Skip to main content

Full text of "Annual report"

See other formats


TWENTY-NINTH 


ANNUAL  REPOET. 


1881 


[Document  97  —  1881.] 


CITY  OF  mlm  BOSTON. 


TWENTY-NINTH  ANNUAL  EEPORT 

OF    THE 

Trustees  of  the  Public  Library. 

18  8  1. 


[A.] 

The  Trustees  have  the  honor  to  present  to  the  City  Council 
their  twenty-ninth  annual  report,  it  being  the  third  made 
under  their  Act  of  Incorporation,  and  comprising  general  and 
special  details  of  the  condition  of  the  Library  for  the  year 
ending  the  30th  of  April  last. 

The  reports  of  the  Examining  Committee  and  of  the  Libra- 
rian form  part  of  this  document. 

In  view  of  the  amount  of  labor  required  to  make  even  a 
cursory  investigation  of  the  various  departments  of  the  insti- 
tution, it  was  deemed  advisable  to  appoint  a  larger  committee 
than  heretofore  had  served,  and  to  increase  its  number,  with 
the  chairman,  to  ten  members.  It  consists  for  the  present 
year  of  Howard  P.  Arnold,  Esq.,  Henry  P.  Bowditch, 
M.D.,  Mrs.  Ednah  D.  Cheney,  George  E.  Ellis,  D.D., 
Edward  J.  Holmes,  Esq.,  Mrs.  Charles  C.  Smith,  Edwin  P. 
Seaver,  Esq.,  Hon.  Darwin  S.  Ware,  William  C.  Williamson, 
Esq.,  with  Professor  Henry  W.  Haynes,  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  as  chairman.  It  should  be  remarked  that  the 
chairman  takes  no  part  in  the  discussions  of  the  committee, 
but  it  is  his  duty  to  aid  the  members  to  ascertain  such  facts 
as  are  desired  relative  to  the  actual  condition  of  all  the  vari- 
ous ramifications  of  its  adminstration  as  may  be  necessary  in 
their  opinion  to  form  an  intelligent  judgment  upon  the  state 
of  the  institution,  its  wants,  and  its  relations  to  the  commu- 
nity. 


2  City  Docuivient  No.  97. 

No  Examining  Committee  within  the  remembrance  of  the 
recent  Board  of  Trustees  has  bestowed  so  much  continuous  time 
and  service  in  the  execution  of  their  duties  as  have  been  given 
during  the  present  year.  In  understanding  fully  the  working 
of  any  great  social  institution  two  views  must  naturally  be 
taken :  the  one,  by  those  standing  within,  and  controlling 
day  by  day  the  management  and  apparent  results  of  the  dif- 
ferent anns  of  administration  ;  the  other,  by  those  standing 
without,  and  looking  at  these  operations  from  a  diiferent 
and  opposite  post  of  observation,  with  an  intent  to  inspect 
the  value  of  the  results  and  the  adequacy  of  each  portion  of 
the  system  which  produced  them.  Each  view  naturally 
embraces  points  not  directly  within  sight  of  the  other.  Their 
report  covers  a  large  field,  and  embraces  more  questions 
of  interest  than  have  beeii  undertaken  by  preceding  com- 
mittees. Many  of  the  suggestions  made  are  so  eminently 
practical  that  they  will  doubtless  meet  with  the  full  assent 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  all  of  them  will  receive  careful 
consideration.  Their  forcible  presentation  of  the  necessity 
of  a  new  building  for  the  invalual)le  stores  of  the  Bates  Hall 
Library  should  arrest  public  attention.  The  judicial  exami- 
nation of  the  catalogue  question  is  commended  to  so-called 
experts  upon  that  vexed  subject. 

The  report  of  the  Librarian  gives  the  administrative  system 
of  the  Library  so  clear  an  exposition  in  its  details  and  results 
that  no  reader  can  fail  to  see  with  what  earnest  devotion  the 
executive  officer  of  the  institution  is  attending  to  the  details 
of  his  ofiice.  At  no  time  has  each  department  been  more 
conscientiously  overseen  and  no  better  work  has  been  done  by 
its  industrious  force.  His  statement  will  be  found  fuller  in  the 
collection  of  the  various  items  of  administrative  control  than 
has  heretofore  been  given  to  the  public.  Particular  atten- 
tion will  naturally  be  paid  to  that  portion  of  the  work  of 
circulation  which  relates  to  improvement  of  reading  and  to  the 
relation  of  the  Library  to  the  su})plemental  education  of  the 
schools,  which  will  indicate  to  the  great  body  of  parents  and 
teachers  that  the  institution  is  fully  cognizant  of  the  manner  in 
which  its  best  influences  may  be  exerted  for  the  young,  with- 
out the  ability  on  its  own  part  to  furnish  text-books  from  its 
own  funds. 

A  New  Building. 

A  year  has  now  passed  since  the  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
chusetts, by  the  vote  of  its  enlightened  Legislature,  Avisely  gave 
to  the  City  of  Boston,  for  the  use  of  the  Public  Library,  a 
valuable  estate  on  Dartmouth  and  Bojdston  streets,  upon  the 
condition  that  an  edifice  should  be  begun  in  three  years  from 


Public   Library.  3 

the  passage  of  the  act.  We  have  now  entered  upon  the  second 
year,  and  the  Trustees  of  the  Library  have  asked  permission  of 
the  City  Government  to  allow  the  services  of  the  experienced 
Architect  of  the  city  to  be  retained  in  consultation  with  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  in  devising  and  drawing  the  plan  and 
estimates  to  be  submitted  to  the  approval  of  the  Council  for 
a  suitable  fire-proof  building,  conformed  to  the  exigencies  of 
the  Library,  and  to  the  convenience  of  students.  A  building 
constructed  for  library  uses  at  the  present  day,  and  contain- 
ing within  its  walls  a  collection  of  such  great  value,  and  whose 
riches  are  destined  to  increase  year  by  year,  must  be  built 
m  the  most  improved  form,  and  fashioned  to  meet,  so  far 
as  is  practicable,  the  future  necessities  of  such  an  institution. 
For  the  preparatory  work  considerable  time  is  requisite. 
The  most  conveniently  arranged  buildings  recently  con- 
structed for  this  purpose  must  be  carefully  studied,  and 
thoughtful  provision  must  be  made  for  the  peculiar  needs  of 
this  collection,  as  distinct  in  its  public  relations  from  other 
reference,  educational,  and  scientific  libraries.  No  elegant 
edifice  is  to  be  designed  in  which  the  books  are  to  be  depos- 
ited in  conformity  to  the  architectural  or  ornamental  struct- 
ure of  the  building ;  but  it  should  be  erected  over  the 
books,  the  arrangement  and  classification  of  which  for  con- 
venience of  use  must  determine  the  form  and  details  of  its 
great  hall,  in  which  they  must  necessarily  be  stored,  and 
thus  outline  the  walls  of  the  building.  The  other  conditions 
of  the  Library  can  be  easily  fashioned  to  conform  to  this  first 
necessity.  Provision  can  be  made  in  other  stories  for 
rooms  for  special  collections  already  given  to  the  Library, 
and  not  classified  in  its  general  system  of  arrangement ;  for 
the  receiving  department ;  for  ofiices  for  the  Librarian  and  his 
immediate  stafl";  for  the  catalogue  department,  adjacent  to  the 
quarters  assigned  to  the  great  card  catalogue,  freely  accessible 
to  public  use ;  for  the  student,  who  makes  the  Library  his 
workshop,  and  gives  his  time  at  the  Library  to  the  prosecu- 
tion of  studies  which  cannot  be  so  fully  arranged  elsewhere ; 
for  sufficient  heating  without  injury  to  the  books ;  for 
suitable  light  and  thorough  ventilation.  There  are  other  points, 
not  necessary  to  be  specified  here,  which  aflbrd  a  basis  of 
research  and  study  on  the  part  of  the  architect  for  which  the 
interval  of  time  before  the  expiration  of  its  limits  hardly 
suffices  for  adequate  preparation.  The  Boylston-street  struct- 
ure is  one  of  the  ornaments  of  the  city,  externally  and 
internally,  but  is  a  signal  instance  of  inconvenient  and  costly 
construction.  It  was,  however,  built  upon  such  information 
and  knowledge  as  were  accessible  at  the  time,  and  has 
furnished  the  general  model  for  other  large  libraries  in  this 


City  Document  No.  97. 


country.  But  the  theories  upon  which  it  was  based  have 
not  withstood  the  proof  of  service.  Its  adaptation  to  its 
theoretic  uses  has  been  entirely  insufficient.  In  one  point, 
and  that  not  the  least  important,  it  did  honor  to  the  public 
spirit  which  intended  that  the  best  should  be  done,  and 
contributed  the  means  for  its  erection.  No  similar  edifice 
can  meet  the  present  and  coming  wants  of  the  institution, 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  none  such  will  be  attempted. 

The  Library  and  Its  Work  for  the  Year. 

The  summary  of  the  extent  of  the  Library  collections,  and 
their  work  for  the  past  year,  is  herewith  presented.  Such 
comments  as  appear  to  be  needed  are  subsequently  added. 

The  afforreffate  number  of  volumes  embraced  in  the  Bates  Hall 
collection  is  244,946  ;  in  the  Lower  Hall,  38,073  ;  in  the 
branches,  108,319,  making  a  total  of  391,338, — a  net  in- 
crease for  the  year  of  14,113  volumes,  or  3^'''^  per  cent. 

The  whole  number  of  days  on  which  the  libraries  were 
open  were  305,  with  the  exception  of  East  Boston  and 
Charlestown. 

The  use  of  the  books  for  the  year  shows  a  decrease  of 
91,640  volumes  taken  from  the  shelves,  amounting  in 
1879-80  to  1,156,721,  and  in  1880-81  to  1,065,081,  as 
shown  in  the  following  table,  from  which  the  collections 
(comprising  15,941  vols.,  12,477  vols.),  in  the  basement  of 
the  Boylston-street  building  are  excluded  :  — 


Name  of  Library. 


Lower  Hall  .  .  .  . 
East  Boston  .  .  .  . 
South  Roston    .   .   . 

Roxbury 

Charlestown  .... 

Brighton 

Dorchester     .   .   .   . 

South  End 

Jamaica  Plain  .  .  . 
West  Roxbury  .   .   . 

Bates  Hall 

Fellowes  Athcnseum 


No.  of  Vols 
April  30, 

1880. 


36,861 
10,605 
9,633 
12,228 
22,059 
12,970 
10,085 
9,498 
7,811 
3,068 


134,818 

220,683 

5,005 

360,506 


In  Use, 
1879-80. 


316,517 
108,201 
143,570 
107,083 
74,748 
27,980 
56,716 
79,291 

54,626 

968,732 

170,142 

17,847 

,156,721 


No.  of  Vols, 

April  30, 

1881. 


38,073 
10,815 
9,984 
12,702 
23,202 
13,087 
10,597 
9,507 
8,238 
3,069 


139,274 

229,005 

7,118 

375,397 


In  Use, 
1880-81. 


266,863 
101,118 
132,858 
94,743 
80,822 
28,177 
55,188 
73,962 

50,108 


883,839 

165,373 

15,869 

1,065,081 


Public  Library.  5 

The  most  striking  result  of  this  table  is  shown  in  the  dimi- 
nution of  use,  amounting  to  nearly  eight  per  cent.  For  this 
various  reasons  may  be  assigned.  The  falling  off  began  after 
the  year  1878,  when  the  maximum  figures  1,183,991  were 
obtained.  From  this  date  several  causes  have  been  in  opera- 
tion, some  of  which  have  been  noted  before  in  the  reports  of 
the  Trustees,  and  have  affected  the  use  of  the  books,  espe- 
cially in  the  popular  libraries.  Any  diminution  of  the  pro- 
portion of  fiction,  especially  of  that  recently  printed,  produces 
a  similar  reduction  in  the  number  of  patrons  of  the  shelves.^ 

The  number  of  books  lost  is  proportionately  less  than  for 
many  years.  Last  year  only  one  volume  was  unaccounted  for 
in  every  11,122  loaned,  while  for  the  year  just  closed  only 
one  is  missing  from  every  12,104  circulated,  — a  total  of  88 
are  gone,  52  volumes  from  the  Boylston-street  Library,  and  the 
remaining  36  from  the  Branches,  with  the  exception  of  Dor- 
chester, from  which  no  book  was  lost. 

The  record  of  the  use  of  periodicals  at  the  Central  Library 
and  four  Branches  shows  a  delivery  of  520,672  as  against 
481,901  during  the  previous  year.  Notwithstanding  the  lim- 
ited accommodations  in  Boylston  street  for  its  numerous  visit- 
ors, it  furnished  its  readers  with  400,357  periodicals,  —  a  gain 
on  the  issues  of  1879-80  of  nearly  45,000.  This  does  not 
include  the  higher  order  of  serials  and  the  transactions  of 
societies,  which  are  kept  in  Bates  Hall. 

The  whole  number  of  volumes  sent  to  be  bound  were 
16,501.  Of  these  6,354  went  to  outside  binderies.  The 
work  done  by  this  department  of  the  institution  still  retains 
the  high  character  which  it  has  gained  in  former  years. 

The  Branches. 

The  eight  Branches  of  the  Library  were  established  between 
the  years  1871  and  1878.  Those  of  Charlestown  and  Brighton 
were  acquired  by  annexation  of  these  districts,  and  the  others 
were  founded  by  the  city.  They  now  contain,  irrespective 
of  the  Fellowes  Athenfeum,  101,201  volumes;  with  the 
exception  of  Charlestown,  which  was  provided  with  a  new 
catalogue,  their  circulation  has  felt  in  degree  the  same  influ- 
ences which  have  curtailed  the  use  of  the  Lower  Hall  Library 
in  Boylston  street.  Their  total  issues  were  616,976  against 
652,215  volumes  of  the  previous  year,  or  a  diminution  of 
^T%  P^i'  cent.  ;  and  this  result  is  reached,  notwithstanding 
the  average  of  fiction  in  the  Branches  is  about  3  per  cent, 
less  than  in  the  popular  library  in  Boylston  street. 

1  Fuller  details  upon  this  point  will  be  found  in  the  Report  of  the  Librarian. 


6  City  Document  No.  97. 

During  the  coming  year  it  is  proposed  to  extend  to  the 
Branches  a  system  of  help  to  readers  similar  to  that  which 
has  been  so  successful  in  the  Central  Library,  and  also  to  print 
lists  of  good  books  suitable  for  perusal  for  the  young,  which 
will  be  of  great  service  to  parents  who  overlook  or  who 
desire  to  have  some  voice  in  the  selections  for  home  perusal 
made  by  their  children. 

The  expense  of  the  circulation  of  the  books  in  the  Branches, 
including  salaries,  cost  of  new  books,  and  general  expenses, 
amounted  during  the  previous  year  to  $30,957.83  against  an 
issue  of  652,215  volumes,  or  an  average  4^^^^  cents  per 
volume.  For  the  present  year  the  loan  of  616,976  books 
foots  up  for  the  same  items  $28,118.79,  or  4^Yo  cents  per 
volume.  For  the  coming  year,  with  the  establishment  of  the 
South  End  Branch  in  more  commodious  quarters,  and  with 
the  expenditure  for  its  catalogue,  as  well  as  a  new  one  for  the 
Dorchester  Branch,  this  average  expenditure  will  probably  be 
exceeded. 

The  Catalogues. 

But  little  is  to  be  added  to  the  presentation  of  the  case 
given  in  the  last  report  of  the  Trustees.  For  the  detail  of 
this  branch  of  the  Library  service  reference  should  be  made 
to  the  report  of  Mr.  Whitney,  the  head  of  the  department,  to 
be  found  in  the  report  of  the  Librarian.  The  Visiting  Com- 
mittee, in  their  report,  have  given  a  full  examination  to  the 
merits  of  the  case,  and  their  conclusions  will  be  carefully 
weighed. 

•  During  the  year  large  progress  has  been  made  in  preparing 
for  the  press  the  Catalogue  of  the  remainder  of  the  Barton 
Library  not  yet  printed,  comprising  the  miscellaneous  portion, 
and  making  about  10,000  volumes.  The  thorough  character  of 
the  work  done  by  Mr.  A.  M.  Knapp  and  Mr.  Jose  F.  Carret 
will  ensure  the  most  rapid  progress,  consistent  with  accuracy, 
when  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  printer.  As  the  publication 
of  this  Catalogue  formed  part  of  the  contract  of  the  city  in 
its  purchase  of  the  collection,  the  Trustees  feel  that  it  is 
quite  time  that  an  end  of  the  extended  time  should  be  within 
reasonable  sight. 

The  Contents  of  the  Public  Library. 

In  the  last  twenty-nine  years  there  has  been  gathered  in 
the  Public  Library  of  Boston  and  its  Branches,  the  largest 
collection  of  books,  under  one  administration,  upon  this  con- 
tinent. It  was  originally  formed  as  supplementary  to  the 
teaching  of  the  public  schools,  but  by  the  generosity  of  the 


Public   Library.  7 

donors  of  the  various  trust  funds  it  has  become  an  institution 
containing  probably  the  largest  number  of  educational  books, 
as  well  as  those  of  great  interest  and  importance,  in  the 
country,  covering  the  needs  of  the  whole  people,  and  propor- 
tionably  useful  to  the  lowest  as  to  the  highest  intelligences. 
In  this  respect  it  differs  from  the  other  great  collections,  no 
less  than  in  the  freedom  wath  wdiich  the  various  classes  of 
books  are  loaned.  It  is  now  a  Library  for  the  whole  people, 
and  covers  the  great  field  depicted  as  probable  in  the  first 
report  of  the  Trustees  in  1852. 

It  is  important  to  refer  to  that  prophetic  outlook  in  order 
that  the  progress  of  the  institution  may  be  understood,  and 
to  show  how  it  has  grown  up  to  its  present  magnitude  upon 
the  lines  originally  foreshadowed. 

In  the  establishment  of  such  a  Library  a  beginning  should  be  made, 
we  think,  without  any  sharply  defined  or  settled  plan,  so  as  to  be 
governed  by  circumstances  as  they  may  arise.  The  commencement 
should  be  made,  of  preference,  in  a  very  unpretending  manner ;  erecting 
no  new  building,  and  making  no  sliow ;  but  spending  such  money  as 
may  be  appropriated  for  the  purpose  chietly  on  books  that  are  known 
to  be  really  wanted,  rather  than  on  such  as  will  make  an  imposing,  a 
scientific,  and  a  learned  collection  ;  trusting  most  confidently  that  such 
a  Library,  in  the  long  run,  will  contain  all  that  anybody  can  reasonably 
ask  of  it.  For,  to  begin  l^y  making  it  a  really  useful  Library  by 
awakening  a  general  interest  in  it  as  a  City  Institution,  important  to  the 
whole  people,  a  pai*t  of  their  education,  and  an  element  of  their  happiness 
and  prosperity,  is  the  surest  ivaij  to  make  it  at  last  a  great  and  rich  Library 
for  men  of  science,  statesmen,  and  scholars,  as  well  as  for  the  great  body 
of  the  people,  many  of  whom  are  always  successfully  struggling  up  to 
honorable  distinctions,  and  all  of  whom  should  be  encouraged  and  helped 
to  do  it.  — p.  19. 

In  fact,  so  wise  in  forecast  as  to  the  future  conditions  of 
administration  and  supply  of  books  to  be  probably  met, 
the  report  of  1852,  of  which  this  portion  was  from  the 
hand  of  Mr.  Ticknor  (pp.  9  to  21),  attracted  universal  atten- 
tion at  the  time,  and  deserves  to  be  often  read  by  those  who 
are  watching  the  progress  of  the  institution  and  the  multitu- 
dinous aims  which  have  since  been  naturally  developed.  As 
it  was,  the  City  of  Boston  being  in  negotiation  for  a  loan  in 
London,  the  Mayor,  Mr.  Seaver,  sent,  with  other  City 
Documents,  showing  what  the  city  was  doing,  across  the- 
water,  to  the  great  house  of  Baring  Bros.  &  Co.,  of  which  Mr. 
Joshua  Bates  was  the  head,  a  copy  of  this  document 
relating  to  the  Library.  This  gentleman,  in  consequence, 
became  so  much  interested  in  the  scheme  that  he  estalilished 
the  institution  on  a  firm  foundation  by  the  presentation  of 
$50,000  for  a  trust-fund,  the  income  of  which  was  to  be 
expended  in  the  purchase  of  "books  of  permanent  value," 
and  subsequently  by  the  purchase  of  books,  to  the  amount  of 


8  City  Document  No.  97. 

$50,000,  of  such  high  cost  and  intrinsic  value,  and  beyond  the 
means  of  any  ordinary  income,  as  made  it,  according  to  the 
words  of  Mr.  Ticknor,  quoted  above,  "  a  great  and  rich  Library 
for  men  of  science,  statesmen,  and  scholars."  Other  generous  ' 
citizens,  whose  names  are  well  known  to  every  Bostonian,  gave 
special  funds  to  be  used  for  the  same  grand  purpose.  The 
Bigelow  Fund  of  $1,000,  previously  given  by  Mr.  John  P. 
Bigelow,  was  the  first  money  given  to  the  institution,  but  of 
which  Mr.  Bates  had  never  heard  at  the  time  of  his  first 
oflering.  These  funds  now  amount  to  $116,600,  and  yield 
an  income  of  $6,940  per  annum,  which  is  devoted  to  books 
of  permanent  value. 

Besides  the  works  purchased  with  the  income  of  those 
funds,  great  benefactions  of  books  have  been  made  to  the 
Bates  Hall  collection,  not  only  in  whole  libraries  given  or 
bequeathed  to  it,  but  in  thousands  of  volumes,  the  result  of 
individual  interest  and  generosity  ;  the  total  of  these  benefac- 
tions in  29  years  amounts  to  143,730  volumes,  without  any 
count  of  the  acquisition  from  the  income  of  the  trust-funds 
as  presented  by  the  donors.  Bates  Hall  has  reaped  the 
benefits  of  the  larger  portion  of  these  gifts ;  but  the  Charles- 
town  Li1)rary  has  a  considerable  fund  of  its  own  ;  the  Roxbury 
Branch  (Fellowes  Athenwum)  has  had  a  valuable  bequest 
during  the  past  year  from  the  estate  of  Mrs.  Bartlett,  of  1,045 
volumes.  There  has  also  been  added  to  the  Green  Fund  $500, 
the  whole  income  of  which  has  been  devoted  by  its  generous 
founder  (S.  A.  Green,  M.D.)  to  the  purchase  of  books 
relating  to  American  History. 

This  is  now  a  great  Library.  While  eml)racing  within  its 
treasures  the  widely  extended  stores  of  ancient  and  modern 
learning,  the  acquisitions  of  science  in  its  progressive  march, 
and  the  best  literature  in  our  native  as  well  as  in  foreign 
languages,  it  must  also  in  its  onward  progress  be  a  reflex  of 
each  decade  of  time  in  sufficient  copiousness  for  the  student 
of  history  and  manners.  While  the  works  of  interest  to-day 
will  to  a  large  extent  be  superseded  by  the  literature  of 
twenty  years  hence,  the  Library  would  not  be  complete 
which  did  not  include,  in  due  proportion,  the  thought, 
movement,  imagination,  fancy,  and  possibly  errors,  of  each 
successive  generation. 

Fiction   in   the   Popular   Libraries. 

The  great  question  of  the  due  proportion  of  fiction  and 
juveniles  necessary  to  constitute  a  popular  library,  educational 
in  its  tone  and  effect,  has  from  the  beginning  given  much 
thought  and  anxiety  to  the  Trustees.     It  was  evident  that  no 


Public   Library.  9 

immoral  book  should  be  procured  for  circulation,  and  none 
has  ever  been  put  into  public  use  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
Trustees. 

In  the  report  of  1852  it  is  stated  that  "when  such  a  taste 
for  books  has  once  been  formed  by  these  lighter  pul)lications, 
then  the  older  and  more  settled  works  in  biography,  in  his- 
tory, and  in  the  graver  departments  of  knowledge,  will  be 
demanded.  That  such  a  taste  can  be  excited  by  such  means 
is  proved  from  the  course  taken,  in  obedience  to  the  dictates 
of  their  own  interest,  by  the  publishers  of  popular  litera- 
ture of  the  time  during  the  last  twenty  or  thirty  years. 
The  Harpers  and  others  began  chiefly  with  new  novels  and 
other  books  of  little  value.  What  they  printed,  hoM^ever, 
was  eagerly  bought  and  read,  because  it  w^as  cheap  and 
agreeable,  if  nothing  else.  A.  habit  of  reading  was  thus 
formed." 

As  early  as  the  year  1867  it  w^as  evident  that  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  intellectual  as  well  as  imaginative  power  of  the 
time  was  finding  its  vent  in  fiction,  magazines,  and  the  news- 
papers. This  power  has  developed  itself  with  increased 
energy  year  by  year.  While  the  production  of  solid  books 
slowly  and  gradually  moved  forw^ard  with  the  improvement 
of  classical  learning,  historical  investigation,  and  scientific 
research,  the  literature  of  the  day  has  received  a  prodigious 
impulse.  No  public  Library  has  the  means,  if  it  has  the 
desire,  to  keep  pace  with  it,  by  the  purchase  of  suflicient 
quantities  to  satisfy  popular  demand. 

The  whole  question  of  the  uses  of  fiction  is  one  upon 
which  the  most  diverse  opinions  are  entertained.  The  cynic 
or  ideal  philanthropist  or  impracticable  reformer  regards 
every  novel  as  immoral ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  Sunday- 
schools  and  religious  associations  look  to  important  aid 
from  the  fiction  contained  in  their  libraries.  Some  of  the 
most  important  lessons  taught  in  the  Scriptures  are  in  the 
form  of  fiction.  Prose  fiction  covers  the  widest  possible 
extent  in  the  field  of  belles-lettres.  In  its  more  instructive 
form  it  teaches  lessons  in  history,  geography,  the  natural 
sciences,  general  knowledge,  biography,  the  life  and  customs 
of  different  ages  and  people ;  while  in  the  more  popular 
forms  it  depicts  the  manners  which  illustrate  the  social  con- 
dition of  the  times,  and  shows  what  human  nature  is  in  all 
its  possible  variations.  The  latter  forms  the  class  of  books 
most  to  be  dreaded,  for  it  includes  books  of  the  most 
elevated  tone,  but  also  sensational  and  immature  stories,  such 
as  do  not  harm  morally,  and  can  only  be  read  with  any 
possible  advantage  by  the  most  uneducated  class  of  readers. 
The  choice  or  selection  of  books  of  this  degree  forms  one 


10  City  Document  No.  97. 

of  the  most  prominent  diflSculties  in  the  administration  of  a 
free  public  Library,  from  which  every  tax-payer  has  the 
right  to  expect  the  purchase  of  books  which  will  tend  to 
what  he  considers  to  be  his  advantage.  It  is  evident,  how- 
ever, that  the  proportion  of  this  class  should  be  very  small  in 
any  well-regulated  library. 

The  Trustees  have  recently  been  charged  with  wilfully  or 
ignorantly  consenting  to  the  circulation  of  immoral  litera- 
ture. The  only  definition  which  the  author  of  the  charge 
gives  of  his  meaning  is  by  referring  to  books  written  by  such 
writers  as  Rhoda  Broughton,  Annie  Thomas,  Mrs.  Ross 
Church  (Florence  Marryat),  Mrs.  Annie  Edwards,  Helen 
Mathers,  Mrs.  Forrester,  Edmund  Yates,  Jessie  Fothergill, 
J.  P.  Story,  Edgar  Fawcett,  and  Mrs.  C.  F.  Corbin.  It  is 
obviously  impossible,  as  it  would  be  highly  improper,  for  the 
Trustees  to  exclude  such  authors  as  these,  whose  works  are 
read  in  every  circle  of  society,  and  which  the  public,  who  are 
taxed  to  support  the  institution,  demand.  While  they  carefully 
exclude  from  circulation,  especially  among  the  young,  all 
books  of  an  immoral  influence,  they  do  not  consider  them- 
selves in  the  position  of  parents,  or  guardians  to  the  commu- 
nity, bound  to  select  for  it  only  such  books  as  suit  their  own 
tastes.  The  argument  of  Milton,  in  his  Areopagitica,  against 
a  censorship  of  books  largely  applies  to  the  present  question. 
He  opposes  the  prohibition  of  books  which  might  possibly  be 
injurious,  on  the  ground  that  it  is  not  the  intention  of  the 
Almighty  to  place  us  in  a  world  from  which  all  temptation  is, 
excluded.  Any  standard  of  taste  that  would  deprive  the 
Public  Library  of  such  books  as  Jane  Eyre,  Adam  Bede,  and 
the  Scarlet  Letter,  would  not  satisfy  the  just  demands  of  the 
community.  Every  reader  of  English  literature  will  require 
copies  of  the  works  of  Fielding,  Smollett,  Swift,  Richard- 
son, and  other  classic  authors  of  like  character,  as  a  necessary 
portion  of  a  general  Library ;  but  their  use  in  this  institution 
is  limited  to  those  of  mature  years.  No  volume  of  fiction 
that  represented  a  world  of  fair  weather  and  blue  skies,  with 
no  sickness  or  sufiering,  with  no  vice  or  crime,  could  give 
any  faithful  picture  of  life.  The  immoral  work  represents 
vice  and  crime  in  attractive  colors,  with  highly- wrought  de- 
tails, calculated  to  inflame  the  imagination  and  distort  the 
judgment  of  the  reader  ;  while  fiction  that  paints  the  fatal  con- 
sequences of  error  and  wickedness,  with  the  concomitant  suf- 
fering and  distress,  while  painful  in  perusal  leaves  no  moral 
stain  on  the  mind  of  either  youth  or  age. 

