Kidney. Mr. Arthur L. Spring.
Mr. Albert Levis. Mrs. James J. Storrow.
Rev. William P. McNamara. Mrs. William Taylor.
Mr. Henry B. Miner. Mr. Frank C. Weeks.
Dr. Patrick J. Timmins.
In order to enable this Committee to perform its duties with
convenience and efficiency the following sub-committees were
appointed :
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE.
This Committee considered the administration of the Library, its work-
ing as an entire system, including the Central Library and all branches and
reading-room stations, and, in connection with this, its financial manage-
ment, including the sources from which its revenue is derived, and the man-
ner in which it is expended. Its members were :
Mr, Cabot, Chairman.
Mr. Weeks. Mr. Spring.
BOOKS and fine ARTS.
This Committee gave attention to all matters connected with the acquisi-
tion and use of books and other library material, and to the Department of
the Fine Arts and Music. Its members were :
Mr. Ritchie, Chairman.
Mrs. Aldrich. Mr. Hopkins.
printing and binding.
This Committee examined and considered all matters connected with the
Departments of Printing and Binding, with special attention to the expanses
of the Departments and the products of each of them. Its members were:
Mr. Cooney, Chairman. Mr. Weeks.
BRANCHES AND READING-ROOM STATIONS.
It was thought best to divide the branches and reading-room stations
into groups in different parts of the city, and appoint a Committee of three
[20]
to examine and report with regard to each group. These groups and the
several Committees thus appointed were as follows:
SOUTH BOSTON AND SOUTH END BRANCHES, CFTY POINT AND BROADWAY EXTENSION
READING ROOMS.
Dr. Bernard, Chairman.
Dr. Timmins. Mrs. Downey.
CHARLESTOWN AND EAST BOSTON BRANCHES, ORIENT HEIGHTS READING ROOM.
Rev. W. E. Jones, Chairman.
Mrs. Taylor. Mr. Cooney.
BRIGHTON, JAMAICA PLAIN, WEST ROXBURY AND HYDE PARK BRANCHES, ROSLINDALE,
BOYLSTON STATION, WARREN .STREET, ROXBURY CROSSING, PARKER
HILL AND ALLSTON READING ROOMS.
Mr. Brackett, Chairman.
Mr. Miner. Rev. W. P. McNamara.
DORCHESTER, ROXBURY AND UPHAM S CORNER BR-J^NCHES, CODMAN SQUARE, MT.
PLEASANT, MT. BOWDOIN, LOWER MILLS, MATTAPAN AND NEPONSET
READING ROOMS.
Mr. Kidney, Chairman.
Mr. Cronin. Mrs. Downey.
WEST END AND NORTH END BRANCHES.
Mrs, Storrow, Chairman.
Dr. Allen. Mr. Levis.
CHILDREN S DEPARTMENT AND WORK WITH SCHOOLS.
This Committee gave special attention to the work which the Library is
doing for children and also to what it is doing in connection with schools,
with regard not only to the way in which the work is done, but also as to
its extension and its limitation. Its members were :
Mr. Haines, Chairman.
Rev, W. E. Jones, ' Mrs. Storrow.
general committee.
For the purpose of receiving the reports of the work of the various other
sub-committees, and preparing a draft report of the Elxamining Committee
[21]
to be considered by it in a meeting of all its members, and for any other gen-
eral purpose connected with the examination of the Library system, a sub-
committee, called the General Committee, was appointed. Its members
were:
Mr. Ritchie, Chairman.
Mr. Miner. Mrs. Storrow.
The report of the Committee is hereto annexed zmd included
as part of this report.
CONCLUSION.
TTie Trustees have held regular weekly meetings during the
entire year except during the summer vacation. One or more of
them have visited all the branches and delivery stations at least
once during the year, and have given constant supervision to the
construction of the North End Branch building and of the
Charlestown Branch building. The Library affairs have moved
smoothly and well during the year, which is owing to the loyal
and faithful service of the librarian and heads of departments
and other persons in our employ. We are glad to be able to
commend the substantially uniform excellence of their work.
JosiAH H. Benton.
William F. Kenney.
Samuel Carr.
Alexander Mann.
John A. Brett.
[22]
BALANCE SHEET, RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Central Library and Branches:
To expenditures for salaries —
General administrarion ...... $193,944.58
Sunday and evening force ..... 26,960.39
Pensions ........ 239.65
$221,144.62
To expenditures for books —
From City appropriation $25,310.16
Trust funds income ...... 15,326.24
Carnegie gift, Galatea collection .... 37.81
Sullivan bequest ....... 1,144.85
41.819.06
To general expenditures —
Newspapers, from Todd fund income . . . $2,000.00
Periodicals 7,133.18
Furniture and fixtures ...... 5,963.56
Gas 2,319.42
Electric lighting 1,775.13
Cleaning 10,193.42
Small supplies 3,580.18
Ice 272.81
Stationery 1,850.68
Rents 16.144.37
Fuel 13.528.64
Repairs 3,607.35
Freights and cartage ...... 1,802.05
Transportation between Central and Branches . 5,530.70
Telephone service ....... 814.42
Postage and telegrams ...... 1,072.18
Typewriting ........ 15.10
Travelling Expenses (including street carfares on li-
brary service ....... 440.71
Grounds . ........ 81.86
Lecture account (including lantern slides and operator) 330.70
Miscellaneous expense ...... 507.00
Insurance ........ 7.00
78,970.46
Printing Department:
To expenditures for salaries ..... $6,493.32
To general expenditures —
Stock 1,567.34
Electric light and power . . . . 161.47
Contract work ....... 679.23
Rent 518.40
Freights and cartage 389.25
Insurance 207.00
Gas 176.67
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . 161.00
Small supplies, ice, repairs, furniture and fixtures . 1,918.18
12,271.86
Carried forward . . . . . $354,206.00
[23]
EXPENSES, JANUARY 31.1913.
By City Appropriation, 1912-13
Income from Trust funds
Interest credited on bank deposits
Sales of duplicate books
Payments received for books lost .
Sullivan bequest . . . .
By Balances brought forward February 1
Trust funds income on deposit in London
City appropriation on deposit in London
Trust funds income balance, City Treasury
Carnegie gift for Galatea collection
1912:
$367,165.00
17,034.89
53.34
5,000.00
353.72
1,144,85
$2,958.72
2,043.14
15,964.82
353.09
Cr.
$390,751.80
21.319.77
Carried fonvard
$412,071.57
[24]
BALANCE SHEET. RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Brought forward
Binding Department:
To expenditures for salaries ...... $29,
To general expenditures —
Stock 3,
Equipment ........
Electric light and power
Contract work .......
Rent
Freights and cartage ......
Insurance ........
Gas .........
Cleaning .........
Small supplies, ice, repairs, furniture and fixtures
,517.39
.781.53
2.75
111.74
7.86
,260.06
.110.75
207.00
26.89
161.00
.352.95
To Amount paid into City Treasury:
From fines .....
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists
Commission on telephone stations .
Sales of waste paper .
Money found ....
$5,
,993.58
136.73
256.31
262.37
11.15
To Balance, January 31. 1913:
Trust funds income on deposit in London
City appropriation on deposit in London
Trust funds income balance. City Treasury
Carnegie gift for Galatea collection
,899.73
,378.18
,732.46
315.28
$354,206.00
$37,539.92
6,660.14
$418,731.71
[25]
EXPENSES. JANUARY 31, 1912.
Brought lorward
By Receipts:
From fines .....
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists
Commission on telephone stations
Sales of waste paper
Money found in the Library .
Cr.
$412,071.57
$5,993.58
136.73
256.31
262.37
11.15
6,660.14
$418,731.71
REPORT OF THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
The Examining Committee as a whole wishes to express its
appreciation of the loyahy, faithfulness and efficiency of the li-
brary staff, and individually, members of the sub-committees, who
come in contact with the library in their daily business or pursuits,
add their personal commendations.
There are three great needs of the great central library which
have brought themselves to the attention of the different sub-com-
mittees, the need of more space in the stacks, the need of a larger
appropriation and of a sum definitely determined in advance for
the purchase of new books, and the need of increasing some of the
salaries.
Any one familiar with library affairs cannot fail to be struck
by the way in which the stacks are crowded, although there must
be admiration for the ingenious methods of utilizing every inch of
room. Every passageway is lined with extra bookcases, there are
other makeshift sections available only from the steps of the stair-
ways, while spaces between the case-ends and the walls, through
which when the cases are empty one could hardly squeeze, have
been filled with extra shelves where portable lights are necessary
to read the titles of the volumes. In the cellar, where the best
library practise should forbid it, place has been made for the over-
flow from the stacks — books, boilers and bunkers mixed together
— and the end even of this space is in sight.
As a partial remedy for lack of stack room the Library has
recently adopted the policy of storing some of the books in the as
yet vacant spaces in the branch libraries. This is the opposite of
modern methods, for if the branches do their full duty they will
need all their own space, and besides, readers ought not to wait a
day or two for desired books. The value of information depends
in many cases on the quickness with which it is available.
More room in the stacks has been an evident necessity for some
years past, but now efficiency will certainly be impaired if it is
not quickly provided.
[27]
The need of more money for the purchase of books and a sum
that shall be definitely determined at the time of making the ap-
propriation has been noticed by a number of sub-committees.
That on Administration and Finance suggests that a plan of in-
creased appropriation commensurate with the increasing popula-
tion of the city be adopted. The same committee says: "The
very fact that the appropriation has not increased more than a
few thousand dollars each year in spite of the greater demands
upon the trustees, indicates unquestioned care and economy in the
administration of the institution." This phrasing suggests that
being faithful in inadequate things makes it the more evident that
the Trustees are truly trustworthy and can see to it that further
funds given into their charge will be well expended.
The sub-committee on Books and Fine Arts thus reports: "It is
evident that the money available for the purchase of books cannot
possibly be adequate to the needs of the Library. When it is con-
sidered that every expense, regular and extraordinary, must be
met from the lump sum of the annual budget (plus about sixteen
thousand dollars from funds, much of which is limited to special
purposes) , that the costs of administration must be continually on
the increase and cannot always be foreseen, it is evident that the
amount available for books is really what can be afforded when
the other expenses are met. This is the reverse of what should be
the case, and justice to the Library demands the sum to be ex-
pended for books shall be a definite one and an increase over what
is now possible under present conditions."
The sub-committee compliments the Trustees on their conscien-
tious administration of the Library affairs and on the way in which
demands are met when the conditions are considered. It finds the
total value of the books to be about $2,500,000 and the amount
of money annually available from the appropriation for purchases
and replacements to be not greater than $25,000. "Considering
the deterioration of books in constant use and the necessity of pro-
viding many copies of certain purchases," the sub-committee re-
port continues, "it would seem as if an increase of at least fifty per
cent in the amount annually available for books should be made.
This it is believed need not entail additional costs of consequence
in the administraton."
t28l
This sub-committee finds that foreign fiction in the Library is
weak compared with other departments and recommends atten-
tion to this particular group and beheves in a somewhat more
Hberal position towards Enghsh fiction. Another sub-commttee,
recognizing apparently the same problem suggests a rental system
such as is in use in Brookline and Newton. A third sub-commit-
tee notes that failure to develop the fiction department leads to
the driving of readers to circulating libraries. The full discus-
sion of the problem is of such nature that the Examinng Commit-
tee cannot hope to determine the best treatment in the short time
available for the examination, but it does call attention to the fact
that the means for a somewhat broader policy should be in the
hands of the Trustees.
The attention of the sub-committee on Books and Fine Arts
has been caught also by the large number of cards — about two
thousand at the time of the individual visits — representing needed
replacement of books. These have not been attended to for lack
of funds that can with certainty be used for the purpose, and
books that are practically unfit remain in circulation. There are
certain standards known to librarians in respect to cleanliness, de-
cency and hygenic condition, which should be met, but which in
the Library must wait upon other matters of cost. Complaints
have been made to the individual members of the committee of the
dirty books which are given out to go to respectable families, and
it came home to one of them when his little daughter, who had
made a paper cover for a library book said, "Papa, if your com-
mittee is any good, I hope it will get some clean copies of "Re-
becca of Sunny brook Farm."
With reference to the salaries of employees, various sub-com-
mittees deplore the prevailing standard, which seems to them low,
especially for the women employees in some of the grades, par-
ticularly in view of the service requirements. In some of the
minor positions such employees may receive but $8.00 per week.
In certain branches of cataloguing, which demand high qualifica-
tions, the women's salaries range from but $12 to $1 5 per week.
