oK9.
"^1
t
SIXTY- SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
1918-1919
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1919
CENTRAL LIBRARY: ADDITION.
SIXTY- SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
1918-1919
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1919
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE CITY OF BOSTON: PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
MP4 : 6,16,19 : 25C.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ON FEBRUARY 1, 1919.
WILLIAM F. KENNEY, President
Term expires April 30, 1921.
DANIEL H. COAKLEY. ARTHUR T. CONNOLLY.
Term expires April 30, 1919. Term expires April 30, 1922.
ALEXANDER MANN. SAMUEL CARR.
Term expires April 30, 1920. Term expires April 30, 1923.
LIBRARIAN.
CHARLES F. D. BELDEN.
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 preHminary organization; that for 1853 made the
first annual report. At first the Board consisted of one alder-
man and one common councilman and five citizens at large, until
1 867, when a revised ordinance made it to consist of one alder-
man, two common councilmen and six citizens at large, two of
whom retired, unless re-elected, each year, while the members
from the City Council were elected yearly. In 1 878 the organi-
zation of the Board was changed to include one alderman, one
councilman, and five citizens at large, as before 1867; and in
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, a.m., 1879-95.
Appleton, Thomas Gold, a.m., 1852-56.
Benton, Josiah Henry, ll.d., 1894-1917.
Bigelow, John Prescott, a.m., 1852-68.
BowDiTCH, Henry Ingersoll, m.d., 1865-67.
BowDiTCH, Henry Pickering, m.d., 1894-1902.
Boyle, Thomas Francis, 1902-12.
Braman, Jarvis Dwight, 1869-72.
Brett, John Andrew, 1912-16.
Carr, Samuel, 1895-96, 1908-
Chase, George Bigelow.a.m., 1876-85.
Clarke, James Freeman, d.d., 1879-88.
CoAKLEY, Daniel Henry, 1917-
CoNNOLLY, Arthur Theodore, 1916-
CuRTis, Daniel Sargent, a.m., 1873-75,
De NoRMANDiE, James, D.D., 1895-1908.
DwiGHT, Thomas, m.d., 1899-1908.
Everett, Edward, ll.d., 1852-64.
Frothingham, Richard, ll.d., 1875-79.
Green, Samuel Abbott, m.d., 1868-78.
Greenough, William Whitwell, 1856-88.
Haynes, Henry Williamson, a.m., 1880-94.
Hillard, George Stillman, ll.d., 1872-75; 76-77.
Kenney, William Francis, a.m., 1908-
Lewis, Weston. 1868-79.
Lewis, Winslow, m.d., 1867.
Lincoln, Solomon, a.m., 1897-1907.
Mann, Alexander, d.d., 1908-
Morton. Ellis Wesley, 1870-73.
Pierce, Phineas. 1888-94.
Prince, Frederick Octavius, a.m., 1888-99.
Putnam, George, d.d., 1868-77.
Richards, William Reuben, a.m., 1889-95.
Shurtleff, Nathaniel Bradstreet, ll.d., 1852-68.
Thomas, Benjamin Franklin, ll.d., 1877-78.
TicKNOR, George, ll.d., 1852-66.
Walker, Francis Amasa, ll.d., 1896.
Whipple, Edwin Percy, a.m., 1867-70.
Whitmore, William Henry, a.m., 1885-88.
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, 1895; Hon. F.
O. Prince, October 8, 1895, to May 8, 1899; Solomon
Lincoln, May 12, 1899, to October 15, 1907; Rev. James
De Normandie, January 31, 1908, to May 8, 1908; JosiAH
H. Benton, May 8, 1908, to February 6, 191 7; William F.
Kenney, since February 13, 1917.
LIBRARIANS.
(From 1858 to 1877, the chief executive officer was entitled Superintendent.)
Capen, Edward, Librarian, May 13. 1852 - December 16, 1874.
Jewett, Charles C, Superintendent, 1858- January 9, 1868.
WiNSOR. Justin, ll.d.. Superintendent, February 25, 1868 -Septem-
ber 30. 1877.
Green, Samuel A., m.d.. Trustee, Acting Librarian, October 1.
1877 -September 30. 1878.
Chamberlain, Mellen, ll.d.. Librarian, October 1. 1878 -Sep-
tember 30, 1 890.
DwiGHT, Theodore F.. Librarian, April 13, 1892 -April 30. 1894.
Putnam, Herbert, ll.d.. Librarian, February 1 1, 1895 -April 30,
1899.
Whitney, James L., a.m., Acting Librarian, March 31,1 899 - Decem-
ber 21. 1899; Librarian, December 22, 1899- January 31. 1903.
Wadlin, Horace G., litt.d.. Librarian, February 1. 1903 -March
15. 1917; Acting Librarian, March 15, 191 7 -June 15. 1917.
BeldeN, Charles F. D., LL.B., Librarian, since March 15, 1917.
LIBRARY SYSTEM, FEBRUARY 1, 1919.
Departments.
■fCentral Library, Copley Sq.
tEasl Boston Branch, 276-282 Meridian St.
§South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway
IIRoxbury Branch, 46 Millmonl St.
tCharlestown Branch, Monument Sq. .
tBrighton Branch, Academy Hill Rd. .
$Dorchester Branch, Arcadia, cor. Adams St
§South End Branch, 397 Shawmul Ave.
tjamaica Plain Branch, Sedgwick, cor. South St,
JWest Roxbury Bremch, Centre, near Mt. Vernon St.
JCodman Square Branch, Washington, cor. Norfolk St
tWest End Branch, Cambridge, cor. Lynde St.
JUpham's Corner Branch, Columbia Rd., cor. Bird St
■fHyde Park Branch, Harvard Ave., cor. Winthrop St.
tNorth End Branch, 3a North Bennel St.
§Station A. Lower Mills Reading Room, Washington St.
Roslindale Reading Room, Washington St., cor. Ash
land St
Matlapan Reading Room, 727 Walk Hill St
Nepwnset Reading Room, 362 Neponset Ave.
Mt. Bowdoin Reading Room, Washington, cor. Eldon
St
Allston Reading Room, 6 Harvard Ave. .
Mt. Pleasant Reading Room, Vine, cor. Dudley St.
Tyler Street Reading Room, Tyler, cor. Oak St.
Warren Street Reading Room, 392 Warren St.
Roxbury Crossing Reading Room, 1 1 54 Tremont St
Boylston Station Reading Room, The Lamartine, De
pot Sq.
Andrew Square Reading Room, 396 Dorchester St.
Orient Heights Reading Room, 1030 Bennington St
23. City Point Reading Room, Municipal Bldg., Broadway
Parker Hill Reading Room, 1518 Tremont St.
Faneuil Reading Room, 100 Brooks St.
§ *
* B.
§ •
D.
§ *
• E.
§ •
• F.
§ •
• G.
t *
' N.
t '
• P.
§ '
• R.
§ '
' S.
§ '
• T.
§ •
• Y.
§ '
* Z.
t '
• 23
§ '
* 24
t '
* 25
^Opened.
May 2. 1854
Jan. 28. 1871
May I. 1872
July. 1873
•Jan„ 1874
*Jan., 1874
Jan. 25. 1874
Aug.. 1877
Sept..
*Jan. 6
♦Nov. 1
Feb. 1
Mar. 16
*Jan. 1
Feb. 27
June 7
Dec. 3
Dec. 27
Jan. 1
Nov. 1
Mar. n
Apr. 29,
Jan. 16,
May 1
Jan. 18
Nov. I
Mar. 5
June 25
July 18,
July 15
Mar. 4,
1877
1880
1914
1896
1896
1912
1913
1875
1878
1881
1883
1886
1889
1892
1896
1896
1897
1897
1914
1901
1906
1907
1914
11 In the case of the Central Library and some of the branches and stations the opening
was in a different location from that now occupied. * As a branch. t In building
owned by City, and exclusively devoted to library uses. $ In City building, in part
devoted to other municipal uses. § Occupies rented rooms. || The lessee of the
Fellowes Athenaeum, a private library association.
CONTENTS.
Report of the Trustees
Balance Sheet . . . •
Report of the Examining Committee
Report of the Librarian
Appendix to the Report of the Librarian
Index to the Annual Report 1918-1919
1
22
26
29
57
68
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Central Library : Addition . . • .
Central Library: Addition: Branch Department
Central Library: Addition: Branch Department
Central Library: Addition: Printing Department
Central Library: Addition: Bindery .
Map of the Library System . . ,
Frontispiece
Facing page 6
" " 22
.. .. 33
" " 54
At the end
To His Honor Andrew J. Peters,
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, 1919, being their
sixty-seventh annual report.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
The Board organized May 10, 1918, by the election of
William F. Kenney, President; Samuel Carr, Vice President;
and Delia Jean Deery, Clerk.
Samuel Carr was reappointed a Trustee for the term ending
April 30. 1923.
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. They consist of the annual appropriation by the
Mayor and City Council, and the income from Trust Funds,
given to the Trustees but invested by the City Treasurer.
During the past year these receipts were as follows :
Annual appropriation $491,940.00
Income from Trust Funds 21,612.65
Unexpended balance of Trust Fund income of previous years . . 46,069.67
Total $559,622.32
Second, receipts which are accounted for and paid into the
City Treasury for general municipal purposes. These receipts
during the year have been as follows:
From fines $7,780.88
From sales of catalogues, etc. ........ 25.97
From commission on telephone stations ....... 282.76
From sale of waste paper ......... 215.96
From interest on bank deposit 23.01
From payments for lost books 660.31
Total $8,988.89
A balance sheet showing all the receipts and expenditures of
the Library Department in detail is appended.
[21
BEQUESTS TO THE LIBRARY.
On October 15, 1918, the Library received from the estate
of Richard Black Sewall, $25,000, which was funded as the
"Richard Black Sewall Fund," the income to be applied to the
purchase of books; and on December 13, 1918, from the estate
of George C. Wales, $5,000, which was funded as the "George
C. Wales Fund," the income to be applied to the purchase of
books.
ADDITION TO CENTRAL LIBRARY BUILDING COMPLETED.
The addition to the Central Library building on Blagden
Street, accepted by the Trustees on September 6, 1918, was
constructed within the appropriations allowed by the City govern-
ment. The amount of space thus secured has reduced the
pressure on several departments in the main building, particu-
larly in the Special Libraries Department from which the Pub-
lic Documents have been removed to the stacks in the main
building.
The Branch Department, which was housed for many years
in poor quarters in the main building, is now adequately taken
care of in the new structure. The books for the branches are
conveniently arranged in stacks and shelves, and this important
section of the library service is thereby enabled to more efficiently
handle the distribution and collection of books for the various
branches and reading rooms throughout the city. The Shipping
Room now has proper facilities, and the locker and closet rooms
are sufficient to provide for the convenience of the staff occupying
the new addition. More room, more light, and more air have
added to the general efficiency and health of the staff of the
Branch Department.
The original appropriation for the new building provided for
the completion of three of the five stack floors, and these are
already filled thus relieving the stacks in the main building.
The other floors, however, should soon be completed to relieve
congestion throughout the Library.
The Printing and Binding Departments have commodious,
well lighted, and well ventilated quarters on the top floor of the
[3]
building and as a result of bringing these departments into closer
affiliation with the Central Library, the Librarian is able to keep
in constant touch with them, valuable time is saved and the net
results are more efficiency and greater economy. The housing
of all departments of the main Library under one roof will save
the city in time thousands of dollars.
BRANCHES AND READING ROOMS.
Applications for new reading rooms have been received during
the past year from the Mt. Hope-Forest Hills district, and the
Mary Hemenway School section. These are renewals of appli-
cations made in previous years. Similar requests are on file from
Wards 1 9 and 20, Dorchester.
The opening of new reading rooms necessitates a special ap-
propriation and thereafter the maintenance is provided in the
annual budget. Hence the importance of careful investigation
and decision before recommending such improvements. The
Trustees are now considering the reading room situation through-
out the City with a view of determining whether the present
locations fully accommodate the increasing patronage of the
Library. As the centers of population are shifting and growing,
some removals may be found necessary and new locations se-
cured for existing reading rooms, which may solve the problem
of adequate library service without increasing the number of
stations.
ROSLINDALE READING ROOM.
The Roslindale Reading Room, which had for years oc-
cupied space in an old and poorly equipped building, was
removed to quarters in the new Municipal Building, corner of
Washington and Ashland Streets, and opened for public use
May 10, 1918. TTie new building is just across the street from
the old, and contains an assembly hall, gymnasium, ward room,
and a library room with a separate entrance on Washington
Street. The reading room is fifty-six feet long by fifty-seven
feet wide, and is divided by a low book case into an adults* room
and a children's room. The children's room has a seating ca-
[41
pacity of about sixty and the adults' room, forty. The furniture
is new, and of the best Hbrary type. There is shelf room for
over 8,000 volumes. The new quarters are well lighted.
BUSINESS MEN'S BRANCH.
The Trustees last year urged the establishment of a Business
Men's Branch of the Public Library in the down-town district,
and renew the recommendation this year. The Examining Com-
mittee of 1917-18 approved the acquisition of a business men s
branch, and this addition to the activities of the Library is
strongly endorsed by the Examining Committee this year. This
improvement is one that should receive the early consideration
of the Mayor and City Council.
LIBRARY COOPERATION WITH SCHOOLS, ETC.
The Trustees continue to cooperate with the School Depart-
ment and during the past year the Library has supplied with
books 30 branches and reading rooms, 1 85 public and parochial
schools, 59 engine houses and 32 other institutions, and sent 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 48,700, of which 10,425 were sent to schools.
There were also sent from the branches themselves and from two
of the largest reading rooms 52,544 volumes on deposit, dis-
tributed among 223 places. Of these, 22,635 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 the immediate vicinity.
SALARY INCREASES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.
The problem of adequate compensation to the employees of
the Public Library is one to which the Trustees gave serious con-
sideration during the fiscal year. Revision of the salary schedule
[5]
upwards has been repeatedly recommended by examining com-
mittees, the Survey Committee strongly urges more pay for libra-
rians, and the Trustees have annually, in recent years, put into
their estimates increases in the personal service department. No
branch of the employees of the city deserves more consideration
in this respect at the present time than the employees of the
Library.
Taking into account the educational training and personal
requirements absolutely essential to make a good library assistant,
the salaries paid are insufficient. We must add to this the
increase in the cost of living, and that the majority of the em-
ployees are wholly dependent on the compensation received for
their services.
TTie Board has accomplished the best it could with the appro-
priation available during the fiscal year just closed. They feel
that further increases are needed to make this branch of the public
service an efficient organization. Within the limits of the funds
at our disposal, by not filling existing vacancies in the staff, the
Board has distributed to the employees the following increases:
In February, a general increase amounting to $6838 for the
balance of the year, being the completion of the 1 0 per cent in-
crease voted in 1916; in May, a partial increase to minor as-
sistants of $ 1 080 for the balance of the year ; in June, an increase
amounting to $5941 for the balance of the year; in June and
again in September, increases to members of the Printing and
Bindery Departments amounting to $1775 for the balance of
the year; in September, an increase to stack runners amounting
to $800 for the balance of the year; and in October, after another
careful and comprehensive study of the problem of adjusting
salaries of the Library, a general increase amounting to $4738
for the balance of the year.
These sums which total an increase of $2 1 , 1 72 for the current
year, mean an addition to the salary item of the budget for the
coming year of $53,000.
In addition the Trustees have included in their budget for the
coming 3^ear the increases in salaries recommended by the Mayor
in his Circular of December 4th addressed to Heads of Depart-
ments.
[6]
STANDARDIZATION OF SALARIES.
TTie Board of Trustees have studied with the Librarian a
new salary schedule based on positions, and the amount, mini-
mum and maximum, that the incumbents should receive. So
far as funds have been available, the schedule has been adopted,
and it is the hope of the Board that before long it will be possible
to make further increases until the maximum amounts to be paid
are reached. As the schedule was drawn on a pre-war-time
basis, the increase of $100 allowed by the Mayor to those now
receiving less than $1800 a year, will be in addition to the salary
fixed in the schedule.
PENSION FUND FOR RETIREMENT OF EMPLOYEES.
The Trustees renew the recommendation made in previous
years that an adequate system of pensions for superannuated
library employees be adopted by the City Government. It is
manifestly impossible for persons receiving such rates of com-
pensation as prevail in the Library Department to make any
provision for the emergencies of life or old age. Not only
from humanitarian, but also from business considerations some
provision should be made which will render it unnecessary to
retain in our service those who have been worn out by years of
work in it.
There is a means at hand which could easily be used, and
would in our judgment form a substantial basis for the creation
of a fund to meet this purpose. TTie fines which are imposed
and collected by the Library upon overdue books, and now paid
into the City Treasury, amount to about $8000 a year. If this
sum, which is really an income that the Library creates by
imposing fines and collecting them in small sums, could be
placed at the disposal of the Trustees, to be expended in their
discretion in the retirement of aged employees, we think it would
accomplish our purpose. We earnestly recommend such legis-
lation as will place at our disposal for a Pension Fund the fines
collected upon overdue books.