Note.  Since  the  above  was  written  a  list  of  hooks  has  been  furnished  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Library  of  the  City  Council^  considered  reprehensible,  and  by  them 
transmitted  to  the  Trustees.  It  is  now  under  examination,  but  so  far  as  the  obsorva- 
tion  has  extended  it  presents  no  features  to  which  the  fore<»'oin<;'  remarks  will  not 
apply.    Refcreuce  upon  this  point  is  invited  to  the  report  of  the  Librarian. 


Public   Library.  11 

Another  striking  feature  of  the  use  of  fiction  is  the  pro- 
portion of  new  books  which  are  in  demand.  In  the  lower 
hall  of  the  Public  Library,  containing  14,016  volumes  of  fic- 
tion and  juvenile,  it  is  computed  that  at  least  60  per  cent, 
of  the  circulation  of  this  class  is  furnished  from  the  novels 
printed  within  two  years.  This  statement  when  applied  to 
the  actual  loans  gives  most  surprising  results.  The  first  year, 
(1867)  in  which  the  numeration  and  circulation  of  fiction 
was  ascertained,  the  number  of  volumes  was  7,165,  being 
5^Q  per  cent,  of  the  whole  number  of  volumes  in  the 
Boylston-street  Library  accessible  to  the  public,  and  affording 
5^  A  P^^'  cent,  of  its  circulation.  In  1881  the  whole  number 
of  volumes  is  14,016,  or  5^^  per  cent,  of  the  total  contents 
of  the  library,  270,542  volumes,  and  furnishing  43^2^  per  cent, 
of  its  circulation.  In  the  twenty-nine  years  of  its  existence 
these  have  been  collected,  and  it  is  fortunate  that  they  are 
the  cheapest  works  purchased  for  popular  reading,  when  it  is 
found  that  so  large  a  proportion  have  lost  their  interest,  and 
are  only  sparingly  read.  But  yet  we  have  the  extraordinary 
result  of  14,016  volumes  of  fiction,  of  which  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  not  one-half  were  circulated  during  the  year,  furnishing 
43^2_  pgj.  cent,  of  the  use  of  the  Library ;  while  the  256,526 
volumes  of  its  more  instructive  and  more  important  books  had 
only  a  demand  from  5  6|  per  cent .  of  the  readers .  These  figures 
display,  more  than  any  argument  can  state,  the  part  that  fiction 
untainted  with  immorality  plays  in  our  households  ;  yet  from 
this  fact  no  inference  can  be  derived  showing  a  want  of  in- 
telligence and  cultivation  in  the  large  body  of  readers.  There 
may  properly  be  added  to  this  statement  the  remarkable 
fact  that  while  the  whole  contents  of  the  Boylston-street 
Library  were  doubled  from  1867  to  1881,  the  collection  of  fic- 
tion was  also  doubled,  and.the  proportional  use  of  this  branch 
of  literature  fell  otf  18  per  cent.,  which  has  l:)een  nearly  com- 
pensated by  an  increase  of  over  16  per  cent,  in  the  reading 
of  books  which  may  be  said  to  be  educational  according  to 
the  formulae  of  those  who  can  see  no  possible  good  in 
fiction. 

In  this  connection  it  is  a  fact  worthy  of  notice  that  the  Lower 
Hall  Library  contained  upon  the  30th  of  April,  1881,  but 
117  more  volumes  of  fiction  than  it  had  upon  the  same  date 
in  1876. 

.The  Administration. 

The  administration  of  this  Lil)rary  was  placed  by  ordinance 
and  is  now  vested  by  the  act  of  incorporation  in  a  Board  of 
Trustees.  The  principles  wdiich  have  given  this  institution  its 
great  success  were  laid  down  by  the  original  Board  of  Trus- 


12  City  Document  No.  97. 

tees,  and  have  not  been  varied  from  in  principle  since,  although 
experience  has  given  points  of  usefulness  not  directly  within 
the  knowledge  of  a  body  of  men  who  saw  clearly  whatwas  then 
wanted,  but  not  what  the  different  tastes  and  judgments  of  the 
coming  generations  might  require  as  necessary  to  their  intel- 
lectual development.  While  the  principles  at  the  outset  were 
right,  they  were  not  derived  from  a  corps  of  librarians  and  the 
heads  of  the  different  administration  departments  of  a  great 
Library.  After  Mr.  Bates  had  established  this  Library  on  a 
secure  foundation,  and  the  lists  for  books  wanted  had  been  pre- 
pared and  sent  at  his  request  by  the  Trustees,  the  services  of 
Mr.  Jewett,  probably  the  most  eminent  bibliographer  of  the 
time  in  the  country,  were  secured  for  the  still  further  devel- 
opment of  the  reference  Library.  In  this  department  he  was 
facile  j)rinceps.  But  this  was  but  one,  though  a  very  impor- 
tant, portion  of  the  work  to  be  done.  Beside  this  acquisition 
of  the  best  books  and  the  important  plan  of  a  more  perfect 
system  of  cataloguing  than  had  hitherto  been  known,  two 
other  conditions  were  needed  in  the  formation,  growth,  and 
success  of  this  Library,  of  which  no  bibliographer  had  any  pos- 
sible experience :  first,  the  selection  of  a  simply  popular 
Library ;  and,  secondly,  its  administration,  founded  upon  a 
knowledge  of  the  character  of  the  people  to  whose  wants  it 
should  be  a  growing  ministration,  and  of  the  degree  of  trust 
on  which  the  books  might  be  loaned. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Library  have  no  power  to  lay  aside 
their  responsiliility.  By  the  by-laws  of  the  institution  they 
have  given  to  the  Librarian,  the  chief  executive  officer,  all  the 
authority  which  may  reasonably  and  properly  be  given  to  such 
an  administrator  of  its  affairs.  The  institution  is  to  be  man- 
aged for  the  greatest  good  of  the  largest  number  of  people, 
and  so  it  has  come  down  to  the  present  from  former  Boards 
of  Trustees.     The  original  ordinance  requires  it. 

In  an  institution  so  peculiarly  and  obviously  free,  where 
every  change  in  development  can  be  within  the  knowledge  of 
every  one  who  honestly  seeks  information  about  its  principles 
and  its  policy,  and  their  results,  and  when  the  fuller  details 
of  those  results  are  given  for  the  information  of  their  fellow- 
citizens,  it  is  easy  to  see  how  stern  reformers  may  claim  that 
various  details  of  administration  miijht  have  been  more  sue- 
cessfully  i)rojected,  after  the  whole  work  has  been  done.  No 
one  can  claim  that  this  is  not  a  human  institution,  and  as 
such  liable  to  errors  of  judgment  in  its  management ;  but  no 
just  criticism  can  be  had  upon  its  progress  without  an  under- 
standing of  the  motives  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  for  which 
they  alone  are  responsible. 

With  the  uses  of  the  Library  increasing  in  importance  and 


Public  Library.  13 

value  year  by  year,  and  with  a  fluctuating  and  diminishing 
use  of  the  lower  grades  of  fiction,  it  would  appear  to  be  now 
steadily  exerting  its  influences  in  the  directions  where  for  the 
most  part  salutary  and  intellectual  results  may  follow.  The 
collection  of  books  is  so  large,  and  by  this  means  so  various, 
that  few  seeking  improvement  can  fail  to  find  books  suited  to 
their  condition.  This  great  charity  is  oflered  freely  to  the 
whole  community,  which  has  honorably  availed  itself  of  the 
trust.  May  its  resources  and  its  influence  still  continue  to 
increase  as  the  years  roll  on,  so  long  as  they  are  exercised 
for  the  extension  of  human  knowledge  and  instruction  in 
human  character. 

Mr.  Geokge  B.  Chase,  one  of  the  Trustees,  is  in  Europe, 
and  has  had  no  opportunity  of  reading  this  re[)ort. 

WM.  W.  GEEENOUGH, 
JAMES  FREEMAN  CLARIS, 
HENRY  W.  HAYNES, 
HUGH  O'BRIEN, 
CHARLES  E.  PRATT. 


I  cannot  sign  the  foregoing  report. 

SAM'L  A.  B.  ABBOTT. 

Public  Library,  June  25,  1881. 


14  City  Document  No.  97. 


[B.] 
REPORT   OF   THE   EXAMINING   COMMITTEE. 

The  Committee  for  Examining  the  Public  Library  have 
welcomed  the  opportunity  which  this  service  has  given 
them  for  adding  to  the  knowledge  which  their  use  of  its  con- 
tents  has  aftbrded  them,  the  privilege  of  a  more  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  details  of  its  management.  Though  the 
freest  facilities  have  been  extended  to  them  in  their  investi- 
gations, all  their  inquiries  having  been  frankly  met,  and  their 
curiosity,  interest,  and  critical  spirit  abundantly  gratilied,  the 
committee,  even  after  the  completion  of  the  work  assigned  to 
them,  under  the  limitations  of  time  and  circumstances,  might 
naturally  hesitate  to  pronounce  any  summary  judgments  in 
general  or  in  particular.  Like  all  their  fellow-citizens  who 
have  informed  themselves  on  the  subject,  they  are  aware  that 
the  interests  and  conduct  of  the  Library  now,  as  from  its  be- 
ginnings, are,  as  they  have  always  been,  in  the  charge  and 
under  the  willing  and  wholly  unremunerated  oversight  and 
management  of  a  body  of  intelligent,  accomplished,  and  thor- 
oughly conscientious  men,  to  whom  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments are  due. 

It  could  hardly,  however,  be  otherwise  than  that  there 
should  be  reason  and  occasion  for  regular  and  renewed  exam- 
ination of  the  management  and  methods  of  those  who  have 
such  responsible  trusts  committed  to  them  in  the  care  of  such 
valuable  property,  the  conduct  of  so  much  administrative 
business,  the  apportionment  and  disbursement  of  so  much 
money,  the  selection  of  so  many  officers  and  employes,  and 
the  making  and  enforcing  of  rules  for  their  own  guidance  and 
that  of  others.  The  Trustees  will  not  object  to  any  re- 
minders of  their  responsibility,  to  suggestions  or  counsels 
against  merely  routine  or  mechanical  management.  The  in- 
crease of  the  stores  of  literature  of  which  they  have  the 
oversight ;  the  extension  and  complication  of  their  duties  by 
the  provisions  for  Branch  Libraries  and  other  devices  not 
proposed  or  provided  for  in  the  original  scheme  of  the  insti- 
tution, and  the  rapid  growth  of  the  constituency  which  they 
represent  in  its  wide  variance  of  opinions  and  preferences, 
have  added  very  much  to  the  responsibilities  and  obligations 
of  the  Trustees.  Whatever,  therefore,  an  Examining  Com- 
mittee might  be  prompted  to  suggest,  should  not  be  at  all  in 
the  tone  of  fault-finding,  but  with  a  view  to  helping  and  en- 
couraging them. 


Public   Library.  15 

A  sub-committee,  appointed  to  consider  the  subjects  of 
finance  and  administration,  lias  offered  the  following;  suo;o:es- 
tions  :  — 

We  are  convinced  that  no  means  should  be  neglected  to  keep  the  Li- 
brary before  the  people,  and  to  impress  upon  its  patrons  a  vivid  sense 
of  the  treasures  gathered  for  their  use  within  its  walls.  They  should 
be  led  to  feel  a  pride  in  its  high  standard  of  merit,  and  the  rank  it  has 
attained,  together  with  a  pei'sonal  concern  for  its  prosperity  and  a  de- 
sire for  its  increase.  To  this  end  every  effort  should  be  made  to  com- 
raerul  it  to  all  classes  in  the  community,  and  to  give  it  a  more  permanent, 
strong,  and  tenacious  hold  upon  them. 

AV'e  are  well  aware  of  the  attempts  that  have  alread}-  been  made  in 
this  direction  by  its  managers,  and  of  the  success  that  has  followed;  but 
this  very  fact  should  encourage  them  to  renewed  exertions.  We  are  con- 
vinced that  much  more  may  be  done  through  the  press  in  various  forms, 
since  thousands  may  be  reached  in  this  manner  who  even  now  are  quite 
ignorant  of  the  real  value  and  extent  of  the  pi'ivileges  in  their  grasp. 
Well-written  articles  in  a  popular  style  might  be  prepared  for  the  maga- 
zines and  newspapers,  with  numerous  illustrations,  setting  foi'th  the 
superior  advantages  of  the  Library,  and  affording  some  insight  into  the 
priceless  accumulations  that  have  already  been  made.  In  this  way,  not 
only  will  the  prestige  of  the  Library  be  eminently  increased  both  at 
home  and  abroad,  but  the  reactive  eiiVct  upon  our  ritizens  will  be  of  in- 
calculable benefit  to  it  and  to  them,  adding  to  their  pride  in  its  prosper- 
ity and  to  their  appreciation  of  its  influence. 

We  regaid  it  as  particularly  desirable  to  develop  in  every  way  the 
concern  of  the  employes  of  the  Library  for  its  progress,  and  to  make 
it,  in  this  sense,  a  cooperative  institution,  with  whose  fortunes  they 
should  be  led  to  identify  themselves.  ]\Iuch  may  be  done  to  eftect  this, 
to  encourage  a  healthy  enthusiasm,  an  esprit  cle  corjjs,  as  it  were,  by 
neglecting  no  opportunity  to  impress  ujDon  them  the  high  aims  of  the 
institution,  its  jilans  of  working,  and  the  really  philanthropic  objects 
for  which  it  was  established;  to  make  them  sharers  in  its  success,  and 
even  g<nng  so  iar,  if  necessary,  as  to  ofter  some  substantial  reward  to 
any  who  should  discover  a  new  and  practical  method  of  expanding  its 
usefulness,  of  augmenting  its  resources,  of  improving  the  details  of  its 
operation,  or  in  any  way  multiplying  its  facilities.  The  older  em- 
ployes, who  have  proved  the  worth  of  their  services,  should  be  retained, 
if  possible,  ami  favored  as  to  their  health  and  the  duties  required  of 
them  in  every  way,  and  should  it  be  thought  best  to  shorten  their  hours 
of  labor,  or  to  increase  their  salaries,  the  Trustees  should  not  hesitate  to 
do  this  at  whatever  risk  of  criticism  or  censure,  should  they  consider 
it  demandetl  by  the  best  interests  of  the  institution.  One  old  and 
well-tried  servant  is  worth  more  for  the  time  being  than  ten  new  ones. 

One  of  the  most  important  branches  ot  Library  administration,  as 
vrell  as  the  one  most  obvious  to  public  criticism,  is  the  delivery  of  the 
books  applied  for  to  the  applicants  at  the  desk.  It  is  of  the  greatest 
consequence  that  this  work  should  be  promptly  and  accurately  per- 
formed, and  that  the  public  should  have  full  assurance  that  any  book 
upon  the  shelves  can  be  obtained  on  proper  application.  Unfortunately, 
this  assurance  has  not  always  been  felt,  instances  having  occurred  in 
which  books  have  been  reported  to  be  "out,"  when  a  subsequent  and 
more  careful  investigation  has  shown  them  to  be  in  or  near  their  places 
on  the  shelves. 

With  a  view  of  reducing  this  difliculty  to  a  minimum,  the  following 
plan,  devised  by  the  Librai'ian,  has  been  in  operation  during  the  past 
six  months:  The  number  of  every  book  put  into  circulation  or  sent  to 
the  bindery  is   placed  upon  a  separate  slip  of  paper,   and  the  slips, 


18  City  Document  No.  97. 

they  afford  to  the  service  of  the  Central  Lil^raiy,  and  the 
reduction  of  the  occasional  pressure  of  applicants  there,  are 
to  be  credited  in  their  favor. 

The  books  in  the  Lower  Hall  and  in  the  Branches  exliibit 
evidence  of  much  and  frequent  use,  many  of  them  being 
dilapidated.  It  is  easy  to  replace  the  most  desirable  of 
them ;  while  of  others  of  them,  of  only  ephemeral  interest, 
and  of  no  instructive  or  disciplinary  value,  we  may  w^elcome 
the  natural  decay,  as  they  will  yield  their  space  to  some- 
thing better.  The  survival  of  the  fittest  is  a  wholly  unobjec- 
tionable process  and  result  in  a  Public  Library. 

From  time  to  time,  before  they  were  called  to  this 
service,  members  of  the  committee  had  observed  in  the 
public  prints,  charges,  sometimes  vague,  and  occasionally 
more  or  less  distinct  or  pointed,  that  many  volumes  not  only 
of  an  unimproving,"  sensational,  and  exciting  character,  but 
some  that  were  of  a  positively  injurious,  demoralizing,  and 
corrupting  influence  over  the  young,  were  in  free  circulation, 
especially  through  the  Lower  Hall  and  the  Branch  libraries. 
Nothing  in  the  shape  of  evidence  for  these  charges,  in  speci- 
fied cases,  names  or  descriptions  of  books,  or  complaints 
of  parents  or  teachers,  has  been  presented  to  or  put  within 
the  reach  of  the  committee  on  this  serious  matter.  They 
would  not  have  failed  to  probe  the  subject  thoroughly.  But 
in  giving  due  attention  to  it  they  can  find  no  present  grounds, 
at  least,  for  the  charges,  other  than  that  among  the  books 
circulating  here,  as  through  the  whole  community,  are  many, 
imaginative,  exciting,  and  trashy  works,  high-wrought,  sensa- 
tional, and  unwholesome  in  their  tone  and  influence.  There 
may  have  been  heretofore  a  disproportion  of  such  books 
within  the  reach  of  applicants,  and  the  records  may  show 
that  they  were  much  in  use.  But  caution  and  watchfulness 
are  not  wanting.  We  recognize  with  satisfaction  the  earnest 
efforts  of  the  Trustees  to  secure  the  Library  and  the  circula- 
tion against  all  reasonal>le  objections  of  this  sort.  In  the 
year  ending  April  30,  1880,  the  excess  of  the  condemned 
and  not  replaced  books  of  fiction  over  the  replaced  was 
566,  besides  215  volumes  transferred  to  the  duplicate  room 
and  no  longer  circulated.  In  the  last  lilirary  j^ear  the 
excess  of  condemned  over  replaced  novels  was  241,  and  4 
were  transferred  to  the  duplicate  room. 

The  restriction  upon  the  circulation  of  all  books  of  an  ob- 
jectionable character  among  the  young  presents  the  point  of 
least  difficulty  in  dealing  with  some  very  perplexing  questions 
relating  to  what  may  or  may  not  be  properly  gathered  for 
free  or  for  limited  and  guarded  use  on  the  shelves,  or  in  the 
cabinets,  of  a  large  and  miscellaneous  public  library.     The 


Public   Library.  19 

literature  of  every  aQ;e  and  land  and  lan^uaofe  emliraces  works 
classed  as  products  of  genius,  in  which  the  literary,  histori- 
cal, biographical,  moral  or  imaginative  elements,  that  are  of 
the  hio^hest  interest  and  value  to  us,  are  wroug-ht  in  with 
coarse,  impure,  indelicate  material  in  relation,  description, 
insinuation,  or  disclosure.  A  censorship  for  discriminating 
and  pronouncing  upon  these  objectional^le  qualities  would 
follow  tests  and  standards  of  a  most  varialile,  vague,  and  in- 
consistent character,  as  different  individuals  might  apply  it, 
for  inclusion  or  exclusion  in  the  contents  of  a  Public 
Library. 

There  are  Christian  families  in  which  the  Old  Testament  is 
a  forbidden  book  to  the  young.  The  classics  are  expurgated 
for  schools.  More  than  once  has  Shakespeare  been  purged 
for  the  household.  The  series  of  British  poets,  when  found 
in  their  completeness,  embraces  writers  and  pieces  stained 
with  vulgarity  and  obscenity.  Pul)lications  of  historical  and 
antiquarian  societies,  in  order  to  meet  their  special  ends  of 
fidelity  and  accuracy,  nuist  put  into  print  what  would  be 
unfit  for  school  or  family  reading. 

It  hardly  needs  to  be  said  that  no  Public  Lil)rary  should 
furnish  books  to  young  readers,  or  to  those  of  any  age, 
which  will  inflame  their  passions  or  pervert  their  moral 
sense.  But  works  which  would  have  such  effects  on  some 
persons  would  have  no  such  influence  on  other  readers. 

The  conclusion  would  be,  that,  while  works  of  the  whole 
class  here  referred  to  should  not  l)e  positively  excluded  from 
a  great  library,  nor  from  the  carefully  guarded  use  of  those 
who  may  safely  be  trusted  with  them,  they  should  be  re- 
stricted and  denied  in  all  cases  to  the  young. 

There  is  a  considerable  class  of  books  which,  though  they 
may  not  be  positively  impure  and  corrupt  in  their  tone  and 
contents,  are  so  utterly  worthless,  and  so  lacking  in  any 
good  quality  and  influence  for  heart,  mind,  or  character, 
that  the  committee  would  advise  their  exclusion  from  cir- 
culation and  from  the  shelves.  Nor  do  they  regard  the 
plea  as  a  valid  one  that  the  Library  is  bound  to  meet  and 
satisfy  the  demands  of  all  readers  of  every  taste  and  mental 
capacity.  The  Library  is  sustained  as  a  public  educator, 
with  functions  like  those  of  our  public  schools.  It  is  to  im- 
prove and  elevate  tastes,  capacities,  and  moral  and  mental 
qualities,  and  to  minister  innocent  delight  to  wearied  toilers  ; 
and  for  those  whom  it  cannot  directly  or  indirectly  serve  to 
such  ends  its  funds  and  facilities  are  not  available. 

The  committee  have  scrutinized  with  care  these  three  mat- 
ters :  the  amount  and  quality  of  objectionable  matter  in  the 
Library ;  the  conditions  and  limitations  of  its  use  for  any 


20  City  Document  No.  97. 

applicants ;  and  the  securities  in  selection,  purchase,  and 
examination  by  proper  officials,  to  prevent  the  circulation 
among  the  young  of  any  harmful  books. 

The  most  emphatic  remark  which  we  have  to  make  as  the 
result  of  our  inquiries  bearing  upon  the  complaints  or  anxie- 
ties relating  to  this  subject  is,  that  all  due  attention  and 
watchfulness  are  given  to  prevent  the  accession  on  the  shelves 
of  the  Lower  Hall  and  the  Branch  libraries  of  any  really 
immoral  and  dangerous  book.  Great  care  is  taken  in  limit- 
ing and  restricting  the  orders  given  to  agents,  who  are  not  at 
liberty  to  send  anything  that  they  may  please  to  the  Library. 
In  very  many  cases  the  known  and  high  character  of  a  pub- 
lishing firm  may  guarantee  its  issues.  Books  coming  from  a 
firm  of  dubious  repute,  and  all  other  volumes  of  uncertain 
characteristics,  are  examined,  and  when  reason  is  found  are 
condemned.  A  most  efficient  and  friendly  officer  in  the 
Lower  Hall  (doing  better  service  than  a  Catalogue),  Mr.  T. 
H.  Cummings,  offers  advice,  instruction,  and  valuable  coun- 
sel, highly  appreciated  and  improved  by  young  applicants  in 
guiding  their  selection,  and  leading  them  to  the  best  kind  of 
reading.  Mr.  Tiffany  and  Miss  Jenkins  perform  this  excel- 
lent service  when  he  is  off  duty.  It  is  very  desirable  simi- 
lar aid  should  be  furnished  in  the  Branches,  and  measures  are 
in  working  to  increase  and  turn  to  account  this  excellent 
method  of  help  for  young  readers. 

The  Librarian  is  to  give  two  afternoons  a  week  to  visiting 
the  Branches,  and  the  respective  Branch  librarians  are  to  be 
instructed  to  give  similar  advice  to  readers  to  what  is  given 
in  the  Lower  Hall,  either  from  their  own  resources  or  from 
directions  given  them  from  the  Central  Lil^rary. 

Many  of  the  matters  which  engage  criticism,  complaint,  and 
wide  diversities  of  judgment  as  to  the  province  of  a  large  Pub- 
lic Library  may  be  suggested  by  merely  setting  down  two  ques- 
tions, which  are  often  put  emphatically  by  those  who  speak  as 
if  representing  antagonistic  interests.  Why  should  the  City 
Treasury  be  drawn  upon  to  stock  and  maintain  a  Public 
Library,  with  local  branches,  to  furnish  thousands  of  volumes 
of  light  and  unprofitable  literature,  for  the  mere  amusement 
and  dissipation  of  mind  and  energy  of  young  persons  ?  The 
other  question  is.  Why  should  the  city  assume  the  guar- 
dianship of  and  add  to  special  collections  of  costly,  erudite, 
and  curious  literary  works,  books  of  taste  and  fancy,  or  helps 
in  advanced  science  or  skill,  which  are  of  use  only  to  geniuses, 
critical  scholars,  amateurs,  experts,  or  bibliophilists  ? 

One  answer  covers  both  these  questions  ;  and  that  is,  that 
the  larger  and  more  miscellaneous  in  contents  a  free  Public 
Library  is,  especially  if  those  two  qualities  in  the  character  of 


Public    Library.  21 

its  contents  were  recognized  and  provided  for  by  its  founders, 
benefactors,  and  supporters,  the  more  impartially  must  it  have 
regard  to  both  of  those  contrasted  classes  of  literary  works. 

The  only  practical  way  of  dealing  with  this  mgitter  of 
expense  is  to  ask  if  the  citizens  receive  an  equivalent  in  return 
from  it.  It  is  believed  that  no  argument  in  detail  is  necessary 
to  prove  that  they  do.  Great  civic  celeljrations,  free  con- 
certs, and  other  public  occasions  of  ungrudged  outlay,  are  jus- 
tified on  grounds  of  local  pride,  patriotism,  and  generous 
regard  for  the  people.  Though  the  scenes  and  pleasures  are 
temporary,  the  profits  may  be  permanent.  There  are  in  the 
Library  large  numl)ers  of  books  of  unique  character,  and  of 
a  value  not  admitting  of  any  pecuniary  estimate.  But  it 
should  not  for  a  moment  be  supposed  that  what  is  called  "  the 
people's  money  "  has  been  used  by  the  city  to  purchase  these 
treasures. 

For  the  year  ending  May  1,  1881,  the  city  appropriated, 
for  the  purchase  of  books,  $17,000. 

Of  this  sum  there  was  spent  for  periodicals       .        $2,826  97 

For  books  for  the  Branches     ....  3,562  79 

Balance 10,610  24 


Total  .         .         .         .         .         .      $17,000  00 

This  balance  was  spent  for  books  of  a  popular  character 
placed  in  the  Lower  and  Bates  Halls. 

The  special  collections  and  deposits  were  gathered  by 
scholars,  and  men  of  philosophic,  scientific,  and  artistic 
tastes  and  genius,  at  their  own  cost  and  for  their  own 
improvement,  and  they  have  been  munificently  given  to  the 
citv,  often  with  a  fund  for  addino-  to  them,  and  with  a  view 
to  facilitate  the  lal)ors  of  students  and  inquirers  of  like 
special  talents  who  may  highly  appreciate  such  aid.  If  that 
extraordinary  and  highly  gifted  man.  Dr.  Nathaniel  Bow- 
ditch,  found  it  necessary  to  gather  around  him  a  special  and 
valuable  collection  of  mathematical  works,  whatnol>ler  legacy 
could  he  leave  to  some  youths  of  like  genius  in  this  city  and 
Commonwealth,  than  such  helps,  if  so  it  might  be,  to  exceed 
him  in  their  attainments  ?  And  what  could  be  a  more  graceful 
favor  than  that  of  his  family  in  providing  for  the  enrichment 
of  the  deposit?  If  Mr.  Ticknor  needed  and  had  a  private  use 
for  the  precious  Spanish  and  Portuguese  collection  gathered  by 
him,  has  he  left  a  l)urden  of  debt  or  of  gratitude  in  commit- 
ting the  collection  to  the  care  of  the  city,  with  a  pecuniary 
gift  for  its  increase  ?  The  Librarian  of  CongTcss  felt  justified 
in  spending  thirteen  hundred  dollars  of  the  "  nation's  money" 


^2  City  Document  No.  97. 

for  a  copy  of  John  Eliot's  Indian  Bil)le.  Shall  Boston  be 
challenged  for  accepting  the  volume  as  a  gift?  Indeed,  it  is 
from  the  breadth  and  comprehensiveness  of  the  views  of  the 
founders  and  private  benefactors  of  the  Library  that  the  mis- 
cellaneousness  of  its  stores  has  l)ecome  a  standard  for  our 
acceptance  and  following.  Besides  works  of  art,  there  are  at 
least  eighty  thousand  volumes,  which,  from  their  special 
value,  or  conditions  attached  by  the  donors,  cannot  be  taken 
from  the  Library.  This  leaves  some  three  hundred  thousand 
for  home  use  by  readers  of  various  tastes  and  needs. 

The  committee  have  been  gratified  to  observe  the  high 
standard  of  completeness  which  the  Trustees  have  sought  to 
maintain  in  the  supply  of  l^ooks  in  the  manifold  departments 
of  learning  and  literature  within  the  limits  appropriate  to 
such  an  institution.  The  Library,  however,  has  become  so 
large,  its  growth  from  year  to  year  is  so  rapid,  and  these 
departments  have  become  so  much  subdivided,  in  the  applica- 
tion to  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  of  the  principle  of  the 
division  of  labor,  that  while  the  importance  of  maintaining 
this  high  standard  becomes  a  duty  of  increasing  ol)ligation 
the  difficulty  of  discharging  it  increases  in  a  corresponding 
deo-ree.  The  task  is  so  great  that  it  has  led  the  committee 
to  consider  in  what  way  it  can  be  most  effectually  and 
advantageously  performed . 