The large number of employees required to serve the public
throughout the library system, carries the expenditure for salaries
[29]
to a large amount, at present $270,732, thus drawing severely
upon the total appropriation for maintenance. Although the
average salary is low even a slight increase to individuals, if, as
equity requires, it is carried through the entire grade to which such
individuals belong, will enlarge the aggregate sum by a consider-
able percentage. It is unquestionably desirable to make certain
increases, but before it can be done a sufficient appropriation must
be available.
"A comparison of the requirements, service rendered, salaries,
and efficiency of the work," writes another sub-committee, "if
made between the Boston Public Library and other business in-
stitutions would prove, we are sure, that Boston is paying less than
it should for certain important service."
It is to be assumed that the Trustees are paying quite as much
as the appropriations will permit, so that the question of wages in
these costly days, should be an argument for an increased appro-
priation.
There is another important side to this matter, the fact that the
Boston Public Library is practically the standard in New Eng-
land, and in reality fixes the wages for other similar institutions.
The need of further legislation in connection with library em-
ployees is emphasized by the sub-committee on administration and
finance, which points out that the custodian at the Charlestown
branch is recently deceased at the age of 76, while a janitor in one
of the branch libraries was continued in service at the age of 84.
"The special qualifications necessary for a large portion of the
employees," says the report, "makes more necessary a more pro-
gressive policy in connection with the pension situation. The
Commonwealth has already gone to such an extent in the matter
that employees of the State Library are now included within the
provisions of the General Pension Law."
The sub-committee on Admlnistraton and Finance has made a
thorough examination of the Library and expresses itself that the
general administration of affairs is of such a character as to com-
pel satisfaction rather than criticism or possibly even serious sug-
gestion. The space for the public in the Library does not seem to
be seriously over-crowded. The general policy of the Trustees
[30]
of making the Library a workable institution instead of a mere
collection of books, is heartily approved. "The method of dis-
tribution and exchange of books between the Central Library and
its branches could well be improved," the sub-committee notes,
"the service by team answers and will answer for some time to
come so far as the main city branches are concerned, but to the
suburban branches this should be performed by motor cars. One
of the routes requires more than four hours for the team to cover
it, a condition that is not in keeping with the efficiency of the other
branches of service."
This committee has made an interesting tabulation of time re-
quired for service. The average time of delivery of books on li-
brary cards in a series of instances was 7.62 minutes; the Bates
Hall service for books for library reading was 6.33 minutes, while
on the special cards issued to the members of the Examining Com-
mittee, the time was 5 or 6 minutes. The speed in Bates Hall is
attributed in part at least to the newly-established record tray at
the central desk.
This committee suggests that the citizens of Boston do not
familiarize themselves suffiiciently with the Library, they do not
look into its methods often enough, and do not realize how splen-
did it is, and how well its offices are performed.
The special member of the committee who has examined the
department of fine arts of the Library reports an excellent condi-
tion. The exhibitions illustrating the lectures given at the Library
are well attended and appreciated. The department, is however
in the opinion of this visitor outgrowing its quarters. Lack of a
good class room has been instrumental in sending classes to the
Boston Museum of Fine Arts which were studying the history of
art, although the leaders of the classes were abundantly satisfied
with the rich material at their disposal in the Public Library. It
is further true that the exigences of space for books are such that
the hall of the department is to be shelved, preventing use as here-
tofore of the space for exhibitions.
The music department is conducted with the same considera-
tion for the musician that the art department is for the student of
art. Critical articles on the items of the musical programmes are
[31]
here displayed and students of analysis and appreciation of music
find always good material and if needed substantial aid. The list
of current musical periodicals has been increased by adding three
or four magazines.
The sub-committee on Printing and Binding has general com-
mendation of the methods but finds the equipment in places anti-
quated. It recommends the substitution of two modern paper-
cutting machines in place of hand machines now half-a-century
old.
The sub-committee on Children's Department and Work with
Schools finds a wholesome atmosphere in this department, the co-
operation between the children and the attendants being hearty
and responsive. The value of the branch libraries in working in
harmony with the schools in their districts is commented upon and
a little more definite suggestion on the part of the teacher might
be possible so that the librarian's portion of the work may be more
completely done. It is further noted that the library should exer-
cise a directive influence over children who come in for the first
time. Meetings of the teachers with the local library staff are
suggested as of mutual benefit, since the librarians could set forth
the salient features relating to juvenile work, and the teachers
knowing these can better advise their pupils. It is also suggested
that an extension of the classes in story-telling might with advan-
tage be secured.
Reports by five sub-committees on the various branch libraries
and reading rooms bring out the following notes of their condition
or management.
The reading rooms on East Broadway near I Street, South
Boston, and on Broadway Extension are reported to be in the
same deplorable condition that was noted last year. The number
of children making use of these rooms has increased by one-quar-
ter and in the opinion of the sub-committee the conditions of the
rooms are becoming a menace to the health of the little ones. The
the heating apparatus at the South End Branch should be en-
larged and the rooms are in need of immediate painting and
whitewashing. This sub-committee urges the city authorities to
see that the new municipal buildings on Broadway and at the
South End are completed as soon as possible.
[32]
The situation in East Boston is found to be urgent by the sub-
committee, which calls attention in the strongest terms to the utter
unsuitability of the present building, and protests as to the incon-
venience of any of the new sites suggested in other than a central
location. The objections to the existing conditions are thus out-
lined by the sub-committee: "The present building (in tempo-
rary occupation) is not on a main thoroughfare and in conse-
quence is not patronized as much as it should be. The ventilation
is very poor. There is not sufficient room to accommodate the
adults who go there to read." Other conditions there are unbe-
lieveable in a building for library purpose maintained by a city
like Boston. One of the members of the sub-committee thus pic-
tures the situation, "I found the cellar flooded to such an extent
that it was necessary for the janitor to bail water in order to get
a furnace fire. This water trouble occurs at every high tide ; con-
sequently, on a cold day with a high tide, those in the library are
exceedingly uncomfortable until the janitor gets rid of the water
and starts the fire." "They were pumping the water out of the
cellar one of the days I visited the branch," reports another mem-
ber of the sub-committee."
With reference to the location, the sub-committee writes:
"Probably without exception, the East Boston Branch could
not be more unfavorably located. The inconveniences are many
and if the location were permanent, they would be intolerable.
The controversy over the site of the proposed new building has
attracted much attention. To the people of Ward 2, on account
of their cosmopolitan character, the library could be of the great-
est value. We protest against any of the sites proposed which
are away from the main thoroughfares, since they are to be
reached only with inconvenience by the great and growing popu-
lation of the first and second sections."
The best place for the branch library is on Central Square. A
site can there be selected affording excellent light and good air
and so located as to be accessible from all parts of the island.
The sub-committee notes that the admission of the readers to
the bookshelves is an inconvenience which should be abated, and
suggests the selection of their volumes by the readers from the
catalogue.
[33]
Regarding the Charlestown Branch the sub-committee finds
that specific report is not necessary since it is merely waiting to be
moved into its new quarters. The Orient Heights Reading
Room at the present time fully meets the needs of the district in
which it is located.
The Parker Hill Reading Room is small, but has been open a
few years only, and its patrons must for a while be limited. The
Jamaica Plain Branch in its new building needs nothing, the light-
ing having been improved. It contains a lecture hall the only
present use of which is for occasional story-telling to children.
"It might be worth considering," the report reads, "whether such
a room should not be used for lectures and for conferences and
other neighborhood benefit." The Roslindale reading room is
in a leased building, which it is to be hoped will be acquired and
a better structure erected for library and other municipal pur-
poses. The West Roxbury Branch is criticised for its location
— the upper story of an old wooden building — which is not at-
tractive nor well suited for so good a locality.
Hiere is the general statement in the report that the books in
the branch libraries represent accumulations of the past rather
than the present state of knowledge. There is suggested that
some such system of exhibiting recent publications be adopted as
that which is so eminently successful at the Central Library.
The Brighton Branch and the Allston Reading Room are
noted as in eminently satisfactory condition.
The town of Hyde Park at the time of its annexation, January
1912, turned over to the City of Boston a fine brick library build-
ing about ten years old in excellent repair together with about
twenty thousand volumes. The Trustees of the town library had
in hand a building fund of about $5,000, which the Trustees of
the Boston Public Library devoted to the original purpose of an
addition to the children's room. This addition, eighteen feet by
forty has been built, corresponding in materials and style to the
older building. The administration of the Hyde Park Branch
has been placed under the general rules and regulations that gov-
ern the other branches and the citizens are gradually becoming
accustomed to the change.
[34]
The sub-committee on the Dorchester, Roxbury and Upham*s
Corner Branches and the Codman Square, Mount Pleasant,
Mount Bowdoin, Lower Mills, Mattapan and Neponset Read-
ing Rooms reports general conditions good. It suggests the sup-
plying of a clock to the Mattapan room and glazed doors in the
interests of order at the Codman Square room. The finishing of
the loft over the Neponset Reading Room is asked for and the
belief expressed that the reading rooms which are in the building
with a police station should be given some other location.
The West End Branch occupies a building formerly used for
a church and the terms of tenancy require the painting of the in-
terior white, to conform with the Colonial architecture. The dif-
ficulty in keeping this clean causes the committee to suggest that
in the balcony section devoted to children, where it is not visible
from below, a dark color might be substituted with advantage.
The noise of children's feet on the floor of the gallery is a disturb-
ing element in the building and there is the same difficulty in the
basement from the movement of the chairs. It is suggested that
some noise-preventing floor covering, like battle-ship linoleum be
used in the children's section and that rubber caps be put on the
chair legs below.
A prime difficulty in this reading room, due to its location, is
that adults who come to be warm and not to read, some of whom
are not free from the influence of liquor, spit rather freely on the
floor and about the radiator in the vestibule. The conditions here
are vile, and the perpetrators are so sly that it is difficult for the
attendants to catch them. There is a policeman on duty from
twelve o'clock but the room has already been open three hours.
It is suggested by the sub-committee, that the policeman be de-
tailed for the room from the time of its opening, and that he or
health officers be requested to secure the abatement of the spitting
nuisance.
The North End Branch is still in the North Bennet Street In-
dustrial School, the new building not being declared ready for
occupancy. There is a well-planned lecture hall on the first floor
which the sub-committee suggests should be used for neighbor-
hood benefit and for amateur theatricals and dances if well con-
[35]
ducted under good auspices. There is a large room in the base-
ment for which no use has been assigned, but which might be
available for neighborhood work or gymnastics. The sub-com-
mittee comments on the method adopted in this branch for mark-
ing shelf or class sets of books, with a distinctive symbol in oil
paint which will identify out-of-place volumes at sight.
Adopted as the Report of the Examining Committee January
9, 1913.
Della Jean Deery,
Clerk.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
To the Board of Trustees:
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending January
31. 1913.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
At the Central Library the following repairs have been made
during the year : Various minor repairs have been made upon the
roof and gutters. The side walls and bridge walls of the boilers
have been rebuilt and new mouth pieces constructed; and new
tubes put into one boiler. New spiral shoes have been supplied
and the grooves on the cut-off regulators trued up, on both en-
gines, and upon one engine a new pinion has been placed on the
rocker-arm. The overhead system of steam piping has required
replacement after seventeen years of service, and this work has
been begun, but not completed. Minor repairs have been made
from time to time on the elevators, the book railway, and through-
out the building, but without interfering with the constant opera-
tion of the library. The boilers are inspected periodically, by the
Inspectors of the Hartford Boiler Insurance Company, and the
elevators also are subjected to regular official inspection and the
entire plant is kept up to the point of highest efficiency and safety.
TTie necessary repairs required each year to keep the various
branch buildings in order have been carried out. In East Boston,
on account of the demolition of the building occupied by the
Branch since its establishment, the old Austin School building,
vacated by the School Department, was placed in our charge for
temporary occupancy and after such repairs as were necessary
removal thereto was effected in May.
The new building for the North End Branch, on North Bennet
Street is nearly ready for occupancy, and will materially widen
our opportunity for effective library service in that district.
A new branch building for Charlestown is under construction.
[37]
THE USE OF BOOKS.
The recorded circulation of books, throughout the entire li-
brary system, that is, the number of books issued for use outside
the buildings, for the year, was, in total, 1 ,744,878 volumes.
Probably twice as many volumes have been used for reading
or reference purposes within the buildings, but this circulation is
not recorded statistically. On account of the use that is some-
times made of statements regarding circulation, the following
caution is again repeated from preceding reports:
"The tabulated figures are of value in comparison with Our own
similar figures presented in other years, but they should not be
closely compared with the records of other libraries, unless it is
certain that such records have been made upon exactly the same
system as that in use by us."
