•v «*
SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
1927
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1928
SEVENTY-S1XTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON %
1927
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES
1928
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE CITY OF BOSTON: PRINTING DEPARTMFNT.
8. IB. 28 : 2500
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ON JANUARY 1, 1928.
ARTHUR T. CONNOLLY, President.
Term expires April 30, 1932.
GUY W. CURRIER. LOUIS E. KIRSTEIN.
Term expires April 30, 1928. Term expires April 30, 1929.
CLIFTON H. DWINNELL. GORDON ABBOTT.
Term expires April 30, 1930. 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 I 852, are now incorporated under the provisions of Chapter 1 14 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 1 867, when a revised ordinance made it to consist cf 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, 1922-
Curtis, Daniel Sargent, a.m., 1873-75.
De Normandie, James, d.d., 1895-1908.
Dwight, Thomas, m.d., 1899-1908.
Dwinnell, Clifton Howard, b.s., 1927-
Everett, Edward, ll.d., 1852-64.
Frothingham, Richard, ll.d., 1875-79.
Gaston, William Alexander, ll.b., 1923-1927.
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.
Morton, Ellis Wesley, 1870-73.
Murray, Michael Joseph, ll.b., 1921-26.
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, Georce, ll.d., 1852-66.
Walker, Francis Amasa, ll.d., 1896.
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 1852
to 1864; George Ticknor, in 1865; William W. Greenough,
from 1866 to April, 1888; Prof. Henry W. Haynes, from May 7,
1888, to Mav 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, 18^, 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; WlLLIAM F.
Kenney, February 13, 1917, to Mav 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, July 2, 1926 to May
2, 1927; Msgr. Arthur T. Connolly since May 2, 1927.
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.
Winsor, 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 11, 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.
fCentral Library, Copley Square ....
fEast Boston Branch, 276-282 Meridian St. .
§South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway .
| Fellowes Athenaeum Branch, 46 Millmont St.
"fCharlestown Branch, 43 Monument Square
tBrighton Branch, Academy Hill Road
JDorchester Branch, Arcadia, cor. Adams St.
JLower Mills Branch, Washington, cor. Richmond St.
JSouth End Branch, 65 West Brookline St. .
f Jamaica Plain Branch, Sedgwick, cor. South St. .
JRosIindale Branch, 4210 Washington St.
fWest Roxbury Branch, 1961 Centre St. .
§Mattapan Branch, 7 Babson St. .
tNorth End Branch, 3a North Bennet St. .
§Neponset Branch, 362 Neponsel 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. .
tWest End Branch, 131 Cambridge St.
JUpham's Cornpr Branch, 500 Columbia Rd.
JMemorial 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. .
|Hyde Park Branch, Harvard Ave., cor. Winthrop St,
tFaneuil Branch, 100 Brooks St
§Andrew Square Branch, 396 Dorchester St.
§Jeffries Point Branch, 195 Webster St.
JBaker Library, Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.
Jan.
May
^Opened.
May 2, 1854
28, 1871
1. 1872
July 16, 1873
Jan. 5, 1874
5, 1874
25, 1875
7, 1875
1877
1877
3, 1878
6, 1880
Jan.
Jan.
*June
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
*JuIy 18, 1906
*JuIy 15, 1907
Jan.
*Mar.
♦Mar.
*Oct.
1. 1912
4. 1914
5, 1914
15. 1921
Jan. 15, 1927
tl 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. J In City building, in part
devoted to other municipal uses. § Occupies rented rooms. || The lessee of the Fel-
lowes Athenaeum, a private library association. * Under agreement with Harvard.
CONTENTS.
Report of the Trustees 1
Balance Sheet 26
Report of the Examining Committee 30
Report of the Director 37
Appendix to the Report of the Director 62
Index to the Annual Report, 1927 81
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Present Library Building Frontispiece
Boylston Street Building Facing page 22
Mason Street Building Facing page 54
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, 1927, being the seventy-sixth annual
report.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
Col. William A. Gaston died on July 1 7, and on September
2, Mr. Clifton H. Dwinnell was appointed in his place for the
term ending April 30, 1930. At the annual meeting on May 2,
Msgr. A. T. Connolly was elected President, Mr. Louis E.
Kirstein, Vice President, and Miss Delia Jean Deery, Clerk.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
The members of the Board of Trustees are deeply apprecia-
tive of the consideration given to their request for an appropri-
ation by which it has been made possible to safeguard more
adequately the important treasures of the Library. Urgent as
was the need for these precautionary measures, it is desirable at
this time to call to your attention certain other matters having to
do with the rehabilitation of the Central Library Building in
Copley Square.
Further protection from fire hazard should be secured by en-
closing, where practicable, the various stairways in the stacks
and the book carrier shaft, and by providing fireproof partitions,
with fire doors, to the stock room and storage room in the base-
ment.
Among the necessary major repairs that should be undertaken
as soon as the money can be secured are : the reconstruction of the
vaulting under the Dartmouth Street granite platform in front of
the Library, and the relaying of the platform; the renovation of
Bates Hall and the Delivery Room, including cleaning, paint-
[2]
ing, and the refinishing of the woodwork and wall cases; the
repair and replacement of worn floors in various parts of the
building.
In order to improve still further the ventilation of the building,
the present roof exhaust fan should be replaced by a modern fan
of larger capacity with its appropriate motor: the Guastavino
tile vaulting in various parts of the building should be repaired
where necessary; the roof of the Annex on Blagden Street,
including skylights, flashings and ventilators should also be
renovated.
The requirements of the Central Building, pressing as they are,
should not be allowed to obscure the crying need of a number of
the Branch Libraries for better and larger accommodations.
The Branches are the channels through which nine-tenths of the
circulation of the Library is carried on ; they must not be allowed
to become clogged. In many cases the service of juvenile readers
and students interferes seriously with the use of the Branch Libra-
ries by adults; ample room must be provided for the efficient
service of all ages, if the balance of the Library's work for the
community is to be properly maintained.
In some cases this cramped condition can be eliminated only
by the erection of new buildings especially designed for library
purposes; in others additional space or better quarters may be
rented. The Libraries at Allston, Andrew Square, Jeffries
Point, Mattapan, Mt. Bowdoin, Parker Hill and South Boston
are in pressing need of new or greatly enlarged accommodations.
In all of these Branches a rapid expansion of the Library's work
is possible if adequate quarters are provided; the present year's
circulation of 95,000 volumes at Mattapan shows an increase of
375 '/r in the past five years.
No less important than the needs of the established Branches
are the urgent demands of certain sections of the city, now re-
mote from any library, for a fair share in Public Library service.
The Trustees have caused a careful survey of the entire city to
be made with a view to determining the relative claims of various
districts to new branches or improved facilities. As soon as the
existing library system has been put on an efficient basis, the task
[3]
of providing new branches in certain localities should be under-
taken without delay.
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 $1,104,569.00
Special appropriation (Annex balance) ..... 11 ,799.39
Library Building, Addition, etc 2,416.34
Income from Trust Funds ...... 26,804.66
Unexpended balance of Trust Funds income of previous years . . 62,074.32
$1,207,663.71
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 $18,529.10
From sales of catalogues, etc. ........ 100.61
From commission on telephone stations ...... 696.34
From payments for lost books . . . . . . . . 1,154.14
Interest on bank deposits ......... 45.32
Refund on contract . . . . . . . . . 2.00
Total $20,527.51
ESTIMATES FOR 1928.
The estimates for the maintenance of the Library for the year
ending December 31, 1 928 in segregated budget form are as
follows:
A— Personal service . ' $773,644.00
B — Service other than personal ... . . . . 220,522.00
C — Equipment . 1 78,290.00
D— Supplies 39,680.00
E — Materials 28,900.00
F — Special items 864.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . $1,241,900.00
[4]
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
During the year there were added to the Central Library and
branches 98,487 volumes as against 93,867 in 1926. Of these
85,766 were acquired by purchase and 1 2,72 1 by gift, exchange,
etc. The total expenditure for books, periodicals, newspapers
and other library material from City appropriation and Trust
Funds income, was $1 52,414.34 The total number of volumes
in the Central Library and branches is 1 ,418,489.
CIRCULATION.
The total number of books issued for home use during the
year was 3,705,657, as against 3,499,137 for 1926, a gain of
206,520 volumes.
GIFTS AND BEQUESTS.
The Trustees are glad to report the following gifts and be-
quests other than books and related material, during 1927:
In May, a bequest of $1000 was received under the will of
Helen Leah Reed as a memorial to Guilford S. Reed, and was
funded as the "Guilford Reed Fund", the income to be applied
to the purchase of books of non-fiction; in July a gift of $25,000
was received from Helen Storrow and Elizabeth Randolph
Storrow as a memorial to James Jackson Storrow, Senior, and
was funded as the "James Jackson Storrow (Harvard '57)
Fund", the income to be used for the purchase of Italian books;
in October there was received a check for $29.88 payment in
final settlement of the residue of the estate of Sarah E. Pratt, to
be added to the "Sarah R. Pratt Fund" ; and in November, a
gift of $1000 from Mr. Louis E. Kirstein, to be added to the
"Louis E. Kirstein Fund" established in 1925, being the third
contribution to the fund.
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.
[5]
MORE MONEY FOR BOOKS.
There is no city in the United States in which the public library
unites so completely as does that of the City of Boston the ac-
cumulation of a great mass of valuable reference material with
the provision of popular books for circulation. The possession of
its great reference collection, built up with intelligent care during
seventy-five years, has made the Boston Public Library an in-
stitution of national importance; its treasures are a source of
pride to the city and have been a potent factor in maintaining the
position of Boston as a center of scholarship.
In the early days of its history the Library was the recipient of
many unique collections of books and of funds, large for those
days, which enabled it to take and hold a position of leadership
among the public libraries of the country. At present, however,
its total invested funds amount to $755,000 and produce an in-
come of less than $27,000 yearly, which seems pitifully small
compared with the $22,647,000 endowment of the Reference
Department of the New York Public Library. The funds which
we have testify to the munificent public spirit of friends of the
Library in the past; it is only through a similar munificence that
the Library will be able to hold its place and to afford to scholars
in Boston the assistance on which they have always counted.
The other branch of the Library's work, the circulation of
books to the people, could also be carried forward more rapidly
if the city's appropriation for books were increased. The Boston
Public Library acquired last year a total of 98,487 volumes.
In the same year the Cleveland Public Library acquired 201 , 1 74
volumes. The circulation of books in Boston showed a gain
of 206,520 over the preceding year; in Cleveland the gain in
circulation was 807,005. Could there be any clearer proof of
the degree to which the acquisition of books promotes their circu-
lation? If a library is to help and encourage people to read, it
must provide the books which they desire. Old books may be
invaluable for reference, but with a few exceptions they make
little appeal to borrowers. The Board concurs heartily in the
recommendation of the Examining Committee that the budget
item for the purchase of books should be materially increased.
[6]
THE GEORGE F. BAKER BRANCH LIBRARY.
The most important step taken in Library extension during the
year was the agreement with the authorities of Harvard Uni-
versity for the consolidation of the great collections of material
relating to business, contained in the George F. Baker Library of
the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and in
the Public Library of the City of Boston ; the terms of the agree-
ment constitute the Baker Library a branch of the Boston Public
Library.
Each of these collections consists roughly of two sections, one
comprising live books on the practical aspects of business and the
methods of carrying it on, the other made up of material relating
to the past history of business, and consisting largely of reports of
one sort or another. The live books belonging to the Public
Library will be retained by it for the convenience of persons
actively engaged in business who use the Copley Square build-
ing. To the research worker, however, completeness is of far
more importance than convenience, and the consolidation of the
historical material belonging to the two libraries will be for him
a great boon. It happens that the two collections supplement
each other admirably, the Public Library being strong in materi-
al from the earlier periods of American business, while the Baker
Library has vast quantities of matter covering American business
in the present century, together with a large number of items from
foreign countries.
The orderly consolidation of all this material in Brighton for
the free use of the public makes accessible to the people of Boston
the best collection in this country for the study of business history.
As in the similar arrangement with the Boston Medical Library,
entered into in 1 906, the books transferred will remain the proper-
ty of the Public Library of the City of Boston, which may recall
them at any time ; they will be administered for the Boston Public
Library by a staff of experts; and, in addition, the citizens of
Boston are given the right to use an exhaustive accumulation of
valuable material to which they would otherwise have no access.
An important feature of the agreement, which follows, pledges
the co-operation of Harvard University in bringing to accomp-
[7]
lishment that long cherished dream of the Board of Trustees and
the Director of the Library — the establishment of a business
reference branch in downtown Boston.
Agreement by and between the Trustees of the Boston
Public Library and the President and Fellows of Harvard
College.
Whereas, in order that the material of the Boston Public Library
relating to business and business education and business administration and
the material of the Harvard Business Library may be made available in
such a way as to render the greatest practicable service to the community
and to the cause of business education and research at a minimum cost,
it is hereby agreed as follows:
1 . The Trustees of the Boston Public Library shall constitute the
Harvard Business Library, located in that part of Boston known as
Brighton, a depositary for books and other material as hereinafter pro-
vided, the Harvard Business Library becoming to this extent a branch
of the Boston Public Library. The books and other material so deposited
shall be combined with similar material of the Harvard Business Library
and the two catalogued jointly.
2. The Harvard Business Library shall furnish the physical facilities
and equipment as rapidly as possible to take over such books and material
as shall be agreed upon, thus relieving the Boston Public Library of
considerable expense for operation and releasing space in the Boston
Public Library for other uses.
3. The Harvard Business Library will, as rapidly as its resources
permit, prosecute the work of introducing the books and material into its
shelves and cataloguing them. Such sum or sums as the Trustees of the
Boston Public Library may at any time and from time to time before
completion of this work contribute to its prosecution the Harvard Business
School will devote to the purpose, and by so much will the work be
expedited and the full use of the collection become available earlier.
4. The Boston Public Library will furnish the Harvard Business
Library with a copy of the essential information in its existing catalogue
relating to the transferred material.
5. The books and other material transferred to the library of the
Harvard School of Business Administration by the Boston Public Library,
with the other material belonging to the Business Library and any additions
however made, shall be available for use by such persons as would be
entitled to use the same if contained in the Central Building of the Boston
Public Library, subject to any restrictions made in an instrument of gift
of any such books or material and to reasonable restrictions to the use
[8]
of particular items of books or material which may be made by the
authorities of the Harvard Business School Library. It is understood that
the Library of the Harvard School of Business Administration will afford
reasonable opportunity for such use in its library building, so far as such
use is consistent with the ordinary and usual service for which the facilities
of the library are adapted. In the discretion of its authorities, however,
the Library of the Harvard School of Business Administration may re-
strict such use in its library building to the extent of its facilities for service;
in case of such restriction the Boston Public Library may provide for
such use in its Central Building, and may call for such books and material
as are required from time to time by its card-holders for such use, in ac-
cordance with and subject to such reasonable regulations as may be from
time to time agreed upon between the authorities of the two libraries.
