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SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
1926
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1927.
SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
1926
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1927.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE CITY OF BOSTON: PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
6.4.27; 2500
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ON JANUARY I, 1927.
GUY W. CURRIER, President.
Term expires April 30, 1928.
ARTHUR T. CONNOLLY. WILLIAM A. GASTON.
Term expires April 30, 1927. Term expires April 30, 1930.
LOUIS E. KIRSTEIN. GORDON ABBOTT.
Term expires April 30, 1929. Term expires April 30, 1931.
CHARLES F. D. BELDEN.
DIRECTOR.
ORGANIZATION OF THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT.
The Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston, organized
in 1852, are now incorporated under the provisions of Chapter 1 1 4 of the
Acts of 1878, as amended. The Board for 1852 was a preliminary or-
ganization; that for 1853 made the first annual report. At first the Board
consisted of one alderman and one common-councilman and five citizens at
large, until 1867, 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 1878 the organization 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
representation of the City Government upon the Board by an alderman 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 1852:
Abbott, Gordon, a.b., 1926 —
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, ll.b., 1912-16.
Carr, Samuel, 1895-96, 1908-22.
Chase, George Bigelow, a.m., 1876-85.
Clarke, James Freeman, d.d., 1879-88.
Coakley, Daniel Henry, 1917-19.
Connolly, Arthur Theodore, 1916-
Currier, Guy Wilbur, 1 922 —
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.
Gaston, William Alexander, ll.b., 1923-
Green, Samuel Abbott, m.d., 1868-78.
Greenough, William Whitwell, 1856-88.
Haynes, Henry Williamson, a.m., 1880-94.
Hilliard, George Stillman, ll.d., 1872-75; 76-77.
Kenney, William Francis, a.m., 1908-1921.
Kirstein, Louis Edward, 1919-
Lewis, Weston, 1868-79. >
Lewis, Winslow, m.d., 1867.
Lincoln, Solomon, a.m., 1897-1907.
Mann, Alexander, d.d., 1908-1923.
Murray, Michael Joseph, ll.b., 1921-26.
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., 1 896.
Whipple, Edwin Percy, a.m., 1868-70.
Whitmore, William Henry, a.m., 1885-88.
Winsor, Justin, ll.d., 1867-68.
The Hon. EDWARD EVERETT was President of the Board from 1 852
to 1864; George Ticknor, in 1865; William W. Greenough,
from 1 866 to April, 1 888 ; 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, 1917; William F.
KeNNEY, February 13, 1917, to May 7, 1920; Rev. ALEXANDER
Mann, May 7, 1920, to January 22, 1923; Msgr. Arthur T.
Connolly, April 13, 1923 to June 13, 1924; Louis E. Kirstein,
June 13, 1924 to June 19, 1925; Hon. Michael J. Murray, June
19, 1925 to July 2, 1926; Guy W. Currier since July 2, 1926.
LIBRARIANS.
(From 1858 to 1877, the chief executive officer was called Superintendent; since
1923, Director.)
Capen, Edward, Librarian, May 13, 1852 - December 16, 1874.
Jewett, Charles C, Superintendent, 1858- January 9, 1868.
WlNSOR, JUSTIN, LL.D., Superintendent, February 25, 1868 -Septem-
ber 30, 1877.
Green, Samuel A., M.D., Trustee, Acting Librarian, October 1 , 1 877 -
September 30, 1878.
Chamberlain, Mellen, ll.d., Librarian, October 1, 1878 -Septem-
ber 30, 1890.
Dwight, Theodore F., Librarian, April 13, 1892 -April 30, 1894.
Putnam, Herbert, ll.d., Librarian, February 1 1, 1895 -April 30,
1899.
Whitney, James L., a.m., Acting Librarian, March 31, 1899 -De-
cember 21, 1899; Librarian, December 22, 1 899 — January 31,
1903.
WADLIN, Horace G., LITT.D., Librarian, February 1, 1903 -March
15, 1917; Acting Librarian, March 15, 1917-June 15, 1917.
Belden, Charles F. D., a.m., ll.b., Director, since March 15, 1917.
LIBRARY SYSTEM, JANUARY 1, 1926.
Departments.
"{"Central Library, Copley Square ....
tEast Boston Branch, 276-282 Meridian St. .
§South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway .
|]Fellowes Athenaeum Branch, 46 Millmont St.
tCharlestown Branch, 43 Monument Square
fBrighton Branch, Academy Hill Road
JDorchester Branch, Arcadia, cor. Adams St.
$Lower Mills Branch, Washington, cor. Richmond St.
$Sou:h End Branch, 65 West Brookline St. .
"{■Jamaica Plain Branch, Sedgwick, cor. South St. .
JRosIindale Branch, 4210 Washington St.
tWest Roxbury Branch, 1961 Centre St. .
§Mattapan Branch, 7 Babson St. .
"fNorth End Branch, 3a North Bennet St. .
§Neponset Branch, 362 Neponset Ave. . .
§Mt. Bowdoin Branch, 202 Washington St.
§Allston Branch. 138 Brighton Ave.
JCodman Square Branch, Washington, cor. Norfolk St.
JMt. Pleasant Branch, Vine, cor. Dudley St.
JTyler Street Branch, Tyler, cor. Oak St. .
fWest End Branch, 131 Cambridge St.
JUpham's Corner Branch, 500 Columbia Rd.
^Memorial Branch, cor. Warren and Townsend Sts
§Roxbury Crossing Branch, 208 Ruggles St. .
§Boylston Station Branch, The Lamartine, Depot Square
§Orient Heights Branch, 1030 Bennington St.
JCity Point Branch, Municipal BIdg., Broadway .
§Parker Hill Branch, 1518 Tremont St. .
fHyde Park Branch, Harvard Ave., cor. Winthrop St
fFaneuil Branch, 100 Brooks St
§Andrew Square Branch, 396 Dorchester St.
§Jeffries Point Branch, 195 Webster St.
TIOpened.
May 2, 1854
Jan. 28. 1871
May 1, 1872
July 16, 1873
Jan. 5, 1874
Jan. 5, 1874
Jan. 25, 1875
June 7, 1875
1877
1877
3, 1878
6, 1880
Aug.,
Sept.,
*Dec.
*Jan.
*Dec. 27, 1881
*Oct., 1882
*Jan. 1, 1883
*Nov. 1, 1886
*Mar. 11, 1889
*Nov. 12, 1890
*APr. 29, 1892
*Jan. 16, 1896
Feb. 1, 1896
*Mar. 16, 1896
*May 1, 1896
*Jan. 18. 1897
*Nov. 1. 1897
*June 25, 1901
*July 18, 1906
*July 15, 1907
Jan. 1, 1912
♦Mar. 4, 1914
*Mar. 5. 1914
*Oct. 15, 1921
ff In the case of the Central Library and some of the branches the opening was in a
different location from that now occupied. * As a delivery station. "f 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 Fel-
lowes Athenasum, a private library association.
CONTENTS.
Report of the Trustees 1
Balance Sheet 18
Report of the Examining Committee .... 22
Report of the Director 30
Appendix to the Report of the Director . . . . 52
Index to the Annual Report 1926 69
Map of the Library System At the end
To His Honor Malcolm E. Nichols,
Mayor of the City of Boston.
The Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston
present the following report of its condition and affairs for the
year ending December 31,1 926, being the seventy-fifth annual
report.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
The Honorable Michael J. Murray resigned as trustee in
July, and on August 2, Mr. Gordon Abbott was appointed in
his place for the term ending April 30, 1 93 1 . At the annual
meeting on July 2, 1926, Mr. Guy W. Currier was elected
President, Msgr. A. T. Connolly, Vice President, and Miss
Delia Jean Deery, Clerk.
At a meeting of the Board on November 1 6, 1 926 the follow-
ing Resolution on the retirement of Judge Murray was adopted :
As the Hon. Michael J. Murray has ceased to be a Trustee of the
Public Library of the City of Boston by reason of resignation at th-"
expiration of his term of office, his associates on the Board desire to accord
their appreciation of his five-year period of service. It is, therefore,
Resolved, That Judge Murray, by his faithful and unselfish devotion
to his official duties as a member of the Board, as Vice-President and,
during his final year, as President is entitled to the gratitude of the citizens
of Boston. j ■''•
Always regular in attendance at meetings, and ready at all times to
carry his share of the work; deeply interested in the various problems of
administration and helpful in their solution; considerate, courteous, and
unselfish, he won and held the good will and respect of his colleagues.
Resolved, That the Trustees gratefully accord to him the freedom of
the alcoves, with the customary privileges, and that a copy of this resolution
be forwarded to Judge Murray with assurances of the Board's consider-
ation.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
The Trustees of the Public Library call attention to the
urgent necessity for the relocation and more adequate protection
of the treasures of the Library, consisting of many volumes whose
[2]
value cannot be estimated, and thousands of which, if lost,
could not be replaced. At the request of the Board, reports
have been submitted relating to the necessary changes and re-
construction to be undertaken in the Central Library Building
for the safe-keeping of such material, as follows: — From John
C. Paige and Co.; from O'Brion, Russell and Co.; and from
the office of the Building Commissioner of the City of Boston.
The reports are practically unanimous in their findings and
recommendations; namely — turning the present Music Room
into a Treasure Room, with the necessary fire-proof construction
and equipment, and reconstructing the present Barton-Ticknor
Room and the North Gallery with fire-proof equipment. These
changes will allow the safe-guarding against fire of the most
valuable collections and permit some additional shelving, the
need for which is already pressing.
Contemplated changes also include the installation of the
sprinkler system in the Bindery and Printing Departments in
the Annex and, of more importance, the completion of the system
in the basement of the Central Building.
During the year, also at the request of the Board, the In-
spection Department of the Associated Factory Mutual Fire
Insurance Company was asked to submit a report on the present
electric lighting and power equipment of the Central Building.
The report submitted was to the effect that the equipment is
unsafe and should have immediate attention. Action should be
authorized at once to reduce the existing fire and accident hazard.
RECEIPTS OF THE LIBRARY.
The receipts which may be expended by the Trustees for the
maintenance of the Library consist of the annual appropriation
by the Mayor and City Council, and the income from Trust
Funds given to the institution and invested by the City Treasurer.
During the past year these receipts were:
Annual appropriation $1,000,981.00
Special appropriation (Annex balance) 11 ,799.39
Income from Trust Funds ........ 26,117.28
Unexpended balance of Trust Funds income of previous years. . 60,125.54
$1,099,023.21
[3]
Receipts which are accounted for and paid into the City
Treasury for general municipal purposes, during the past year
have been as follows:
From fines $17,620.89
From sales of catalogues, etc. ....... 98.67
From commission on telephone stations ...... 578.57
From sale of waste paper ......... 97.44
From payments for lost books ........ 1,151.90
Interest on bank deposits ......... 36.49
Refund on contract .......... 1 5.48
Total $19,599.44
ESTIMATES FOR 1927.
The estimates for the maintenance of the Library for the year
ending December 31, 1927 in segregated budget form are as
follows :
A — Personal service
B — Service other than personal
C — Equipment . . »
D — Supplies . . .
E — Materials
F — Special items,
$725,800.00
251,945.00
182,828.00
39,230.00
25,325.00
864.00
Total $1,225,992.00
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
During the present year there have been added to the Central
Library and branches 93,867 volumes as against 85,163 in
1 925. Of these, 80, 1 46 were acquired by purchase and 1 3,72 1
by gift, exchanges, etc. The total expenditure for books, peri-
odicals, newspapers and other library material from City appro-
priation and Trust Funds income, was $150,161.92. The
total number of volumes in the Central Library and branches is
1,388,439.
CIRCULATION.
The total number of books issued for home use during the
year was 3,499,137, as against 3,129,781 for 1925, a fiscal
year of eleven months. The gain in home circulation for a
twelve months' period was 2 1 7,630 volumes.
[4]
GIFTS AND BEQUESTS.
The Trustees are glad to report the following gifts and be-
quests other than books and related material, during 1 926:
In April, Mrs. Langdon Pearse gave to the Library a marble
copy of the Psyche of Capua, the original of which is in the
Museum at Naples; in October, Mr. Louis E. Kirstein gave
$1000 to be added to the "Louis E. Kirstein Fund" established
in 1 925 ; in October, Mrs. John Elliott presented, on behalf of
a committee of citizens, two studies in oil of Mr. Elliott's mural
painting in the Library "The Triumph of Time" ; and in Novem-
ber, under a decree of the Supreme Judical Court in Equity of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Library received the
sum of $3,858.24, being the balance remaining in the hands of
the surviving trustees of the fund originally raised to install in the
Library decorations by the late John S. Sargent, which has been
funded as the "John Singer Sargent Fund" the income to be. used
for the care and preservation of the Sargent decorations and
such other purposes as are set forth in the decree.
Many important gifts of books and other library material
have been received during the year. A detailed statement of
these may be found in the Director's report.
TRUST FUNDS.
The Trustees welcome bequests of money, and hope that
generous testators may remember the Library. It is from such
sources only that they can make purchases of rare works, which
give value and rank to a great educational institution but for
which they hesitate to expend public funds appropriated for
more popular and pressing use.
As a matter of interest to the public, the Board has pleasure in
listing herewith the present trust funds of the Library, with ex-
planatory notes.
Artz Fund — Donation from Miss ViCTORlNE Thomas Artz, of Chi-
cago; the income of this sum to be employed in the purchase of
valuable, rare editions of the writings, either in verse or prose, of
[5]
American and foreign authors. These books are to be known as the
"Longfellow Memorial Collection." Received in 1896.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $10,000.00
Bates Fund — Donation made by JOSHUA BATES, of London, in March,
1853.
"The income only of this fund is to be each and every year expended
in the purchase of such books of permanent value and authority as
may be found most needful and most useful." Payable to the
Mayor of the City for the time being.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $50,000.00
Bigelow Fund — Donation made by John P- BlGELOW in August,
1850, when Mayor of the city.
The income from this fund is to be appropriated for the purchase of
books for the increase of the library.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $1,000.00
Robert Charles Billings Fund — Bequest of Robert CHARLES BlL-
LINGS.
"The sum to constitute a permanent fund for said library, to be
called the Robert Charles Billings Fund, the income only to be used
for the purposes of the purchase of books for said library." Re-
ceived in 1903.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $1 00,000.00
Bowditch Fund — Bequest of J. INGERSOLL BoWDITCH. Received in
1890.
The whole income in each and every year to be expended in the
purchase of books of permanent value and authority in mathematics
and astronomy.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter
per cent Bond $10,000.00
Bradlee Fund — Bequest of the Rev. Caleb Davis BrADLEE to the
Boston Public Library. Received in 1897.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-half per
cent Bond $1,000.00
Joseph H. Center Fund — Bequest of JOSEPH H. CENTER, the income
thereof to be at all times applied to the purchase of books and other
additions to the library. Received in 1905.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond $1 ,000.00
City of Boston Three and one-half per cent Bonds 38.500.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1926 43.14
$39,543.14
Children's Fund — Bequest of JosiAH H. BENTON of $100,000, to be
held as "The Children's Fund," and the income applied to the pur-
chase of books for the use of the young, to be applied for those pur-
[6]
poses only in years when the city appropriates for the maintenance
of the Library at least three per cent of the amount available for
department expenses from taxes and income in said city. In any year
when the city does not thus appropriate at least three per cent of the
amount available for department expenses from taxes and income in
said City, the income given in said will for the purchase of books
shall be paid to the Rector of Trinity Church in the City of Boston
to be by him dispensed in relieving the necessities of the poor.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter per
cent Bond $15,000.00
City of Boston Four per cent Bond . . . 62,000.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Three and one-
half per cent Bond 20,000.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Four per cent
Bond . 6,000.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1926 . 117.74
$103,117.74
Clement Fund — Bequest of the late Frank CLEMENT, of Newton, to
be known as the "Frank Clement Fund," the income to be applied
to the purchase of books. Received in 1915.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $2,000.00
Henry Sargent Codman Memorial Fund — This is a contribution from
the friends of Henry Sargent Codman, to be used to perpetuate
the memory of Mr. Codman by the purchase of books upon land-
scape gardening. It is the desire of the subscribers that a special
book plate shall be inserted in each of the volumes purchased, identi-
fying it as part of their memorial collection. Received in 1 898.
Invested in City of Boston Three and one-half per
cent Bond $2,800.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1926. 54.41
$2,854.41
Cutter Fund — Bequest of Abram E. Cutter of four thousand dol-
lars and his library of books, the income of the fund to be expended
for the purchase of books, and for binding. Received in 1901.