The usual tables, showing the recorded circulation in detail,
follow. The figures for the Central Library are based upon the
annual report of Mr. Frank C. Blaisdell, Chief of the Issue De-
partment. The figures for the branches are from the regular re-
turns of the Custodians.
The figures reported by months are presented in detail:
CIRCULATION FROM CENTRAL BY MONTHS.
.._ SCHOOLS AND
HOME USE
THROUGH
INSTITUTIONS
TOTALS.
DIRECT.
BRANCH DEPT.
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
February, 1912
28,887
8,643
8,434
45,964
March, " .
27,759
8.169
9,231
45,159
April, " .
27.704
7.615
9,815
45,134
May,
22,774
6,577
9,664
39,01 5
June, " .
18.742
5,467
9,245
33,454
July, ;; .
13.631
3,581
2,751
19,963
Augusl,
15,150
3,715
3,328
22,193
September,
15,943
3,532
3,035
22,510
October,
18,643
4,994
5,610
29,247
November,
25,110
7,766
8,575
41,451
December,
25,638
8,834
10,280
44,762
January, 1913 .
24,526
8,432
9,529
42,487
Totals
264,507
77,325
89.507
431,339
[38]
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[39]
The following summary condenses the figures for the entire
system :
Boo1(s lenl for Home Use, including Circulation Through Schools and Insiitulions.
From Central Library (including Central Library books issued through the
branches and reading-room stations) ....... 431,339
From Branches and reading-room stations (other than books received from
Central) 1.313.539
Total number of volumes lent for home use and through schools and
institutions 1,744,878
Comparative statements follow, showing the circulation of
books for use outside the library buildings in each of two con-
secutive years:
1911-12 1912-13.
Central Library circulation
(excluding schools and institutions) :
Direct home use 274,981 264,507
Through branches and reading-room sta-
tions for home use .... 73.576 77,325
348.557 341,832
Branch Department circulation
(excluding schools and institutions) :
Direct home use
From branch collections ... . 696,162 781,324
From reading room stations . . 396,889 429,986
1,093,05! 1,211,310
Schools and institutions, circulation:
(including books from Central through
the branch system) .... 170,662 191,736
1.612.270 1,744,878
There have been issued on borrowers' cards from the Central
Library through the Branch Department 79,684 volumes as
against 76,006 in the preceding year, a gain of 3,678 volumes
or 4.8 per cent. There has been a persistent effort to reduce the
number of unsuccessful applications, and the percentage this year
is 38, the lowest it has ever been. This, however, is partly due
to decreased applications. The percentage last year was 49, and
the year before 55.
The number of volumes sent on deposit from the Central Li-
brary during the year was 42,587 as against 41 ,296 in the pre-
ceding year. We have supplied 145 places, as against 143
supplied during the previous year. The estimated circulation
[40]
of the books sent on deposit is 143,748 volumes, as against
135,000 for the preceding year. The proportion of fiction sent
was 46 per cent.
There are now 39,363 volumes in the deposit collection; a
net gain of 1 ,098 for the year.
The number of unbound periodicals sent to City institutions,
to the Coffee-rooms of the Church Temperance Society, and to
the State Prison was 26,850.
Under the Inter-Library Loan plan we have issued to other
libraries for the temporary use of their patrons, and have bor-
rowed from other libraries for our patrons, volumes as shown in
the following statement :
1911-12. 1912-13.
Lenl to libraries in Massachusetts ...... 987 993
Lent to libraries outside Massachusetts ..... 264 245
Total 1.251 1,238
Applications refused:
From libraries in Massachusetts ...... 307 208
From libraries outside of Massachusetts ..... 62 78
Total 369 286
Borrowed from other libraries ........ 25 41
BOOKS RECEIVED.
A Statistical statement of the number of books received follows ;
Boolis acquired by purchase.
For the Central Library:
From City appropriation . . 7,666
From Trust Funds income 4.583
1911-12. 1912-13.
For branches and reading-room stations:
From City appropriation . . 12,525
From Trust Funds income . . . 732
By Fellowes Alhenaeeum (for the Rox-
bury Branch)
19 "740
8,353
3.711
12,064
12.660
1^ 9S7 _
1 1 .734
926
25.506
1.147
24,724
943
Totals 26.653 25,667
[41]
The following statement shows whether the books added to
the Library during the year have been obtained by purchase,
gift or exchange:
Accessions by purchase (including 943 vols, by
Fellowes Athenaeum, for Roxbury Branch) .
Accessions by gift (including 943 vols, through
Fellowes Athenaeum for Roxbury Branch)
Accessions by Statistical Department .
Accessions by exchange ....
Accessions of periodicals (bound)
Accessions of newrspapers (bound)
CENTRAL,
BRANCHES
, TOTAL,
VOLUMES.
VOLUMES.
VOLUMES
12.064
13.603
25,667
7.343
507
485
1,483
127
516
"377
7,859
507
485
1.860
127
22,009
14.496
36,505
Totals .......
PURCHASES OF FICTION.
The number of new pubHcations in fiction, chiefly EngHsh,
including fiction for young readers, examined during the year,
preparatory to selection for purchase, was 890. Of these a selec-
tion of 1 40 titles was made, and 2,2 1 7 copies bought. The num-
ber of volumes bought to replace worn-out copies or to meet
increased demand was 8,037. The total expenditure for fiction,
(covering these 10,254 copies) was $9,612.91 or 22.99 per
cent of the amount expended for all books.
NOTEWORTHY ACCESSIONS.
The report of Miss Theodosia E. Macurdy, Chief of the
Ordering Department, furnishes the following details as to im-
portant accessions:
PURCHASES.
Allemagne, Henri Rene d'. Du Khorassan au pays des Backhtiaris:
trois mois de voyage en Perse. Paris. 1911. 4 v.
Baret, J. An alvearie or triple dictionarie, in Englishe, Latin, and
French. . . . (London. 1573-4.) (First edition.)
Berlepsch-Valendas, Hans Eduard von. Motive der deutschen Archi-
tektur des xvi., xvii. und xviii. Jahrhunderts in historischer Anord-
nung. Herausgegeben von Andre Lambert und Eduard Stahl. Stutt-
gart. 1 890, 93. 2 v. lUus. Plans.
[42]
Bible. The Byble in EngHshe . . . after the translacion appojmted to
bee read in the Churches . . . Imprynted at London in Flete-strete . . .
by Edwarde Whitechurche. The xxix. day of December . . . M.D.
XLIX . . . Sm. folio, black letter. E. Whitechurch, 29 December,
1549. The Cranmer Bible.
Bode, Wilhelm. Die Anfange der MajoHkakunst in Toskana. Berlin.
J. Bard.
Breviarium Romanum. Le breviaire Grimani. Reproduction photograph-
ique complete, publiee par Salomone Morpurgo et Scato de Vries.
Leyde. 1903-08. 1 3 v.
Burlington Fine Arts Club, London. Exhibition of early German art.
London. 1906. 70 plates.
Carpenter, G. R. A translation of Giovanni Boccaccio's Life of Dante.
With an introduction and notes on the p>ortraits of Dante. N. Y.
Grolier Club. 1900. Edition limited.
Cathn's North American Indian Portfolio. Hunting scenes and amuse-
ments of the Rocky Mountains and prairies of America. From draw-
ings and notes of the author made during eight years' travel amongst
48 of the wildest and most remote tribes of savages in North America.
London. Geo. Catlin. (1845.)
Collection of naval prints. 13 colored plates, printed in facsimile of
the original prints of the "Constitution", "Guerriere", "Wyoming",
"Hornet", etc. Ambler, Pa. (1907.)
Combe, WilHam. A history of Madeira. London. 1 82 1 . Colored
plates illustrating the costumes, manners and occupations of the inhab-
itants of Madeira.
Dante. La cbmedia del divino Dante Alighieri da Firenze, con la
esposizione di Giuseppe Lando Passerini da Cortona. Firenze. 1911.
Illus.
Davies, Hugh William. Bernhard von Breydenbach and his journey to
the Holy Land, 1483-4. A bibliography. London. 1911. 60
plates.
France. Administration du mobiher national. Recueil de dessins de tapis
et de tapisseries d'ameublement du mobilier de la Couronne. Public
par Ernest Dumonthier. Paris. (1911.) 48 colored plates.
Gardner, John Starkie. English ironwork of the XVIIth and XVIIIth
centuries. London. (191 1 . ) Illus.
— Old silver-work, chiefly English, from the XVth to the XVIIIth
centuries. A catalogue of the unique loan collection exhibited in 1 902
at St. James's Court, London. London. 1903. Plates.
Gould, John, F.R.S. A monograph of the Odontophorinae, or partridges
of America. London. 1850. 32 colored plates.
Grosso, Orlando. Gli affreschi nei palazzi di Genova. 50 tavole,
raccolte ed ordinate con testo esplicativo. Milano. (1910.)
[43]
Guiffrey, Jean. Les peintures de la Collection Chauchard. 80 repro-
ductions en heliogravure par la Maison Ad. Braun et Cie. Paris.
1911.
Hassall, Arthur, Compiler and editor. Christ Church, Oxford. An
anthology in prose and verse with 26 plates in colour reproduced from
paintings by Arthur Garratt and from portraits in Christ Church Hall.
London. 1911.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The celestial rail-road. Lowell. 1847. Sec-
ond edition.
— Famous old people : being the second epoch of Grandfather's chair.
Boston. E. P. Peabody. 1841. (First edition.)
Hendley, Thomas Holbein. Indian jewellery. With 167 plates (32
in colours, 135 in monochrome). London. Extracted from the
Journal of Indian Art. 1906-1909.
Heures de Milan. Troisieme partie des tres-belles heures de Notre-Dame,
illuminees par les peintres de Jean de France, Due de Berry et par
ceaux de Due Guillaume de Baviere. Vingthuit feuillets histories
reproduits d'apres les originaux de la Biblioteca Trivulziana a Milan.
Bruxelles. 1911.
Home, Herbert P. Alessandro Filipepi, commonly called Sandro Botti-
celh, painter of Florence. London. Bell. 1 908. Limited edition.
Jaffe, Franz. Die bischofliche Klosterkirche zu Curtea de Arges in
Rumanien. Berlin. 1911. Illus. Portraits. Maps. Plans.
Lafond, Paul Marie Jean, editor. Goya y Lucientes. Cinquante planches
d'apres ses oeuvres les plus celebres. Paris. 1910.
Lawrence, H. W., and Basil Lewis Dighton, editors. French line
engravings of the late xviii century (with an introduction and catalogue
raisonne. ) London. 1910.
Linas, Charles de. Les origines de I'orfevrerie cloisonnee. Arras. 1 877,
78. 2 v. Illus., some colored.
Lincoln, Edwin Hale. Wild flowers of New England, photographed
from nature. Pittsfield. 1910. 6 v. 300 photographs.
Macalister, R. A. Stewart. The excavation of Gezer, 1902—5 and
1907-9. London. Murray. 1912. 3 v.
Malory, Sir Thomas. Le morte darthur. The book of King Arthur
and of his noble Knights of the Round Table. London. 1910. 4 v.
Colored plates. (The Medici Society, Ltd.) No. 337 of an edition
of 5 1 2 copies printed at the Riccardi Press.
Masson, Louis Claude Frederic. L'imperatrice Marie-Louise. Paris.
1902. Portraits. Plates. On Japan paper.
Meheut, M. £tudes d'animaux. Sous la direction de E. Grasset. Paris.
(1911.) 2 v. 100 plates. With the exception of the preface the
work consists entirely of plates.
[44]
Mlgeon, Gaston. La collection Kelekian: etoffes & tapis d'Orient & de
Venise. Notice de Jules Guiffrey. Cent planches reproduisant les
pieces les plus remarquables de cette collection decrites et classees.
Paris. (1911.) 100 plates.
Model, Julius & Springer, Jaro. Der franzosische Farbenstich des XVIII.
Jahrhunderts. Stuttgart. 1912. Plates.
Niemann, G. Der Palast Diokletians in Spalato. Im Auftrage des K.
K. Ministeriums fiir Kultur und Unterricht, etc. Wien. Holder.
1910. Plates.
Peacock, Thomas Love. Letters to Edward Hookham and Percy Bysshe
Shelley, with fragments of unpublished manuscripts. Edited by Richard
Garnett. Boston. Bibliophile Society. 1910.
Peladan, Josephin. Frans Hals. Paris. 1912. Illus. Portraits.
Purcell, Henry. Orpheus Britannicus. A collection of all the choicest
songs, for one, two and three voices. London. Printed by William
Person. I 72 1 . 2 v. in 1 .