The  Library  is  designed  to  promote  the  advancement  and 
diflusion  of  knowledge  and  culture  in  this  community.  This 
it  does,  in  consideral^le  measure,  by  meeting  the  demand  of 
our  most  learned  men  for  the  books  they  seek  and  need  in  the 
prosecution  of  their  studies.  Some  arrangement  by  which 
the  cooperation  of  representative  men  of  learning  in  Boston 
and  its  vicinity  may  be  engaged  in  organized  relations  to  the 
Trustees,  as  an  advisory  council  for  the  selection  of  books, 
has  seemed  to  the  committee  a  very  desirable  measure,  and 
likely  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  case.  Such  counsel  from 
men  who,  through  vocations  to  which  their  lives  are  devoted, 
obtain  the  "widest  acquaintance  with  the  literature  of  their 
respective  branches  of  learning,  could  not  fail  to  be  of  the 
highest  utility.  By  ensuring  the  acquisition  of  the  best 
l)ooks  it  would  enhance  the  usefulness  of  the  Library  as  well 
to  the  intelligent  many  as  to  the  learned  few,  and  make  the 
whole  collection  the  best  possible  for  the  money  expended. 

It  is  too  much  to  expect  of  any  Superintendent  or  Book 
Committee  of  Trustees  that  they  should  keep  themselves  in- 
formed concerning  the  most  profital)le  literature  of  the  past 
and  present,  pertaining  to  all  the  arts,  learning,  and  sciences, 
in  all  the  languages,  at  least  of  civilized  nations,  in  all 
periods  of  their  history ;    and  yet,  with  more  or   less  com- 


Public    Library.  23 

pleteness,  this  is  what  the  Ijuilders  of  a  great  Library,  like 
that  of  the  City  of  Boston,  undertaJve. 

The  committee  Ijelieve  that  the  Trustees  would  have  no 
difficulty  in  procuring  the  requisite  number  of  suitable 
persons  to  aid  in  this  important  work,  who  would  render 
the  service  desired  of  them  in  a  liberal  spirit  of  devotion  to 
the  public  welfare,  while  at  the  same  time  finding  an  un- 
sought advantage  to  themselves  in  having  the  Library  pro- 
vided with  the  books  which,  in  their  judgment,  were  of  the 
greatest  value  in  their  own  departments  of  study.  The 
committee  hope  that  the  formation  of  this  advisory  council 
will  have  the  early  and  favoraljle  attention  of  its  Trustees. 

We  come  now  to  offer  some  suggestions  upon  the  most 
perplexing  of  the  points  that  have  engaged  our  attention, 
namely,  the  subject  of  a  Catalogue.  Yet  we  can  hardly  hope 
to  give  any  considerable  help  towards  the  practical  dealing 
with  a  matter  upon  which  the  widest  and  the  most  discord- 
ant differences  of  judgment  and  opinion  prevail  among  the 
experts,  who  meet  in  the  conferences  of  Librarians  to  dis- 
cuss the  subject  of  catalogues  in  all  its  relations  and  methods. 
Next  to  the  collection,  preservation,  and  judicious  disposal 
of  the  books  in  a  large  and  miscellaneous  Lil)rary,  the  mak- 
ing them  accessil)le  and  available  for  use  is  hardly  of  sec- 
ondary importance.  It  is  expected  of  a  Public  Library, 
very  much  as  of  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  miscel- 
laneous of  our  retail  stores  for  the  sale  of  a  large  variety  of 
goods,  that  it  will  not  only  answer  to  the  special  calls  of 
customers  for  the  articles  asked  for,  but  that  it  will  also  give 
information  of  the  whole  contents  and  stock,  and  even  make 
pulilic  advertisement  of  them.  This  we  know,  however, 
even  Avith  the  spur  of  traffic,  if  it  may  ])e  attempted,  can 
be  l)ut  partially  realized.  The  announcements  must  be 
readjusted  by  the  seasons,  and  the  changing  years  with  their 
new  styles.  The  contents  of  a  Library  are  intended  to  be 
permanent,  while  steadily  increasing.  In  its  character  as 
an  agent  in  public  education  such  a  Lilirary  must  multiply 
its  facilities,  not  onl}^  for  aiding  in  the  circulation  of  its  books, 
but  for  aiding  the  least  informed  of  those  who  wish  to  borrow 
them  to  some  knowledge  of  the  relative  merits,  qualities, 
and  contents  of  the  volumes.  One  applicant's  call  may  be 
for  a  certain  book  l)y  author  and  subject.  Another  will  ask 
for  any  new  and  interesting  l30ok  on  a  given  subject  by 
any  good  author.  Special  and  critical  students  want  informa- 
tion as  to  particular  collections  and  editions.  Here  is  a 
Central  Library,  with  eight  Branches.  In  each  and  all  of 
them  it  is  necessary  that  all  classes  of  applicants  sliall  be 
served ;  those   who   know   more  or  less  clearly   what  they 


^2  City  Document  No.  97. 

for  a  copy  of  John  Eliot's  Indian  Bil)le.  Shall  Boston  be 
challenged  for  accepting  the  volume  as  a  gift?  Indeed,  it  is 
from  the  breadth  and  comprehensiveness  of  the  views  of  the 
founders  and  private  benefactors  of  the  Library  that  the  mis- 
cellaneousness  of  its  stores  has  become  a  standard  for  our 
acceptance  and  follo\ving.  Besides  works  of  art,  there  are  at 
least  eighty  thousand  volumes,  which,  from  their  special 
value,  or  conditions  attached  by  the  donors,  cannot  be  taken 
from  the  Librar}^  This  leaves  some  three  hundred  thousand 
for  home  use  by  readers  of  various  tastes  and  needs. 

The  committee  have  been  gratified  to  observe  the  high 
standard  of  completeness  which  the  Trustees  have  sought  to 
maintain  in  the  supply  of  Ijooks  in  the  manifold  departments 
of  learning  and  literature  within  the  limits  appropriate  to 
such  an  institution.  The  Library,  however,  has  become  so 
large,  its  growth  from  year  to  year  is  so  rapid,  and  these 
departments  have  become  so  much  subdivided,  in  the  applica- 
tion to  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  of  the  principle  of  the 
division  of  labor,  that  while  the  importance  of  maintaining 
this  high  standard  becomes  a  duty  of  increasing  obligation 
the  difficulty  of  discharging  it  increases  in  a  corresponding 
degree.  The  task  is  so  great  that  it  has  led  the  committee 
to  consider  in  what  way  it  can  be  most  eliectually  and 
advantageously  performed. 

The  Library  is  designed  to  promote  the  advancement  and 
diffusion  of  knowledge  and  culture  in  this  community.  This 
it  does,  in  considerable  measure,  by  meeting  the  demand  of 
our  most  learned  men  for  the  books  they  seek  and  need  in  the 
prosecution  of  their  studies.  Some  arrangement  by  which 
the  cooperation  of  representative  men  of  learning  in  Boston 
and  its  vicinity  may  be  engaged  in  organized  relations  to  the 
Trustees,  as  an  advisory  council  for  the  selection  of  books, 
has  seemed  to  the  committee  a  very  desirable  measure,  and 
likely  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  case.  Such  counsel  from 
men  who,  through  vocations  to  which  their  lives  are  devoted, 
obtain  the  widest  acquaintance  with  the  literature  of  their 
respective  branches  of  learning,  could  not  fail  to  be  of  the 
highest  utility.  By  ensuring  the  acquisition  of  the  best 
])ooks  it  would  enhance  the  usefulness  of  the  Library  as  well 
to  the  intelligent  many  as  to  the  learned  few,  and  make  the 
whole  collection  the  best  possible  for  the  money  expended. 

It  is  too  much  to  expect  of  any  Superintendent  or  Book 
Committee  of  Trustees  that  they  should  keep  themselves  in- 
formed concerning  the  most  prohtable  literature  of  the  past 
and  present,  pertaining  to  all  the  arts,  learning,  and  sciences, 
in  all  the  languages,  at  least  of  civilized  nations,  in  all 
periods  of  their  history ;    and  yet,  with  more  or   less  com- 


Public    Library.  23 

pleteness,  this  is  what  the  builders  of  a  great  Library,  like 
that  of  the  City  of  Boston,  undertaJve. 

The  committee  believe  that  the  Trustees  would  have  no 
difficulty  in  procuring  the  requisite  number  of  suitable 
persons  to  aid  in  this  important  work,  who  would  render 
the  service  desired  of  them  in  a  liljeral  spirit  of  devotion  to 
the  public  welfare,  while  at  the  same  time  finding  an  un- 
sought advantage  to  themselves  in  having  the  Library  pro- 
vided with  the  books  which,  in  their  judgment,  w^ere  of  the 
greatest  value  in  their  own  departments  of  study.  The 
committee  hope  that  the  formation  of  this  advisory  council 
will  have  the  early  and  favorable  attention  of  its  Trustees. 

We  come  now  to  offer  some  suggestions  upon  the  most 
perplexing  of  the  points  that  have  engaged  our  attention, 
namely,  the  subject  of  a  Catalogue.  Yet  Ave  can  hardly  hope 
to  give  any  consideral)le  help  towards  the  practical  dealing 
with  a  matter  upon  Avhicli  the  widest  and  the  most  discord- 
ant differences  of  judgment  and  opinion  prevail  among  the 
experts,  who  meet  in  the  conferences  of  Librarians  to  dis- 
cuss the  subject  of  catalogues  in  all  its  relations  and  methods. 
Next  to  the  collection,  preservation,  and  judicious  disposal 
of  the  books  in  a  large  and  miscellaneous  Library,  the  mak- 
ing them  accessible  and  available  for  use  is  hardly  of  sec- 
ondary importance.  It  is  expected  of  a  Public  Library, 
very  much  as  of  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  miscel- 
laneous of  our  retail  stores  for  the  sale  of  a  large  variety  of 
goods,  that  it  will  not  only  answer  to  the  special  calls  of 
customers  for  the  articles  asked  for,  but  that  it  will  also  give 
information  of  the  whole  contents  and  stock,  and  even  make 
public  advertisement  of  them.  This  we  know,  however, 
even  with  the  spur  of  traffic,  if  it  may  be  attempted,  can 
be  but  partially  realized.  The  announcements  must  be 
readjusted  by  the  seasons,  and  the  changing  years  with  their 
new  styles.  The  contents  of  a  Library  are  intended  to  be 
permanent,  while  steadily  increasing.  In  its  character  as 
an  agent  in  puljlic  education  such  a  Lil)rary  must  multiply 
its  facilities,  not  only  for  aiding  in  the  circulation  of  its  books, 
but  for  aiding  the  least  informed  of  those  who  Avish  to  l>orrow 
them  to  some  knowledge  of  the  relative  merits,  qualities, 
and  contents  of  the  volumes.  One  applicant's  call  may  be 
for  a  certain  book  by  author  and  suljject.  Another  will  ask 
for  any  new  and  interesting  book  on  a  given  subject  by 
any  good  author.  Special  and  critical  students  want  informa- 
tion as  to  particular  collections  and  editions.  Here  is  a 
Central  Library,  with  eight  Branches.  In  each  and  all  of 
them  it  is  necessary  that  all  classes  of  applicants  shall  be 
served ;  those   who   know   more  or  less  clearly   what   they 


24  City  Document  No.  97. 

want,  and  those  who  know  only  that  they  want  something. 
A  complete,  intelligible,  and  accessible  Catalogue,  free  and 
ready  for  use,  with  authors,  subjects,  cross-references,  and 
guiding  hints,  can  alone  fully  meet  the  requisite  conditions. 
The  preparation  of  such  in  a  large  Library,  even  if  no 
additions  were  made,  is  a  work  of  time  and  labor,  and  demands 
a  heav}''  outlay  for  putting  it  into  print.  But,  when  constant 
and  extensive  additions  are  made  to  the  Library  each  month, 
a  problem  is  presented  to  be  dealt  with  which  tasks  and 
divides  the  judgment  of  those  most  competent  for  it. 

When  the  Index  and  Supplement  were  published  the 
Library  contained  140,554  volumes. 

There  have  since  been  added  to  it  250,784  volumes. 

The  putting  into  type  of  a  complete  Catalogue  of  the 
books  and  pamphlets  would  involve  an  enormous  amount  of 
preparatory  labor,  the  publication  of  ten  stout  volumes,  and 
the  cost  would  be  nearer  two  than  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars ;  and  while  the  work  was  in  progress  the  additions 
made  to  the  Library  j^ear  l^y  year  would  make  the  Catalogue  up 
to  any  fixed  date  of  gradually  diminishing  value  year  by  year. 

It  is  Ijelieved  that  this  Library  has  more  skilfully  and  use- 
fully than  any  other  substituted  or  compensated  for  the  lack 
of  a  full  published  Catalogue  by  its  original  and  most  helpful 
device  of  bibliographical,  literary,  and  topical  notes  in  the 
bulletins  for  the  service  of  readers. 

Of  these  125  are  now  in  print. 

As  any  special  subject  in  art,  science,  personal  or  social 
interest,  l)iography,  history,  or  local  concern,  is  for  the  time 
engaging  conversation  or  inquiry,  a  syllabus  has  been  pre- 
jDared,  indicating  sources  of  information  upon  it. 

The  committee  would  be  very  reluctant  to  acquiesce  in  the 
conclusion  that  there  can  be  no  substitute  for  and  no  essential 
improvement  upon  the  present  Card  Catalogue.  With  a 
reasonable  regard  to  the  inherent  difficulties  of  the  matter, 
to  the  varying  opinions  and  judgments  of  experts,  and  to  the 
wisdom  of  delay  in  the  hope  that  ingenuity  may  devise  some 
method  preferable  to  the  present,  the  committee  have  dis- 
cussed the  question  whether  a  simpler,  less  elal)orate,  and 
even  incomplete  Catalogue,  as  regards  minutiai,  details,  notes, 
cross-references,  etc.,  might  not  be  provided  for  the  help  of 
the  larger  number  of  ordinary  readers,  while  the  Card  Cata- 
logue should  still  be  relied  upon  for  more  complete  and 
systematic  information. 

The  whole  number  of  volumes  in  the  Library 

is  now        . 391,338 

In  Bates  Hall         .         .         .         .         .         .  229,005 


Public   Libeary.  25 

In  the  Lower  Hall 38,073 

In  the  Branches 108,319 

In  the  Central  Buildmg  ....  283,019 

The  increase  from  last  year  is         .  .  .  14,113 

The  circulation  during  the  304  open  days   has 

been 1,065,181 

Daily  average  circulation         .  .  .  .  3,504 

Nearly  one  hundred  thousand  green  slips  rep- 
resent the  number  of  volumes  called  for  for 
consultation  in  the  Library. 
The  number  of  special  inquirers  for  advice 
and  help,  special  students,  examinei's  of  the 
patent  records,  etc.,  is         ....  60,084 

The  number  employed  in  the  Central  Library  is  81 

The  number  employed  in  the  Branches  is         .  62 

A  matter  of  chief  importance,  on  which  the  interest  and 
anxiety  of  the  committee  have  been  engaged,  is  that  of  the 
actual  and  pressing  need  of  a  new  Library  edifice,  constructed 
with  reference  to  special  purposes  and  uses,  of  which  experience 
and  many  embarrassments  and  risks  attending  the  present  edi- 
fice in  its  inconveniences,  limitations,  and  exposure,  have  been 
forcibly  urging  upon  the  attention  of  very  many  of  our  citi- 
zens. There  would  be  reason  enouo-h  for  advisino-  immediate 
measures  for  obtaining  enlarged  accommodations  and  in- 
creased safety  for  the  Library,  if  we  had  regard  only  to  the 
steady  and  rapid  increase  of  its  contents.  But  the  emer- 
gency is  more  pressing  than  that.  The  present  building  is 
but  another  illustration  of  the  fact,  of  which  we  have  had 
abundant  experience,  and  are  yet  to  have  more,  in  Boston, 
in  the  matter  of  public  edifices  and  thoroughfares,  and  that 
is,  that  without  having  forecast  the  rapid  gro^\i:h  and  develop- 
ment of  the  city  or  the  incorporation  of  the  suburbs,  all  our 
public  edifices  have  well-nigh  burst  their  walls.  The  rooms 
for  public  business  in  the  City  Hall  are  complemented  Ijy 
outside  ofiices.  The  Sufiblk  Probate  Office  has  its  annex. 
The  railroad  stations  have  each  and  all  been  three  or  four 
times  reconstructed  for  enlargement.  Apartments,  divisions, 
and  arrangements  for  special  objects,  have  had  to  be  provided 
for  in  the  Library,  for  which  there  was  not  the  slightest  ex- 
pectation or  regard  in  its  plan  and  construction.  There  is  a 
wasteful  fault  in  the  great  hall  which  cannot  be  remedied. 
The  contents  and  the  facilities  for  the  use  of  the  Library  are 
suifering  grievously  for  lack  of  space,  means,  and  conven- 
iences. It  is  crowded  in  every  part,  impeding  desirable  ar- 
rangement, and  subjecting  its  employes  to  unnecessary  and 
wearisome  labor.     The  mode  of  heating  is  proving  destruct- 


26  City  Document  No.  97. 

ive  to  the  books  on  its  highest  shelves.  Any  citizen  who  is 
informed  as  to  the  really  priceless  value  of  the  contents  of 
the  Library,  and  is  aware  that  the  city  in  accepting  the 
precious  and  munificent  gifts  there  gathered  has  constituted 
itself  their  guardian,  will  realize  with  dismay  the  risks  from 
fire,  and  even  from  the  water-pipes,  to  which  they  are  ex- 
posed. 

A  conflict  of  opinions  has  already  found  expression  as  to 
the  expediency  and  wisdom  of  availing  of — under  the  condi- 
tions imposed  by  the  Commonwealth,  which  sul)stantially  ap- 
ply to  the  use  of  the  Lil)rary  now  —  and  building  upon  the 
lot  oflered  to  the  city  for  a  new  and  better  designed  edifice. 
The  objections  raised  to  a  removal  of  site,  concern  distance, 
inconvenience,  etc. 

A  ready  compromise  or  alternative  offers,  viz.,  that  the 
present  edifice  be  reserved  for  a  centre  for  books  that  circu- 
late, for  a  reading-room,  and  for  maintaining  connection  with 
the  Branches,  and  that  a  new  edifice  be  constructed  on  the 
proffered  lot,  to  receive  the  special  collections  and  treasures 
of  which  the  city  has  become  the  trustee  and  guardian. 

And  inasmuch  as  the  city  is  indel)ted  to  private  generosity 
and  munificence  for  those  valual^le  deposits,  it  might  be  alto- 
gether reasonable  and  hopeful  to  appeal  to  a  larger  circle  of 
like  liberal  and  public-spirited  persons  for  pecuniary  aid  in 
building  the  desired  structure. 

The  committee  would  therefore  advise,  that  in  connection 
with  and  in  support  of  an  urgent  call  upon  the  city  to  enter 
at  once  upon  plans  and  measures  for  l)uilding  a  new  edi- 
fice, some  method  be  adopted  for  engaging  voluntary  and 
generous  pecuniary  gifts  from  our  public-spirited  citizens  in 
aid  of  the  work. 

GEORGE   E.   ELLIS. 

EDWIN   P.    SEAVER, 

HENRY   P.    BOWDITCH. 

DARWIN  E.   WARE. 

WILLIAM  C.   WILLIAMSON. 

EDWARD  J.   HOLMES. 

HOWARD   P.   ARNOLD. 

GEORGIANA   W.    SMITH. 

EDNAH  D.   CHENEY. 


Public  Library.  27 


[C] 
LIBRAEIAN'S   EEPOET. 

To  the  Trustees:  — 

The  Li1)rarian  is  the  executive  officer  of  the  Trustees, 
and,  under  them,  has  the  general  charge,  management,  and 
control  of  the  Library  and  its  Branches,  and  of  all  persons 
employed  therein.  He  not  only  promulgates  their  orders, 
as  well  as  those  of  the  several  committees  within  the  scope 
of  their  authority,  and  sees  that  they  are  duly  observed  and 
executed,  but  is  also  required  to  note  and  report  in  respect 
to  their  efficiency,  and  to  make  such  suggestions  as,  in  his 
judgment,  will  promote  the  interests  of  the  Library  in  all  of 
its  departments. 

These  relations  of  the  Librarian  to  administration  imply 
ample  powers  and  corresponding  oliligations ;  for  though  he 
has  no  vote  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Trustees,  and,  there- 
fore, no  responsibility  for  the  results  of  their  delil)erations, 
yet,  Avhen  these  take  form  in  legislative  acts,  he  is  brought 
into  immediate  relations  to  those  acts  in  their  execution,  and 
with  that  his  responsibility  begins,  and  is  limited  only  by 
the  requirements  of  successful  administration.  AVith  these 
views  of  my  relations  to  the  Public  Library,  I  now  lay 
before  the  Trustees  my 

Third  Annual  Report. 

The  principal  functions  of  the  Library  are  the  selection, 
purchase,  circulation,  and  preservation  of  books  ;  and,  under 
these  heads,  I  respectfully  submit  the  following  observa- 
tions :  — 

Selection  and  Purchase  of  Books. 

The  present  mode  of  selecting  and  purchasing  books  for 
the  Public  Library  has  the  sanction  of  its  founders  and  early 
Trustees ;  and,  with  some  changes  of  agents,  some  reduc- 
tions in  the  rate  of  commissions  and  charges,  and  additional 
limitations  of  the  discretionary  powers  of  the  agents,  the 
contracts  remain,  for  substance,  the  same  as  they  were  at 
the  beginning,  and  bear  date  as  follows  :  for  German  books, 
1857  ;  for  French  books,  1868  ;  for  American  books,  1871 ; 
and  for  English  books,  January,  1880. 

These  agents  are  expected  to  bring  to  the  notice  of  the 
Trustees,  by  means  of  catalogues,  publications,  and  corre- 


28  CiTT  Document  No.  97. 

spondence,  the  latest  and  most  reliable  intelligence  respecting 
the  current  literature  of  the  several  nationalities ;  but  the 
agents  of  Spain,  Italy,  and  Germany  are  not  permitted  to 
send,  and,  during  my  term  of  office,  —  since  October,  1878, 

—  never  have  sent,  to  the  Pul^lic  Library  any  work  not  pre- 
viously ordered  by  the  Trustees. 

With  respect  to  France,  England,  and  the  United  States, 
the  facts  are  somewhat  difterent ;  and  of  these  countries  in 
their  order.  The  agent  for  French  literature  —  his  appoint- 
ment datino;  from  1868  —  is  instructed  to  send  to  the  Public 
Li])rary  "  books  recently  published,  which  shall  he  standard 
in  their  character,  whether  in  science,  art,  or  belles-lettres, 
with  the  exception  that,  in  works  costing  one  hundred  francs 
($20)  or  more,  he  shall  advise  before  purchasing,  and  also 
that  the  amount  of  new  books  purchased  and  sent  forward, 
without  specific  order,  shall  not  average  over  two  hundred 
francs  ($40)  per  month,"  or  $480  a  year. 

These  terms  seem  to  be  sufficiently  guarded  to  protect  the 
Lil)rary  from  the  purchase,  by  its  agents,  of  expensive  pub- 
lications, as  well  as  from  the  ao-gregated  cost  of  excessive 
invoices. 

But  for  a  public  library,  the  paramount  considerations  are 
these  :  Are  the  books  wisely  selected  ?  Are  the  purchases 
preceded  by  the  fullest  examination  compatible  with  their 
timely  receipt;  and  is  the  discretion  of  the  agent  judiciously 
exercised  ? 

There  are  some  facts  which  bear  upon  these  questions ; 
and  that  I  may  speak  from  personal  knowledge  I  confine 
my  statements  to  the  two  full  years  of  my  personal  service, 

—  1879  and  1880. 

During  these  two  years  the  whole  number  of  books 
received  from  the  French  agent,  which  became  a  part  of  the 
Public  Library,  was  1,172.  Of  these,  971  were  sent  on 
specific  orders  from  the  Trustees  ;  and  209,  —  104  volumes 
a  year,  —  were  forwarded  under  the  discretionary  power 
lodged  in  the  agent.  Nor  have  I  any  reason  to  doubt  that 
they  conformed  to  his  instructions,  as  "  standard  works  in 
science,  art,  or  belles-lettres"  Eight  others,  for  various 
reasons  deemed  unsuitable  for  the  Library,  were  returned. 

With  these  facts  before  them,  the  Trustees  can  determine 
what  additional  safeguards,  if  any,  are  needed  to  protect  the 
Library,  not  from  excessive  purchases,  —  for  the  aggregated 
cost  of  these  purchases  was  far  within  the  agent's  limits, — 
but  from  the  accumulation  of  undesirable  books.  With  regard 
to  current  publications  —  and  the  discretion  of  the  agent 
extends  to  none  other — there  may  be  some  difficulty  in  deter- 
mining what  works  shall  be  deemed  standard.     When  the 


Public  Libeart.  29 

book  is  from  a  well-known  author  of  high  character,  that  fact 
in  itself,  perhaps,  is  a  reasonable  guaranty  for  the  value  of  the 
work  in  question ;  but  if  from  an  unknown  author,  then  the 
reputation  of  the  publishing  house,  the  estimate  formed  hy 
the  literary  journals,  with  such  light  as  the  agent  may  derive 
from  a  cursory  examination,  must  guide  him  in  his  selections. 
An  occasional  mistake  may  be  made  ;  but  it  will  be  observed 
+hat  the  field  for  mistake  is  a  narrow  one,  —  science,  art,  and 
belles-lettres,  —  one  in  which  meretricious  works  are  not  often 
found.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Library  may,  perhaps,  l)e 
justified  in  running  some  risk  in  order  to  insure  the  prompt 
receipt,  by  those  to  whom  time  is  an  important  consideration, 
of  the  earliest  intelligence  resjDecting  science  and  art, 
especially  the  useful  arts.  However  that  may  be,  I  have 
abundant  reason  to  believe  that  the  efibrts  of  the  Trustees 
in  this  direction  are  appreciated ;  and  an  inspection  of 
the  works  forwarded  to  the  Library,  under  existing  ar- 
rangements, afibrds  evidence  of  their  constant  use,  as 
well  as  of  the  fidelity  and  general  good  judgment  of  the 
agent ;  and  from  no  one,  as  far  as  I  am  aware,  has  come 
a  suggestion  that  the  books  thus  purchased  are  not 
worthy  of  an  honorable  place  in  any  well-selected  public 
library. 

With  respect  to  English  publications  the  agent's  instruc- 
tions are  similar  to  those  which  guide  in  the  selection  of 
French  literature,  though  somewhat  more  in  detail,  — having 
been  modified  early  in  1880,  when  it  was  found  that  the 
library  was  receiving  a  small  number  of  books  which ,  though 
of  excellent  character,  were  not  in  all  respects  adapted  to 
the  patrons  of  the  Public  Library.  By  the  instructions  as 
modified,  none  of  the  following  classes  of  books  are  for- 
warded except  on  specific  orders  from  the  Trustees,  viz.  : 

1,  Fiction,  juveniles,  theology,  law,  surgery,  and  medicine. 

2,  Works  on  art  costing  more  than  £4 ;  and  all  works  of 
this  class  not  of  solid  merit.  3,  Editions  de  luxe.  4,  New 
editions  of  works,  unless  the  editorial  matter  justifies  the 
purchase  of  a  duplicate.  5,  Works  published  serially,  such 
as  public  documents,  works  and  transactions  of  learned 
societies. 

The  new  English  books  forwarded  to  the  Public  Library 
by  the  agent  under  these  instructions  seem  to  me  to  be  in  all 
respects  admirable ;  and  I  take  pleasure  in  saying  that  by 
the  arrangement  which,  with  the  approval  of  the  Trustees,  I 
made  with  the  Post-Ofiice  Department,  the  Library  now 
receives  weekly  the  best  English  books,  and  by  the  same 
mail  which  brings  the  weekly  journals  announcing  their  pub- 
lication. I  have  no  suggestion  to  ofier  in  regard  to  this 
agency.     It  is  enterprising,  prompt,  and  judicious. 


30  City  Document  No.  97. 

There  remains  to  be  considered  the  plan  by  which  the 
Public  Library  receives  current  American  publications.  No 
foreign  fiction  or  juvenile  books  are  received  into  the  Lil)rary 
unless  specifically  ordered  by  the  Trustees  ;  but  in  respect  to 
domestic  works  of  the  same  class  the  practice  is  different. 
The  agent  sends  without  orders  one  copy  at  least  of  such 
books  as,  in  his  judgment  (informed  as  to  the  views  of  the 
Trustees  by  years  of  experience) ,  are  suited  to  the  Library  or 
its  branches.  But  a!l  these  books  are  forwarded  for  exam- 
ination and  approval.  If  found  satisfactory,  they  are 
retained  ;  if  otherwise,  they  are  returned  at  once.  No  book 
goes  to  the  shelves  —  much  less  into  circulation  —  without 
examination.  This  examination  is  made  with  respect  to  all 
books  ;  but  not  with  equal  thoroughness  in  respect  to  all. 
In  some  cases  the  name  of  the  author,  or  of  the  pul)lishing- 
house,  with  a  cursory  examination,  is  deemed  sufficient ;  but 
where  these  are  not  well  known,  or  are  of  questionable  char- 
acter, then  the  scrutiny  is  conducted  with  a  degree  of  care 
which  at  least  prevents  the  acceptance  of  books  which  fall 
below  the  general  library  standard  of  the  country ;  and  by 
that  I  mean  the  standard  fixed  with  a  remarkable  degree  of 
unanimity  by  the  judgment  and  action  of  the  trustees  of  pub- 
lic libraries  maintained  by  municipal  taxation.  For  those 
selecting  the  books  found  in  other  pul)lic  libraries  in  this 
country,  acting  upon  a  matter  where  sound  practical  judg- 
ment is  specially  needed,  and  indulging  less  in  theories 
because  they  are  responsible  for  practical  results,  have 
arrived  at  substantially  the  same  conclusion,  as  may  be 
seen  by  comparing  their  printed  catalogues.  It  appears, 
however,  from  the  most  recent  of  these  catalogues  that  the  rule 
of  exclusion  is  more  strictly  applied  in  the  Pul)lic  Liln-ary 
than  in  other  similar  libraries.  It  should  be  added  that  the 
scrutiny  of  books  is  not  limited  to  those  newly  pul)lished, 
but  extends  to  those  already  in  the  Library,  or  its  Branches  ; 
and  whenever  a  book  of  questionable  tendency  is  discovered 
it  is  inunediately  removed  from  circulation. 