[7]
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUSTEES
AND SIMMONS COLLEGE.
Recognizing the value of a training school for librarians to
increase the efficiency of the staff of the Boston Public Library,
the Trustees, through the Librarian, have been in communi-
cation with the Corporation of Simmons College, to bring about
a workable arrangement that will prove of benefit to both institu-
tions. As a result of several conferences with the Librarian,
the President of Simmons College, Henry Lefavour, has made
the following proposition to the Boston Public Library:
January 20. 1919.
My dear Mr. Belden:
The Corporation of Simmons College has authorized me to propose
the following cooperative agreement with the Trustees of the Boston
Public Library, which I hope the Trustees will approve and confirm:
! . The College may send a class of students to the Library each
year for instruction in Library Work with Children and for unpaid
practical work, to be given by the head of the Children's Department.
2. The College will organize and supervise a course of instruction
in reference or library service to be given each year at the Library for
Library employees and will provide the instruction so far as it is needed in
addition to that to be given by heads of departments or other officers of the
Library.
3. The College will admit to any of its regular courses in library
training such employees of the Library as its Librarian may designate, and
for this instruction there shall be no charge, provided that the total number
to be received in any class is not so great as to require an additional section
or division of the class. Should the number of Library employees make
it necessary to form other sections, the cost of the additional instruction is
to be borne by the Boston Public Library. The Director of the Library
School may prescribe educational qualifications for admission to any class.
The agreement, if accepted by the Trustees, is terminable by either
party on reasonable notice.
Yours very truly,
Henry Lefavour,
President.
The Trustees heartily approve of the plan proposed by Dr.
Lefavour, and the Librarian has been instructed to cooperate
with Simmons College in bringing about such relations as will
[81
produce the best results in training employees for effective service
as members of the library staff. The agreement proposed by
Simmons College is most important to the future of the Library.
SURVEY OF THE LIBRARY.
As announced in the report last year, the Trustees voted to
have a careful survey made of the entire library system and
selected as the Survey Committee Edwin H. Anderson, director
of the New York Public Library and Arthur E. Bostwick,
librarian of the Public Library, St. Louis, Mo., who chose
the third member of the Committee, William H. Brett of the
Public Library, Cleveland, O. The following letter embodying
the scope of the examination which the Trustees suggested was
mailed to the gentlemen selected by the Board for this impor-
tant commission :
Boston, January 24, 1918.
Dr. Edwin H. Anderson,
Director, New York Public Library,
New York City. N. Y.
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Recognizing the value of expert advice in the management of any
great enterprise, public or private, the Trustees of the Public Library
of the City of Boston have decided to have a careful survey made of
the institution with a view to determine its condition and efficiency as
compared with other large libraries of the country. After considering
the matter carefully we have decided that the following subjects are among
those which ought to be taken up in this survey :
1 . Collections ;
2. Methods of acquisition;
3. Classification ;
4. Catalogues ;
5. Publications;
6. Service in its inner relation;
7. Service to the public, &c. ;
8. Buildings and equipment.
The Board appointed a committee consisting of the President, Rev. Dr.
Alexander Mann and the Librarian, Mr. Belden, to report on a plan
to present to the Trustees. That committee with the approval of the
Board cordially invites you to be a member of this commission. We
have also extended an invitation to Mr. Arthur E. Bostwick, Librarian
of the St. Louis Public Library to act as your associate, the understanding
[9]
being that you gentlemen will select the librarian of some other large
library to act as a third member of the commission.
It is the desire of the Trustees that this survey shall be conducted
as soon as convenient, and we earnestly trust that you may see your
way clear to accept this important commission. A communication has
been sent to the President of your Board announcing the purpose of the
Boston Trustees and telling him of our desire that you should undertake
this work. We believe that the result of this survey will prove to be of
lasting benefit to the whole public library system of the country. There
are many features in our Library worthy of adoption by similar institu-
tions. At the same time we know that there are policies in effect in other
cities that might well be adopted by our Board. This survey is in no
sense a reflection on any past management of the Library, but is designed
to take advantage of all the improvements that exist anywhere in this
country, and to supply our new hbrarian with data and information that
will be of benefit to him at the beginning of his administration.
We should esteem it a favor if you will give this matter your early
attention and communicate with us as soon as possible.
Very truly yours,
William F. Kenney,
Alexander Mann,
Charles F. D. Belden,
Committee.
The Committee came to Boston May 26, 1918. The mem-
bers were unable to give more than one week's intimate study
to the Library system because of their inabiHty to be longer
absent from their home libraries. The Committee prepared a
report which was presented to the Board of Trustees at its
first meeting in October. Owing to the tragic death of one
member, William H. Brett of Cleveland, which occurred in
August, the report was signed by only two of the Committee.
They stated, however, that Mr. Brett was in full accord with
them in substance and spirit.
The complete report follows :
To Mr. William F. Kenney,
Dr. Alexander Mann,
Mr. Charles F. D. Belden,
Committee of the Boston Public Library.
The Commission invited by your Committee to make a survey of the
Boston Public Library, having had only a week at its disposal for its
actual stay in Boston, believes that the Board of Trustees will appreciate
[10]
that any detailed examination of such matters as the Library's system of
classification, its catalogue, its methods of book-selection and purchase
and the acquirement and distribution of supplies has been quite beyond
its powers. An adequate report on such details would require pre-
liminary work by a large corps of investigators for a period of at least
several months. Nor, as we understand the matter, would the results
of such an investigation be worth the time and expense that it would involve.
Such details should not only conform to the standards generally adopted by
the best libraries, but they should also be adjusted to local traditions and
conditions, and only so will they produce the best results. Your own
librarian is eminently able to report to you on these matters of detail and
to advise and superintend the changes which, in every growing library,
must be constantly necessary to keep it abreast of the times and in close
correspondence -with, the varying demands of its service to the public.
We have therefore limited our inquiry to a few fundamental relations
and have sought to ascertain whether the way in which these are affected
by your rules and customs is susceptible of change to the advantage of the
public service.
We have gone over the Central Library, visiting each department;
we have visited a considerable number of the Branch Libraries and Reading
Rooms, and we have talked freely with members of the Library staff of
all grades and periods of service. From these sources the following
conclusions have been reached:
1 . The Boston Board of Trustees controls directly a large amount
of administrative detail that in other libraries is under the charge of the
librarian. It meets weekly, approves all book purchases by title and
authorizes expenditures for supplies by itemized lists. It does not neces-
sarily approve the Librarian's recommendations for appointments or pro-
motions; and it, or its individual members receive and act upon applica-
tions and complaints from members of the staff, independently of action
thereon by the Librarian. These things are done, so far as we know,
in no other American library. The usual custom is for the Board to
convene not oftener than once a month, and then either directly or through
committees to act on recommendations of the librarian in such a way as
to give him large discretion, so that separate items need not necessarily
be discussed or acted upon by the Board. This course seems to us most
likely to develop a strong executive with initiative, such as is needed in
every large institution, public or private.
The Board, of course, is the ultimate authority in the Library. The
Librarian, however, is not only its executive, subject to its orders, but
also its professional exj^ert and adviser. If the Board is not walling to
place matters of administrative detail in his hands and to follow his
advice in all important professional matters, he should be replaced by
an executive who does have the confidence of the Board.
We believe that a lack of this confidential relation between the Board
and its Librarian has been an injury to the Library in the past and is so
at the present time.
[11]
2. We find that the Library staff, although in the main composed
of intelligent and interested assistants, and with some notable instances of
professional skill and knowledge, is somewhat out of touch with the
trend of the library movement in other cities throughout the country. Few
members of it have ever worked in any other library or have any famiharity
with methods outside of their own institution. Few have been trained
in library schools where the teaching of comparative methods gives a broad
view. Although there is in Boston a library school of the first grade —
that at Simmons College — there seems to have been no effort to make
use of it in training material for the Public Library work.
The feehng among a large number of the staff is distinctly hostile to
the employment of persons outside of Boston. This under the conditions
already noted means very largely the employment of untrained persons,
often of limited education, receiving these in the lower grades of the staff
and promoting them from time to time. This works well in some instances,
but it is not a desirable general poHcy. A large public library should
receive new blood from without continually and it should itself act as a
feeder to other libraries. By continual exchange of assistants, some enter-
ing from without and others leaving, promotion is on the whole facilitated,
contact with the library world is secured and stagnation due to in-breeding
is prevented. Lack of such contact is particularly apt to foster an idea
that an institution is operated, not for the benefit of the public, but for
that of the employees themselves, that length of service is in itself a
sufficient reason for promotion, and that an apF>ointment from without is
primarily an act of injustice to the staff.
3. Lack of organic connection with some training body has already
been briefly touched upon. Simmons College has been mentioned because
it is an already existing body doing good work. Affihation with it would
benefit the Library by furnishing it with a training agency of the first
class and it would benefit the college by providing a system in which the
students could do practical work as part of their training. Lack of such
facilities seriously hampers any effort to give instruction in a subject where
laboratory work is at least as necessary as it is in medicine or in engineering.
It may be, however, that the Boston Public Library may prefer to establish
its own training agency, as some other large public libraries have done.
The course of lectures just begun in the Children's Department is a step
in this direction, although a slight and inadequate one. The establishment
of a library training course, however, would absolutely require the employ-
ment of teachers from without, and would seem to be unnecessary dupli-
cation. In this particular case, the present resources of the city seem
ample to meet the emergency.
4. This Commission is deeply sensible of the Library's inadequate
income, and of the fact that some of the changes of policy recommended
by us are in part dependent on the provision of adequate funds by the
city. Professional librarians of training and experience cannot be attracted
from other fields without the offer of adequate salaries. Proper training
[12]
in connection with the Library itself will cost money, whether obtained
by affiliation or the establishment of a new department. This is undenia-
ble. But we would point out that adequate support is itself to a con-
siderable extent dependent on popular appreciation of the Library's services.
Public opinion has often forced, from a city government, reluctant sup-
port of a public institution. Now there is a general opinion among
librarians, whether well-founded or not, that the Boston PubHc Library
has not of late years retained its relative standing among American
hbraries. Its position was once one of preeminence, but it is so no longer.
We find that this opinion is shared to a greater or less degree by many
citizens of Boston whose influence should count heavily in such matters
as these. It is possible that indications of a change of policy, together
with a clear demonstration that further change msut be dependent on
increased income, might be effective in placing the public opinion of the
city so solidly behind the Library that adequate support would follow
as a matter of course.
Our recommendations, so far as they can be formulated, are:
1 . That the by-laws of the Board be amended so as to admit of
monthly meetings and that the routine of these meetings be so changed
as not to require approval of all purchases or appointments in detail by the
entire Board.
2. That the Board discourage, by formal resolution, the reception of
complaints or requests from members of the staff, singly or collectively,
either by the whole Board, or by individual members.
3. That effort be made to develop in the staff a feeling of professional
esprit de corps as librarians and to discourage the attitude that considera-
tion is due its members as a local body of municipal office holders; that
high-grade positions be filled freely where necessary by appointments from
without, and that long service in one grade be not regarded as prima facie
evidence of fitness for promotion to a higher grade.
4. That for all library positions, other than those of messengers and
the clerical and janitorial force, preliminary training or experience should
be a sine qua non, and that steps should be taken to give inexperienced
persons an opportunity for training, either in direct connection with the
Library or through some school in affiliation with it.
5. That an effort be made through well-considered publicity to inform
the public with regard to the benefits of these changes of poHcy and of the
fact that these require, for their complete realization, an increased income.
The tragic death, in Cleveland, on August 24, of Mr. William H.
Brett, Librarian of the Cleveland Public Library and the third member
of this Commission, makes it necessary to send in this report without his
signature. We know, however, that he was fully in accord with us as
to the substance and spirit of the report as here presented.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) E. H. ANDERSON.
September 18, 1918. ARTHUR E. BoSTWICK.
[13]
It is to be regretted that the Committee did not have time to
take up all the subjects which the Board of Trustees regard as
important in any survey made of the Boston Public Library.
The report of the Survey Committee has been discussed by
the Trustees at several meetings. Several of the recommenda-
tions suggested have already been carried out by the Trustees.
The conclusion that certain criticisms made in the survey report
were shared by some citizens of Boston is not borne out by
any evidence in the possession of the Trustees. No communica-
tion has ever come to the Board in the form of letters or complaint
that would indicate the existence of such a feeling in this
community. The Trustees, now as always, welcome construc-
tive criticism from any source over the signature of the writer,
believing that the best way to accomplish things is to register
your disapproval and opinion with those who are responsible for
the conduct of the institution. The Board has an open mind
on all questions affecting the Library and the more interest the
citizens manifest in it the better will be the results.
Another criticism made in the report "lack of organic con-
nection with some training body" has long been recognized by
the Trustees and an affiliation has recently been formed with
Simmons College which is mentioned in another part of this
report.
The main subjects which the Trustees desired to take up in the
Survey, namely: 1. Collections; 2. Methods of acquisition;
3. Classification; 4. Catalogues; 5. Publications; 6. Service in
its inner relation ; 7. Service to the public, etc. ; and 8. Build-
ings and Equipment, still remain as questions which should be
gone into carefully by expert authority either now or periodically
as occasion demands.
The idea of a more detailed survey along the lines indicated in
our letter to the Survey Committee has not been abandoned.
Now that our own Librarian has had eighteen months experience
as the executive head of the institution he is in a position to know
the weak spots in the system, and the main purposes sought by the
Trustees will be accomplished through his systematic investiga-
tion and study of each department.
[14]
EXPERT EXAMINATION OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY BUILDING.
At the request of the Trustees, Mr. Thomas A. Fox, of Fox
and Gale, architects, made an examination of the Central Li-
brary building in October, 1918, to determine the amount and
character of repairs and replacements that are necessary and
advisable at the present time or in the near future. The Trustees
in considering this report only took up those items which Mr.
Fox pronounced as immediately necessary. Mr. Fox found
that in the main the condition of the building, which has been
in use twenty-four years, is fully as satisfactory as could be
expected. His report, made to the Trustees November 1 ,
1918, embodies certain recommendations essential to prevent
the deterioration of the building. He advises that the outside
masonry, including granite platforms should be gone over, and
repointed. The steel work of the Library was found to be in
excellent condition and no repairs were suggested.
The marble floors are in such condition that the architect
recommends an immediate appropriation to bring them to a state
of proper repair. All the marble floors should be thoroughly
gone over, torn places filled, and in some instances new pieces
inserted. The stair treads of several runs of service stairs have
become so worn that they must be replaced, and the roofs and
flashings of the arcade require immediate and thorough repair.
Mr. Fox is of the opinion that this work should be done early
this spring, as serious damage will result if the present conditions
are allowed to continue.
The main roof of the building needs immediate attention. It
will be necessary before long to thoroughly overhaul and reline
the main gutters on the outside of the building, and repair and
replace a considerable number of flashings at the intersection
of the tile deck and copper cresting. 1 iuo
Under "Electric Work" the architect recommends that th^
lighting fixtures throughout the building should be overhauled
and put in good repair, notably, in Bates Hall, the Special Li-
braries, and the Newspaper Room.
For some time various reports have been submitted regarding
the Book Railway and Pneumatic Tube systems but no general
[151
repairs or replacements have been made. After consultation
with tube experts, Mr. Fox recommends that as soon as financial
conditions improve, a thorough overhauling of the tube system
is necessary to promote efficiency in the handling of books to and
from the stacks. Some of the recommendations included in the
architect's reports, have been provided for in the estimates of the
Trustees for 1919—20, and the remainder will be taken up as
su«)n as the conditions will warrant the Trustees to go ahead
wii\> these much needed repairs and alterations. An important
public building should not be allowed to deteriorate.
ESTIMATES FOR 1919-1920.
The Trustees have forwarded to the Mayor and City Council
their estimates of the expenses of the Library for the ensuing year
in the detailed form called for by the schedule of the Budget
Commissioner. The salary estimate for 1919—20 is based on
the present service schedule, all positions filled at maximum pay,
for 53 weeks, and includes an increase of $100 a year to all
employees above the runner grade who receive less than $1800
a year, and increase in the pay of laborers of 50 cents a day, as
suggested in the Mayor's Circular No. 1 7 to Heads of Depart-
ments, dated December 4th. This estimate is based on the as-
sumption that these increases will take effect June 1,1919. It
amounts to $415,191. Since the appropriation for salaries for
the Library Department is made in a lump sum, $15,191 may be
deducted from this estimate on account of "lost time", making
the total estimate for salaries $400,000, or $58,000 more than
was spent in 191 8*- 19 (estimating the last two months). In
addition to the above allowance of $100 a year, this increase
covers one additional week's pay, i.e. payment for the 53rd
week, amounting to $7,547, and $33,000 added to the present
salary schedule during the current year.