Invested in City of Boston Three per cent Bond . $4,000.00
City of Boston Four and one-half per cent Bond 1 00.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1926 40.00
$4,140.00
Elizabeth Fund — Bequest of SARAH A. MATCHETT, late of Brookline,
who died October 6, 1910, the object of which is stated in the fol-
lowing extract from her will:
[7]
"I give and bequeath to the Trustees of the Public Library of the
City of Boston, twenty-five thousand dollars, to be called the Eliza-
beth fund, to be received, held and securely invested, and only the
net income therefrom expended every year in the purchase of such
books of permanent value and authority as may be most useful in
said Library."
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $25,000.00
Daniel Sharp Ford Fund — A bequest of DANIEL SHARP Ford to the
Public Library of the City of Boston. Received in 1 900.
Invested in City of Boston Three per cent Bond . $6,000.00
Franklin Club Fund — Donation made in June, 1 863, by a literary asso-
ciation of young men in Boston, who, at the dissolution of the asso-
ciation, authorized its trustees, Thomas Minns, John J. French and
J. Franklin Reed, to dispose of the funds on hand in such manner
as to them should seem judicious. They elected to bestow them on the
Public Library, attaching thereto only the following conditions:
"In trust, that the income, but the income only, shall, year by year, be
expended in the purchase of books of permanent value, for the use of
the free Public Library of the city, and as far as practicable of such
a character as to be of special interest to young men." The trustees
expressed a preference for books relative to government and political
economy.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter
per cent Bond $1,000.00
Isabella Stewart Gardner Fund — Bequest of ISABELLA STEWART
Gardner.
"To the Trustees of the Boston Public Library, for the Brown
Musical Library, for a memorial to B. J. Lang." Received in
1924.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $5,000.00
Morris Gest Fund — Donation made by Mr. Morris Gest in December
1925, the gross receipts from a benefit performance for the Library
of "The Miracle", — $2,652.50, the income to be used in the in-
terest of dramatic art.
Deposited in Hibernia Savings Bank . . . $2,652.00
Green Fund — Donations of Dr. Samuel A. GREEN of $2,000, the
income of which is to be expended for the purchase of books relating
to American history. Received in 1878 and 1884.
Invested in
City of Boston Four per cent Bond .... 1 ,500.00
City of Boston Three per cent Bond . . . 500.00
$2,000.00
[8]
Charlotte Harris Fund — Bequest of CHARLOTTE HARRIS, late of Bos-
ton, the object of which is stated in the following extract from her
will: "I give to the Charlestown Public Library $10,000, to be
invested of interest, which interest is to be applied to the purchase
of books published before 1 850. I also give to said Public Library
my own private library and the portrait of my grandfather, Richard
Devens." Bequests accepted by City Council, July 31, 1877.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter
per cent Bond $10,000.00
Thomas B. Harris Fund — Bequest of THOMAS B. HARRIS, late of
Charlestown, for the benefit of the Charlestown Public Library.
Received in 1 884.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $1,000,00
Hyde Fund — Bequest of FRANKLIN P. HYDE of Boston, to be known
as the "Franklin P. Hyde Fund," the income to be applied to the
purchase of books and other library material. Received in 1915.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $3,600,00
Cash, December 31, 1926 32.40
$3,632.40
David P. Kimball Fund — Bequest of David P. KlMBALL.
"I give to the Public Library of the City of Boston, the income to
be used for the purchase of books, $10,000." Received in 1924.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $10,000.00
Louis E. Kirstein Fund — Donation of $1 ,000 made by Mr. Louis E.
KlRSTEIN in October 1925, "to be used for any purpose of the Li-
brary that the Trustees see fit to put it to." October, 1 926 $1 ,000.00
Deposited in Hibernia Savings Bank . . . $2,000.00
Arthur Mason Knapp Fund — Extract from the will of KATHERINE
KNAPP: "To the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of
Boston, the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), to be known
as the Arthur Mason Knapp Fund, of which the income only shall
be used for the purchase of books for said library. And I hereby
request that such books be designated with an appropriate label or
inscription, bearing the name of the Fund." Received in 1914.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $10,000.00
Abbott Lawrence Fund — Bequest of ABBOTT LAWRENCE, of Boston.
Received in 1 860. The interest on this fund is to be exclusively
appropriated for the purchase of books for the said library having
a permanent value.
Invested in City of Boston Three and one-half per
cent Bond $10,000.00
Edward Lawrence Fund — Bequest of Edward Lawrence, of Charles-
town. Received in 1 886. The following clause from his will
explains its purpose:
[9]
"To hold and apply the income and so much of the principal as they
may choose, to the purchase of special books of reference to be kept
and used only at the Charlestown branch of said Public Library."
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $500,00
Mrs. John A. Lewis Fund — Bequest of ELIZABETH Lewis, to be known
as the Mrs. John A. Lewis Fund: "I give and bequeath to the Bos-
ton Public Library the sum of $5,000 as a fund, the income of which
is to be used for the purchase of such old and rare books as shall be
fitly selected to augment the collection known as the John A. Lewis
Library." Received in 1903.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $5,000.00
Charles Greely Loring Memorial Fund — Donation from the family of
Charles Greely Loring, the income of which is to be expended
for the purchase of books for the West End Branch. Received in
1896.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $500,00
Charles Mead Fund — Bequest of CHARLES Mead, to constitute the
Charles Mead Public Library Trust Fund for the promotion of the
objects of the Public Library in such manner as the government of
said library shall deem best, and so far as the government shall deem
consistent with the objects of the library to be used for the benefit
of the South Boston Branch Library. Received in 1896.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-half per
cent Bond $2,500.00
The Oakland Hall Trust Fund — By an interlocutory decree of the
Probate Court for the County of Suffolk, the amount of $1 1 ,781 .44
was received, the same being one-half of the net amount received from
the disposition of certain property held by the Trustees, under an
indenture between Amor Hollingsworth, Sumner A. Burt and Amor
L. Hollingsworth, all of Milton, Mass., and John H. McKendry,
of Boston, Mass., entered into the sixth day of August, 1 870. The
above amount was accepted by the City, January 2, 1924, and the
Trustees of the Public Library voted to invest the same under the
name of "The Oakland Hall Trust Fund," the income to be applied
to the purchase of books and other library material for the Mattapan
Branch.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $1 1,780.00
Cash, December 31, 1926 1.44
$11,781.44
John Boyle O'Reilly Fund — Donation received from the PAPYRUS
Club to establish a fund in memory of John Boyle O'Reilly, late
member of said club, the income of said fund to be devoted to the
[10]
purchase of books for the Boston Public Library. Received in 1 897.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $1,000.00
Phillips Fund — Donation made by JONATHAN PHILLIPS, of Boston,
in April, 1853.
The interest of this fund is to be used exclusively for the purchase
of books for said library.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $10,000.00
Also a bequest by the same gentleman in his will dated September
20, 1849.
The interest on which is to be annually devoted to the maintenance of
a free Public Library.
Invested in City of Boston Three and one-half per
cent Bond $20,000.00
Both of these items are payable to the Mayor of the City for the
time being.
Pierce Fund — Donation made by Henry L. PlERCE, Mayor of the
City, November 29, 1 873, and accepted by the City Council, De-
cember 27, 1873.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $5,000.00
Sarah E. Pratt Fund — Bequest from Sarah E. Pratt, late of Boston,
under the 14th clause of her will, for the benefit of the Dorchester
Branch, $500.00. Received in January, 1922.
Distribution of residue of estate on May 7, 1924, $964.30.
By vote of the Trustees the bequest to be funded as the Sarah E.
Pratt Fund, the income to be applied to the purchase of books for the
Dorchester Branch.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . 1 ,400.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1926 . 64.30
$1,464.30
Scholfield Fund — Bequest of Arthur SCHOLFIELD, who died in New
York, January 1 7, 1 883. The interest to be paid to certain heirs
during their lives, and then to be used for the purchase of books of
permanent value. The last heir, Joseph Scholfield, died November
1 8, 1 889, and by his will bequeathed to the City of Boston the sum
of $1 1,766.67, which represents the income of said fund received
by him up to the time of his death, to which was added $33,33
accrued interest on deposit up to the time of investment, to be added
to the fund given by his brother.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $33,800.00
City of Boston Four and one-quarter per cent Bond 1 2,000.00
City of Boston Four and one-half per cent Bonds 6,000.00
City of Boston Five per cent Bonds ... 1 0,000.00
$61,800.00
[11]
Sewall Fund — Extract from the will of RlCHARD BLACK SewALL:
"Tenth. — I bequeath the following pecuniary legacies clear of lega-
cy tax, namely. To the Trustees of the Public Library of the City
of Boston $25,000 (twenty-five thousand dollars) to be added to
their funds and the income to be used for the purchase of books."
Received in 1918.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter per
cent Bond $25,000.00
Skinner Fund — Extract from the will of FRANCIS SKINNER:
"Eleventh. — All my books and library I give and bequeath to my
son, to be enjoyed by him during his life and after his death to be
distributed as he shall appoint among such public libraries, as he shall
judge fit, and in case he makes no such appointment then to the
Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston.
"Sixteenth. — All the rest and residue of my said property of what-
ever kind, I give and bequeath to Augustus P. Loring and J. Lewis
Stackpole in trust to pay the net income to my son Francis Skinner,
Jr., during his life, or to apply the same to his maintenance and sup-
port, or the maintenance and support of any issue of his, as they shall
think best during his life; and at his death to apply the income to the
maintenance and support of his issue until his youngest child shall
reach the age of 2 1 years and then to distribute said property among
said issue, the issue of a deceased child to take the share a parent
would have taken if living.
"If there shall be no issue surviving at the time of my son's death,
then to turn the said property into cash and to divide it equally
among the following legatees: The Trustees of the Public Library
of the City of Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston, Massa-
chusetts, the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Medical School
of Harvard University, and the Free Hospital for Women, Brook-
line, Massachusetts." Received in 1914.
Invested in City of Boston I hree and one-half per
cent Bond $40,000.00
City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . . 1 0,250.00
City of Boston Four and one-half per cent Bond 200.00
1 6 shares Worcester Street Railway Company . 1 ,280.00
Cash, December 31, 1926 . . . . 2.14
$51,732.14
South Boston Branch Library Trust Fund — Donation of a citizen of
South Boston, the income of which is to be expended for the benefit
of the South Boston Branch Library. Received in 1879.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter per
cent Bond $100.00
[12]
Mary Elizabeth Stewart Fund — Bequest of MARY ELIZABETH STEW-
ART of $3,500 to the Trustees of the Boston Public Library. The
Trustees voted under date of June 29, 1923, that the income be
applied to the purchase of books and other library material.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $3,500.00
Patrick F. Sullivan Bequest — Extract from will: "I give and bequeath
to the Trustees of the Boston Public Library the sum of five thous-
and dollars, the principal or income of said sum to be expended by
them for the purchase of Catholic standard books, said books to be
approved by the Archbishop of the diocese of Boston, Mass.. or by
the President of the Trustees of Boston College, in Boston, Mass."
Received in 1908.
This bequest, together with interest amounting to $339.61, has been
expended for books.
Ticknor Bequest — By the will of GEORGE TlCKNOR, of Boston, he
gave to the City of Boston, on the death of his wife, all his books and
manuscripts in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, about four
thousand volumes, and also the sum of four thousand dollars. After
the receipt of said sums the city is required to spend not less than
one thousand dollars in every five years during the twenty-five years
next succeeding (i.e., the income of four thousand dollars, at the
rate of five per cent per annum) in the purchase of books in the
Spanish and Portuguese languages and literature. At the end of
twenty-five years the income of said sum to be expended annually in
the purchase of books of permanent value, either in the Spanish or
Portuguese languages, or in such other languages as may be deemed
expedient by those having charge of the library. The books be-
queathed or purchased are always to be freely accessible for reference
or study, but are not to be loaned for use outside of the library build-
ing. If these bequests are not accepted by the city, and the trusts
and conditions faithfully executed, the books, manuscripts and money
are to be given to the President and Fellows of Harvard College.
In order that the city might receive the immediate benefit of this
contribution, Anna Ticknor, widow of the donor, relinquished her
right to retain during her life the books and manuscripts, and placed
them under the control of the city, the City Council having previously
accepted the bequests in accordance with the terms and conditions of
said will, and the Trustees of the Public Library received said be-
quests on behalf of the city, and made suitable arrangements for the
care and custody of the books and manuscripts. Received in 1871.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-half per
cent Bond $4,000.00
William C. Todd Newspaper Fund — Donation by WlLLIAM C. TODD,
accepted by order of the City Council, approved October 30, 1897,
[13]
the income to be at least two thousand dollars a year, to be ex-
pended by the Library Trustees for newspapers of this and other
countries.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . $50,000.00
Townsend Fund — Donation from William Minot and William Minot,
Jr., executors of the will of MARY P. ToWNSEND, of Boston, at
whose disposal she left a certain portion of her estate in trust for such
charitable and public institutions as they might think meritorious.
Said executors accordingly selected the Public Library of the City
of Boston as one of such institutions, and attached the following con-
ditions to the legacy: "The income only shall, in each and every
year, be expended in the purchase of books for the use of the library;
each of which books shall have been published in some one edition
at least five years at the time it may be so purchased." Received in
1879.
Invested in City of Boston Three and one-half per
cent Bond $4,000.00
Treadwell Fund — By the will of the late Daniel TREADWELL, of
Cambridge, late Rumford Professor in Harvard College, who died
February 27, 1872, he left the residue of his estate, after payment
of debts, legacies, etc., in trust to his executors, to hold during the
life of his wife for her benefit, and after her decease to divide the
residue then remaining in the hands of the Trustees, as therein pro-
vided, and convey one-fifth part thereof to the Trustees of the Public
Library of the City of Boston.
By order of the City Council, approved May 1 7, 1 872, said bequest
was accepted and the Trustees of the Public Library authorized to
receive the same and invest it in the City of Boston Bonds, income
of which is to be expended by said Trustees in such manner as they
may deem for the best interests of the Library.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-half per
cent Bond $1,000.00
City of Boston Four and one-quarter per cent Bonds 3, 1 00.00
City of Boston Four per cent Bonds. . . . 9,850.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31 , 1926 . . 37.69
$13,987.69
Tufts Fund — Bequest of NATHAN A. TUFTS, of Charlestown, to be
known as the "Nathan A. Tufts Fund," the income to be applied
at all times to the purchase of books and other additions to the library
to be placed in the Charlestown Branch. Received in 1906.
Invested in City of Boston Three and one-half per
cent Bonds . $10,100.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1926. . 31.77
$10,131.77
[14]
Twentieth Regiment Memorial Fund — Donation on account of the
Twentieth Regiment Memorial Fund, the income to be used
for the purchase of books of a military and patriotic character, to be
placed in the alcove appropriated as a memorial to the Twentieth
Regiment. Received in 1897.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter per
cent Bond $5,000.00
Wales Fund — Extract from the will of GEORGE C. Wales:
"After the foregoing bequests I direct that the sum of five thousand
dollars be paid to the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of
Boston, the same to be held, managed and invested by them, so as
to produce an income, and the said income to be applied to the pur-
chase of such books for said Library as they may deem best." Re-
ceived in 1918.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter per
cent Bond $5,000.00
Mehitable C. C. Wilson Fund — Bequest of MEHITABLE C. C. WlL-
SON, the income to be expended for the purchase of books for the
Boston Public Library. Received in 1913.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $1 ,000.00
Whitney Funds — Bequests of James Lyman WHITNEY, who died Sep-
tember 25, 1910.
Alice Lincoln Whitney Fund — 1 he twelfth clause of his will di-
rected that: One-tenth of said remaining income of the principal
fund, I direct to be paid to the Trustees of the Public Library of the
City of Boston, to be held and accumulated by said Trustees and
permanently invested and re-invested. The first five thousand dollars
of income so accumulated, including the income thereon arising during
the period of accumulation, I request to be funded in the name of
my sister, Alice Lincoln Whitney, and the income of said fund after
its accumulation or so much of said income as may be required, to
be paid to such employees of the said Library, who are sick and in
need of help, as the Trustees may in their discretion deem most
worthy (there are often such cases). Any amount of income from
said accumulated fund not needed for the purpose just mentioned
shall be used for the purchase of books and manuscripts.