Still  the  question  remains,  what  is  the  proper  standard  for 
the  fiction  purchased  for  the  Public  Library?  On  this  point 
unanimity  of  opinion  will  be  reached  slowly.  The  Trustees 
are  in  possession  of  all  the  facts,  and  familiar  with  the  argu- 
ments adduced  in  support  of  opposing  theories.  I  have 
nothing  to  add.  The  settlement  of  the  question,  which  must 
be  settled  by  somebody  on  the  publication  of  each  new  book, 
and  not  postponed  to  await  the  opinion  of  a  convention,  will 
probably  be  left  —  where  the  fundamental  law  of  the  Library 
and  the  good  sense  of  its  founders  have  left  it  —  with  the 
Trustees ;    and  in  this,  as  in  all  matters  which  involve  the 


Public   Library.  31 

impartial  expenditure  of  public  money,   public  opinion  will 
finally  declare  itself,  and  will  be  heeded. 

But  while  the  efi'orts  to  foi'ce  pul)lic  sentiment  have  not 
been  followed  by  encouraging  results,  something  has  already 
been  done  in  elevating  the  standard  of  the  public  reading. 
Rational  expectations  are  in  that  direction.  Nor  is  there 
any  present  relaxation  of  efforts ;  on  the  contrary,  while 
former  agencies  retain  their  original  vigor,  some  new  influ- 
ences have  been  set  in  operation  with  valuable  realized,  and 
still  more  valuable  promised,  results. 

Class  Lists,  Annotated  Catalogues,  and  Bulletins. 

These  are  pul)lished  in  new  editions,  with  added  matter, 
as  often  as  circumstances,  in  each  case,  seem  to  warrant  the 
expense.  The  following  will  show  these  lists  in  their  latest 
edition,  date  of  publication,  numl)er  of  copies  printed,  and 
number  remaining  undisposed  of  at  the  time  of  this  writing : 

1.  Class  List  for  Poetry,  the  Drama,  etc.,  in  the  Loicer 
Hall,  published  July,  1870,  in  an  edition  of  5,000  copies, 
of  which  2,829  remain  on  hand. 

2.  Class  List  for  Works  in  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  in  the 
Lower  Hall,  second  edition  of  3,000  copies,  published  Sep- 
tember, 1871,  of  which  425  copies  remain.  To  this  a  sup- 
plementary list  is  in  preparation,  and  will  be  pul)lished  early 
in  June.  This  will  contain  the  popular  works  in  the  arts  and 
sciences  added  to  the  Lower  Hall  since  1871,  with  refer- 
ences to  l)ooks  in  Bates  Hall  on  the  same  subjects. 

3.  Catalogue  of  Bool' s  in  the  Lower  Hall,  in  the  Classes 
of  History,  Biograjyhy ,  and  Travel.  Second  edition,  July, 
1873,  consisting  of  3,000  copies,  of  which  440  copies  are 
unsold. 

4.  Books  in  Foreign  Languages  in  the  Lower  Hall,  Jan- 
uary, 1876,  in  a  second  edition  of  750  copies,  which  are  all 
sold.  A  new  edition  has  been  prepared  and  will  appear  in 
May. 

5.  Class  List  of  English  Prose  Fiction,  in  the  Lower 
Hall,  sixth  edition,  April,  1877,  of  4,500  copies,  of  which 
1,084  are  vmsold. 

6.  Hand-book  for  Readers,  new  edition,  1879,  of  5,000 
copies,  440  now  on  hand. 

7.  A  Chronological  Index  to  Historical  Fiction,  second 
edition,  1875,  exhausted. 

These  lists,  the  publication  of  which  was  begun  many 
years  since,  leaving  to  all  the  exercise  of  a  free  choice  of 
books,  have  undoubtedly  done  much  to  elevate  the  standard 
of  the  reading  public,  by  calling  their  attention  to  the  better 


32  City  Document  No.  97. 

classes  of  literature  in  the  Library  ;  and  the  foregoing  state- 
ment presents  very  distinctly  to  the  Trustees  the  question 
whether  more  should  be  done  in  the  same  direction.  New 
editions  will  be  called  for  from  time  to  time ;  and  if  the 
editions  now  on  hand  (besides  those  of  foreign  languages 
and  science  and  art,  of  which  new  editions  are  in  prepara- 
tion) were  nearly  exhausted ;  or  if  the  books  of  value 
recently  printed  were  more  numerous  than  they  are,  I  should 
recommend  the  immediate  preparation  of  supplementary  lists. 

In  the  meantime  the  bulletins  show,  at  the  end  of  each 
quarter,  the  principal  additions  to  the  Library  in  all  depart- 
ments of  literature ;  and  the  titles  of  new  books  received 
are  immediately  displayed  —  with  some  diflerence  in  their 
effectiveness  —  in  all  the  departments  from  which  they  are 
delivered. 

.  These  means  of  information  and  guidance  are  now  sup- 
plemented in  the  Lower  Hall  by  the  personal  efforts  of  the 
Librarian  and  his  assistant,  according  to  the  time  at  their  dis- 
posal, and  by  the  unintermitted  services  of  the  curator  of  the 
Lower  Hall  card  catalogue ;  and  I  now  have  it  under  con-, 
.sideration  whether  a  similar  service  is  practicable  in  the 
Branch  Lil)raries. 

But  notwithstanding  these  appliances  designed  to  promote 
the  circulation  of  books,  and  to  improve  the  standard  of 
reading  for  those  who  resort  to  the  Public  Library,  I  have  to 
report  a  falling  off"  in  the  , 

Circulation  of  Books 

in  all  departments  of  the  Library,  but  by  a  percentage  con- 
siderably less  than  is  found  in  many  of  the  public  libraries  in 
the  country.  If  this  could  be  wholly  accounted  for  on  the 
ground  that  better  and,  therefore,  fewer  books  are  now  read 
than  formerly,  it  would  l)e  a  cause  for  congratulation  rather 
than  for  solicitude.  But  while  I  have  no  doubt  whatever 
that  there  is  a  growing  improvement  in  the  character  of  the 
books  read,  I  think  it  would  be  uncandid  to  assign  solely  to 
this  cause  the  diminished  circulation  which  the  tables  show. 
We  must  therefore  seek  for  other  causes.  Nor  have  we  far 
to  seek.  Some  of  these  causes  are  general,  affecting  the 
public  libraries  throiighout  the  country ;  and  one,  at  least, 
special  with  the  Public  Library. 

Since  the  revival  of  business  people  of  all  classes  are 
reading  less,  as  they  find  themselves  less  at  leisure ;  a  fact 
indicated  not  only  by  the  diminished  circulation  from  public 
libraries,  but  also  by  the  reported  diminished  sales  of  books 
in  nearly  all  branches  of  literature.      The  special  cause  which 


Public  Library.  33 

for  the  last  three  years  has  been  constantly  affecting  the 
Public  Library  is  the  comparatively  few  copies  of  tiction 
purchased  for  it  during  that  period.  Where,  formerly  a 
dozen,  or  even  two  dozen,  copies  of  a  popular  story  were 
purchased,  now  the  largest  number  does  not  exceed  three ; 
and  as  the  old  stock  is  worn  out  by  use  it  is  seldom  re- 
placed by  more  than  a  single  copy. 

That  there  is  some  cause  which  operates  throughout  the 
country  is  evident  from  the  statistics  of  other  libraries.  The 
following  table  made  from  the  latest  reports  at  hand,  and 
without  any  attempt  at  selection,  will  show  the  fact  to  be  as 
stated  above  :  — 

Comparative  Circulation  in  Several  Libraries,  Show- 
ing Decrease  of  Circulation  for  the  Years  1879 
and  1880. 


1879. 

loan                    Per  cent,  of 
^^^^-                   decrease. 

Boston  Public  Library, 

1,170,767 

1,093,628                .06  h. 

Mer.  Library  Co.,  Phila.,, 

186,834  (1878) 

168,040  (1879)    .10 

Taunton  Public  Library, 

63,598 

61,347                .03  h 

Chicago  Public  Library, 

368,428 

306,751                 .16^5 

Cincinnati  Public  Library, 

^803,228 

769,367                .04  i 

Young  Men''s  Chr.   Asso., 

Buffalo,  N.T., 

72,440 

77,826  (gain)    .07^ 

Mer.  Lib.  Asso.,  New  York, 

158,799 

143,251                .09  1 

Toledo  Public  Library, 

80,160 

71,502                .10^ 

The  library  year  is  not  precisely  identical  in  all  the  libra- 
ries above  named ;  but  being  reduced,  so  far  as  is  practicable 
with  the  information  at  hand,  to  calendar  years,  the  result  of 
comparison  shows  that  the  percentage  of  decrease  in  the 
Public  Library  is  less  than  in  the  most  of  those  libraries 
which  are  fairly  representative  of  different  sections  of  the 
country. 

While  the  circulation  of  books  is  to  be  promoted  by  all 
reasonable  means,  that  is  not,  I  think,  to  be  regarded  as  the 
principal  consideration ;  but  rather  this :  how  can  the 
Public  Library,  within  its  proper  sphere,  best  promote  the 
public  welfare,  and  duly  regard  the  rights  of  all  those  who 
repair  to  it?  Following  the  design  of  its  founders,  it  has  be- 
come a  Library  for  scholars,  as  well  as  a  great  popular 
Library  ;  and  both  of  these  features  it  probably  will  retain. 
That  part  of  the  Library  which  consists  of  literature  belong- 
ing to  the  higher  departments  of  learning  is  made  up  largely 
of  gifts,  and  is  mainly  increased  by  the  income  of  funds 
scrupulously  devoted  to  the  purposes  indicated  by  their  sev- 
eral donors.      These  collections — some  of  which  are  now 

^Including  periodicals. 


34  City  Document  No.  97. 

very  full  —  will  continue  to  grow,  and  meet,  more  fully  than 
ever,  the  requirements  of  those  —  a  rapidly  increasing  num- 
ber, especially  in  the  useful  arts  —  for  whose  purposes  the 
Library  has  already  become  indispensable. 

The  Public  Library  is  also  a  gi'eat  popular  institution, 
deemed  by  its  founders  to  be  intimately  related  to  the  other 
educational  forces  in  the  city,  and  especially  to  the  common- 
school  system,  of  which  they  declared  it  to  be  the  crowning 
glory.  This  idea  seems  to  have  been  prominent  in  the  minds 
of  the  Trustees  during  the  existence  of  the  Library  thus  far, 
and  has  become  specialized  in  the  work  which  it  is  carrying 
on  in  connection  with  the  public  schools  by  furnishing 

Supplementary  Readestg. 

Since  my  last  report  this  system  has  been  in  successful 
operation  in  several  of  the  public  schools ;  and  after  a  fair 
trial  it  stands  approved  by  educators  and  librarians,  with  no 
dissenting  voice  that  I  hear.  I  have  transmitted  to  the 
School  Committee  the  action  of  the  Trustees  in  voting  to 
unite  with  that  Board  in  a  petition  to  the  City  Council  for 
the  appropriation  needed  for  the  work.  When  that  is  made, 
nothing  will  remain  except  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  teach- 
ers —  already  becoming  manifest  —  on  the  plan  proposed  by 
the  Trustees,  from  which,  in  all  confidence,  I  look  for  valu- 
able and  far-reaching  results. 

Library  Administration. 

The  tables  appended  will  show  the  present  Library  service. 
There  have  been  some  changes  by  death,  resignation,  or 
other  cause ;  and  there  are  now  one  hundred  and  forty-three 
persons  connected  with  the  Library  as  employes,  of  whom 
sixty-eight  are  at  the  central  library,  sixty-two  at  the 
branches,  and  thirteen  in  the  bindery.  Of  these,  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  are  fully  and  constantly  employed,  and  thirty- 
three  partially  and  intermittently  employed,  according  to  the 
exigencies  of  the  service.  The  Lil^rary  seems  to  me  to  be 
in  a  reasonably  satisfactory  condition  in  respect  to  adminis- 
tration. It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  say — though  con- 
venient in  respect  to  what  follows  —  that,  with  the  general 
policy  of  the  Library,  the  appointment  and  salaries  of  the 
employes,  with  the  making  general  or  special  orders,  with 
the  purchase  of  books,  in  fine,  with  the  general  legislation  of 
the  Trustees,  the  Librarian  has  nothing  to  do ;  for,  by  the 
fundamental  law,  all  these  matters  are  untransferrably  vested 
in  the  Trustees.  But,  for  whatever  relates  to  administration, 
the  Librarian,  as  the  sole  executive  ofiicer  of  the  Trustees, 


Public   Library.  35 

is  wholly  responsible.  Through  him  are  promulgated  all 
orders  of  the  Trustees,  and  of  the  committees,  and  with  him 
is  the  entire  responsi1)ility  for  their  prompt  and  successful 
execution.  The  several  departments  of  Library  work  are  in 
charge  of  responsible  heads,  through  whom  the  Librarian 
transmits  all  orders  —  either  from  the  Trustees  or  himself — 
affecting  these  departments ;  and  the  Librarian-in-chief  is 
the  organ  of  communication  between  these  departments  and 
the  Trustees.  This  system  is  simple  and  effective.  It  is 
essential  to  any  responsible  administration.  It  informs  the 
Librarian  of  all  matters  necessary  for  him  to  know.  It  pro- 
duces unity  and  prevents  confusion.  It  works  well,  and  I 
have  no  change  to  propose.  If  the  administration  is  not  in 
good  order,  and  working  to  successful  results,  the  fault  is 
mine.  I  now  lay  before  the  Trustees  reports  from  the  heads 
of  the  several  departments  of  the  Library. 

Ordering  Department. 

The  work  of  this  department  consists  mainly  in  ordering 
the  books  required  by  the  Library  and  in  verifying  and  enter- 
ing those  received. 

This  work  increases  from  year  to  year  with  the  growth  of 
the  Library  in  size  and  in  usefulness  to  the  public. 

Orders  have  been  sent  during  the  year  to  the  number  of 
about  8,407  ;  of  these  1,662  were  ordered  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  public.  Great  trouble  arises  from  the 
vagueness  and  incorrectness  of  the  recommendation  slips, 
and  not  only  the  unlettered  offend  in  this  respect,  but  those 
whose  education  would  lead  one  to  hope  for  more  exactness. 
This  is  to  be  regretted,  as  it  causes  much  waste  of  time,  and 
often  defeats  the  ol)ject  of  the  recommendation  slips  by 
rendering  it  impossible  to  verify  the  titles  given  and  order  the 
books  desired.  Of  the  recommendation  slips  sent  in  during 
the  year  334  were  for  books  already  in  the  Library.  In 
each  of  these  cases  a  notice  giving  the  number  of  the  book 
desired  was  sent  to  the  person  recommending. 

There  have  been  received  by  purchase,  exchange,  and  gift, 
and  distributed  to  the  Central  Library  and  branches,  17,532 
volumes,  or  an  average  number  of  a  little  less  than  1,500 
volumes  per  month.  Of  these  8,246  volumes  were  assigned 
to  Bates  Hall,  and  a  large  proportion  of  these,  being  con- 
sidered more  suited  for  the  use  of  the  scholar  and  specialist 
than  for  that  of  the  general  public,  was  paid  for  by  special 
funds  given  for  the  purpose,  to  the  amount  of  $6,256.71. 

Of  the  whole  number  of  books  received  14,490  were  pur- 
chased from  the  regular  agents  of  the  Library  and  others, 


36  City  Document  No.  97. 

315  came  by  exchange,  and  2,727  were  gifts.  It  will  thus 
be  seen  that  much  is  due  to  the  generosity  of  the  public,  not 
only  of  this  country,  but  also  of  foreign  lands,  since  valuable 
gifts  have  been  received  from  England,  France,  Germany, 
and  other  countries.  Each  of  these  gifts,  when  accompanied 
by  the  name  of  the  giver,  is  duly  acknowledged ;  the  others 
are  credited  to  anonymous  givers,  and  it  will  be  seen  by  the 
list  of  donors  that  their  number  is  large.  The  above  figures 
do  not  include  pamphlets,  of  which  about  14,000  have  been 
received  from  various  sources. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  department  duly  to  enter  each  book 
received,  and  to  give  it  an  accession  number.  A  descriptive 
slip  is  then  made  and  put  on  file  for  future  reference.  The 
accession  numl)ers  for  the  year  have  been  those  from 
277,621  to  292,510,  277,620  numbers  having  been  used 
in  previous  years.  Although  it  occupies  much  time,  it 
is  judged  necessary  to  collate,  or  examine  for  defects,  all 
foreign  books  (including  English),  all  books  purchased 
by  Fellowes  Athenaeum,  as  well  as  American  books  of  the 
value  of  $5.00  and  upwards. 

Great  care  is  taken  by  the  department  to  avoid  the  pur- 
chase of  unnecessary  duplicates,  which  would  encumber  the 
already  crowded  shelves,  and  cause  needless  expense.  In 
this  particular,  the  past  year  shows  a  good  record ;  the 
duplicates  purchased  have  been,  with  rare  exceptions,  those 
deemed  necessary  to  suppy  the  wants  of  the  public.  An 
important  branch  of  the  work  of  the  department  is  the  prepa- 
ration of  books  and  periodicals  for  binding.  A  strict  ac- 
count is  kept,  and  the  number  during  the  year  has  been 
5,015. 

Much  method  and  exactness  are  required  in  order  to  give 
to  each  of  so  numerous  details  a  proper  and  timely  atten- 
tion, and  at  the  same  time  to  cause  the  whole  to  progress 
harmoniously,  and  for  the  best  interests  of  the  public  and 
the  Library  ;  the  system  must,  nevertheless,  be  so  flexible  as 
to  allow  for  the  unexpected  arrival  of  a  large  invoice, 
donation,  or  auction  purchase.  Error  or  delay  in  this  de- 
partment is  felt  injuriously  in  every  part  of  the  Library  and 
by  the  public. 

HARRIET   N.    PIKE, 
EDITH   D.    FULLER, 
Ordering  Department. 

The  work  of  this  department  becomes  more  complicated 
and  diflScult  with  the  growth  of  the  Library,  and  somewhat 
irrespective  of  the  amount  of  the  annual  accessions.  Its 
work  is  always  exigent.     It  requires  absolute  accuracy,  and 


Public   Library.  37 

even  in  its  routine  will  allow  of  no  inattention.  I  think  it 
should  be  relieved  of  the  examination  which  precedes  all 
purchases  ;  and  that  this  work  should  be  transferred  to  a 
new  officer,  to  whom  also  should  be  intrusted  the  official 
card  catalogue,  with  the  duty  of  incorporating  into  it  all  new 
cards,  as  well  as  attending  to  its  correction  and  improvement. 

Catalogue  Department. 

The  following  report  of  Mr.  Whitney,  the  chief  of  the 
Catalogue  Department,  will  show  the  work  of  that  branch 
of  the  service  during  the  library  year. 

A  summary  of  the  year's  work,  in  the  Catalogue  Depart- 
ment, is  as  follows  :  — 

Volumes  catalogued  (new  books)  .  .  .  13,917 
Pamphlets  catalogued         .....  3,664 

Number  of  cards  added  to  the  catalogues  of  the 

Central  Library  and  Branches         .  .  .  73,221 

Number  of  readers  assisted  by  the  catalogue 
clerks  in  the  Bates  Hall  of  the  Central 
Library  .......  9,653 

A  new  catalogue  for  the  Dorchester  Branch  Library  is 
in  course  of  preparation.  As  soon  as  the  South  End 
Branch  Library  is  moved  to  the  High-School  building,  work 
upon  the  partially  finished  catalogue  will  be  resumed.  In 
the  Lower  Hall  of  the  Central  Library  two  new  catalogues 
will  shortly  be  published :  one  an  author  catalogue  of  books 
in  foreign  languages ;  the  other,  a  list  of  works  in  the  arts 
and  sciences. 

In  order  that  the  last-mentioned  catalogue  may  help,  as 
far  as  possible,  to  improve  the  character  of  the  reading  at  the 
Library,  notes  have  been  added  calling  attention  to  the  best 
books  in  the  Upper  or  Bates  Hall,  and  purchases  have  been 
recently  made  by  the  Trustees  of  such  books  as  will  prove 
helpful  to  the  artisan,  mechanic,  and  the  young  who  are  in- 
terested in  .science  and  the  study  of  nature. 

The  most  important  work  of  the  department  during  the 
year  has  been  the  revision  of  the  Card  Catalogue  of  the 
Central  Library,  the  plan  of  which  was  outlined  in  the  last 
Annual  Report.  In  the  progress  of  this  revision,  the  sys- 
tem of  the  catalogue  has  been  greatly  modified,  and,  it  is 
believed,  put  upon  a  solid  and  enduring  basis.  Clearly,  in 
a  library  such  as  this,  the  aim  above  all  others  should  be  to 
make  its  readers  promptly  acquainted  with  the  new  books  as 
they  are  received  from  day  to  day,  and  to  bring  before  the 


38  City  Document  No.  97. 

public,  in  the  most  simple  and  economical  manner,  under 
one  alphabet,  arranged  by  authors  and  subjects,  the  title  of 
every  book  in  its  keeping.  This  object  is  never  forgotten 
by  those  who  have  the  catalogue  in  charge  ;  but  the  difficul- 
ties of  the  undertaking  in  a  library  as  large  as  this,  growing 
with  such  rapidity,  can  hardly  be  conceived.  If  there  has 
ever  been  any  ground  for  the  charge  that  this  object  has  been 
lost  sight  of  in  the  zeal  for  bibliographical  research,  such  is, 
certainly,  the  case  no  longer.  There  is  the  closest  economy 
and  simplicity  consistent  with  the  character  of  the  books, 
which  form  so  large  a  part  of  the  Library. 

Considerable  progress  has  been  made  during  the  year  up- 
on the  catalogue  of  the  Barton  collection.  The  quarterly 
Bulletins  have  been  published  as  heretofore.  Aid  has  been 
received  in  their  preparation  from  Mr.  Griffin,  custodian  of 
the  shelves,  by  whom  a  card  catalogue  of  the  mathematical 
works  in  the  Bates  Hall  has  been  prepared.  The  catalogue 
department  has  been  severely  crippled  during  the  past  two 
years  by  the  loss  of  valuable  assistants.  Since  the  last 
Annual  Report  one  assistant  has  died  and  two  have  been 
disal)led  through  ill  health.  It  is  believed  that  those  who 
remain  are  animated  by  the  common  purpose  of  keeping  up 
the  high  standard  which  this  department  has  always  main- 
tained. 

JAMES   L.   WHITNEY, 

Principal  Assistant  Librarian. 

Shelf  Department. 

The  Custodian  of  the  Shelves  makes  the  following  re- 
port ;  — 

This  department  has  in  charge  the  location,  according  to 
their  classification,  of  all  books  added  to  the  Central  Library. 
Appendixes  1,  3,  4,  6,  8,  and  9,  furnish  the  statistics  of  this 
part  of  the  work.  A  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  the  time 
of  the  undersigned  is  occupied  in  transferring  periodical  sets, 
which  have  outgrown  their  accommodations.  No  record  has 
been  kept  of  these  changes,  as  they  do  not  affect  the  general 
statistics  of  the  Library.  The  duty  of  making  the  annual 
examination  of  the  Library  devolves  upon  this  department, 
for  the  detailed  results  of  which  I  refer  you  to  the  tables  in 
Appendix  22. 

Althoujjh  a  slight  increase  in  the  total  of  books  unac- 
counted  for  is  shown,  it  is  not  such  an  increase  as  to  excite 
apprehension.  The  larger  part  of  the  deficiency  is,  as  usual, 
in  the  fiction  collection,  and  the  less  valuable  books  in  the 
Lower  Hall  collection. 


Public   Library.  39 

The  number  of  hooks  missing  from  Bates  Hall  is  less  than 
last  year ;  and  there  are  probably  none  of  them  which  cannot 
be  accounted  for. 

The  return  of  a  book  to  the  Library  after  an  absence  of 
over  twenty  years,  seems  worthy  of  some  notice.  The  book 
in  question,  which  bore  the  shelf  marks  assigned  to  it  when 
the  Library  was  in  Mason  street,  was  retm'ned  at  the  Bates 
Hall  desk  by  a  person  who  found  it  among  the  effects  of 
one  long  since  deceased.  The  Lil)rary  has  l)een  in  its  pres- 
ent quarters  since  1858  ;  consequently,  this  book  must  have 
been  out  of  its  possession  for  twenty-three  years  at  least. 

I  have  also  to  report  that  one  book  has  disappeared  from 
the  Central  Library  Reading-room,  and  one  from  the  Bates 
Hall  desk. 

APPLETON  P.    C.    GRIFFIN, 

Custodian  of  the  Shelves. 

Bates  Hall. 

[The  report  of  the  Librarian  of  Bates  Hall,  which  follows, 
states  clearly  some  of  the  .causes  which  interfere  with  the 
prompt  delivery  of  books  applied  for  in  that  department ; 
and  I  regret  to  add  that  some  of  these  delays  seem  to  be 
irremediable  so  long  as  the  Library  remains  in  the  present 
building.  Such,  however,  as  are  within  administrative  con- 
trol will  continue  to  receive  attention  until  they  are  reduced 
to  the  minimum.  Much  has  been  done  in  this  direction  during 
the  library  year.] 

The  various  tables  in  the  Appendix  will  give  the  most  im- 
portant facts  in  regard  to  the  number  of  volumes,  circula- 
tion, and  classification  of  reading,  in  Bates  Hall.  There  are 
other  matters,  however,  connected  with  the  administration 
which  seem  to  me  deserving  of  lirief  mention. 

The  most  common  criticism,  or  complaint,  of  the  Lil)rary 
is,  that  there  is  unnecessary  delay  in  the  delivery  of  books, 
that  applicants  are  frequently  kept  waiting  an  unreasonable 
time  before  they  are  informed  whether  the  book  wanted  is  in 
or  not.  That  there  is  some  ground  for  complaint  cannot  l)e 
denied,  but  there  are  facts,  with  which  the  public  are  un- 
acquainted, or  which  they  do  not  consider,  that  would,  in 
most  cases,  satisfactorily  explain  the  delay. 

The  principal  ol)stacles  to  a  speedy  delivery  are  the  follow- 
ing :  1st.  The  great  distances  to  be  traversed  in  procuring 
books  located  in  distant  parts  of  the  Library.  This  applies 
especially  to  green  slips  where  the  applicant  expects  all  the 
numbers  to  be  brought,  which,  in  many  cases,  cannot  be  done 
in  less  than  ten  or  fifteen  minutes.     2d.  The  crowded  con- 


40  City  Document  No.  97. 

dition  of  some  of  our  alcoves,  which  has  obliged  us  to  trans- 
fer many  of  our  books  to  other  alcoves  or  to  distant  rooms, 
so  that  the  shelf-numbers  given  in  our  catalogues  may  not 
correspond  with  those  in  the  books.  3d.  Mistakes  of  the 
boys  who  bring  the  books,  arising  from  their  inexperience 
and  from  the  perfect  similarity  of  the  alcoves. 

It  is  due  to  the  administration  to  say  that,  in  a  very  large 
number  of  instances,  delay  is  caused  by  carelessness  on  the 
part  of  the  public,  as  shown  by  mistakes  in  numljers,  by 
obscurity  in  designating  the  volume  required,  and  by  return- 
ing l)ooks  with  the  card  and  slip  carefully  concealed  within. 

The  attendants  can  justly  be  held  responsible  for  delays 
coming  under  the  third  head  only,  and  for  general  careless- 
ness and  neglect.  It  has  been  our  constant  aim  during  the 
past  year  to  overcome  these  difficulties.  A  system  of  rewards 
and  penalties  has  done  much  towards  checking  mistakes  on 
the  part  of  the  boys.  Much,  too,  has  been  effected  by  the 
Indicator,  which  now  shows  what  books  are  in  the  hands  of 
borrowers,  at  the  bindery,  transferred,  or  for  any  other 
reason  absent  from  the  shelves  for  any  considerable  time.  • 
If  applicants  would  report  at  once  to  the  officer  in  charge 
any  unreasonable  delay,  instead  of  deferring  the  complaint 
till  it  is  too  late  to  ascertain  who  is  responsible,  the  neglect, 
if  any,  would  be  detected,  or  reasons  for  the  delay  would  be 
given.  It  is  the  testimony  of  the  desk  attendants,  which 
also  agrees  with  my  own  observation,  that  complaints  are  not 
nearly  so  numerous  now  as  in  former  years.  Foreigners  and 
others  accustomed  to  the  use  of  libraries  abroad,  express 
astonishment  at  the  promptness  with  which  books  are 
delivered  here. 

The  book  of  "Notes  and  Queries,"  kept  at  the  desk,  and 
intended  as  a  means  of  communication  between  the  public 
and  the  administration,  has  proved  of  great  advantage,  not 
only  to  readers  but  to  the  Library.  Mistakes  and  omissions 
in  the  catalogue  are  pointed  out,  desirable  books  recom- 
mended, and  suggestions,  often  of  practical  value,  made. 
ARTHUR  MASON  KNAPP, 

Librarian  of  Bates  Hall. 

LowEK  Hall. 

Mr.  Tiffany's  report  of  the  Lower  Hall  Library  shows  the 
class  of  subjects,  connected  with  administration,  which  have 
received  his  special  attention  :  — 

By  reports  already  submitted  you  have  been  advised  of 
the  extent  and  character  of  the  circulation  of  this  Hall  for 
the  past  year,  as  well  as  of  the  details  of  its  various  lines 


Public  Library.  41 

of  work.  In  respect  to  the  latter  some  gain  has  been  made 
by  a  more  systematic  division  of  them ;  while  to  secure  a 
prompter  delivery  of  books,  special  attention  has  been  paid 
to  their  quick  return  to  the  shelves,  and  to  the  careful 
adjustment  of  the  force  to  the  varying  demands  of  days  and 
hours  in  the  Hall.  I  think  the  number  of  complaints  of 
delay  has  been  reduced,  and  that  our  delivery  is  as  prompt 
as  possible,  considering  the  height  of  our  shelves,  and  the 
great  pressure  upon  the  force  at  certain  hours ;  but  no  effort 
shall  be  spared  to  effect  improvement,  if  in  any  way  pos- 
sible. I  feel  justified  in  speaking  well  of  the  general 
industry  and  faithfulness  of  the  subordinate  force. 