In this estimate no allowance is made for increases other than
the so-called grade increases, that is to employees, who have
been appointed or promoted within the year, at a minimum
salary, and who may be recommended for advance to the maxi-
mum salary. The estimate includes one additional fireman, and
[16]
one additional janitor's laborer, and some additional assistants
at the branches.
To provide for the present salary schedule, all positions filled
at maximum pay, 53 weeks, with an increase of 50 cents a day
to laborers, engineers, firemen, watchmen, to take effect June 1 ,
1919, and deducting $12,565 on account of "lost time", the
sum of $384,000 will be required.
In the items for the general maintenance of the Library, apavt
from the expense for salaries, there is an increase of only $20,^38
over the expense for last year, and this is required by the neces-
sary repairs at the main building, the increase in prices of materials
and supplies, the current needs of the Library, and by the
natural growth of the system.
The total amount required for all purposes is, therefore, as
shown in the budget schedule, $569,978, being $400,000 for
salaries, and $169,978 for general maintenance.
TRUST FUNDS.
The Trust Funds, that is, property given to the Trustees in
trust for the uses of the Library amount to $570,707.01 . They
are by law required to be invested by the City Treasurer.
A detailed statement of these funds, and the income therefrom,
is contained in the report of the City Auditor, but a condensed
statement of them is as follows :
FUND.
AMOUNT.
Ariz
. $ 10,000.00
Bales .
50,000.00
Bigelow
1,000.00
Billings .
. 100.000.00
Bowditch
10,000.00
Bradlee
1.000.00
Center .
39.543.14
Clement
2,000.00
Codman
2,854.41
RESTRICTIONS OF GIFT.
For the purchase of valuable and rare editions of the
writings, either in verse or prose, of American and
of foreign authors, "to be known as the Longfellow
Memorial Collection."
To buy "books of permanent value."
Purchase of books.
For the purchase of books.
For "the purchase of books of permanent value and
authority in mathematics and astronomy," to be
added to the Bowditch Collection.
Unrestricted.
Unrestricted.
For the purchase of books.
For the purchase of books upon landscape gardening.
Carried forrvard $216,397.55
[17]
Brought forroard
Cutter .
"Elizabeth" (under
Malchett Will)
Ford . . .
6.000.00
Franklin . .
1.000.00
Green .
2.000.00
Charlotte Harris .
10.000.00
Thomas B. Harris .
1.000.00
Hyde .
3.600.00
Knapp .
10.000.00
Abbott Lawrence ,
10.000.00
Edward Lawrence .
500.00
$216,397.55
4.040.00 For the purchase of books and for binding for the
Abram E. Cutter Collection.
Todd .
Townsend
Treadwell
Tufts .
Twentieth Regiment
Wales .
Alice L. Whitney .
James L. Whitney .
Wilson .
25.000.00
Lewis .
5.000.00
Loring . .
500.00
Mead .
2,500.00
O'Reilly
1.000.00
Phillips
30.000.00
Pierce .
5.000.00
Scholfield .
61.800.00
Sewall .
25,000.00
Skinner .
50.250.00
South Boston .
100.00
Ticknor
4,000.00
50.000.00
4.000.00
13.987.69
10.131.77
5.000.00
5.000.00
5,000.00
1.900.00
1.000.00
For the purchase of books of "permanent value and
authority."
Unrestricted.
Books of permanent value, preferably books on
government and political economy.
Books relating to American history.
Books for Charlestown Branch, published before
1850.
For benefit of the Charlestown Branch.
Unrestricted.
For the purchase of books.
Books having a permanent value.
"To hold and apply the income and so much of the
principal as they [the Trustees] may choose to the
purchase of special books of reference to be kept
and used only at the Charlestown Branch of said
Public Library."
For the purchase of old and rare books to be added
to the John A. Lewis library.
Memorial Fund, from the income of which books
are to be bought for the West End Branch.
Unrestricted.
From the Papyrus Club for the purchase of books
as a memorial of John Boyle O'Reilly.
"To the maintenance of a free public library."
"Purchase of books."
"Books of permanent value for the Bates Hall."
To be used for books of permanent value.
For the purchase of books.
Unrestricted.
For benefit of the South Boston Branch.
Books in Spanish and Portuguese, five years old in
some one edition.
The income to be expended annually for current
newspapers of this and other countries.
Books five years old in some one edition.
Unrestricted.
For the benefit of Charletown Branch.
"For the purchase of books of a military and pa-
triotic character, to be placed in the alcove appro-
priated as a Memorial of the Twentieth Regiment."
For the purchase of books.
For the benefit of sick and needy employees and
the purchase of books.
For books and manuscripts.
For the purchase of books.
Total
. $570,707.01
[18]
EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
As required by the City Ordinance, the Trustees appointed
an Examining Committee for this year, and joined the President
of the Library Board with it, as Chairman. Those who were
appointed and who have served as members of the Committee
are as follows :
Mr. Ezra H. Baker. Mrs. Emma B. Harvey.
Mr. Andrew A. Badaracco. Mr. Vincent A. Keenan.
Mr. Francis N. Balch. Rev. George A. Lyons.
Mrs. Abraham C. Berman. Mrs. Samuel W. Myers.
Miss Eleanor M. Colleton. Mrs. Hugh Nawn.
Mr. J. Randolph Coolidge, Jr. Miss Jean N. Oliver.
Mr. James E. Cotter. Rev. W. Dewees Roberts.
Mr. Dennis A. Dooley. Mrs. William R. Rush.
William P. Hammond, M.D. Mr. Daniel J. Shea.
Miss Maude C. Hartnetl. Mrs. Edwin A. Shuman.
The selection of an Examining Committee is not an easy task.
The Library is so widely extended that a large number of people
is required to examine it, with its branches and reading-rooms,
and they should, so far as possible, be scattered throughout the
city. The Trustees have been very fortunate in bringing to this
service for several years, quite a large number of our most promi-
nent and capable citizens. Their work is necessarily confined
to a brief period, but it has been satisfactorily done and the con-
clusions which they have reached are of great value to the Trus-
tees, the City government and the citizens at large.
To enable this Committee to perform its duties with con-
venience and efficiency it organized with the following officers
and sub-committees:
Mr. Daniel J. Shea, Vke-Chairman.
Miss Deery, of the Library Staff, Secretary.
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
manher in which it is expended. Its members were :
Mr. Balch, Chairman.
Mr. Coolidge. Mr. Cotter.
Mr. Dooley.
[19]
BOOKS.
This Committee gave attention to all matters connected with the acqui-
sition and use of books and other library material, in the Central Library
and branches. Its members were:
Mr. Shea, Chairman.
Miss Colleton. Miss Hartnett.
Mr. Keenan.
fine arts and music.
This Committee gave attention to these Departments, including the
circulation of pictures from the Central Library and branches. Its mem-
bers were:
Miss Oliver, Chairman.
Mrs. Shuman. Mr. Baker.
Mr. Shea.
printing and binding.
This Committee examined and considered all matters connected with
the Departments of Printing and Binding, with special attention to the
expenses of the Departments and the products of each of them. Its mem-
bers were:
Mr. Dooley, Chairman. Mr. Keenan.
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 to
examine and report \vith regard to each group. These groups and the
several Committees thus appointed are as follows:
SOUTH BOSTON AND SOUTH END BRANCHES, ANDREW SQUARE, CITY POINT AND
TYLER STREET READING ROOMS.
Rev. Father Lyons, Chairman. Mrs. Nawn.
CHARLESTOWN AND EAST BOSTON BRANCHES AND ORIENT HEIGHTS READING ROOM.
Mrs. Rush, Chairman.
Dr. Hammond. Rev. Mr. Roberts.
Mrs. Berman. Miss Colleton.
BRIGHTON, JAMAICA PLAIN, WEST ROXBURY AND HYDE PARK BRANCHES, ROSUNDALE,
BOYLSTON STATION, WARREN STREET, ROXBURY CROSSING, PARKER HILL,
ALLSTON AND FANEUIL READING ROOMS.
Mrs. Shuman, Chairman.
Miss Hartnett. Mrs. Harvey.
Mr. Balch. Mr. Dooley.
Mr. Cotter.
[20]
DORCHESTER, ROXBURY, UPHAM's CORNER AND CODMAN SQUARE BRANCHES,
MT. PLEASANT, MT. BOWDOIN, LOWER MILLS, MATTAPAN
AND NEPONSET READING ROOMS.
Mrs. Nawn, Chairman.
Mr. Shea. Mr. Badaracco.
WEST END AND NORTH END BRANCHES.
Miss Colleton, Chairman.
Mr. Badaracco. Mr. Baker.
Mrs. Myers. Rev. Mr. Roberts.
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 the
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:
Miss Colleton, Chairman.
Miss Hartnett. Mrs. Harvey.
Mr. Badaracco.
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 Examining Committee
to be considered by it in a meeting of all its members, and for any other
general purpose connected with the examination of the Library system, a
sub-committee, called the General Committee, was appointed. Its mem-
bers were:
Mr. Cotter, Chairman.
Mr. Baker. Mr. Coolidge.
The report of the Committee is appended hereto and included
as part of our rei>ort.
EFFICIENCY AND COOPERATION.
No public institution can be successfully carried on without the
cooperation of every individual connected with it, and the loyal
support of the citizens whose money is spent in maintaiinng it.
The Boston Public Library holds a proud position among the
public libraries of the country. It was the first great library for
the people established in this country, and the founders intended
that it should be the best, both as a scholar's library and as a
popular circulating medium.
How well the Library has lived up to the purposes of the
founders on its scholarly side is attested by the collections con-
stantly consulted by scholars from every part of the world.
. [21]
On the popular side, the Library has endeavored to keep pace
with improved methods to meet existing conditions. There has
been a remarkable advance in public library administration in
this country the last twenty years, and changes are always neces-
sary to meet the problems that confront the world in the regenera-
tion and rehabilitation of mankind.
But no permanent success is possible, nor are good results
obtainable, unless every one interested in its advancement works
together for the one aim — the placing of this institution in the
lead of the public libraries in this country. The success of the
policies adopted by the Trustees depends on the efficiency of
the staff in carrying out these policies, led by the executive head
of the Library, who is the administrator and the representa-
tive of the Trustees.
The Trustees feel that everyone connected with the Library
should have a personal pride in it. There are men and women
in this institution who have given to the city the best of their
lives in loyal, intelligent service for the betterment of the people.
There are employees here whose example of faithfulness and
loyalty is much to be commended. The younger generation of
library assistants should pattern by these painstaking, disciplined
workers, who know the value and results of conscientious team
work.
The present librarian has been in charge of the institution
eighteen months, and the Board is of one mind in sustaining
Mr. Belden in his effort to work out the many problems of ad-
ministration constantly arising in the Library.
The Trustees, now as always, welcome constructive advice
and suggestions believing that the best results can be secured only
by writing directly to the Board charged with the managemeni
of the institution who will give careful attention to all matters
that help to improve the service which the Library gives to the
people of this city and commonwealth.
William F. Kenney,
Samuel Carr,
Daniel H. Coakley,
Alexander Mann,
Arthur T. Connolly.
[22]
BALANCE SHEET, RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Central Library and Branches:
To expenditures for
Permanent employees
Temporary employees
Service other them personal
Postage ....
Advertising
Transportation of persons .
Cartage and freight .
Heat ....
Light and power
Rent, taxes and water
Premium on surety bond .
Commimication . .
Cleaning ....
Removal of ashes
Removal of snow
Medical ....
Examinations
Fees ....
Boiler inspection
General pltmt repdrs
$247,191.34
43.421.51
To expenditures for equipment
Machinery .....
Furniture and fittings
Office
Library (books and periodicals) :
City appropriation ....
Trust funds income
Newspapers (from Todd fund income)
Periodicals. .....
Tools and instruments
Wearing apparel ....
General plant equipment .
To expenditures for supplies
Office ....
Ice .....
Fuel ....
Forage and animal .
Medical ....
Laundry, cleaning and toilet
Agricultural
Chemicals and disinfectants
General plant .
$35,062.21
9,833.09
$ 1,746.25
4.50
205.03
11,029.05
398.17
6.811.68
13.533.35
5.00
980.36
680.76
13.50
367.54
5.00
18.00
132.00
38.00
9.464.15
59.37
906.76
443.60
44.895.30
2.021.75
6.194.21
533.74
26.35
705.66
$ 2.35335
321.26
34.189.34
8.85
29.95
1.170.21
88.00
68.75
1,992.62
$290,612.85
45,432.34
55.786.74
40.222.33
Canted forward
$432,054.26
[23]
EXPENSES. JANUARY 31. 1918.
ByCity Appropriation 1918-19: $491,940.00
Income from Trust funds ...... 21,612.65
Income from Jsunes L. Whitney bibliographic account . 700.00
Interest on deposit in London ..... 94.22
By Balances brought forward, February 1, 1918:
Trust funds income on deposit in London ... $ 2,060.80
City appropriation on deposit in London . . . 2,351.34
Trust funds income, City Treasury .... 44,008.87
James L. Whitney bibliographic account . . . 1,060.61
Cr.
$514,346.87
49,481.62
Carried fortoard
$563,828.49
[24]
BALANCE SHEET. RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Brought forward
To expenditures for material
Building $ 5.00
Electrical 880.13
General plant 1,508.45
To expenditures from unrestricted funds
Alice Lincoln Whitney fund .....
Binding Department:
To expenditures for salaries $33,591.43
Stock 4,950.39
Equipment 1,278.89
Light and power ........ 26.20
Contract work 311.00
Rent . 408.35
Cartage and freight ....... 41.30
Cleaning ......... 226.67
Repairs 897.94
Small supplies ........ 201.29
Printing Department:
To expenditures for salaries ...... $10,021.36
Stock 2,956.67
Elquipment
Light and power .
Contract work
Rent .
Cartage and freight
Cleaning
Repairs
Small supplies
854.99
13.77
201.36
145.81
16.60
226.63
690.40
305.73
To Amount paid into City Treasury:
From fines .....
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists
Commission on telephone stations
Sale of waste paper
Interest on bank deposit
Payments received for lost books
To Balance, January 31, 1919:
City appropriation on deposit in London
Interest on bank deposit in London
Trust funds income balance. City Treasury
James L. Whitney bibliographic account
$7,780.88
25.97
282.76
21 5.96
23.01
660.31
^ 2,230.12
94.22
46,185.02
1,760.61
$432,054.26
2,393.58
9,354.79
295.00
41.933.46
15,433.32
Balance unexpended
8.988.89
50,269.97
12.094.11
$572,817.38
[25]
EXPENSES. JANUARY 31. 1918.
Brought forward .
By Receipts:
From fines ....
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and I
Commission on telephone stations
Sale of waste paper
Interest on bank deposit
Pajrments received for lost books
Cr.
$563,828.49
$7,780.88
25.97
282.76
215.96
23.01
660.31
8.988.89
$572,817.38
REPORT OF THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
1918-1919.
To THE Trustees of the Public Library of the
City of Boston.
Gentlemen
TTie Examining Committee have the honor to submit their
report to you.
The various sub-committees have examined the departments
referred to them and have made important recommendations.
These reports are not included herein, but are referred to the
Trustees for their information. Some of the suggestions are
matters of administrative detail vs^hich are subjects for considera-
tion and action by the Trustees and Librarian without especial
discussion by this Committee. Branch Libraries and Reading
Rooms, for example, which are poorly located or have undesir-
able surroundings will doubtless in time be re-located by the
Trustees. The question of heat also will be easier of solution
with the increase of fuel, even if another winter so mild as the
present does not recur for some years. There are other subjects,
however, so fundamental that they merit careful and special
attention.
Cleanliness. No effort should be spared to keep every library
and reading-room clean — floors, windows, and entries: such
cleanliness obviously is more easily obtained at the Central Li-
brary with its stone and metal construction than in many of the
Branch Libraries and Reading Rooms with their wooden floors
and old construction — but it can be maintained if constant
attention be given: excuses from janitors whether employed by
the city or supplied by the owners of the buildings should not be
accepted. It is superfluous to comment on the effect of lack of
cleanliness on contagious and infectious diseases.
Lighting. Many of the examples of poor lighting cited by
[27]
the sub-committees can be easily remedied by simple means, and
without many changes of fixtures. In some instances the wash-
ing of windows or the removal of objects in front of them would
accomplish much. In the case of the Central Library, however,
where a thoroughly comprehensive scheme should be adopted,
any important change should be made only after careful study
by an expert in conjunction with the best architectural advice.
The greatest care should be taken that such changes should be
in harmony with the architecture and decorations of the building
and in no way injure its beauty.