Rattray, James. The costumes of the various tribes, portraits of ladies
of rank, celebrated princes and chiefs, views of the principal fortresses
and cities, and interior of the cities and temples of Afghaunistaun.
London. 1 848. Colored plates.
Revue, La, de I'art ancien et moderne. Vols. 1—29. Directeur: Jules
Comte. Paris. ( I 89 7- 1 9 1 I . ) Illus. Portraits.
Repertorium fiir Kunstwissenschaft. Berlin. Spemann. 1876—1912.
Vols. 1-3L
Ricci, Corrado. Jacopo Bellini e i suoi hbri di disegni. I. II libro del
Louvre. II. II libro del British Museum. Firenze. Alinari. 1908.
2 V.
Sachau, Eduard. Aramaische Papyrus und Ostraka aus einer jiidischen
Mihtar-Kolonie zu Elephantine. AltorientaHsche Sprachdenkmaler des
5. Jahrhunderts vor Chr. Leipzig. Hinrich. 1911. 2 v. Text.
Plates.
Sarre, Friedrich u. Ernst Herzfeld. Archaologische Reise im Ephrat-
und Tigris-Gebiet. Berlin. Reimer. 1911. V. 1 , 2.
Schultz, Hans W., and J. Fuelscher. Der Bau des Kaiser Wilhelm-
Kanals. Berlin. 1 898, 99. 2 v. Illus. Plans. Maps. Charts.
Svetlow, V. and L. Bakst. Le ballet contemporain. Traduction fran-
?aise de M.-D. Calvocoressi. (Paris.) 1912. Illus. Portraits.
Plates.
Teuber, Oscar, and others. Die osterreichische Armee von 1 700 bis
1867. Wien. Emil Berte. 1895. 2 v. Plates.
Tonti, Henri, Sieur de. Relation of Henri de Tonty concerning the
explorations of La Salle from 1 678 to 1 683. Translated by Melville
B. Anderson. Chicago. Caxton Club. 1 898. Limited edition.
[45]
Universite de France. Faculte de Medecine de Paris. Les collections
artistiques. Inventaire raisonne par Noe Legrand. Public par les
soins de L, Landouzy. Paris. 1911. Illus. Portraits.
Vacquier, J. Les vieux hotels de Paris. Paris. 1911. Illus. 60
plates. Plans.
Velazquez, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y. Diego Velazquez. 50 planches
d'apres ses oeuvres les plus celebres. Introduction par Paul Lafond.
Paris. 1906.
Westwood, John Obadiah. Palaeographia sacra pictoria : being a series
of illustrations of the ancient versions of the Bible, copied from Illu-
minated manuscripts executed between the fourth and sixteenth centuries.
London. 1843—45. 50 colored plates.
Zur Westen, Walter von. Berlins graphische Gelegenheitskunst. Berlin.
(1912.) 2 V. Illus.
Besides the books of individual importance named in the foregoing list,
the Library has acquired a small collection of works on old German
Church music ; a collection of 1 7 works by or relating to Benjamin Frank-
lin, bought with the Green Fund, the most important being his "Reflections
on courtship and marriage", printed in Philadelphia in 1 750 and reprinted
in London, 1750; a collection of 10 rare Spanish works bought at the
Huth Sale in London for the Ticknor Library, and about 1 50 volumes of
Swedish works including 75 on Swedish history.
THE PATRICK F. SULLIVAN BEQUEST.
Under the terms of this bequest 362 volumes have been purchased
during the year, including the final volumes 13,14 and 1 5 of the CathoHc
Encyclopaedia, bought for the Central Library, branches and reading-
rooms.
GIFTS.
The gifts received from 3,583 donors during the year number 10,834
volumes, 22,604 serials and 65 newspaper subscriptions.
The two largest gifts received were from the library of the late
Henry W. Haynes and from the Estate of Charles Eliot Norton. The
Haynes gift comprised 1.561 bound volumes, chiefly Enghsh and Ameri-
can Hterature, 1 ,342 unbound volumes, besides 21 5 volumes of periodicals
and 2,200 numbers of Littell. The books were in excellent condition
and over 500 volumes were compared with Library copies and 101 volumes
were substituted for worn or imperfect books on the shelves.
The Norton gift of 432 volumes contained many critical editions of
the classics and presentation copies of many of the books written by
professors in Harvard College in Mr. Norton's time. It contained also
a set of the North American Review. Many of these books also have
been used to improve Library sets.
[46]
From the other gifts of the year the following selection is made:
Benton, Josiah H. One hundred and thirty-three volumes and 1 4 photo-
graphs, including 1 1 framed photographs to be hung in Branches.
Boston Browning Society. Twenty-one volumes for the Browning Q)l-
lection.
British Museum. Ten volumes of the Museum publications.
Brown, Allen A. Ninety-three volumes, chiefly for the Brown Collection
of Music.
Episcopal City Mission, Boston. One hundred and sixteen mounted
photographs illustrating useful trades.
Fitzgerald, Hon. John F. Forty-two volumes relating to ports, docks,
and navigation.
Great Britain Patent Office. One hundred and thirteen volumes, patents
for inventions.
Haven, Miss M. E. Fifty-four volumes of miscellaneous works.
Haynes, Henry W., Estate of. Fifteen hundred and sixty-one bound
volumes, 1,342 unbound, 215 volumes of periodicals and 2,200 num-
bers of Littell's Living Age.
Higginson, Henry L. One hundred and eight pamphlets and reports, a
miscellaneous collection.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. One hundred and forty-eight
volumes and pamphlets.
Morgan, J. Pierpont. Catalogue of the Morgan Collection of Chinese
Porcelains. Vol. 2, Parts 1 & 2. Privately printed.
Niebur, C. E. Concert programs, clippings and other material relating
to the Orpheus Musical Society, Boston, 1853-1909. Volume 1 &
2. For the Brown Collection.
Norton, Charles Eliot, Estate of. Five hundred and ninty-nine volumes
and 1 33 periodicals, comprised in three gifts.
Oliver Ditson Company. Nineteen volumes and 20 pieces of sheet music.
Phillips, Miss Mary E. Eighty-eight photographs and prints and 7
autograph letters from Mark Twain, Joaquin Miller, Edward E.
Hale, and others. James Fenimore Cooper. By M. E. Phillips.
Scott-Fitz, Mrs. W. Two hundred and five photographs of paintings
and sculpture.
Tyson, Miss E. R. Forty-two mounted photographs, scenes from Wag-
ner's operas.
White. Smith Music Publishing Company. Forty-three pieces of music.
Widener, Harry Elkins. Philadelphia. Memoirs of himself by Robert
Louis Stevenson. Printed from the original manuscript in the possession
of Harry Elkins Widener. One of 45 copies.
Woodrow Wilson League of America. Two hundred and fifty-eight
volumes, including 78 volumes of the War of the Rebellion Records
and 218 numbers of the Congressional Record.
[47]
THE CATALOGUE DEPARTMENT.
The usual tabular statement from the report of Mr. S. A.
Chevalier, Chief of this Department, follows:
VOLS. AND ^„. ^„ VOLS. AND _„, ,„
-.„^o TITLES. „.„.,„ TITLES.
PARTS. PARTS.
1911-12. 1912-13.
Catalogued (new).
Central Library Catalogue . . 19.773 14.167 19,270 13,352
Serials 6.517 6.069
Branches 15.866 14.321 14.872 13.612
Re-catalogued 16.568 10.135 22.881 11,883
Totals 58,724 38.623 63.092 38.852
The number of printed cards added to the catalogue cases
throughout the system during the year was 120,422, a number
somewhat less than usual, on account of temporary suspension
of printing during the summer, due to the removal of the Print-
ing Department to new quarters. A thinner card stock has been
adopted for the printed cards, diminishing the bulk about 50
per cent. In accordance with the custom of the past nine years
one card for each title printed has been sent to the Library of
Congress, and since November, 1911, one copy of each card
has been sent to the Harvard College Library. In exchange,
each of these libraries sends to us slips or cards showing their
accession titles as catalogued.
During the year many subject headings in the Catalogues have
been sub-divided and made more convenient for public use. Old
cards containing printed slips pasted on, out of old printed
catalogues, are being systematically replaced by new printed
cards, and replacement of soiled, torn or roughly used cards
proceeds constantly. The second volume of the Allen A.
Brown Music Catalogue has been published, bringing the work
through "Rossini," and work is advanced on the final volume.
Nearly four-fifths of this great catalogue is in print. A con-
siderable part of the Brown Dramatic Collection has been
catalogued, in preparation for printing. Various finding lists
have been completed, and much bibliographical work performed
in answer to correspondence.
[48]
There have been placed on deposit in the Boston Medical
Library, during the year 1 ,050 volumes, selected through the
Catalogue Department ; and 1,154 volumes of duplicates re-
moved from the shelves, after careful comparison with other
copies, have been sent out for sale.
Various staff members of this Department have, as usual,
rendered valuable and constant service in the examination of
sales catalogues, current publishers' lists, etc., in connection w^ith
the selection of books for purchase.
SHELF DEPARTMENT.
The usual Shelf Department statistics follow, compiled from
the report of Mr. W. G. T. Rof fe, in charge :
Placed on the Central Library shelves during the year:
General collection, new books (including continuations) ....
Special collections, new books ........
Books reported lost or missing in previous years, but now found, transfers
from branches, etc. ..........
Removed from the Central Library shelves during the year:
Books reported lost or missing, condemned copies not yet replaced, trans-
fers, etc. ...........
Net gain at Central Library .........
Net gain at branches and reading room stations ......
17,074
2.102
665
19.841
6,220
13.621
28,673
Net gain, entire library system ......... 42,294
The total number of volumes available for public use 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
[49]
1876-77
1877-78
1878-79
1879-80
1880-81
1881-82
1882-83
1883-64
1884-85
1885 .
1886 .
1887 .
1888 .
1889 .
1890 .
1891 .
1892 .
1893 .
1894 .
Volumes in entire library system
In the branches and reading-room stations
312.010
1895 .
345,734
1896-97
360.963
1897-98
377.225
1898-99
390,982
1899-00
404.221
1900-01
422.116
1901-02
438.594
1902-03
453.947
1903-04
460.993
1904-05
479.421
1905-06
492,956
1906-07
505.872
1907-08
520,508
1908-09
536,027
1909-10
556,283
1910-11
576,237
1911-12
597,152
1912-13
610.375
628.297
663.763
698.888
716.050
746.383
781.377
812.264
835.904
848.884
871.050
878.933
903.349
922.348
941.024
961.522
987,268
1,006.717
1,049.011
1,049,011
253.315
These volumes are located as follows :
Central Library
. 795,696
Brighton
. 18,596
Charlestown
. 21,850
Dorchester
. 19,703
East Boston
. 16,176
Hyde Park .
. 25.640
Jamaica Plain .
. 14,695
Roxbury Branch:
Fellowes Athenaeum 2
8,451
Owned by City
8,325
Total, Roxbury Branch
. 36,776
South Boston .
. 16,964
South End
. 15,707
Upham's Corner
. 7,664
West End
. 16,896
West Roxbury .
. 8,444
Lower Mills (Station A)
Roslindale (Station B) .
Mattapan (Station D)
Neponset (Station E)
Mt. Bowdoin (Station F)
Allston (Station G)
Codman Square (Station J)
Mt. Pleasant (Station N)
Broadway Ext. (Station P)
Warren St. (Station R) .
Roxbury Crossing (Station S)
Boylston Sta. (Station T)
North Bennet St. (Station W)
Orient Heights (Station Z)
City Point (Station 23) .
Parker Hill (Station 24) .
Net gain at Central Library
Net gain at branches and reading-room stations
Net gain, entire library system
785
6,518
852
897
4,112
1,359
4,535
1.339
3,009
972
1,119
1,245
2,270
1,739
2,424
1,029
13,621
28,673
42.294
CHILDREN S DEPARTMENT.
From the report of Miss Alice M. Jordan, Custodian of the
Children's Department at the Central Library, the following
extracts are presented, relating to special features of her work:
[50]
Reference work with the children follows the requirements of the
school course in the main. An increase in the number of questions on
commercial subjects and a demand for material to be used in vocational
education is noticed. Memoranda of reference questions are made with
a view to indexing material more carefully and to fiUing up the deficiencies
whenever suitable books appear.
The use of the Reference Room by teachers has increased largely
during the year. The facility with which the more important educational
books may be consulted there and the filing there of the professional period-
icals have been the causes of this awakened interest.
Six lessons on the use of the Library have been given to classes from
the schools. Three talks on children's reading were given to Mothers'
Clubs, in our own district, in Hyde Park, and in Roxbury.