How  best  to  assist  the  public  in  the  selection  of  books,  is 
a  question  that  now  engages  largely  the  attention  of  libra- 
rians. Much  can,  of  course,  be  done  by  personal  influence, 
but  the  presence  must  be  recognized  in  all  libraries  of  a  con- 
sideral)le  class  of  persons  who  prefer  that  the  fullest  infor- 
mation of  what  is  to  be  had  shall  be  set  before  them,  and  then  to 
be  their  own  assistants .  This  class  of  persons  here  rely  largely 
upon  the  catalogues  and  bulletins,  and  for  titles  of  recent 
books,  upon  the  wall  slip-board.  I  have  endeavored,  where 
especial  reason  seemed  to  call  for  it,  to  supplement  these  by 
lists  of  particular  classes  of  books,  or  series  of  more  than 
ordinary  merit.  The  free  use  that  has  been  made  of  these 
convinces  me  of  their  acceptability  to  the  public,  and  the 
importance,  where  time  will  allow,  of  continuing  them. 

Within  the  last  year  an  advance  has  been  made  in  the 
establishment  of  closer  relations  with  the  public  in  this  Hall, 
and  there  have  been  many  evidences  that  where  this  personal 
assistance  is  rendered  in  an  unobtrusive  manner,  it  is  cor- 
dially met  and  often  gratefully  recognized.  Information  of 
the  most  varied  character  is  sought,  and  lines  of  inquiry 
begun  which  lead  to  further  investigation,  and  stimulate 
mental  activity,  both  on  the  part  of  the  applicant  and  the 
assistant.  There  is  every  reason  to  anticipate  an  increase  of 
this  useful  and  interesting  Avork,  much  of  which,  especially 
in  its  relation  to  the  younger  visitors  of  the  Hall,  has  de- 
volved upon  my  principal  assistant.  Miss  Jenkins. 

Important  additions  of  books  have  recently  been  made  to 
the  German  collection,  and  to  that  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 
The  former  are  beginning  already  to  circulate  freely  among 
a  class  of  persons  who  can  only  visit  the  Library  in  the  even- 
ing, and  these,  to  a  considerable  extent,  will  be  the  users  of 
the  latter.  The  selection  was  in  general  an  admirable  one, 
most  of  them  being  of  popular  character,  many  relating  to 
arts  of  design,  while  some,  more  purely  technical,  will 
benefit  students  or  inquirers  in  special  lines.     The  excellent 


42  City  Document  No.  97. 

recent  catalogue,  with  its  full  cross  references  to  subjects, 
will  greatly  aid  in  the  use  of  these  books. 

I  have  felt  it  to  be  an  important  part  of  my  duty 
to  recommend  that  desirable  and  interesting  books,  which 
might  otherwise  be  overlooked,  should  be  added  to  this 
Hall,  particularly  in  view  of  the  fact  that  duplicates  are 
not  placed  in  Bates  Hall,  and  that  so  many  l>ooks  suitable 
to  both  departments  are  now  published.  These  requests 
have  been  liberally  met  by  the  Trustees,  to  the  great  im- 
provement of  the  Lower  Hall  collection. 

In  conclusion,  in  view  of  the  high  character  of  the  addi- 
tions in  fiction  made  to  this  department  during  the  last  four 
years,  including  many  English  stories  not  so  well  known  to 
the  public  as  they  deserve  to  be,  I  earnestly  recommend 
the  printing,  in  simple  form,  of  a  supplementary  finding  list. 

EDWARD   TIFFANY, 
Librarian  of  the  Lower  Hall. 

LowEE  Hall  Caed  Catalogue. 

The  following  presents  a  summnry  of  what  has  been  done 
during  the  library  year,  by  the  curator  of  the  Lower  Hall 
Card  Catalogue :  — 

This  department  has  now  entered  on  the  second  year  of  its 
existence,  and  ma}--  fairly  be  said  to  have  vindicated  its  right, 
at  least,  to  live.  Whether  it  should  still  be  considered  a 
simple  experiment,  or  a  regular  system,  forming  part  of  the 
Lower  Hall  working  force,  can  be  readily  gathered  from 
a  glance  at  its  results. 

From  May  1,  1880,  to  May  1,  1881,  a  total  of  45,664 
readers  have  been  assisted  at  the  catalogue  desk.  Out  of 
this  sum,  16,939  were  readers  of  non-fiction,  assisted  on 
special  subjects  ;  and  about  8,000  were  juveniles.  The  bal- 
ance, 20,725  general  readers,  were  merely  helped  to  num- 
bers from  the  card  catalogue,  or  to  the  titles  of  popular 
books  of  fiction.  It  is  to  be  remarked,  however,  that  this 
help  was  not  given  with  a  view  to  making  readers  dependent. 
The  explanations  were  intended  only  to  remove  such  obsta- 
cles as  would  render  further  investigation  by  the  reader  easy 
and  interesting.  Perhaps  the  best  test  of  the  new  depart- 
ment's influence  for  good  is,  not  so  much  the  amount  of  help 
given,  as  the  quality  of  the  effects  produced.  That  there  is 
a  decided  advance  in  the  reading  of  the  Lower  Hall,  is  cer- 
tain beyond  a  doubt.  For,  not  only  has  much  of  the  useless 
reading  of  fiction  dropped  off  during  the  past  year,  but  even 
the  quality  of  fiction  now  circulated  has  itself  been   much 


Public  Library.  43 

improved.     The  amount  of  this  improvement  can  be  exactly 
calculated  from  the  statistics  of  the  Lower  Hall  circulation. 

The  question  now  arises,  are  these  results  permanent,  —  are 
they  likely  to  endure  ?  It  can  best  be  answered  by  an  exam- 
ination of  the  system  employed  to  produce  these  results.  As 
the  object  was  to  make  good  reading  easy,  in  every  available 
way,  the  most  effective  plan  was  found  to  be  the  bringing  of 
special  books  to  the  notice  of  individual  readers;  thrusting 
into  the  hands  of  the  borrower  the  book  best  adapted  to  his 
actual  wants.  Now  the  means  at  our  disposal  for  ascertain- 
ing these  wants  are  of  the  best ;  for,  through  the  agency  of 
the  new  department,  the  Librarian  is  brought  into  breathing 
contact  with  the  public,  and  even  the  poorest  attempts  at 
self-culture  can  be  easily  recognized,  encouraged,  and  helped. 
Therefore,  Ijesides  the  material  good  resulting  from  helps  of 
this  kind  rendered,  there  is  a  moral  effect  accruing  from  it 
of  sufficient  importance  to  bear  mention  here.  The  depart- 
ment is  gradually  building  up  an  intelligent  and  grateful 
constituency  to  the  support  of  the  Library ;  and  no  class  of 
readers  will  be  so  warmly  attached  to  the  institution,  by  an 
active  interest,  as  those  who  are  conscious  of  being  person- 
ally aided  and  improved  through  its  influence. 

T.  H.  CUMMINGS, 

Curator  of  the  Lower  Hall  Catalogue. 

From  the  foregoing  reports  the  Trustees  will  be  able  to 
form  some  judgment  as  to  the  present  condition  of  library 
administration  in  the  several  departments.  It  is  not  perfect, 
and  probably  never  will  be,  either  theoretically  or  practi- 
cally ;  but  it  is  the  subject  of  constant  study  and  of  constant 
endeavor  to  adapt  it  to  the  ever-changing  conditions  of  the 
public  service,  which  will  continue  to  be  as  it  ever  has  been  — 
the  paramount  consideration. 

The  Bindery. 

By  reason  of  the  diminished  force  in  the  bindery  during  the 
calendar  year  1879,  at  its  close  there  was  found  to  be  a  large 
accumulation  of  unbound  books.  To  reduce  their  number, 
those  of  the  Lower  Hall  and  Branches,  for  the  following  year, 
were  sent  to  an  outside  binder.  Before  the  close  of  the 
year  arrearages  were  well  brought  up.  Since  January  1, 
1881,  all  the  Library  work  has  been  done  in  the  Library  bind- 
ery. 

The  bindery  has  recently  been  placed  on  the  same  footing 
as  outside  binderies ;    and   the    narrowing  of  the   morocco 


44  City  Document  No.  97. 

sidings,  and  omission  of  all  unnecessary  tooling  and  gilding, 
promise  to  effect  a  considerable  saving  in  labor  and  materials 
without  impairing  the  value  of  the  work. 

To  determine  with  anything  like  precision  the  cost  of  the 
whole  work  done  by  the  bindery,  compared  Avith  its  probable 
cost  if  done  by  an  outside  bindery,  would  be  difficult  if  not 
impossible,  even  to  an  expert ;  and  the  opinions  of  others 
would  be  of  little  or  no  value  unless  they  were  daily  cog- 
nizant of  the  varied  special  services  required  of  the 
establishment.  These  special  services  are  incapable  of  precise 
definition  by  contract,  and  their  cost  would  be  necessarily 
left  to  the  judgment  and  conscience  of  the  party  rendering 
them. 

It  cannot  be  fairly  claimed  that  the  Library  bindery,  more 
than  any  other  department  of  municipal  labor,  is  conducted 
with  the  same  refinement  of  economy  as  is  reached  by  private 
parties  stimulated  by  that  self-interest  which  enforces  the 
most  rigid  discipline,  and  is  prompt  to  avail  itself  of  substi- 
tutes for  sound  materials  and  conscientious  work,  the  lack  of 
which  is  only  manifest  when  it  is  too  late  to  demand  restitu- 
tion. 

But  it  may  be  fairly  said  that  its  methods  and  its  results 
are  the  subjects  of  constant  supervision';  that  its  employes 
are  held  to  exact  accountability  for  full  and  diligent  use  of  the 
time  for  which  they  are  paid  ;  that  the  stock  is  economically 
purchased  and  judiciously  used,  and  that  the  work  turned  out, 
judged  by  any  standard  at  home  or  abroad,  is  first-class. 

On  the  general  question  whether  the  Library  should  main- 
tain a  l)indery  or  have  its  work  done  outside,  there  are  some 
considerations  which  seem  to  me  to  be  worthy  of  note.  The 
public  are  justly  impatient  when  delayed  in  the  use  of  books 
essential  to  their  purposes  ;  and  it  is  therefore  of  the  first  im- 
portance—  even  if  it  should  cost  a  trifle  more — not  only 
that  binding  and  rebinding  should  be  done  with  all  possible 
promptitude,  but  that  in  case  of  exigency,  books  may  be  con- 
sulted when  in  the  bindery.  This  is  practicable  when  the 
binding  is  done  in  the  Library  building,  and  the  books  are 
consulted  in  the  presence  of  the  Librarian,  but  not  otherwise. 

Much  of  the  work  is  exigent,  especially  all  those  small  re- 
pairs needed  to  fit  the  book  for  circulation  which  can  be 
promptly  done,  and  the  book  immediately  delivered  to  the 
applicant,  when  the  bindery  is  at  hand ;  otherwise  long  and 
vexatious  delays  may  ensue. 

A  considerable  part  of  the  work -— especially  works  pub- 
lished serially,  with  complicated  tables  and  plates  in  foreign 
languages  —  can  be  properly  done  only  by  one  specially  ex- 
perienced in  such  work  and  who  has  constant  and  easy  refer- 


Public  Library.  45 

ence  to  the  preceding  volumes.  Attempted  by  any  other, 
confusion  and  loss  inevitably  follow. 

The  greater  safety  from  fire  in  a  building  substantially  fire- 
proof, of  valuable,  and,  it  may  be,  unique  works,  is  a  fact  too 
obvious  in  its  importance  to  be  dwelt  upon  ;  but  the  greater 
safety  of  maps,  plans,  portraits,  and  views  —  which,  in  many 
cases,  chiefly  give  value  to  the  works  in  which  they  are  found 

—  though  less  obvious,  is  not  less  important.  To  collate 
them  in  every  instance  — and  nothing  less  would  insure  their 
safety  —  once  before  they  go  to  the  bindery  and  again  on 
their  return,  and  to  make  an  accurate  list  of  the  same,  would 
involve  troublesome  delay  and  great  cost  of  labor. 

To  all  the  foregoing  it  may  be  answered  that  an  outside 
bindery  can  be  secured  having  a  force  thoroughly  instructed 
in  all  general  and  special  work  of  the  Library,  and  which, 
putting  aside  all  private  orders,  could  do  the  Library  work 
as  well,  and  meet  all  exigencies  as  promptly,  as  the  Library 
bindery,  which  may  be  true ;  and  if  true,  with  this  result : 
that  the  Library,  instead  of  having  its  bindery  in  its  own  fire- 
proof, convenient,  and  accessible  apartments,  under  its  own 
immediate  daily  supervision  and  control,  Avould  maintain  it 

—  substantially  —  outside,  with  all  the  added  risks  and  un- 
avoidal)le  delays,  inconvenience  to  the  public  and  its  own 
employes,  without  authoritative  supervision  and  with  doubt- 
ful economy  in  the  long  run.  I  am  not  prepared  to  recom- 
mend the  change. 

For  further  detailed  information,  I  respectfully  refer  you 
to  the  appended  tables. 

MELLEN   CHAMBERLAIN, 


Librarian. 


Boston,  April  30,  1881. 


APPENDIXES 


TO    THE 


LIBEAEIAN'S  EEPOET. 


1881. 


LIST  OF  APPENDIXES. 


I.  Extent  op  the  Library  (by  Years). 

II.  Yearly  Increase  by  Purchase  and  Donation. 

III.  Extent  of  the  Bates  Hall  Collection. 

IV.  Extent  of  Lower  Hall  Collection. 
V.  Sale  of  Duplicates  and  Odd  Volumes. 

VI.  Increase  of  the  Several  Departments. 

VII.  Increase  from  Newly  Published  Books. 

VIII.  Bates  Hall  Classifications. 

IX.  Lower  Hall  Classifications. 

X.  Givers  and  Amount  of  Gifts. 

XI.  Circulation. 

XII.  Registration  of  Applicants. 

XIII.  Books  Recommended.     Use  of  Patent  Library. 

XIV.  Bates  Hall  Reading. 

XV.  Lower  Hall  and  Branch  Reading. 

XVI.  Fellowes  Athen^um  and  Brighton  Reading. 

XVII.  Periodical  Reading  Rooms. 

XVIII.  Losses  and  Delinquents. 

XIX.  Financial  Statement. 

XX.  Library  Funds. 

XXI.  Library  Service. 

XXII.  Report  of  Examination  of  the  Shelves. 

XXIII.  Work  in  the  Library  Bindery. 


Public  Library. 


49 


Pamphlets 

added  fioin  the 

heginning. 


West 

ROXEURT 

Delivery. 


Jamaica 

Plain 
Branch. 


South  End 
Branch. 


Dorchester 
Branch. 


r-tOt-COCOOOiOt^r^-^COt 


■CO'X)CO-^t-0<DC5COOOr-(MOO-^0-^»0 

lOyDrfiTil—  r--f<a0iOC')C-l»n>i^rHr-Hp0O5 

'  »n  i--^  H*  c-1  r-t  t—  t^  r?  — <  o  c-  o  a;  -+  o  lO  ^ 


CO  CO  c<J  CO  1-  a;  o  t-  00  T^  f 


CJ  CO  T*  1^  .^  -.t  r:  o  c-i  -^  o  I-*  o  Tl 


Brighton 
Branch. 


Charlestown 
Branch. 


Fellowea 
Athe- 
naeum. 


City  part. 


South  Boston 
Branch. 


East  Boston 
Branch. 


Duplicate 
Boom 


News- 
paper 


Lower 
HaU. 


Bates 
Hall. 


i-lrHT-lT-IC^ClC^CCCOCOCO-^-^CDt-Xwr-ic:OXCli-HC-lcO'-'^ 


;  ^  r-  o  o  ^  oD 
^  t-  C-?  'r»  CI  rH  ro 

(N  O  C^  00  CN 


.  -t<  O  00  l^ 

o  -*  -.  o 
x'^o  oi" 


.  O  O  ^  -O  (M  c 


•  00  00  CTi  O  O 


n  ^  <-!  r-in  <»  t~  (x> 

T-Ti-rrHriofofcToo' 


,  00  O  -+  -^  f-H  o  c 
cao  cr.  OJ  00  00  t 


'rHi-Hi-Hr-Hi-Hr-iriC^ 


.lAOOOOU^OIt-COO 

■  -■)  rt  o  CO  i^  e-1  CO  oi 

1  00  t^  1.-5  o  -t«  -M  GO 


rH  00  ^  O  CO  1 
,  CO  CI  00^  ^-  '-"5  I 

T*  cooo  ocf . 


5  O  i'  r*-  ri  00  00  »o  c» 

5   Ci  CO  C-1  CO  u-^  I-  O  rH 

(N  of  co"  ■^  •*  ■*  o"  i~r 


.oroco^eo-+a>oooi 
CO  ■<*  CO*  t-^  GO  t-h"  i-T  of  of 


Sit 

CO.-I 

I^IM  00  OO-C 
O  Ol  00  t-  o 
00  ^  Ol  r-(t~ 

SS^ 

T*  OU5  to  t- 

00 

QD 

C3>  OJ  CS 

CO 

o> 

co 

t^  jt-^  00  oT 

,0000— ■l-'rii-Ha)i-frHCCi-(ririC0rHT^3i?0aJOt—  co-^ 


i-li-iC0"^^0i0-^OO>0CC'O'X'l 


■30CJOi-lT-iC^'*C0C^ 


rH  -M  •*  CJ  -r-  -M  ^3  O  'r** 

Previously  included  in  the  Bates  Hall    ^-^J-S-frS"!^  ""^^^' 
collection.  ^'  ^'  ^■>^^-^' 


<MC^C<»Ci?5COCOCOCO 


a!Or-(i-lv0C^Ot001'XJC0CftTt<lr-OCD»n!(N00C^O.-IC0 


i-iocoao'MaiocoaiociC'i 


■  c-1  o  '31  a:  o  t 


r-lT-(rH(MC^C^<N(N^C^(M<MCOC^?:)COcOCO?3cOcOCOCO 


C^l  <S  ^  lt:;  o  ri  t-  t^ 

"t.  ^1 '^1  ^  ^  - 1  "I  *"! 


CO  O  "t:)  rl 


"tJOt-t-XCOOiOOi-trHC^rSrt* 


f-H  t-  Ol  '^  O  r-  30  C~1  Xi  CD  X*  O  CO  O 
00  --O  i-H  30  CO  t-  -^  CI  CO  ri  -M  -tJ<  3C  O 
O  ^'*,'^*-^'*,'^  -— (  3!  CO  O  O  '^  O 

*  — r  oc" '--f 't' cT  ^f  c^r  o"  oT 

-*  --C  W  X-    r.    O  rH  CI  C^ 


Total  Volumes 
in  the  Libraries. 


ao<-^r-OcD»-HCOi— ico-*cO-^'tOaooc^i:OcOOGO!OOacr5  C  -tcOLOco 
aot^i— <aoj;»-.':>--+rox.  co'-ocoi— ir-GoaJ3it--»ooou'2i-Hr-i-iroocico 

(0  "M  '^^O  3(^30  O^O^  CO  O^ir^ri^C^O^OOl-^ij^C^CJl^-l^uOO^ 

oT CD* cf  x" -^  o  CO  irf  ^^ lo" o" '^ co" cT CO  Tf  c<r  o  oT c-f  ^r cT -^  1- 

*rH<NC^C^C<COWcOCOCO 
•  OrHO^COrl*OeDt-<»aiO.-l 


r-IC^?4COt-t*COaiC)r-»t— iC^COCO- 


r- CO  OS  o '-I  ^  CO 't  uo  O  t 

i.O»OOOcC'OOOtOCDCDCOXil  -     -     -     -      ,     _     _     - 

I  -i  r-  x  3i  C'  F-H  ri  cc  -*  '-o  O  t^  : 


•  t^r-t— t— t-t-GOoo 


OO  aC  30  GO  3C  C 


;  c.  —  '-  ri  CO  ■ .  _  _  . 

;   ,.t  tr  -r   CD  --D  CD  CD  X>  -D  CO  : 


1  X  X  X  X  : 


'  X  X  XCC  : 


i-IC^CO-^OOt-COOSOr-tC-ieO-rfliftcOt-aOaiOr-llMcO-^iO'OiwXCS 


.af=< 


,=  T3  3 

=5  o 

S  ■* " 
P  ■S'3 

•a  g 


0^  a> 

H  a 


50 


City  Document  No.  97. 


appe:ndix  n. 

YEARLY  INCREASE  OF  THE  WHOLE  LIBRARY  BY  PURCHASE  AJSTD  BY  GIFTS. 

Note.  — The  increase  of  volumea  is  not  the  sum  of  those  added  by  gift  and  purchase,  etc.,  because  lost 
and  condemned  books  are  deducted. 


Yi 

AR3. 

Increase. 
(Net  after  1861.) 

Gifts. 

Purchases,  in- 
cluding those 
charged  to  funds 
and  added  by 
exchange. 

•a  3 
s  o 

■sa 

eg 

Vols. 

Pamph. 

Vols. 

Pamph. 

Vols. 

*Pamph. 

Vols. 

1  .  .  . 

1852-53 
1853-64 
1854-55 

9,688 
6,533 
6,396 

961 

2,989 
2,557 

4,000 
2,152 
2,663 

961 
2,989 
2,468 

5,688 
4,381 
3,733 

75 

2  ,   .   . 

105 

3.   .   . 

89 

153 

4.   .   . 

1855-56 

5,463 

5,879 

1,865 

5,330 

3,598 

549 

126 

5.   .   . 

1856-57 

6,816 

3,667 

1,686 

3,646 

5,130 

21 

132 

6  .   .   . 

1857-58 
1868-59 
1859-60 
1860-61 

35,955 
7,192 
6,989 

16,948 

1,885 
1,317 
1,452 
6,674 

30,214 
3,406 
3,744 

12,299 

1,886 
1,317 
1,452 
6,656 

5,741 
3,787 
3,245 
4,649 

381 

7  .   .   . 

247 

8      .   . 

207 

9  .   .   . 

18 

242 

10  .   .   . 

1861-62 
1862-63 

7,391 
5,529 

1,493 
2,169 

1,274 
829 

1,493 
,  1,958 

6,117 
4,700 

234 

11.   .   . 

212 

194 

12.    .   . 

1863-64 

6,226 

2,939 

1,081 

2,772 

5,145 

167 

219 

13  .   .   . 

1864-65 

6,082 

1,516 

804 

1,026 

6,178 

490 

328 

U.    .   . 

-1865-66 

7,662 

4,013 

1,476 

3,342 

6,286 

671 

336 

15.   .   . 

1866-67 

5,303 

7,877 

1,465 

7,769 

7,732 

108 

300 

16.   .    . 

1867-68 

7,673 

2,811 

1,564 

2,613 

6,396 

298 

.   . 

342 

IT.   .   . 

1868-69 

8,685 

13,923 

2,138 

10,984 

6,531 

2,939 

649 

18.   .   . 

1869-70 

7,775 

13,693 

1,643 

10,228 

6,129 

3,365 

666 

19.   .   . 

1870-71 

18,099 

14,976 

9,760 

10,805 

8,349 

4,171 

604 

20.   .   . 

1871-72 

13,708 

10,637 

4,349 

5,831 

9,359 

4,806 

610 

21.   .   . 

1872-73 

14,644 

11,770 

3,939 

8,060 

10,706 

3,710 

865 

601 

22.   .   . 

1873-74 

51,094 

22,475 

4,783 

17,138 

18,671 

5,337 

1,330 

730 

23.   .   . 

1874-75 

16,372 

16,293 

4,169 

16,899 

17,080 

394 

572 

1,091 

24.   .   . 

1876-76 

20,955 

30,732 

5,749 

6,891 

15,206 

24,841 

769 

694 

25  .   .   . 

1876-77 

16,974 

13,305 

3,662 

11,071 

16,644 

2,234 

738 

1,125 

26.   .   . 

1877-78 

33,724 

15,554 

21,206 

12,453 

17,679 

3,101 

196 

677 

27.   .   . 

1878-79 

14,926 

14,596 

3,680 

8,786 

14,403 

5,810 

211 

470 

28.   .   . 

1879-80 

16,262 

9,524 

5,524 

8,356 

15,016 

1,367 

361 

546 

29.    .   . 

1880-81 

14,113 

13,961 

2,742 

10,787 

13,396 

3,176 

2,111 

499 

♦  Includes  jjamplilets  added  both  by  purchase  and  exchange,  as  taken  from  the  Accession  catalogue. 

t  Included  in  previous  columns.  These  volumes  are  not  the  property  of  the  Public  library,  but  form  a 
part  of  the  Roxbury  branch  by  agreement. 

(6)    Of  the  increase,  24,618  were  the  Bates  gift.    (9)   Of  the  increase,  11,721  were  the  Parker  bequests. 

(19)  3,774  volumes  of  the  Ticknor  bequest,  and  2,682  from  the  Sumner  library  association,  are  included 
in  the  increase.     (20)  1,471  volumes  from  the  JIattapan  Literary  association  are  included  in  the  increase. 

(22)  The  increase  of  this  year  includes  the  totals  of  the  libraries  at  Charlestown  and  Brighton,  and  also, 
under  purchases,  the  Barton  library. 

(24)  The  purchases  of  this  year  include  thirty  volumes  to  replace  books  in  tlie  Bates  Ilall  long  lost.  The 
great  accession  ot  pamphlets  came  from  the  purcliase  of  duplicates  from  Harvard  College  library. 

(26)  The  unusual  increase  is  owing  to  the  addition  of  the  books  of  the  Mercantile  library  association, 
ifhich  form  the  nucleus  of  the  South-End  branch. 


Public  Library. 


51 


c^ 

3         « 

5         0 

c 

5 

K        C 

J         <M               # 

^ 

4 

—          ^ 

O       to       u: 

0       CO       u- 

a      CO      o           * 

o 

H 

O^O^rH^CO^C^Tl*_CO<N               ^ 

co^ 

X) 

i-^     CO      CO      (N      of     >ra      •# 

IX 

s 

'"' 

" 

C-1 

o> 

H 

■2         CO         O         C^         O         C^         r-< 

CO           CO 

o       .       oo        1 

O 
X) 

o      o      (D      01      in      CO      o 

-t*         OJ 

<N         O         O         CO         i-H         ■*         CO 

00     1    CO 

CO 

OD 

Oi         CO         CO         C^         0<         iC         Tt< 

o 

•?» 

H 

*"* 

C-J 

<N 

t-       t~       CO       CJ       t-       ■*       o 

„ 

3         to 

<z 

>            to 

0) 

a 

5         -*         O         CO         to         rH 

^         -V 

■^ 

r^         00         O         CO         O         CO         C-1 

(N        (N        CO        c- 

?      c^      to      -^ 

CA 

H 

iH 

Qi 

<N 

i»         CO         Cq         O         O         i-H         O 

^ 

^ 

c 

5                 rH 

« 

t-         C^         CO         O         C-1         t-         ^ 

CO 

CO 

CO        00         en         (M         O         rH         C» 

cc 

'         '^ 

CJ_ 

•*        0<        m        C<        C^        lO        CO 

•*■ 

'd!" 

to 

tH 

rH 

o 

o 

H 

O) 

|^^ 

~ 

i-l         O         iH         00         05         ^ 

CO 

c 

S                    CO 

t< 

CO        CI        c 

C-l        C-?        o 

Ol 

OJ 

a 

t-        lO         (M         O         02         CO 

CO 

CO 

l» 

T 

(M         CI         !M         (N         •<*         C<< 

c-r 

OD 

u- 

iH 

CS 

OS 

rt 

6= 

t= 

l-        CD         C- 

e^      o      lo      05 

^ 

i~i 

c 

>            o> 

O 

•*         OJ         •*         Ol        t-        00         o 

c 

CO 

c^ 

rH         O         >0_        (N         Oi_        (^^         rH 

tr 

J» 

>0         of       of        cT       rH        •«         cT 

p^ 

^ 

sc 

^ 

H 

# 

r^ 

Oi        t-         (> 

uo         O         O         C» 

o 

c 

>                 <M 

I* 

t-         O         -*         CO         t- 

-*      o 

?I 

C4 

co      ^      ^o      Oi      c;      o      oi 

c 

Oi         C^         rH         rt         CO         rH 

Tl 

rH 

H 

" 

^ 

IT 

CO         (N         t-         O         t-        t- 

,, 

CO 

c 

CO 

^ 

(M         -^         O         t-         O         O 

CO         »i3         03         Oi         C 

O 

1* 

•* 

»• 

c 

C^         C^         r-l         i-H         CO         C-l 

co" 

oc 

1-H 

CO 

to 

H 

"" 

rH 

~ 

rH 

t^ 

c 

<M         t-         O         t^ 

a 

^ 

^_ 

» 

c 

<N         11         O        t-         O 

c 

oo 

c- 

_       OS         O         05 

^ 

"* 

t» 

2J         (N         rH         iH         CO 

OS 

OS 

ec 

c- 

rH 

-K 

•* 

H 

rH 

c 

C-1       t-       o       t^ 

^ 

CO 

^ 

to 

« 

o 

■*      o      t-      o 

CO 

CO 

t- 

>o      o>      o>      o 

cc 

ac 

H 

? 

ei      i-i      iH      CO 

rH                     cos 

i 

(>] 

C' 

t-         O         -* 

^ 

CO 

c 

CO 

H 

c^ 

-*       o       t-       t- 

C£ 

c 

lO         O         OS         t- 

C' 

Ir-^ 

iT 

C^         r-l         T-H         CO 

to 

rH        +- 

+ 

CO 

CO 

H 

*" 

^ 

" 

^ 

■■ 

OJ 

>> 

,iJ 

o 

a 

s 

,C! 

s 

M 

O 

3 

(S 

o 

« 

o 

s 

> 

o 

k 

£ 

, 

> 

■s       C3 

3 

< 

1 

,    r 

* 

1- 

s- 

> 

;- 

> 

I 

r 

1 

4 

a 
M 

1 

i- 
c 

C 

c 
t 

o 

^ 

rt 

c 

c 

'E 

cc 

u 

a- 

c 

E- 

P- 

^ 

P- 

A. 