Repairs. The comments on lighting apply equally to repairs
of buildings, especially to repairs of the Central Library. In
particular the Arcade should receive immediate attention, a longer
delay will only increase the cost. It is not only poor economy
to permit a building so beautiful in design, filled with so many
precious books and manuscripts, its walls adorned with mural
paintings of world-wide fame, to show signs of delapidation,
but it is a reproach to the City that such a condition could exist.
Books. The amount expended for books seems inadequate
and should be increased. An increase is necessary because of
the repeated demands for more books for the Branch Libraries,
especially books adapted to the needs of the neighborhood popu-
lation, Italian, Syrian, Polish, and others as the case may be —
for more newspapers and magazines, and above all for books
which will develop true American spirit both in the young and
in the adult. It is easy to make this latter suggestion and it will
not be difficult to carry it out with the hearty co-operation of
teachers, librarians, and the readers themselves. It is doubtful
if any increase of the proportion of the present appropriation
allotted for the purchase of books could be obtained at the ex-
pense of other departments, most of which would claim that their
appropriations were already too meager. Certainly too little has
been spent for repairs and one cannot suggest the reduction of
the amount appropriated for salaries.
Music and Fine Arts. The recommendation of the Sub-
Committee for a sound-proof room for a piano and for the
exchange of the Brown Music Room for the Exhibition Room
deserves the careful consideration of the Trustees and Librarian.
[28]
Children s Department. Much is already done for children
both by the Library itself and in conjunction with the schools —
a closer co-operation is generally desired and will surely grow
with each succeeding year.
Printing and Binding Department. Does its work well and
economically even with its reduced force.
Administration and Finance. Since the last report of the
Trustees William H. Brett, Librarian of the Cleveland Public
Library; E. H. Anderson, Director of the New York Public
Library; and Arthur E. Bostwick, Librarian of the Public Li-
brary of St. Louis were appointed, by the Trustees, a Survey
Commission. After a week's work this Commission — of un-
questioned competence — handed an unanimous report to the
Trustees making recommendations helpful for discipline and
morale.
This Committee believes that no appointments to the higher
positions of the library should be made except of trained, skilled
library experts, wherever obtainable, and that the minor positions
should, as opportunity offers, be consolidated with a view to
obtain fewer and better paid employees in such positions. Such
changes necessarily take time but they should be entered upon at
once.
The Committee realizes that the past few years have been
full of trials for the Trustees, with the increased cost of labor,
fuel, supplies of all kinds bringing on the one hand greater ex-
penses while on the other hand higher taxes made larger appro-
priations difficult to obtain. But these larger appropriations must
be granted by the City if the Public Library of the City of
Boston is to grow as it should in usefulness and value or even
if it is only to maintain its present position.
The Committee gratefully acknowledges the cordial help given
them in their examination by all in any way connected with the
Library.
Adopted as the Report of the Examining Committee, March
12.1919.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
To THE Board of Trustees :
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending January
31, 1919.
TRAINING OF LIBRARY ASSISTANTS.
In comparison with other public libraries of its size in the
country, the Boston Public Library has a considerable number
of assistants who are "untrained" in the modern acceptance of
the term ; in other words, relatively few of the Library staff have
experienced the discipline and training of a library school, or
have come to this institution taught by service in other insti-
tutions. It is true that all assistants have passed before appoint-
ment or promotion various grade examinations equivalent to high
school and college entrance tests in English, history, current
events, and in the higher grades in one or more languages, but,
until this last year, there has been no relation in these tests to
the particular library position to be filled by the candidate or
candidates. Comparatively few employees have college or li-
brary school training as a background for their work.
For a period of ten years, 1908—1918, 156 persons were
promoted within the service, 4 of whom had a college education.
Of this number, 106 persons entered in the lowest grades and
were promoted because of experience, length of service, or be-
cause they had qualified for promotion by examination. From
an extra or substitute position, 50 were promoted to the regular
service. For the most part they were grammar school pupils;
a few only came from high schools, and all were residents of
Boston. Appointees from outside the service during the same
period numbered 36 persons, 1 4 having had a college education
and 2 library school training; 2 of the 14 with both. Of the
college graduates 6 are no longer in service. Of the 36 appoint-
[30]
ments, 9 were non-residents of Boston. In the above figures,
"runners" in the Central Library are not included, nor appoint-
ments in the Bindery and the Printing, Engineer and Janitor
departments.
In past years, promising assistants, usually grammar school
graduates, have been advanced from the position of stack-runner,
held by the most elementary grade of regular library assistants,
to some other minor positions in library work, and then, after
passing a higher grade general examination, have been advanced
when vacancies existed to places of higher responsibility. While
a reasonable number have proved themselves efficient, the stress
of daily routine, natural inertia, and small salaries have prevented
many from seeking to add to their library knowledge by study
at home, school, or college. Until last year the Library offered
its employees no training courses. The zealous assistants were
given, however, an allowance of "time off." with or without
loss of pay according to their circumstances, to attend some
course or courses during library hours, at their own expense,
at some institution of learning in Boston or elsewhere It is to
the credit of a considerable number of assistants that they have
availed themselves of this opportunity during the years now past.
In general, experience in the routine work of a regular position,
varied by the necessary "filling in" on Sundays and evenings in
other positions, in order to eke out a small salary, was the result
of the system, for the majority of the employees. The effect
has not been altogether fortunate. TTiere has been reasonable
discontent, especially among employees below the grade of first
assistant. With but little encouragement to obtain increased
professional training, with but little certainty of future advance-
ment, it is a satisfaction to note that the rank and file of the staff,
with comparatively few exceptions, have given to the best of their
ability loyal service to the public and the institution.
In considering the personnel of the Boston Public Library it
should be borne in mind that it is not only the oldest public city
library (in the modem sense) in this country but that it has been
a pioneer and has tried out, with no precedents to guide it, cer-
tain experiments which have since been adopted in other similar
institutions. It has had and still has on its staff men and women
[31]
well experienced in library work, not a few of whom antedate
in service the establishment, in 1 887, of the first "library school."
The situation in which the Library today finds itself is largely
the result of conditions of growth and self-development, the
blame for which cannot be specifically placed.
It is a significant fact that 202 employees of the Library have
been ten or more years in service. To be specific, 87 have been
on the staff from ten to twenty years; 81 from twenty to thirty
years ; 1 7 from thirty to forty years ; 1 6 from forty to fifty years ;
and 1 has been in service fifty years.
Whatever may have been the faults of the past, the future
holds rich promise. Systematic instruction to assistants, a part
of whose time is given to work with children, was begun in the
spring of 1 9 1 8. In the fall another course was offered to those
who successfuly passed an examination on the introductory les-
sons. This second class, numbering sixteen women, was formed
in November and will continue until May, 1919. The work
is more advanced than that of the first class, since it covers essen-
tially the same ground as the course in Work with Children given
at Simmons College every year. Two groups of subjects are
considered in this course, one on the problems presented in the
administration of the Children's Room, the other on book appre-
ciation and discussion. Development of discrimination and
critical ability of the members of the class is furthered by the
specialized study which each one is expected to pursue throughout
the year. An outline of this study has been given to all It calls
for thoughtful observation of the daily work with children in the
library to which each is assigned, together with a knowledge of
the immediate neighborhood and of different social organizations
at work there. At the end of the course the results of this field
work will be presented in papers which should form a valuable
appraisement of work with children in the several sections of the
city.
In the Report of the Trustees mention has been made of the
plan for cooperation with the Library School of Simmons Col-
lege to take effect next September. If successful and if enlarged
in its scope in the future, the plan will help to solve the problem
of library training for those assistants now in service without
[32]
special professional qualifications. It is believed that the library
employees will wish to do everything on their part to help make
successful this opportunity of cooperation so willingly and
graciously extended by the Director of the School of Library
Science, the President and the Corporation of Simmons College.
THE USE OF BOOKS.
During the year 2,028,053 books have been lent for "home
use", that is, for use outside the various library buildings. This
may be compared with 2,074,455, the number similarly lent dur-
ing the preceding year. No record has been made of the "refer-
ence" use of books, that is of those books used in the Central
Library and its branches and reading rooms, but it doubtless far
exceeds the recorded home use circulation.
The loss in circulation of "home use" books is not so large
as was expected. It was feared that the closing of the schools
twice, for long periods, the influenza epidemic, the fuel shortage,
and the many and varied war activities, would have resulted in
a marked loss in circulation, but such, happily, was not the case.
The usual statistical tables may be found in the Appendix
to this report, page 57. To prevent a misleading use of these
and other figures relating to the records of the Library, the fol-
lowing statement is repeated from former 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.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
To the Library System as it existed at the close of the year
1917—18 there have been added 46,914 volumes, besides 959
volumes acquired on account of Fellowes Athenaeum and de-
posited in the Roxbury Branch. The total number of volumes
acquired thus becomes 47,873. The details as to the manner
in which they were acquired, arranged so as to permit comparison
with the preceding year, as well as a table including the acces-
sions by purchase combined with books received by gift or other-
wise, may be found on page 59 of the Appendix.
[33]
The total cost of books, periodicals, newspapers, photographs
and lantern slides for the year was $53,146.21, divided as fol-
lows: books, $44,345.28; periodicals, $6,229. 1 6 ; newspapers,
$2,021.75; photographs and lantern slides, $550.02.
Of current fiction 356 titles (including 61 titles of foreign
fiction, French, Italian, and Spanish) have been selected from
745 books examined and read. Of these, 4,690 copies have
been bought at a cost of $5,159.79, as compared with 206 se-
lected from 684 examined, costing $3,874.61, in 1917—18.
In many directions this has been a year of lessened opportunity
for book buying. The delays in importation, the strikes in the
printing trade, the smaller output of books, and the government
regulations have all combined to limit the field of purchase.
Although the accessions have equalled and even exceeded the
average of recent years in volume, it is generally conceded that
they have not measured up in importance. The Branch libraries
and deposit collection, however, were in need of current popular
books, adult and children's, which could be obtained, and
25,559 were bought for their use, an increase of nearly 7,000
volumes over last year. New fiction also has been bought in
more generous quantities and in a larger number of titles. Pur-
chases have been noticeably stimulated in the subjects covered by
the series of Brief Reading Lists issued by the Library on certain
questions of the day.
The acquisition of material relating to the war has been con-
tinued and has included notably the work of Lucien Jonas:
"Champagne et Centre" ; "Verdun" ; "The Vosges" ; and "Nord
et Belgique". The collection of war posters has been increased
and about 500 have been mounted; 3,000 photographs issued
by the War Department, Division of Pictures, have been ac-
quired, and a collection of popular war songs and marches pub-
lished in France since 1914.
From auction sales and other sources some books of individual
importance and a small collection of works on Witchcraft and
Demonology have been secured, but the proportion from auctions
has been smaller than usual owing to the growing inability of
the Library to compete with collectors. The Impartial His-
tory of the War in America, volumes 1 and 2, Boston, 1781,
[34]
containing 12 plates by Norman; the decorative art of Leon
Bakst, by Alexandre and Couteau, London, 1913; Roger
Ascham's Schoolmaster, London, 1589; and the New Atlas
and Commercial Gazetteer of China, an exhaustive work on
China published in Shanghai, 1917, are valuable additions.
IMPORTANT GIFTS.
The report of the Chief of the Ordering Department notes
gifts for the year (exclusive of bequests of money) from 5,315
givers, comprising 8,620 volumes, 1 1 ,307 numbers of serials,
and 52 newspaper subscriptions.
Eighteen newspapers discontinued their free copies in response
to the War Trade Board suggestion. Many gifts came with
the request that all of the books suitable for soldiers be turned
over to the Library War Service. Among the gifts with this
proviso the most important and interesting was that of Mr.
Robert M. Parmelee who sent his collection of 1 1 2 publications
of the Rowfant Club (re-issues of rare or scarce originals), and
one of 300 volumes of Epitaphs collected during many years of
foreign travel. These were accompanied by 600 volumes of
popular books for the use of the soldiers.
Other gifts of interest are as follows :
Bernardy. Miss A. A., New York City.
260 photographs relating to Italy and the War; also a photograph of
Dante for the North End Branch.
British Museum.
Miscellaneous Coptic texts in the dialect of Upper Egypt. By E. A.
Wallis Budge. Subject index of modern works added to the Library
of the British Museum in the years 1911-1915.
Davenport, Dr. B. F.
Twenty-one maps and plans of Charles River Basin and a map of
Watertown, 1860.
Drinker, Dr. C. E.
2 1 7 volumes, miscellaneous works, including 32 parts of the Journal
of the Hellenic Society and a number of guide books.
Fisher. William Arms.
Notes on music in old Boston. By William Arms Fisher. Boston.
1918. (A history of the Oliver Ditson Company.) For the Brown
Collection of Music.
Higginson, Henry L.
Twenty-three volumes, and 50 numbers of periodicals.
[35]
Hills, Frederick S., Albany, N. Y.
New York State men. Individual library edition. John H. Manning,
editor. 20 volumes.
Hunnewell, James M.
Twenty-six volumes from his father's library (the late J. M. Hunne-
well), chiefly early bulletins, catalogues and reports of the Boston
Public Library covering the years 1858 — 1896, bound in morocco.
Iconographic Society.
Iconographic Society — Second series. 1 2 pubHcations. (The Old
South Church, Boston.) No. 65 of 80 impressions.
Lauriat, Charles E., Jr.
Four English recruiting posters; 3 designed by Frank Brahgwyn.
Linzee, John W.
The Linzee families of Great Britain and the United States of America.
By John William Linzee. 2 v. Boston. 1918. Privately printed.
Nourse, Miss A. E.
Eighty-three volumes, miscellaneous works.
Royal Italian Consulate.
Sixty-three Italian publications relating to the War.
The Saturday Club.
The early years of the Saturday Club, 1855—1870. By Edward
Waldo Emerson. Boston. 1918. (Through Mr. Edward Waldo
Emerson, Concord, Mass.)
Taylor, Charles H., Jr.
Etching of the club house of the Club of Odd Volumes on Mt. Ver-
non Street, Boston, made by Dwight C. Sturges of the Globe staff.
(Only 13 prints made.)
Twombly, John F.
1 34 volumes, miscellaneous works, including Le Morte d* Arthur, edi-
tion of 1893, with introduction by Professor Rhys and . . . original
designs by Aubrey Beardsley ; History of Greece, by Duruy, 8 v. ;
Browning's Saul, and Stubbs's History of England.
Wentworth Institute.
Ten Czechoslovak recruiting posters. Designed and printed at the
School of Printing and Graphic Arts, Wentworth Institute, Boston,
1918.
Whiting, Miss Lilian.
Ten volumes and 1 77 manuscript letters to Miss Whiting by Mrs.
Mary A. Livermore, Mrs. Harriet Prescott Spofford, and others.
Widener, Joseph, Philadelphia.
Pictures in the collection of P. A. B. Widener at Lynnewood Hall,
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. British and modern French schools, with
introduction by W. Roberts. No. 57 of 200 copies. 1915. Bound
in full crimson morocco. Continues the series of Schools of Painting.
[36]
PERIODICALS.
The periodicals have been subject to serious delays and irregu-
larities, and in order to secure the January issue of the popular
domestic magazines orders had to be placed in September.
Fairly regular shipments of French and English, and about 50
German periodicals for 1918 have been received, the latter
through the American Library Association Committee on Impor-
tations.
THE NEED FOR MORE BOOKS.
The demand for more books is continuous and insistent. Re-
placements must constantly be made of the worn out but worthy
volumes both of non-fiction and fiction ; many special collections,
already noteworthy, must be enlarged whenever opportunity
serves; serial continuations, ever increasing in number, must be
kept up ; books for the student and scholar in all intellectual fields
must be added as published. All this implies a careful selection
in order that a wise distribution may be made to the various
departments and that a proper perspective be maintained. An
altogether too meagre balance of available funds is thus left for
the purchase of children's books and popular fiction.
The book circulation of the Boston Public Library and its
branches is small compared with that of other large library sys-
tems, but this condition exists because of the limited number of
popular books purchased and the lack of sufficient copies of
favorite books. The shelves in the Children's rooms in the Cen-
tral Library and the branches are often conspicuously empty of
books, while the calls are continuous throughout the library sys-
tem for the newer and well-known books, seemingly always in
use. Since the book appropriation for the main library and its
thirty branches and reading rooms permits of the purchase of
from two to thirty copies only of new and desirable novels, it
is small wonder that would-be patrons of the Library become
discouraged when time after time their call slips for the work of
some popular author are returned as "charged-out". If in-
stead of fifty copies of "Over the Top" — an exceptionally large
number of copies of a volume for this Library — three or four
[37]
hundred copies had been purchased, the demand for this work
would have been reasonably met. The same is equally true in a
lesser degree not only of any volume of popular fiction but of
popular non-fiction, to say nothing of books in the various foreign
languages. While the instance noted is perhaps exceptional,
it shows how great is the need for more money for more books,
to insure a certain and gratifying increase in the volume of circu-
lation as a result. In spite of the limitations under which book
purchases have been made, as much as possible has been done to
make selections that would meet the widest demands without
neglecting the real needs of scholars.