6. Both libraries are to co-operate to as full an extent as is practicable
in the inter-loan of books, to the end that the material of each shall be so
used as to be of maximum benefit to the community.
7. The books and material intended to be covered by this agreement
are those pertinent to the work of the Harvard Business Library which
are not, in the opinion of the Librarian of the Boston Public Library,
needed for current use of the Boston Public Library. The Librarian of
the Boston Public Library may at any time recall from deposit specific
material for which need has arisen.
8. All details as to the transferring of the books and material to the
Harvard Business Library under this agreement shall be under the direction
of the Librarians of the two Libraries. Books and material so transferred
shall remain the property of the Boston Public Library. Lists of books
and materials actually delivered shall be signed by the two Librarians or
someone authorized to sign on their behalf.
9. It is expected that the arrangement for which provision is made in
this agreement will be permanent. It is, however, understood that if it
appears to either party to be undesirable it may be terminated upon con-
ditions to be the subject of consideration at the time, but which, so far
as possible, will work a minimum of damage to either party and which
will leave both with as complete collections of books and material as is
possible under the circumstances.
1 0. Each party shall bear the risk of loss by fire or other hazard or
by theft; it being understood that the Harvard Business Library will give
the same degree of care to the books and material of both parties.
1 1 . The two institutions, that is to say, the Trustees of the Boston
Public Library and the President and Fellows of Harvard College, stand
ready to co-operate in the establishment, as a branch of the Boston Public
Library, of a business reference library in the downtown section of Boston,
to be established, operated and maintained by and in connection with the
two Libraries. The expense of such a reference library would have to be
[9]
borne presumably by the business community, or at any rate by some per-
son or persons other than the two Libraries.
In Witness Whereof the parties hereto have caused their official
seals and signatures to be affixed by their duly authorized officers this
fifteenth day of January 1927.
The President and Fellows of Harvard College
By: A. Lawrence Lowell (signed)
President.
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library
of the City of Boston.
By: Guy W. Currier (signed)
President.
Attest: Charles F. D. Belden (signed)
PROTECTION OF SOME OF THE LIBRARY'S TREASURES.
The necessity of more adequately protecting the rare and valu-
able special collections of the Library having been considered by
the Trustees for some time, the following communication was ad-
dressed to Your Honor on November 27, 1926:
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE CITY OF BOSTON
Copley Square, Boston, Mass.
November 27, 1926.
Hon. Malcolm E. Nichols,
Mayor of the City of Boston.
Sir:
The Trustees of the Public Library desire to bring again to your at-
tention the urgent necessity for the relocation and more adequate protection
of the treasures of the library, consisting of many volumes whose value
cannot be estimated, and thousands which, if lost, could not be replaced.
Reports have been submitted relating to the necssary changes and
reconstruction to be undertaken in the Central Library Building for the
safe-keeping of such material as follows:
In March 1 926, from John C. Paige & Co. ; in April, from the office
of the Building Commissioner, and in May, from O'Brion, Russell & Co.
The Paige report was referred to you on March 1 2, and by you for-
warded to the Budget Commissioner for consideration. The additional
reports were obtained and submitted at the latter' s request.
The reports are practically unanimous in their findings and recom-
mendations; namely:
[10]
Change the present Music Room into a Treasure Room with the
necessary fire-proof construction and equipment, and reconstruct the present
Barton-Ticknor Room and the North Gallery with fire-proof equipment.
These changes will allow the safe-guarding, against fire, of the 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.
Careful estimates have been submitted as to the probable cost of the
necessary and desired changes. It is expected that contracts can be let
covering all the work, and including incidental expenses, for amounts not
exceeding $260,000 in the aggregate.
The Board commends this expenditure to you as the only plan for
meeting a serious situation relating to the proper care of the treasures of
the library, and earnestly urges upon you the importance of a special
appropriation for this purpose.
Very truly yours
The Trustees of the Public
Library of the City of Boston.
By: Guy W. Currier (signed)
President.
In response to this request, and on Your Honor's recommen-
dation the City Council on December 12, 1927 passed the
following order:
"ORDERED: that the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated to be expended by
the Trustees of the Public Library for the Central Library Building,
Fireproof ing, Improvements, etc., and that to meet said appropriation
the City Treasurer be authorized to issue, from time to time, on the
request of the Mayor, bonds or certificates of indebtedness of the
city to said amount."
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
[11]
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
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 1 903.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $100,000.00
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
[12]
additions to the library. Received in 1905.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds $1 ,600.00
City of Boston Three and one-half per cent Bonds 32,300.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Three and one-half
per cent Bond 6,000.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1927. 8.89
$39,908.89
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-
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 . . . 42,000
City of Boston Three and one-half per cent Bond . 20,000.00
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, 1927 . 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, 1927. 54.41
$2,854.41
[13]
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, 1927. 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:
"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
[14]
of "The Miracle", — $2,652.50, the income to be used in the in-
terest of dramatic art.
Deposited in Hibernia Savings Bank . . . $2,652.50
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
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 1850. 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, 1927 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 . $9,000.00
City of Boston Three and one-half per cent Bond 1 ,000
$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, 1925 $1,000.00
October, 1926 1,000.00
November, 1927 1 ,000.00
Deposited in Hibernia Savings Bank . . . $3,000.00
[15]
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:
"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 1 896.
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
[16]
was received, the same being cne-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, 1870. 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, 1927 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
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, 1 873.
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds . $4,000.00
City of Boston Three and one-half per cent Bond . 1 ,000.00
$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.
[17]
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
City of Boston Three and three-quarters per cent Bond 90.00
Cash in City Treasury, December, 1927. 4.18
$1,494.18
Guilford Reed Fund — Bequest of Helen Leah Reed, as a memorial to
Guilford S. Reed ; the income to be applied to the purchase of books
of non-fiction.
Deposited in Dorchester Savings Bank . . . $1,000.00
John Singer Sargent Fund — Balance remaining in hands of surviving
trustees of fund originally raised to install in the Library decorations
by John Singer Sargent; the income to be used for the care and
preservation of the Sargent decorations, etc.
Deposited in Dorchester Savings Bank . . . $3,858.24
Scholfield Fund — Bequest of ARTHUR ScHOLFlELD, 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 . $41,800.00
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 Three and three-quarters per cent Bonds 2,000.00
$61,800.00
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.
[18]
"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 I 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 Three 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, 1927 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 1 879.
Invested in City of Boston Four and one-quarter per
cent Bond $100.00
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
James Jackson Storrow (Harvard '57) Fund — Gift of Helen Storrow
and Elizabeth Randolph Storrow as a memorial to James Jackson
Storrow, Senior; income to be used for the purchase of Italian books.
Deposited in Boston Five Cent Savings Bank . $10,000.00
" Dorchester Savings Bank . . 5,000.00
" Suffolk Savings Bank . . . 10,000.00
$25,000.00
Patrick F. Sullivan Bequest — Extract from will: "I give and bequeath
to the Trustees of the Boston Public Library the sum of five thous-
[19]
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 1 908.
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,
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 . $25,000.00
City of Boston Three and three-quarters per
cent Bond $25,000.00
$50,000.00
[20]
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 , 1927. . . 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 1 906.
Invested in City of Boston Three and one-half
per cent Bond $ 100.00
Invested in City of Boston Four per
cent Bonds . ... . 10,000.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1927. . 31.77
$10,131.77
[21]
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 — The 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 Four and one-quarter
per cent Bond 1,000.00
Invested in City of Boston Four per cent Bonds. . 4,000.00
$5,000.00
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
[22]
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. . . 10,500.00
Cash in City Treasury, December 31, 1927. . 40.64
$13,740.64
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 Citv 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
BOYLSTON STREET BUILDING.
Location of Library, 1858-1895.
[23]
RECAPITULATION OF PUBLIC
Artz Fund
Bates Fund
Bigelow Fund
Robert Charles Billings Fund
Bowditch Fund
Bradlee Fund
Joseph H. Center Fund
Central Library Building Fund
Children's Fund
Clement Fund
Henry Sargent Codman Memorial Fund
Cutter Fund
Elizabeth Fund
Daniel Sharp Ford Fund
Franklin Club Fund
Isabella Stewart Gardner Fund
Morris Gest Fund
Green Fund .
Charlotte Harris Fund
Thomas B. Harris Fund
Hyde Fund .
David P. Kimball Fund
Louis E. Kirstein Fund
Arthur Mason Knapp Fund
Abbott Lawrence Fund .
Edward Lawrence Fund
Mrs. John A. Lewis Fund
Charles Greely Loring Memorial F
Charles Mead Fund
The Oakland Hall Trust Fund
John Boyle O'Reilly Fund .
Phillips Fund
Pierce Fund
Sarah E. Pratt Fund
uuilford Reed Fund
/ohn Singer Sargent Fund
Scholfield Fund
Sewall Fund
Skinner Fund
South Boston Branch Library Trust Fund
Mary Elizabath Stewart Fund
James Jackson Storrow (Harvard '57) Fund
Ticknor Fund
William C. Todd Newspaper Fund
Townsend Fund
Treadwell Fund
Nathan A. Tufts Fund
Twentieth Regiment Memorial Fun
Wales Fund
Alice Lincoln Whitney Fund
James Lyman Whitney Fund
Mehitable C. C Wilson Fund
LIBRARY TRUST FUNDS.
$ 10,000.00
50,000.00
1,000.00
100,000.00
10,000.00
1.000.00
39,908.89
1 50.00
103,117.74
2,000.00
2,854.41
4,140.00
25,000.00
6,000.00
1,000.00
5,000.00
2,652.50
2,000.00
10,000.00
1.000.00
3.632.40
10.000.00
3,000.00
10.000.00
10.000.00
500.00
5,000.00
500.00
2,500.00
11.781.44
1.000.00
30.000.00
5.000.00
1494.18
1 ,000.00
3.858.24
61,800.00
25,000.00
51.732.14
100.00
3.500.00
25,000.00
4,000.00
50,000.00
4.000.00
13.987.69
10,131.77
5,000.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
13,740.64
1,000.00
$755,082.00
[24]
EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge the assistance rendered
by the Examining Committee of the year. The recommenda-
tions of this Committee have received careful attention. The
membership of the Committee consisted of the following persons :
Miss Anna M. Bancroft.
Mr. Jeffrey R. Brackett.
Mr. Herman L. Bush.
Mr. Frank W. Buxton.
Mr. Sidney S. Conrad.
Mr. Henry V. Cunningham.
Hon. James M. Curley.
Mr. Frederic H. Curtiss.
Mr. William J. Davidson.
Prof. Arthur S. Dewing.
Mrs. David A. Ellis.
Mr. Albert W. Finlay.
Mr. Francis L. Higginson.
Mr. David H. Howie.
Mr. Henry Lewis Johnson.
Mr. Melville D. Liming.
Gen. Edward L. Logan.
Mr. Thomas W. McMahon.
Mr. Percival Merritt.
Miss Jane L. Mesick.
Mr. Samuel Silverman.
Mis. Francis E. Slattery.
Prof. H. W. Tyler.
Mrs. Barrett Wendell.
CONCLUSION.
The members of the Board would call to your attention the
illuminating reports of the Examining Committee and the Direc-
tor which are, as customary, appended hereunto. They deserve
to be read by all those interested in the work of a great educa-
tional and recreational institution of the City of Boston.
During the year the activities of the Library Department, ever
growing in variety and magnitude, have moved smoothly and
well. This result is owing to the loyal and faithful service of
the Director, the Chiefs of Departments and other persons in
the service of the Library. We are pleased to be able again to
commend the substantially uniform excellence of their work.
Arthur T. Connolly
Louis E. Kirstein
Guy W. Currier
Clifton H. Dwinnell
Gordon Abbott
BALANCE SHEET.
1927
[26]
BALANCE SHEET, RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Central Library and Branches:
To expenditures for
Permanent employees (exclusive of Printing and
Binding departments) .
$536,140.25
Temporary employees
99,410.84
$635,551.09
Service other than personal
Contract work (outside) .
281.90
\
Advertising
108.55
Transportation of persons
1 ,369.29
Cartage and freight
12,284.91
Light and power
13,313.92
Rent, taxes and water .
17,303.74
Surety bond and insurance
17.50
Communication
2.640.90
Cleaning towels, etc.
1,273.07
Removal of snow and ashes
364.20
Medical
9.00
Expert
15,968.38
Fees
70.00
Central plant repairs ....
83,567.71
148,573.07
To expenditure for equipment
Machinery ....
681.08
Motorless vehicles ....
851.50
Furniture and fittings
14,563.76
Office
950.81
Books:
City appropriation i
1 1 5,479.7?
Trust funds income 19,455.25
plus transfer to
London account 5,000.00
24,455.2f
1 39,935.00
Newspapers :
City appropriation
1.317.76
»
Todd fund ....
2.347.0C
1 3,664.76
Periodicals ....
10,499.65
Photographs ....
175.20
Lantern slides . . . . .
306.45
Tools and instruments
1 ,540.43
General plant equipment
1 ,979.94
175,148.58
To expenditure for supplies
Office ....
7,352.05
Food and ice
606.59
Fuel
22,047.06
Forage for animals
29.25
Medical
18.20
Laundry, cleaning, toilet
2,021.97
Agricultural
699.67
Chemicals and disinfectants
85.23
General plant supplies
2,964.09
35,824.11
Carried forward
$995,096.85
[27]
EXPENSES, DECEMBER 31, 1927
By City Appropriation 1927 $1,104,569.00
Income from Trust funds ..... 26,804.66
Income from James L. Whitney Bibliographic account 700.00
Interest on deposit in London ..... 211.85
By Balances Brought Forward from 1926:
Trust funds income, City Treasury .
Trust funds income on deposit in London
City appropriation on deposit in London
James L. Whitney Bibliographic account
Library Building Addition, equipping and furnishing
Library Building Addition, etc.
58,034.16
4,040.16
6,626.30
6,438.33
1 1 ,799.39
2,416.34
Cr.
$ 27,716.51
89,354.68
Carried fonvard
$117,071.19
[28]
BALANCE SHEET, RECEIPTS AND
Dr.
Brought forward .....
$995,096.85
To expenditure for material
Building ......
498.00
3,584 20
General plant .....
11,090.31
15,172.51
Special item
Pension ......
863.50
A. L. Whitney Fund (Employees' sick benefit)
260.00
1,123.50
Binding Department:
Salaries ......
54,718.89
Stock
6,114.30
Equipment ......
470.21
Light
56.43
Repairs ......
116.13
Outside work .......
.70
Electrical materials, ice and supplies .
39.37
61,516.03
Printing Department:
Salaries ......
13,628.02
Stock
4,385.39
Equipment ......