Invested in City of Boston Five per cent Bond . $ 500.00
City of Boston Four and one-quarter per cent Bond 1 ,000.00
City of Boston Four per cent Bonds. . . . 3,500.00
$5,000.00
[15;
James Lyman Whitney Fund — The Alice Lincoln Whitney Fund
having been established, all amounts of income of the principal fund
paid to said Trustees, after the accumulation of said fund of five
thousand dollars shall be held as the James Lyman Whitney Fund,
and invested and re-invested and the income used" in equal shares,
one share for the purchase of rare and expensive books, and one share
for the purchase and care of manuscripts; one half at least of the
share devoted to manuscripts to be expended for their cataloguing
and proper care.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-half per
cent Bonds $1,200.00
City of Boston Four and one-quarter per cent Bonds 2,000.00
City of Boston Four per cent Bonds .... 8,900.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31 , 1926 . . 29.85
$12,129.85
In addition to the above Mr. Whitney created a trust, directing that
of the net income seven hundred dollars a year be paid to the Trustees
of the Public Library of the City of Boston, to be expended on
bibliographic work for the benefit of the Library.
Central Library Building Fund — Donations in response to an appeal by
the Trustees in Apiil, 1925, setting forth the needs of the Library,
from
Percy Lee Atherton $ 25.00
William York Peters 25.00
John T. Spaulding 100.00
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bond . . $150.00
Donations — Besides the preceding, the following donations have been
made to the Public Library, and the amounts have been appro-
priated for the purchase of books, according to the intention of the
donors, viz. :
J. Ingersoll Bowditch $6,800.00
Samuel Appleton, late of Boston. . . . 1,000.00
Sally Inman Kast Shepard 1,000.00
James Brown, late of Cambridge .... 500.00
Andrew Carnegie ....... 980.75
Nathaniel I. Bowditch 200.00
James Nightingale 100.00
Dorchester and Milton Circulating Library, for the
benefit of the Dorchester Branch Library . . 335.13
. $10,915.88
[16]
RECAPITULATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUST FUNDS.
Artz Fund $ 10,000.00
Bates Fund 50,000.00
Bigelow Fund . 1,000.00
Robert Charles Billings Fund 100,000.00
Bowditch Fund 10,000.00
Bradlee Fund 1,000.00
Joseph H. Center Fund 39,543.14
Central Library Building Fund 150.00
Children's Fund 103,117.74
Clement Fund 2,000.00
Henry Sargent Codman Memorial Fund 2,854.41
Cutter Fund 4.140.00
Elizabeth Fund 25,000.00
Daniel Sharp Ford Fund 6,000.00
Franklin Club Fund 1,000.00
Isabella Stewart Gardner Fund 5,000.00
Morris Gest Fund 2.652.50
Green Fund 2,000.00
Charlotte Harris Fund 10,000.00
Thomas B. Harris Fund 1,000.00
Hyde Fund 3,632.40
David P. Kimball Fund 10,000.00
Louis E. Kirstein Fund ; ' . 2,000.00
Arthur Mason Knapp Fund 10,000.00
Abbott Lawrence Fund 10,000.00
Edward Lawrence Fund ......... 500.00
Mrs. John A. Lewis Fund 5,000.00
Charles Greely Loring Memorial Fund . 500.00
Charles Mead Fund 2,500.00
The Oakland Hall Trust Fund 11,781.44
John Boyle O'Reilly Fund 1,000.00
Phillips Fund 30,000.00
Pierce Fund 5,000.00
Sarah E. Pratt Fund 1,464.30
John Singer Sargent Fund ......... 3.858.24
Scholfield Fund 61,800.00
Sewall Fund 25,000.00
Skinner Fund 51,732.14
South Boston Branch Library Trust Fund ...... 100.00
Mary Elizabath Stewart Fund 3,500.00
Ticknor Fund 4,000.00
William C. Todd Newspaper Fund 50,000.00
Townsend Fund ........... 4,000.00
Treadwell Fund 13,987.69
Nathan A. Tufts Fund 10,131.77
Twentieth Regiment Memorial Fund ....... 5,000.00
Wales Fund 5,000.00
Mehitable C C Wilson Fund 1,000.00
Alice Lincoln Whitney Fund 5,000.00
James Lyman Whitney Fund . . . . . . . . 12,129.85
$726,075.62
[17]
EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge the assistance rendered
by the Examining Committee of the year. The recommendations
of this Committee are of real value and have received careful
attention. The Committee consisted of the following persons:
Miss Anna M. Bancroft. Mr. Hollis French.
Prof. E. Charlton Black. Mr. Lee M. Friedman.
Mr. Jeffrey R. Brackett. Mr. Francis L. Higginson.
Mr. W. Irving Bullard. Mr. David H. Howie.
Mr. Herman L. Bush. Mr. Henry Lewis Johnson.
Mr. Sidney S. Conrad. Mr. Jacob J. Kaplan.
Prof. Archibald C. Coolidge. Mr. John C. Kiley.
Mr. Charles P. Curtis, Jr. Gen. Edward L. Logan.
Mr. William J. Davidson. Mr. Francis P. O'Connor.
Prof. Arthur S. Dewing. Rev. Lyman V. Rutledge.
Mr. Clifton H. Dwinnell. Mr. Samuel Sigilman.
Mr. Francis W. Fabyan. Prof. H. W. Tyler.
Mr. John I. Fitzgerald. Mrs. Barrett Wendell.
Their report is appended to this report.
CONCLUSION.
Again, in closing, the Board notes with pleasure and ap-
preciation the effectiveness of the Director and his corps of
assistants in the intelligent administration of the Library and
its branches. Owing to their loyal and faithful service, the
affairs of the Library have moved smoothly and well during
the year. We are glad to be able to commend the substantially
uniform excellence of their work.
Guy W. Currier
Arthur T. Connolly
Louis E. Kirstein
Gordon Abbott
William A. Gaston
[18]
Dr.
BALANCE SHEET, RECEIPTS AND
Central Library and Branches:
To expenditures for
Permanent employees (exclusive of Printing and
Binding Departments) .....
Temporary employees .....
Service other than personal
Contract work (outside)
Advertising
Transportation of persons
Cartage and freight
Light and Power
Rent, taxes and water
Surety bond and insurance
Communication . >,
Cleaning towels, etc*
Removal of snow
Medical
Expert
Fees ....
General Plant Repairs
To expenditure for equipment
Machinery
Motorless vehicles
Furniture and fittings
Office ....
Books :
City appropriation
Trust funds income
less transfer to
London account
Newspapers:
City appropriation
Todd fund
$438,946.41
175,947.89
319.84
59.00
598.52
12,239.36
15,129.07
1 7.886.30
15.55
2,540.43
1,335.64
571.75
16.67
3,442.99
116.10
40,497.79
209.92
105.95
7,917.45
971.36
$113,768.36
26,707.28
5,000.00
21,707.28 135,475.64
902.17
2,182.92
Periodicals
Photographs .
Tools and instruments
General plant equipment
To expenditures for supplies:
Office ....
Food and ice
Fuel ....
Forage for animals
Medical
Laundry, cleaning, toilet
Agricultural .
Chemicals and disinfectants
General plant supplies .
Carried forward
3,085.09
10,747.17
854.02
1.144.15
3.181.11
7,503.67
458.94
21,116.39
28.10
11.59
1 ,929.67
60.45
81.11
3,022.56
$614,894.30
94,769.01
163,691.8b
34,212.48
$907,567.65
[19]
EXPENSES, DECEMBER 31, 1926
Cr.
By City Appropriation 1926
Income from Trust Funds .
Income from James L. Whitney Bibliographic account.
Interest on deposit in London .
Transfer to City appropriation, London account
By Balances Brought Forward from 1925:
Trust funds income, City Treasurer .
plus omission in 1925 report
Trust funds income on deposit in London .
City appropriation on deposit in London .
James L. Whitney Bibliographic account .
Library Building Addition, equipping and furnishing
$1,000,981.00
26,117.28
700.00
182.80
4,000.00
56,72187
10.00
56,732.87
3,392.67
3,441 .92
5,738.33
rnishing .
11,799.39
$1,031,981.08
81,105.18
Carried forward .
$1,113,086.26
[20]
BALANCE SHEET. RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Brought forward.
To expenditure for material:
Electrical
General plant .
Special item:
Pension
Binding Department:
Salaries
Stock
Equipment
Light (Gas for heating)
Freight
Repairs
Ice and small supplies
Printing Department:
Salaries .....
Stock
Equipment .....
Light (Gas for heating)
Repairs .....
Outside work ....
Material, ice and small supplies
Insurance .
To Amount Paid into City Treasury:
From fines .....
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists
Commission on telephone stations
Payments for lost books
Sale of waste paper .
Interest on deposit
Refund on contract .
To Balance, December 31, 1926:
Trust funds income on deposit in London
City appropriation on deposit in London
Trust funds income, City Treasury .
James L. Whitney Bibliographic account .
Interest on deposit in London .
Balance Unexpended:
General appropriation .....
Special appropriation, Library Building Addition
3,852.22
9,943.56
863.50
52,583.15
5,255.11
245.53
48.86
3.80
40.85
48.80
12,127.72
3,348.45
5,711.89
33.27
110.38
226.08
44.44
35.10
1 7,620.89
9867
578.57
1.151.90
97.44
36.49
15.48
4,040.16
6,443.50
58,034.16
6,438.33
182.80
24,057.56
11,799.39
$907,567.65
13.795.78
863.50
58.226.10
21.637.33
19.599.44
75.138.95
35.856.95
$1,132,685.70
[21]
EXPENSES. DECEMBER 31, 1926
Brought forward .
By Receipts:
From fines .....
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists
Commission on telephone stations
Payments for lost books .
Sale of waste paper .
Interest on deposit .
Refund on contract
Cr.
$1,113,086.26
17,620.89
98.67
578.57
1,151.90
97.44
36.49
15.48
19.599.44
$1,132,685.70
REPORT OF THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
To the Trustees of the Public Library
of the City of Boston.
Gentlemen :
The Examining Committee takes pleasure in submitting its
Report for the year ending January 3 1 , 1927.
INTRODUCTION
The Examining Committee as constituted this year has the
advantage of the course recently adopted of continuing some
members from the preceding year. These members have
brought to this Committee an understanding of some of the
great problems of the Public Library and its administration,
while those serving their first term have taken active interest in
the various duties of this Committee.
The Examining Committee this year consisted of twenty-
six members, each having some definite interest or qualifications
for examining and advising on different functions of the Boston
Public Library. The Committee was divided into the follow-
ing Sub-Committees:
Administration and Finance.
Buildings and Equipment.
Branches.
Printing and Binding.
Special Libraries.
Children's Department and Work with Schools.
Each Sub-Committee consisted of three or more members
with the exception of the one on Branches. The work of this
Committee is so definitely a part of the main purpose of an
advisory committee for the examination and report upon the
[23]
condition of property that all members of the Examining Com-
mittees were assigned to the examination of various groups of
the thirty-one branches. This course resulted in many visits
and the careful examination of the condition and work of every
branch.
The detailed reports of the Sub-Committees are submitted for
your consideration. While recognizing that the function of the
Examining Committee is entirely advisory, its members are fully
appreciative of the great service being rendered by the Boston
Public Library and feel strongly the need of co-operative effort
to properly maintain and extend the buildings and equipment of
this highly important civic department.
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
In the opinion of the Committee the amounts allowed for
various purposes have been economically expended, and al-
though certain needed repairs have been made, the amount of
money appropriated for the physical upkeep of the main library
has not been sufficient to put this beautiful building in the con-
dition which its importance in the community warrants, to en-
able it to give the service to the citizens of the City of Boston
to which they are entitled.
It is hoped that the appropriation to be asked for by the
Trustees for repairs and improvements will be granted.
Your Committee also wishes to repeat the recommendation
of the Committee appointed last year, that efforts be made to
obtain further endowment funds for the Library. The Library
is sadly lacking in this respect. In this great educational centre,
where 50,000 students this year have made use of the Library's
facilities, it would seem to the Committee that if the financial
needs of the Library could be brought before the people of Bos-
ton and its environs in a forceful way financial interest would be
awakened and contributions follow.
BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT
Though the physical condition of the Copley Square Building
has been much improved in the last year or two, there still re-
[24]
mains a good deal to be done to bring back this building to a
proper condition.
The principal change needed is the re-arrangement of the
present Music Room, the Barton-Ticknor Room and the long
North Gallery. The needs of a proper Treasure Room have long
been felt, and the Trustees have wisely decided to adapt the
Music Room for a Treasure Room where the priceless books
owned by the Library can be kept and properly viewed.
The changes required in the building are of a very serious
nature to accomplish this result and to rearrange the Barton-
Ticknor Room and the North Gallery, but the results are most
important and are worth the expenditure of money which it is
hoped can be arranged on the basis of a bond issue by the City.
The Committee recommends stressing the policy of building
branches as separate units under the control of the Trustees,
where such branches have proved themselves to be successful in
localities at the present time served through leased quarters.
Efforts should be made to interest the Mayor and officials in
this policy, for it is believed that only by carrying it out will the
problem of the branches be properly solved. In such localities
as Allston, Mt. Bowdoin, Andrew Square, Boylston Station
and other places where the branches have proved their great
value to the public, efforts should now be made to provide library
service in permanent and satisfactory form by means of modern
buildings.
BRANCHES
The Chairman and members of this Committee received much
assistance from the Supervisor of Branches, attending a Staff
Meeting of the Librarians, and were given every opportunity
of examining the conditions and workings of the branches.
The natural tendency in persons making a visit, perhaps their
first visit, to a library is to notice the things which are readily
seen. Therefore we would stress, in beginning, one part of the
system of branch libraries which, centering at the Central Li-
brary, is basic to all the system — the recent development of
regular training of the large staff, for a higher grade personnel in
the branches. For the librarians and their assistants — as hos-
[25]
tesses, as interpreters of books and of the needs of individual
readers — can largely make or break the full usefulness of a
library.
The following definite suggestions are made, looking towards
needed improvements in the branches. First, a few general
statements of ideals to be set up and approached as fast as is
possible. The management and the use of libraries are
bettered when they are housed in buildings which are used ex-
clusively for libraries and whose care, heating, etc., are thus
controlled by the Library department. Some branches are under
halls used for gymnasia and meetings, with much noise and
jarring therefrom.
There is the usual request for more new books, at the time
when persons are asking for them.
Most important, the Committee urges the Trustees that they
formulate and follow up a definite policy to replace present
rented quarters with adequate buildings owned by the City.
PRINTING AND BINDING
The Printing Department is running to its full capacity, with
a considerable volume of work ahead. No immediate changes
in equipment or conduct are considered necessary.
The Binding Department has to do a large amount of re-
inforcement of new books, as well as the re-binding of old. The
sewing machine added a few years ago has greatly increased the
output of this department and an application has been made for
another machine of this kind. The Examining Committee ap-
proves of this request as being a desirable addition.
The advantages of new equipment and improved methods
are shown by double the number of books bound now over
that often years ago with a less number of employees. The Com-
mittee commends the Printing and Binding Departments as
being important factors in the conduct of the Library.
SPECIAL LIBRARIES
Your Sub-Committee reiterates the recommendation made
last year that steel stacks be installed in the "Barton-Ticknor
[26]
Gallery for added space to accommodate the music and pre-
sent special collections. The use of steel stacks would add
greatly to the capacity, safety and cleanliness."
Mention has been made of the desirability of converting the
present Music Room into a specially protected and fire-proof
room for the storage and exhibition of the more valuable books.
This is something which should be done as soon as possible- in
order to safeguard the Library's treasures and to permit the
rearrangement of the different departments of the Special Li-
braries.
The Sub-Committee also recommends that the repainting be
continued with due consideration for the season of the year and
the use required of the different departments. Certain mem-
bers of the Sub-Commitee have noticed the evidence of leaks
from the roof coming down inside onto the stacks and cannot
refrain from expressing their amazement that the Library should
not have been placed in position to protect its books, to house
which was the sole purpose of its being built.
The Sub-Committee believes that the resources of the Special
Libraries should be much better known to the citizens and that
continued plans should be taken to secure increased utilization
through appropriate publicity. As a step in this direction it is
recommended that the Trustees consider the possible appoint-
ment of honorary visiting committees on some of the special
libraries. A small group of interested specialists co-operating
with the library staff should be able to facilitate desirable con-
tacts with the students and teachers in the field. This would
be a simple extension of existing procedure.