THE CATALOGUE AND SHELF DEPARTMENTS.
Hie Chief of the Catalogue Department reports that 75,843
volumes and parts of volumes have been catalogued during
1918—19. These represent 49,780 titles. Details for two
successive years may be found in the Appendix, page 60.
There have been 195,540 catalogue cards added to the public
catalogues (185,899 at Central) during the year. Within a
few days after the receipt of every new book (bound) temporary
author, subject, and often title cards are filed in the Bates Hall
Catalogue. Later, these temporary cards are replaced by the
usual permanent cards. One card for every title printed was
sent to the Library of Congress as in the fifteen preceding years,
in return for which the Library received galley proofs of the
cards of that institution. One card for every title has also been
sent, as hitherto, to the Harvard College Library in exchange
for its printed cards.
On account of the reduced importations of new books of late,
the Department has been able to give more time to the reprinting
of the soiled and torn cards in the public catalogues. This is
naturally an endless task. In spite of all the precautions attend-
ants can exercise the public tear out cards, mark on them, spill
ink on them, and handle them with moist and dirty hands, so that
the cards under a popular subject or author soon become un-
suitable for further use.
Interesting statistics relating to the number of volumes shelved
and thus made available for public use, and the total number
[38]
of volumes thus made available at the end of each year since
the formation of the Library, taken from the report of the Shelf
Department, are to be found on page 60 of the Appendix.
WORK WITH CHILDREN.
The Supervisor of Work with Children has devoted a good
portion of the year to the study of conditions in the children's
rooms throughout the library system as a preliminary step to any
future reorganization or expansion.
In twelve of the fourteen branch libraries, a separate room is
given up to the children, although in some of these the conditions
are far from satisfactory. Increased space is needed at all but
nine of the points of administration.
The Supervisor says in her report :
Whenever it is necessary to carry on work with children and adults in
the same room, there cannot be for either the measure of success that might
attend their complete separation. At the same time, some of the most
satisfactory work is carried on in reading rooms where the very limitations
of space enable the librarians themselves to come into contact with the
children. But in the branches the exacting duties of supervising a large
building make it necessary to assign assistants to this work, and until they
are more fully qualified than at present they cannot meet the requirements
so well as the librarians themselves. On a sufficiently large and properly
equipped force the vitality of the work depends.
Extension of the library work with children is severely handicapped
by an undermanned library staff. It is necessary to place restrictions
upon the use of the library because there is not sufficient force to handle
the growth which would normally follow a publicity campaign. Our age
limit for card holders remains at ten years, though this should be abolished
in favor of a more liberal ruling which would allow any child who can
read and write his name, to have a library card. Under existing con-
ditions, the branch attendants feel themselves incapable of giving the
personal attention imperative to secure orderly conduct among the younger
children and so, though many of these children are able to read well,
they are not admitted to the branches and reading rooms. This is not
only a hardship to the children, but is bad educational policy, as the
early years are considered of primary importance in forming habits and
receiving impressions. Moreover, it is admitted that the younger children
are really less likely deliberately to cause disorder than are the older ones.
Children form the greater proportion of readers in the reading rooms,
and this probably diminishes to a considerable degree the use of the
[39]
rooms by adults. At one reading room, three-fourths of the readers are
children. Their number has almost doubled in the past year, owing to
the closing of a neighboring settlement house. At another reading room,
the readers are almost all children. The opening of the new Municipal
Building in Roslindale, with its provision for the library, affords more at-
tractive quarters for the children and is bound to bring about a growth
in both circulation and reading room use.
During the winter months a visitor at some of the libraries in the crowded
parts of this city is impressed with the almost painful dearth of books.
Where the homes offer least, the opportunity of the library is greatest
Eager and constant readers are found in these districts, and the function
of the library is to supply them with reading — recreational, educational,
vocational — in much larger quantities than we have yet been able to
furnish. This need cannot be made too emphatic. In several places
the upbuilding of a small collection, not to be taken from the room, helps
to satisfy the readers who fail to find anything they want among the books
for home use. Such a collection also furnishes and adorns a room so
that visitors overlook the empty shelves.
Enlarged circulation and an improvement in manners always accompany
an increase in the book supply, for young people grow tired of repeatedly
unsuccessful applications and become indifferent to the library when
they fail constantly to get what they want when they want it. The
demand is most insistent for some of the best children's books and is always
strong for the books containing stories which have been told in the Library.
It seems impossible to have too many fairy tales and books for those who
are learning to read. A goodly number of the latter are read by grown
people studying English.
The war has continued to be the subject of greatest interest. There
has been much reading of certain popular war books, especially the per-
sonal narratives, and this has been only a little decreased by the armistice.
Nearly all readers have had a father, or brother, or cousin in France and
this personal element has brought new life into the history and geography
lessons. School requirements have included an entirely new range of
topics for debate, for written work and oral report, drawn from current
events and world problems.
The reading rooms and children's rooms are extensively used for study
while the demands of school reference work have taxed their resources to
the utmost. Visits to the schools generally meet with response in a stimu-
lation of interest among the pupils and the development of better co-
operation with the teachers. Changes in the course of study called for
the addition of new books. The study of European history in the Sixth
grade gives a background to American history by emphasis on the great
world movements, tracing especially as it does the course of civilization
around the Mediterranean and through western Europe to America. In
the adoption of the Junior High School plan of organization different
[40]
stress is laid on subjects formerly studied, and this requires adaptation of
the library's resources to current needs.
Requests for cooperation in patriotic work included the participation of
children in the various activities, national in their apportionment and world
wide in their scope. At several of the branches posters on food produc-
tion made by the classes in neighboring schools were judged and placed on
exhibition. In the children's room of the Central Library a table and
shelves are kept supplied with pictures, clippings, pamphlets and books
for the Junior Red Cross chapters. A list of books of suggested reading,
compiled by a committee of the National Red Cross, has been issued by
the library and will be used in the school chapters here.
THE CHILDREN'S ROOM AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY.
Direct circulation of books from the Children's Room at the
Central Library was 63,993, an increase of 2,675 over last year.
Special attention has been directed towards the Sunday work
with a view to systematizing and amplifying the service on this
always important da}^ with children. By the addition of more
tables and chairs, greater comfort and convenience of readers
were attained, but the room is still inadequate to meet the needs
of many young people.
It is essential that attendants familiar with the resources of the
department and, as far as may be, of the general collection, be
present on Sundays. Questions are numerous and there is a
multitude of opportunities to encourage reading tastes through
personal attention to visitors who never come at other times. TTie
best results are obtained only when one of the regular week-day
attendants is present and this is now possible part of the time.
Knowledge of the Sunday requirements is equally valuable for
the week-day force. Additional assistants have been advan-
tageously employed in the department this winter. The Super-
visor is on duty in the room at least one Sunday a month during
the busy part of the year.
Special lists on a variety of educational topics have been made
for club leaders and teachers, as well as for parents, and there
have been frequent requests for information on story-telling and
other activities connected with the Library's service to younger
readers. Several letters of inquiry have come from abroad, in-
cluding one from France, which looked forward to the establish-
[41]
ment of children's libraries there as a part of the general plan of
reconstruction.
Visiting classes have met at the Children's Room in the Cen-
tral Library for instruction on the use of books and catalogues
and for talks on reading. Relations with the Boston Trade
School and with the office of the Vocational Director have been
especially fruitful and satisfactory. Beside talks to classes at
the Library, the Supervisor has addressed classes in school and
at mothers' clubs and has given the course in work with children
at Simmons College, as well as the courses previously described
to the assistants in the Library.
THE CHILDREN'S STORY-HOUR.
Story-telling under the same direction as in previous years, has
been conducted wherever the Library resources have made it
possible. Although there were interruptions in the work, due
to the shortage of fuel and to the epidemic of influenza there was
a gain during the year in the number of groups and no loss of
efficiency. New groups were established at Warren Street,
Dorchester and West Roxbury.
Partial extracts are quoted from the interesting report of Mrs.
Mary W. Cronan, in charge of story-telling :
Children reflect the emotions of their elders. It was therefore to be
expected that the war with its far-reaching effect upon our lives, would
become the dominant interest of boys and girls who often came to the
story-hour with a question suggested by its issues. Newspapers and
magazines abounded with classical allusions. These often meant nothing
to the majority of boys and girls until the stories to which they had refer-
ence were told. For instance, at one time last fall the headlines and
cartoons announced, "Germany begins to see the handwriting on the wall".
Hundreds of young people, some of them in the high school, had never
heard the dramatic story of Belshazzar's Feast, so the teUing of it seemed
timely and important. Several times the newspaper articles contained a
warning against admitting the wooden horse of Troy to the Peace Council.
Boys and girls knew that this was a war to end war. After hearing the
story retold they saw the significance of the allusion, that militarism must
be barred from the Peace Conference.
Although stories of patriotism and idealism are always told at the
story-hour, this year more instances of present day heroism have been used,
but not to the exclusion of the older folk-tales and legends.
[42]
The year has been marked by a number of experiments in combined
effort. During the periods of enforced closing of the Hbraries owing to
fuel shortage, the hospitality of neighboring institutions was offered in
order that the children should not be cut off from the pleasure of hearing
stories told. One of the most rewarding series of visits was made at the
Peabody Home for Crippled Children at Hyde Park.
The West Roxbury story-hour was held after school in the hall of the
new school building close by the Branch, thus reaching three hundred
children and securing the understanding and cooperation of the teachers
and master. The Branch librarian reports that it brought to the Library
children who had apparently never before been interested in books and
reading, and from the teaching force has came a most cordial expression of
appreciation of this form of introduction to literature.
In a story-hour held in a school building there is both gain and loss.
The gain is apparent; the loss is from a lack of intimate contact. To the
library groups familiar talks about books and reading may be given,
w^th opportunity to influence choice and to create a certain atmosphere
within the Library walls. The school period is more formal, yet, it, too,
has a socializing influence which is quite worth while. At present, an
occasional school story-hour, or the use of the school hall when the Library
has no adequate provision, is of distinct advantage.
For some of the past members of our groups, the realities of war have
not dimmed the memory of these contacts with the romance of fairy
tales and legendary heroes. The story tellers "could do a whole lot of
good here," writes one boy from France.
TEACHERS' ROOM.
The work of the Teachers' Room has been followed along
the lines established in previous years. Beside the permanent
collection of books and magazines, temporary reservations were
made for those taking extension courses and for classes in the
public and private schools. A file of the syllabi in use in cer-
tain representative cities has been added at the suggestion of the
Boston Normal School, for the purpose of comparative study
and program making.
Changing conceptions of education have called many new
books into being. The problems of reconstruction of secondary
schools, training in the ideals of democracy, and Americaniza-
tion loom large in importance. By careful study there is abun-
dant opportunity to make the Teachers' Room and the service
it offers an important factor in the educational life of the city.
[431
BATES HALL.
TTie Custodian of Bates Hall Reference Department states
that the year has been marked by a number of unusual incidents.
Hie report says :
Perhaps the most striking incident was the closing of the Hall for two
weeks, during the influenza epidemic. The coal shortage last February,
on the other hand, resulted in an unwonted resort of readers to the Hall
while the branches of the Library were closed. The signing of the armis-
tice was almost immediately reflected in the life of the Hall. For at
least a year preceding both readers and questions were largely animated
by war interests; but with surprising rapidity the readers returned to their
former studies, and the reference work of the Library resumed its accus-
tomed channels. It was as if the whole intellectual life of the community
had been in uniform and had removed it promptly on November eleventh.
The central activity of the year has been the revision of the reference
collection, begun in the fall of 1917, and now almost half completed.
The sections devoted to history, the domestic arts and sciences, and
business have been wholly reconstructed, and the books on political science,
sociology, and economics have been selected. In all, 3,889 volumes
have been handled during the year, of which 1,537, formerly on the
shelves, have been returned to the stacks as no longer of first importance;
1,613 fresh books have been placed in the collection; and 739 volumes
have been given new locations in the process of re-classification. Many
subjects, such as forestry, nursing, the science of war, the various phases
of business, are now adequately represented in the Hall for the first time ;
books in other fields, including applied science and certain types of sta-
tistics, have been sent to departments of the Library where they can be
more advantageously handled in conjunction with other material of the
same sort. In general the aim has been to make gradually the reference
collection into one great encyclopaedia, where the reader may find the
most authoritative and recent information in the entire field of knowledge,
systematically and clearly arranged. Such a tool will take time to con-
struct, and must grow toward perfection by slow degrees; Bates Hall
can cover only a portion of the field, and must be supplemented by the
reference shelves of the Special Libraries, of the Teachers' Collection,
and of the Statistical Department ; but as the centre of the system, it has the
widest and most indefinite range of subjects, which requires constant and
eager vigilance if it is to be kept up to date. Hardly a day has passed
during the year without the selection of one or more books to be fitted
into gaps in the collection, quite aside from the revision of whole subjects,
as they are taken up. The increased use of the shelves is justifying the
labor expended upon them, and the pubhc is responding to the opportunity
to see recent books in various fields, which they might otherwise miss.
[44]
The work of revision has required extra assistance, and has led to the
simplification of the methods of record employed. The additions to the
staff have made possible the placing of an assistant at the north end of
the Hall, heretofore without supervision, where helpful assistance has
been given to readers within the enclosure.
A brief card of instruction in the use of the catalogue, reading as fol-
lows, has been inserted in each catalogue drawer.
SUGGESTIONS TO USERS OF THE CATALOGUE.
Printed slips to be used in calling for books (gral; for use in the Hall,
manila for books to be used at home) are on all tables in the catologue
alcove.
1 . To gel a book, write on the call-slip the number at the right-hand edge
of the catalogue card (including any preceding leliers).
2. To find reference books in Bates Hall (marked B.H. or B.H.Ref.)
consult an attendant: these books may be used in the Hall without
formality.
3. If the catalogue card bears more than one number, each number repre-
sents a separate copy — usually a separate edition of the book.
4. Stars (*) before the number of a book denote a restriction upon cir-
culation; if such a book is desired for home use consult the attendant
in charge.
5. The catalogue of FICTION IN ENGLISH for home use (including trans-
lations from foreign languages) is in the DELIVERY ROOM.
6. Catalogues of music and musical literature will be found only on the
upper floor, in the Allen A. Brown Music Room.
It is believed that these cards, with the two pamphlets on the use of the
Library soon to be issued, v^dll aid readers to procure what they want with
greater ease and fewer mistakes.
Manuscript lists of war poetry, of one-act plays, and of Spanish fiction
have been compiled in the department, and are already proving useful;
and a filing cabinet has been installed, in which are preserved for current
reference such valuable but ephemeral material of more or less interest.
In all its activities the department is trying to reach greater efficiency in
placing the resources of the Library at the disposal of the public for
reference use.
THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES.
The Special Libraries Department on the third floor of the
Central Building comprises the following divisions: Fine Arts
(i.e. painting, sculpture, architecture, landscape architecture,
town planning, etc.); Industrial Arts (including Technology
and Applied Science) ; Music (including the Allen A. Brown
Music and Dramatic Libraries) ; the Special Collections (Bar-
ton, Ticknor, Prince, Bowditch, Artz, 20th Regiment, Brown-
ning, Galatea, Franklin, Lewis). In the Fine Arts Collection
are included 53,45 1 photographs, including process pictures, used
[45]
for circulation in the schools. During the year 3,403 photo-
graphs and process pictures were added to the collection.
The Department now possesses 7,726 lantern slides, of which
297 were added during the year; this collection is mainly used
in connection with the lectures given at the Library, but 2,169
slides were lent to Boston schools and for other free lectures in
Boston.
Since the last report all the public documents have been re-
moved from the Fine Arts section into the Annex stacks and the
entire West Gallery has been given over to the Art Collections.
Every fine art and industrial art book in the department, with
the exception of the large cabinet books, has already been moved,
and are now in regular numerical order, as they have not been for
many years, so that it is entirely possible, even for a "runner"
on his first day, to find a book. This now makes a good basis
for the further development of the alcoves into a good reference
and working library accessible from the large Fine Arts Reading
Room. The large portable bookcases have already been re-
moved and the reading room presents a more open and attractive
appearance.
In order that the widest possible publicity may be given to the
facilities which the Library offers through this group of special
libraries, I repeat what was said in the report for 1913:
The valuable books in this group are especially used by scholars and
students engaged in hterary research. Many of the volumes can be found
in no other library in this country and the reading tables in the Barton
Gallery are in constant use by authors, educators, and others who find in
this retired reading-room the quiet and privacy necessary to their work.