6,742.33
Light
37.62
Repairs ......
1,157.74
Outside work ......
150.51
Insurance ......
89.61
Telegrams, ice and supplies ....
54.38
26,245.60
To Amount Paid into City Treasury:
From Fines ......
18,529.10
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists
100.61
Payments for lost books ....
1,154.14
Interest on bank deposit ....
45.32
Commission on telephone stations
696.34
Refund
2.00
20,527.51
To Balance, December 31, 1927:
Trust funds income on deposit in London
1,133.54
City appropriation on deposit in London .
4,198.58
Trust funds income, City Treasury .
60,332.04
James L. Whitney Bibliographic account
7,138.33
Interest on deposit in London ....
211.85
73,014.34
Balance Unexpended:
General appropriation .
35,255.63
Central Library Building Addition, etc.
2,416.34
Central Library Building Addition, Equipping
11,799.39
49,471.36
1,242.167.70
[29]
EXPENSES, DECEMBER 31, 1927
Brought forward
By Receipts.
From Fines
Sales of catalogues, bulletins and lists
Commission on telephone stations
Payments for lost books
Interest on bank deposit
Refund
$1
Cr.
17,071.19
18,529.10
100.61
696.34
1,154.14
45.32
2.00
20,527.51
$1,242,167.70
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 1927.
The twenty-four members appointed by you for the year
1927-8 have been divided into six sub-committees to examine
into and report upon as many special aspects of the Library,
while all members form one sub-committee on Branches. The
Examining Committee has accepted the reports of these sub-
committees substantially as made, and commends their recom-
mendations to the Trustees.
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
(a) Since the report of last year, the rewiring of the main
Library, which was obsolete and dangerous, has been under-
taken, but not yet completed. Other repairs, also, for which
appropriations were made last year, have been started but not
finished. This work should be expedited.
(b) The money appropriated in the past for the up-keep
of the main Library has not been sufficient to keep the property
in proper repair so that the Library can give adequate service to
the citizens of Boston. The committee therefore has submitted
several detailed suggestions for repairs to floors, to the roof, to
the Lecture Hall, and for remodelling the old manuscript room.
(c) The committee recommends an increase in the book
appropriation to $175,000, as the money now appropriated is
not sufficient to take care properly of the requirements at the main
Library and its branches.
[31]
(J) Although there have been requests for additional
branch libraries, the committee feels that the first obligation of
the Library is to "put its house in order" and make the necessary
repairs and improvements in the central building and branches.
BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT
Central Library. The committee made a thorough investi-
gation and examination of the Central Library building. It is
quite apparent that the building has not been kept in good con-
dition and that many changes are needed and much repairing
work must be done. It is indeed gratifying to learn that the City
government has appropriated by a loan order $250,000 for
extensive alterations and changes in the building, and that this
sum, together with various budgetary provisions, will permit the
Trustees to remedy many defects in the building and permit of
some of the changes and alterations desired. The committee is
advised that from this money, the roof, now in poor condition,
will be repaired; that the inadequate lighting and defective
wiring of the building will be cared for ; that the rearrangement
suggested by the committee on Buildings and Equipment of
last year, and as proposed by the Trustees, of the present Music
Room and the Barton-Ticknor Room and the long North Gallery
will be effected ; that the Treasure Room will become a reality ;
and that the sprinkler system will be extended and certain other
general repairs will be made.
Our Library is recognized as one of the most beautiful build-
ings in the city, if not in the country, and its beauty should not be
permitted to suffer by reason of neglect. The committee does
not know just what general repairs will be made from the funds
available to the Trustees, but makes the following recommenda-
tions for repairs and installations in the event that the Trustees
have not included them within the general repairs.
The floors throughout the general reading and exhibition
rooms are in unsatisfactory condition. The beautiful rooms are
marred because of a repaired or cracked floor. It is suggested
that a rubber tiled floor similar to that now used in the Children's
Room be used more extensively throughout the building.
[32]
The committee is advised that the Trustees propose to sub-
stitute, in certain portions of the Library, steel stacks for books
in place of the wooden ones. This policy should be carried on
until all the book stacks in the Library, for which more adequate
protection is desirable, are made of steel.
Our examination of the basement discloses the fact that many
books are shelved there. The books in the basement, it is true,
consist mainly of periodicals and other books very rarely called
for. The large number of books in the basement indicates the
necessity of a proper warehouse of some kind where they may be
properly kept and the books sent for when needed. The Library
building is quite crowded and much space could be made avail-
able for library purposes if some sort of an annex were secured.
The committee recommends that further consideration be given
to the necessity of cleaning the paintings and walls in the building.
The committee feels that with the large number of branches
and the necessity of traveling to them by the Library officials, the
Trustees may well consider the advisability of securing an auto-
mobile for the Library officials, especially for the use of the Direc-
tor and the Supervisors of Branches and of Work with Children.
Branches. The committee is opposed to the present arrange-
ment of maintaining branch libraries in business blocks and small
stores. Such an arrangement, while perhaps economical, is not
prudent or satisfactory. In several parts of the city branches
are maintained in small stores never intended for library purposes,
but remodelled and maintained as far as possible for library pur-
poses. These branch libraries are sometimes confronted with
the problem of bad plumbing, improper heating facilities, and
troublesome landlords who drive as hard a bargain as possible
when the lease-making period arrives. Adults are required to
mingle with small children. Space is insufficient and in many
instances the branch is improperly located because no store is
available in the desired section of the community.
BOOKS AND CATALOGUES
There is growing demand for books sought by readers. So
far as this demand is constant and permanent, the books sought
should be owned by the Library in sufficient numbers to provide
[33]
a reasonable opportunity for all to have them within a reasonable
time. Where the demand is evanescent for recent and much ad-
vertised books, the Public Library cannot be expected to supply
them for all quickly.
The supply of children's books is inadequate, and should be
increased. With the opportunities ever increasing for education of
adults, with continuation schools and extension courses, the de-
mand for books for use in these ways is constantly growing.
To meet all these needs, the only available source is the ap-
propriation from the City Treasury, which for the last two years
has been $125,000 each year. This year the Trustees have
asked for an increase of $25,000 in this appropriation, which the
committee cordially endorses.
The committee has considered in what way the income from
trust funds now available can be augmented in adding to the
scholarly collections of the Public Library. We can only sug-
gest to persons in the community who are interested in the
Library, to support it through donations similar to the support
now given to the Boston Art Museum; and we suggest the
feasibility of the organization of a committee to work with and
under the Trustees of the Public Library for this purpose.
The catalogues and the system of cataloguing, we believe are
excellent, and we are informed that the Printing Department is
now in process of re-organization.
We recommend that a photostat should be obtained for
the reproduction of cards already printed, as well as documents,
portions of books and other contents of the Library, which are
from time to time sought.
SPECIAL LIBRARIES
The committee records its great satisfaction in the plans of the
Board of Trustees and the Director, as also recommended by
previous Examining Committees, for making more secure the
care of the important works in the Special Libraries and in \he
proposed new Treasure Room. In view of the anticipated
changes in housing the collections, we gave our attention particu-
larly to the uses made of them. From our observations, the
[34]
reference works in the Fine Arts Department are particularly
useful to students in the higher grades. This phase of library
service seems most important and to be further developed.
The new arrangements of technical reference works are also
noted, and the committee recommends that every possible aid be
given to craftsmen, students and business men who are not now
sufficiently familiar with the uses of such works and do not know
to what extent they are available.
CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT AND WORK WITH SCHOOLS
The committee has given thoughtful attention to the Children's
Department, and is convinced that the work is being efficiently
done. The committee approves the recommendations made by
last year's committee, and finds that definite progress has been
made in carrying them out.
The need for more books is still pressing, while the need for
more shelf room is general. In some cases it appears that, during
the winter months, increased facilities for ventilation would be
very helpful.
The Assistant Superintendent of Schools, who is chairman of
a committee on School and Library co-operation, answering an
inquiry for suggestions, stated that the Library has always
generously responded to all calls from the schools and that he
had no suggestions to offer.
The policy adopted by some teachers of giving librarians
ample notice of what books they are likely to need for school or
home work has worked well.
It might be helpful if pupils from the higher grades could come
in groups, say not more than twenty in a group, to one or more of
the branch libraries to learn the use of the card catalogue, includ-
ing titles, subjects and authors. It is suggested that pupils making
such visits might receive school credit.
Since great stress is being put upon "Adult Education",
"Reading with a Purpose" and the like, and since the branch
libraries are crowded and the school houses unoccupied many
hours each day, it is suggested that rooms in certain school houses
might be used for the older pupils for school work or reference
[35]
work of any kind a few hours each evening, if proper supervision
and service could be provided. This might relieve the congestion
at certain libraries and at the same time afford adults opportunity
for systematic reading, which the Department of Education is
so strongly advocating.
BRANCHES
All of the thirty-one branches have been visited.
Marked improvements have been made during the year in
several branches, some of them following recommendations of
the Examining Committee of a year ago. For example: Dor-
chester, by the removal of the District Court, has now additional
room space and an entrance and hall used solely for the Library.
Again, Brighton has a lecture hall and new lighting. Boylston
is about to have enlarged quarters with room for adults. West
End is freshly painted. Neponset is freshly painted and well
lit. Fire exits have been increased. Such improvements are
gladly noted and commended.
More important still is the conviction of the committee that
much pains is taken by the administrative staff to improve the
personnel of the librarian service and assistance. The interest
and intelligence of the workers is indicated in such ways as win-
dow exhibits and special collections of books for branch neighbor-
hoods where there are many persons of foreign extraction or
many persons are following particular industries.
The marked needs in the service through the branches can
hardly be overemphasized when we consider that the branches
are the chief way of reaching the people of the whole city. The
circulation through many of them is increasing. Many are in
rapidly growing residential neighborhoods. They are close to
the schools. They will be used by many more adults if made
attractive to adults.
The need most generally expressed is for more books, supplied
with reasonable promptness from the Central Library in answer
to requests from branches. The estimate now of unsuccessful
requests is about 70 per cent. The quality of books requested
is higher than formerly.
[36]
Wholly new or enlarged quarters are urged for Allston, Mt.
Bowdoin, Parker Hill, and are desirable for Jeffries Point and
Orient Heights. Conditions at Mt. Bowdoin, crowded with
children from ten large schools, and having a few seats only for
adults, in an old wooden building, difficult to keep sanitary —
altogether are a serious handicap to the staff and distinctly dis-
creditable to the city. The plan made for enlargement at Parker
Hill has fallen down. At Codman Square, where there is in-
creased work with the schools, a separate room for juveniles is
desirable, such as the large room in the basement, which has a
separate entrance and stairway to the Library above. On the
other hand, Mt. Pleasant and Memorial are illustrations of in-
adequate space for adults, and Memorial illustrates the tendency
for a branch housed in a school building to be looked upon as
chiefly for children.
Fellowes Athenaeum and Mt. Pleasant illustrate the duty of
considering neighborhood conditions as bearing on the uses of
branches, such as the need of more adequate street lighting and
of signs to indicate locations.
The Examining Committee recommends as a policy that
branch buildings be erected by the Trustees and devoted wholly
to library purposes; this policy should be adopted as soon as
possible. As an alternative, branch libraries may be located in
schoolhou?es or other public buildings, provided that library
quarters are kept independent, with a separate entrance, with
rooms near the street level for both adults and children, and with
separate lecture hall, storage, and space for all other library re-
quirements. Privately owned buildings should be avoided.
We are glad to hear that the Library Trustees are considering
the appointment of the Examining Committee in the spring, so
that its report can be made before the Library budget for the
coming year is determined. Our examination and experience
lead us strongly to the desirability of this practice.
The Examining Committee thanks the Director and the staff
for help and many courtesies.
Adopted as the Report of the Examining Committee,
March 5, 1928.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR
To the Board of Trustees :
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending Decem-
ber 31, 1927.
PROGRESS IN THE YEAR OF ANNIVERSARY.
The year 1927 marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the
founding of the Public Library of the City of Boston. While
there was no formal observance of the anniversary, the occasion
was recognized during the summer months by an extensive ex-
hibit of material illustrating the growth and development of the
Library and by a series of historical articles which appeared in
the successive issues of the Library bulletin, "More Books".
The volumes in the Library have grown from less than 1 0,000
to 1,418,489. The home circulation in 1927 numbered
3,705,657 volumes. The total annual expenditures have in-
creased from less than $10,000 to $1,099,1 73.
To-day it would require a shelf reaching from Boston to Ply-
mouth, a distance of 35 miles, to hold the books in the Library
system, while a shelf long enough to reach from Boston to Hart-
ford, a distance of 1 00 miles, would be necessary to care for the
books issued in 1927 for home use. If the books used in the
Central Library and the branches for reference and other pur-
poses were added to the number of books taken out of the
Library the shelf would need to be extended another 100 miles,
or to New York City.
The outstanding accomplishment of the year was the com-
pletion of the arrangements by which the George F. Baker
Library of the Harvard Graduate School of Business Adminis-
tration became a branch of the Boston Public Library system.
This great library of books on business and allied subjects, in-
cluding the collections of the Business Historical Association, is
freely open to the public for reference, and the closest connection
is maintained between it and the Central Library in Copley
Square.
[38]
Another interesting feature of the year has been the establish-
ment of a Training Class, which began its work in October with
an enrolment of fourteen, and which has already proved its
value. The class is not intended to take the place of a library
school, but to provide training for members of the staff and for
outside applicants who have at least a high school education and
who are unable to go to a library school.
The usual normal growth was noted in all departments during
the year. Although the accessions for the year, including pur-
chases and gifts, amounted to 98,487 volumes, the outstanding
complaint of those who use the Library is that they are unable to
obtain the required book when called for, an evidence of the
fact that the Library is unable with its present book appropriation
to buy a sufficient number of copies of a new book to meet the
normal demand for it. The Library is glad however, to report
an increase for the year in home circulation of books to the num-
ber of 306,520 over the circulation for 1926.
Although there is great need for additional branch libraries,
two sections of the city, Readville and Germantown, being with-
out any public library facilities, and although a number of ap-
plications have been received for the establishment of new bran-
ches in various sections of the city, the budget for 1 928 contained
no request for funds to establish additional branches. The first
obligation of the Library Department is to "put its house in
order" ; to make the necessary repairs and improvements in the
Central Building and existing branches; and to provide, where
possible, additional room for branch libraries which are already
over-crowded or in other ways unsatisfactorily housed. In ten
of the existing branches additional rooms are needed. The chil-
dren in these branches have practically driven out adult users.
Little progress can be made in adult education through the library
when no adequate provision is made for adult readers or students.
Two branches are at present entirely too small to meet the needs
of both children and adults, although separate rooms are
provided.
The study of the Central Library and its branches made by
the members of the Examining Committee of this year will un-
doubtedly suggest to them many desirable changes and additions,
[39]
and will also call attention to the need of additional assistants in
certain departments and branches.