P 

PC 

^ 

H 

C 

1 

>o 

3 

00 

1-i 

H 

q 

T! 

a 

OS 

> 

.3 

•a 

a 

^       i? 


52 


City  Docibient  No.  97. 


(5 
o 

M 

H 
O 

o 
o 

w 
P5 

> 

o 

w 
o 

H 

H 
M 


H 

U5 

CO 

00 

1 

O 

(£i 

CO 

<t) 

c^ 

H 

CO 

CO 

CO 

© 

a> 

CO 

CI 

*^ 

^ 

CO 

m 

rW 

OS 

OS 

x> 

o 

OD 

I- 

■« 

(N 

o 

aD 

to 

« 

H 

CO 

CO 

CO 

ft 

ft 

IM 

OS 

r-4 

IM 

,-f 

0^ 

to 

« 

CO 

O 

to 

c; 

CJ 

o 

i-H 

ge 

c^ 

of 

to 

H 

CO 

""" 

« 

00 

00 

o 

IM 

la 

^ 

c 

C-: 

o 

o> 

m 

to 

to 

■.J 

Ol 

U5 

OR 

>n 

ci 

iH 

H 

CO 

CO 

00 

IM 

O 

e-' 

OS 

^ 

in      CO 

00 

1^ 

CO 

c^ 

»o      o 

a 

O 

to      aa^ 

■* 

as 

vn 

CO 

lO 

H 

CO 

CO 

05 

t 

>o 

o 

>o 

-f 

OS 

C-1 

OS 

OS 

p; 

»c 

a 

CO 

Tf 

I-^ 

<X) 

CO 

CO 

to 

rH 

>o 

H 

CO 

CO 

CO 

e 

<o 

u^ 

^ 

o 

OS 

>o 

OS 

00 

CO 

CO 

OS 

i» 

c-. 

OS 

m 

00 

se 

e< 

CO 

C^ 

05 

H 

CO 

CO 

00 

'J< 

o 

(0 

to 

00 

to 

c 

to 

o 

OS 

*» 

-* 

o 

f- 

CO 

aC) 

r- 

^ 

IN 

H 

CO 

CO 

03 

(9 

t-      cr 

«0 

c« 

00 

>o 

(M       cr 

-* 

t— 

o 

CO        t- 

CO 

to 

00 

c^ 

rf 

H 

co       "" 

CO 

03 

Tt 

Tf 

oc 

t- 

u:> 

OS 

^ 

t' 

w 

« 

>re 

OD 

c 

CN 

CO 

J^ 

H 

CO 

CO 

,co 

Ol         <= 

c 

OS 

« 

't 

o      cc 

cc 

c 

iC 

CO 

oy     t- 

to 

00 

<M 

■o 

00 

oi        (N 

(M 

iH 

o 

H 

eq 

c- 

CO 

B 

o 

o 

u 

o 

■>-) 

03 

fi. 

E3 

fi 

-« 

a 

:« 

m 

■a 

(5 

1 

a 

C3 

u 

5^ 

"        1 

« 

5 

a 
> 

■> 

c 

o 

bt,     £ 

< 

4 

X 

■S 

•9     S 

f 

D 

I 

t1 

a 

_c 

c. 

t2 

"S 

; 

0 

1J 

1 

a 

e 

f^ 

i- 

h 

C3 

a 

-M 

1 

A 

s  i 

^ 

c 

c 

)  ^ 

p      m 

a 

c 

)       o 

O        Q 

p: 

[  < 

P 

)     W 

C 

)      1- 

^ 

1 

Public   Libraey. 


53 


Q 
"A 

Ph 


1 


>   ^ 


tn 

% 

o 
!> 

P 

O 

o 

Q 

!zi 

H 
Eh 
<J 
O 

l-H 

•A 
O 

O 
^ 

03 


^ 

to 

o 

o; 

1^ 

^) 

*M 

CO 

e< 

*-:, 

c^' 

^ 

X> 

M 

CO 

cf 

» 

'"' 

"^ 

* 

H 

O 

fH 

3 

o 

^ 

K> 

>o_ 

CO 

OC 

't" 

c4 

CO 

H 

tH 

? 

^ 

to 

o 

A 

? 

1 

l-H 

OD 

ci 

CO 

to 

-^ 

H 

1-H 

X 

s 

^ 

o 

to 

to 

OS 

« 

CO 

of 

H 

^ 

r-l 

^ 

l« 

to 

r- 

uo 

03 

c 

s. 

c^ 

OS_ 

ac 

M 

p4 

i-H 

'"' 

« 

tr> 

c^ 

o 

OS 

CO 

o 

^ 

o 

°i 

o 

cc 

»« 

co_ 

OD 

oT 

Fii< 

*"* 

w 

o 

-» 

1< 

to 

00 

OJ 

CO 

c» 

CO 

CO 

1« 

■^ 

c- 

ac 

oT 

o 

H 

* 

s 

r 

1 

;t 

o 

OS 

i» 

to 

CO 

^ 

« 

00 

OS 

<£ 

H 

« 

^ 

OS 

to 

CO 

t- 

o 

t» 

CO 

c<- 

to 

« 

tc 

oo 

00 

n 

« 

-* 

to 

o 

to 

'll 

OS 

i» 

Oi_ 

a. 

en 

u: 

CO 

(Z> 

to 

t-^ 

JC 

iH 

Se 

? 

•* 

O" 

O) 

OS 

» 

to 

»^ 

I 

=3 

>5 

Em 

o 

i. 

M 

a 

■a 

> 

■> 

'5 

t 

.a 

S^ 

6 

) 

^ 

_= 

*E 

c 

c3 

C3 

^ 

T 

X 

o 

T 

a 

c 

E-i 

g 

t: 

e 

■. 

,15 

•<5 

C 

1 

ft5? 


.la 

>.>  o 
■g-o'C 

S  H  ? 

S  «  i; 

a  ...a 


o  o  2 
I*  &" 


a;_gT3 


'§11 

c!   O  C3 
Cii   ft 

o  c:t3 
o  go 

MI'S 

a  *^ 

cS   «  ® 

■sla 

4)    O    ^ 

'^   C3   C3 

•S  3  P< 
^  t^<« 

•E  rt  o 

'"cs5 


S  p  I 

t«  j:  H 

CH  o 


54 


City  Document  No.  97. 


APPEIS^DIX    YI. 

INCREASE   OF  THE    SEVERAL   DEPARTMENTS. 


H 

H 

H 

H 

Qt 

H 

9 

OD 

H 

e 

ac 

H 
H 

! 

G-ain  in  books     . 

Condemned-  and 

transferred  .   . 

L  Net  gain   .... 

11,349 

6,900 
1 

6,800 
5 

17,613 

6,377 
3 

9,818 
2 

9,049 
21 

11,638 
36 

8,362 
48 

7,782 
24 

8,506 
184 

^ 

11,349 

6,899 

6,795 

17,613 

6,374 

9,816 

9,028 

11,602 

8,314 

7,758 

8,322 

■  Gain  in  books     . 

Less       transfers 

and  condemn'd 

books     .... 

.  Net  gain    .... 

2,780 
2,115 

2,614 
1,361 

1,799 
1,021 

1,465 
1,480 

3,385 
2,586 

3,570 
1,813 

3,830 
1,701 

2,728 
*  2,344 

2,339 
2,085 

2,483 
2,094 

2,376 
1,164 

665 

1,253 

778 

(loss)  15 

799 

1,757 

2,129 

384 

254 

389 

1,212 

254 

101 

402 

335 

157 

126 

66 
25 

132 

69 

^ 

§■§  1 

sg  1 

255 

101 

402 

335 

157 

126 

41 

132 

69 

^      C  Gala  by  addition 
e  •     Less  loss  by  ex- 

1,375 
506 

1,641 
334 

1,234 

786 

1,902 
519 

1,015 
351 

1,677 
718 

3,216 
1,443 

784 
2,177 

386 

1,233 

§•?  1 

^      i.  Net  gain   .... 

149 

360 

869 

1,307 

448 

1,383 

664 

959 

1,773 

1,393 
loss. 

847 
loss. 

^  Gain  in  books    . 
Cond'd  and  lost 

L  Net  gain   .... 


5,936 

881 

621 

664 

915 

917 

856 

676 

716 

649 

50 

97 

143 

334 

273 

250 

270 

403 

406 

5,936 

831 

524 

521 

581 

644 

606 

406 

313 

243 

587 
377 


885 
76 

850 
217 

1,359 
644 

1,261 
495 

1,303 
413 

823 
247 

854 
329 

935 
581 

995 

■§< 

644 

fiqPl 

°^      [Net  gala   .... 

4,365 

809 

633 

715 

766 

890 

576 

525 

354 

351 

■  Gain  in  city  part 
Cond'd  and  lost 

3,754 

4 

1,069 

26 

1,296 
46 

1,299 
163 

1,396 
304 

3,542 
701 

1,167 
532 

778 
333 

811 

« 

335 

^ 

§ 

3,750 

865 

1,043 
1,330 

1,250 
572 

1,136 
759 

1,092 
738 

2,841 
196 

635 

220 

445 
361 

476 

.5     < 

i 

Fellowes     Athe- 
nseum.       (Net 

2,111 

Total  gala    .    .    . 

4,615 

2,373 

1,822 

1,895 

1,830 

3,037 

855 

806 

2,587 

*  Tbis  item  is  exceptionally  large,  as  many  duplicates  not  in  use,  and  broken  sets,  have  been 
transferred  to  the  Duplicate  room,  to  make  room  on  the  shelves  for  fresh  accessions. 


Public  Library. 


55 


APPE:N^DIX    yi.  —  Continued. 


an 

H 

ae 

H 

H 

H 

H 

OS 
j» 

ac 

H 

© 
at) 
at) 

H 

ac 
aD 

H 

g 

15,932 
144 

1,305 
403 

1,004 
300 

1,123 
433 

995 
398 

1,268 
274 

1,310 
340 

1,568 
425 

^t; 

■£  g 

J'*  (.Net  gain    .... 

15,788 

902 

704 

690 

597 

994 

970 

1,143 

11,049 
12 

480 
75 

599 
130 

480 
74 

264 
46 

236 
47 

273 
27 

183 

j-s 

26 

•~  g 

(^•^     Net  gain   .... 

11,037 

405 

469 

406 

218 

189 

246 

117 

s. 

'  Gain  in  books     . 

54 

3,905 

3,179 
32 

1,057 
16 

341 

25 

672 
110 

926 
166 

640 

128 

i^« 

^^- 

3,905 

3,147 

1,041 

616 

562 

760 

512 

24 

19 

39 

139 

6,401 
2 

696 

26 

539 
18 

450 

■§•§ 

C^  s  <  Cond'd  and  loBt . 

'3 

^•*     Net  gain    .... 

6,399 

670 

521 

427 
til 

8,856 
52 

522 
86 

368 
110 

215 

•■s  s  -i  Cond'd  and  lost . 

206 

S  !« 

t§  ■*     Net  gain    .... 

8,804 

436 

258 

9 

Bates  Hall  gain  . 

Lower  Hall  gain 
Newspaper  room 

gain 

Duplicate    room 

gain 


E.  B.  branch  gain 

8.  B.  branch  gain 

Rox.  branch  gain 
Fellowes     Athe- 
naeum gain  .   . 

Chn.  branch  gain 

Bri.  branch  gain 

Dor.  branch  gain 

J.  P.  branch  gain 

9.  E.  branch  gain 


I.     Total  gam 


11,349 
665 


149 
5,936 


18,099 


6,899 
1,253 


360 

831 

4,365 


13,708 


6,795 
778 
254 
869 
524 
809 

3,750 
865 


14,644 


19,271 

(loss)  15 

101 

1,307 

521 

633 

1,043 

1,330 

15,788 

11,037 

54 

24 


51,109 


6,374 
799 
402 
448 
581 
715 

1,250 
572 
902 
405 

3,905 
19 


16,372 


9,816 

1,757 
335 

1,383 
644 
766 

1,136 
759 
704 
469 

3,147 
39 


9,028 

2,129 
157 
664 
606 
890 

1,092 
738 
690 
406 

1,041 
139 


11,602 

384 

126 

959 

406 

576 

2,841 

196 

597 

218 

616 

6,399 

8,804 


17,277  33,724 


8,314 
254 
41 

1,773 
313 
525 
635 
220 
994 
189 
562 
670 
436 


14,926 


7,758 


243 
354 
445 
361 
970 
246 
760 
521 
258 


14,112 


8,322 
1,212 


210 

351 

476 

2,111 

1,143 

117 

512 

427 

9 


14,113 


The  total  gain  includes  the  1  vol.  at  the  "West  Roxbury  delivery  gained  during  the  year,  less  847 
vols.,  the  loss  in  the  Duplicate  room. 


56 


CiTT  Document  No.  97. 


APPEOT)IX    YII. 

INCREASE   FROM  NEWLY  PUBLISHED   BOOKS. 


H 

Qt 

r4 

ac 

H 

H 

IS 
t» 

OB 
H 

e 

<X) 

H 

H 

ao 
aci 

f4 

9 
ct 

H 

H 

-    rt 

English   books  -with 
British  imprint   .    . 

English  books    with 
American  imprint . 

English    books  with 
Continental  impiint 

Foreign  books    .    .    . 

Duplicates  of   either 
class  when  not  in- 
cluded in  the  other 

899 

2,206 

48 
561 

480 

1,096 

3,642 

115 
891 

1,389 

4,301 

291 
1,064 

1,294 

3,807 

125 
858 

1,533 

7,365 

375 
767 

2,830 

10,501 

316 
1,858 

2,237 

6,761 

180 
1,742 

1,763 

5,546 

191 
1,269 

1,781 

5,295 

233 
1,372 

1,555 

5,637 

238 
1,399 

1,841 

4,346 

186 
1,245 

Total 

4,194 

5,744 

7,045 

6,084 

10,040 

15,505 

10,920 

8,769 

8,681 

8,829 

7,618 

APPENDIX   VIII 


BATES      HALL      CLASSIFICATIONS, 

(Representing  books  located  only.) 


VII. 

vm. 


XI. 


xn. 
xm. 

XIV. 
XV. 

XVI. 

xvn. 
xvm. 

XIX. 
XX. 

XXI. 

xxn. 
xxm. 

XXIV. 


Cyclcpfedias,  etc 

Bibliography  and  literary  history 

General  history,  biography,  travel,  and  geography 


English  history,  etc 

French  history,  etc 

Italian  history,  etc 

German  history,  etc 

Greek,  Latin,  and  philology , 

Spanish  and  Portuguese  history  and  literature 

Other  history,  geography,  biography,  travel,  and  litcratur 

Periodicals  and  transactions 

Theology,  ecclesiastical  history,  etc 

Metaphysics  and  social  science   

Jurisprudence   

Political  economy 

Medical  science 

Natural  history  and  science 

Mathematics  and  physical  science 

Useful  arts 

Fine  arts 

Bound  volumes  of  miscellaneoua  pamphlets 

Bound  volumes  of  mauuscripts 


Totals 7,508 


General  Libraries. 


1,305 
1,018 


1,109 
1,023 


1,105 
1,120 


Si 


73  73  SI'S 


1,410 
5,828 
6,775 

26,5« 
21,670 
12,179 
7,38' 
7,496 
5,221 
1,095 
5,769 
16,757 
17,480 
7,37 
3,82 
2,403 
11,014 
7,125 
8,446 
4,869 


Special  Libraries. 


1861.     1866.     1871.      1873. 


1,307 
1,125 


3,243 
1,254 


161 

1,004 

3,702 

2,628 

36' 


Total, 
including 
special 
libraries. 


1,9.'>S 
7,420 
7,fi9.i 

29,8.33 
28,705 
15,570 
8,089 
9,141 
7,316 
0,058 
0,353 
19,110 
22,495 
8,9.56 
4,-236 
2,604 
11,146 
7,385 
lO.OSi 
4,925 
6,981 
643 


Explanation.  —  Class  in  includes  general  history,  universal  biographies,  histories  of  eras,  voyages,  and 
travels,  when  embracing  several  countries,  and  collected  works  of  historians. 

Class  IV  includes  North  and  South  American  history,  documents  and  statistics,  biographies  of  Americans, 
geography  of,  and  voyages  and  travels,  in  America,  witli  the  collected  works  of  American  writers,  and  what 
of  American  literature  is  sometimes  termed  polygi-aphy. 

Class  V,  Class  VI,  Class  VII,  Class  VIII.  — These  have  the  same  scope  for  the  respective  countries  that 
Class  IV  has  for  America.  Class  Vm  includes  also  Belgium,  the  Netherlands,  and  Switzerland,  as  also  the 
Scandinavian  nations. 

Class  XI  includes  Russia,  Greece,  Turkey,  with  Asia,  Africa,  AustraUa,  Polynesia,  etc. 

Class  XIV  includes  political  science,  social  science,  and  ethics,  applied  and  unapplied,  intellectual  science, 
education,  rhetoric,  logic,  phrenology,  etc. 


Class  XIX  includes  mechanics,  military  and  naval  arts,  agriculture,  domestic  arts,  etc. 

Class  XXII  embraces  all  such  pamphlet  volumes  as  may  have  been  received  from  time  to  tune,  and  al6 

generally  too  heterogeneous  in  their  make-up  to  be  dassed  otherwise  than  by  themselves.  fenei-al 

Class  XXIV  includes  only  the  Shakespeare  collecUon  of  the  Barton  Ubrary,  and  not  that  of  the  General 

"^^  The  subdivisions  of  classes  are  kept  in  ranges  by  themselves,  so  that  for  P>'r.l'?f„«  "^  T'un  nn^n  s°ucb  uointf 
percentage  of  use,  it  is  practicable  at  any  time  to  get  exact  figures  upon  the  subdrasions  «»  a  |o  upon  ''"^1>  P"'"'» 
as  biogrlphy.  travel,  and  voyages,  etc.,  by  summing  the  results  ot   the  ranges  devoted  to  ihem  in  the  s.  veral 

^'°°Note  -  The  increase  of  the  several  special  libraries  is  included  in  the  figures  for  these  libraries.  The  dales 
given  in  the  special  libraries  column  show  the  year  when  acquired  by  the  library. 


'  Includes  all  books  in  room  G,  — 12,108  of  them  belonging  to  the  Barton  library,  as  originally  shelved  there. 

[  114  books  transferred  to  B.  H.,  and  deducted. 

f  Patent  records  of  the  Colony  of  Victoria. 

*  44  of  these  books  were  transferred  to  the  Franklin  collection,  and  are  enumerated  with  that  collection. 


APPENDIX     IX. 

EXTENT   OF    LOWER   HALL   COLLECTION,    AND   ADDITIONS   TO   AND  TOTALS   OP  THE  DIFFERENT   CLASSIFICATIONS. 


Theology,  moral  and  intellectual  eciunce,  etc 

Jurisprudence  and  political  science 

Medicine,  mathematics,  physics  or  natural  science   

Useful  and  fine  arts,  military  and  naval  science 

American  history  and  politics  

Foreign  liistory  and  pohtics 

Poetry,  drama,  oratory,  rhetoric 

English  prose  fiction,  including  juvenile  fiction,  and  other  juvenile  hooks 

Biography    

Travels 


Libraries,  collections,  periodicals 

German 

Italian  books 

French  books 

Spanish  books 

Books  of  reference 


639 
1,086 
1,363 
2,467 
10,469 


3,478 
1,247 


639 
1,070 
1,359 
2,529 
11,281 
2,281 
1,980 
3,771 
1,260 

226 


ExtentofL.H.  collection  30,574  1    31,827       32,605       32,596       33,395       35,152       35,478       36,862       36,116 


656 
1,077 
1,354 
2,544 
11,864 
2,246 
1,965 


1,070 
1,362 
2,540 
11,868 
2,234 
1,986 
3,728 
1,261 


1,822 

301 

2,116 

691 

1,072 

1,380 

2,572 

12,426 

2,278 

2,040 

3,698 

1,263 

229 


716 
1,112 
1,392 
2,667 
13,899 
2,347 
2,061 
3,928 
1,201 

203 


715 
1,129 
1,477 
2,868 
13,601 
2,489 
2,186 
3,865 
1,313 


732 
1,113 
1,439 
2,930 
13,742 
2,448 
2,132 
4,035 
1,334 

154 


1,868 

334 

2,276 

750 

1,119 

1,463 

2,964 

13,695 

2,476 

2,153 

4,072 

1,361 

155 


757 
1,132 
1,507 
3,030 
13,633 
2,586 
2,189 
4,083 
1,376 


794 
1,151 
1,W1 
3.197 
14,016 
2.672 
2,294 
4,225 
1.479 

158 


Reported  last  ye 


Total  gain  in  1880-81. 


»  This  class,  embracing  sets  like  Bohn's  "  Libraries,"  etc.,  includes  many  books,  of  course,  which,  in  a  minute  classification,  would  have  been  divided  among  all  the  previous  heads  of  this  table, 
t  The  books  enumerated  in  this  item  are  mostly  imperfect  sets. 

Note.  — The  column  of  "Condemned  books  replaced,"  includes  books  condemned  in  previous  years  as  well  as  in  the  current  year.    The  column  "Total  added"  shows  the  number  of  volumes  ae  put  upon  the  shelves,  counting  as  one  thosi 
bound  two  volumes  in  one,  etc.    The  small  gain  in  this  Hall  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  many  old  books  not  in  request  and  broken  Sets  have  been  taken  off  the  shelves,  to  make  room  for  newer  books. 


Public  Libkaey. 


57 


APPENDIX   X. 


GIFTS,   MAY   1,    1880,   TO   APRIL  30,    1881. 

Givers  (excluding  anonymous)        .         .         .         .         .  499 

Volumes 2,742 

Pamphlets 10,787 


Givers. 


Australia 


Abbot,  Francis  E.,  Cambridge   . 

Abbott,  Samuel  A.  B. 

Adelaide  Philosophical  Society,  Adelaide, 

Albree,  John       ..... 

Albree,  Joseph,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Allen,  Bev.  George,  Wo7-cester   . 

Allen,  Stephen  M.,  Duxbury 

Allen,  Willard  S 

Allen,  Zachariah,  Providence,  R.L 
American  Antiquarian  Society,   Worcester 
American  Association   for  the  Advancement   of  Science 
Salem      ......... 

Local  Committee  of  the  Boston  Meeting 

American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions 

American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  Easton,  Pa. 

American  Iron  and  Steel  Association,  Philadelphia 

American  Oriental  Society,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  Philadelphia 

American  Philosophical  Society,  Philadelphia  . 

American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  New  York  City 

Ames,  John  D.,  Binghamion,  N.  Y. 

Anonymous         .... 

Appleton,  Nathan 

Arana,  Vicente  de,  Bilbao,  Spain 

Archseological  Institute  of  America 

Associated  Charities  of  Boston  . 

Astronomical  Observatory,  Harvard 

Atkinson,  Edward 

Ayer,  Dr.  J.  C,  &  Co.,  Lowell  . 

Baird,  Henry  C,  &  Co.,  Philadelphia 

Balfour,  David  M 

Bancroft,  C.  F.  P.,  Ph.  D.,  Exeter,  N.H.  . 
Barry,  Sir  Redmond,  Melbourne,  Australia 
Bastide,  Comte  de       .         .         .         .         . 

Baxter,  Joseph  N 

Bearse,  Austin 

Beedham,  B.  H.,  Kimbolton,  England 
Bell,  Hon.  Charles  H.,  Exeter,  N.H. 
Benet,  Brig.  Gen.  S.V.,   Washington,  D.C. 
Berkshire  Life  Insurance  Company,  Pittsfield 

Bethune,  George  A.,  M.D 

Bianciardi,  Carlo,  Florence,  Italy 
Biddle,  Chapman,  Philadelphia 
Bigelow,  Timothy 


College,  Cambridge 


map 


2 

11 

1 

1 


3 
2 
2 

92 


Pphs. 


23 
U 

1 
1 
2 

1 

1 

1 
5 


1 
1 

887 


17 

2 


58 


City  Document  No.  97. 


Givers. 


1  map 


71  newspapers 


34  cards,  2  maps 


^ork  City 


Biker,  Julio  F.  J.,  Lisbon,  Portugal. 
Blakiston,  Presley,  Philadelphia 
Bliven,  Charles  E.,  Perry sburg,  Ohio 
Boehraer,  Prof.  Eduard,  Strasshurg,  Germany 
Bolton,  Prof.  H.  Carrington,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Boston,  City  of  . 

Water  Board   . 

Boston  Gas  Light  Company 
Boston  Medical  Library  Association 
Boston  Society  of  Natural  History 
Boston  Traveller  Office 
Boston  University 

Bourinot,  John  G.,  Ottawa,  Canada 

Bowman,   Hon.  S.  Z.,  Washington,  D.C. 

Bradlee,  Rev.  Caleb  D.,  1  map,  a  lot  of  broadsides,  75 

newspapers      ......... 

Bradley,  G.  P.,  Portland,  Me.,  2  boxes  of  old  newspapers 
Breck,  Charles,  Milton       ....         1  broadside 

Brewster,  J.  L.,  Lawrence 

Bridges,  Robert,  London 

British  Museum,  London 

Brock,  R.  A.,  Richmond,   Va 

Brooks,  Francis  A. 

Brooks,  Frederick 

Brophy,  Thomas  C.     . 

Brown,  Ammi 

Brown,  Francis  H.,  iLD. 

Brown,  William  R. 

Buckingham,  John,  New  I 

Bunker,  Miss  S. 

Burroughs,  Rev.  Henry,  D 

Butler,  E.  R.      . 

Byram,  E.  R.      . 

Caldwell,  Joseph 

Calvert,  George  H.,  NewpoH,  R.I. 

Canada  Geological  Survey,  Montreal 

Carnes,  George  A.,  San  Francisco,  Cal 

Carret,  Jose  F. 

Cartee,  Cornelius  S.,  3LD.         .         .         •        .         . 
Cary,  Thomas  G.,  Cambridge     ..... 

Caulfield,  Richard,  LL.D.,  Cork,  Ireland 
Chadwick,  Lieut.  F.  E.,  Washington,  D.C.        : 
Chamberlain,  Hon.  Joshua  L.,  LL.D.,  Brunswick,  Me 
Chamberlain,  Hon.  Mellen .         .         .         .16  broadsides 

Chandler,  Horace  P.  . 

Chandler,  Hon.  Peleg  W.  .... 

Chapin,  Alfred  C,  New  York  City 
Chapman,  A.  F.  ..... 

Chelsea,  City  of .       » . 

Cheney,  Mrs.  E.  D 

Cheney,  Rev.  Oren  B.,  D.D.,  Lewiston,  Me 
Chevaillier,  Miss  A.  A.        . 
Chicago  Historical  Society,  Chicago,  III.    . 
Child,  Prof.  Francis  J.,  Cambridge   . 
Christern,  F.   W.,  New  York  City 
Christian  Register  Association    . 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Public  Library 

Clapp,  Herbert  C,  M.D 

Clark,  Rev.  George  Faber,  Mendon    . 
Clarke,  Rev.  James  Freeman,  D.D.   . 


D. 


1  newspaper 


1  map 


Pphs 


163 
1 
4 

1 

102 

1 
3 


16 
2 

2" 
1 

1 
2 
1 

1 


9 
37 


16 


49 
1 


1 

182 


50 
2 


15 

20 
32 


11 


1 

30 


59 
1 
3 
1 
2 

18 
1 
1 
2 


Public  Library. 


59 


Givers. 


France 


6  broadsides,  1  map 
.     28  broadsides 


maps 


Clarke,  Robert,  Cincinnati,  Ohio 
Cleaves,  Emery  .... 
Cobden  Club,  London 
Coffin,  Charles  C.        .         .         . 
Colbert,  Mme.  la  Marquise  de,  Paris 
Concord  Free  Public  Library 
Connecticut  State  Library,  Hartford 

Cook,  G 

Cook,  George  J.  .         .         . 

Coolidge,  David  H.      . 

Coolidge,  Henry  J.      .         .         . 

Coolidge,  Mrs.  J.  H.  . 

Corey,  Charles  A.,  Bedford 

Crofton,  Henry  T.,  Manchester,   England. 

Crosby,  John  L.,  Bangor,  Me.    . 

Cross,  James  M.,  Providence,  R.I. 

Culley,  Eli,   Fitchburg 

Curtis,  Col.  H.  P.,   Washington,  D.C. 

Gushing,  William,  Cambridge    . 

Cutter,  Abram  E.        .         .         . 

Cutter,  George  F.,  Washington,  D.C. 

Cyr,  Prof.  Narcisse    . 

Darling,  F.  O 

Dartmouth  College,  Hanover,  N.H. 

Davenport,  Bennett  F.,  J/. Z>.     . 

Davis,  Thomas  W. 

Day,  Albert,  M.D.      . 

Dean,  Benjamin  .... 

De  Costa,  Rev.  B.  F.,  New  York  City 

Delaware  Historical  Society,  Wilmington,  Del. 

Del  Mar,  Alex.,  Sa7i  Francisco,  Cal. 

De  Medicis,  Charles,  New  York  City  . 

Denison,  Charles,  M.D.,  Denver,  Col. 

Dennet,  Charles  F.,  Brighton,  England   . 

Dennett,  William  S 

Depew,  Chauncey  M.  .... 