In the Fine Arts reading-room the tables are usually fully occupied, and
the considerable number of books on open shelves are freely used, as in
Bates Hall. The West Gallery leading from this reading-room is espe-
cially devoted to reservations for classes from the schools of art and design,
to various other study classes, and to conferences in connection with the
University Extension Courses. In the Allen A. Brown Music Room
students of music find material obtainable in no other place. The entire
work of the Special Libraries is in the highest sense educational, and the
training and experience of the attendants is an essential element in the
effective public service which is given in these rooms.
Mr. Frank A. Bourne has served as temporary Custodian
of Special Libraries since October, 1918. The interest and
[46]
zeal he has brought to his task have been reflected in the various
departments under his charge. It is to be regretted that his term
qf service to the Library must of necessity be Hmited.
LECTURES AND EXHIBITIONS.
The use of the Lecture Hall increases. In addition to the
Library Lecture Course, on Sunday afternoons and Thursday
evenings, the Hall has been occupied once a week by the Uni-
versity Extension Course in English composition, once a week by
an Extension Course, a class in Spanish, of the Massachusetts
Board of Education, once a week by the Girls' City Club, once
a week by the Library Story-Hour, and by the Library Appren-
tices Class under the Supervisor of Work with Children, once
every other week by the Ruskin Club, and by numerous public
meetings of various civic and educational associations. The list
of free public lectures during the season from October, 1918, to
April, 1919, may be found on page 62 of the Appendix.
Owing to the constant use of space available for exhibitions
in the Central Library and in the branches and reading rooms,
for the display of posters and cards, advertising the numerous
war activities, no regular programme of exhibitions for the win-
ter months was arranged. As far as practicable the weekly
lectures were illustrated by exhibitions of pictures in the Fine
Arts Department as heretofore. The Library has a complete
set of the War Photographs issued by the Committee on Public
Information, Division of Pictures, Washington, and the various
sections of the collection were exhibited from time to time at the
Central Library and the branches and reading roooms
BRANCHES AND READING ROOMS.
The total number of branch agencies is 306, as against 308 a
year ago. These include 14 branches, 16 reading rooms, 59
engine houses, 32 institutions, and 185 public and parochial
schools. The number of volumes issued on borrowers' cards
from the Central Library through the Branch Department is
82,248 as against 81,1 11 in 1917 and 73.511 in 1916.
Under the inter-library loan system, the Branch Department
[47]
lent to other libraries 1,560 volumes, compared with 1,421 vol-
umes in 1917.
The number of volumes sent to schools was 33,060, as against
37,907 in 1917. The number of individual teachers supplied
was 943, as against 980 the year previous. Taking into account
the difficulties of an exceptional year, the figures are satisfactory.
The total circulation of the branch system was 1 ,755,100 vol-
umes as against 1,809,615 volumes in 1917, and 1,776,745
volumes in 1916. Three of the branches and nine of the read-
ing rooms gained in circulation. These figures are noteworthy
when it is remembered that most of the branches and reading
rooms were closed for several weeks during the epidemic.
The number of new books bought for the branches was 6,497,
as against 4,3 1 3 in 1917. There have been replacements to the
number of 9,931 volumes, as against 7,197 in 191 7. The ad-
ditions to the permanent collections of the reading rooms were
6,749 volumes, compared with 3,873 in 1917. Special addi-
tions of books were those for children, and war books. Tech-
nical books have been added in moderate number, either directly
at the branches and reading rooms, or else to the Deposit Collec-
tion, for the common use of all the branch system.
The Supervisor of Branches calls attention to the fact that the
intimate relations with the public, as its servants, are the most in-
teresting and vital thing in the work of the branches and reading
rooms. To indicate the people they serve and the help they
give, the following quotations are made from the annual reports
of their librarians :
The number of readers using the library is increasing, especially of
men, who are attracted by the periodicals. As in former years not many
of our constituency are of foreign birth, but a large percentage are of
foreign parentage, Irish, German, ItaHan, English, French, Swedish, and
a few with Russian or Polish names. Besides the pupils from the gram-
mar, high and normal schools, we have many students from colleges and
a few teachers who are doing special work. Several young men stationed
at a neighboring base hospital come in frequently to spend their evenings
in the library.
In our district are two large shipbuilding plants. In these places there
are men from all parts of the world, even Japan. Without homes, without
friends, the library has become a haven where they might read at least of
the things they loved.
[48]
Many have been studying for promotional examinations and have de-
pended entirely ujxjn library books. We became so interested in their
success that we spent much time looking up matter and sending to the
Central Library for books. Many came and told us they had passed suc-
cessfully, and thanked us for the great help we had been to them.
The friendship and affection of a child gained in intimate library ways
holds for long. After older brothers and sisters cease to read quite
so much as in their omnivorous reading days, we hear from them through
the younger children sent to follow in their footsteps armed with oral or
written introductions and kind remembrances. Only yesterday there came
to see me one of my library boys who enlisted, at sixteen, before the
United States entered the war and has returned from active service in
France, convalescent after shrapnel wounds and gas, but whole as to limb.
He grasped my hand as he would that of a near relative, glad to be once
more among his old book friends.
This district is a city in itself; therefore our constituency consists
of all classes of people and all nationalities. Few of the foreign born
visit the branch, however. They are reached through the children who
call for books for their parents. We have the working man, the student,
the lawyer, the minister, the school teacher, and the pupil, and our work
varies with the demands of each. This last year many soldiers, sailors
and merchant mariners have frequented the branch and have been helped
in every possible way.
It grew upon us that our war work was already here. This was to run
a hbrary so as to meet the needs of the moment and of the community. In
a foreign district where many boys were being drafted for the army and
many more would be, where no one wanted to go and the mothers feared,
and oh! the grandmothers! They knew warfare and they dictated the
pohcy of the house. They had so rejoiced that their famihes were safe
in America. And now had come this horror that they did not under-
stand. It was a time of lamentation. Here was a chance to present
another side. It was possible for the Library to get together clippings and
magazine articles that helped. The Sunday New York Times and the
Century helped the most. Some of the clippings, which circulated freely,
reached great numbers of boys outside the library habitues and, when re-
turned, were worn almost beyond filing. Boys who had never been inside
the Library shd in to read the war articles and to talk it over with the boys
who came every night. It was even possible to illustrate; for after a
friend came back from three months at the front and passed on his allitera-
tive slogan that the war would be won by the Grit of the English, the
Mihtary Genius of the French, the Gallantry of the Italian, and the Gump-
tion of the Yankee, a group of branches got together thirteen posters repre-
senting their ideas on the four qualities and put them on exhibition here and
elsewhere — to the real waking up of the men — some of them already in
uniform at Devens. Simmons College kindly sent a poster and exhibited
[49]
the whole series during a library meeting. The posters were seen with
much interest by various groups of people from all parts of the country
during the summer. One of them said it was a stroke of real work worth
doing.
In conclusion, the Supervisor of Branches speaks as follows of
the work of Miss Jordan :
This is the first full year of service of the Supervisor of Work with
Children. In so far as this concerns the branches, I desire to say that
excellent results are already apparent. Miss Jordan's visits and advice
have been very helpful. Her lecture courses, which have been taken by
many branch employees have been invaluable, as many of the librarians
point out. The very existence of this new activity, exercised steadily and
with good judgment as it has been, has placed emphasis on the importance
of intelligent work with children all over the system.
REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT.
The Chief of the Registration Department notes that on Jan-
uary 16, 1918, there were outstanding 101,891 "live" cards,
40,880 cards have been added since that date. During the year,
however, 48,212 borrowers have allowed their home use privi-
lege to lapse, so that on January 15, 1919, there were 94,559
persons holding "live" cards, or cards for present use. The
shrinkage of 7,332 registrations from the number at the begin-
ning of the Library year may be accounted for, in part at least,
by the activity of citizens in war work of various kinds, and
through the influenza which necessitated the closing of many
schools and the branch libraries and reading rooms.
The number of "live" cards held by persons over sixteen years
of age is 48,682 as against 45,877 held by those under sixteen.
Cards held by teachers number 4,3 1 2 ; by pupils of elementary
schools (public and parochial), 28,618; and by students of
higher institutions of learning, 21,712. Male card holders num-
ber 41 ,016 and female, 53,543.
Of the 7,2 1 4 teachers' cards issued prior to January 15, 1919,
947 are "live" cards; of these 590 are held by permanent resi-
dents (in addition to their ordinary cards), and 357 are held
by non-residents.
Of the 2,799 special privilage cards issued prior to January
15, 1919, 340 are "live" cards; 168 are held by permanent resi-
dents, and 1 72 are held by non-residents.
[50]
The total number of application blanks, borrowers' cards,
certificates, etc., filled in, and filed alphabetically during the year,
was 110,729.
A table showing the distribution by wards of the holders of
"live" cards, in comparison with the total population of these
wards, may be consulted in the Appendix to the Report on page
65.
PUBLICATIONS.
The Editor of Publications has supervised the following publi-
cations during the year :
Weekly Lists. From January 19, 1918, to January 11, 1919, inclu-
sive (nos. 509—560), fifty-two issues, contains 314 pages. The
edition of each issue was 2,500 copies. During the Fall of 1918
some extraneous matter intended to promote the sale of Liberty
Bonds and War Saving Stamps, and to increase Red Cross member-
ship was included. A few timely lists also appeared in certain
Weekly Lists, as follows:
Oct. 26, 1918. Books descriptive of Northern France and Bel-
gium.
Nov. 9. 1918. Books on Shipbuilding.
Nov. 16, 1918. Important Treaties of Peace, 1814-1918.
Nov. 23, 1918. Thanksgiving Books and Selections in the Chil-
dren's Room.
Nov. 30, 1918. Recent Books and Articles on the Re-education
and Employment of Soldiers and Sailors after
the War.
Quarterly Bulletin. 3d series, vol. 11, nos. 1—4, inclusive, in March,
June, September, and December, 1918. The four numbers com-
prised 432 pages, in editions of 2,000 copies for the first two issues,
and 1 ,500 copies for the last two issues. Besides the usual titles
of newly added books arranged in "dictionary" form, and the an-
nouncements of the Boston Public Library Lectures, the Lowell
Institute, and the University Extension Courses (including additional
announcements by Boston University, the Department of University
Extension of the Board of Education of Massachusetts, North-
eastern College, Simmons College, and the Young Men's Catholic
Association), there also appeared in the December 31, 1918, issue
four lists illustrative of lectures in the Lowell Institute Courses, in all
cases prepared by the lecturers, as follows: The Self- Expression of
the Sixteenth Century, by Dr. Henry Osborn Taylor; Greece, the
Forerunner of Europe, by Prof. William Scott Ferguson; Chem-
istry in the War, by Prof. Gregory Paul Baxter; Greek and Roman
[51]
Sculpture In American Collections, by Prof. George Henry Chase.
The customary list of Exhibitions in the Central Library and
Branches was omitted this season from the Quarterly Bulletin for
the first time.
Brief Reading Lists. This series begun last year, prepared and issued
under the supervision of the Chief of the Catalogue Department, has
been continued as follows :
No. 4. A Selected List of Books on the Commercial Relations of
South America, principally with the United States.
June, 1918.
No. 5. A Selected List of References on the Reconstruction and
Re-education of Disabled Soldiers and Sailors. June,
1918.
No. 6. Freedom of the Seas: Selected References to Recent
Books and Magazines. January, 1919.
No. 7. A League of Nations: Selected References to Recent
Books and Magazines. January, 1919.
No. 8. Problems of Peace, Racial and Territorial: Selected
References to Recent Books and Magazines. Janu-
ary, 1919.
The Library also issued the following :
A List of Books relating to Housing in the Public Library of the City of
Boston; issued on the occasion of the seventh conference of the
National Housing Association, Boston, November 25, 26 and 27,
1918. 22 pp.
List of Sugested Reading for the use of the Junior Membership of the
American Red Cross; compiled by the Red Cross Central Library
Committee. Issued for Work with Schools. 1919. 13 pp.
The distribution of library publications for the year was as
follows :
Sent to departments for free distribution ....... 146,760
Sent to departments for sale ......... 105
Free direct distribution .......... 4,925
Distributed for library use ......... 23
The Custodian of the Stock Room issued during the year
1,812,400 call slips and 266,100 miscellaneous forms.
THE BATES HALL CENTRE DESK, NEWSPAPER AND PATENT
ROOMS. CENTRAL LIBRARY.
The Custodian reports the following facts:
Centre Dest(. The maximum attendance of readers in Bates Hall was
312 on March 3, 1 91 8, at 5 P.M., a decrease of 1 3, as reported last year.
[52]
The table of attendance shows a decrease for the whole year, due largely
to the conditions previously mentioned.
In April, 1918, a list of Boston Views was started, and at present
130 books and more than 75 volumes of magazines have been indexed.
There are 3,100 separate titles in the list now available for consultation at
the Centre Desk.
NeTvspaper Room. The attendance in this room always exceeds its
seating capacity. The maximum for the year was 2 1 0 persons on May 5,
at 6 P.M. The use of this room daily, Sundays and evenings, continues
to be large and satisfactory. At present there are 284 papers on file in
this room. Of this number 197 are American and 87 are foreign. The
report of last year showed 294 papers filed. Three papers were added and
1 0 were dropped or ceased publication. No papers have been received
since early in 1916 from the Central Powers. In most every instance
the price of papers has increased 1 00 per cent over the previous year.
The Library binds for preservation 31 papers. This includes all
Boston papers and a selected list of some of the important papers published
in other cities. This year 1 08 volumes were added to the files of bound
papers, making a total of 8,312 volumes.
During the year 15,721 persons used 27,856 volumes. Last year
there were 31,815 volumes used by 1 7,998 persons. The decrease was
due to the fuel shortage and the closing of the rooms during the prevalence
of influenza.
Reading in the Newspaper Room is not confined to Sunday supplements
or to the sporting pages; a great amount of serious work is done with
the aid of the bound volumes of old newspapers. They are consulted
for speeches, for records of births and deaths, for art criticisms, as well
as for stock and market quotations and information in regard to shipping.
To the files of the early 1 9th century papers 1 04 numbers of the New
England Palladium for the years 1801—1802 were added, also 5 num-
bers of the Boston Evening Bulletin for 1827.
Patent Room. The Patent Room collection has been enlarged by the
addition of 446 volumes. The total number in this room is 14,427.
Since the majority of the users of this room make use of the open shelves,
it is impossible to give accurately the number of volumes consulted.
THE PERIODICAL ROOM, CENTRAL LIBRARY.
The following table shows the number of readers in the Peri-
odical Room, Central Library, at certain hours, as totalized in
each of two successive years.
10
12
2
4
6
8
10
A.M.
M.
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
1918-19 .
. 7,264
10,342
18,547
23,201
16,173
19.236
6,072
1917-18 .
9,873
12.981
20,673
26,327
18.784
22.701
8,522
[53]
The use of bound files was as follows:
Bound volumes consulted during the year: 1918-19. 1917-18.
In the day time (week-days) 26,360 31,532
In the evening and on Sunday ...... 10,481 12,199
The use of unbound files was as follows :
Unbound numbers consulted:
In the day time (week-days) 29,463 35,162
In the evening and on Sunday . . . . 11,167 14,723
It will be noted that there is a considerable decrease in both
the attendance of readers and the use of magazines. The un-
usual conditions of the year offer ample explanation.
The periodicals currently published and regularly filed in the
Periodical Room number 1,337. In addition, the following
relating to special subjects are placed in open files in different
departments :
Fine Arts Department and Music Room . . . . . . . . 118
Ordering Department ........... 27
Statistical Department ........... 54
Teachers' Reference and Children's Room ....... 48
There are, all told, 12,829 bound volumes of periodicals on
the shelves of the department.
DOCUMENTS AND STATISTICS.
According to memorandum from the Head of the Shelf De-
partment, there have been added to the Statistical Department
during the past year 354 volumes, of which four were transfers
from the stacks. The present total of volumes is 21 ,306.
During the year the many documents hitherto in the Statistical
Gallery, on the Special Libraries floor, and in the Patent Room
basement, have been removed to the Stack 4 level of the new
Annex, where is now gathered a collection of documents probably
unmatched in the country. These comprise Congressional and
Parliamentary documents, journals and records of debate, and
diplomatic papers, as well as state and municipal reports; and
while the space is only about three-quarters taken up, there
are in position, by estimate, about 30,000 volumes. Moreover,
in the regular Stack 4 there are many books on economics which
are constantly called for through the Statistical Department.
The material therefore with which the Department serves the
public is probably 55,000 volumes.
[54]
The number of volumes received during the year through the
American Statistical Association was 267. Besides, 606 num-
bers have been received which will eventually make up volumes.
Mr. Wheeler, in charge of the Department, notes that the
Department has served the School for Social Workers by collect-
ing from the stacks and reserving at its tables for a fortnight at a
time such books as have been sought by students of the School.