This is the first time that several members of the Sub-Com-
mittee have had any occasion to observe the condition of the
Library, beyond perhaps the main staircase. They have been
amazed and shocked at the condition that the Library has been
allowed to drift into, not in any way through the fault of the
staff, but through lack of funds for adequate maintenance. Our
Public Library is probably the best known asset, the world
over, that the City of Boston has. It is one of the famous
libraries of the world. The building is noted for its beauty
[27]
and its solid construction. It has been allowed to run down in
a most deplorable fashion. It seems a pity and almost criminal
that an instituion of this character, belonging to all the citizens
of Boston, should be treated in this manner.
children's department and work with schools
The Sub-Committee finds that suggestions made by the pre-
vious committee have been carried out in so far as possible, but
that much remains to be done and again the emphasis falls on
increase of appropriations for this department. Juvenile work
has not come to its own, but has made such advance as to prove
its value and importance.
The Committee recommends:
1. Trained children's librarians in all branches.
2. Increased facilities for children's use of the library.
3. Further co-operation between library and schools.
The fact that children throng to the branches, in twenty out
of thirty-one cases outnumbering the adults, is significant. It
calls for a careful study of the situation with a view to the
needs, welfare and future interests of the child. If he comes
to a neat, attractive room with chairs, tables, lights and shelves
adapted to his needs, and finds there a librarian trained to guide
his reading, he will steadily advance towards the best habitual
use of the library in years of maturity.
The story-telling hour in branches and in schools is highly
commended for its value as an introduction to good reading
and as an aid to teachers, particularly in English, history and
art.
Library and school co-operation is developing rapidly, but
again progress is limited by lack of resources. Branch li-
braries in high schools are being tried out. Consignment of
library books to public schools has proved serviceable, but more
books and space are needed.
The Committee notes with pleasure the growing interest taken
by all in the children's use of the Library. Teachers and
librarians are particularly to be commended in the many in-
[28]
stances where they are working with restricted means, often at
great personal sacrifice, for the sheer pleasure of meeting the
eager desire of young readers. School and Library authorities
in turn seem to be doing all in their power to help, but the
public remains uninformed and indifferent. The closing sug-
gestion is accordingly that special publicity be given to the needs
of children. A special endowment might be created for the
advancement of Children's Library work in Boston.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee as a whole wishes to emphasize the urgent
need of remedying some of the conditions which have been
found to exist.
1. The necessity of continuing the allotment of funds, as in
the last two years, for the repairs of the roof and electric
lighting system, and for painting in the Central Library.
2. The urgency of obtaining better quarters for some of the
branches, with the general policy of individual build-
ings adequate to the future needs of the rapidly growing
sections of the city.
3. The plan of co-operation with the Library of the School
of Business Administration of Harvard University in the
establishment of a Business Reference Library is com-
mended as offering an important service to the business
interests of this community.
4. The safe-guarding of the manuscript and book treasures
in a fire-proof location known as the Treasure Room is
an imperative need, requiring special funds.
5. The publication of the Bulletin in enlarged form under
the title "More Books" provides excellent information
about the libraries and new books. Still greater pub-
licity is needed in order that the citizens of Boston may
understand more fully the great services rendered by
the Library in educational work and as a cultural ser-
vice to the City as a whole through its Central Library
and thirty-one branches.
[29]
CONCLUSIONS
The Committee extends its thanks to the Director and Staff
for the full co-operation extended in examination of the Library
and its conduct. The insight afforded into the affairs of this
great institution cannot fail to produce a permanent appreciation
and the desire that its urgent needs in maintenance, extension
and endowment be more widely known.
Adopted as the Report of the Examining Committee,
February 25, 1927.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR.
To the Board of Trustees:
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending Decem-
ber 31, 1926.
THE PROGRESS OF THE YEAR.
Although the past year was unmarked by any event of
striking significance in the administration of the Library, the
home circulation of books, as noted below, showed a sturdy
growth, while the increase in the use of reference material in
the central building and in the thirty-one branches, of which no
record is kept, was normal and in volume most encouraging.
The chief and outstanding complaint of the users of the Library
system is that they are unable to obtain the required book when
called for, an evidence of the well-known fact that the Library
is still unable to buy a sufficient number of copies of a new book
to meet the reasonable demand for it.
Many repairs of both major and minor moment have been
accomplished during 1926. The ventilating system of the Li-
brary has been re-established and put in good repair, and now
includes an efficient air-washing equipment. The book railway
system has been completely over-hauled, and the railways in
the six floors of stacks are now in satisfactory operation. The
Central Library boilers have all been re-tubed with new drain
valves. An automatic oiling system has been installed in the
power plant. Major repairs on the roof of the Central Building
have begun. The statistical department, the lecture hall, the
map room, the central branch department, and the exhibit room
in the Central Library have all been cleaned and decorated.
To provide for the increased work of the Central Branch De-
partment, a mezzanine floor has been built. Throughout the
[31]
branch system necessary repairs, painting, and equipment, have
been carried out. The East Boston Branch Library has been
re-painted inside and out, and repairs made to the parapet walls.
Major repairs, including the painting of the exterior wood-work
have been accomplished at the West End Branch. After thirty
years of service, the four large ornate groups of lanterns in front
of the Central Building are being re-built.
On Monday, September 27, 1926, the Warren Street Branch
gave up its rented quarters and occupied the fine new rooms
especially provided for it in the Memorial High School Build-
ing on the corner of Warren and Townsend Streets, Roxbury.
This is the only branch library in Boston occupying quarters
in a school building. The accommodations are ample and at-
tractive, and it will be most interesting to watch the result
of this experiment as regards the use of the branch both by child-
ren and by adults. The Fellowes Athenaeum Branch was
completely remodeled during the year; and additional reading-
room space was provided at the Lower Mills and Mattapan
Branches.
In March the Library started publication of a monthly bulletin
under a new name, "More Books," and in a new form. This
seems to be meeting the need of the public for a classi-
fied list of new books and is also serving to bring to the attention
of the citizens of Boston the important possessions and acqui-
sitions of the Library, as well as its needs.
The Library has been especially fortunate in being able to
offer, in conjunction with its regular lecture course, a second
series of chamber-music concerts through the courtesy of Mrs.
Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge. They have been eagerly sought
by an appreciative group of people. As an outcome of the in-
terest that has developed from the course of lectures on the
Symphony Concert Programs, now being given for the third year,
with a total registration of 383, the Library has received as gifts,
during 1926, 108 records from the Victor Talking Machine
Company, 47 records from the General Phonograph Corporation,
and 91 records from the Columbia Phonograph Company; the
latter company has just presented to the Library their latest Viva-
[32]
Tonal phonograph. The records are of the type of compositions
played during the year by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
During the summer months, in honor of the anniversary of
the American Library Association, an extensive exhibition was
held to illustrate library progress during the fifty years which
have passed since the organization of the Association. Not only
the publications of the national association and its development
were featured, but also the work since 1 890 of the Board
of Free Public Library Commissioners of the Commonwealth,
of which the Director of the Boston Library is Chairman. The
major part of the exhibit was naturally given to the growth and
work of the Public Library of the City of Boston and its branches
since 1876. The exhibition proved most attractive and gave
pleasure and satisfaction to hosts of visitors. A descriptive
pamphlet was issued for distribution, entitled, "A Library Ex-
hibit, 1876-1926."
CIRCULATION AND ACCESSION OF BOOKS.
In the past year the total circulation of books was 3,499,137,
a gain of 369,356 over the circulation of 1925. This does not
represent the net gain, however, since the city fiscal year of 1 925
included but eleven months. For a twelve months' period the
gain was 2 1 7,630. The total circulation through the branches,
including books issued from Central Library collections on bor-
rowers' cards, was 3,158,552. Deposits amounted to 86,570
volumes, sent to 326 agencies. The total number of volumes
sent to schools, at the request of 1,472 teachers, was 56,818.
Interlibrary loans amounting to 1 ,830 volumes, were sent to
1 ,094 applicants; 592 requests were regretfully refused. Direct
home circulation from the Central Library was 340,585, a gain
of 26,877 volumes over 1925.
There were 3 1 ,693 new registrations and 38,02 1 renewals
of lapsed privileges during 1926, making a total of 69,714
cards added during the year. Borrowers who failed to renew
their cards amounted to 63,696. On December 31 , there was,
therefore, a total of 135,445 live cards, a gain of 6,018 over
the previous year. Teachers' registration showed a renewal of
[33]
1400 cards and new registrations amounting to 399; this gives
a total of 1,799 teachers' cards in use. Special privilege cards
were issued to 658 persons in 1926; of these 504 were renewals
and 154 new cards.
The total number of volumes added to the Library collections
in 1926 was 93,867, acquired as follows: 80,146 by purchase,
10,772 by gift, 38 by exchange, 2,91 1 by binding periodical
literature and serials. Of the books purchased, 12,71 1 volumes
were added to Central Library collections, and 67,435 were
placed in branch libraries and in the Central branch deposit
collection.
Hie total amount expended for accessions by purchase was
$1 50, 1 61 .92. For the first time in the history of the Library, the
current city appropriation for books, periodicals, pictures, etc.,
reached the sum of $125,000. In 1916 the city money spent
for books, periodicals, etc. was $33,561.09, with which 26,426
volumes, 2,731 periodicals, and other material were bought.
The question might well be asked why an increase in the book
allowance of almost three hundred per cent in ten years is in-
sufficient for present-day needs. The answer is that in this period
the Library has been steadily expanding, and that new branches,
new deposit stations, new divisions within the Central Library
all take their toll of the book fund. Reference collections have
been built up in the branches; the old and infrequently used
volumes have been gradually superseded by new books and the
Bates Hall collections have been brought up to date. New
developments in the field of knowledge in recent years — psy-
chology, business administration, adult education, the great
expansion in the realm of science — call for the acquisition of
the latest books and periodicals which are indispensable and
which make large inroads on the book money. Books wear out
and their replacement is costly. Fiction at $1 .50 or less a volume
has now been superseded by fiction at $2.00 or more a volume.
There are also many bibliographical activities in the library
world, some international in scope, dependent for their support
on the large libraries which will be chiefly benefited by the re-
sulting publications, and the book fund should be sufficient to
[34]
permit the Library to contribute its share toward their achieve-
ment. The rapidly opening work of adult education places a
new responsibiity upon the Library, if it is to play its essential
part in helping our citizens to add to their power through the
use of books.
The increasing appropriations for the purchase of books have
scarcely kept pace with the advancing demands upon the library ;
the failure of a corresponding increase in the endowment of the
Library from private sources has caused it to lose ground in the
effort to maintain its foremost place among the scholarly public
libraries of the country.
A general accounting shows that in 1926 the branches ab-
sorbed $97,690.62 for books, periodicals and newspapers,
including $43,162.87 for books for younger readers. The re-
maining $27,309.38 was expended for the Central Library for
periodicals, newspapers, the books of the day and, as far as
funds permitted, the books published two or three years since,
whose importance seems assured and whose purchase was either
overlooked or deferred at the time of issue.
The acquisitions of unusual interest and importance which
are noted below have been bought with the income from trust
funds.
From the Clawson sale of early Elizabethan and Stuart litera-
ture this Library, with a relatively small sum at its disposal,
secured six books which are distinct additions to the Barton
Library. At the sale, said to be one of the greatest book sales
of modern times, many of the works sold at prices quite beyond
our resources, but of the 926 books listed in the catalogue, about
300, including eleven of the thirteen Shakespeare quartos,
were already possessed by the Library. The titles of the books
bought are as follows:
Massinger, Philip, Thomas Middleton and "William Rowley. The
excellent comedy, called The old law: or A new way to please you.
Together with an exact and perfect catalogue of all the playes, with
the authors names. More exactly printed then ever before. 1656.
Niccols, Richard. The three sisters teares. Shed at the late solemne
funerals of the royall deceased Henry, Prince of Wales. London:
Printed by T. S. for Richard Redmer. 1613.
[35]
Quarles, Francis. Emblemes by Fra: Quarles. Engraved title and 78
engravings by Marshall and others. London: Printed by G. M.
and sold at Iohn Marriots shope. 1635. The first edition, second
issue.
Shirley, James. Honoria and Mammon. Whereunto is added the con-
tention of Ajax and Ulisses, for the armour of Archilles. As it
was represented by young gentlemen of quality at a private enter-
tainment of some persons of honour. Engraved portrait by
Gaywood, dated 1658. London: Printed for John Crook.
1 659. First edition, second issue.
Twyne, Thomas. The schoolemaster or teacher of table phylosophie.
A most pleasant and merie companion, well worthy to be welcomed.
Black letter. Imprinted at London, by Richard Iohnes. 1 583.
First edition.
Wither, George. A collection of emblemes, ancient and moderne. The
first booke. With the second booke, the third booke, and the fourth
booke. Engraved frontispiece by Marshall, portrait of Wither by
John Payne, 200 engraved vignettes by Crispin de Pass and double
woodcut lottery table at the end. London. Printed by A. M. for
Richard Royston. 1635. First edition, with the preliminary
leaf.
From the Autograph Collection of the late Charles P.
Greenough of Brookline the Library bought two items of especial
local interest.
An original Indian deed of Noddle's Island, "containing . . , one
thousand acres . . . more or less together with all the fflatts to
low water mark", made by Charles Joseph, Indian Sachem, to
Samuel Shrimpton of Boston "for a valuable consideration." This
deed was confirmed on May 1 , 1 684, by Governor William
Stoughton and Joseph Dudley and is signed by various Indians in
release and as witnesses.
An autograph letter from Richard Clarke, a merchant of Boston to whom
the "Boston Tea Party" tea was consigned and who, in consequence,
had been driven to Castle Island. His letter, dated "Castle William,
March 30, 1 774", is addressed to John Greenough and expresses
sorrow on hearing that a chest of tea had been destroyed.
There were also acquired four large manuscript account books of the
Watertown Arsenal of the Revolutionary Army. The books were
kept by William Hunt, Commissary in charge of the Arsenal.
April 19, 1 775 is the date of the first entry and February 28, 1 781
that of the last. These books are filled with accounts of the dis-
bursement of stores.
An important acquisition was an original manuscript Orderly Book,
from July 8, 1 775 (five days after Washington assumed command)
[36]
to October 26, 1 775, written by 2nd Lieutenant Peter Scull, at
the Camp before Boston; from May 26, 1777 to June 5, 1777,
at Middlebrook, New Jersey. This manuscript contains general
orders by Generals Washington, Putnam, Lee and Greene, and the
regimental commander, Col. Thompson of the Pennsylvania Rifle
Regiment, covering the period of organization of the American
Army before Boston.
From the Britwell Court sale in London only two books were secured:
"A forme of prayer used at Newport in the Isle of Wight. 1 5 Sept.
1648" for the Benton Collection; and an Italian grammar written
in Latin by Scipio Lentulus and "Turned into Englishe by H. G.,
London, 1575."
The first issue of a pamphlet protesting against taxation was secured in
the "Rules and orders to be observed by the Anti-Stamp Fire
Society, Instituted in Boston October 1 , 1 763." Among the
names listed are those of John Lowell, Herman Brimmer, Thomas
Hill, Samuel Breck, Nathaniel Bethune, Daniel Sargent and
William Tudor. Apparently no other copy has been discovered.
A noteworthy purchase was an Armenian MS. — a complete text of the
New Testament written on vellum, containing forty full-page
illustrations and over one hundred illuminated initials and marginal
ornamentations. The colophon states that the finishing of this book
was in 924 of the time of Greater Armenia. The year 924 of
the Armenian calendar corresponds to the year 1 475 of the Christian
era. The binding of heavy hand-wrought silver was made in 1 663.
To the Fine Arts collection of the Special Libraries Depart-
ment the following important works have been added:
Ardenne de Tizac, Jean Henri d'. Animals in Chinese art. London.
1923.
Burlington Fine Arts Club, London. Catalogue of an exhibition of carv-
ings in ivory. London. 1923.
Butler, A. J. Islamic pottery. London. 1926.
Gromort, Georges. Jardins d' Espagne. 2 v. Paris. 1926.
Richter, Gisela M. A. and Albert W. Barker. Ancient furniture. A
history of Greek, Etruscan and Roman furniture. Oxford. 1 926.
Shepherd, J. C. and G. A. Jellicoe. Italian gardens of the Renaissance.
London. 1925.
Siren, Osvald. The imperial palaces of Peking. 3 v. Paris 1926.
(volume 1 received).
Tanner, P. de. Chinese jade, ancient and modern. Descriptive cata-
logue. 2 v. Berlin. 1925.
Visser, H. F. E., editor. The exhibition of Chinese art of the Society
of Friends of Asiatic art. 2 v. Amsterdam. 1925.
Yashiro, Yukio. Sandro Botticelli. 2 v. London. 1925.
[37]
Among miscellaneous works of interest which have been acquired are
Monumenta Cartographica, edited by F. C. Wieder, consisting of
reproductions of unique and rare maps; Poor Richard's Almanack,
The Way to Wealth as clearly shown in an old Pennsylvania
Almanack, entitled Poor Richard Improved ; and The Whistle,
London, Privately printed, 1816.