Devonshire,  Duke  of,  London     . 
Dexter,  Franklin  B.,  New  Haven,  Conn.    . 
Dexter,  G.,  Cambridge       .... 

Dillaway,  Charles  K 

Dixwell,  Mrs.  John  J.         .         .         .         . 

Doliber,  Thomas         ...        26  broadsides,  5 

Drury  College,  Springfield,  Mo. 

Duane,  William,  Philadelphia  . 

Duncan,  J.  T.,  Meriden,  N.H.  . 

Earle,  Pliny,  M.D.,  Northampton 

East  Boston  Advocate,  Publishers 

Eastern  Yacht  Club     . 

Eastman,  Edson  C,  Concord,  N.H. 

Eaton,  John,  Washington,  D.C. 

Edes,  Henry  H.  .a  lot  of  broadsides,  11  newspapers 

Edes,  Robert  T.,  if.Z> 

Edinburgh  Geological  Society,  Edinburgh 

EUery,  Harrison         ..... 

Ellis,  Rev.  George  E.,  D.D. 

Elson,  Louis  C.  . 

Elwyn,  A.  L.,  Philadelphia  .     . 

Emerson,  Hon.  George  B.,  100  broadsides,  5 

64  maps,  145  newspapers 
Engineers  Club,  Philadelphia   . 


engravmgs 


maps 


Pphs. 


1 

2 

51 

43 


1 

24 

11 

1 

2 


77 
40 


2 
2 
1 

835 


18 
1 


427 

4 

10 

3 

1 

2 

2 

7 
1 

12 

3 
1 
2 
1 
1 


2 
1 
1 

1 
1 

4 

438 

25 

1 
1 


3 
6 
986 
5 
1 
1 


3,806 
4 


60 


City  Document  No.  97. 


GlTBBS. 


Essex  Institute,  Salem 

Faber,  Paul 

Farnham,  C.  C,  Randolph  ...... 

Field,  Richard  M 

'F\e\di,Hon.W.k.,Wa$hington,D.C.       ,         .         .         . 
First  Church,  Boston  ....... 

First  Church,  Dorchester 

First  Parish,  Gloucester      . 

Firth,  Abraham 11  broadsides 

Fisher,  Charles  H.,  ^.Z>.,  ProOTcZtncc,  JS./. 

Fitch,  Edward  Oliver 

Fletcher  Free  Library,  Burlington,   Vt 

Floye,  W.  J 

Folsom,  A.  A.     . 

Folsom,  Norton,  M.D.,  Cambridge 

Ford,  William  E 

Forster,  Edward  J.,  M.D. 

Foster,  William  E.,  Providence,  E.I. 

Foster,  William  H 

France,  Bureau  des  Travaux  Publics  .... 

Francis,  Miss  A.  B.,  Cambridge         ..... 

French,  Seth,  Jacksonville,  Fla.  ..... 

Friends'  Free  Library,  Germantovm,  Pa. 

Furnivall,  Frederick  J.,  i/ondo^ 

Gaffield,  Thomas 

Ganz,  Edward  N.,  M.D 1  etching 

Geist,  Mrs.  C.  F.,  New  York  City 

Germantown  Relief  Society,  Germantown,  Pa. 

Gifford,  S.  N 

Gilpin,  Edwin,  Halifax,  N.S. 

Globe  Newspaper  Company 

Goddard,  Delano  A.    .......         . 

Godkin,  E.  L.,  &  Co.,  New    York  City,  37  broadsides,    1 

map,  725  newspapers       ....... 

Goeje,  Prof.  M.  J.,  de,  Ley  den 

Goldsmith,  Benjamin  W.    ....... 

Goodrich,  James  J.,  Ipswich      ...... 

Goodwin,  W.  N.,  Philadelphia  ...... 

Gould,  S.  C,  Manchester,  N.H. 

Gray,  Miss  ......... 

Great  Britain,  Commissioner  of  Patents     .... 

Green,  Milbrey,  M.D 

Green,  Samuel  A.,  M.D.,  1  broadside,  6  Franklin  medals, 

3  maps,  1  photograph,  1  portrait 

Greenough,  Charles  P 

Greenough,  W.  A.,  &  Co.  .         .         .         .         .       • . 

Greenough,  William  W . 

Groton,  Town  of         . 

Hale,  Rev.  Edward  E 

Hall,  Prof.  E.  W.,   Waterville,  Me 

Hall  &  Whiting 

Halliwell-Phillips,  J.  O.,  Brighton,  England     . 

Harlow,  Hon.  George  H.,  Springfield,  III . 

Hart,  Charles  H.,  Philadelphia  ..... 

Hartwell,  Edward  M.,  Baltimore,  Md 

Harvard  College  Library,  Cambridge         .... 

Haskins,  David  G.       .......         . 

Hawkins,  Dexter  A.,  New  York  City  .         .         . 

Haynes,  Prof.  Henry  W.  .  ....       1  chart 

Hazard,  Rowland,  Providence,  R.I.    . 


Pphs. 


8 
7 
1 
3 
26 
4 
1 

25 
2 
1 
1 
2 


1 

13 


1 

119 


31 
2 
3 

1 
2 

4 

49 

1 

28 

1 

92 


1 

498 


15 

21 
11 
8 
1 
1 
1 

75 
1 
1 
1 
1 

56 


1 

843 


27 
120 


6 
1 

50 
1 
5 
1 
1 
7 


Public  Library. 


61 


GrvEES. 


newspaper 


R.I. 


83  maps 


Hilgard,  J.  E.,  Washington,  D.C.y 

Hill,  Mrs 

Hodgson,  William,  Bequest  of    . 

Homes,  F.  B.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,   . 

Hovey,  William  A.      . 

Hughes,  H.  T.,  Carmarthen,  Wales  . 

Huling,  Ray  Greene    .... 

Hunter,  Rose  &  Co.,  Toronto,  Canada 

Huntington,  E.  A.,  Auburn,  N.  Y. 

Huson,  Mrs.  H.  C.      . 

Hutchins,  Charles        .... 

Huth,  Alfred  H 

Hylton,  John  D.,  Palmyra,  N.J. 

Institution  of  Civil  Engineers,  London 

Jarvis,  William  P.       .         .         .         . 

Jay,  John,  New  York  City 

Jeffries,  B.  Joy,  M.D.,  4  broadsides,  4  maps,  2  newspapers 

Jenkins,  Miss  M.  A.    . 

Jenks,  Rev.  Henry  F.  .         .         . 

Johnston,  Henry  P.,  New  York  City  . 

Jones,  G.  I.  &  Co.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Jones,  Mrs.  Susan  C.  ... 

Joy,  Prof.  C.  A.,  Stockbridge     . 

Kansas  Board  of  Agriculture 

Kelley,  Hon.  Frank  H.,    Wo7-cester     . 

Kemp,  Charles  P.,  31. D.,  Rugby,  Term. 

Kerr,  Prof.  W.  C,  Raleigh,  N.C.       . 

Kimball,  David  P.       .         .         .         . 

King,  Rev.  Henry  M.,  B.D. 

Knapp,  Arthur  M.,      . 

Knapp,  Prof.  William  J.,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Knortz,  Karl,  Johnstown,  Pa. 

Knowlton,  T.  S.,   West  Brookfield 

Knox,  Hon.  John  J.,   Washington,  D.C. 

Koenigliche   Bayerische    Akademie   der 

Munich,  Germany  .... 
Koenigliche  Oeffentliche  Bibliothek,  Dresden,  Germany 
Ladd,  Charles  R.,  Springfield 
Lamson,  A.  W.,  Dedham  . 
Landis,  Mrs.  Henry  K.,  Philadelphia 
Laurie,  Rev.  Thomas,  D.D.,  Providence, 
Lawrence,  Abbott  .... 
Lawrence,  Robert  M.,  J/. Z). 
Lawrence  Academy,  Groton 
Lawrence  Free  Public  Library  . 
,  Le  Due,  William  G.,  Washington,  D.C. 
Lee  &  Shepard  ..... 
Leicester  Public  Library  . 
Lenox  Library,  New  York  City  . 
Leonard,  Miss  Clara  F.,  Springfield  . 
Leroux,  Ernest,  Paris,  France  , 
Lewis,  Mrs.  Winslow 
Lick  Observatory,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Ligue  d'Enseignement,  Paris,  France 
Li  Kwei,  Li  Siao-Chih,  Ningpo,  China 
Linderfelt,  K.  August,  Ph.  D.,  Milwaukee,  Wis 
Lindsley,  J.  Berrien,  M.D.,  Nashville,  Tenn 
Lippincott,  J.  B.,  &  Co.,  Philadelphia 
Literary  and  Philosophical  Society,  Leicester,  England 
Long,  H.  A.,  Glasgow,  Scotland        .... 


2  maps 


Wisaenschaften 


5 
1 
4 
9 

2 
2 
1 
1 
1 
3 

3 
1 

2 
1 
1 
10 
1 
1 
1 
1 


1 

24 


1 

163 
1 


6 
1 

4 

40 
1 
1 
1 

6 


1 

37 

1 

a 

1 

2 
1 

1 

2 


62 


City  Document  No.  97. 


Givers. 


Lowell,  3Iiss  Anna  C.         .         .         . 
Lowell,  Mrs.  C.  R.,  JVew  York  City  . 
Macdonald,  James,  Edinburgh,  Scotland 
McPhetres,  Samuel  A.,  Lowell  . 
Manning,  Mrs.  A.  H.  . 
Martin,  Prof.  S.  D.,  New  York  City  . 
Marvin,  William  T.  R.        . 
Massachusetts,  State  of      . 

Board  of  Agriculture 

Board  of  Health,  etc. 

Library 


Cal 


Massachusetts  College  of  Pharmacy  . 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  . 
Massachusetts  Medical  Society  . 
Maxwell,  Sidney  D.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio 
May,  Miss  Abby  W.    ..... 

Meek,  Henry  M.,  Salem     .... 

Meigs,  J.  v.,  Lowell  ..... 

Memorial  Hall  Library,  Andover 
Mercantile  Library  Association,  San  Francisco 
Mercantile  Library  Company,  Philadelx^hia 
Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New  York  City 

Metcalf,  Miss  Kate' 

Minnesota  Historical  Society,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Minot,  Charles  S 

Moore,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Hartford,   Conn. 
Morrison,  Rev.  Nathan  J.,  D.D.,  Springfield,  Mo. 
Morse,  Hon.  Leopold  .... 

Morton,  William  J.,  M.D.,  New  York  City 

Mudge,  Alfred 

Mudge,  Rev.  James,  Lucknow,  India 

MuUett,  Alfred  E 

Munsell,   Frank,    Albany,  N.Y. 

Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  Cambridge 

Myer,  Isaac,  Philadelphia 

Nelson,  Henry  M.,  Peabody 

New  Bedford  Free  Public  Library 

New  England  Historic  Genealogical  Society 

New  York  Board  of  State  Charities,  Albany,  N. 

New  York  Produce  Exchange,  New  York  City 

New  Zealand  Institute,  Wellington,  N.Z.  . 

Nichols,  Prof.  W.  R 

Nicholson,  James  B.,  Philadelphia    . 

Norcross,  Hon.  Otis  .  ....         1  broadside 

Norfolk   and  Norwich  Archaeological   Society,    Norwich, 
JEtigland  ....... 

Noweil,  Cyrus,  Portland,  Me.     .... 

'^oyes,  Isixac, v.,  Washi7igton,  D.C.     . 

Noyes,  Rufus  K.,  M.D.,  Lynn  .... 

Noyes,  S.  B.,  Brooklyn  N.Y.    . 

Numismatic  and  Antiquarian  Society,  Philadelphia 

Nye,  Gideon,  jr..  Canton,  China 

Oliver,  Fitch  E.,  M.D 

Onderdonk,  Henry,  yr.,  Jamaica,  L.I. 

Ordway,  Albert,  ]^as/l^?^5'^?^,  Z>.C.     . 

Paine,  Nathaniel,   Worcester        .... 

Paine's  Furniture  Factory  . 

Park,  iZev.  Edwards  A.,  J?./).,  ^ncZovcr 

Paris,  Prefet  de  la  Seine    .         .         ... 


2 
13 

4 
12 

1 


4 

18 


13 
13 


1 
10 

100 

2 

2 
1 
16 
2 
2 
2 
5 
2 


1 
1 

140 
1 
3 
1 
2 
1 
2 


5 

1 
264 

1 

1 

3 

7 

2 

3 
2 

22 


Public  Library. 


63 


Givers. 


Iowa 
1  portrait 


Pathological  Society,  Philadelphia    . 

Patten,  Otis,  Litile  Rock,  Ark.  . 

Patterson,  C.  P.,    Washington,  B.C.  . 

Patterson,  Joseph  W.,  A'eif  Vork  City 

Peabody  Museum,  Cambridge    . 

Peoria,  111.,  Board  of  Trade 

Peraza,  Gen.  Nicanor  Bolet,  Brooklyn,  N. 

Perkins,  F.  B.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  . 

Perkins,  Samuel  C,  Philadelphia 

Perry,  Thomas  S.        .         .         .         . 

Perry,  Rt.  Rev.  William  S.,  D.D.,  Davenpoii 

Phillips,  Henry,  jr.,  Philadelphia 

Phillips,  John,   Waltham     . 

Philosophical  Society,  Glasgow,  Scotland 

Philosophical  Society,   Washington,  D.  C. 

Pickering,  William  H.         .         .         . 

Pierce,  Hon.  Henry  B.         .         .         . 

Pierson,  John  S.,  New  York  City 

Plymouth,  England,  Free  Public  Library 

Poole,  Wellington,   Wenham 

Poole,  William  F.,  Chicago,  111. 

Poor,  Henry  W.,  New   York    City 

Pope  Manufacturing  Company   .      *  . 

Porter,  3Iaj.  Gen.  Fitz  John,  3Iorristown,  N.J. 

Portland,  Me.,  Public  Library    ...       1 

Pray,  Lewis  G.    . 

Pray,  T.  J.  W.,  M.D.,  Dover,  N.R.  . 

Prince,  Hon.  Frederick  O. 

Quebec,  City  of  . 

Quincy,  3[iss  Eliza  S.,  Quincy   . 

Rand,  B.  Howard,  M.D.      . 

Ray,  Richard       ..... 

Real  Academia  de  Buenas  Letras,  Barcelona,  Spain 

Reale  Istituto  Lombardo,  Milan,  Italy 

Reed,  George  B.  .... 

Rice,  William,  Springfield 

Richards,  Samuel  W. 

Richardson,  W.  L.,  31. D.  . 

Richmond  &  Southwestern  Railway  Company 

Rogers  Edward  H.       .         .         .         . 

Roland,  Worthington  &  Co. 

Rolfe,  William  J.,  Cambridge    .' 

Ropes,  John  C.   . 

Ross,  Denman  W.,  Cambridge   . 

Ros  y  Ferrer,  jaime,  Cienfuegos,  Cuba 

Royal  Arcanum,  Supreme  Council  of . 

Royal  Astronomical  Society,  London 

Royal  Geographical  Society,  London 

Royal  Observatory,  Greenwich,  England 

B.oya.l  Society,  Edinburgh . 

Royal  Society,  London 

RutFner,  W.  H.,  Richmond,   Va. 

St.  Louis  Public  School  Library,  St.  Louis,  Mo 

St.  Louis  University,  St.  Louis,  3Io.  . 

Salisbury,  Stephen,  y?-.,   Worcester 

Salter  Richard  H.,  3LD.     . 

San  Francisco  Chronicle,  Publishers,  San  Francisco 

Savage,  James  W.,  Otnaha,  Neb. 

Schindler,  Rev.  Solomon,  New  York  City 

Scudder,  Samuel  H.,  Cambridge 


newspaper 


broadsides 


Cal 


10 

1 

2 
2 
1 
1 
5 
1 


2 
7 
i 

9 
10 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 


88 
I 
2 
1 
I 

10 


10 


55 
4 


64 


City  Document  No.  97. 


GrvEBS. 


a  lot  of  broadsides 


Searle,  Frederick  A.   . 

Sears,  J.  Montgomery 

Sellen,  Francisco,  New  York  City 

Shaw,  Samuel  S.         .         .         . 

Shelbourne,  Maj.  Sidney  F.,  New  York   City 

Shepard,  Carl  C,   Manchester,  N.H. 

Sinnickson,  Robert,  Trenton,  N.J.      .         .     10 

Slack,  Charles  W.       . 

Slack,  Miss  Helen  M.  D.     . 

Small,  Augustus  D.,  Salem 

Small,  John  C,  Portland,  Me. 

Smith,  Charles  C. 

Smith,  J.  W.,  Andover 

Smith,  James  S.,  Philadelphia 

Smith,  Lloyd  P.,  Philadelphia 

Smith,  Nathaniel  S.,  New  York  City 

Smith,  Walter  G:,  Philadelphia 

Smithsonian  Institution,   Washington,  D.C. 

Snider,  Denton  J.,  St.  Louis,  3Io 

Society  of  Arts,  London 

Steiger,  E.,  New  York  City 

Stockwell,  Thomas  B.,  Providence,  R.L 

Swift,  John  L.     . 

Swift,  Lindsay     .... 

Talbot,  J.  T.,  M.D.    . 

Taylor,  Edward,  A7idover  . 

Thimm,  Franz,  London 

Thompson,  Rev.  Augustus  C,  D.D. 

Thompson,  Francis  M.,  Greenfield 

Thrupp,  George  A.,  London 

Tillinghast,  C.  B. 

Tolraan,  Mrs.  James  . 

Towne,  Enoch  H.,   Worcester 

Triibner,  N.,  London 

Turner,  Alfred  T.        .         .         . 

Tuttle,  Rev.  Joseph  F.,  D.D.,  Crawfordsville,  Ind 

Twelves,  Richard,  Camden,  N-L 

Tyler,  Prof.  M.  C,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich 

Union  of  American  Hebrew  Congregations 

United  States.     Adjutant  General's  Office 

Attorney  General's  Office 

Bureau  of  Education 

Bureau  of  Engineers 

■ Bureau  of  Navigation 

• Bureau  of  Statistics 

Coast  Survey  Office 

Department  of  Agriculture 

Department  of  State 

Department  of  the  Interior 

Department  of  the  Treasury 

Department  of  War 

Hydrographic  Office 

Life  Saving  Service 

Military  Academy,   West  Point,  N.  Y. 

Naval  Institute,  Annapolis,  3Id. 

Naval  Observatory 

Patent  Office 

Signal  Office    .... 

Surgeon  General's  Office 

Univereity  of  California,  Berkeley,  Cal. 


broadsides 


1  map 


Philadelphia 


1 

14 

1 

1 

1 
1 


1 

12 

37 

1 

2 

10 


2 
1 
3 
1 
1 
3 
1 
5 
53 
2 
2 
1 
1 


1 
1 

16 

1 
1 
5 
1 

3 

2 

189 


Public  Library. 


65 


Givers. 


Vt 


University  of  Edinburgh     . 
University  of  Michigan,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich 
University  of  Missouri,  Columbia,  Mo 
University  of  Vermont  Library,  Burlington,  Vt 
Upham,  Warren,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
Vermont  Historical  Society,  Montpelier, 
Vermont  State  Library,  3Io7itpelier,   Vt. 
Vibbert,  Rev.  G.  H.,  Brunswick,  Me. 
Victoria  Public  Library,  Melbourne     . 
Vienna  Pressed  Yeast  Company . 
Vose,  Miss  Kebecca  G.        .         .         . 
Wadsworth,  Alexander 
Wallace,  William  A.,   Washington,  D.C. 
Ware,  William,  &  Co.  ... 

Waterburg,  Rev.  Julius  H. 
Waters,  Henry  P.,  Salem  . 
Webber,  Samuel  G.,  M.B. 

Weld,  Mrs.  CM 

Weld,  Francis  M.,  M.B.,  New  York  City 

Wells,  Benjamin  W. 

Weymouth  Historical  Society 

White,  Samuel  S.,  Trustees  of,  Philadelphia 

Whitney,  Prof.  Henry  M.,  Beloit*  Wis. 

Whitney,  James  L.      .         .         .         . 

Whitney,  Prof.  William  D.,  New  Haven, 

Whyte,  Thomas  .... 

Wigan,  England,  Free  Library  . 

Willard,  Mrs.      .         .         .         . 

Williams,  AV.  B.,  Lansing,  Mich. 

Winchell,  N.  H.,  3Iinneapolis,  Minn. 

Winsor,  Justin,  Cambridge 

Winthrop,  //o?i.  Robert  C.  1  newspaper,  1 

Winthrop,  Robert  C. ,  jr.     .... 

Wisconsin,  Department  of  Public  Property 

Wisconsin  Historical  Society,  Madison,  Wis. 

Wolcott,  J.  W.  .... 

Woods,  John  H.,  Jacksonville,  III. 

Yale  College  Library,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Yendall,  George  .... 

Yohn,  Albert  B.,  hidianapolis,  Ind. 

Young,  Edward  J 

Young,  W.  Maynard   .... 
Young  Men's  Library,  Buffalo,  N.  T. 


2  newspapers 


Conn 


4  maps 


newspaper 


1  chart 
photograph 


2 
1 

42 


1 
1 

13 
1 

94 
1 


1 
1 
1 

2 
73 


10 


53 

26 

1 

9 

1 


27 


APPENDIX    XI. 

CIRCULATION. 

(Books  issued.) 


1873 
1874 


1878 
1879 


Total  Circulation. 


b  322,445 

380,343 

467,855 

625,442 

768,417 

947,621 

1,140,572 

1,183,991 

1,180,565 

1,156,721 

1,065,081 


a  965 
1,234 
1,619 
2,031 
2,681 
3,097 
3,727 
3,882 
3,833 
3,768 
3,504 


a  1,856 
2,435 
3,073 
6,134 
6,074 
8,035 
8,348 

10,478 
f<,747 
8,781 
8,637 


Date  of 

Jast 
column. 


Jan.    28 

Mar.  16 

/ 


Bates  Hall. 


31,080 
23,159 
28,261 
34,441 
41,721 
64,956 
66,832 
80,326 
74,627 
69,042 


ta 


34,225 
27,092 
31,003 
37,872 
39,016 
59,373 
74,786 
66,670 
89,163 
101,100 
96,764 


65,205 
60,251 
89,264 
72,313 
80,737 
114,329 
141,618 
146,996 
163,790 
170,142 
166,373 


1,001 

926 

1,045 

1,046 


Lower  Hall. 


? 

•  D. 

i» 

ft 

o  " 

i 

1  S 

83 

— ' 

—  ^ 

a-s 

0 

kS 

227,579 

741 

1,413 

3,631 

248,029 

805 

1,472 

6,217 

230,111 

772 

1,443 

7,946 

245,244 

822 

1,635 

7,853 

264,826 

864 

1,759 

8,009 

338,460 

1,140 

2,598 

10,392 

392,996 

1,326 

2,439 

12,737 

378,439 

1,265 

2,902 

12,736 

350,621 

1,179 

2,085 

12,672 

306,148 

1,031 

1,999 

10,369 

257,692 

847 

1,849 

9,271 

231,110 
254,246 
238,057 
253,097 
272,834 
348,842 
405,732 
391,176 
363,193 
316,517 
266,863 


East  Boston  Branch 

3 

1 

IB 

i 

1 

E 

H 

26,151 

c335 

586 

979 

26,130 

74,804 

243 

609 

1,042 

75,846 

67,764 

e  222 

553 

458 

68,212 

80,771 

263 

712 

320 

81,091 

85,134 

277 

789 

414 

85,648 

89,949 

203 

866 

1,038 

99,987 

101,022 

335 

902 

1,606 

102,627 

104,717 

343 

1,088 

1,879 

106,596 

95,887 

320 

916 

2,794 

A98,681 

105,197 

303 

951 

3,004 

108,201 

97,024 

318 

989 

4,097 

101,118 

South  Boston  Branch. 


101,688 
107,651 
111,677 
113,334 
131,969 
137,010 
115,509 
138,309 
129,261 


1,045 
1,075 
1,414 
1,200 
1,196 
1,137 


3,210 
3,741 
3,335 
5,261 


102,322 
108,666 
112,625 
116,530 
135,179 
140,751 
h  118,844 
143,570 
132,868 


RoxBUHT  Branch. 

Chahlestown  Branch. 

Brighton  Branch. 

Dorchester  Branch. 

South  End  Branch. 

Jamaica  Plain  Branch. 

Year. 

W 

64,092 
87,079 
98,304 
140,059 
122,617 
123,492 
119,4.50 
105,700 

i 

1 

t 

1 

1 

i 
w 

1 

O 

1 
B 

1 

i 
1 

W 

1 

i 

1 

w 

i3 

i 

i 

1 

1 

>> 

1 
1 

i3 

i 

i 

1 

3 

i 
1 

i 
t 

i 

n 

1 

1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 

612 

686 

925 

1,190 

1,100 

1,013 

1,017 

9T2 

263 
286 
320 
477 
404 
403 
388 
360 

3,250 
2,460 
2,993 
6,770 
7,613 
6,397 
6,480 
4,912 

67,342 
89,539 
101,297 
146,829 
130,030 
129,889 
124,930 
110,612 

32,023 
78,169 
84,631 
105,211 
99,637 
86,925 
73,302 
78,682 

734 
704 
830 
002 
970 
685 
616 
789 

327 
259 
279 
348 
332 
289 
246 
273 

1,36S 
1,206 
1,184 
1,605 
2,003 
1,816 
1,446 
2,140 

33,391 
79,375 
85,815 
106,816 
101,540 
88,740 
i74,748 
80,832 

9,642 
21,394 
23,531 
27,832 
27,549 
26,737 
26,406 
26,067 

226 
234 
314 
290 
328 
312 
302 
269 

8S 
70 
81 
97 
89 
93 
91 
85 

448 
1,274 
1,960 
1,698 
1,859 
1,574 
2,110 

9,642 
21,842 
24,805 
29,792 
29,247 
28,928 
27,980 
28,177 

15,676 
63,367 
67,692 
63,026 
56,786 
65,690 
63,904 

439 
552 
620 
624 
675 
641 
641 

197 
206 
220 
197 
184 
176 
177 

132 
899 
4,287 
1,949 
1,423 
1,026 
730 

gl6,0V 
66,016 
71,979 
64,974 
59,673 
66,716 
55,188 

! 

41,303 

73,164 
77,016 
71,432 

667 
622 
680 
578 

188 
247 
258 
242 

1,099 
2,713 
2,275^ 
2,530 

42,402 
75,867 
79,291 
73,962 

28,174 
60,467 
82,406 
47,797 

384 
413 
437 

467 

138 
171 
176 
164 

2,106 
2,503 
2,220 
2,311 

30,280 
62,960 
84,626 
80,108 

a  Cent 

6  If  til 

and  if  H 

at  home. 

c  Open 

al  library 
e  issucD 
all  issues 

seventy-i 

only, 
of  Ea 
be  ex 

ight  di 

t    BOKt 

eluded 
ys. 

on  bo  e.^ 
there  w 

eluded,  t 
ill  be  a  i 

his  footii 
ecord  of 

g  wou 
293,710 

Id  be 
volum 

296,316 ; 
ee  used 

din 

Bhowl 

eT 

./•■In 
being 

eludes  b 
in  Appe 
le  E.  B.  I 
eludes  th 
the  same 

ooks  b 
ndixX 
ranch 

e  larg 
day,  a 

III. 
was  op 
jst  of 
in  pre 

d    and   i 

en  only  3 
each  dep 
rious  ent 

eturued 

D7  days,  o 
artraent 
ries  undt 

he  same 

wing  to  r 
on  any  da 
r  this  hea 

day,  c 

epaire 
y,  wit 
d. 

n  whi 

op  furn 
lout  re 

e  slips 

ace. 
gard  tt 

its 

g  The  use  of  the  Dorchester  branch  is  for  a  little  over  three  months. 

h  The  .East  Boston  branch  was  closed  from  October  7th  to  9th  for  repairs ; 
Jouth  Boston  from  August  12th  to  November  2d  for  repairs  and  enlargement. 

i  The  Charlestown  branch  was  closed  from  April  20th  to  the  30lli,  to  rearrange 
he  books,  and  also  from  May  let  to  the  11th. 

Public  Library. 


67 


t_ 

o 

•T88T  'I  ^BH  0%  nonB.n 
-8t§81    pjiq»     JO    SIBJOX 

o 

O 

CO 

CO 

o 

CO        O        '^ 
■*        CO        ■* 

■* 
■* 

of            oT 

t^. 

o 

"^ 

■  CO  C8 

T88t 

C^ 

1-1 

CO 

c< 

*"* 

1         " 

1                   d 

gJi-s 

088I 

CJ 

r-i 

(N 

-* 

^       1      ?? 

Icat 
fter 
onfl 
not 

OD 

>o 

1 

6^81 

s 

r-i 

t« 

^ 

'^ 

V.    Appl 
celled  a 
months 
month's 

8^81 

CO 

^ 

CO 

cn 

^ 

c 

" 

CO 

OD 

AA81 

(N 

C) 

-* 

^ 

t- 

to         1        o        1 

S  ^ 

1881 

<M 

CO 

1         " 

1         >— < 

rH 

-t« 

o          .        t-        1 

088T 

■^ 

'^ 

C^ 

"»tl 

1         "        1 

0  60 

^1 

OD 

t-     1    .«    1 

6A8X 

n 

rH 

CO 

-* 

^ 

t- 

0 

,— f 

1         j-i 

^1 

8£8I 

CO 

<N 

CO 

4 

^~' 

1         ^ 

6^ 

(^ 

1                   ^ 

A£8T 

1      "^ 

(N 

CO 

rH 

1         ^ 

refused 
cause   ap- 
•e  non-res- 
ider  age). 