The Department has been used considerably by students of the
Harvard School of Business Administration, and of Simmons
College. It is also much used by students in the City schools,
and has provided working space for investigators connected with
the National Industrial Conference Board.
At such a distance as it is from Bates Hall, the Statistical De-
partment is under the disadvantage of separation from reference
books such as encyclopaedias, atlases and histories ; and it would
probably be well for it to have in its own room a reasonable outfit
of such books.
THE BINDERY AND THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
During the year 35,554 volumes have been bound in the
Bindery, as against 44,72 1 in 1 91 7. Beside this, a large amount
of miscellaneous work has been completed, such as the folding,
stitching and trimming of 1 7 1 , 1 86 library publications, compared
with 167,935 in 1917, and the mounting of maps and photo-
graphs, the repairing of books, and making of periodical covers,
etc. The expense of performing this necessary miscellaneous
work is equivalent to about 1 7 per cent of the total expense of
the Department. The ability to do it promptly in our own
Bindery, greatly promotes the convenience, economy and effi-
ciency of the library work.
The tables of statistics furnished by the Chiefs of the Bindery
and the Printing Department, are given in the usual form in the
Appendix, pages 65, 66.
EXAMINATIONS.
Examinations for library service were given as follows : Special
examination in the Course in Children's Reading, for library
employees, June 4, 38 examined, of whom 1 9 passed ; Grade E,
[55]
September 3, 93 examined, of whom 72 passed; Grade E,
November 30, 56 examined, of whom 47 passed ; Grade C, No-
vember 30, 36 examined, of whom 13 passed; and Grade B,
November 30, 1 3 examined, of whom 3 passed.
LIBRARY WAR SERVICE.
TTie Central Library, the Branches and Reading Rooms have
continued to "carry on" in all the varied war activities of the
year. Pamphlets and leaflets of the Red Cross, and welfare
organizations have been distributed and posters displayed. Many
employees gave freely of their time and energy in the Library
War Service campaigns for money, books and magazines, and in
the United War Work Campaign. During the winter months
the War Work Community Service used the Lecture Hall on
Sunday afternoons for concerts and receptions for the men in
service.
Miss Edith Guerrier, Librarian of the North End Branch, is
still on leave of absence as Chief of the Library Section of the
National Food Administration. Her work in relation to food
conservation and library publicity for the same has brought her
in contact with librarians throughout the country. Mr. Hoover
has often referred in the most complimentary terms to the work
she has so successfully accomplished.
The Boston Public Library, designated in 1917 by the War
Service Committee of the American Library Association to re-
ceive and prepare gift books for shipment to men in service over-
seas and at home, has continued its work throughout the year
under the direction of the Librarian who has had the most able
volunteer help of Mr. Walter W. Simmons of Brookline, assisted
by Mr. John H. Reardon of the Library staff. Since Novem-
ber 1, 1917, there have been shipped from the Boston Public
Library 1 73,000 volumes, for use in camps, forts, armories, radio-
stations, coast-patrols, naval, city and reconstruction hospitals,
and welfare organization huts and houses in Massachusetts,
Maine and Rhode Island ; for use at sea on battleships, cruisers,
submarine chasers, etc. ; and for direct shipment overseas through
the Cambridge Overseas Dispatch Office in the Widener Library.
Included in the above were 6,337 volumes of technical and edu-
[56]
cational books purchased at the request of the State Director
through the Association headquarters at Washington.
In addition to the books distributed there have been collected,
stamped, packed and distributed from the Boston Public Library
for the use of the men in service, 235 cases of magazines, approx-
imately 41 net tons. Of these, 87 cases were sent overseas to
be used only by the men on the returning transports.
The Librarian has continued his services as a member of the
War Finance and War Service Committees of the American
Library Association, and as State Director for all library war
work carried on in Massachusetts. He served as Director of the
Northeastern Department in the interests of the American Li-
brary Association during the United War Work Campaign, and
represented the Association as a member of the Massachusetts
Executive Committee during the same campaign.
CONCLUSION.
The Librarian and Assistant Librarian earnestly solicit re-
ports of dissatisfaction, for any reason, with the operation of the
service or of failure to obtain the information desired. It should
be remembered that inquiries requiring special knowledge should
be made to Chiefs of Departments, Custodians, and first assis-
tants, most of whom have been long in the Library service and
know its resources, rather than to any minor assistants. Inquiries
by telephone are welcomed. If questions are asked which do
not fall within the province of the department in which the inquiry
is made, the inquirer will be directed to the proper department.
TTie successful and effective operation of the Central Library,
its branches and reading rooms depends upon the efficiency and
loyalty of the members of their staffs. To those members who
have given faithful service, to Branch Librarians, Custodians and
Chiefs of Departments who have so admirably co-operated with
their Chief during the year I record my thanks. My continued
acknowledgements are due to the interested and faithful services
of the Assistant Librarian, Mr. Otto Fleischner.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. D. Belden, Librarian.
APPENDIX.
USE OF BOOKS.
CIRCULATION FROM CENTRAL BY MONTHS.
HOME USE
SCHOOLS AND
HOME USE
THROUGH
INSTITUTIONS
TOTALS.
DIRECT.
BRANCH DEPT.
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
February. 1918 .
32,036
8,819
9,952
50,807
March, " .
29,973
8,568
10,867
49,408
April. " .
28,104
8,654
10,449
47,207
May, " .
23,048
8,007
10,704
41,759
June,
20,051
7,086
10,470
37,607
July, ;; .
17,483
5,468
2,089
25,040
August,
16,800
5,039
1,799
23,638
September,
17,354
3,955
1,567
22,876
October,
17,372
4,376
1,536
23,284
November,
20.557
6,146
7,416
34.119
December,
24,406
7,514
10,310
42,230
January, 1919 .
25,769
8,492
9,346
43.607
Totals
272,953
82,124
86,505
441.582
DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CIRCULATION.
Central Library:
a. Direct
b. Through Branches and
Room Stations .
c. Schools and Institutions
Branch Dept
Branches:
Brighton
Charlestown
O^dman Square
Dorchester
East Boston
Hyde Park
Jamaica Plain
North End
Roxbury
South Boston
South End .
Upham's Corner
West End .
West Roxbury
Reading
through
272.953
82,124
86.505
441.582
34,993
23,771
58,764
60,238
10,590
70,828
75,673
3,021
78.694
52,728
7,785
60,513
80,435
14,536
94,971
64,999
5,364
70,363
41,778
6,528
48,306
38,839
3,284
42,123
57,431
13,987
71,418
71,342
18,136
89,478
74,975
12,490
87,465
88,691
11,318
100,009
98,599
8.582
107,181
42,577
8.942
51.519
883.298
148,334
1,031.632
[58]
Reading Room Stations:
A. Lower Mills .... 17,897
17,897
B. Roslindale .
55,167 1,751 56,918
D. Mattapan .
14,757
14.757
E. Neponset
18,474
18,474
F. Mt. Bowdoin
53,200
53,200
G. Allston
41.217
41,217
N. Mt. Pleasant
42.690
42,690
P. Tyler Street
12,407 149 12.556
R. Warren Street .
78,723 -
78.723
S. Roxbury Crossing
37,652
37.652
T. Boylston Station .
33,163
33,163
Y. Andrew Square .
27,266
27,266
Z. Orient Heights
14,967
14,967
23. City Point .
43,744
43,744
24. Parker Hill
40,044
40,044
25. Faneuil
21,571
21.571
552.939
1,900
554.839
These figures are condensed into the following :
Books lent for Home Use, including Circulation through
Schools and Institutions.
From Central Library (including Central Library books issued through the
branches and reading rooms) ........
From branches and reading rooms (other than books received from Cen-
tral)
Total number of volumes lent for home use and through schools and
institutions ...........
441.582
1,586.471
2.028.053
Comparative. 1917-18.
Central Library circulation (excluding
schools and institutions) :
Direct home use .... 264,840
Through branches and reading rooms 80,975
Branch Department circulation (exclud-
ing schools and institutions) :
Direct home use
From branch collections . . . 945,878
From reading rooms . . 544,290
Schools and institutions circulation (in-
cluding books from Central through
the Branch system)
1918-19.
345,815
1.490.168
272.953
82,124
883,298
552.939
238,472
2.074.455
355.077
1.436.237
236.739
2,028,053
Under the inter-library loan system with other libraries the fol-
lowing use of books for the purpose of serious research is shown
for two successive years ;
159]
/ 1917-18. 1918-19.
Volumes lent from this library to other libraries in Massachusetts 1,121 1,341
Lent to libraries outside of Massachusetts .... 300 219
Totals 1.421 1,560
Applications refused:
From libraries in Massachusetts ...... 240 162
From libraries outside Massachusetts ..... 60 36
Totals 300 198
Borrowed from other libraries for use here .... 41 40
The classified "home-use" circulation of the branches (read-
ing rooms not included) was as follows, for two successive years:
1917-18. 1918-19.
PERCENTAGES. PERCENTAGES.
Fiction for adults 303 31 J
Fiction for juvenile readers ...... 40.1 39,3
Non-fiction for adults 13.1 13.7
Non- fiction for juvenile readers 16.5 15.6
100.0 100.0
At the Central Library the classified "home-use" circulation
shows the following percentages :
1917-18. 1918-19.
PERCENTAGES. PERCENTAGES.
Fiction 472 48.6
Non-fiction 52.8 51.4
100.0 100.0
BOOK ACCESSIONS.
BOOKS ACQUIRED BY PURCHASE.
1917-18. 1918-19.
For the Central Library:
From City appropriation . . . 11,613 5,570
From trust funds income . . . 4,860 2,876
16,473 8,446
For branches and reading-rooms:
From City appropriation . . . 12,897 25,129
From trust funds income . . . 1,542 430
14,439 25,559
By Fellowes Athenaeum (for the Rox-
bury Branch) 844 920
TotaU 31,756 34,925
Of the 959 books acquired by the Fellowes Athenaeum during
the past year, 920 were purchased, 25 were gifts, and the remain-
ing 1 4 volumes were of periodicals bound.
[60]
Tlie following statement includes the accessions by purchase
combined with books received by gift or otherwise:
TOTAL
Accessions by purchase (including 920 volumes by
Fellowes Athenaeum for Roxbury Branch) .
Accessions by gift (including 25 volumes through
Fellowes Athenaeum for Roxbury Branch) .
Accessions by Statistical Department
Accessions by exchange ......
Accessions by periodicals bound (including 14
through Fellowes Athenaeum for Roxbury
Branch) ........
Accessions of newspapers bound ....
THE CATALOGUE.
CENTRAL
BRANCHES
VOLUMES.
8,446
26.479
34.925
6.193
262
307
3.000
9.193
262
307
2.787
108
291
3.078
108
18.103 29.770 47.873
VOLS. AND ........... VOLS. AND
TITLES
PARTS. PARTS.
Catalogued (new): 1917-18. 1918-19.
Central Library Catalogue . . 26,284 15,376 18.603 11.376
Serials 5.81 1 3,762
Branches 16,272 14,979 23,060
Recatalogued 27,640 16,329 30,418
Totals 76,007 46,684 75.843 49.780
TITl£S.
20,440
17.964
SHELF DEPARTMENT.
The number of volumes shelved and thus made available for
public use, taken from the report of the Shelf Department, are
Placed on the Central Library shelves during the year:
General collection, new books (including continuations) .... 16,030
Special collections, new books and transfers ...... 1,765
Books reported lost or missing in previous years, but now found, transfers
from Branches, etc. .......... 1.274
19.069
Removed from Central Library shelves during the year:
Books reported lost or missing, condemned copies not yet replaced, trans-
fers, etc 6,374
Net gain. Central Library 12.695
Net gain at branches (including reading-rooms) ...... 3.674
Net gain, entire library system 16.369
The total number of volumes available for public use at the
end of each year since the formation of the Library is shown in
[61]
the following statement ;
1852-53
9,688
1886 .
. 479,421
1853-54
16,221
1887 .
. 492,956
1854-55
22,617
1888 .
505,872
1855-56
28,080
1889 .
520,508
1856-57
34,896
1890 .
536,027
1857-58
70.851
1891 .
556,283
1858-59
78,043
1892 .
. 576,237
1859-60
85,031
1893 .
597,152
1860-6!
97,386
1894 .
. 610,375
1861-62
105,034
1895 .
. . 628,297
1862-63
110,563
1896-97
663.763
1863-64
116.934
1897-98
698,888
1864-65
123.016
1898-99
716,050
1865-66
130,678
1899-1900
746,383
1866-67
136,080
1900-01
781,377
1867-68
144,092
1901-02
. 812,264
1868-69
152,796
1902-03
835,904
1869-70
160,573
1903-04
848,884
1870-71
179,250
1904-05
871,050
1871-72
192,958
1905-06
. 878,933
1872-73
209,456
1906-07
903.349
1873-74
260,550
1907-08
922,348
1874-75
276.918
1908-09
941.024
1875-76
297,873
1909-10
. 961.522
1876-77
312,010
1910-11
. 987,268
1877-78
345,734
1911-12
. 1,006,717
1878-79
360,963
1912-13
. 1,049,011
1879-«0
377,225
1913-14
. 1,067,103
1880-81
390,982
1914-15
. 1,098,702
1881-82
404,221
1915-16
. 1.121,747
1882-83
422,116
1916-17
. 1.139.682
1883-64
438,594
1917-18
. 1.157.326
1884-85
453.947
1918-19
. 1.173.695
1885 .
460.993
Volumes in entire library system
. 1.173.695
Volumes in the branches and reading-rooms . . . . .
286.532
These volumes are located as
follows :
Central Library . . . 887,163
West Roxbury .
10.545
Brighton
19.737
Lower Mills (Station
A) . 999
Charlestown
15.722
Roslindale (Station B)
8.414
Codman Square
6,361
Matfapan (Station D)
1.145
Dorchester .
20,220
Neponset (Station E)
1,743
East Boston
17.491
Mt. Bowdoin (Station
F) . 5.912
Hyde Park
28.727
Allston (Station G)
2.411
Jamaica Plain
16.281
Mt. Pleasant (Station
N) . 3305
North End .
6,112
Tyler Street (Station P
) . 3.415
Roxbury :
Warren Street (Station
R) . 3.551
Fellowes Athenaeum 29,348
Roxbury Crossing (Stati
onS) 2,413
Owned by City 6,363
Boylston Station (Static
jn T) 2378
Total, Roxbury . . . 35,711
Andrew Square (Static
)n Y) 2,586
South Boston
17,867
Orient Heights (Statio
n Z) . 2,281
South End .
16.259
City Point (Station 23
) 3.284
Upham's Corner
9,674
Parker Hill (Station lA
\) . 1,297
West End
18,377
Faneuil (St
ation
25) .
2314
[62]
FREE PUBLIC LECTURES.
The following list includes the free course of lectures given
during the season from October, 1918, to April, 1919, in the
Lecture Hall on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
In the list is also the course given by the Ruskin Club on Monday
afternoons. As in former years the Field and Forest Club pro-
vided a series of six lectures, and the Drama League a course of
Sunday afternoon talks on the drama.
All lectures, except those marked with an asterisk (*) were
illustrated with lantern slides.
The lectures on musical subjects were given with illustrations,
vocal and instrumental, without cost to the Library.
Germany vs. America — in History, Statesmen and Deeds.
Albert H. Gilmer.
China — Its Marvel and Mystery. Fred E. Marble.
*William Makepeace Thackeray. Francis Henry Wade.
With illustrative readings.
*Motion Pictures. Their Value. Marion Howard Brazier.
(Ruskin Club.)
A Visit to Labrador in the Summer of 1918. William
Russell Morse.
War Pictures, European and American. Cartoons • — Post-
ers — Paintings. George Breed Zug.
*French War Aims. Capt. Andre Morize. (Massachusetts
Board of Education.)
Sargent's Decorative Work in the Boston Public Library:
I. The Subjects taken from the Old Testament. Rev.
John T. Glodt. S.M.
Bird Architecture. (Nest building habits of birds.) Man-
ley Bacon Townsend.
*Reading from Ruskin's Poems. Ella R. Shull. (Ruskin
Club.)
National Wonders of the United States and Canada. Leroy
Jeffers. (Field and Forest Club.)
The Use of Animals in Modern Warfare. Ernest Harold
Baynes.
Sargent's Decorative Work in the Boston Public Library:
II. The Subjects taken from the New Testament. Rev
John T. Glodt, S.M.
1918.
Oct.
20.
Oct.
24.
Oct.
27.
Oct.
28.
Oct.
31.
Nov.
3.
Nov.
6.
Nov.
7.
Nov.
10.
Nov.
11.
Nov.
14.
Nov.
17.
Nov.
21.
Nov.
24.
Nov.
25.
Dec.
1.
Dec.
3.
Dec.
5.
Dec.
8.
Dec.
9.
Dec.
12.
Dec.
15.
Dec.