From the point of view of the public, as intimated, there is
outstanding need for more books and better library accommoda-
tions. In addition to this, the physical needs of the Central
Library and branches should be given attention as the necessary
appropriations become available. ,
There will be found on page 68 certain suggestive tables of
comparisons showing the growth of the Library Department
during the past twenty-five years, in five-year periods.
ACCESSIONS AND GIFTS OF THE YEAR.
The total number of volumes added to the Library collections
in 1927 was 98,487, acquired as follows: 82,271 by purchase,
12,577 by gift, 144 by exchange, 3,495 by binding periodicals
and serials. Of the books purchased, 1 6,127 were added to the
Central Library and 66,144 were placed in branch libraries
and in the Central Library Deposit Collection, which serves as
a reservoir for the branches.
The total amount expended for accessions by purchase was
$154,841 .06, which included $27,413.40 paid from the income
of Trust funds. The corresponding amount for the preceding
year was $150,161.92 including $24,168.50 paid from Trust
funds income.
The City appropriation for books was the same as in 1 926,
namely, $125,000. The disposition of this appropriation has
not varied greatly from that of the preceding year. It has enabled
the Library to extend with fresh material the circulating and
reference collections of 3 1 branches and the various divisions of
the Central Library, and has contributed in large measure to the
repair of the ravages of wear and loss among the older books. It
has not permitted the purchase of a large number of copies of
current books of wide interest. To a library with active col-
lections of books ranging from technology, architecture, painting,
music, genealogy, statistics, education and works of reference to
children's books and fiction, the question of satisfying, if only in
a measure, the demands made by a growing constituency in a
large city is a constant problem — the problem of adjusting the
[40]
increasing need of books to a more or less stationary annual in-
come. In other words, the pattern is always larger than the cloth.
The distribution of book funds shows $98,444.75 expended
for branches and Branch Deposit, including $4,155.96 for
periodicals and newspapers. In addition, $2,706.69 was drawn
from branch trust funds to supplement the City appropriation
in Charlestown, South Boston and Mattapan, making a total for
branches and Deposit of $101,151.44 The Central Library
accounting shows an expenditure of $53,689.62, including
$24,706.71 charged to Trust funds and including also $7,014.94
for periodicals and $620.61 for newspapers. This expenditure
for newspapers is in addition to the income from the Todd Fund
which for several years has been inadequate to cover the cost of
the list originally subscribed for.
The important acquisitions of the year include a notable col-
lection of works for the Bowditch Library bought with the in-
come of the Bowditch Fund. A catalogue of more than 3,000
works on mathematics and astronomy assembled in London was
carefully examined with reference to those already here, and the
aid and expert judgment of Dr. Harlow Shapley, Director of
the Harvard College Observatory, were enlisted in making the
selection. The Library is deeply indebted to Dr. Shapley who
undertook the checking of desirable titles in the midst of press-
ing duties.
Among the older works secured were six titles by Ptolemy, 1515—
1605; four titles by Sacro Busco, 1490-1584; three titles by Tycho
Brahe, 1603—1610; Istoria, by Galileo, 1613; Cosmotheoros, by Huy-
gens, 1699; Prodromus aslronomiae, by Hevelius, 1690; and the first
edition of Principia, (1687), by Newton.
The Library has secured an important collection in facsimile of maps
covering the period of the American Revolution, reproduced from
originals in the Paris Archives under the direction of Dr. L. C. Karpinski.
A collection of commemorative material issued in connection with the
Beethoven Centenary in the principal cities and musical centers of Europe
is an outstanding acquisition. The collection comprises concert programs
of music societies, posters, monographs, photographs and excerpts of
special significance from foreign newspapers and periodicals. T he
material produced on the continent of Europe was assembled, arranged,
mounted and indexed in eight portfolios by K. W. Hiersemann, the
[41]
Library agent in Leipzig; similar matter issued in England was collected
by Harold Reeves in London.
Noteworthy individual works acquired include:
Bacon, Francis. Of the proficiencie and advancement of learning. Lon-
don, 1605. (The first edition.)
The Barons' Book of England, from the Conquest to the 3d year of
James 1st. Folio manuscript of 86 leaves with 544 coats of arms
colored by a contemporary hand. Circa 1610.
Boccaccio. De casibus virorum illustrium. English by Dan John
Lidgate, monke of Burye. (London, 1554) Colophon.
A disputation concerning church-members and their children in answer to
XXI questions . . wherein the state of such children ... is discussed
by an assembly of Divines meeting at Boston in New England,
June 4, 1657. Now published by a Lover of Truth. London,
1659. Published anonymously. Ascribed to Nathaniel and pos-
sibly Increase Mather in the Brinley and Barlow Catalogues.
Mather, Cotton. Shaking dispensation. An essay upon the mighty
Shakes which the hand of Heaven hath given and is giving, to the
world. With some useful remarks on the death of the French
King, who left off to make the World a Wilderness and to destroy
the Cities thereof: on the Twenty-first of August 1715. In a
sermon on that great occasion at Boston, New England. 1 3d
VIII m. 1 715. Printed by B. Green. Sold by S. Gerrish . . .
1715.
A privately printed set of the Plays and Poems of Shakespeare edited
by J. Payne Collier, London 1878, of which only 58 copies were
printed. The set secured for the Library is complete in 43 original
parts forming eight volumes.
The following titles represent a brief selection of the important
books added to the Fine Arts division :
Bakst, Leon. Inedited works of Bakst. [With] Essays on Bakst by Louis
Reau, Denis Roche, V. Svietlov and A. Tessier. New York. 1 927.
Illus.
Godard, Octave. Jardins de la Cote d'Azur. Paris, 1927. Plates.
For the Codman Collection of Landscape Architecture.
Hentschel, Walter. Sachsische Plastik um 1500. Dresden, 1926.
Illus. A survey of late Gothic sculpture in Saxony.
Hurlbutt, Frank. Bow porcelain. London, 1926. 56 plates, of
which 8 are in color. Covers the whole range of Bow manufacture.
Kaufmann, Isidor. (Reproductions of paintings of Jewish life.)
(Vienna, 1926). 16 colored plates.
Mayer, August Liebmann. Dominico Theotocopuli, El Greco. Miin-
chen, 1926. 90 plates.
[42]
Mehta, Nanalal Chamanlal-. Studies in Indian painting. Bombay,
1926. 61 plates.
Roerich, George. Tibetan paintings. Paris, 1925. With 17 full
plate reproductions of Tibetan paintings.
Among other miscellaneous works of interest acquired are:
Pierre d'Ailly. Imago Mundi incipit. Circa 1483. A photostat re-
production of a copy in the Library of Seville (Spain) which con-
tains 800 annotations which have been ascribed by some to Christo-
pher Columbus. Reproduced by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
A set of Enciclopedia Universal ilustrada Europeo-Americana. Pub-
lished in Barcelona and now in its 58th volume. (For Bates Hall)
A short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, and Ireland,
and of English books printed abroad 1475—1640. Published by
the London Bibliographical Society and compiled by A. W. Pol-
lard and G. R. Redgrave.
The Commonwealth History of Massachusetts, edited by Albert Bush-
nell Hart, as far as issued. 22 sets for the Central Library and
branches.
During the year gifts have been received as follows: From
various donors, 1 4,239 volumes, 1 5, 1 96 serials, 996 photographs
and 52 newspaper subscriptions.
From Mr. Louis E. Kirstein the sum of one thousand dollars,
to be added to the "Louis E. Kirstein Fund."
From Mrs. Helen O. Storrow and Miss Elizabeth Randolph
Storrow, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars to be funded
as the "James Jackson Storrow (Harvard '57) Fund" and the
income used for the purchase of Italian books, as requested by
the donors.
From the executor of the estate of Helen Leah Reed, the sum
of one thousand dollars, being a bequest to the Library under
her will, "to be held as a fund called the Guilford Reed Fund
in memory of Guilford S. Reed, and the income only of this
fund shall be used for the purchase of books of non-fiction."
Certain additional gifts of interest, with the names of the
donors, are listed on pages 75-76 of the Appendix.
REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT.
On January 1, 1927 there were 135,445 "live" cards in the
hands of Boston citizens for the withdrawal of library books
[43]
for home use. Through the Central Library and its 3 1 branches
ches there have been added 30,869 new registrations and 40,81 8
renewals, making a total of 71 ,687 cards added during the year.
To offset this, 65,731 borrowers, including students and others
who are no longer residents, allowed their home-use privilege to
lapse, making a total of 141,401 "live" cards on December 31,
1927. The net gain of registered card holders was 5,956 over
the previous year.
Prior to January 1, 1927, 10,153 cards had been issued to
teachers. Of this number 1 ,498 have been renewed and 428
issued during the year, making a total of 1 ,926 teachers' cards
in use. Of the 4,008 "special privilege" cards issued prior to
January 1, 1927, there were 361 renewals and 180 new cards
granted during the year, making a total of 541 "special privilege"
cards now in use.
CATALOGUE AND SHELF DEPARTMENT.
During the year 1927, the number of volumes and parts of
volumes catalogued was 115,447, covering 81,736 titles. In-
cluded in these numbers were 67,602 volumes (57,534 titles)
assigned to the branch libraries and catalogued in the Central
Branch Department.
The number of printed cards added to the catalogues of the
Central Library alone was 45,424, and 20,075 were used in
compiling bibliographies, or were reserved for such use in the
future. The distribution of cards among the departments of the
Central Library was: Bates Flail, 18,101 ; Official Catalogue,
18,650; Special Libraries, 8,673. Cards were also sent as
usual to the Harvard College Library and the Library of Con-
gress.
In order to hasten the appearance of new books in our cata-
logues, 1 1 ,876 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 5, 1 00 cards have also been typed for the use of the Editor,
[44]
PUBLICATIONS.
The Library bulletin "More Books", issued in its present
form and under its new title since March, 1925, has been con-
ducted along the same lines as last year. The publication is
now firmly established and has proved to be a success with the
public. Each issue is received with interest, and the first edition
of 4,500 copies is usually nearly exhausted within three weeks of
its publication. Each number carries a classified list of new
books with descriptive notes and a synopsis of classification, in
addition to a long article either on the book treasures of the
Library, or on some topic of literary interest. For instance, the
March issue contained three separate articles relating to the
Beethoven Centenary. The September issue was almost entirely
devoted, as were those of November and December, to the
seventy-fifth anniversary of the Library.
Essays contributed by members of the staff were published on
Joshua Bates, Alexandre Vattemare and Thomas Pennant
Barton, men prominent among the founders of the Library about
whom little had been written in recent years. Other articles
described the collections and activities of the Library, such as the
Branch system, the Catalogue Department and the Divisions of
Fine Arts and Technology. Rare books and manuscripts re-
cently acquired have also been described in separate articles; a
Revolutionary Orderly Book, for instance, in the May issue, and
a First Edition copy of Newton's Princlp'ia in the December
issue. These and similar articles were usually illustrated with
facsimiles.
A regular feature of the bulletin is "Ten Books" consisting
of short and impersonal reviews which call attention to the more
important new books. The selection aims to be comprehensive,
ranging from art and literature to sociology and science, and in-
cluding a wide variety of subjects. Its purpose is to interest the
intelligent general reader rather than the specialist.
"Reading the Magazines" is another popular feature. Even
a few paragraphs on recent articles that have appeared in the
periodicals, make for timeliness and a few dozen lines on the
leading foreign magazines give the reader a feeling that there is
[45]
breadth of view in the editing of the bulletin. "Library Notes",
which usually occupy four or five pages, consist mainly of short
bibliographical notices. Here also may be found certain com-
munications of interest from the office of the Director.
Last year there were printed seven issues of "More Books",
comprising in all, 360 pages. It is the hope of the Library to pub-
lish ten numbers a year, nine monthly numbers, and for the sum-
mer months one quarterly. It is hoped that this aim will be
realized in the near future, in order that it may not be necessary
to issue double numbers. In the meantime it must be recognized
that the printing of the bulletin, in addition to the other steadily
increasing demands on the Printing Department, represents a
considerable task.
In connection with the fifth annual conference of the Workers'
Education Bureau of America, held in Boston in April, 1927,
the Library published "Brief Reading List, No. 36", entitled
"Workers' Education, a selected list of books and articles."
Bibliographical lists have, as usual, been printed for the lec-
tures on the programs of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, given
by the Massachusetts Division of University Extension, in co-
operation with the Library. Programs and lists were also issued
for twelve concerts given in the Lecture Hall, prominent among
which were the eight Chamber Music concerts presented through
the courtesy of Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge.
"Opportunities for Adult Education in Greater Boston," a list
of courses of lectures free to the public or available at a nominal
fee, without educational pre-requisites, was again published in
1927—28; the pamphlet this year contains over one hundred
pages.
Part V of the "Guide to Serial Publications founded prior
to 1918" and now or recently current in Boston, Cambridge, and
vicinity, is now ready for publication. The material has been
steadily increased through the generous co-operation of several
libraries, including the New York Public Library, the Library
of Congress and the John Crerar Library, and the current cata-
logue of this material may be consulted in the Barton Gallery
with the help of Mr. Thomas Johnson Homer, the editor of the
"Guide."
[46]
BATES HALL
If one may judge from the increase of more than 10% in the
number of books sent from the stacks for the use of readers, the
year has been a busy one in Bates Hall. The total for the year
was 260,623 volumes, with no record of the steady use of books
from the open shelves in the Hall.
The Reference Collection is under constant revision; 217
volumes have been retired to the stacks in the course of the year,
242 new volumes have been placed in the Hall, and 577 have
been given new locations in the process of rearrangement. The
shelves devoted to geography are at present undergoing a com-
plete revision. The Atlas Collection has been condensed and
many atlases which were out of date have been retired. An im-
portant addition of the year has been the Enciclopedia Universal
Ilustrada, the publication of which began in Barcelona in 1905,
and which has now, in its fifty-eighth volume, reached the
letter T. This little-known encyclopaedia is one of the most
important works of reference produced in modern times.
The Hall has been improved by the installation of handsome
oak tables at the Catalogue, and by the completion of the new
lighting of the bookcases, which greatly facilitates the finding of
books in the evening.
The correspondence of the Department shows little change
from the figures of last year; 229 genealogical inquiries were
answered by mail, and 574 requests for information on general
subjects. In this correspondence forty-four of the forty-eight
United States and seven foreign countries were represented.
The work of the Division of Genealogy has continued to
justify itself in improved service to readers. Increased emphasis
has been laid on the various phases of Adult Education work.
An office will soon be opened on the lower floor of the Library,
where a Readers' Adviser may be consulted by the public. The
sale of the "Reading with a Purpose" pamphlets issued by the
American Library Association has gone on steadily ; the sales by
this Library have now reached a total of 1 3,1 50 copies.