The new feature of the library work with children, throughout the city,
is the "story hour." Since last May the Central Library has had 31
"story hours," with an attendance of 1 ,294 children. The location of
the Central Building makes this one of the smaller groups in the system, but
it has been a steadily growing one.
The material used for story-telling has consisted mainly of the great epics
of different lands, myths and legendary tales, and the stronger stories
for young people. Its appeal is made less to the little children than to
those of twelve or thirteen years of age, in the belief that there is consid-
erable story telling given in the schools for the younger children.
The children's choice of reading follows the line of their interests.
If their interest in books of permanent value is undeveloped, the library
may reasonably undertake to arouse such interest. For years this has
been the work of the children's department with individuals. There is
no way of doing this comparable with story-telling. The most marked
illustration we have had of this fact is seen in a group of little Jewish
boys who repeat the stories heard at the Library to younger boys in their
neighborhood. Once a week, since last May, this club has met, at first
on a roof on Harrison Avenue, later at Lincoln House. It is a most
stimulating experience to be present at one of the club meetings and
watch the absorption of thirty or more little boys in the crude reteHing
by one of their number, of great classics or folklore from different lands.
The circulation of books is noticeably increased by the story-telling.
After each story hour the children eagerly request the books which con-
tain the stories they have just heard. The demand does not cease then,
but increases as the details of the story become faint in the children's
memories. Thus, a demand for stories from the Faerie Queene was
noticed here for six months after they were told at South End Branch.
Among the results of the story-telling, we count as most important, the
improvement in the quality of reading, increased ability to concentrate
attention, better knowledge on our part of the children's reading tastes,
and the free discussion of books, which accompanies the assembling, week
after week, of the same children.
[51]
BATES HALL.
The reference work, so-called, of the Library, that is, the
use of books for study, rather than for recreative reading, con-
tinues to increase. Mr. Oscar A. Bierstadt, Chief of the Refer-
ence Department, in Bates Hall, the principal reading-room at
the Central Library, reports, in part, as follows :
Never before has Bates Hall been so extensively visited as during
the past year. Professors and students from distant universities came
here in greater number to find books unobtainable in their own institutions,
and the Library was thus enabled to aid in the advancement of American
scholarship.
The erection of a new building for the New England Historic
Genealogical Society naturally made its books less accessible for a time,
and its readers have notably increased the number of genealogical students
frequenting Bates Hall.
Similarly, the disruption of the Harvard University Library, precedent
to the erection of its new building, has stimulated the use of books here.
Boston is a great educational centre, and with the numerous colleges
and schools located in and around the city it may well be considered as
the Oxford of America. From all these institutions of learning readers
come to the large reference room of this Library, which therefore extends
its hospitahty to more students than any single college library is privileged
to receive.
The maximum attendance of readers in Bates Hall, 301, was attained
in the afternoon of February 4, and it was reduced to 84 on the afternoon
of July 20.
From the reference works on the open shelves of Bates Hall it has
been necessary to send 974 volumes to the bindery for repairs or re-
binding. Thus about one-tenth of the entire collection required repairs
on account of constant use.
The reference books reported as missing, number 76, compared with 80
for the preceding year, showing a decrease of 4. Only 1 0 volumes
have disappeared from the collection of new books, while in the preceding
year there was a loss of 125 volumes. This diminution is due to the
fact that the new books have been removed from the freely open shelves
of Bates Hall to a corner of the delivery room, where they are safeguarded
by grilles and by the constant presence of an attendant.
THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES.
The Special Libraries, so-called, at the Central Library, in-
clude the Fine Arts Department, including books and photo-
[52]
graphs relating to the Fine Arts, Architecture, and the various
technical arts; The Allen A. Brown Music Room; and the
Barton-Ticknor room, containing the Barton Shakespeare library,
the Prince Library, the Ticknor Spanish collection, the Allen
A. Brown Dramatic library, and the various important special
collections. The following details are based upon or taken from
the report of Mr. Frank H. Chase, Custodian:
THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT.
The circulation of pictures issued in portfolios to schools,
classes and clubs, which has shown a regular increase annually
since 1 906 has for the past year been as follows :
Portfolios
Borrowers. Issued.
Public schools 2.048
Private schools ........... 17
Clubs 35
Classes ............. 50
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . 113
2.266
This may be compared with the totals of previous years, as
follows :
1906 675 1909 1.007
1907 773 1910 1.689
1908 952 1911 2,158
1912 2,266
The number of pictures to each portfolio may be averaged at
15. The total number of individual pictures circulated thus
becomes 33,990. These pictures are important aids in class
work in history, geography, fine arts, and in stimulating interest
in various subjects of study in the schools and literary clubs.
The direct circulation of books for home use from the Fine
Arts Department (included in the statement of total circulation,
page 38) was 19,752, a slight gain as compared with the pre-
ceding year.
BARTON-TICKNOR ROOM.
Barton-Ticknor books issued ......... 13.570
Maps issued 1,133
Books from other departments, issued for readers applying in this room . 7.643
[53]
ALLEN A. BROWN MUSIC ROOM.
To the collection in this room 355 volumes have been added
during the year. Of these, 98 were given by Mr. Brown.
The important additions include:
Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos, Parker's Mona, Wolf-Ferrari's Jewels
of the Madonna, Holbrooke's Children of Don, Orchestral scores of
Jacobowski's Erminie, Sibelius' Symphony No. 4, Ravel's Mamere I'oye,
Reger's Konzert im alten Stil, and Witkowski's Symphony No. 2. Also
a collection of 75 popular song books (containing the words of the songs
only) dating from I 85— to 1 86—.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES.
Visits of Classes.
The meetings held by classes, and study clubs, provided with
tables in the West Gallery of the Fine. Arts Department, or
accommodated in the Lecture Hall, number 1 59 with a total at-
tendance of about 1 ,586 students. This does not include a con-
jFerence of the City Federation ; the Annual Esperanto Congress ;
a public session of the Fathers and Mothers Club; a conference
of the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs on
literature and library extension; fourteen meetings of the Ruskin
Club; the Fourth National Conference on City planning (five ses-
sions) ; and meetings of the American Political Science Associa-
tion (four sessions) . The number of persons who attended these
conferences and meetings was about 1,761.
The conferences in connection with the Harvard-Lowell Uni-
versity Extension Courses, brought together 870 students. In
all, therefore, at least 4,2 1 7 students of various grades or persons
interested in special subjects of research were in attendance at
class meetings or conferences within the Library.
LECTURES AND EXHIBITIONS.
The free public lectures given in the Central Library Lecture
Hall during the year, and the exhibitions in the Fine Arts Exhi-
[54]
bition Room (many of which are in connection with the lectures)
are enumerated in the following lists:
Lectures.
1912. January 18. French Painting: Impressionists and Symbolists.*
Mary Augusta Mullikin.
January 21. Gilbert Stuart, Painter of Famous Americans.* Charles
K. Bolton.
January 25. Holland and Belgium.* Henry Warren Poor.
January 28. The Poetry of the People, with Illustrative Selections:
Patriotic and Historical Verse. Horace G. Wadlin.
February 1. Renaissance Art in Italy and Northern Europe: I. The
Portrait.* F. Melbourne Greene.
February 4. Charles Dickens. E. Charlton Black.
February 8. Renaissance Art in Italy and Northern Europe: II. The
Single Figure.* F. Melbourne Greene.
February 1 I . Abraham Lincoln, the Boy and the Man. James Morgan.
February 15. Renaissance Art in Italy and Northern Europe: III. The
Group.* F. Melbourne Greene.
February 1 8. Longfellow, the Poet and the Man.* Marian Longfel-
low.
February 25. The Poetry of the People, with Illustrative Selections:
Dialect and Local Verse. Horace G. Wadlin.
February 28. Recent Babylonian Researches and Excavations.* Al-
bert T. Clay. (Under the auspices of the Archaeological Institute of
America. )
February 29. Coronations of English Sovereigns in Westminster Abbey.*
George N. Cross.
March 3. Reading: The Servant in the House, by Charles Rann Ken-
nedy. Helen Weil.
March 6. Types of Modern Drama, I. Frank W. C. Hersey.
March 7. Engineering Development of the Printing Industry.* Walter
S. Timmis. (Under the auspices of the Society of Printers.)
March 1 0. The Story of Old Boston.* WaUer K. Watkins.
March 1 3. Types of Modern Drama, II. Frank W. C. Hersey.
March 14. The Graphic Arts Reproductive Hand Processes.* A. W.
Elson. (Under the auspices of the Society of Printers.)
March 17. Ancient Irish Art and Architecture.* WiUiam H. Mc-
Ginty.
March 20. Types of Modern Drama, III. Frank W. C. Hersey.
March 21. Planning of Small Country Houses and Grounds.* R.
Clipston Sturgis.
March 24. Heroic Types in Early EngHsh Literature. Frank H. Chase.
[55]
March 27. Types of Modern Drama, IV. Frank W. C. Hersey.
March 28. The Vatican.* Rev. Thomas I. Gasson, S.J.
March 31. Aviation.* Anthony J. Philpott.
April 8. Mount Sinai, its Monasteries and Manuscripts.* Caspar Rene
Gregory. (Under the auspices of the Archaeological Institute of
America.)
April 24. Life in the Country Demes of Attica.* Professor Allinson,
of Brown University. (Under the auspices of the Archaeological In-
stitute of America.)
April 27. Esperanto. D. O. S. Lowell. (Under the auspices of the
Boston Esperanto Society.)
October 1 7. Watts and Whistler: a Contrast.* F. Melbourne Greene.
October 24. The Wayside Inn.* Marian Longfellow.
October 27. The Opera: I. The Music Drama in Italy. Olin Downes.
October 31. Rome, the Eternal City.* Henry C. Wilson.
November 7. Millet and Segantini: Peasant Painters.* F.Melbourne
Greene.
November 10. The Opera: II. Early Development in France. Oliii
Downes.
November 14. Civic Architecture in Boston and Elsewhere.* Huger
Elliott.
November 1 7. Types of Modern Drama : I. Frank W. C. Hersey.
November 21 Braddock's Campaign, 1755.* John K. Lacock.
November 24. The Country of Sir Walter Scott.* Charles S. Olcott.
December 1. The Opera: III. Rise of the German Romantic School.
Olin Downes.
December 5. Austro-Hungary.* John C. Bowker.
December 8. Types of Modern Drama : II. Frank W. C. Hersey.
December 9. Egypt and Palestine.* John R. Ainsley. (Under the
auspices of the Field and Forest Club.)
December 12. West India Islands.* Charles Mason Fuller.
December 15. Reading: Longfellow's Evangeline.* A. T. Kempton.
December 19. Michelangelo as Sculptor.* Herbert Richard Cross.
(Under the auspices of the Archaeological Institute of America.)
December 19. America's Treasures of Art.* Mary Augusta Mullikin,
December 29. Charles Dickens as an Actor.* John J. Enright.
1913. January 2. Switzerland.* Edward W. Schuerch.
January 5. Reading: Longfellow's Myles Standish.* A. T. Kempton.
January 9. The Castle of Chantilly and its Treasures of Art* Martha
A. S. Shannon.
January 12. The Opera: IV. Richard Wagner. Olin Downes.
January 13. British India.* H. D. Heathfield. (Under the auspices
of the Field and Forest Club.)
Lectures whose titles are marked with an asterisk (*) were illustrated by the stereopticon.
[56]
For the first time since the Library was opened to the pubHc
a course of free lectures on Sunday afternoons was arranged in
1911, and, beginning in December, was continued, as appears
from the foregoing Hst, until the close of the lecture season in
the Spring of 1912. The interest shown by the public in these
Sunday lectures has warranted a similar arrangement during the
season beginning in October.
Exhibitions, Central Library.
1912. January 15. French Painting of the Nineteenth Century.
January 22. Belgium and Holland.
January 29. Renaissance Painting: Portraits.
February 1. Charles Dickens Memorial Exhibition: Manuscripts, books,
and pictures.
February 5. Renaissance Painting: Groups.
February 1 2. European Painting of the Seventeenth Century.
February 15. Ports and Harbors of the World.
February 1 9. Native Homes and Industries of Boston's Foreign Popula-
tion.
February 26. Westminster and the Coronation of King George V.
March 1 . Spanish Painting.
March I I . Irish Art and Architecture.
March 1 8. American Country Homes.
March 28. The Vatican.
April 5. National Parks of the United States. (Lent by the United
States Department of Agriculture.)
April 5. Mountain Scenery. (White Mountains, mountains of western
United States, mountains of Tyrol.)