During the year gifts have been received as follows : 1 1 ,444
volumes, 13,504 serials, 2,431 photographs, 52 newspaper sub-
scriptions, and for current file use in the Branch Division and
Information Room, 731 volumes and 9,566 pieces of mis-
cellaneous material, booksellers' catalogues, and government
publications.
From Mr. Louis E. Kirstein the sum of one thousand dollars
was received, to be added to the "Louis E. Kirstein Fund ' and
the income to be used in accordance with the terms of the original
gift.
There was received under a decree of the Supreme Judical
Court in Equity of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$3,858.24, being the sum remaining in the hands of the surviving
trustees of the fund originally raised to install in the Library
decorations by the late John S. Sargent. This sum has been
funded as the "John Singer Sargent Fund" and the income will
be used for the care and preservation of the Sargent decorations
and such other purposes as are set forth in the decree.
Mrs. John Elliott, on behalf of a Committee of Citizens, pre-
sented two studies of Mr. Elliott's mural painting, "The Triumph
of Time."
A marble copy of the Psyche of Capua was received from
Mrs. Langdon Pearse of Winnetka, Illinois.
Certain additional gifts of interest, with the names of the
donors, are listed on pages 63-67 of the Appendix.
CATALOGUE AND SHELF DEPARTMENT.
The number of volumes and parts of volumes catalogued dur-
ing 1926 was 109,738 and the number of titles was 74,148.
Of these, 57,473 volumes (50,246 titles) were assigned to the
branches and were catalogued in the Branch Department, but
are included here to show the total bulk of this part of the work.
[38]
The number of printed cards added to the catalogues of the
Central Library alone was 66,1 69, and 26,359 were used in com-
piling bibliographies, or were reserved for such use in the future.
The distribution of cards among the departments of the Central
Library was: Bates Hall 26,763; Official Catalogue, 27,622;
Special Libraries, 1 1,784. Cards were also sent as usual to the
Library of Congress and were saved for the Harvard College
Library.
In order to hasten the appearance of new books in our cata-
logues, 1 0,85 1 temporary cards have been typed by the Card
Division, to be replaced later by printed cards. As the result
of this device, titles of recent accessions have been in the cata-
logues as soon as the books have been placed on the shelves.
Over 4000 cards have also been typed for the use of the Editor.
PUBLICATIONS.
With the beginning of 1 926 a new series of the Library bulle-
tin was started under the title of More Boofys. The chief feature
of the publication is, as formerly, the selected list of new books.
Besides the list, however, each issue carries several articles mainly
relating to the book treasures and manuscripts of the Library.
There are also popular features, such as notes on important new
books, on gifts to the Library, and on other matters of Library
interest.
The new publication met with instantaneous success. The
first issue, a triple number, appeared in March, and the edition
was exhausted in less than three weeks. The demand, ever
since, has been increasing. During the year six issues were
printed, with a total of 376 pages.
In several points the new bulletin differs radically from the
Quarterly. In More Boofys the classification method has been
adopted for the list of new books, instead of the dictionary
method. The classified list is more comprehensible for the
average reader. He finds there the books in which he is primarily
interested grouped together under one heading ; and the Synopsis
of Classification, printed before the list, makes it easy for him
[39]
to find a particular group of books sought for. The method of
classification was, in fact, a return to an old practice. Between
1896 and 1908 the bulletin of the Library had been arranged
in the form of a classified list and the records show that the de-
mand for the bulletin was greatest during those years.
For a large number of items in the List of New Books, short
descriptive annotations, indicating the subject, summarizing the
contents or giving information about the author and his view-
point, enliven the list and make it more interesting and useful.
It should be mentioned here that Mr. Zoltan Haraszti, as
newly appointed Editor of Publications, began his duties with
the first issue of More Books. Since May, 1 926, Miss Margaret
Munsterberg has been working as assistant in the Department.
To the series of Brief Reading Lists, published by the Library,
one number has been added during the year. In connection
with the Boston performances of "Carmencita" and "Lysistrata"
a list (No. 35), The Moscow Art Theatre Musical Studio, was
compiled by Mr. Lucien E. Taylor, of the Catalogue Depart-
ment.
Bibliographical lists have been printed for the lectures on the
programs of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, given by the
Massachusetts Division of University Extension in co-operation
with the Library. The lists were prepared by Mr. Richard G.
Appel, assistant in charge of the Music Division. Programs
and lists were issued also for the Free Chamber Music Concerts,
given through the generosity of Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge
in the Lecture Hall of the Library. An eight-page leaflet en-
titled "A Library Exhibit, J 876-1 926," descriptive of an
exhibition of library progress as illustrated by the American
Library Association, The Division of Public Libraries of the
State Board of Education and The Boston Public Library,
held during the summer months, was issued for distribution.
Opportunities for Adult Education in Greater Boston — a
list of free public lectures and public educational courses offered
by the Massachusetts Division of University Extension, the
Lowell Institute, the Commission on Extension Courses, the
Public Library, and other institutions — was also published for
[40]
the year 1926-27. The pamphlet, consisting of 92 pages, was
larger and more comprehensive than any previous issue.
Part IV, (pages 289-384, Int-Mat.) of the Guide to Serial
Publications founded prior to 1918 and now or recently current
in Boston, Cambridge and vicinity, was compiled and issued
under the editorship of Mr. Thomas Johnston Homer. Part V
is being prepared for publication.
BATES HALL.
The radial arrangement of the catalogue cases has stood the
test of a year's trial, and is an improvement in many ways over
the old plan. The public is better distributed about the room,
it is easier to keep the catalogue drawers in place, and less time
is wasted by the public at the catalogue than in former years.
The provision of low tables at the south windows has put an end
to all complaints of discomfort in using the tables at which the
catalogue drawers are consulted.
New lighting has been installed at the catalogue cases, so that
they are better lighted than ever before. The installation of new
lights at the book cases in Bates Hall is going forward and is
approaching a satisfactory completion.
There have been no major changes in the arrangement of
the reference collection except those resulting from the organ-
ization of a Division of Genealogy. Somewhat more space
has been allotted to Genealogy and Local History and a
case for new books in this field has been installed beside the
assistant's desk. On the whole, the space devoted to this sub-
ject seems now to be adequate to the needs of the Division. Miss
Doyle, the assistant in charge of the Division, has been busy
during the year with the organization of her material, the assist-
ance of readers and the response to inquiries received by mail.
The new division is justifying itself and the separation of this
special field from the general work of the Department has been
a real step in advance. During the year, 228 letters on gene-
alogical subjects were answered. It is interesting to note that
27 of these inquiries came from the state of New York, Mass-
[41]
achusetts falling to second place in the number of inquiries in
this field.
Aside from genealogy, 565 reference letters were answered
by the department during the year. Of these, 533 came from
the various states of the Union, and 32 from Canada and seven
other foreign countries.
During the fall an investigation of the unsuccessful requests
for books was undertaken. For about seven weeks, every pub-
lic department of the Library submitted each morning a list of
books which could not be supplied to applicants. These lists
were tabulated and a number of interesting facts came to light.
It was found that unsuccessful requests fall roughly into the
following classes:
(a) Repeated requests for new books of which the supply
is insufficient.
These are usually charged "out" and present no problem but
that of additional purchase.
(b) Repeated requests for standard books in a few lines, of
which volumes disappear almost as soon as they are received
by the Library. These include such groups as translations
of school texts, text books in popular fields, business books,
especially those on salesmanship, technical books of a popular
character, current books of humor, books of recitations, etc.
(c) "Missing" books whose numbers are still in the catalogue.
(d) Books misplaced, recently stolen, or otherwise tempo-
rarily missing, which are, however, not on the "missing" list.
(e) Books in place on the shelves which fail to be produced
through the carelessness or inefficiency of stack assistants.
The second class above presents a special problem which is
probably common to all large libraries. A certain portion of the
community feels at certain times a pressing and desperate need
of certain books which it has not the means or inclination to buy.
Translations of texts used in school and college may be taken as
the type of this class of books. Plans are being worked out for
reserving books of this type for legitimate users. Plans are also
being made to check the misplacement of books and inefficiency
in searching for them.
[42]
NEWSPAPER AND PATENT ROOMS.
No definite record is kept of the use of the Newspaper Room.
The capacity of the room has been taxed at all hours of the day
and evening by persons who consulted the 274 papers regularly
kept on file. Of these, 214 are daily and 60 weekly papers;
1 93 are published in the United States and 8 1 in foreign
countries. The bound volumes now number 9,243, an increase
of 151 since 1925.
Seven hundred and fifty new volumes were added to the
Patent Room during the year. The use of the collection can
only be estimated, since the shelves are open and the books
freely accessible to the readers. Over 19,000 persons used the
room in 1926.
INFORMATION OFFICE, GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT ROOM
AND OPEN SHELF ROOM.
The Information Office grows in usefulness as a clearing
house for ephemeral material. Here is kept the ready refer-
ence material which places at the disposal of the public in the
shortest possible time a directory service, consisting of the latest
available telephone and city directories of the United States and
larger European cities; current federal and state documents
supplemented by lists compiled to assist the public in their use;
business and vocational files which provide information through
Chamber of Commerce reports and other business publications;
and catalogues of educational institutions of every type.
In the Open Shelf Room an attempt has been made to keep
books in circulation by a careful study of unusual demands.
The more popular new books, — for example, Durant's "Story
of Philosophy," Dorsey's "Why we behave like human beings,"
and Barnes's "Genesis of the World War" — bring into activity
other books in the field of philosophy, psychology and history.
The open-shelf collection is constantly changed to meet the
demand stimulated by the newer books of non-fiction.
The circulation from the room for 1 926 was 44,097, a gain
of 2,904 over 1925. The turn-over for each book is estimated
at 15 times a year.
[43]
PERIODICAL ROOM.
In the Periodical Room there has been a steady growth of
reference work. One room has been set apart for this purpose;
clippings of newspaper and other material have been collected
for debates; a visible guide to all periodicals received by the
Library has been attached to the wall and made easily accessible
to inquirers. The use of both bound and unbound periodicals
showed a normal increase. Over 2,600 volumes were bound in
1926.
The current periodicals, exclusive of those issued by state and
federal governments, regularly filed in the Periodical Depart-
ment number 1 ,262. In addition there are filed for use by
readers in other departments current periodicals especially
relating to the fields covered by those departments, as follows:
Fine Arts and Music Divisions of the Special Libraries. . . . 131
Ordering Department. .......... 27
Statistical Department. .......... 50
Teachers' Reference Room and Children's Room. ..... 62
SPECIAL LIBRARIES DEPARTMENT.
The Special Libraries include all the collections housed on
the third floor of the Central Building and comprise the divisions
of Fine Arts, Music, Technology and Special Collections (Bar-
ton-Ticknor Division).
The numerous changes in arrangement and organization
carried out in 1925 and mentioned in the last Annual Report
have resulted in better service. This improved service is re-
flected in increased circulation and a marked growth in "hall
use," which latter cannot be shown by statistics. A number of
minor improvements have been added in the past year and
several more important changes in equipment and organization
of material are under way.
The renovation and relighting of the Exhibition Room have
had the satisfactory results anticipated. It is much to be desired
that the work of refinishing be continued to include the Special
Libraries Delivery and Reading Rooms, both in great need of
repainting.
[44]
The plans for steel stacks in the North Gallery and the Barton-
Ticknor Room, the rennishing of these rooms and the conversion
of the Music Room into a Treasure Room, mentioned in the
last Annual Report, have been worked out in detail and will
be put into execution as soon as the necessary funds have been
secured.
The Fine Arts Division has continued to build up its import-
ant collections. The accessions under the new classification
now fill an entire alcove and are already a great help in reference
work. The open-shelf collection arranged on the lines of the
expansive classification made in 1925 has been extended and
has given service beyond expectations.
The Technology Division has continued to build up its well
organized book collection and its equipment of special reference
tools. To safeguard the collection it has been necessary to
abolish altogether the shelves for the display of new books, but
this loss has been repaired by issuing for public distribution a
monthly mimeographed list, New Technical Books.
The Music Division has continued its series of interpretive
lectures on symphony concerts and operas, and for these lectures
annotated programs and book lists have been issued as during
the preceding year.
The number of books issued for home use from the Special
Libraries during the year was 23,525, an increase of three and
one-half per cent as compared with last year. For use outside
the Library there were issued 29,148 pictures and 9,799 lantern
slides.
STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT.
The circulation of the statistical books does not vary much.
In 1926 there were issued for home use 2,196 volumes; 2,037
were sent to Bates Hall and elsewhere for use within the build-
ing and 12,000 volumes were used in the department. The
total number of books housed in the Statistical Department is
24,337. New books added during the year amounted to 563
volumes. These figures do not include the documents of various
states and countries, the administration of which belongs to the
Statistical Department.
[45
WORK WITH CHILDREN.
Although the total circulation of books to children under
sixteen years of age was 1 ,631 ,436, or 23 for each of the 70,424
cardholders in this class, it is apparent that there are still too
many who are not using library privileges. Registration shows
that only 62 per cent of enrolled school children are cardholders
in the Library.
This situation may be due to the inadequate provisions for
children in some of the branches. In four of the branch libraries,
facilities have been much improved during the last year. The
new Memorial Branch at Roxbury is modern in lay-out and well
equipped. At Mattapan and Lower Mills additional space was
secured and the children's work has been given the impetus that
always follows its separation from that with adults.
The reconstruction of the building belonging to the Fellowes
Athenaeum has transformed a dark and unattractive waiting
room into a pleasant children's room of somewhat old-fashioned
type, in conformity with the period of the building. A small
and cheerful club room in the basement affords much satisfaction
because there can be gathered together on many afternoons the
informal reading clubs which are conducted by members of the
library staff.
However, the need at South Boston, Dorchester, Mount Bow-
doin, Codman Square and Roslindale is pressing. Seating space
for the children who flock to the Library is sometimes out of
the question, and there is not room enough for shelving the re-
quired number of books. Such conditions explain the inability
of the Library to hold some of the younger borrowers after
the first novelty of becoming cardholders has worn off. As an
offset to the cramped and overcrowded quarters there has been
a gratifying growth in the force of assistants prepared to give
special service to children.
Years of observation of the results of the story hour give
added assurance of the validity of its employment as a factor in
library work with children. The fine accomplishment of the
Library's story tellers in broadening children's interests and
establishing sound habits of reading is apparent everywhere.
[46]
Only two of the branch libraries have been omitted from the
year's schedule — Brighton, where the story-hour room was
closed for alterations, and Orient Heights, where it was difficult
to make suitable arrangements as to audience and time. Both
places will undoubtedly be included in next year's schedule.
Work of this kind has been arranged for the older boys and
girls in the evening, and the results have been especially reward-
ing. Equally important are the points of contact made through
story telling in the public schools. Not only is the Library be-
coming better known by this means, but it is reaching children
who are obliged to work in their out-of-school hours and are
unable to keep in touch with the children's rooms-
Service to schools is growing faster at present than any other
type of library work and it is toward the wise development of
such work that the Library should direct its attention. There
is need for better organization and more unified procedure in
all relations between the Library and the public schools. Fitting
organization of a School Department of the Library would
make it possible to study in a comprehensive way the demands
of different sections of the city with a view to strengthening weak
positions and coordinating activities already undertaken.
THE BRANCH SYSTEM.
Two districts of the city, namely Readville and Germantown,
are at present without library branches. A number of other
sections of the city are without adequate library provisions.
Several of the existing branches require larger accommodations.
Suitable provision should be made to permit the establishment of
at least four new branch libraries and the enlargement of some
of the present branches. A definite program of branch expan-
sion should be considered if suitable library service is to be
equitably given to the present and potential users and cardholders
of the library system.
The total circulation through the branches was 3,158,552.
This is a gain over 1925 of 342,479. The number of books
issued from the Central Library through branches was 106,456;
[47]
this includes 87,004 from the deposit collection and 1 9,452 from
the stacks of the Central Library. All the branches gained in
circulation- The greatest gains were at Upham's Corner, Cod-
man Square, Andrew Square, South Boston, West End, West
Roxbury, North End and Mount Bowdoin.
The number of volumes sent on deposit to 326 agencies (212
schools, 56 fire engine houses, and 38 institutions of various
kinds) was 86,570 as against 86,400 last year. The total
number of volumes sent to schools was 56,818, compared with
56,328 last year. Of this number 19,684 were sent from the
Branch Issue Division, Central Library. The number of books
issued on deposit from the branch libraries, chiefly to schools,
was 37,134, compared with 34,698 in 1925.