The frequently crowded condition of the Hall raises anew
the problem of its occupation as a study room by persons who are
[47]
using no library books. These students from near-by schools and
colleges are sometimes careless of the rights of legitimate readers,
and it is probable that this Library, like many others throughout
the country, will find it necessary to consider steps for guarding
itself against abuse by this class of visitors.
NEWSPAPER AND PATENT ROOMS.
The Newspaper Room continues to be crowded, although
there is no attempt at a definite record of readers. There are now
regularly received 213 daily and 55 weekly papers, of which
190 are published in the United States and 78 in 31 foreign
countries. One hundred and fourteen volumes of bound news-
papers have been added to the files, which now contain 9,357.
In the course of the year 19,264 visitors consulted 33,1 74 bound
volumes of newspapers — an average of 3 J/2 uses for each
volume in the collection. No portion of the Library has larger
possibilities for students of contemporary history than this great
mass of the news of other years printed while it was still fresh.
Six hundred and eighty-eight volumes were added to the col-
lection of patents during the year. It is a satisfaction to record
that the gaps in the set of German Patentschriften, resulting from
the War, have been largely filled, so that this valuable file is
now practically complete.
INFORMATION OFFICE, GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT ROOM
AND OPEN SHELF ROOM.
The Information Office continues to save the time and energy
of those persons who wish to use the Library but are unfamiliar
with its many departments. Tourists likewise, in seeking all man-
ner of information, find the office of great value. During the year
there has been an increased number of telephone calls for service
of various kinds from business firms, special libraries, schools and
individuals. This increase in service rendered is true also of the
other departments of reference in the Library.
Approximately 1,115 new catalogues, pamphlets and clip-
pings have been added to the Vocational Guidance file. The
attendants have been consulted about every possible kind of
[48]
school from the kindergarten to the university. Keen interest
has been shown in the various phases of the Adult Education
movement, and some 10,000 announcements of University Ex-
tension courses have been distributed.
The Government Document Room was used by about ten
thousand persons on week days during 1927. Had a record
been kept of those who came in the evenings and on Sundays this
figure would have been greatly increased. In order to keep the
Government material up to date it has been necessary to write
continually to Washington for new publications and for those for
which there is a nominal charge. During the year a card "con-
tinuations" catalogue of Government documents was completed
for the convenience of those who use the room. This gives the
Library call-number for each document series and saves the in-
convenience of looking up the desired material in the Bates Hall
catalogue. Clippings are made from "The United States Daily"
and posted on the bulletin board in the entrance hall of the
Library every day. This has attracted to the Document Room
many additional inquirers and has also resulted in requests for
246 of the clippings.
It has been an unusually busy and successful year for the Open
Shelf Room. The circulation last year was 46,378, an increase
of 2,281 over the previous year. Effort is made to keep a fresh
supply of books constantly on the open shelves. The volumes
are changed frequently, as the room is so small that the collection
rapidly becomes familiar to steady patrons. For an hour each
morning and evening an attendant goes through the stacks of the
Library making a selection of books for the Open Shelf Room.
The "stations" of the stacks are often visited as many as six
times a day in order that the newly returned books may be in-
spected and additional selections made from them.
The "Reading with a Purpose" lists have provided the room
with suggestions for many excellent books. Psychologists, biolo-
gists, teachers of modern languages and other specialists who
make frequent use of the Open Shelf Room have been most kind
in suggesting significant books for the shelves.
Afternoons and evenings, particularly during the v/inter
months, the room is so crowded that it is next to impossible to gain
[49]
access to the shelves. There is usually a cluster about the charg-
ing table and an overflow in the Information Office. The out-
standing complaint of the public is that the Open Shelf Room is
much too small. Unfortunately it is impossible at the present
time to provide more adequate space for open shelf service.
PERIODICAL DEPARTMENT.
A steady growth is noted in the work of the Periodical De-
partment, while the service rendered is giving satisfaction not
only to residents of the city but, as in many other departments of
the Library, to an ever increasing number of non-residents, many
coming from long distances for research and for the study of
current events.
Attendance.
At the hours:
10
12
2 4
6
8
9.45
A.M.
M.
P.M. P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
1926 . .
. 18,263
21,432
35,768 39,691
25,982
28,376
14.974
1927 . .
. 19,374
22,197
37,261, 41,863
26,192
29,214
15,357
Sundays at 1
P.M.
1926
8654
1927 . .
9173
t
Bound Volumes.
Consulted during day ....
Consulted during evenings and Sundays
1926
1927
53,281
60,285
28,431
24,527
Back Numbers of Magazines not yet Bound.
Consulted during day ....
Consulted during evenings and Sunday
1926
1927
61,315
66,246
28,421
30,124
The current periodicals, exclusive of those issued by the state
and federal governments, regularly filed for readers in the
Periodical Department, number 1,281. In addition there are
filed for use by readers in other departments current periodicals
[50]
especially related to the fields covered by those departments, as
follows:
Fine Arts and Music Divisions of the Special Libraries .... 136
Ordering Department 27
Statistical Department 55
Teachers' Reference Room and Children's Room 70
288
Periodical Room 1281
Total number of periodicals currently received 1 569
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 the special collections of
the Library contained in the Barton-Ticknor Division. The
fields covered by these four divisions were defined in detail in the
Annual Reports for 1923 and 1924.
The numerous changes in arrangement and organization
carried out in the past few years have resulted in better service, as
reflected in the substantial increase in circulation (seven per-
cent), and a noticeable growth in the "hall use" of books. The
crowded condition, .especially in the afternoon, of the Fine Arts
reading room has made it increasingly necessary to use some of
the West Gallery student tables for general readers.
During the renovations in the summer months, the entire open-
shelf reference collection, charging and reference desks, and
telephone were moved into the West Gallery, and the card cata-
logue into the south pavilion. The book circulation was not af-
fected to any degree by this temporary arrangement, but, inas-
much as it was possible to move only a small part of the circu-
lating picture collection, a noticeable decrease in the home use
of pictures resulted.
Early in the year a "Randex" file, listing Fine Arts and Tech-
nical periodicals in one alphabet with call-number, was made
for the Indicator desk, in order to facilitate service to readers.
The Fine Arts Division has continued to build up its col-
lections on the new classification schedule, the classified books
[51]
now being expanded into two alcoves. No large increase has
been made in the picture collection, but, owing to an unusual
opportunity of purchasing lantern slides, the Library has added
some five thousand selected slides, thereby almost doubling its
resources.
The Technology Division has continued work on its special
reference tools,and has added many pictures to the technical
picture collection. The moving of all the technical books when
the alcoves were painted made possible a complete re-shelving
of the collection, and the separation of the classified books from
the unclassified. This has improved the service and provided
room for growth. The usefulness of the chemical reference
alcove is shown in the large numbers of students and chemists
who daily consult these books.
The Music Division, as in former years, has continued its
series of interpretive lectures on symphony concerts and operas,
and has issued most interesting and useful annotated programs
and booklists.
The number of books issued for home use from the Special
Libraries during the year was 25,195, an increase of seven per
cent as compared with last year. For use outside the Library
there were issued 27,039 pictures and 8,448 lantern slides.
WORK WITH CHILDREN.
The year has been one of expansion in children's work
throughout the Library system. The home use of books drawn
directly from the Central and branch libraries on children's cards
amounted to 1 ,691 ,269 volumes, a gain of 59,833 volumes over
1926. To meet this call on the resources of the department,
$50,149.61 of the book fund was spent on books for children to
be placed in the Children's Room of the Central Library and in
the thirty-one branches, and to be sent on deposit to the schools,
public and parochial.
It is worth noting that more than seventy per cent of the amount
annually spent for children's books goes for the replacement of
worn-out or missing copies, while only a scant twenty-five per
cent is spent for new volumes and for additional copies of a
[52]
given book required to keep pace with the growth in the number
of card holders.
The importance of replacing books, however, cannot be de-
nied, as the main body of children's literature is composed of
books that have been tested for years and found acceptable to
young readers. All replacement orders are given individual con-
sideration, so that the collections may be kept alive through the
elimination of titles no longer needed. To simplify the routine
detail involved in the examination of so many book cards, a list
of 1 ,000 titles approved for replacement during the year was
prepared by the Supervisor of Branches and is now in use by
the branch librarians and by the Order Department. It is hoped
to compile supplementary lists from time to time, and to revise
the list at stated intervals. That the present collections gather
little dust is shown by the high rate of turnover from the shelves
of the children's rooms; for example, at the North End Branch,
where, during the winter months, 1 ,200 books are often borrow-
ed in the space of three hours, the average yearly circulation
amounts to eighteen times for each book.
Accommodations. During 1927 one new children's room
was opened, that at the Dorchester Branch, where highly un-
suitable quarters on the third floor were replaced by a pleasant,
well-equipped room on the street level. During the period of
several months' intermission, when the old room had been ordered
closed and the new one was not yet ready for occupancy, work
with children was successfully carried on in the Grover Cleve-
land School near by. This was an interesting experiment in
adaptation, promoting friendly relations with the school, and
incidentally demonstrating how quickly an attractive children's
room can be organized when need arises.
At Brighton the assembly or lecture room, which had been
undergoing alterations, was again made available for the Story
Hour, and has given satisfactory use for that purpose. After a
full year in the Memorial High School the Memorial Branch
is able to show evidences of continued appreciation of its en-
larged facilities. How far it has been possible to give better
service, with better equipment, is indicated by a gain of 12,087
in the number of books drawn on children's cards from Memorial
[53]
Branch. Since this is our only branch library in a high school
building, the measure of its success is a matter of special concern.
A report from the branch contains this comment: "We have but
begun to sound the possibilities which can grow out of a closer
union of the library and the school. A better understanding and
appreciation of both school and library is slowly but surely grow-
ing, as a result of our close contact."
Whenever the opening of a new room admits expansion in
the work with children, fresh impetus toward healthy growth
follows. This has been noticeably the experience at Dorchester
and Memorial branches. Furthermore, the new rooms have
relieved to some extent the pressure at Mt. Bowdoin, which lies
between the two, by checking a further increase of circulation
which had become unwieldy in the present restricted space.
Particular attention was given to the physical appearance of
children's rooms in some of the older, less inviting branches.
A few good pieces of pottery were acquired, and some suitable
pictures bought to give color and warmth to dark interiors. Ac-
knowledgments are due to the Junior Red Cross and the Chil-
dren's Museum for their courtesy in lending stimulating ex-
hibitions for display in show cases and windows. Different
members of the staff have also shown judgment and skill in the
preparation of projects, often spending a great deal of their own
time voluntarily to make the children's rooms more attractive.
Schools and Children's Rooms. Deposits of books in the
schools constitute an important method of extending the knowl-
edge of library resources among teachers and children alike.
School circulation amounted to 66,037, and might have been
much larger if the Library had been able to supply more books.
Changes in the curriculum are reflected in the requests from
teachers, not only for books to be used in the classrooms, but
also in the character of the reference work in the different chil-
dren's rooms. There has been continued effort to make the
reference collections more adequate in order to meet new re-
quirements, especially in the field of industrial and commercial
subjects. The ordinary type of geography, for example, is not
enough, as the schools require more current information. For
[54]
this purpose, and also for furnishing facts about contemporary
writers, the librarians rely more and more upon the pamphlet
files which are being enlarged and strengthened in the different
children's rooms.
The requirements of the intermediate or junior high schools
call for special attention at the present time. As the required
reading lists include a large proportion of books that are classed
as adult literature, there is room for a broad and inclusive policy
which will place more advanced books upon the children's
shelves, or will admit younger readers to some divisions of the
general adult collections of the Library system.
Story Hours. No slackening of the hold that the Story
Hours have upon children can be seen. Six hundred and eighty-
three regular story hours were held, with an attendance of
thousands of children to whom the fine presentation of great
classics, folklore, and legend was a quickening experience.
Sufficient proof of the vitality of the story telling is given in the
continued large attendance year after year, in spite of the multi-
plication of motion picture houses in practically every locality.
Requests from teachers and principals for story telling in the
schools are too numerous to be supplied, and this is the more
gratifying since the Library story tellers are the only outside
visitors freely invited to the public schools.
For the first time the Library was able to include the summer
vacation schools in a program of story telling, giving one period
to each school during July and August. As the Museum of
Fine Arts had discontinued its summer work along this line, the
teachers and children were especially happy in the connection
thus made with the great field of good reading.
Central Children s Room. The laying of the new floor
covering in the Central Children's Room was an improvement
long anticipated. It greatly enhances the beauty and comfort
of the room and gives it increased dignity and finish.
While the room was closed, an opportunity to practice adap-
tation was afforded children and staff by the establishment of a
small collection of books and a temporary charging service in
the Venetian Lobby outside the room. Although the limitation
on their habits of selection, combined with lack of seating room,
MASON STREET SCHOOLHOUSE.
Location of Library, 1854—1858.
[55]
decreased the use of the Library by the younger readers and
markedly affected the circulation of books, it was an interesting
experiment. It revealed to the staff of the Children's Room the
readers to whom the Library is indispensable, and who conse-
quently make the best of an inconvenient situation. Moreover,
there was a certain unlooked for value in the prominence sudden-
ly given this phase of library work, which brought it before the
eyes of the general visitor to whom it was previously1 unknown.
During the period of exclusion the annual Children's Book
Week was observed by a display of books in the small reception
room on the first floor. Entered upon as a makeshift, this proved
to be a delightful innovation, affording an admirable opportunity
to show off the new books among fitting surroundings. With
the gratifying attendance of 1,739 observant visitors in the six
weeks it was open, this was far and away the best exhibition of
new books the Children's Department has ever held. Changes
were made each day in the type of books shown in order to give
consideration to different groups in the community who seek
books from various motives. The staff is deserving of great
commendation for its excellent and unified work under difficult
conditions.
Teachers' Room. The quiet and convenience of a room in
which one may work with necessary books at hand is appreciated
not only by individuals who are teaching but equally by the
students in colleges and other educational institutions. At times
the capacity of the Teachers' Room is taxed to its limit with
readers who are making the best use of its facilities.
Saturday is naturally the busiest day, and many books are
brought from other parts of the Library on request of teachers
who are taking advanced courses in one or another of the uni-
versities and colleges. In order to gain a little more space for
the necessary expansion, some of the unused titles in the text
book collection have been withdrawn and the shelves given up to
material on psychology, curriculum formation, school surveys
and so forth. ,
Summer school work brought teachers from all parts of the
country and offered an opportunity to make the Library favorably
[56]
known by that best of all methods, service. The imperative need
of increase in the book stock as well as in the seating capacity of
this room continues to be its most difficult problem.
THE BRANCH SYSTEM.