April 27. The Campanile of St. Mark, Venice.
May 7. Robert Browning Memorial Exhibition: Books, photographs,
and manuscripts.
May 20. Manuscripts of the American Revolution.
May 27. The Copley Square Problem.
May 27. City Planning. (Material lent in connection with City Plan-
ning Conference.)
June 1 0. The Sir Walter Scott Country. (Original photographs by C.
S. Olcott, lent by Houghton Mifflin Company.)
June 24. The work of L. Alma-Tadema.
June 24. The work of Francis D. Millet.
July I . Joan of Arc.
August 12. American Indians. (Photographs by E. S. Curtis.)
September i 8. Opportunities for Industrial Education in Boston.
[57]
October 3. Christopher Columbus.
October 14. Watts and Whistler.
October 1 6. Hygienic Work in Massachusetts, public and private.
October 28. Rome.
November 1 . Constantinople and the Balkans.
November 4. Millet and Segantini.
November 1 I . Civic Architecture in Europe and America.
November II. Medici Prints. (Recent acquisitions.)
November! 8. The Braddock and Cumberland Roads.
November 25. Austro-Hungary,
November 27. Dalmatia.
December 9. Egypt and Palestine.
December 9. West India Islands.
December 1 6. Paintings in American Museums.
December 21. The Annunciation. (Photographs lent by Mrs. Charles
F. Richardson.)
December 23. Historic Costume.
December 27. Historical Portraits.
December 28. German Manuscripts. (Lent by Harvard University.)
1913. January 1. Emancipation Proclamation Memorial Exhibition:
Photographs, manuscripts, books, broadsides.
January 4. Model and plans for the projected Copley Square Improve-
ment.
January 6. French Chateaux.
January 1 1 . British India.
January 1 3. Mexico.
In addition to these, there was held, during the summer, an historical
exhibit of Armenian books and newspapers.
BRANCHES AND STATIONS.
Through the operation of the branch system, including 13
principal branches and 15 minor branches (or reading room sta-
tions) the opportunities of the library are brought near to the
residents in every district of the city. The larger part of our cir-
culation for home use is either through the branches directly, or
from the Central Library through the branches, by means of
books sent to borrowers who make application at a branch and
who are supplied from the Central Library by our system of daily
wagon delivery. The brsuiches, with the Central Library as ad-
ministrative and distributing headquarters, constitute a unified or-
ganization under which the resources of the entire library are
made available throughout the city.
[58]
This organization will inevitably become enlarged as the city
increases in population. Its most recent important addition was
the accession of the Hyde Park Public Library, with about
25,640 volumes, by the annexation of the town of Hyde Park.
Hie completion of the new branch building at the North End,
the probable completion, early in the fall of 1913, of the new
building in Charlestown, our occupancy of new reading rooms in
the municipal buildings now under construction in South Boston
or proposed in Ward 7; and in other parts of the city, will
enable the library to meet more effectively the public demand
for library privileges. Our work with the schools is largely con-
ducted through the branch department. Through this depart-
ment, also, various institutions and club centres are supplied with
deposits of books. All this work is of the highest importance,
and by performing it, the library, as an educational institution,
supplementing the schools, fills a place in the scheme of popular
education which the schools, under their limitations, are unable
to occupy.
The work in this Department is done quietly, and a visitor to
the Central Library sees little of it. But it touches closely,
and perhaps more generally than any other department of the li-
brary, the public as a whole.
Besides the branches and reading room stations, the subsidiary
agencies of distribution, supplied through the branch system dur-
ing the year, include 61 engine houses, 31 institutions of various
kinds, and 131 public and parochial schools. Thus the total
number of distributing agencies is 251.
Hie total expense of operation of the branch system, charge-
able against the city appropriation was $1 1 7,433.53 for the year.
This expense, it is perhaps needless to say, must show a progres-
sive annual increase, if the library is to meet the legitimate demand
upon it as the branch system continues to develop.
The circulation through the branches is shown in the tables on
pages 38, 39. The total recorded circulation (home use) of the
system, 1,480,371 volumes, shows a gain of 143,082, as com-
pared with the preceding year. The 1 3 principal branches and
two large reading room stations sent out directly 25,654 volumes
[59]
on deposit, as against 20,863. These figures indicate the trend of
increase, but do not measure, since it is impossible to measure sta-
tistically, the increase in the use of books within the branch build-
ings, the reference use in connection with the schools, nor the dis-
tribution of pictures and other library material not books. In
every way, the work at the branches is constantly enlarging.
From the report of Mr. Langdon L. Ward, Supervisor of
Branches, the following extracts are made showing important
phases of this work:
WORK WITH SCHOOLS.
The work of the Branch Department with the schools continues to
grow. The number of volumes sent to them on deposit this year from the
Central Library and the branches was 31,978, an increase of 6,265
volumes over the year 191 1 — 12. The number of teachers supplied was
708, as against 664 the preceding year. Of these 1 85 were supplied
from the Central Library and 523 from the branches and large reading
rooms.
To encourage teachers to ask for books and pictures, five new printed
forms of letters and applications have been prepared and used successfully.
A committee representing the schools has been appointed by the
Superintendent of Schools, and is considering several important questions
concerning the relations of the Library and the schools. This com-
mittee has held three meetings at each of which representatives of the Li-
brary were present. It is expected that definite results will be reached in
time. We have already noticed an increased interest in the Library on the
part of teachers, following the appointment of this Committee.
TRANSFERS FROM THE BRANCHES.
From the branches 2,948 volumes were transferred to the Central
Library during the year. Approximately 2,000 volumes of the number
were bound periodicals. We have now removed from the branches nearly
all of the small broken sets of these, and of the larger sets the following; At-
lantic Monthly, Living Age, Lippincott's, North American Review, Nine-
teenth Century, Scribner's, the Century. One complete set of each of these
periodicals is kept somewhere in the branch system, and the sets in Stack 4
at the Central Library have been completed so far as was possible. This
process of eliminating bound periodicals is still going on. It results in giving
the branches more shelf room and relieving them of the care of comparatively
useless books. When a bound volume is wanted at a branch that no longer
has it, by the use of the telephone and the wagon it may be got within a few
[60]
hours. For example, if the North American Review, vol. 50, is wanted
by someone at South Boston, it may be obtained from the West End
Branch, where the file is kept, or from the Central Library (Stack 4 set) .
DEMAND FOR CERTAIN BOOKS.
With regard to the demand for certain books and classes of books, I
quote from two annual reports of the custodians:
"Among the books most frequently called for are: Aldrich, Story of a
bad boy; Mary Antm, Promised land; Jackson, Ramona; Helen Keller,
Story of my life; Myers, Histories; Richards, Story of two noble lives;
Smith, Armchair at the inn ; Upton, Standard operas. There is a growing
demand for books on music and composers."
"There is constant and increasing demand for books in Yiddish and
Italian. The objection sometimes made that people coming to our country
should learn to read our language is always met by the answers of sons
and daughters, graduates of our high schools and good citizens, that their
mothers and fathers are too old, or that they have not time to learn, but that
they read well in their own language and yearn for the literature of their
mother country. People who draw foreign books are most apprecia-
tive and careful about having books carefully charged. During the year
but three Italian books have disappeared — one of these was a book on
hygiene."
THE CIRCULATION OF PICTURES.
The number of pictures that have been issued from branches and read-
ing rooms, chiefly to schools, is 42,391 as against 40,149 in 1911, and
2 1 ,7 1 9 in 1910. The use would undoubtedly have been larger if we had
had a new edition of the printed lists, as was the case in 1911. Several
thousand pictures have been mounted and added to the branch collection. I
quote from the annual report of a custodian a passage on this subject:
"In mounting pictures we omit, no matter how pretty they may be,
pictures of places, since these may usually be obtained from Central. Folk-
life, mythology, animal life, industries,, illustrations of books, and historical
pictures are mounted. The London News and National Geographic
Magazine are two valuable sources of material."
The number of portfolios of pictures sent out from the Fine Arts De-
partment, through the branches and reading rooms, was 1 ,880, as against
1,787 in 1911.
THE STORY HOUR AT THE BRANCHES.
Story telling, in connection with the use of the library by chil-
dren, introduced in 1911, under the direction of Mrs. Mary W.
Cronan, has been continued during the year covered by this re-
[611
port. This work at the Central Library has been referred to on
page 50. The following details, from Mr. Ward's report upon
the branches, are of interest:
At the beginning of the year there was a weekly story hour at the
Jamaica Plain and South End Branches and the Codman Square Read-
ing Room. In March the Trustees, authorized a further limited expendi-
ture for this work, and stories have been told weekly since that time at the
Central Library, and at the Brighton and South Boston Branches and since
September, at the West End Branch. In the Fall the expenses of the story
hour at the Jamaica Plain Branch, which had been borne by some Jamaica
Plain ladies since July 1911. were assumed by the Library.
In October a class in story-telling was formed, the members being eight
employees of the Branches. This has been continued until the present
time. It has proved sufficiently successful to justify the expense and
the time required. Most of the members are now trained that they can
tell stories to a group of children reasonably well. Several of them have
taken up the work at the Brighton and Jamaica Plain branches every other
week, for some time past. The training that the members of this class
receive assists them in their regular work with the children at the branches.
If it is a proper function of the Library to direct children's reading
and to stimulate a demand for the best books, then the story hour would
seem justified, since it is the consensus of opinion that this has been its effect.
It has other effects, such as an increased appreciation of library privi-
leges by the children, improvement in manners, and increased interest in the
Library on the part of parents and teachers.
I quote the following passages from the annual reports of custodians :
"Of the popularity of the story hour I need only say that at the first
one, we had fifteen children and for the last three months, we have had an
average of 1 25 children, which does not count those excluded for lack of
space. With regard to the status of the group, seven-eighths of them are
boys between 1 1 and 1 4 years of age. What I did not say before and wish
to say now is that these children are of Irish, Lithuanian, Polish, Italian and
some of Hebrew extraction. This goes far toward showing that the love of
story-telling is an attribute of the human race rather than of any nationality.
It is impossible to acquire figures concerning the use of the particular
books with which the stories are concerned, except in so far as to say that I
have not seen a copy of Robin Hood nor King Arthur on the children's
shelves for months. The effect of the story hour on the use of books in
general can be more easily figured. Our story hour occurs on Wednesdays.
Last year, the average circulation on Wednesdays was 380 volumes; this
year it is 461 volumes. But even more important and far more noticeable
to one working in the children's room, is the more intelligent use of the
books. For instance, after one Russian folk-tale heard in the story hour
the children want our Russian, folk stories for what they really are and not
for their attractive binding. Moreover, books circulated as a result of the
[62]
story hour are practically sure of a thorough reading. Finally, to the chil-
dren just beginning to use the Library, the titles mean something more
than just a pretty book. This more intelligent and more thorough
use of the books by the children is perhaps the most important effect of the
story hour, and should, I think, ensure the place of the latter in the Li-
brary."
"But the result sought in having the stories told is more important
than the mere entertainment of the children or the increase of circula-
tion. It has happened that this year there is an increase of 1 ,000
volumes or nearly 1 0 per cent in the total of juvenile circulation, some of
which is due to the story hour, but it is of more importance that books which
were not read before were read after the children heard the stories, and
quite often a child who has been unable to come to the Library for some
time will come and ask for a book about a story he heard at the beginning
of the year."
"Since the beginning of the story-telling, the circulation of children's
books in this branch has increased as follows:
Gain in
Month ending. children's books
ALONE.
October 15 928
November 15 1.032
December 15 790
January 15 1,086
3,836
"A notable thing about the gain during January was that although the
circulation has always dropped during holiday time, yet this year, the month
ending January 1 5 shows a gain of 1 ,086 volumes in juvenile books alone.
Although the stories entertain the children, that was not the object for
which they were started. It seems to me that the greatest effect cannot be
reckoned by figures of circulation. It lies in the inspiration the children are
getting. They are being introduced in a simple way to some of the best
things in literature. The magic doors to the folk-stories of all nations are
being opened to them, with an appreciation of what those stories symbolize.
Heroism is rewarded, virtue crowned, and vice punished. Children are
quick to grasp the moral; it never needs pointing out to them. They ap-
preciate the justice of the situation when Solomon Crow loses his pockets,
when the citizens of Hamelin Town lose their children, or the wicked
dwarf, Albrecht, loses the magic ring. These stories and many others are
invaluable ways of teaching honesty and truthfulness.