Interlibrary loans amounted to 1,830 volumes, 126 more
than last year. Of the 1 ,686 applications received, 592 had to
be refused. Twenty-four volumes were borrowed from other
libraries.
In September, 1926, the Warren Street Branch moved into
large, well-equipped quarters in the new Memorial High School
in Roxbury. The Fellowes Athenaeum has been entirely re-
modelled and now has all the conveniences of a modern library
building. Reading rooms for adults were provided at the Lower
Mills and Mattapan Branches. In the Branch Department of
the Central Library a mezzanine floor was built to provide a
room for staff meetings and a committee room.
Regular training in library routine is being given by several
librarians of major branches. Classes in universal history,
reference, and book mending have been attended by twenty-six
branch assistants.
LECTURES AND EXHIBITIONS.
During the year twenty-two exhibitions were put on view.
Of this number eleven were of books and documents and four of
prints and photographs in the possession of the Library. There
were seven loan exhibitions, none of them comprising books. For
list of exhibitions see Appendix, pp. 62-63.
[48]
In 1926 there were given in the lecture hall 92 lectures and
entertainments under the auspices of the Library, the Ruskin
Club, the Drama League, the Field and Forest Club, the Dickens
Fellowship, and other organizations. They were, as customary,
free to the public.
The lectures were in the following fields: travel, 20; literature,
15; art and archeology, 10; music, 9; drama, 6; and miscellane-
ous, 13. There were also 19 concerts and plays. Five of the
concerts were chamber music by Quartets provided by Mrs.
Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge ; the Library of Congress, the Curtis
Institute of Music, Philadelphia, the Burgin Quartet of Boston,
and the Myrtle Jordan Trio were the donors of one concert each.
These concerts appealed to so wide a public that the doors were
often closed almost an hour before the scheduled beginning.
Mrs. Coolidge has graciously offered another series, to consist
of eight concerts, for the season of 1 927-28. For list of lectures,
etc. see Appendix, pp. 58-65.
In 1926-27 the Division of University Extension of the State
Department of Education again used the lecture hall every
evening except Thursday and Sunday for educational courses.
Several courses were also scheduled for afternoon or morning
hours.
A course on the programs of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
was offered by the Division of University Extension and the
Library in collaboration. This was arranged by Richard G.
Appel, of the Library staff, who was assisted by other musicians,
notably Alfredo Casella, Aaron Copland, Darius Milhaud,
Ottorino Respighi, Jesus Sanroma, Roger Huntington Sessions,
Nicholas Slonimsky, Walter R. Spaulding, Alexander Lang
Steinert, and Thomas Whitney Surette.
STAFF INSTRUCTION.
No special courses of staff instruction have been conducted
this year, except for branch assistants for whom classes in uni-
versal history, reference, and book mending were given. Under
the auspices of the Division of University Extension, Professor
Robert E. Rogers gave a sixth in his series of courses in literature
[49]
primarily for library assistants, entitled "Forms of the Drama."
The Library has probably done about all that it can hope to
do in the training of its employees through detached, incidental
courses. If the quality of the staff is to be further improved, it
must be done by the gradual organization of a system of training
within the Library. The practical exclusion of any but college
graduates from library schools forces back upon the libraries the
education for minor positions of their employees who have only
a high-school diploma.
BINDERY DEPARTMENT.
The work of the Bindery Department for the year shows a
substantial increase, made possible by the new equipment in-
stalled in 1925. The work for the branches is now up to date,
and it will be possible to make a start on special work which
has been awaiting such an opportunity.
The cost of binding 66,946 volumes — the output of the year
exclusive of miscellaneous work — was $50, 1 36. 1 7. This makes
the average cost per bound volume, including the repairing of rate
and valuable books in the Special Collections, sixty-seven cents.
MECHANICAL AND OTHER CHANGES AND REPAIRS.
CENTRAL LIBRARY.
The following repairs and improvements were made during
1926:
A portion of the tile roof of the Central Building, about one-
half of the total area, underwent major repairs; some twenty
thousand tiles were repointed with plastic compound.
Additional painters employed during the year accomplished
much necessary work: the Fine Arts Exhibition Room, the
Lecture Hall and the Branch Department in the Central Library
were refinished.
New furnaces were built in the boilers, new grates furnished
and the feed pump overhauled.
[50]
New cables were put on both passenger elevators and guide
rails were aligned.
New lighting systems were installed in Bates Hall, the Map
Room in Stack Six, and the Statistical Department.
Fire walls have been built in the basement where combustibles
are stored.
The Lecture Hall of the Library was given a thorough re-
novation; new draperies were provided for the stage; other
draperies were cleaned and emergency exit lights put in place.
In the Branch Department of the Central Library extensive
repairs were made, and a new mezzanine floor was built.
BRANCH SYSTEM.
The Trustees of the Fellowes Athenaeum remodelled their
building in accordance with suggestions made by the Director
and the Supervisior of Branches with the result that the Fellowes
Athenaeum Branch now possesses the conveniences and the
attractiveness of a modern branch library.
A New shelving was installed in Andrew Square, Faneuil,
Jamaica Plain and Mount Bowdoin Branches.
New rooms, with equipment, were added to Lower Mills and
Mattapan Branches.
Extensive painting was done in the Codman Square, East
Boston, Faneuil, and Hyde Park Branches.
New floor covering was placed in the Boylston Station and
Mount Bowdoin Branches.
RETIREMENTS.
During the year the following persons were retired under the
Boston Retirement Act:
Bindery: Annie T. Flynn, sewer, (retired April 30, 1926),
entered service August 20, 1907; Joanna M. J. Doiron, sewer,
(retired May 31, 1926, voluntary), entered service April 9,
1896; Engineer and Janitor Department: Hannah Lydon,
cleaner, (retired May 31, 1926, disability), entered service
October 17, 1907.
[51]
CONCLUSION.
Again it is a pleasure and privilege to commend the interest
and devotion of those members of the Library Staff who have
with diligence performed the routine work of the department.
Individually and collectively the credit is theirs for the effective
work of the year. Special recognition is gratefully made of the
cooperative service of Miss Delia Jean Deery, Executive
Secretary, and Mr. Frank H. Chase, Reference Librarian.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. D. Belden,
Director.
APPENDIX.
TABLE OF CENTRAL AND BRANCH CIRCULATION.
1921-22
1922-23
1923-24
1924-25
1925*
1926
Central Library .
591,640
590,655
576,997
623,024
608,852
644,896
Branches:
Allston
47,328
53,598
57,705
60,358
63,434
74,297
Andrew Square
33,944
33,413
51,991
68,196
68,772
89,662
Boylston Station
50,033
55,672
62,340
64,871
64,559
71.261
Brighton
79,397
83,238
87,672
92,702
89,384
101.286
Charlestown
98,780
101,140
99,035
98,433
95,288
107.562
City Point
30,300
38,381
43,277
47,441
50,108
51,154
Codman Square
101,792
103,810
113,529
114,950
119,758
145,001
Dorchester
70,396
67,810
75,608
88,628
90,123
100.188
East Boston
120,234
120,993
125,968
128,771
125,820
138,691
Faneuil
24,913
24,944
27,004
30,443
31,560
43,782
Fellowes Athen
80,933
79,125
71,673
76,007
84,765
85,151
Hyde Park
80,855
82,498
89,716
95,334
93,582
98,147
Jamaica Plain
60,507
59,970
64,022
68,630
67,232
73.117
Jeffries Point
10,309
35,925
40,857
52.020
53.004
58.218
Lower Mills
1 7,765
17,577
25,801
27,259
25,488
32,274
Mattapan .
20,499
20,497
27,699
48,789
58,290
69,364
Memorial <J
104,412
108,665
122,159
136,981
135,913
147,263
Mount Bowdoir
. 80,492
83,376
98,961
107,679
112,320
125,907
Mount Pleasant
57,562
53,846
52,977
53,953
53,778
59.101
Nepobset
28,789
33,263
40,353
41,466
39,479
43.349
North, End
85,187
96,359
107,329
1 1 7,075
121.651
137,896
Orient Heights
27,970
34,240
30,580
40,605
45,395
58,913
Parker Hill
49,209
49,459
44,081
37,038
39,860
43,719
Roslindale ,
80,879
82,597
89,336
94,888
93,154
105,074
Roxbury Crossin
I 57,609
55,911
57,869
67.143
58,634
62,462
South Boston
. 121,194
124,809
139,173
152,799
148,751
169,625
South End
97,403
99,543
111,682
117,845
112,578
118,315
Tyler Street
40,039
39,973
42,270
37.321
37,436
43,421
Upham's Corner
19,375
120,257
109,731
95,975
100,288
126,010
West End .
. 136,431
142,470
1 54,267
157,321
1 52,043
169,142
West Roxbury
66,470
74,970
81.199
88,249
88,482
104,889
Total.
2,672,646
2,768,984
2,922,861
3,132,194
3,129,781
3,499,137
* For a year of eleven months.
•I Formerly Warren Street Branch.
[53]
The net gains and losses in circulation are presented, apart
from the totals, in the following form :
1921-22 gain over preceding year
1922-23 gain over preceding year
1923—24 gain over preceding year
1924—25 gain over preceding year
1925* loss from preceding year
1926<J gain from preceding year (of II months)
USE OF BOOKS.
CIRCULATION FROM CENTRAL BY MONTHS.
VOLUMES.
223,870
96,338
1 53,877
209,333
12,413
369.356
HOME USE
DIRECT.
HOME USE
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
SCHOOLS AND
INSTITUTIONS
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
TOTALS.
January, 1926 . ,
34,291
11,899
20.950
67.140
February,
32,111
10,481
21.665
64.257
March,
35,863
12,244
22.665
70.772
April,
31,376
9,439
22,375
63.190
May,
28,043
8,185
22,345
58,573
June,
21,782
6,993
19.915
48,690
July. ;; . ,
20,368
5,755
5,190
31,313
August,
29,412
5,093
5,130
39,635
September,
21,633
5,893
7,795
35,321
October,
30,790
9,241
12,290
52,321
November,
34,881
10,855
18,110
63,846
December,
20,035
10.378
19,425
49,838
Totals
340,585
106,456
197,855
644,896
DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CIRCULATION.
Central Library:
a. Direct ....
b. Through Branches
c. Schools and Institutions throug
Branch Department
HOME
USE.
340,585
106,456
h
SCHOOLS AND
INSTITUTIONS.
197.855
TOTAL.
644,896
Branches:
Allston
Andrew Square .
Boylston Station ....
Brighton .....
Charlestown .....
City Point
74,297
89,662
71,261
62,492
95,070
51,154
. 443,936
38',794
12,492
74,297
89,662
71,261
101,286
107,562
51,154
Carried forward
512,86
495.222
Eleven months period.
I Gain over an aproximation of preceding twelve months period 138,279.
[54]
Brought forward
Codman Square
Dorchester
East Boston
Faneuil
Fellowes Athenaeum
Hyde Park .
Jamaica Plain
Jeffries Point
Lower Mills .
Mattapan
Memorial <I
Mount Bowdoin
Mount Pleasant
Neponset
North End .
Orient Heights
Parker Hill .
Roslindale
Roxbury Crossing
South Boston
South End
Tyler Street .
Upham's Corner
West End .
West Roxbury
443,936
512,86
495,222
134,058
10,943
145,001
81,203
18,985
100,188
119,491
19,200
138,691
43,782
• . - .
43,782
66,103
19,048
85,151
88,185
9,962
98,147
63,160
9,957
73,117
58,218
....
58,218
32,274
....
32,274
69,364
69,364
142,893
'4370
147.263
120,268
5,639
125,907
59,101
....
59,101
43,349
43,349
136,825
l!07l'
137,896
58,913
....
58,913
43,719
43,719
94,666
logos'
105,074
62,462
62,462
147,442
22 J 83
169,625
104,726
13,589
118,315
43,421
....
43,421
124,665
1,345
126,010
143,138
26.004
169,142
86,746
18,143
104,889
2,612,108
242,133
2,854,241
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) 644.896
From Branches (excluding books received from Central Library) . 2,854,241
Total 3,499,137
Comparative.
1
926.
1
925.
Central Library circulation (excl
u cling
schools and institutions) :
Direct home use .
313,708
340,585
Through Branches
107,419
421,127
106.456
447,041
Branch Libraries circulation
(ex-
eluding schools and institutions) :
Direct home use .
2,306,889
2,612,108
Schools and institutions circulatio
n (in-
eluding books from Central through
the Branch system) .
•
401,765
439,988
3,129,781
3,499,137
<J Formerly Warren Street Branch.
[55]
Under the inter-library loan system with other libraries the
following use of books for the purpose of serious research is
shown for two successive years:
1925. 1926.
Volumes lent from this Library to other libraries in Massachusetts 1,449 1,580
Lent to libraries outside of Massachusetts ..... 255 250
Totals i 1,704 1,830
Applications refused:
From libraries in Massachusetts ...... 370 475
From libraries outside of Massachusetts . . . . . 104 117
Totals 474 592
Borrowed from other libraries for use here ..... 31 24
The classified "home-use" circulation of the branches was as
follows, for two successive years:
1925 1926
VOLUMES. PERCENTAGE. VOLUMES. PERCENTAGE.
Fiction for adults . . . 720,311 32 825,834 32
Non-fiction for adults . . 230,900 10 256,018 10
Juvenile fiction . . . 893,115 38 1.022,430 39
Juvenile non-fiction . . . 462,563 20 507,826 19
At the Central Library the classified "home-use" circulation
shows the following percentages:
1925 1926
PERCENTAGES. PERCENTAGES.
Fiction 47.8 48.5
Non-fiction 52.2 51.5
BOOK ACCESSIONS.
BOOKS ACQUIRED BY PURCHASE.
For the Central Library:
From City appropriation .
From trust funds income .
For branches:
From City appropriation
From trust funds income .
Totals 72,925 80,146
1925.
7,557
3,586
1926.
9.474
3.237
11.143
67.435
12.711
57,874
3,908
61 78°
67,435
[56]
The following statement includes the accessions by purchase
combined with books received by gift or otherwise:
Accessions by purchase .
Accessions by gift ....
Accessions by Statistical Department
Accessions by exchange .
Accessions by periodicals bound
Accessions by newspapers bound
Accessions by series bound
12,711
10,152
73
38
1,566
142
1,131
BRANCHES.
67,435
547
Totals
25,813
THE CATALOGUE.
1925
VOLS. AND TITLES.
PARTS.
Catalogued (new) :
Central Library Catalogue
Serials .
Branches
Recatalogued
Totals . .
24,314
5,868
58,087
1 7,889
14,702
49,494
11,613
72
68,054
TOTAL
VOLUMES.
80,146
10,699
73
38
1,638
142
1,131
93,867
1926
VOLS. AND TITLES.
PARTS.
23,496
5,475
57,473
17,819
14,544
50,246
9.358
106,158 75,809 104,263 74,148
SHELF DEPARTMENT.
The number of volumes shelved and thus made available for
public use, taken from the report of the Shelf Department, is
Placed on the Central Library shelves during the year:
General collection, new books (including continuations) .... 22,522
Special collection, new books and transfers . . . . . . 2,163
Books reported lost or missing in previous years, but now found, transfers
from branches, etc . . . . . . . . . . 1,810
26,495
Removed from Central Library shelves during the year:
Books reported lost or missing, condemned copies not yet replaced, trans-
fers, etc 13,313
Net gain at Central Library . . . . . . . . . 13,182
Net gain at branches .......... 1 1 ,742
Net gain, entire library system ......... 24,924
The total number of volumes available for public use at the
end of each year since the formation of the Library is shown in
the following statement:
1852-53 .... 9.688 1855-56 .... 28,080
1853-54 .... 16,221 1856-57 .... 34,896
1854-55 .... 22,617 1857-58 . . . . 70,851
[57]
1858-59
78,043
1893 . .
597.152
1859-60
85,031
1894 . .
610.375
1860-61
97,386
1895 . .
628.297
1861-62
105,034
1896-97 .
663,763
1862-63
110,563
1897-98 .
698,888
1863-64
1
116,934
1898-99 .
716,050
1864-65
123,016
1899-1900.
746,383
1865-66
130.678
1900-01 .
781,377
1866-67
136.080
1901-02 .
812,264
1867-68
144,092
1902-03 .
835,904
1868-69
1 52,796
1903-04 .
848,884
1869-70
160,573
1904-05 .
871,050
1870-71
179,250
1905-06 .
878.933
1871-72
192,958
1906-07 .