The total circulation through the branch libraries and the
Central Branch Department for the year was 3,358,967. This
is a gain over 1926 of 200,415. The number of books issued
from the Central Library through branches was 99,070; this
includes 76,602 from the Deposit Collection and 22,468 from
the stacks of the Central Library. Twenty-six of the branches
gained in circulation. The greatest gains were at Uphams
Corner, Mattapan, Memorial, Roxbury Crossing, Jamaica
Plain, Codman Square, Hyde Park and Roslindale.
The number of volumes sent on deposit to 345 agencies (232
schools, 56 fire-engine houses and 57 institutions of various
kinds) was 93,269 as against 86,570 last year. The total num-
ber of volumes sent to schools was 66,037, compared with 56,81 8
last year. Of this number 26,337 were sent from the Branch
Issue Division, Central Library. The number of books issued
on deposit from the branch libraries, chiefly to schools, was
39,700, compared with 37,134 in 1926.
Inter-library loans amounted to 1,987 volumes, 157 more
than last year. Of the 2,569 applications received, 582 had to
be refused. Twenty-four volumes were borrowed from other
libraries.
The Dorchester Branch now rejoices in the finest children's
room in the system, a room from which the municipal court moved
about a year ago. The Neponset Branch has been completely
renovated. A good-sized lecture hall has been added to the
Brighton Branch; a small lecture hall to Faneuil Branch. The
grounds of Brighton, Faneuil, Hyde Park and West End have
been put into shape. Shrubbery has been trimmed and replaced
and lawns have been reseeded.
The ever-increasing requests for new buildings in many dif-
ferent sections of the city attest a growing appreciation on the
part of the public for the Library's extension service. With six-
[57]
teen such requests on file, a survey of the city's library needs
seemed imperative. This request resulted in the preparation by
branch librarians and their assistants of thirty detailed maps
and thirty district guides of information. In this work the Secre-
tary of the City Planning Board gave generous assistance.
Using these maps and guides as a basis for study of an extension
forecast, it has been possible to plot on one large map localities
which in the near future should be given library service and to
give adequate reasons for the selection of these localities.
A standard list of over 200 reference books with which all
branch librarians and assistants should be familiar, has been
prepared in loose-leaf form so that it can be readily revised and
kept up to date.
The number of good books discarded has been for a long time
a cause for anxiety. However, when the charging plates in these
volumes show that months and often years have passed since the
books were borrowed, and when shelf room is needed for the
newer books now in demand, it appears wise to remove them.
To dispose of standard books still in good condition, excepting
discarded textbooks and out-of-date reference books, seems a
mistaken policy. A single book on biography or philosophy
may be useless, but related to others in a collection it frequently
becomes of value. Hence, these books withdrawn from the
shelves of the various branches are now being assembled in col-
lections in the basements or attics of several branches where there
is room for their care. At Dorchester, for instance, some 2,000
volumes of biography have been shelved. These books are
available for students and research workers throughout the city.
EXHIBITIONS AND LECTURES.
During the year twenty-eight exhibitions were arranged;
twenty-two being displayed in the Fine Arts Exhibition Room,
and six in the Barton-Ticknor Room. Thirteen of the exhibits
consisted of loan material ; three of them comprising books. Fif-
teen were made of material owned by the Library. Eight were
of books and documents; sixteen were of prints, paintings and
[58]
photographs; one was an arts and crafts exhibit of old world
costumes, laces, etc.; one was of small soap sculpture; and an-
other was the Boston Public Library Anniversary and Historical
Exhibit. For list of exhibitions see Appendix, pages 73—74.
During the season 1927-28 there were given in the Lecture
Hall 138 lectures and entertainments under the auspices of the
Library, the Dickens Fellowship, the Drama League, the Field
and Forest Club, the Ruskin Club, and other organizations.
Following the established custom, they were all free to the public.
The lectures were in the following fields: travel, 23 ; literature,
17; music, 11 ; history, 9; drama, 7; art and archeology, 6;
and miscellaneous, 33. There were also 32 concerts, recitals,
and plays. Eight of the concerts were made possible through the
generosity of Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, while various
societies, orchestras, and ensembles contributed one concert each.
All of these concerts appealed to a public so wide that the doors
often had to be closed almost an hour before the scheduled be-
ginning. It is a privilege to announce that The Elizabeth
Sprague Coolidge Foundation has generously offered a series
of six concerts for the season of 1 928-29. For list of lectures,
etc. see Appendix, pages 69-73.
In 1927-28 the Division of University Extension of the State
Department of Education, as customary, used the Lecture Hall
every evening, except Thursday and Sunday, for educational
courses. Several courses were also scheduled for morning and
afternoon hours.
A course on the programs of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
was again offered by the Division of University Extension in
collaboration with the Library. This was arranged by Richard
G. Appel, of the Library staff, who was assisted by other mu-
sicians, notably Edward Burlingame Hill, Malcolm Lang, John
P. Marshall, Daniel Gregory Mason, Alfred H. Meyer, Wal-
ter R. Spalding, and Alexander Tansman.
THE LIBRARY TRAINING CLASS
A Training Class, under the supervision of Mrs. Bertha V.
Hartzell, was opened on October 17, 1927, for applicants de-
[59]
siring positions in the Library, and for a few members of the
present staff who were especially adapted to training for all-
round library work.
The subjects in the course for the first year included reference
work, book selection, the principles of cataloguing and classi-
fication, work with children and library administration. Practical
work in the different departments of the Library is a feature of
the course, as are also visits to other libraries and to bookstores,
and lectures by librarians of note.
Students already connected with the Library will take two
years in training; new students giving full time to the work will
complete their course in June, 1 928.
Applicants from outside the Library are either high school
or college graduates, who have passed the examination for
admission. The class is limited in number, and candidates must
be between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. Preference is
given to residents of Boston.
In view of the fact that no tuition is charged, it is expected
that applicants, upon satisfactory completion of the course and
subsequent appointment to a position, will remain in the service
of the Library for a period of at least two years.
OTHER STAFF INSTRUCTION.
During the year the Supervisor of Work with Children has
offered to assistants who came into the work with children
without the requisite courses in children's literature the usual
instruction, in amount averaging one period a week.
The Supervisor of Branches has given instruction to thirty-one
branch library assistants in reference books and book selection.
Marian A. McCarthy, assisted by Hilda M. Baker, has con-
ducted a course in book mending and lettering.
The work of the Training Class in giving to the employees of
the Library a better equipment for their duties, is being extended
downward by means of the new examination for the Ungraded
Service. Temporary employees, who have not yet graduated
from high school, are now required at the end of two months of
experience to pass an examination on the duties in which they
5a
[60]
are engaged; the candidates are given instruction in the work of
the various departments in preparation for this examination.
MECHANICAL AND OTHER REPAIRS.
The reconditioning of the Central Library Building and cer-
tain of the branch libraries has gone on apace during the year.
The outstanding accomplishments were as follows:
About two thirds of the roof-tiles of the Central Library Build-
ing, of which there are some fifty thousand, have been repointed,
and repairs have been made on the gutters, cresting, skylights,
and certain sections of the inner condensation roof. The ex-
terior facades and the walls of the inner court of the Central
Building were repointed.
The catalogue enclosure in Bates Hall has been equipped
with new tables, shelves, and cases. Rubber tile flooring has
been placed in the Children's Room. A new electrical switch-
board has been installed in the basement, while a good start has
been made in the rewiring of the entire building. The installation
of added air ducts in the Fine Arts Department has greatly im-
proved its ventilation. During the summer a new brick side-
walk was laid on Dartmouth Street.
In addition to the changes already noted at the Dorchester and
Brighton branches, the Dorchester, Hyde Park, and Andrew
Square branches were repainted, as well as the Newspaper and
Teachers' Rooms and the Fine Arts reading room in the Central
Building.
RETIREMENTS.
During the year the following persons retired under the Boston
Retirement Act: South Boston Branch: Mary J. Slattery,
cleaner, (retired January 31, voluntary), entered service Janu-
ary 10, 1912; West End Branch: Rebecca Millmeister, second
assistant, (retired June 30, disability), entered service May 12,
1899; Catalogue Department: Mary A. Tenney, cataloguer,
(retired June 30, voluntary), entered service January 25, 1897;
Engineer and Janitor Department: Bridget Healey, cleaner, (re-
[61]
tired June 30, voluntary), entered service March 17, 1906;
South End Branch: Alice McEttrick, first assistant, (retired
September 30, disability), entered service December 12, 1902.
CONCLUSION.
Upon the loyal service of the staff in the Central Library and
Branches depends the satisfactory and effective operation of
the entire Library Department. The Director earnestly solicits
reports of dissatisfaction with the service of the Library or of
failure to obtain information desired. It should be remember-
ed that inquiries requiring special knowledge should be made to
chiefs of departments, branch librarians or first assistants, most
of whom have been long in the Library service and know its
resources, rather than to minor assistants. Inquiries by telephone
are welcome. If questions are asked which do not fall within
the province of the department of the Central Library, or of the
branch library, in which the inquiry is made, the inquirer will
be directed to the proper source of information.
It is again a privilege to record my continued appreciation of
the members of the Library staff in the regular day and evening
service — in minor as well as in major positions — who have
co-operated so admirably with their Director during the year.
On the efficient performance of their duty depends the credit for
the operation of the Department.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. D. Belden,
Director
APPENDIX.
TABLE OF CENTRAL AND
BRANCH CIRCULATION
1922-23
1923-24
1924-25
1925*
1926
1927
Central Library
590,655
576,997
623,024
608,852
644.896
657.977
Branches:
Allston
53,598
57,705
60,358
63,434
74,297
81,984
Andrew Square
33,413
51,991
68,196
68,772
89,662
92.926
Boylston Station
55,672
62,340
64,871
64,559
71,261
68,196
Brighton
83,238
87,672
92,702
89,384
101,286
98,907
Charlestown
101,140
99,035
98,433
95,288
107,562
110,069
City Point
38,381
43,277
47,441
50,108
51,154
54,232
Codman Square
103.810
113,529
114,950
119,758
145,001
1 56,559
Dorchester
67,810
75.608
88,628
90,123
100,188
101,957
East Boston
120,993
125,968
128,771
125,820
138,691
140,379
Faneuil
24,944
27,004
30,443
31,560
43,782
50,212
Fellowes Athen.
79,125
71,673
76,007
84,765
85,151
89,479
Hyde Park
82,498
89,716
95,334
93,582
98,147
107,168
Jamaica Plain .
59,970
64,022
68,630
67,232
73,117
85,262
Jeffries Point
35,925
40,857
52,020
53,004
58,218
61,893
Lower Mills .
17,577
25,801
27,259
25.488
32,274
35,835
Mattapan
20,497
27,699
48,789
58,290
69,364
95,085
Memorial
108,665
122,159
136,981
135,913
147,263
171,034
Mount Bowdoin
83,376
98,961
107,679
112,320
125,907
129,487
Mount Pleasant
53,846
52,977
53,953
53,778
59,101
66,315
Neponset
33,263
40,353
41,466
39,479
43,349
48,331
North End
96,359
107,329
117,075
121,651
1 37,896
143,381
Orient Heights .
34,240
30,580
40,605
45,395
58.913
55,625
Parker Hill
49,459
44,081
37,038
39,860
43,719
45,862
Roslindale .
82,597
89,336
94,888
93,154
105,074
113,150
Roxbury Crossing
55,91 1
57,869
67,143
58,634
62,462
77,770
South Boston
124,809
139,173
1 52,799
148,751
169,625
170,911
South End
99,543
1 1 1 ,682
117,845
112,578
118,315
116,226
1 yler Street
39,973
42,270
37,321
37,436
43,421
39,868
Upham's Corner
120,257
109,731
95,975
100,288
126,010
152,140
West End .
142,470
1 54,267
157,321
1 52,043
169.142
175,683
West Roxbury .
74,970
81,199
88,249
88,482
104,889
111.754
Total
2,768,984 2,922,861 3.132,194 3.129,781 3,499,137 3,705,657
'For a year of eleven months.
[63]
The net gains and losses in circulation are presented, apart
from the totals, in the following form :
VOLUMES.
1922-23 gain over preceding year ....... 96,338
1923-24 gain over preceding year ....... 153,877
1924-25 gain over preceding year ....... 209,333
1925* loss from preceding year ....... 12,413
1926f gain over preceding year (of 11 months) .... 369,356
1927 gain over preceding year ....... 306,520
USE OF BOOKS.
Circulation from Central by Months.
January, 1927
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Totals
HOME USE
DIRECT.
HOME USE
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
SCHOOLS AND
INSTITUTIONS
THROUGH
BRANCH DEPT.
TOTALS.
35,176
10,663
21,150
66,989
32,944
9,946
21,225
64,115
36,791
11,322
21,635
69,748
31,996
9,094
22,590
63,680
28,701
8,026
22,750
59,477
21,550
6,609
22,750
50,909
22,355
5,406
6,047
33,808
20,663
5,068
6,060
31,791
22,052
5,699
8,240
35,991
31,132
8,403
14,000
53,535
33,008
9,534
22,210
64,752
30,322
9,300
23,560
63,182
346,690
99,070
212,217
657,977
Distribution of Total Circulation.
HOME
SCHOOLS AND
Central Library:
USE.
INSTITUTIONS.
TOTALS.
a. Direct
346,690
b. Through Branches
1 . Deposit Collection
76,602
2 General Collections
22,468
c. Schools and Institutions th
ough
Branch Department
212,217
657,977
Branches:
Allston
81,984
81 ,984
Andrew Square
92,926
92,926
Boylston Station
68,196
68,196
Brighton
75,289
23,618
98,907
Charlestown
98,098
11,971
110,069
City Point
54,232
54,232
Carried formard
470,725
35,589
506,314
* Eleven month period.
t Gain over an approximation of preceding twelve months 233,279.
[64]
Brought forward
Codman Square
Dorchester
East Boston
Faneuil
Fellowes Athenasum
Hyde Park
Jamaica Plain
Jeffries Point
Lower Mills
Mattapan
Memorial
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
470,725
35,589
506 314
144,847
11,712
1 56,559
84,430
17,527
101,957
120,171
20,208
140,379
50.212
50,212
71,434
18,045
89,479
95,308
11,860
107,168
72,977
12,285
85,262
61 ,893
61 ,893
35,835
35,835
95,085
95,085
167,356
' 3,678
171.034
124,300
5,187
129,487
66,315
66,315
48,331
48,331
141,594
' 1,787
143,381
55,625
55,625
45,862
45,862
102,781
10,369
113,150
77,770
77,770
144,820
26,091
170,911
99,230
16,996
116,226
39,868
39,868
151,402
' 738
152,140
1 50,794
24,889
175,683
91,776
19,978
111,754
2,810,741
236,939
3,047,680
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) ..........
From Branches (excluding books received from Central Library)
Total
Comparative.
Central Library circulation (excluding
schools and institutions) :
Direct home use ....
Through Branches
Branch Libraries circulation (ex-
cluding schools and institutions) :
Schools and institutions circulation (in-
cluding books from Central through
the Branch system)
1926.