The story hour has still another function ; it forms a pleasant bond be-
tween the Library and the children. There is no obligation about the story
hour ; they come because they enjoy it. Too often the Children's Room is
regarded as a place where they must keep quiet and study their "Home les-
son," and all Library attendants are thought of and referred to as "teach-
f6^1
ers." The assistant who has been having lessons, and has several times as-
sisted at the story hour is looked upon and greeted now as a friend.
We have found that children of foreign parentage read a better class
of books than their American brothers and sisters ; that they will take good
things when they can get them. It rests with us to see that they get the best,
and the story hour opens the door to the best in all literature."
"The story hour once every week has been continued through the year
with an average attendance, except during the summer, of between eighty
and ninety. It is pleasant to notice the eager attention which the children
give to the stories. After every story hour we have requests for books con-
taining the stories to which they have just listened. In future years, the
children will realize the great advantage they have enjoyed in hearing nar-
rated so vividly the folk-lore and legends of so many countries. The mem-
bers of the training class who have recently done some of the work have suc-
ceeded well in telling the stories in an interesting manner and in holding the
attention of the children."
"One of the neighboring settlements has formed a boys' club for story-
telling, which has been named the Library Club. Every effort is made to
encourage the boys to get books from the Library. A side light on story-
telling was thrown by a master of one of the schools who says that the fifth
and sixth grade teachers have been encouraging the boys to tell the stories
to the class, stories they themselves have heard told at the Library or at the
clubs. Several boys have developed a real talent in this way. 'Boys' says
this master, 'must have changed since I went to school.' He welcomes the
innovation, because it improves the English vocabulary of the boys, who are
mostly of foreign parentage."
REFERENCE WORK, PERSONAL WORK, AND CONSTITUENCIES.
The end of the year finds the branches and reading rooms better
equipped than ever before in books and in experience to do reference work
and to guide the reading of their borrowers. It would seem also from the
unanimity on this point of the reports of the custodians that the demand for
help on the part of the public increases year by year. The demand is not
of the same kind in all districts. One reading room has twice as many adult
readers as children; at another, conditions are exactly reversed. At one
place people ask to have books chosen for them, at another they would re-
sent this. The attempt is made to meet conditions as they exist, and, it is
hoped, with success. There is no better way to illustrate what is being done
than to quote the following passages from the annual reports of different
custodians :
"The reference work has been an important factor in the usefulness of
this reading room. Many grammar school and high school pupils, as well
as other students, come regularly for aid. I notice that the high school
pupils, who have visited the library for at least a year, are becoming more
self-reliant in use of reference books. I make it a point to instruct, as I find
[64]
the proper book ; and explain why I looked for the subject in some particular
place and the chain leading from one reference book to another. When a
similar subject is required, it can be found by these pupils and this leaves
me time for others. It is always a pleasure to watch the first excursion into
the mysteries of reference study. This seems to be a long step toward the
cooperation of the school and library. Yesterday a little miss of nine came
shyly to my desk, holding a piece of paper bearing the name 'Louisa Al-
cott* and asked: 'Won't you please tell me something about this ladyV
When she received 'Persons and Places,' a real encyclopaedia, she was as
delighted as with a new toy and very carefully copied every word, together
with what I told her about some of the 'Alcott' books."
"The principal part of our reference work is with those still in school
or college. Our adult constituents from abroad appear intelligent and seem
to have considerable education. Other constituents possess cultivated taste
in their reading — some are club members, others physicians, teachers or
writers who use the library for reference purposes or to draw books. Our
Central Library delivery provides admirably for these and gives the feeling,
expressed by one of our patrons, that it is a wonderful system which makes
a branch one with the great Central collection of books, providing within a
few hours those not to be found on the shelves."
"Pupils from the Gilbert Stuart School, Dorchester High, Girls'
Latin, Boys' Latin, Mechanic Arts, Boston College, and School of Com-
merce, come to this station frequently to consult the reference books."
"This brings us to the subject of the constituency of the district. The
ward has a population of 2 1 ,806 and the card holders number but 1 ,782
or about 8 per cent. This does not mean indifference on the part of the
people but is largely explained by the location of the branch which is up>on
a side street, between two car lines. The people have homes which are pre-
sumably well supplied with books, so that the public library is not as neces-
sary to them as to the residents in the more congested districts of the city.
The locality is suburban and the adult members of the families going to the
city every day patronize circulating libraries near their business or support
the local ones doing a thriving business at intervals of half a mile along the
route to the city. These readers are, of course, looking for the newest fic-
tion. There is almost no foreign element in the population, therefore little
call for books in foreign languages. The demand is largely for fiction or
non-fiction of a recreative nature, with some demand for modern books on
machinery and electricity. We have several patrons pursuing systematic
courses in art, history, travel, and literature, and they use all that we can
give them and that Central affords on these subjects.
"With the establishment of new industries this district is growing in
business and population. At the registration desk, many new comers are
noticed who seek out the library as soon as they come to the district, being
used to library privileges elsewhere. About a third of the people are foreign
bom, inteUigent and ambitious, almost every nationality being represented.
[651
The branch has lost many former constant readers who have read all
the fiction offered here and will probably never return. It is good to find,
however, that many of foreign-born parentage, who began to use the library
while in school several years ago, are still using it. One of these is now
reading Mazzini and Dante in his leisure hours. Another, now a street-
car conductor, often drops into the branch to read or study when he has an
hour or an evening ofF. Another is taking a course in the evening law
school."
"This past winter has brought us a great number of hard-working
men seeking help and self-advancement with the work of their life. En-
gineers come seeking instructions for use in the boiler-room. Plumbers,
electricians, and various other mechanics bring us weekly requests for help
and instruction. School physicians ask for books on hygiene and health ; col-
lege students bring their class-room problems to us for the solution they seem
confident of receiving. It is this growing confidence in the library that we
love to see and that we foster. We want the ignorant, unskilled laborer to
feel that we are there for him as well as for the cultured student of the clas-
sics. We belong to all, we wish all to avail themselves of our help."
"Perhaps the class which demands most of our attention and which
never seems to grow beyond includes the teachers. They borrow our pic-
tures and our deposit books to supplement various talks and lessons. They
ask for fairy tales and psychologies; graded readers and grammatical
analyses — in fact, their requests are as inclusive as our classifications, and
are upon as many subjects as exist within the confines of knowledge.
From four in the afternoon until nine at night are the busiest hours of
our day. The long tables are crowded with silent readers, some busy with
their favorite periodicals, others engaged in culling notes from encyclo-
paedias while still others wrestle with the difficult problems of the next
school day. It is not an uncommon sight to see little people patiently
struggling over home lessons in a retired corner of the hbrary. One little
girl informed me that it was so noisy in the kitchen at home where the fam-
ily congregated that she took her books every night to the library to study
there. To children like this one, the library is a sanctuary."
"The people who frequent the reading room are of various nation-
alities. Among those who use the library are students, professional men
and women, business men, mechanics, and a large number of women who
never come to the library but depend upon the attendants to select their
reading, their children acting as messengers, and a large number of school
children."
"My experience, where I have been able to follow the reading of chil-
dren from the lower grades up, indicates that if they have had access to a
place where the best books are easily obtainable their choice of reading will
be creditable. I recently asked several girls who have used our library since
they were old enough to read, to give me lists of ten books they would Hke
saved for their own use if all the other books in the world should be de-
166]
stroyed. The books chosen had to do largely with the avocational or cul-
tural rather than the vocational interest, though these users of the library
were all residing in a district where 'how to get a living' is the chief question.
REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT.
Mr. John J. Keenan, Chief of the Registration Department,
reports that in January 1913, there were 92,599 borrowers cards
in force, so-called "active" home-use cards, i. e. available for use
in taking books for use outside the library buildings. The net
gain for the year was 3,437. The usual statistical statement, clas-
sifying the card holders, follows:
Cards held by men and boys ......... 40,723
Cards held by women and girls ........ 51,876
Cards held by persons over 16 years of age 50,683
Cards held by persons under 16 years of age . . 41,916
Teachers' cards ........... 4,718
Pupils' cards (public and parochial schools) 32,990
Students' cards (higher institutions of learning) ...... 25,186
VARIOUS STATISTICS.
Distribution of Documents.
During the year the distribution of library publications has
been as follows:
Sent to departments for free distribution ....... 90,626
Sent to departments for sale ......... 421
Free direct distribution .......... 29,137
Distributed for library use 88
Publications.
Under the editorial supervision of Mr. Lindsay Swift the fol-
lowing publications have been issued :
1 . Quarterly Bulletin. Owing to disarrangement of the Printing Depart-
ment under removal, the four numbers appeared in three. Aggre-
gate pages, 360. Edition for each issue, 2,000 copies.
2. Weekly Book List. 52 numbers condensed into 47, on account of re-
moval of Printing Department referred to above. Aggregate pages,
344. Edition, 2,500 copies each week.
[67]
The Bates Hall Centre Desk, Netvspaper and Patent Rooms,
Central Library.
TTie following items are reported by Mr. Pierce E. Buckley,
Custodian :
Centre Desk- Tlie Indicator installed at the Centre Desk,
from which it is immediately determined whether or not a book
requested has already been lent for use out of the building, sent to
the bindery, or otherwise temporarily removed from use in the
reading room, has now been in operation more than a year, ob-
viating the necessity of obtaining this record from the indicator
in the Issue Department. As expected, it has shortened the time
required for responding to the demands of readers. Many
readers wish to know whether or not a book is available, and if
not, will select some other title. This question can now be an-
swered at once, at the centre desk, by means of the indicator,
relieving readers from the necessity of waiting for a report from
the Issue Department, and the loss of time thereby occasioned.
Newspaper Room. There are at present 340 newspapers
regularly filed in this room. Of these, 256 are dailies and 84
weeklies. To the bound newspaper files 126 volumes were
added during the year. The number of volumes consulted
(30,232) shows a gain of 7,1 80 as compared with the preceding
year, cind the number of persons who used them (13,428) an
increase of 2,740.
Patent Room. There are now in the collection of volumes
of Patents, 12,139; a net gain of 448 volumes. The use of the
department increases, as may be seen from the following state-
ments :
1912-13. 1911-12.
Persons using the collection 1 3,946 1 1 ,832
Volumes consulted 89,437 81.397
The use of books from the open shelves, which is extensive,
is not recorded.
[68]
The Periodical Room, Central Library.
The following table shows the number of readers in the
Periodical Room, Central Library, at certain hours, as totalized
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.
1912-13 . 9.896 13,928 20.714 26.419 17.720 23.334 8.219
1911-12 . . . 9.801 13.942 20.643 26.320 19.611 23.142 8,146
The following statement exhibits the use of volumes from the
files of periodicals:
1912-13. 1911-12.
Bound volumes consulted during the year, in the day time
(week days) 32.987 32.460
In the evening or on Sundays ....... 11,360 11,120
The periodicals currently filed at the Central Library are dis-
tributed as follows:
In the Newspaper Room . 99
In the Fine Arts Department and Brown Music Room .... 122
In the Periodical Readmg Room . . . . • 1,175
In the Statistical Department . 38
In the Teachers' Reference Room ........ 27
In the Ordering Department (for official use) 27
Total 1.488
Documents and Statistics.
Mr. Horace L. Wheeler, in charge, reports the following addi-
tions to the Statistical Department:
By exchange with and gift to the American Statistical Asso-
ciation (whose collection is held in this Department) 520 vol-
umes and 1,695 pamphlet parts. Through regular library
accessions, 464 volumes. Total number of volumes now in the
collection 1 7,888. Important additions include the publica-
tions of the United States Census of 1910; Reports of the
Immigration Commission; cind Reports of the Commission on
Woman cind Child Wage-earners.
[69]
The collection of books in this Department, including as it
does, a Municipal reference library and an extensive collection
of volumes relating to economics and social science is in constant
and increasing use. Reservations are made here for students
in the School for Social Workers, the University Extension
Classes in certain subjects, students from Simmons College, and
others pursuing special branches of research.
Sunda}) and Evening Service, Central Library.
The average number of books lent on Sundays and holidays
from the Central Library, for use outside the library building,
was 747. The largest number lent on any single Sunday (or
holiday) was 1 ,236. The largest number of readers present in
the Bates Hall Reading Room on any single Sunday was 301,
on February 4, 1912, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
The Printing Department.
The following table compiled from the report of Mr. Francis
Watts Lee, Chief, exhibits the range of work in the Printing
Department in two successive years:
1911-12. 1912-13.