903,349
1872-73
209,456
1907-08 .
922,348
1873-74
260,550
1908-09 .
941.024
1874-75
276,918
1909-10 .
961.522
1875-76
297,873
1910-11 .
987.268
1876-77
321,010
1911-12 .
1,006,717
1877-78
345.734
1912-13 .
1,049,011
1878-79
360,963
1913-14 .
1,067,103
1879-80
377,225
1914-15 .
1.098.702
1880-81 .
390,982
1915-16 .
1.121.747
1881-82
404,221
1916-17 .
1.139.682
1882-83
422,116
1917-18 .
1,157.326
1883-64 .
438,594
1918-19 .
1.173.695
1884-85 .
453,947
1919-20 .
1.197.498
1885 . .
460,993
1920-21 .
1. 224.5 10
1886 . .
479,421
1921-22 .
1.258.211
1887 . .
492.956
1922-23 .
1.284.094
1888 . .
505,872
1923-24 .
1.308.041
1889 . .
520,508
1924-25 .
1.333.264
1890 . .
536,027
1925 . .
1.363.515
1891 . .
556,283
1926 . .
1.388.439
1892 . .
576,237
Volumes in entire library system
. • .
1.388.439
Volumes in the branches
.
377.309
These volumes are located as
follows :
Central Library . . . 1,011,130
Mattapan .... 4,667
Allston
6,088
Memorial *
11.115
Andrew Square .
5,974
Mount Bowdoin
9.598
Boylston Station
6,327
Mount Pleasant
6.169
Brighton
19,358
Neponset
4,665
Charlestown
15.533
North End .
11.115
City Point .
5,629
Orient Heights
4.952
Codman Square .
11,502
Parker Hill
4,858
Dorchester .
14,271
Roslindale .
11.563
East Boston
20,851
Roxbury Crossing
!
7.542
Faneuil
5,995
South Boston
19.921
Fellowes Athenaeum
36,943
South End .
14.403
Hyde Park
35,020
Tyler Street
5.849
Jamaica Plain
16,973
Upham's Corner
11.758
Jeffries Point
3,941
West End .
22.332
Lower Mills
3,389
West Roxbury
16,849
Formerly Warren Street Branch.
[58]
THE BINDERY.
Number of volumes bound in various style
Magazines stitched ....
Volumes repaired
Volumes guarded
Maps mounted ....
Photographs, engravings, etc. mounted
Library publications folded, stitched and trimmed
1925
59,664
197
2,620
2,144
49
2,379
64,162
1926
66,946
187
2,176
1,612
90
4,908
64,573
THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
1925 1926
Requisitions received and filled ...... 293 237
Card Catalogue (Central Library) :
Titles exclusive of automatic reprint . . . . 11 ,058 5,952
Cards finished (exclusive of extras) .... 140,321 66,169
Card Catalogue (Branches):
Titles (Printing Department count) .... 568 760
Cards finished (exclusive of extras) .... 37,761 33,583
Signs L825 735
Blank forms (numbered series) . . . . . . 3,613,725 3,402,038
Forms, circulars and sundries (outside numbered series) . 45,531 69,370
Catalogues, pamphlets, and bibliographical programs . . 67,520 55,490
THE LECTURES OF 1926-1927.
All lectures, except those marked with an asterisk (*) were
illustrated with lantern slides.
1926
Sept. 27. The Stepping-Stones to the Art of Typography. Dr. Henry
Guppy. Under the auspices of the Library and the
Boston Society of Printers.
Oct. 7. Vacationing in the North Woods. Edwin C. Howard.
Oct. 1 0. *The Influence of the Dance on Composers of Varied Types
and Countries. Margaret Anderton.
Oct. 1 1 . ^Endowed with Divine Vision. Lilian Whiting. A
Group of Songs. Mrs. Alice Wentworth MacGregor.
(Ruskin Club.)
Oct. 14. California the Beautiful and the Wonders of the Great
Southwest. Henry Warren Poor, A.M. (Field and
Forest Club Course.)
Oct. 17. ^Dreams: Today's Mirage, Tomorrow's Reality. Nellie
C. Haynes.
Oct. 1 7. ^Concert by the Pro Arte Quartet. (Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge Series.)
[59]
Oct. 1 8. *The Fellowship of Failhs. Dr. Sarve-Palli Radhakrishnan.
Singing by Mrs. Alice Wentworth MacGregor. Under
the auspices of the League of Neighbors.
Oct. 21. A West Indian Winter. Francis Henry Wade, M.D.
Oct. 25. *The Art of Living. Carr Schrader. (Ruskin Club.)
Oct. 24. ^Concert by the Myrtle Jordan Trio.
Oct. 28. East of Suez. Walter Wentworth Allerton.
Oct. 31 . El Kahireh, King Fuad's Capital. John C. Bowker, M.D.
Nov. 4. The Beginnings of the Records: Egypt and Mesopotamia,
from 3500-500 B. C. Agnes M. Winter.
Nov. 6. *Pindar and the Greek Lyric Poets. Charles Hammond
Gibson, President. (American Poetry Association.)
Nov. 7. ^Eugene G. O'Neil, and John Kelly: Contrasting American
Dramatists. Sherwin Lawrence Cook.
Nov. 8. ^Things That Make Men Happy. Rev. Joseph P.
MacCarthy, Ph.D. (Ruskin Club.)
Nov. 1 1 . *What Public Libraries will do for China. Mary Elizabeth
Wood.
Nov. 1 1 . Through Europe with the Field and Forest Club. Rev.
Charles W. Casson. (Field and Forest Club Course.)
Nov. 1 4. A Pageant of Famous Actors, illustrated from the Shaw
Theatre Museum of Harvard. Frank W. C. Hersey,
A.M. (Drama League Course.)
Nov. 1 8. The Smithsonian Institution. Charles G. Abbott, D.Sc.
Nov. 2 1 . *Songs of the Sunny South. Edna Holmes. ; A Miracle
Play by Lady Gregory: The Travelling Man. Stroll-
ing Players, under the direction of Helene Martha Boll.
Nov. 21. ^Concert by the Lenox Quartet. (Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge Series.)
Nov. 22. A Session with the American Biblical School of Archae-
ology, at Jerusalem. Harriett Johnson, A.B. (Ruskin
Club.)
Nov. 28. *Wozzeck, a Symphonic Opera: The Long Sought Synthesis
between Drama and Symphony. Alfred H. Meyer.
Nov. 29. The Primitive Mind and the Civilized. Herbert Joseph
Spinden, Ph.D. (Boston Branch of the American
Folklore Society.)
Dec. 2. The Medieval Glory of France. Frederick Parsons,
F.R.S.A.
Dec. 4. * American Verse before 1 700. Wilmon Brewer, Ph.D.
(American Poetry Association.)
Dec. 5. Dr. Johnson and his Circle. William Webster Ellsworth.
Dec. 9. Glimpses of the Pyrenees, the French Riviera, Switzerland,
and the Dolomites. Mrs. Harriette Grigor. (Field
and Forest Club Course.)
Dec.
12.
Dec.
13.
Dec.
16.
Dec.
19.
Dec.
19.
Dec.
23.
Dec.
26.
Dec.
27.
[60]
The Shakespeare Authorship. Willard Parker.
Alaska, the Land of Far Delight. Mrs. Charles B. Hall.
(Ruskin Club.)
The Beauties of Switzerland. Mrs. Arthur Dudley Ropes.
^Reading of the Christmas Carol. Gertrude L. McQuesten.
(Boston Branch of the Dickens Fellowship.)
^Concert by the Flonzaley Quartet. (Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge Series.)
The Homeland of the Master. Dr. Austen T. Kempton.
Modern Art. Dorothy Adlow, A.M.
*Music. John Orth. Ruskin's Christmas Message. (Fors
Clavigera.) Mrs. Minnie Meserve Soule. (Ruskin
Club.)
Dec. 30. Botticelli Seen Through Oriental Eyes. Martha A. S.
Shannon.
1927
Jan. 2. ^Popular Songs of Shakespeare's Day. Emma Marshall
Denkinger, Ph.D., assisted by Esther Morton Wood,
Soprano.
Jan. 6. The Art of the Netherlands. Adriaan Martin de Groot.
Jan. 8. *Noyes, Masefield, Drinkwater, and other contemporary
British Poets. Dr. Benjamin Woodbury. (Vice Presi-
dent of the American Poetry Association.)
Jan. 9. The Art of the Stage; the Old versus the New Theatre.
Frank Chouteau Brown. (Drama League Course.)
Jan. 10. Ruskin and Today; the Balanced Life and Education.
Arthur W. Gilbert, Ph.D. (Ruskin Club.)
Jan. 13. A Tenderfoot on Rocky Mountain Trails: from Banff to
Mt. Robson on Horseback. George H. Browne, A.M.
(Field and Forest Club Course.)
Jan. 1 6. *The Poetry of Amy Lowell. Frederic J. W. Hayford.
(American Poetry Association.)
Jan. 1 6. *Concert by the Letz Quartet. (Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge
Series. )
Jan. 19. The Life and Art of Edgar Allen Poe. Joseph Lorraine.
Jan. 20. The Balkans. Eleanor B. Huse.
Jan. 23. ^Concert by the Lincoln House Orchestra. Jacques Hoff-
man, Conductor.
Jan. 24. *Ruskin the Mystic. Rev. Adelbert Lathrop Hudson, A.M.,
S.T.B. (Ruskin Club.)
Jan. 27. *The English Folk Dance. Mrs. Richard Conant.
Jan. 30. *Music for the Pianoforte by American Composers. Eliza-
beth Siedoff.
Feb. 3. Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks and the North Rim of
the Grand Canyon National Park. Randall L. Jones.
[61]
Feb. 6. *The Music Dramas of Richard Wagner: their Literature,
Music and Mysticism. Madame Beale Morey.
Feb. 1 0. Scenes, Personal and Impersonal, about Mount Washing-
ton. Milton E. MacGregor. (Field and Forest Club
Course. )
Feb. 13. The Leading Producers of the Theatres in Europe: Talks
with Meierhold, Stanislavsky, Smilgris, Muncis, Rein-
hardt, Jessner, Antoine and Gemier. Albert Hatton
Gilmer, A.M. (Drama League Course.)
^Concert by the South Mountain Quartet. (Elizabeth
Sprague Coolidge Series.)
14. *John Ruskin: The Value of his Progressive Thinking To-
day. Nathan C. Starr. (Ruskin Club.)
Picturesque England from Chester to Clovelly. Ellen E.
Page.
*The Return to Normalcy in Poetry. Robert E. Rogers,
A.M. (American Poetry Association.)
Italian Cities and Hill Towns. Mrs. James Frederick
Hopkins.
^Beethoven's Missa Solennis: a Lecture with Musical Illus-
trations. Prof. Leo Rich Lewis.
*The Personal Influence of John Ruskin. William Homer
Leavitt. (Ruskin Club.)
The Art of Seeing: Drawing as a Language. Elizabeth
Ward Perkins.
Cape Cod: Past, Present, Future. Edwin A. Freeman.
Through the White Mountains with the Field and Forest
Club. Rev. Charles W. Casson. (Field and Forest
Club Course.)
*Comedy in American Drama. Prof. Robert E. Rogers,
A.M. (Drama League Course.)
^Concert by the Curtis Quartet. (Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge Series.)
Sesame and Lilies — Today. Mrs. Louise Austin Chrimes.
(Ruskin Club.)
*Four One-Act Plays. The Strolling Players, under the
direction of Helene Martha Boll.
^Concert by the Lincoln House Orchestra. Jacques Hoffman,
Conductor.
20 ^Concert by the Burgin Quartet.
24. ^Dramatic Recital of Oedipus the King, by Sopohocles. Dr.
Clement B. Shaw. Incidental music composed by John
K. Paine.
Mar. 26. ^Beethoven Concert for Young People. Persis Cox, pianist.
Feb.
13.
Feb.
14.
Feb.
17.
Feb.
20.
Feb.
24.
Feb.
27.
Feb.
28.
Mar.
3.
Mar.
Mar.
6.
10.
Mar.
13.
Mar.
13.
Mar.
14.
Mar.
17.
Mar.
20.
Mar.
Mar.
20
24.
[62]
Mar. 27. ^Concert by the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra. Joseph
F. Wagner, Conductor.
27. *Beethoven Concert by the Myrtle Jordan Trio.
From London to Land's End. Mrs. Arthur Dudley Ropes.
(Ruskin Club.)
Local Color: Autochrome illustrations. Helen Messinger
Murdock, F.R.P.S.
*Ways and Methods of Modern Music. Nicolas Slonimsky.
^Concert by Helene Diedrichs, pianist.
Fifty Books of 1 926. David T. Pottinger.
^Concert by the London String Quartet. (Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge Series.)
John Ruskin and the Old Masters. Ellen E. Page.
(Ruskin Club.)
Dickens, Pickwick, and the Play. Cosmo Hamilton.
(Auspices of Boston Branch of the Dickens Fellowship).
Art and Labor. Gerrit A. Beneker. (Workers Education
Bureau.)
*The Public Library, a Factor in Education. Charles
F. D. Belden, A.M., LL.B. (Ruskin Club.)
^Longevity and the Science of Living. Dr. Charlotte deG.
Davenport.
* Appreciation of Music. John P. Marshall. (Boston
Civic Music Festival.)
Armenian Literature and Art. A. Chobanian.
*Fourth Intersettlement Concert by pupils from the Music
School Settlements and Music Departments of Settle-
ments in Greater Boston.
May 3 1 . *The Civic Theatre Movement. Eva Le Gallienne.
(Auspices of Dramatic Department of the Community
Service of Boston.)
PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS. 1926.
Installation
date
Jan. 9. Old Maps, from the collection in the Library.
Feb. 2. Books relating to old valentines (Barton-Ticknor Room.)
7. Originals and color reproductions of paintings by R.
Farrington Elwell, loaned by the artist.
18. One original leaf and a facsimile edition of the Gutenberg
Bible.
20. Original designs entered in the "House Beautiful" Cover
Design Competition.
Mar.
Mar.
27.
28.
Mar.
31.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
3.
3.
7.
10.
Apr.
11.
Apr.
17.
Apr.
23.
Apr.
25.
Apr.
28.
May
18.
May
May
19.
27.
[63]
Mar- 6. Large photographs of mountain scenery.
1 0. Books from the library of John Adams to commemorate the
1 00th anniversary of his death.
1 6. Material commemorating the 1 50th anniversary of the
Evacuation of Boston, including the Washington Medal.
27. Events of Holy Week and Eastertide as depicted by old and
modern masters.
Noteworthy editions of the works of Montaigne. (Barton-
Ticknor Room.)
Apr. 10. Rare editions of the works of Francis Bacon. (Barton-
Ticknor Room.)
Premiated poster designs, loaned by the Massachusetts
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in
observance of "Be Kind to Animals Week."
20. Prints illustrating the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brother-
hood. (By request).
May 4. Bromoils by Leonard Craske, loaned by the artist.
22. Photographs of public monuments in connection with the
proposed monument in Copley Square.
July 15. Library exhibit, marking the 50th anniversary of the
American Library Association — rare books from the
Library, Branch system methods, special editions of
children's books, publicity material from the Massachusetts
Library Commission, types of material other than books
available in the Divisions of Fine Arts and Technology.
Nov. 6. Original designs in New Ornament by Max Hagendorn,
loaned by the artist.
22. Examples of historic design from books on ornament in the
Division of Fine Arts.
Notable editions of Cervantes and Lope de Vega from the
Ticknor Collection.
Examples of fine binding from the Special Collections, in-
cluding the recently acquired Armenian Manuscript bound
in silver. (Barton-Ticknor Room.)
Dec. 6. "Possibilities of Kodak Photography." Prints and enlarge-
ments loaned by William E. Merrill.
27. "Creative Illustration." Drawings by children in the Boston
Public Schools.
A SELECTED LIST OF GIFTS AND GIVERS.
Abbey, Mrs. Edwin Austin, New York City. Edwin Austin Abbey,
Royal Academician. The record of his life and work by E. V.
Lucas. 1852-1911. 2 v. London, 1921.
[64]
Amherst College, Trustees of. Religion in the philosophy of William
James. By Julius Seely Bixler. The Amherst Books. First Series.
Boston. 1926.
Association for the Publication of the Ku Chou Pien, Viscount T.
Watanabe, President, Tokyo, Japan. (Through the Japanese
Embassy at Washington.) A complete set of the Ku Chou Pien
and Supplement in 68 volumes.
Boston Browning Society. Seven volumes for the Browning Collection,
including A Concordance to the poems of Robert Browning, by
Leslie N. Broughton and Benjamin F. Stelter, in two volumes.