340,585
106,456
657,977
3,047,680
3,705,657
1927.
447,041
2,612,108
439,988
3.499,137
346,690
99,070
445,760
2.810.741
447.156
3.705.657
[65]
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:
Volumes lent from this Library to other libraries
Lent to libraries outside of Massachusetts .
in Massachusetts
Totals .....
Applications refused:
From libraries in Massachusetts
From libraries outside of Massachusetts
Totals ....
Borrowed from other libraries for use here
1926.
1.580
250
1927.
1,723
264
1,830
1,987
475
117
478
104
592
582
24
24
The classified direct circulation of the branches was as
follows, for two successive years :
1926 1927
VOLUMES. PERCENTAGE. VOLUMES. PERCENTAGE.
825,834 .
32
901,688
32
256,018
10
273,932
10
1 ,022,430
39
1,107,625
39
507,826
19
527,496
19
Fiction for adults .
Non-fiction for adults
Juvenile fiction
Juvenile non-fiction
At the Central Library the classified direct circulation shows
the following percentages:
Fiction \
Non-fiction
1926.
PERCENTAGE.
48.5
51.5
1927.
PERCENTAGE.
47.7
52.3
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
1926.
1927.
9,474
9,870
3,237
2,688
67,435
12,711
67.435
66,424
3,289
12,558
69,713
Totals
80,146
82,271
[66]
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 serials bound
Totals .
THE
Catalogued (new) :
Central Library Catalogue
Serials
Branches
Recatalogued
Totals
CENTRAL. BRANCHES.
TOTAL
VOLUMES.
12,558
69,713
82,271
11,437
1,060
12,497
80
80
144
144
1 ,622
70
1,732
116
116
1,647
1,647
27,644
70,843
98,487
CATALOGUE.
1926
1927
VOLS. AND m„ „
TITLES.
PARTS.
VOLS. AND
PARTS.
TITLES.
23.496 14,544
25,811
1 5,932
5,475 ....
6,697
57,473 50,246
67,602
57,543
17,819 9,358
15,337
8,261
104,263 74,148 115,447 81,736
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) ....
Special collections, new books and transfers ......
Books reported lost or missing in previous years, but now found, transfers
from branches, etc.
Removed from Central Library shelves during the year:
Books reported lost or missing, condemned copies not yet replaced, trans-
fers, etc. ............
Net gain at Central Library .........
Net gain at branches ...........
24,553
2,081
1,904
28,538
12,304
16,234
13,816
Net gain, entire library system ......... 30,050
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
[67]
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
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
1 79,250
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
1883-84 .
438,594
1918-19
1,173,695
1884-85 .
453,947
1919-20 .
1,197.498
1885 .
460,993
1920-21 .
1,224,510
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
1927
1,418,489
Volumes in entire library system .
1.418,489
Volumes in the branches
•
391,125
These volumes are located as
follows :
Central Library . 1,027,364
Mattapan . . 6,663
Allston
6,675
Memorial
12,961
Andrew Square .
6,274
Mount Bowdoin
10,090
Boylston Station .
5,700
Mount Pleasant .
6,379
Brighton
19,086
Neponset .
5,127
Charlestown
15,133
North End.
11.959
City Point
8,433
Orient Heights .
5.413
Codman Square .
12,328
Parker Hill .
5,410
Dorchester .
12,957
Roslindale
12,182
East Boston
21,378
Roxbury Crossing
7,486
Faneuil
6,758
South Boston
20,589
Fellowes Athenaeum
37,043
South End .
14,678
Hyde Park .
35,898
Tyler Street
5,966
Jamaica Plain
17.555
Upham's Corner
12,846
Jeffries Point
4,875
West End
22,061
Lower
Mi
Is
.
3,949
West Roxb
ury
17,273
[68]
THE BINDERY.
Number of volumes bound in various styles
Magazines stitched ....
Volumes repaired .....
Volumes guarded . . . .
Maps mounted .....
Photographs and engravings, etc. mounted
Library publications folded, stitched and trimmed
1926
1927
66,946
68.313
187
201
2,176
2.036
1,612
1.684
90
41
4,908
3.044
64,573
88.997
THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
Requisitions received and filled
Card Catalogue (Central Library) :
Titles (Printing Department count
Cards finished (exclusive of extras)
Card Catalogue (Branches) :
Titles (Printing Department count)
Cards finished (exclusive of extras)
Signs .....
Blank forms (numbered series)
Forms, circulars, and sundries (outside
Catalogues, pamphlets, and bibliographical programs
1926
1927
237
203
5,952
4.050
66,169
65.417
760
480
33,583
32,160
735
283
. 3,402,038
3,127,019
lumbered series
69.370
46,317
1 programs
55,490
43,695
[69]
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Oct.
6
Oct.
9
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9.
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10.
[70]
THE LECTURES OF 1927-1928.
All lectures, except those marked with an asterisk (*) were
illustrated with lantern slides.
1927
The American Indian Past and Present. Dr. Warren K.
Moorehead.
*Paul Claudel, Ambassador and Litterateur. William M.
Stinson, S. J.
^Concert. Gordon String Quartet of Chicago. (Elizabeth
Sprague Coolidge series.)
*Prof. E. Charlton Black Memorial. Address by Rt. Rev.
William F. Anderson, D. D. In Memoriam: poem by
Laura Simmonds. A Group of Songs, rendered by
Mrs. Alice Wentworth MacGregor, and Raymond
Coon, Pianist. (Ruskin Club.)
Today in the Lands of Yesterday: Changing Scenes in
India, China and Japan. Walter W. Allerton.
On the Sea of Noon: Glimpses of Borneo, Java, Ceylon,
and the Philippines. John C. Bowker, M. D.
^Concert. Boston Chamber Music Trio.
Our National Parks. Henry Warren Poor, A. M.
(Under the auspices of the National Park Service, De-
partment of the Interior, Washington, D. C.)
Oct. 23. *Folk Songs of the British Isles, France and the South.
Claramond Thompson, (in costume.)
Oct. 23. ^Concert. Tokar String Quartet.
Oct. 24. The Human Side of Egyptian Sculpture. Dows Dunham,
A. M. (Ruskin Club.)
Oct. 27. Sharing a Hobby: Studies in Color Photography. Mr.
and Mrs. Arthur M. Keith.
Oct. 30. *Our Country's Grandmother. Mrs. Christine von K. Wade.
Oct. 30. Boston 75 Years Ago. Walter K. Watkins.
Nov. 3. Famous Actors, Old and New, with Imitations of their
Acting. Francis Henry Wade, M. D., Ph. D.
Nov. 6. *Folk Music of Many Lands. (Und^r the auspices of the
International Institute, Y.W.C.A.)
Nov. 6. ^Intimate Piano Concert, with interpretative talk. Margaret
Anderton, Pianist.
Nov. 10. *The Trend of Contemporary Drama. Clayton Hamilton.
Nov. 1 0. Forest and Trails in the White Mountains. Philip W.
Ayres, (Field and Forest Club Course.)
Nov. 1 3. ^Dramatizing the Novel. Frank W. C. Hersey, A.M.
(Drama League Course.)
Oct.
13.
Oct.
16.
Oct.
16.
Oct.
20.
[71]
Nov. 1 3. ^Concert. Persinger String Quartet of Santa Barbara.
(Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge series.)
Nov. 14. *Dante. Lilian Whiting. (Ruskin Club.)
Nov. 15. The Riffs of Morocco: Their Customs and Lore. C. S.
Coon. (Under the auspices of the Boston Branch of
the American Folk Lore Society.)
Nov. 1 7. Abraham Lincoln. Guy Richardson.
Nov. 20. English Music Alive Again. Henry Gideon, A.M., and
assistants. Musical and lantern illustrations.
Nov. 20. *Folk Music of Many Lands. (Under the auspices of the
International Institute, Y.W.C.A.)
*The Truth about Kipling's India. Dhan Gopal Mukerji.
* America's Story in Song. Catherine Smith. Musical il-
lustrations.
27. ^Concert. Durrell String Quartet.
A Trip Around the Mediterranean. Harriet Everard
Johnson, S.T.B. (Ruskin Club.)
Across Czechoslovakia, the Heart of Europe. C. F.
Deerbon.
^Concert. Orchestra of the Lincoln House Association.
Jacques Hoffmann, Conductor.
Some Early Playhouses of London. Sarah E. Palmer,
M. D.
Through Six National Parks with the Field and Forest
Club in 1927. Rev. Charles W. Casson. (Field and
Forest Club Course.)
I 1. *The Problem Play. Robert E. Rogers, A. M. (Drama
League Course.)
I 1 . *Musical Program. Mrs. M. H. Gulesian, Composer-
Pianist, and Mme Olga Avierino, Soprano.
Traveller's Luck in Europe. Mrs. Charles B. Hall.
(Ruskin Club.)
The Nativity in Stereopticon Slides, Music, and Tableaux:
a Synthesis of Music, Color, Picture and Action.
H. Augustine Smith, assisted by the Choral Art Society
of the School of Religious Education of Boston Uni-
versity and by soloists.
Dec. 1 8. When Dickens read the Christmas Carol in Boston on
Christmas Eve. Edward F. Payne, President, Boston
Branch of the Dickens Fellowship.
Dec. 1 8. ^Concert. Musical Art String Quartet of New York.
(Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge series.)
Dec. 1 9. *A Christmas Message. Mrs. Minnie Meserve Soule.
Music by Mrs. Alice Wentworth MacGregor. (Ruskin
Club.)
Nov.
Nov.
26.
2V.
Nov.
Nov.
27.
28.
Dec.
1.
Dec.
4.
Dec.
4.
Dec.
8.
Dec.
11.
Dec.
11.
Dec.
12.
Dec.
15.
[72]
Dec. 22. *Song and Satire of the Eighteenth Century. Lecture-
recital. Emma Marshall Denkinger, Ph. D., and
Esther M. Wood, Soprano.
The Madonna in Italian Art. Mrs. William Dana Orcutt.
Long Wharf and the Old Boston Waterfront; History
and Reminiscences. Gilbert R. Payson.
^Symbolism in Modern Drama. Robert E. Rogers, A. M.
(Drama League Course.)
*Intersettlement Concert by pupils from the Music School
Settlements.
*The Making of a Ruskin Collection. Charles E. Good-
speed. (Ruskin Club.)
The Lure of New England. Percy A. Brigham. (Field
and Forest Club Course.)
Northern Italy and the Dolomites. Rev. A. E. Worman.
^Legends and Folk Songs of Finland. Aino Saari. Musi-
cal illustrations.
*Song Recital. Elsie Winsor Bird, Soprano.
The Life and Art of Edgar Allan Poe. Joseph Lorraine.
Flemish and Dutch Art: a comparison and valuation.
Adriaan M. DeGroot.
^Concert. Choral Society of the Massachusetts State
Federation of Women's Clubs.
22. ^Modern Piano Music of the French, Russian and English
Schools. Elizabeth Siedoff. Lecture-piano recital.
*The Witch of Salem: Cadman's New American Opera.
Grace May Statsman. Musical illustrations. (Ruskin
Club.)
Evangeline Country at Apple-blossom Time. Edwin A.
Freeman.
*The Educational Value of Play Producing in Schools.
Marie Ware Laughton, Director, The Out-Door
Players.
^Concert. Hart House String Quartet of Toronto. (Eliza-
beth Sprague Coolidge series.)
Nature's Mysteries. Dan McCowan. (Contributed by
the Bureau of Commercial Economics, Washington,
D. C.)
^Russian Music. Dr. John P. Marshall.
^Concert. The Players of Concerted Music.
The English Lake Country and its Poets. Olive C. Grigor.
(Field and Forest Club Course.)
Feb. 12. *Our Social Comedies. Mrs. Carl L. Schrader, President,
Drama League of Boston. (Drama League Course.)
Dec. 29.
1928
Jan. 5.
Jan.
8.
Jan.
8.
Jan.
9.
Jan.
12.
Jan.
Jan.
14.
15.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
15.
19.
19.
Jan.
22.
Jan.
22.
Jan.
23.
Jan.
26.
Jan.
29.
Jan.
29.
Feb.
2.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
5.
5.
9.
[73]
Feb.
12
Feb.
13
Feb.
16
Feb.
19
Feb.
19.
Feb.
23.
Feb.
26.
Feb.
26.
Feb.
27.
Mar.
1.
Mar.
4.
Mar.
4.
Mar.
8.
Mar.
11.
Mar.
11.
Mar.
12.
Mar.
15.
Mar.
18.
Mar.
18.
Mar.
11.
Mar.
25.
^Concert. Burgin and Durrell String Quartets of Boston.
(Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge series.)
*The Observance of John Ruskin's Birthday, February 8,
1818. (Ruskin Club.)
Unknown Newfoundland. Robert H. Tait. (Contributed
by the Bureau of Commercial Economics, Washington,
D. C.)
*The Odes of the Roman Poet Horace, in musical settings,
ancient and modern. W. B. McDaniel, II, A. M.
*Intersettlement Concert by Pupils from the Music School
Settlements.
Gainsborough, Painter of Beautiful Women, 1727—1927.
Martha A. S. Shannon.
* Authors and Wives, Face to Face. John E. Pember.
^Concert. Gertrude Ehrhart, soprano, Carmela Ippolito,
violin, and Nicolas Slonimsky, piano.
*The Purpose of Literature. Prof. Earl Augustus Aldrich.
(Ruskin Club.)
Picturesque Germany. John G. Bucher. (Contributed
by the Bureau of Commercial Economics, Washington,
D. C.)
*Negro Writers and Composers. Recital. Dorothy
Richardson, contralto, Eleanor Trent Wallace, reader,
and Dorothy Wood, accompanist.
^Concert. Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra. Joseph F.
Wagner, Conductor.
Mountain and Woodland Trails. Frank H. Sprague.
(Field and Forest Club Course.)
Folk Plays: the Foundation of Modern American Drama.
Albert Hatton Gilmer, A.M. (Drama League Course.)
^Concert. New York String Quartet. (Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge series.)
*Ruskin's Country. Mrs. Herbert J. Gurney. (Ruskin
Club.)
^Varied Program. The Strolling Players. Helene Martha
Boll, Director.
^Concert. Orchestra of the Lincoln House Association.
Jacques Hoffmann, Conductor.
*Intersettlement Concert by Pupils from the Music School
Settlements.
Pilgrim Land and Old New England Whaling. Rev.
George T. Plummer.
*Music of the Church, the Home, and the Nation. Mme
Beale Morey. Vocal and Instrumental illustrations.
[74]
Mar.
26.
Mar.
29.
Apr.
1.
Apr.
1.
Apr.
Apr.
5.
8.
Apr.
8.
Apr.
9.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
12.
1.
15.
Apr.
15.
Apr.
22.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
23.
26.
29.