19.
Dec.
22.
[63]
*The Drama of the Allies: War Plays. Robert E. Rogers.
(Drama League.)
*The Note of Good Cheer in Emerson's Poems. Rev. Benja-
min R. Bulkeley. (Ruskin Club.)
The American Indian. Fred W. Glasier.
The Archaeology of Palestine. Warren J. Moulton.
(Archaeological Institute of America.)
Sandro Botticelli: The Unique Interpreter of the Spirit of
the Renaissance. Charles Theodore Carruth.
^Cardinal John Henry Newman as a Man of Letters. Joseph
J. Reilly.
*Art Education in the United States. James Frederick Hop-
kins. (Ruskin Club.)
Present Day Problems in Forestry. Henry S. Graves, U. S.
Forester. (Field and Forest Club and the Massachusetts
Forestry Association.)
Korea, the Hermit Kingdom. Fred E. Marble.
Housing Problems of a Large City. Charles Logue.
*The Music of America. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gideon.
With musical illustrations.
Dec. 23. *The Magi, Ruskin's Thoughts on Christmas. Miss Lilla
Elizabeth Kelley. (Ruskin Club.)
Pageants for War Service. Lotta A. Clark.
*The Drama of the Allies: Great Britain. Frank Cheney
Hersey. (Drama League.)
The Boston of William Morris Hunt. Martha A. S. Shan-
non.
"Adventures of a Sagebrush Tourist in Wyoming." W.
Lyman Underwood.
The Holy Land. Harvey N. Shepard.
A Struggle for Nationality: Cecho-Slovakia, the Natural
Enemy of Pan-Germanism. Albert H. Gilmer.
*Ruskin, on Work and War. May Smith Dean. (Ruskin
Club.)
Trent and Trieste, from the Brenner Pass to the Coast of the
Adriatic. Cav. L. Melano Rossi.
*Lecture-Recital : Creole and Afro- American Music. Maud
Cuney Hare. With vocal illustrations by William H.
Richardson.
Jan. 21. The Problem of the Underweight Child: His Diet and
Treatment. Dr. William R. P. Emerson. (Fathers and
Mothers Club.)
Jan. 23. The Geography of Northern France. William Morris
Davis.
Dec.
26.
Dec.
29.
1919.
Jan.
2.
Jan.
5.
Jan.
9.
Jan.
12.
Jan.
13.
Jan.
16.
Jan.
19.
Jan.
26.
Jan.
27.
Jan.
30.
Feb.
2.
Feb.
6.
Feb.
9.
Feb-
8.
Feb.
10.
Feb.
13.
Feb.
16.
Feb.
20.
Feb.
24.
Feb.
27.
Mar.
2.
Mar.
6.
Mar.
9.
Mar.
10.
Mar.
13.
Mar.
16.
Mar.
20.
Mar.
23.
Mar.
24.
Mar.
27.
Mar.
30.
Apr.
14.
Apr.
28
[64]
*The Drama of the Allies: Italy. George Benson Weston.
(Drama League.)
*Some Things the War has Taught Us. Anne Warren
Chapin. (Ruskin Club.)
A Day's Walk in Modern Athens. Euphrosine Corinna
Canoutas.
Our Enemies of the Insect World. (The Mosquito and the
House-Fly.) W. Lyman Underwood.
Heart of Europe: the Sanctuary Laid Waste. Ralph
Adams Cram.
Scotland. Mrs. Arthur Dudley Ropes.
*Ruskin Centenary Celebration. (Ruskin Club.)
*The Birth of the Telephone. Thomas A. Watson. (Rus-
kin Club.)
Characteristics of High Mountain Forests. Philip W. Ayres.
(Field and Forest Club.)
Family Names and Their Story. William Russell Morse.
"Over There." Literary Associations of Paris and the
War Zone in France. Frank Cheney Hersey.
*Ruskin's Work among the London Poor. Rev. Stephen
H. Roblin. (Ruskin Club.)
Historic Fredericksburg, Va., and its Associations with the
Washington Family. Frank Chouteau Brov^Ti.
*The Drama of the Allies: France. Louis A. J. Mercier.
(Drama League.)
Daily Life in Palestine. Anton Hanania.
The Arnold Arboretum: The Museum of Living Trees.
Edward Irving Farrington.
*Father Taylor, the Sailor Preacher of Boston. Alfred T.
Richards. (Ruskin Club.)
The Resources and Opportunities of Boston. George Win-
throp Lee. (Field and Forest Club.)
*The Music of Russia. Olin Downes. With musical illus-
trations.
The Water Powers of New England. Henry I. Harriman.
*The School as a Socializing Agency. Jeremiah E. Burke.
A Trip to the Bottom of the Sea. EHzabeth T. Soule.
(Ruskin Club.)
France and the Great War. Arthur K. Peck.
*The Drama of the Allies : Russia. Leo Wiener. (Drama
League.)
^Parenthood as a Vocation. Mary Pamela Rice. (Ruskin
Club.)
28 *Readings from the Third Volume of "Modern Painters."
(Ruskin Club.)
[65]
STATISTICS OF REGISTRATION.
The distribution by wards of the holders of "live" cards is
shown in the following table, in comparison with the population :
Classification of Holders of "Live" Cards, fop Wards.
_,,__ NO. OF CARD POPULATION
^*'® HOLDERS. IN 1915.
I 1.312 23.776
2 2,040 41.904
3 1.016 21.016
4 1,070 18,585
5 1.008 77,573
6 2.216 37.250
7 2.281 35.084
8 4,032 38,317
9 5.071 33.996
10 6,981 25,741
II 7,063 26.234
12 2.691 29.416
13 2.521 38.533
14 3.492 27.799
15 3.362 26.225
16 3.780 25,404
17 2,496 25.853
18 2.080 25.877
19 4.418 22.748
20 7.092 22,958
21 5.072 26.499
22 3.381 23.812
23 4,042 21,442
24 8.006 22,615
25 5.024 16.401
26 3.012 18.381
Totals 94,559 745.439
THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
Requisitions received and filled
Card Catalogue (Central) :
Titles (Printing Depl. count)
Cards finished (exclusive of extras)
Card Catalogue (Breinches) :
Titles (Printing Dept. cuont) .
Cards finished (exclusive of extras)
Signs .....
Blank forms (numbered series)
Blank forms (outside numbered series)
Catalogues and pamphlets (992 pp.)
Blank Books ....
1917-18.
1918-19.
272
237
16.680
17.082
219.776
195.540
312
296
18.126
9.641
771
204
745.760
1,609.346
387.621
163,075
147.341
45
14
166]
THE BINDERY.
Number of volumes bound various styles
Magazines stitched .
Volumes repaired ....
Volumes guarded ....
Maps mounted . , , .
Photographs and engravings mounted
Library publications folded, stitched and trimmed
1917-18.
1918-19.
44,721
32.722
246
231
3.339
3.671
1,622
1.434
161
354
2.751
5,949
167.935
120,500
CHIEFS OF DEPARTMENTS AND LIBRARIANS OF BRANCHES
AND READING-ROOMS.
As at present organized, the various departments of the Library
and the branches and reading-rooms are in charge of the follow-
ing persons :
Otto Fleischner, Assistant Librarian.
Samuel A. Chevalier, Chief of Catalogue Department.
William G. T. Roffe, in Charge of Shelf Department.
Theodosia E. Macurdy, Chief of Ordering Department.
Frank H. Chase, Custodian of Bates Hall Reference Department.
Pierce E. Buckley, Custodian of Bates Hall Centre Desk, Patent and
Newspaper Departments.
Frank A. Bourne, Custodian of Special Libraries.
Francis J. Hannigan, Custodian of Periodical Room.
Barbara Duncan, In charge of Allen A. Brown Music Room.
Walter G. Forsyth, In charge of Barton-Ticknor Room.
Frank C. Blaisdell, Chief of Issue Department.
Langdon L. Ward, Supervisor of Branches and Reading-Rooms.
Alice M. Jordan, Supervisor of Work with Children.
Mary C. Toy. Children's Librarian, Central Library.
John J. Keenan, Chief of Registration Department.
Horace L. Wheeler, In charge of Statistical Department.
Lindsay Swift, Editor of Publications.
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, Librarian of Brighton Branch.
Katherine S. Rogan, Librarian of Charlestown Branch.
Elizabeth P. Ross, Librarian of Codman Square Branch.
Elizabeth T. Reed, Librarian of Dorchester Branch.
Laura M. Cross, Librarian of East Boston Branch.
Elizabeth Ainsworth, Librarian of Hyde Park Branch.
Mary P. Swain, Librarian of Jamaica Plain Branch.
[67]
Edith Guerrler, Librarian of North End Branch.
Helen M. Bell, Librarian of Roxbury Branch.
M. Florence Cufflin, Librarian of South Boston Branch.
Margaret A. Sheridan, Librarian of South End Branch.
Josephine E. Kenney, Librarian of Upham's Corner Branch,
Alice M. Robinson, Librarian of West End Branch.
Carrie L. Morse, Librarian of West Roxbury Branch.
Mary A. Hill, Librarian of Station A, Lower Mills Reading Room.
Grace L. Murray, Librarian of Station B, Roslindale Reading Room.
Emma D. Capewell, Librarian of Station D, Mattapan Reading Room.
Mary M. Sullivan, Librarian of Station E, Neponset Reading Room.
Isabel E. Wetherald, Librarian of Station F, Mt. Bowdoin Reading Room.
Katherine F. Muldoon, Librarian of Station G, Allston Reading Room.
Margaret H. Reid, Librarian of Station N, Mt. Pleasant Reading Room.
Cora L. Stewart, Librarian of Station P, Tyler Street Reading Room.
Florence M. Bethune, Librarian of Station R, Warren Street Reading
Room.
Katrina M. Sather, Librarian of Station S, Roxbury Crossing Reading
Room.
Beatrice C. Maguire, Librarian of Station T, Boylston Station Reading
Room.
Edith R. Nickerson, Librarain of Station Y, Andrew Square Reading
Room.
Edith F. Pendleton, Librarian of Station Z, Orient Heights Reading
Room.
Alice L. Murphy, Librarian of Station 23, City Point Reading Room.
Mary F. Kelley, Librarian of Station 24, Parker Hill Reading Room.
Gertrude L. Connell, Librarian of Station 25, Faneuil Reading Room.
INDEX.
Accessions. (5ee Books.)
Addition to Central Library building.
(See Building.)
American Library Association, war ser-
vice, 55, 56.
Anderson, E. H., member of Survey
Committee, 1 2.
Assistants. {See Employees.)
Bates Hall, Centre Desk, report of cus-
todian, 51, 52; report of custodian of
Reference Department, 43.
Bequests to the Library, 2.
Bernardy, Miss A., gift of Italian war
pictures, 34.
Binding Department, installed in Ad-
dition, 2; report, 54; statistics, 66.
Books, use of, 32 ; received, 32 ; total
cost for year, 33; demand for new
books, 36; foreign periodicals received,
36; circulation in branch system, 47;
addition to branches, 47; circulation
table, 57-59; accessions table, 59, 60;
books catalogued, 60; books in Library
by years, 61.
Bostwick, Arthur E., member of Sur-
vey Committee, 12.
Bourne, Frank A., temporary custodian
of Special Libraries, 45.
Branch Department, installed in Addi-
tion, 2.
Branches and Reading Rooms, appli-
cations for new reading rooms, 2;
opening of new Roslindale Reading
Room, 3; reports, 46-49.
Brett, William H., member of Survey
Committee, 9.
Brief reading lists. (See Publications.)
Building, Addition completed, 2; re-
port on necessary repairs by Thomas
A. Fox, 14.
Business Men's Branch, 3.
Cardholders, statistics, 65.
Carr, Samuel, reappointed Trustee, 1.
Catalogue Department, report, 37, 60.
Chiefs of departments, 66, 67.
Children's room, Central Library, 40,
41.
Children, work with, report of super-
visor, 38-40; age limit discussed, 38;
story hour, 41 .
Circulation. (See Books.)
Cronan, Mary W., report on story-
hour activities, 41, 42.
Documents and Statistics, Department
of, 53, 54.
Editor of Publications, report, 50.
Employees, increase of salaries, 4, 5;
standardization of salaries, 6; pension
fund, 6; instruction of, by Simmons
College, 7; training of assistants, 29;
list of chiefs of departments, 66, 67.
Estimates, I9I9-I920. 15,16.
Examinations, 54.
Examining Committee, organization, 18-
20; report, 26-28.
Exhibitions, 46.
Expenditures. (See Finance.)
Finance, receipts of the Library, 1 ;
balance sheet, receipts and expenses,
22-25.
Fine Arts. (See Special Libraries.)
Fines, to be used for payment of pen-
sions, 6.
Fox, Thomas A., architect, report on
condition of Central Library building,
14.
George C. Wales Fund, 2.
Gifts, 34.
Guerrier, Edith, on leave of absence,
55.
Harvard College Library, exchange of
catalogue cards, 37.
Junior Red Cross, list of books issued,
40.
Lantern slides, 45.
Lectures, 46, 62-64.
Le favour. President, of Simmons Col-
lege, 7.
Librarian, report, 29.
Library of Congress, exchange of cata-
logue cards, 37.
Library War Service, 55.
Newspaper Room, 52.
Ordering Department, report, 34.
[69]
Parmelee, Robert M., gift of valuable
books, 34.
Patent Room, 52.
Pensions. (5ee Employees.)
Periodical Room, 52, 53.
Periodicals. (See Books.)
Photographs, 44.
Printing Department, installed in Ad-
dition, 2; report, 54; statistics, 65.
Publications, reading lists, stimulated
purchases, 33; report, 50, 51.
Reading lists. (See Publications.)
Reading Rooms. (See Branches.)
Reardon, John H., in library war ser-
vice, 55.
Receipts. (See Finance.)
Reference collection in Bates Hall, re-
vision of, 43, 44.
Registration Department, 49; statistics,
65.
Richard Black Sewall Fund, 2.
Roslindale Reading Room, removed to
new Municipal Building, 3.
Salaries. (See Employees.)
Schools, cooperation with, 4.
Sewall, Richard Black, bequest, 2.
Shelf Department, report, 37, 60.
Simmons College, cooperation agree-
ment with Library for instruction of
employees, 7, 31.
Simmons, Walter W., in library war
service, 55.
Special Libraries, 44—46.
Statistical Department. (See Docu-
ments.)
Story-hour, 41.
Survey of the Library, appointment of
committee, 8, 9; report, 9-12; remarks
on, by Trustees, 1 3.
Teachers' room, 42.
Training of Library assistants, 29.
Trust funds, 2, 16, 17.
Trustees, organization, 1 .
Wales, George C, bequest, 2.
War posters, 33.
1 . Central Library, Copley Square.
Branch Libraries, February 1, 1919.
2. Brighton Branch, HoUon Library Building. Academy Hill Road.
3. Charl«town Branch, Monument Square, cor. Monument Ave.
4. Dorche$ter Branch, Arcadia, cor. Adams St.
5. East Boston Branch, 276 - 282 Meridian St.
6. Jamaica Plain Branch, Sedgwick, cor. South St.
7. Roxbury Branch. 46 Millmont St.
8. South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway.
9. South Ejid Branch, 397 Shawmut Ave.
10. Upham's Comer Branch, Columbia Road, cor. Bird St.
1 1 . West Ejid Branch, Cambridge, cor. Lynde St.
12. West Rolbury Branch, Centre, near Ml. Vernon St.
13. Hyde Park Branch, Harvard Ave., cor. Winthrop St.
14. North End Branch, 3a North Bennet St.
15. Codman Square Branch, Washington, cor. Norfolk St., Dorchester.
Delivery Stations, February 1, 1919.
A. Lower Mills Readbg Room, Washington, cor. Richmond St.
B. Roslindale Readkg Room, Washington, cot. Ashland St.
D. Mattapan Reading Room, 727 Walk Hill St.
E. Neponset Reading Room, 362 Neponset Ave.
F. Mount Bowdoin Reading Room, Washington, cor. Eldon St.
G. Allslon Reading Room, 6 Harvard Ave.
H. Faneuil Reading Room, 100 Brooks St.
N. Mt. Pleasant Reading Room, Vine, cor. Dudley St.
P. Tyler Street Reading Room, Tyler, cor. Oak St.
R. Wanen Street Reading Room, 392 Warren St.
S. Roibury Crossing Reading Room, 1 1 54 Tremonl St.
T. Boylslon Station Reading Room, The Lamartine, Depot Square.
V. City Point Reading Room, Municipal Building, Broadway.
X. Parker HiU Reading Room, 1518 Tiemonl St.
Y. Andrew Square Reading Room, 3% Dorchester St.
Z. Orient Heights Reading Room, 1030 Bennington St.
Area of City (Land only) 45.60 Square railei
Populahon (Census of 1915), 745.439.
I
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