New York, 1924, 1925. Autographed by Leslie N. Broughton.
Boston Finance Commission. 4 1 5 volumes of Boston City documents and
reports.
Bradford, Gamaliel, Wellesley Hills. Darwin, by Gamaliel Bradford,
Boston. 1926.
Breitkopf & Hartel, New York City. Concert-Programm-Austausch.
May, 1899-1901. 36 parts.
Clark, William Andrews, Jr., Los Angeles. The deserted village. A
poem by Oliver Goldsmith. With an introduction by William
Andrews Clark, Jr., No. 55 of an edition of 200 copies printed for
private distribution. 1926.
The deserted village. A poem by Dr. Goldsmith. Printed for W.
Griffin at Garrick's Head, London, 1770. One of 200 copies
printed in facsimile.
An elegy written in a country church-yard, by Thomas Gray. Text
of 1 768 edition with an introduction by James Southall Wilson.
A forword by William Andrews Clark, Jr., One of 200 copies.
San Francisco, 1925.
An elegy wrote in a country church yard. London. 1751. A fac-
simile of the first edition, with the variants of the first eleven editions
noted. One of 200 copies.
Daughters of the American Revolution, The Old South Chapter. Sub-
scription for the D.A.R. Magazine for 1926.
Davis, Aaron, Nahant. Twenty-two volumes of miscellaneous works,
including publications of the American Ambulance in the World
War, and A treatise on benignity, written by Father Francis
Arias, S.J., in his second parte of the Imitation of Christ our Lord.
Translated into English in 1610, from the original of 1541.
Drew, Mrs. Frank L. A framed colored print of the Frigate Constitution
for the Children's Room in the West Roxbury Branch Library.
Fearing, Mrs. Harriet. Seventeen volumes, including The life and letters
of Walter H. Page, by B. J. Hendrick, 3 v., New York, 1 926.
Foote, Arthur, Newton Centre. Fifty original charades, by George
Henschel. Autographed by the author. (For the Allen A. Brown
Music Library.)
[65]
Gaugengigl, Ignaz M. Eighty-two photographs of portraits from paint-
ings by Ignaz M. Gaugengigl.
Geer, Walter, Long Island City, New York. The Geer genealogy. A
historical record of George and Thomas Geer and their descendants
in the United States, from 1623 to 1923, by Walter Geer. New
York. 1923.
Great Britain. Commissioner of Patents. Specifications of inventions.
1 78 volumes.
Green, Gladys. A series (first) of sacred songs by Thomas Moore, Esq.,
the music composed and selected by Sir John Stevenson and Mr.
Moore. London ( 1 8—) . (The Library had the second series
only of this work.)
A selection of Irish melodies with accompaniments by Sir John Stevenson
and characteristic words by Thomas Mcore, Esq. London ( 1 8—) .
Rossini, La donna del lago. In due atti. ( 1 84—) . Church music
for public worship. By Ch. Zeuner, organist to the Handel and
Haydn Society. Boston. 1831.
Guiteras, Miss Gertrude E., Bristol, R .1. Guiteras, Wardwell and
allied families. Prepared and privately printed for Gertrude Eliza-
beth Guiteras, by the American Historical Society. New York,
1926. In full morocco, inlaid with coat of arms and borders in
gold and colors. Large folio.
Hale, Philip. Twenty-six volumes, including a collection of musical and
dramatic works: Der neue Gottingische . . . Ephorus, Hamburg.
1727; Der musikalische Patriot, by Mattheson, 1728; Johann
Mattheson's kleine general Bass-Schule, 1735, and ten volumes of
mounted newspaper clippings, dramatic and musical criticisms by
Philip Hale and others; also a copy of Saints' Days (Giorni Santi)
for orchestra, by Timothy Mather Spelman. 1926. For Allen
A. Brown Music Library.
Hardon, Henry W. (for the donors), New York City. Bures of
Suffolk, England and Burr of Massachusetts Bay Colony, New
England. By Chauncey Rea Burr. New York. 1926.
Harper, Henry Howard. High-lights of foreign travel. A memorable
journey to Palestine, Egypt, Italy and the battle front in France.
By Henry Howard Harper. Privately printed. New York.
1925.
Haskell, Mrs. Florence E., Alton, Illinois. Haskell, Hayner and allied
families. Genealogical and biographical. Prepared and privately
printed for Florence E. Haskell by the American Historical Society,
Inc., 1926. In full morocco, inlaid with coat of arms in color.
Homans, Miss Marian. 1 65 volumes, including 1 5 1 bound volumes of
Littell's Living Age and 75 numbers of The Theatre.
Hubbard, H. A collection of music for orchestra, violin and viola
studies, also 95 pieces of sheet music.
[66]
John Rylands Library, Manchester, England. Eleven volumes, including
the Catalogue of an exhibition of the earliest printed editions of
the principal Greek and Latin Classics and of a few manuscripts.
Manchester. 1 926.
Lillie, Mrs. John. Sixty-nine volumes of miscellaneous works.
Minns, Miss Susan. Genealogical histories of Minns and allied families
in the line of descent of Miss Susan Minns. Issued under the
editorial supervision of Ruth Lawrence. Bound by Stikeman, in
full morocco, with coat of arms in color. Large quarto.
Morse, Constance. Music and music-makers, by Constance Morse. New
York. 1 926. Autographed copy.
New England Railway Publishing Company, Boston. Complete files
of the Pathfinder Guides published by the Company from 1 849 to
March 1926, a record of train service in New England for 77
years.
Page, L. C. & Company. Thirty-four volumes of their current pub-
lications.
Pitt, S. A., City Librarian, Glasgow, Scotland. Twenty publications
of the Glasgow Corporation Public Libraries.
Pius X Institute of Liturgical Music of the College of the Sacred Heart,
New York City- Catholic Education Series, music text book. 7 v.
By Justine Ward, Elizabeth W. Perkins and Malton Boyce.
Prescott, Rev. George J. A book in the Singhalese language with English
translation. Said to be a book for children, used to promulgate
love of animals and promote vegetarianism. This curious and in-
teresting work consists of twelve folio pages, hand illustrated in
color and was given to Mr. Prescott's father when he was consul
at Ceylon about 1861.
Reed, Mrs. Jennie Eva, Estate of. (Through the Atlantic National
Bank, Executor.) 115 volumes and 50 booklets and pamphlets,
including works of Dumas, Washington Irving and J. Fenimore
Cooper.
Siam, H. M. the Queen-Aunt of H. M. the King of Siam. Through the
Siamese Minister, Siamese Legation, Washington, D. C. "Jata-
katthakatha" Pali text in Siamese characters, ten volumes, 1925.
(Studies of the Buddhist Scriptures.)
Siam, H. R. H. Krom Khun Suddha Sininardh. Through the Siamese
Minister, Siamese Legation, Washington, D. C. "Milindapanha"
Pali text in Siamese characters, in one volume, 1925.
Staats, Charles L., Estate of. Chamber music by Beethoven, Weber,
Winter, Kreutzer and others, orchestral music by Lombard, and
Gaspard's Collections of 38 airs for two clarinets.
Storrow, Mrs. James J. (Helen Osborne Storrow). A gift of 2,298
photographs which were collected by her father-in-law, James J.
Storrow, who died in 1897. This constitutes one of the largest
[67]
gifts of photographs ever received by the Library and includes
exterior and interior views of twenty English cathedrals and abbeys ;
chateaux and churches of France; Italian palaces, theatres, shrines
and statues; views in Algiers, Tunis, France, Germany, Italy and
Sicily, and reproductions (in Braun prints) of the works of the
great masters of painting and sculpture in the chief cities of Europe.
Ware, Mrs. Henry, Brookline. Five framed pictures, a plaster bust of
Apollo and a bas-relief of Venus, for the Branch libraries.
West Roxbury Woman's Club. Education Committee. The charm of
the antique, by Robert and Elizabeth Shackleton: Historic dress
in America, by Elisabeth McClellan, 1607 to 1870, 2 v., 1904,
1910: and a subscription to The International Studio for the year
1926 for West Roxbury Branch.
Whiting, Miss Lilian. Fifteen volumes of miscellaneous works, including
Poems by Marie Corelli, and Letters of Louise Imogen Guiney,
2 v., New York. 1926.
William L. Clements Library. Randolph G. Adams, Librarian. Three
volumes, including The Passports, printed by Benjamin Franklin
at his Passy Press. One of 505 copies printed by Bruce Rogers
at the Harvard University Press for The William L. Clements
Library, November, 1925.
OFFICIALS OF THE LIBRARY.
Director, Charles F. D. Belden.
Reference Librarian, Frank H. Chase.
Executive Secretary, Delia Jean Deery.
Auditor, Helen Schubarth.
Bates Hall Centre Desk, Patent and Newspaper Department: Pierce E
Buckley, Chief.
Patent Division, William J. Ennis, Assistant in Charge.
Newspaper Division, Frederic Serex, Assistant in Charge.
Bindery Department: James W. Kenney, Chief.
Branch Department: Edith Guerrier, Supervisor of Branches.*
Central Branch Issue Division, Alice V. Stevens, Assistant in Charge.
Branch Binding Division, Marian A. McCarthy, Assistant in Charge.
Shipping Division, Robert F. Dixon, Assistant in Charge.
Catalogue Department: Samuel A. Chevalier, Chief.
Card Division, T. Francis Brennan, Assistant in Charge.
Shelf Division, Michael McCarthy, Chief Classifier, in Charge.
Children's Department: Alice M. Jordan, Supervisor of Work with
Children.
Children's Librarian, Central Library, Mary C. Toy.
Editor: Zoltan Haraszti.
Engineer and Janitor Department: William F. Quinn, Supt. of Buildings.
* For Branch Librarians, see below.
[68]
Genealogy Division : Agnes C. Doyle, Assistant in Charge.
Information Office: John H. Reardon, Assistant in Charge.
Issue Department: Frank C. Blaisdell, Chief.
Ordering Department: Theodosia E. Macurdy, Chief.
Periodical Room: Francis J. Hannigan, Assistant in Charge.
Printing Department. Francis Watts Lee, Chief.
Registration Department: A. Frances Rogers, Chief.
Special Libraries Department: Winthrop H. Chenery, Chief.
Technology Division, George S. Maynard, Assistant in Charge.
Music Division, Richard G. Appel, Assistant in Charge.
Barton-Ticknor Division, Harriet Swift, Assistant in Charge.
Statistical Department: Horace L. Wheeler, Chief.
Stock Room: Timothy J. Mackin, Custodian.
Branch Librarians:
Allston, Katherine F. Muldoon.
Andrew Square, Elizabeth H. McShane.
Boylston Station, Edith R. Nickerson.
Brighton, Marian W. Brackett.
Charlestown, Katherine S. Rogan.
City Point, Alice L. Murphy.
Codman Square, Elizabeth P. Ross.
Dorchester, Marion C. Kingman.
East Boston, Laura M. Cross.
Faneuil, Gertrude L. Connell.
Fellowes Athenaeum, Mary E. Ames.
Hyde Park, Grace L. Murray.
Jamaica Plain, Katie F. Albert.
Jeffries Point, Margaret A. Calnan.
Lower Mills, Isabel E. Wetherald.
Mattapan,
Memorial, Beatrice M. Flanagan.
Mount Bowdoin, Theodora B. Scoff.
Mount Pleasant, Margaret H. Reid.
Neponset, Ellen C. McShane.
North End, Mary F. Curley.
Orient Heights, Catherine F. Flannery.
Parker Hill, Mary M. Sullivan.
Roslindale, Annie M. Donovan.
Roxbury Crossing, Katrina M. Sather.
South Boston, M. Florence Cufflin.
South End, Margaret A. Sheridan.
Tyler Street, Lois Clark.
Upham's Corner, Beatrice C. Maguire.
West End, Fanny Goldstein.
West Roxbury, Carrie L. Morse.
INDEX.
Abbott, Gordon, appointed trustee, 1 .
Accessions, 3, 32-37, 55-56.
Bates Hall,. 40-41.
Bindery, 49, 58.
Books, accessions, 3, 32-37, 55-56;
circulation, 3, 32-37, 42, 44, 46-47,
51-54; total in Library, 56-57.
Branches, 24, 25, 28, 31, 45-47, 50.
Buildings, 1-2, 23, 24, 25-26, 28,
49-50.
Catalogue and Shelf Department, 37.
Children's Department and work with
Schools, 27, 45.
Columbia Phonograph Company,
gift, 31.
Circulation, 3, 32-37, 42, 44. 46-47,
51-54.
Concerts and lectures, 31, 47, 58-62.
Coolidge, Elizabeth Sprague, gift of
chamber concerts, 3 1 .
Connolly, Msgr. elected Vice Presi-
dent, 1.
Currier, Guy W., elected President, 1.
Director, report of, 30-51.
Elliott, Mrs John, gift of paintings,
4, 37.
Employees, instruction, 24, 47, 48;
officials, 67 ; retirements, 50.
Estimates, 3.
Examining Committee, 17; report of,
22, 29.
Exhibitions, 32, 47, 62-63.
Finance, balance sheets, 18—21 ; esti-
mates, 3 ; Examining Committee on,
23; expenditures for books, 33-34;
receipts, 2-3; trust funds, 4-17.
General Phonograph Corporation, gift,
31.
Gifts and bequests, 4, 31, 37.
Government Documents. (5ee Infor-
mation Office.)
Harvard University School of Business
Administration, co-operation with, 28.
Information Office, 42.
Inter-library loans, 47.
Kirstein, Louis E., gift, 4, 37
Lectures, (See Concerts and lectures.
Memorial Branch 31, 47.
Murray, Michael J. retirement as trustee,
resolution, 1 .
Needs of the Library, 1-2, 23-24, 25-
26, 28.
Newspaper Room, 42.
Open Shelf Room. (See Information
Office.)
Patent Room, 42.
Pearse, Mrs. Langdon, gift, 4, 37.
Periodical Room, 43.
Printing Department, 25, 58.
Publications, 28, 31, 38.
Registeration, 32.
Repairs and improvements, 1-2, 23—
24, 25-26, 28, 30-31, 47, 49-50.
Sargent, John Singer, gift of trustees of
fund, 4, 37.
Special Libraries, 25, 43-44.
Staff, (See Employees.)
Statistical Department, 44.
Treasure Room, need of, 1-2, 24, 26,
28, 44.
Trustees, organization, 1; report 1-17.
Victor Talking Machine Company, gift,
31.
Warren Street Branch, 31, 47.
Central Library, Copley Square.
Branch Libraries, January I, 1927.
ch, 3a North Bennel St. .
ch. Shawmut Ave. and West Brooklii
h, Cambridge, cor. Lynde St.
nch. Tyler, cor. Oak St. .
City Proper.
North End Br,
South End Br:
West End Bra
Tyler Street B
Brighton.
Brighton Branch, Academy Hill R
Allston Branch. 138 Brighton Ave.
Faneuil Branch. 100 Brooks St. .
Charlestown.
Charlestown Branch. Monument Squ
Dorchester.
chester Bra
Upham"s Corn!
Lower Mills B
Mattapan Bran
Mount Bowdoi
Neponset Bran
East Boston.
East Boston Bi
Jeff,
ich, Arcadia, cor. Adams St. .
Branch. Washington, cor. Norfolk St,
r Branch, Columbia Road. cor. Bird St.
anch. Washington, cor. Richmond St.
:h, 7 Babson St
, Branch, Washington, cor. Eldon St
h, 362 Neponset Ave. .
snch. 276-282 Meridian St. .
Iranch. 195 Websler St.
ch. 1030 Bennington St.
rd Av
Orient Heights B
Hyde Park.
Hyde Park Branch. Hi
Jamaica Plain.
Jamaica Plain Branch, Sedgwick, cc
Boylston Station Branch, Depot Square
RoXBURY.
Fellowes Alhena-um Branch. 46 Milmont Si.
Memorial Branch. Townsend. cor. Warren St
Mount Pleasant Branch, Dudley, cor. Vine Si
Parker Hill Branch, 1518 Tremont St.
Roxbury Crossing Branch, 208 Ruggles St. .
South Boston.
South Boston Branch. 372 Broadway .
anch, 396 Dorchester St.
Broadway,
Winthrop St
South St.
Andrew Square B
City Point Brand
West Roxbury.
West Roxbury Br
H St.
,ch. Centn
Roslindale Branch. Washinglo
Ml. Vernon St.
. Ashland St. .
Area of City (-and only) 45.60 Square mile
Population (Census of 1925), 779,620.
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