May
May
3.
6.
May
The Beauties of Switzerland. Mrs. Arthur Dudley Ropes.
(Ruskin Club.)
General Allenby's Palestine Campaign. Lieut. Col. Girard
L. McEntee.
*The Shortest Trail to Bird Acquaintance, by Way of Song
and Call. Lester W. Smith.
^Concert. The Pierian Sodality Orchestra of Harvard
University. Nicolas Slonimsky, Conductor.
Spain, the Land of History and Romance. Ellen E. Page.
^Reminiscences of Famous Shakesperian Actors. Helen
Adelaide Shaw.
'v'Concert. Lenox String Quartet of New York. (Elizabeth
Sprague Coolidge series.)
A New Experiment in Balancing Education. Arthur W.
Gilbert, Ph. D. Mile Berthe Hebert, soloist. (Ruskin
Club.)
Robert Burns. Charles S. Olcott.
*Piano Recital for Young People. Persis Cox.
^Platform arrangement of Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond
Rostand. Edward Abner Thompson, A. M.
*Intersettlement Concert by Pupils from the Music School
Settlements.
*The Modern Church Music Renaissance. Carl F. Pfat-
teicher, Th. D. Musical illustrations.
*Goya. Ellen E. Page. (Ruskin Club.)
From London to Land's End. Mrs. Arthur Dudley Ropes.
^Concert. Leonora Choral Society of Bradford Academy.
Frederick Johnson, Conductor.
Home Life in Japan. Marguerite Rand.
The New Art of Mobile Color. G. A. Shook. Color
Organ and Musical illustrations.
^Concert. Rose String Quartet of Vienna. (Under the
auspices of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.,
Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation.)
Installation
date
Jan. 14.
Feb.
Feb.
5.
PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS. 1927.
In Exhibition Room.
Paintings and etchings by Anthony Thieme.
American Book Illustration. First annual exhibition, by
American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Color prints of the works of Jan Vermeer van Delft, from
collections in the Division of Fine Arts.
Feb.
19.
Feb.
26.
Mar.
7.
Mar.
19.
Mar.
21.
Apr.
2.
Apr.
4.
[75]
Prints of George Washington.
Centenary exhibition of material relating to Ludwig von
Beethoven.
Historic German buildings, to accompany Beethoven
material.
Original designs entered in the "House Beautiful" Cover
Design Competition.
Memorial exhibition of rare manuscripts and editions of the
work of Sir Isaac Newton, 1642—1727.
Fine Printing. Third annual exhibition by The American
Institute of Graphic Arts.
"The Graphic Process": a series of actual prints, edited
by Louis A. Holman — recently acquired by the
Library.
Apr. 18. "Workers Education", in connection with the 5th annual
convention of the Workers Education Bureau of
America ; including original oil paintings by Gerrit
A. Beneker.
Selected work from Lowthorpe School of Landscape Archi-
tecture for Women.
"Better Homes Week": material loaned by the Small
House Service Bureau.
Resources in the Library for study and research in the
Fine Arts.
"Creative Expression in Design and Drawing" ; work by
pupils in the Boston Public Schools. (Held in Sargent
Corridor.)
June 1 . Historical exhibition commemorating the seventy-fifth anni-
versary of the Boston Public Library; material from
various departments of the Library.
Photographic enlargements by William E. Merrill.
"Fifty Books of the Year" and "Printing for Commerce",
lent by the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
"Old World Handicraft", lent by the International Insti-
tute of the Young Women's Christian Association.
"Sculpture in Soap", lent by the Procter & Gamble Com-
pany.
Color prints of Christmas subjects, from the Seeman and
Medici collections.
Apr.
30.
May
2.
May
16.
May
16.
Oct.
8.
Oct.
15.
Nov.
5.
Dec.
5.
Dec.
17.
[76]
IN BARTON-TICKNOR ROOM.
January Books illustrating the historical development of Children's
literature.
January "Masterpieces of Modern Printing."
April Examples of the work of the Kelmscott Press.
May Orderly books of the Revolutionary War, including the re-
cent accession, "Peter Scull's Orderly Book."
October Pictographs of the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras.
December Editions of Newton's "Principia," including first editions
recently acquired by the Library.
SELECTED LIST OF GIFTS AND GIVERS.
Antin, Mary, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Original manuscript of
"The Promised Land" by Mary Antin. For the Artz Collection.
Bates, Katherine Lee, Wellesley. "The Pilgrim Ship," by Katherine
Lee Bates. Inscribed copy for the Artz Collection.
Beethoven Association, The, New York City. Facsimile reproduction of
the original manuscript of Beethoven's "Sonata Appassionata" which
belongs to the Library of the Paris Conservatory of Music. No. 1 30
of 500 copies printed for the Beethoven Association of New York.
Beneker, Gerrit A., West Newton. Colored reproductions of paintings
by Gerrit A. Beneker, with descriptive text.
Connolly, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Arthur T. Fourteen volumes of "Acta
Sanctae Sedis" 1897 to 1908 inclusive, and nineteen volumes of
"Acta Apostolicae Sedis. Commentarium Ofhciale" 1909—1927.
Msgr. Connolly's gift completes and continues the Library set given
by the late Archbishop Williams in 1897.
Conway, Katherine E., Estate of, through James J. Conway, Executor.
A collection of 88 volumes from Miss Conway's private library.
Many of these are inscribed copies from the authors who were her
personal friends and include names of well-known contemporary
writers.
Coolidge, Mrs. Elizabeth S., of Washington. A set in facsimile of the
works of Claudio Monteverdi, printed in Venice in 1607 and re-
printed in Asolo 1926 in a limited edition of 10 volumes. For the
Music Division.
Curtis, Miss Mary, Hamilton, Massachusetts. 660 photographs of
architecture, painting and sculpture in European galleries.
Deering, Charles, Estate of, Chicago. Tamarit. Some notes con-
cerning this historical and legendary Catalonian town. Privately
printed. In English and Spanish. Folio. In % morocco binding.
Fleischner, Otto. II Libro della bella donna. Composto da Messer
Federico Luigini da Vdine. Venetio, 1554.
For the Galatea Collection.
[77]
Forbes, Mrs. J. Malcolm, Milton. (Through the Woodrow Wilson
Foundation). Selected literary and political papers of Woodrow
Wilson. New York., 1925. Five sets of three volumes each.
Harper, Henry H. The story of a Nephrectomy. A true history of a
semi-tragic episode, by Henry H. Harper. Norwood, 1927.
Hersey, Miss Heloise E. Eighty-two volumes of miscellaneous works
and 47 numbers of the Anglo-Catholic Congress Books. (London,
1923.)
Hispanic Society of America, The President and Trustees of, New York
City. A complete set of the Publications of the Society in 200
volumes. A noteworthy addition to the Ticknor Collection of
Spanish and Portuguese books.
Loring, Miss Katharine P., Prides Crossing. At Burnside. Verses by
two friends. (George E. Woodberry and Louisa Putnam Loring)
"Privately printed by D. B. Updike, The Merrymount Press, Bos-
ton, in January 1927." For the Artz Collection.
McGreevy, Michael T. 1 82 photographs of base-ball players covering
a period of fifty years, collected by Mr. McGreevy.
"These pictures have accumulated through the past fifty years and
represent in photographic form the evolution of our great national
game." From letter of giver.
Mackay, Clarence H., New York City. The Clarence H. Mackay
Collection. Italian Schools. By Wilhelm R. Valentiner, New
York. 1926. In Morocco binding. Large folio. (No. 60 of
100 copies printed for private distribution.)
Phillips, Miss Mary E. Edgar Allan Poe the Man. By Mary E.
Phillips. With a foreword by James H. Whitty. Chicago, 1926,
2 vols. (Inscribed to Mr. C. F. D. Belden and members of the
Staff.)
Sargent, Miss Emily and Mrs. Francis Ormond, London. (Through Mr.
Thomas A. Fox.) Thirty-five volumes from the London Studio
of John Singer Sargent. These books were obviously used by Mr.
Sargent in connection with the decorations in the Library.
Schirmer, G., Inc., New York City. Seventy-one pieces of music for the
Allen A. Brown Library.
Sohier, William D. 294 volumes of miscellaneous literature including
poetry, history, Civil War, travel, guide books, etc.
Stinson, Rev. William M., S. J. Boston College in the World War.
1917-18. Chestnut Hill. (1927.)
During the year the Columbia Phonograph Company of New York
and the Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, N. J., have
continued to enrich the Library collection to the extent of 1 1 7 and 63
records respectively. These records, added to the collection of the Library,
are of great use in illustrating the weekly lectures on the Symphony
Concerts.
[78]
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, Newspaper and Patent Department: Pierce E.
Buckley, Chief.
Newspaper Division, Frederic Serex, Assistant in Charge.
Patent Division, William J. Ennis, 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.
Genealogy Division: Agnes C. Doyle, Assistant in Charge.
Information Office: John H. Reardon, Assistant in Charge.
Issue Department: Frank C. Blaisdell, Chief.
Library Training Class: Bertha V. Hartzell, Supervisor.
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: , Chief.
Barton-Ticknor Division, Harriet Swift, Assistant in Charge.
Music Division, Richard G. Appel, Assistant in Charge.
Technology Division, George S. Maynard, 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, Pearl B. Smart.
Brighton, Katrina M. Sather.
Charlestown, Katherine S. Rogan.
• For Branch Librarians, see below.
[79]
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, Ada Aserkoff.
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, Edith R. Nickerson.
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.
Accessions, (See Books).
Balance sheet, 26-29.
Bates Hall, 46.
Bequests, (See Gifts).
Bindery, 68.
Books, accessions, 4, 37-42, 65; de-
posits, 53, 56; expenditures, 4, 39,
40, 51; important accessions, 40-42;
inter-library loans, 56, 65; larger ap-
propriations needed, 5, 32-33; shelf-
room, 37; standard reference for
branches, 57; total number and lo-
cation, 66-67.
Borrowers, (See Registration).
Branches, better quarters, 2, 36, 38;
books, 39, 40; children's rooms, 52,
56; Examining Committee on, 32,
35; Baker Library, 6-9; more need-
ed, 38, 57; report, 57; volumes in, 67.
Business Branch, (See George F.
Baker Library).
Catalogue and Shelf Department, 43,
66.
Children's Department, 34, 51-55; at
branches, 52, 56; staff instruction, 59.
Circulation, 4, 37, 51, 56, 62-65.
Comparison of growth, table, 69.
Concerts (See Lectures and Concerts).
Connolly, Msgr. A. T., elected Piesi.
dent, I.
Deposits, 53, 56.
Director's report, 37-61 .
Dwinnell, Clifton H., appointed a trus-
tee, I .
Employees (See Staff).
Estimates, 3.
Examining Committee, members, 24;
report, 30—36.
Exhibitions, 55, 57, 74-76.
Finance, balance sheet, 26-29; esti-
mates, 3 ; Examining Committee on,
30; expenditures, 37; for books, 39-
40, 51; receipts, 3; special appropri-
ation, 9-10, trust funds, 10-23.
Gaston, William A., decease, I.
George F. Baker Library, transfer of
business books to, and agreement, 6-9,
37.
Gifts and bequests, 4, 39, 42, 76-87.
Government Document Room, 47.
Harvard University School of Business
Administration, (See George F. Baker
Library).
Information Office, 47.
Inter-library loans, 56, 65.
Kirstein, Louis E., elected Vice Presi-
dent, 1 ; addition to fund, 4, 42.
Lecture Hall, use of, 58, 70-74.
Lectures and Concerts, 58, 70-74.
Needs, (See Repairs and Improve-
ments).
Newspaper Room, 47.
Open Shelf Room, 47.
Patent Room, 47.
Periodical Room, 49.
Printing Department, 68.
Publications, 44.
Reed, Helen Leah, bequest of, 4, 42.
Registration Department, 42—43.
Repairs and Improvements, 1-2, 30,
35-36, 38, 54, 60.
Retirements, 60.
[81
Sarah E. Pratt Fund, addition to, 4.
Schools work with, 34, 53.
Seventy-fifth anniversary progress, 37.
Shelf Department, (See Catalogue).
Special Libraries, 33, 41-45, 50.
Staff, instruction, 38, 58-59; officials,
78; retirements, 60.
Storrow, Elizabeth Randolph and Helen
Storrow, gift, 4, 42.
Story Hour, 54.
Tables: Accessions, 65—66; circulation,
62-65; Comparison of growth, 69;
exhibitions, 74-76; gifts, 76-77; lec-
tures and concerts, 70-74; trust funds,
10-23; volumes and location, 66-67.
Teacher's Room, 55.
Training Class, 38, 58.
Treasures, safeguarding etc. 9-10, 31-
33.
Trust Funds, 10-23.
Trustees, organization, 1 ; report 1-24.
Central Library, Copley Square. 1
Branch Libraries, January I, 1928.
City Proper.
North End Branch, 3a North Bennet St. . . .14
South End Branch, Shawmut Ave. and West Brookline St. 9
West End Branch, Cambridge, cor. Lynde St. .11
Tyler Street Branch, Tyler, cor. Oak St. . . . P
Brighton.
Brighton Branch, Academy Hill Road .... 2
Allston Branch, 138 Brighton Ave C
Faneuil Branch, 100 Brooks St H
Charlestown.
Charlestown Branch, Monument Square, cor. Monument Ave. 3
Dorchester.
Dorchester Branch, Arcadia, cor. Adams St. .
Codman Square Branch, Washington, cor. Norfolk St.
Upham's Corner Branch, Columbia Road, cor. Bird St
Lower Mills Branch, Washington, cor. Richmond Si.
Matlapan Branch, 7 Babson St. .
Mount Bowdoin Branch, Washington, cor. Eldon St.
Neponset Branch, 362 Neponset Ave. . .
East Boston.
East Boston Branch, 276-282 Meridian St. .
Jeffries Point Branch, 195 Webster St.
Orient Heights Branch, 1030 Bennington St.
Hyde Park.
Hyde Park Branch, Harvard Ave., cor. Winlhrop St
Jamaica Plain.
Jamaica Plain Branch, Sedgwick, cor. South St.
Boylston Station Branch, Depot Square
Roxbury.
Fellowes Athenaeum Branch, 46 Milmont St.
Memorial Branch, Townsend, cor. Warren St.
Mount Pleasant Branch, Dudley, cor. Vine St.
Parker Hill Branch, 1518 Tremont St.
Roxbury Crossing Branch, 208 Ruggles St. .
South Boston.
South Boston Branch, 372 Broadway . .
Andrew Square Branch, 396 Dorchester St. .
City Point Branch, Broadway, near H St.
West Roxbury.
West Roxbury Branch, Centre, near Mt. Vernon St. .12
Roslindale Branch, Washington, cor. Ashland St. . . .16
Area of City (Land only) 45.60 Squar
Population (Census of 1925), 779,620.
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