Requisitions on hand at opening of year ..... 9 11
Requisitions received during year ...... 142 187
Requisitions on hand at end of year ..... II 7
Requisitions filled during year ...... 140 191
Card Catalogue (Central) :
Titles (Printing Dept. count) 13,434 11,022
Cards finished (excluding extras) 164,691 109,709
Titles in tj^je but not printed ...... 360 438
Card Catalogue (Branches) :
Titles (Printing Dept. count) 304 336
Cards (approximately) 22,800 18,480
Pamphlets not elsewhere enumerated . . . . . 21,150 8,150
Call slips 1,525,340 2,137.700
Stationery and blank forms 652,234 1 ,003,742
Signs 651 609
Blank books 182 16
This comparison is affected by the fact that work in this
Department was either suspended or much restricted during part
of the year on account of the removal to new premises, at 1 72
Columbus Avenue, from those long occupied on Stanhope Street.
[70]
In the new location the plant has been arranged so as to give
effective service, and provision has been made for replacing two
linotype machines of older pattern with those of latest and best
construction. When the new machines are installed the plant
will be equipped to perform in the best and most economical
manner the work required by the library, nearly all of which
is of specialized character.
The Bindery.
Mr. James W. Kenney, Chief of the Bindery, in his annual
report presents figures upon which the following table is based:
1911-12. 1912-13.
Number of volumes bound, various styles ..... 42,398 42,492
Volumes repaired ......... 2,494 2,644
Volumes guarded 1,945 1,637
Maps mounted 1.021 805
Photographs and engravings mounted ..... 4,258 5,61 1
Magazines stitched ........ 206 216
Library publications, folded, stitched and trimmed 170,819 154,451
Besides this, a large amount of miscellaneous work has been
done, for example, the manufacture of periodical covers, port-
folios, pouches, the stitching of magazines, mounting of cards,
blocking of paper, etc.
The comparison of the work performed during the past year
with that of the year preceding is affected by the disturbance due
to the removal of the Bindery to its new quarters in connection
with the Printing Department, at 1 72 Columbus Avenue.
EXAMINATIONS.
Examinations for library service were given as follows: Grade
B, September 9, 24 applicants of whom 1 1 passed; and Grade
E, April 6 and September 7, 1 1 2 applicants of whom 67 passed.
CHIEFS OF DEPARTMENTS AND CUSTODIANS OF BRANCHES
AND READING-ROOM STATIONS.
As at present organized, the various departments of the Library
and the branches and reading-room stations are in charge of
the following persons:
Samuel A. Chevalier, Chief of Catalogue Department.
William G. T. Roffe, In charge of 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.
Frank H. Chase, Custodian of Special Libraries.
Frank C. Blaisdell, Chief of Issue Department.
Langdon L. Ward, Supervisor of Branches and Stations.
Alice M. Jordan, Custodian of Children's Department.
John J. Keenan, Chief of Registration Department.
Horace L. Wheeler, First Assistant, in charge of Statistical Department.
Francis Watts Lee, Chief of Printing Department.
James W. Kenney, Chief of Bindery Department.
Henry Niederauer, Chief of Engineer and Janitor Department.
Marian W. Brackett, Custodian of Brighton Branch.
Katherine S. Rogan, Custodian of Charlestown Branch.
Elizabeth T. Reed, Custodian of Dorchester Branch.
Ellen O. Walkley, Custodian of East Boston Branch.
Elizabeth Ainsworth, Custodian of Hyde Park Branch.
Mary P. Swain, Custodian of Jamaica Plain Branch.
Edith Guerrier, Custodian of North End Branch.
Helen M. Bell, Custodian of Roxbury Branch.
Mary J. Minton, Custodian of South Boston Branch.
Margaret A. Sheridan, Custodian of South End Branch.
Josephine E. Kenney, Custodian of Upham's Corner Branch.
Alice M. Robinson, Custodian of West End Branch.
Carrie L. Morse, Custodian of West Roxbury Branch.
Mary A. 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.
Isabel F. Wetherald, 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.
Florence M. Bethune, Custodian of Station R, Warren Street Reading
Room.
Katrina M. Sather, Custodian of Station S, Roxbury Crossing Reading
Room.
Elizabeth P. Ross, Custodian of Station T, Boylston Station Reading
Room.
[72]
Edith F. Pendleton, Custodian of Station Z, Orient Heights Reading
Room.
Sylvia E. Donegan, Custodian of Station 23, City Point Reading Room.
Mary F. Kelley, Custodian of Station 24, Parker Hill Reading Room.
My thanks are due to these chiefs of departments and cus-
todians of branches and stations, and to the members of the
staff generally, who have loyally supported them.
Mr. Otto Fleischner, Assistant Librarian, has continued to
render faithful and efficient service to the library, and I gladly
place on record here my personal acknowledgement of his co-
operation in the work of admin'istration.
Respectfully submitted,
Horace G. Wadlin,
Librarian.
INDEX.
Accessions and Additions (5ee
Books.)
Appropriations. (See Finance.)
Balance sheet, 22—25.
Barton-Ticknor room, 52.
Bates Hall, 5, 16, 51 ; attendance, Sun_
days, 61, week days 51 ; time required
to deliver books in, 30.
Bates Hall Centre Desk, 67.
Benton, Josiah H., elected President, I .
Bindery Department, 5, 70; removal
of 10, 70.
Bindinjr and repair of books, 5.
Boilers, repairs and inspection, 36.
Books, accessions, 4, 40-46, 53, 68;
asked for, 60; average cost, 4; average
number lent on Sunday, 69; average
time for delivery to readers, 30; bind-
ing and repairs, 5; branches, 4, 40—41,
48, 49; catalogued, 47; cards printed,
47; circulation, 4, 37-40, 52, 58; de-
posits, 5, 39, 58-59; duplicates sold,
48; fiction, 28, 41 ; gifts, 45-46; inter,
library loans, 40; lack of space for, 26;
location of, 49, 68; missing, 51, 60;
more money needed for, 27; placed on
shelves, 48; purchases, 4, 41 ; reference
use, 5. 15-17 36, 50-51, 53, 63-66;
replacements, 28; reserved for students,
69; Sullivan bequest, 45; transferred
from branches to Central, 59; trans-
ferred to Medical Library, 48; work
with schools, 5, 31, 50. 59.
Borrowers. (See Card holders.)
Boston Medical Library, deposits at, 48.
Boyle, Thomas F., trustee, resignation, 1 .
Branches and reading rooms, 57—65;
accessions, 4, 40—41, 48; books asked
for, 60; books transferred to Central,
59; location of books, 49; Charles-
town Branch, new building, 7 ; circu-
lation, 4, 38-40, 58, 60; City Point
and Broadway Extension reading
rooms, better quarters for, 10, 58;
Dante Memorial for North End
Branch, 1 1 ; East Boston Branch, ap-
propriation and site for new building,
18, temporary quarters for, 36, & re-
port of Examining Committee on, 32;
deposits, 5, 39, 58-59; expense, 58;
hours of service, 3 ; Hyde Park
Branch, enlargement, 9, 33, and num-
ber of books in, 58; North End
Branch, completion of building, 6, 36;
reference work, 63—66; story_hour,
60-63; work with schools, 5, 59.
Brett, John A., appointed trustee for
term of five years, I .
Broadway Extension reading room, bel-
ter accomodations for, 10, 58.
Brown, Allen A., music collection, ad-
ditions, 53; catalogue, 47; Dramatic
collection, catalogue, 47.
Card holders, 66.
Cartee, Elizabeth Farley, decease, 13.
Catalogue Department, 47.
Charlestown Branch, new building for,
contract awarded, 7, 8; supervision
by trustees, 21.
Chiefs of departments, list, 70.
Children's Department, 49-50.
Circulation, books and pictures, 4, 5,
37, 40, 52, 58, 60.
City Point reading room, better accom-
modations for, 10, 58.
Classes and clubs, 53, 69.
Cronan, Mrs. Mary W., story telling
to children, 60.
Dante Alighieri Society, gift to North
End Branch, 1 1.
East Boston Branch, appropriation and
site for new building, 18; report of
Examining Committee on, 32 ; tempo-
rary quarters for, 36.
Examinations, 70.
Examining Committee, 18-21 ; report
of. 26-35.
Exhibitions, 56.
[74]
Finance, appropriations, I, 2, 3, for new
branch buildings, 7, 18; balance sbeet,
22-25; Examining Committee report
on, 29; expense of brandies. 58; ex-
penditures for books, 4, 41 : from
special appropriations, 7, 8, 9,; re-
ceipts, 1,2; trust funds income, 1, 14,
15; more money needed, 2, 3, 27.
Fiction, more needed, 28; purchases of,
41.
Fine arts Department, 30, 52.
Fox & Gale, architects for Charles-
town Branch building, 7.
Gifts, 45-46; bequest of Sarah A. Mat-
chett, 12; Dante memorial, 11.
Hours of service, 3.
Hyde Park Branch, enlargement, 9;
number of volumes in, 58: report of
Examining Committee on, 33.
Inter-library loans, 40.
Inventory, 1 7.
Kenney, William F., elected Vice Pres-
ident, 1 .
Lectures, 53—56.
Levels of library building, 1 1 .
Librarian's report, 36.
Matchett, Sarah A., bequest, 12.
Music Room, 53.
Newspaper Room, 67.
North End Branch, completion of new
building, 6, 36; Dante memorial for,
1 1 ; supervision by trustees, 21 ; report
of Examining Committee on, 34.
Ordering Department, 41.
Patent Room, 1 7, 67.
Pension Fund, 17, 29.
Periodical Room, 68.
Photographs and other pictures, 1 7, 52,
60.
Pratt, Bela L., completion of contract,
11.
Printing Department, 69; removal of,
10, 69.
Publications, distribution, etc., 66;
music catalogue, 47.
Receipts. (See Finance.)
Reference work, 5, 15-17, 50-51, 53.
63-66, 67; classification of books used
in Bates Hall, 16; number of readers;
Bates Hall, 51, 69; newspaper and
patent rooms, 67; periodical room, 68;
special libraries, 53; Sunday and eve-
ning, 69.
Registration Department, 66.
Repairs and improvements, 36.
Salaries and wages. Examining Com-
mittee on, 28, 29.
Schools and institutions, work with, 5,
31, 50, 58, 59.
Shelf Department, 48.
Special Libraries, 16, 17, 30, 51-57.
Statistical Department, 17, 68.
Story-hour, 50, 60-63.
Students, tables reserved for, 53, 69.
Subway station on Boylston Street, 10.
Sullivan, Patrick F., bequest, purchases
from, 45, unexpended balance, 1 5.
Sunday and evening service, 69.
Sunday lectures, 56.
Trust funds income. (5ee Finance.)
Trustees, organization, 1 ; supervision of
branches and new buildings under con-
struction, 21; weekly meetings, 21.
Whitney, James Lyman, income from
bequest, 15.
The Public Library of the City of Boston: Printing Department.
I . Central Library, Copley Square.
Branch Libraries, February I, 1913.
2. Brighton Branch, Holton Library Building, Academy Hill Road.
3. Charleslown Branch, City Square.
4. Dorchester Branch, Aracadia, cor. Adams St.
5. East Boston Branch, Austin School BIdg. Paris St.
6. Jamaica Plain Branch, Sedgwict, cor. South St.
7. Roibury Branch, 46 Millmont St.
8. South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway.
9. South End Branch, 397 Shawmut Avenue.
10. Upham's Comer Branch, Columbia Road, cor. Bird St.
1 1 . West End Branch, Cambridge, cor. Lynde St.
12. West Roxbury Branch. Centre, near Mt. Vernon St.
13. Hyde Park Branch, Harvard Ave., cor. Winlhrop Si.
14. North End Branch, 3a North Bennet St.
Delivery Stations, February 1, 1913.
A. Lower Mills Reading Room, Washington, cor. Richmond S
B. Roslindale Reading Room, Washington, cor. Ashland St.
D. Mattapan Reading Room, 727 Walk Hill St.
E. Neponset Reading Room, 362 Neponset Ave.
F. Mount Bowdoin Reading Room. Washington, c<
G. Allston Reading' Room, 6 Harvard Ave.
J. Codraan Square Reading Room, Washington, co
N. Mt. Pleasant Reading Room, Dudley, cor. Magi
P. Broadway Extension Reading Room, 1 3 Broadway Extensic
R. Wanen Street Reading Room, 390 Warren St.
S. Roxbury Crossing Reading Room, I 1 54 Tremont St.
T. Boylston Station Reading Room, The Lamartine, Depot Sqi
V. City Point Reading Room, 615 Broadway.
X. Parker Hill Reading Room, 1518 Tremont St.
Z. Orient Heighu Reading Room, 1930 Bennington St.
. Eldon St.
Norfolk St., Do
neSt.
Area of City (Land only) 43.27 Square mile.
Population (Census of 1910), 686.092.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
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