CO 

C^ 

lO 

t^ 

CJ 

u- 

1         '^ 

T88I 

rH 

" 

to 

<M 

t- 

C-J 

CO 

•M 

to 

O 

1         *"" 

088I 

e^ 

s 

CO 

"* 

CO 

>n 

00 

-+ 

,—1 

CO 

r^ 

0£8I 

1          "^ 

CO 

a> 

to 

^ 

oo 

1          "^ 

^i  g^ 

8A8T 

y 

•a 

"^ 

in. 

(mo 
plic; 
iden 

1        ^ 

(M 

■* 

00 

o 

j-^ 

1         '* 

A£8I 

c« 

e^ 

• 

C^ 

o 

T88T 

o 
to 

en 

CO 

1         ^- 

a  o 

CO 

1         I" 

to 

oo 

HH 

r-. 

0 

00   o 

088I 

'll 

to 

CO 

rf 

,— { 

CS 

^ 

,_, 

a  > 

04,8T 

CO 

to 

^ 

P.5 

CO 

■* 

00 

CO 

,_, 

1          r-) 

o 

8Z.8I 

00 

CO 

rH 

"^ 

CO 

rH 

ifT 

t^ 

,H 

AA8T 

CO 

■* 

(N 

(N 

CO 

"* 

>o 

t^ 

<M 

« 

IM 

,,- 

•+ 

C^l 

,_H 

r-^ 

^ 

T88X 

•n 

f-H^ 

o> 

ai 

rH 

CO 

■^ 

s 

o 

r-t 

en 

^ 

S 

0881 

IXJ 

o 

0^ 

o 

o 
53 

rH 

«) 

r^ 

:| 

PH 

:^ 

m 

to 

c-f 

Pi 

6^81 

to 

"^ 

r-T 

r-T 

'^ 

ft 

< 

to 

,_4 

00 

to 

m 

CO 

to 

OD 

in 

to 

8A8I 

c^ 

h-l 

'"' 

'"' 

'"' 

,_( 

,-( 

rH 

:? 

t-_ 

&&SJ 

OJ 

ef 

J^ 

IM 

0 

a  to  T!  (M 

O  O  C  00 

a 

• 

i 
fl 

egistrati 
ad      17, 
e     seco 
ad      52, 

t 

i 

^ 
a 

5 

.c 

fl 

1 

fl 

^■^•S-^ 

s 

^ 

.a 

h 
^ 

^ 

,i2 

h 

C8 

a 

O 

O 

M 

>> 

^ 

q 
2 

■a 

K 

« 

w 

^  II 

The 
1854-5 
names 
1859-6 
names 

1 

5 

a 

O 

O 

1 

o 

rg 
3 

o 

■3 

c 

Eh 

68 


City  Document  No.  97. 


1^ 


% 


I— ( 

CD 

;zi 

H 
xn 

O 
H 

Q 

xn 
H 
!zi 

H 
W 

CO 


P4 


O 

ft 

O 
O 

o 
o 


i 

■e; 

t01:-CO-*0(MO»r-lrH 

0 

» 

1 

S 

r-lr-IOiMOJOOOOCq 

, 

"  6 

t^^ 

^i 

c^       to       C^       OS 


iH         C^         (M         CO 


r-(        i-H        CN 


C^        CO        0>        CO 


^ 

g 

j_ 

CO 

CO 

^ 

o 

T) 

I-t 

""I 

^ 

S-   OJ 

s.g 

^- 

a 

<o 

lO 

^ 

CO 

<r> 

W 

tH 

"^ 

'"' 

IH 

iH 

i-i 

M 

^ 

^ 

^ 

^ 

^ 

o 

a  . 

^ 

CD 

-* 

c» 

■* 

■^S> 

PR 

• 

• 

"§2 

" 

53 

si 

a 

00 

-^ 

t. 

^ 

CO 

t^ 

•* 

■* 

■* 

U5 

■o 

rJH 

■* 

<M 

IN 

1 

^ 

&H 

IM 

IT? 

IM 

c^ 

tH 

(M 

(N 

(N 

CO 

_^ 

^ 

•* 

n, 

.O 

Its 

o 

<M 

CO 

o 

(N 

CO 

■* 

£3 

1^ 

bo 

*n 

^ 

§ 

H 

IH 

# 

"^ 

i-H 

^ 

(M 

■M 

■^ 

■^ 

B3      S. 


o.S'S  S 
o>>a^ 

.•"^■^  . 

KSg'So 


Q   3   ^^  O- 
5  •„  S  S;M 
JOjO  S  Jj  S 


00         00         00         00 


=  3     og 

sSs-  - 

n^^5o 


-   ='      C   It 


fc    =3 


3i;  =  £;^3    « 


o£h^  — sS  3 


°lo5ga 
n 


■g  O  3  g  O  g 

sis 

■5 -2 


i  t^ci'^S  J 


t;3" 


og 

Z''SwB'-al£  go 

EhO-'O.SS  3.-2 


Public  Libraky. 


69 


APPENDIX  XIY. 

BATES   HALL   READING. 


Percentage 

OF 

Use. 

Classification. 

f4 

w4 

« 
9 
X 

X 

H 

© 
X 

H 

X 
H 

X 
r4 

X 
H 

18 

X 
H 

H 

X 

J» 

X 
H 

X 
H 

© 
X 
X 
•4 

X 
H 

English    history,     to- 
pography,     biogra- 
phy, travel,  and  po- 
lite literature     .   .   . 

16 

13 

18 

20 

17 

17 

17 

17 

12 

19 

16 

15 

15 

13 

13 

13 

13.2 

13.1 

American  (North  and 
1       South)  history,  etc. 

8.5 

10 

8 

12 

12 

12 

12 

13 

10 

12 

11 

11 

12 

10 

14 

13 

11.8 

11.1 

French  history,  etc.    . 

7.5 

6 

6 

7 

4 

5 

5 

5 

4 

6 

6 

5 

5 

5 

4 

4 

6.1 

5.8 

German  history,  etc.  . 

2 

2.5 

2 

4 

3 

3 

3 

2 

2 

3 

3 

4 

3 

3 

5 

5 

3.4 

3.9 

Italian  history,  etc.     . 

2.5 

2 

3 

3 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1.5 

1.8 

Other  history,  topog- 
raphy,     biography, 
tftivel,     and     polite 
literature 

3.5 

2.5 

4 

4 

5 

5 

3 

3 

3 

4 

3 

4 

4 

3 

5 

5 

4.2 

4.6 

General  and   epochal 
history 

4.25 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

2 

2 

1 

2 

2 

3 

2 

2 

2 

3.3 

3.3 

Greek,  Latin,  and  phi- 
lology   

3.5 

3 

3 

3 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

4 

4 

3 

4 

4 

4 

3.5 

3.6 

Bibliography    .... 

3 

3 

3 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

1.2 

1.5 

Transactions 

1.5 

2.3 

5 

7 

5 

4 

5 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

5 

2 

2 

.5 

.6 

Periodicals 

6 

6 

11 

7 

8 

9 

10 

8 

10 

8 

8 

7 

7 

6 

5 

5 

3.9 

3.5 

Fine  arts 

12 

16.5 

8 

5 

8 

8 

8 

9 

11 

10 

11 

11 

10 

9 

12 

13 

8.9 

8.7 

Natural    history    and 
science 

4 

4.6 

3 

3 

4 

3 

4 

4 

5 

3 

4 

3 

3 

3 

1 

1 

3.8 

3.7 

Theology,  ecclesiasti- 
cal  history,    ethics, 
education,  etc.  .  .   . 

11 

8.5 

4 

4 

8 

9 

8 

11 

14 

10 

11 

11 

10 

10 

8 

8 

11.0 

11.5 

Medicine 

5 

4.6 

8 

6 

6 

8 

8 

9 

9 

8 

7 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

7.3 

7.0 

Law,  government,  and 
political  economy    . 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3 

2 

2 

2.7 

2.5 

Useful  arts,  mathemat- 
ics, physics,  etc.  .   . 

5.5 

7.5 

7 

8 

7 

6 

5 

6 

8 

5 

6 

7 

9 

10 

10 

10 

9.7 

8.9 

Miscellaneous       pam- 
phlets boimd  .... 

.75 

.75 

2 

1 

2 

1 

3 

3 

3 

2 

2 

3 

3 

5 

3 

3 

4.0 

4.9 

Note.  —  In  computing  this  percentage,  the  use  of  books  in  the  Bowditch,  Parker,  Barton, 
and  Prince  libraries  —  which  are  kept  apart  from  the  general  classification  of  the  Library  — 
is  reckoned  as  near  as  possible  and  included  in  the  usual  divisions,  as  is  indicated  in  the  table. 
(See  Explanations  to  Appendi.x  VTII.) 

The  figures  for  187S-9  are  only  approximately  correct. 


APPENDIX    XY. 


LOWER     HALL     AND     BRANCH     READING. 


CLASSES. 
The  figures  give  the  relative  percentages. 

FictioD  and  juvenilet^ 

History  and  biography 

Travels  and  voyages 

Science,  arts,  fine  and  useful,  theology, 
law,  medicine,  professions 

Periodicals 

Foreign  languages 

Miscellaneous     


1874 

1875 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1    "^ 

33 

a 

^ 

1 

i-i 

69 

82 

(2 

O 

^ 

P4 

e 

1 

a 

82 

3 

79 

B 

n 
w 

83 

79 

1 

1 

1 

i 

03 

00 

« 

a 

H 

71 

80 

78 

81 

78 

79 

85 

84 

80 

70 

80 

79 

85 

71 

86 

83 

80 

72 

S3 

80 

86 

81 

81 

5 

4 

5 

4 

■H- 

7 

4 

5 

3 

5 

a 

7 

4 

5 

3 

4 

4.5 

6 

3 

5 

4 

4 

4 

•6 

4 

5 

4 

5 

8 

3 

3 

3 

5 

3.5 

4 

2 

3 

4 

3 

3 

2 

3 

3 

4 

3 

3 

2 

3 

2 

3 

3 

3 

2 

3 

2 

3 

3 

7 

2 

4 

4 

4     ( 

7 

2 

4 

3 

4 

7 

2 

4 

3 

4 

4 

7 

2 

4 

3 

3 

4 

e 

2 

3 

3 

3 

2 

7 

6 

5 

2 

5 

6 

5 

2 

1 

3 

« 

6 

4 

2 

2 

4 

6 

5 

4 

2 

3 

4 

6 

4 

4 

2 

3 

2 

3 

1 
4.5 

3 
4 

3 

1 
4 

3 

4 

4 

1 

4.6 

1      ^ 

4 

4 

1 
4 

3 
4 

6 

4 

5 

0 

4 

5 

3 

6 

5 

4 

5 

■^ 

3 

4 

5 

3 

CLASSES. 
The  figures  give  the  relative  percentages. 

1879 

1880 

1881 

K 

= 

■^ 

■V 

K 

1 

''.       1 

1 

S 

W 

S3 
•f. 

1 

-i. 

f 

H 

►i 

n 

S3 

i 

1 

•A 

0^ 

1 

I. 
U. 

Fiction  and  juveniles 

72 
6 
3 

6 
6 
3 
4 

81 
5 
2 

2 
5 

76 
6 
4 

3 

5 

84 
4 
2 

4 
3 

82 
4 
3 

4 
3 

4 

78 
7 
4 

3 

8 

62     1 

3 

4 
2 

76.4 
5.3 
3 

4 

4 

1     ™ 
6 

3 
7 

3 

4 

80 
4 
2 

3 

76 
6 
3 

4 

e 

83 
4 
3 

4 
3 

79 
5 
3 

4 

5 

4 

8 
6 

5 
5 

4 

62 
6 
3 

4 
4 

21 

74.7 
5.3 
3 

4.4 
5 
1 
6.S 

70 
7 
3 

6 
5 
3 
6 

80 
4 
3 

3 
« 

4 

76 
5 
4 

3 

7 

5 

82 
4 
3 

3 
4 

4 

78 
6 
3 

3 
4 

6 

79 
5 
3 

4 
5 

4 

74 
4 
9 

4 
5 

4 

79 
6 
3 

4 
4 

1 
4 

77 

m. 

4 

IV. 

Science,  arts,  fine  and  useful,  theology,  law,  medicine,  i 

4 

V. 

Periodicals      .^ 

5 

VI. 

.6 

vn. 

5 

6 

3 

24      1 

7.3 

5 

5 

3 

4.5 



Public  Library. 


71 


APPENDIX  Xyi. 

FELLOWES    ATHEN^UM   EEADING. 


1 

3 

Classes. 
Relative  percentages. 

at) 

H 

i» 

X) 
H 

H 

aD 

H 

OCI 

X) 
H 

9 

H 

O 

QfD 
H 

H 

I. 

History,  biography,  and  travels 

35 

43 

38 

33 

30 

37 

39 

33 

n. 

Modem  foreign  languages    .  . 

13 

12 

9 

11 

10 

11 

10 

13 

TTT. 

2 
12 

4 
10 

5 
10 

14 
9 

17 
8 

6 
9 

5 
11 

4 

IV. 

Miscellaneous  literature    .  .  . 

11 

V. 

Theology,  sociology,  ethics  .  . 

7 

6 

5 

7. 

7 

6 

6 

9 

VT. 

1 

5 

1 
4 

1 
4 

1 
4 

2 
4 

2 
4 

2 
4 

•7 

vn. 

Classics 

4 

vni. 

Fine  arts,  engineering    .... 

12 

8 

10 

7 

7 

8 

7 

6 

IX. 

Law,  politics,  government  .  . 

1 

2 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

2 

X. 

Mathematics,  science 

12 

10 

15 

11 

12 

14 

13 

11 

XI. 

Fiction 

5 

BRIGHTON    BRANCH    READING. 


6 

1 

Classes. 
Relative  percentages. 

18T5 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 

1881 

I. 

Fiction 

84 

80 

77 

76 

75 

76 

76 

n. 

Biography,  travel,  and 
history 

7 

7 

8 

7 

8 

8 

7 

m. 

Other 

9 

13 

15 

17 

17 

16 

17 

72 


City  Document  No.  97. 


CO 

O 

O 

i— 1 

P5 

1— 1 

k 

Ci! 

M 

P 

X 

<l 

I— 1 

P^ 

P 

« 

1-3 

(1h 

c:) 

PM 

1— 1 

<i1 

Q 

O 

i—( 

P5 

H 

Ph 

t- 

05       t-       N       N 

t- 

CO        CO 

T-( 

•*      '* 

rH 

CO        o 

-2 

s 

T-( 

00 

o 

H 

lo 

it^ 

1    lO 

CO 

CO 

CO 

Ph 

^ 

o 

"o" 

o 

o 

<M 

c^ 

(M 

- 

. 

^ 

1  y-f 

*t^ 

T* 

5< 

'    ^ 

« 

•  1 

-. 

CO 

1    CO 

CD 

O        CO 

05 

N 

o 

<D 

.         CO 

cn 

^      o> 

o 

C3 

<N 

CO 

CO^ 

T— 1 

43 

t^r 

O 

o 

c^ 

CO 

00 

t-        IM           _           _ 

"o" 

0^     i    (M 

o 

o     5! 

"I" 

IN 

H 

M 

^ 

CO 

CO 

S" 

J_^ 

CI 

1    CO 

>n   1  CO 

m 

O        IH 

■* 

CO 

lo 

lo 

o 

o 

CD         03 

t- 

CO 

B 

CO 

•* 

o 

OQ 

IM 

Ttl 

,_^ 

~^" 

CO       •* 

>n 

00      in 

a> 

a> 

CO 

CO 

CO 

o 

CO      m 

« 

00 

m 

CO 

CO 

w 

• 

'"' 

d 

lO 

g      ^     «     c. 

1  ^ 

CO       o 

Q 

u 

0         00 

»~ 

<M      in 

05 

t-         CD 

0 

a 

rH         ."i 

s> 

•* 

o>       00 

CO 

rH       in 

6 

00 

rH 

g 

s 

e 

»o 

ro       g       CO       c^ 

^ 

in      CO 

C-5         t- 

tH 

cr>        t- 

oc 

00 

a>      c~ 

^      >-l 

o 

CO        c^ 

00 

CO 

C-J^       "* 

"i. 

in^     ir 

(X) 

w       '"' 

00 

'"' 

H 

1 

■* 

■* 

OS 

pi 

5  ^  "  ^ 

CO 

vO         CI 

Oi        CO 

CD         00 

r-^         T— 1 

^ 

^      S 

t« 

lO 

CO 

t^       ^ 

CO 

CO      in 

(X> 

»*        1-1 

o 

iH 

fH 

CO 

't 

iC 

CJ        CD        CO        C4 

~io 

>n    1  o 

t-      o 

-<t 

in      CJ> 

CC 

Si     -^ 

O       r- 

00         00 

00 

t:     ?? 

t» 

40 

CO 

CO_       ci 

en 

CO         Tj 

00 

T-T       IH 

T-T 

?-r 

« 

M 

tX 

C5 

g        ^        CO        <N 

"  ~co 

CO         CD 

o 

^        t- 

^ 

1—1    b.- 

t» 

o 

o      o 

CD 

S     2 

>c 

i-H          00 

CO 

in      a> 

co^ 

C^         Tj* 

oT 

Ttl 

CO 

IM 

H 

CO 

■^ 

Oi 

O         lO         CO        r-l 

00 

O         00 

00 

CO        o 

e-5 

OO         CO 

ao 

iO         rit 

(N         O 

O         CO 

r-i        t- 

- 

lO 

CO 

CO 

CO         00 

T* 

rH         ■* 

C3 

rH 

o 

« 

CO 

"* 

Ci 

O         OS         tJ* 

CO         i-i 

O         00 

~eV" 

CO         CO 

o 

s     ^ 

c< 

O         CO 

t-      q; 

t^- 

s 

»-(         00 

00         CO 

*^ 

cn      •* 

i 

00 

H 

CO 

'I 

5    9". 

Tc 

CC 

s  1 

1  1 

in 

CO 
CO 

^ 

IH 

(M 

CO 

^ 

Tj4          iH           CO          N 

"  "^ 

(M         CD 

00         00 

c^~~ 

t.. 

n 

S     5! 

1:^ 

Ol         CD 

CO      ir 

s 

t« 

CO 

'* 

in 

in      CO 

"^ 

OO 

« 

00 

00 

H 

IM 

C-1 

CO 

(M         CO        CO 

"~co 

O         CO 

00 

S    5 

OJ 

in 

91 

CO 

lO        CO 

C-1 

CO        o 

o 

ly 

CO 

Tf 

? 

CO 

in      in 

in 

00 

H 

"-1 

(M 

itZ 

ro         CO         CO 

"  "S 

N      ^ 

t—      in 

o 

IM 

H 

Tjl       CO                    . 

o 

t» 

CO 

■^ 

tH 

■<*         CO 

iH 

o> 

IZ> 

CO 

cn" 

CO 

H 

tH 

c^ 

o 

bo 

rt     + 

a 
< 
p 

0  a 

.       ^ 

'ri 

•  ° 

•a     5 

3 
3 

n 

!   5 

O     o 

a) 

;  1 

-a 

3 

5, 

o 

» 

o 

03 

03         « 

0 

e 

pa  ^ 

"5 

c 

pi 

French  .  .  . 
German    .  . 
Italian  .  .  . 
Others  .  .  . 

c 

1  1 

So 
^25 

o      rt 

2 
1 

2       5 
1       = 

1  ^ 

10 

5 

51 


g   ?o 


a    -5 

8  in  bra 
indays. 
branch 
t  Brigh 
ents. 

■ScK  d  *  a 

S  a  1  S  & 

o°|Si 

SaiJ'si: 

tion  of  p 
ading  roo 
the  Char 
statistics 
present  a 

"3  '^  =«5-=3 

t'.a  S      fri 

,     !lC  film's 

s  g  «  "^  9 

only, 
rant  op 

of  new 
B  of  the 
Eicticabl 

ibrary 
to  war 
he  use 
reader 
are  pr 

1-1-bH.m  a 

^  A  1  o-a 

t  Centr 
en  suffici 

Note.  - 
e  numbei 
maica  PI 

"a 


pq  ►- 


•3  c« 


o  »^ 

"53 


c;  ■►^  oQ 

oQ  d  *— ' 

*    3.2 

2  «> 
5p^ 


Public  Libeary. 


73 


t- 

to 

•<* 

«- 

<3> 

03 

t- 

o 

CO 

IM 

I 

CO 

O 

tH 

CO 

o 

o 

o 

o 

iH_ 

C5_ 

at 

IM 

o 

Tj( 

tjl 

'^ 

i 

.o 

■* 

cT 

i-T 

CO 

lO 

■lO 

r-l 

CO 

s 

o 

H 

~ 

05 

05 

___ 

<3i 

^ 

(N 

CO 

CO 

o 

CM 

^ 

rn 

iH 

IM 

o 

tH 

Tl( 

a^ 

05 

to 

to 

CO 

CO 

i-i 

a> 

^ 

00 

o> 

to 

CO 

^ 

>o 

00 

o 

to 

-^ 

CO 

H 

CO 

00 

CO 

"^ 

CO 

^ 

od 

^ 

o 

^ 

eq 

(M 

o 

00 

to 

CO 

to 

CO 

-* 

^ 

e^ 

IN 

C^ 

IM 

to 

rt 

C 

CO 

to 

to 

iH 

o 

CO 

CO 

ft 

o> 

^ 

o 

^ 

O 

T~i 

lO 

•* 

■!t< 

o 

o 

00 

^ 

'"' 

IM 

to 

^ 

'C 

IH 

t^ 

n 

. 

o 

o 

^^ 

CO 

t» 

to 

CM 

^ 

to 

00 

CO 

V* 

r: 

o 

o 

(N 

^ 

-* 

IX) 

a 

00 

c= 

o 

X) 

5a 

CO 

CO 

^ 

f-T 

H 

3 

o 

Oi 

00 

rH 

•* 

^ 

~ 

IM 

^ 

o 

(3^ 

t~ 

<N 

to 

CC 

M 

o 

0^ 

1-1 

CO 

oc 

r-H^ 

o 

to 

ci 

« 

CO 

00 

OJ 

e^ 

I:- 

to 

iH 

i 

c^ 

05 

CO 

^ 

-s 

o 

CO 

•^ 

CO 

-* 

« 

>« 

^ 

CO 

CO 

t- 

OQ 

T)< 

CO 

K 

C^ 

^ 

>o 

to 

~ 

to 

to 

to 

CM 

o 

(M 

to 

lO 

o 

CO 

■t 

at 

M 

o 
•* 

1H 

CO 

to 

T* 

W 

'l' 

^ 

O 

at 

00 

^ 

-i 

at 

^ 

U3 

t£ 

t- 

00 

^ 

•^ 

^. 

M 

00 

QC 

CO 

■* 

1- 

c> 

CM 

IS 

•^ 

to 

r- 

Ol 

'* 

h3 

1-1 

o 

CO 

lO 

00 

K5 

1 

^ 

lO 

CO 

o 

CO 

■* 

td 

o 

to 

iH 

o 

m 

• 

t-t 

8) 

e 

* 

s 

a 

_t 

^ 

a 

1 

# 

1 

g 

tn 

a 
>> 

a 

z 

^        It. 

00 

a 

c 

:  1 

a 

1 

a 

.2 

p 

o 

CO 

i 
a; 

o 
o 

■a 

CD 
> 

8 

2 

o 

t 

£ 

a 

c 
z 

1 

! 

C3 

a. 

.  1 

1 

1 

;  1 

?  .g 

3        -° 

J       o 
J      fl 

2        m 

J 

i    z 

5 

^ 

.« 

M 

i 

J 

i       '-^ 

1 

3    ^ 

c 

> 

o 

o 

o 

o 

c 

^        ^ 

0           O 

c 

5        .1 

o 

o 

o 

o 

c 

c 

5         S 

u         O 

p 

5  :5 

cq 

n 

M 

pq 

p: 

5     P 

5     fe 

p 

^     M 

•ON 

9SB10 

H         1— 1 
M 

> 

> 

t 

i  ^ 

^ 

<  > 

3 

-  -  .a 


to  IM  CO 

CsTcOrH 


-  tCi-H  r-l      ;D 


rH  ^rH  CM     t3 
rHrHrHrH       a 


_H  IM  r-l  lA  1-1  rH       C3 
(V|  t-  Oi  to  IM  00       £ 


C3i  r-^'-t '-;,'-;,  0_     (J 

oooooo  ^ 

1 1  I  I  I  1  I 

ce  rC  ae  »  e  "^    - 

I  «  '  »  I  A  ■§ 

q6aexx»2   2 


APPENDIX    XIX. 

FINANCIAL      STATEMENT. 


1S76-77 

isr7-7» 

1878-rO 

1879-80 

1880-81 

Years. 

raid    into    City 
treasury  from 

City  appro- 
prlatfoos. 

ExpL-nded. 

Fellowes 
Atbcnfeum. 

City  ajipro- 
priations. 

Expended. 

Fellowes 
Atheuseum. 

City  appro- 
priations. 

Expended. 

Fellowes 
Atbeu»uni. 

City  appro- 
priations. 

$3,000  00 

16,000  00 

5,000  00 
3,200  00 
2,000  00 
2,000  00 
5,000  00 

4,500  00 

72,000  00 
2,300  00 

Expended. 

Fellowes 
Athenaeum. 

City  appro- 
priations. 

Expended. 

Fellowes 
Athenteum. 

of  catalogue  s. 

$5,000  00 

10,000  00 

5,000  00 
3,000  00 
4.000  00 
2,000  00 
5,000  00 

5,500  00 

60  ,.500  00  . 
2,500  00 

$3,785  85 
(    21,714  50 
(      2,849  88 
5,722  87 
3,004  27 
2,278  01 
2,528  31 
4,885  09 

5,S94  26 

69,332  10 
2,401  12 

$1,833  86 

$5,500  00 

15,000  00 

6,000  00 
3,000  00 
4,000  00 
2,000  00 
5,080  00 

6,000  00 

70,626  00 
3,000  00 

$2,734  57 
j    20,981  26 
i      4,117  29 
4,807  82 
3,549  33 
2,115  86 
2,050  16 
5,397  81 

5,267  59 

66,038  97 
2,710  51 

$1,414  37 

$3,290  00 

15,040  00 

7,520  00 
3,290  00 
2,350  00 
2,350  00 
5,170  00 

5,170  00 

73,000  00 
2,820  00 

$2,365  54 
(    24,499  97 
(      3,407  67 
5,915  80 
3,479  73 
1,973  94 
3,006  12 
5,074  48 

3,962  12 

68,349  78 
2,160  70 

$907  93 

$2,91S  22 
(    22,442  92 
1      3,299  83 
4,795  21 
3,061  51 
1,535  85 
1,765  49 
4,990  47 

4,00'  21 

69,93-  53 
1,980  72 

$809  86 

$3,000  00 

17,000  00 

4,000  00 
3,000  00 
2,000  00 
2,250  00 
5,000  00 

4,500  00 

72,000  00 
2,250  00 

$4,915  20 
j    22,607  06 
(      2,826  97 
3,006  09 
2,914  94 
2,441  52 
1,436  4;l 
5,105  9» 

3,841  29 

67,954  79 
2,036  31 

$2,019  43 

1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1366 
1867 
1303 
1369 
1370 
1871 
1372 
1873 
1874 
.1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1830 
1381 

$437  80 

450  00 

CaUlo  UM    .rtotto 

241)  34 

350  00 

523  49 

Furniture  (cabineta,  shelving,  fixluree,  etc.)   .... 

314  60 
385  64 

203  92 

504  IS 

Solarles 

507  72 

TraUBliorUilion,  i)oatage,  etc 

659  35 
996  63 

BllANCHES. 

Jaulaicu  I'laiu. 

1,150  00 
1,472  44 
1,631  70 
2,000  00 

10,000  00 
$130,126  00 

■      4,917  80 
3,288  73 
1,373  68 

Fixturei),  catalogues,  printing,  etc 

2,360  24 
2,505  35 
3,092  12 
3,260  31 
2,613  32 

2,934  12 
3,497  0:l 

tlll,oOO  00 

$121,396  36 

$1,833  36 

$129,351  38 

$1,414  37 

$120,000  00 

$124,200  91 

$907  93 

$115,000  00 

$120,729  96 

$809  86 

$115,000  00 

$119,086  58 

$2,019  43 

i 

$32,212  «1 

-  liaaQcial  aud  librury 


*  The  appropriation  for  periodioil*  is  Included  In  tliat  for  books. 

Note.  -  The  expendilures  for  hooks  cover  the  cost  of  those  chargeable  to  our  Trust  fuuds  account,  as  welU^  those  charged  to  the  annual  appropriations  from  the  City,  and  also  include  sucli  as  are  bought  with  the  balances  with  our  foreign  agents  at  the  "^'o**  "»"  ^'"^  ^"^"^^^^1  eiween  March  15lh  and  M«y 
years  now  norahiaUy  correspond,  but  it  will  happen  that  hills  accruing  subsequently  to  the  middle  of  March  (when  the  last  requisition  of  the  year,  payable  April  1st,  ia  approved)  will  be  audited  in  the  subsequent  year's  account,  beginning  nomhially  May  Ist.     In  this  W8)  DooKs  aaaea 
Isl  may  be  counted  iaone  year's  growth,  and  paid  for  in  the  Huhsequent  year's  account.     The  cost  of  maiutaiaing  branches  after  the  first  year  makes  part  of  tlie  general  Items  of  the  several  appropriations. 

Tlie  money  for  books  bought  on  uieounl  of  the  Fellowf!*  Atheiiteum  is  spent  under  the  direction  of  the  Book  euuiinittee  of  llie  Trustees  of  the  Fellowes  fund. 


Public  Library. 


75 


5    H 


-    «    "3 


3      o     Ph  d 
rt      "  o 


..9  =« 

O   O  g 


,o  o  .  • 
o  <u  to 


HI 

i  p*^ 

sag 

o  «  o 

o  '^  ^ 


w  KJ    ^    ij  w    "    i^ 

eq     pq     fr,     m     pq 


to        ®        M        C^        IM 


OOOiCOOSOOOOOOCOCOOO 


'C      >1    J'    --     ^     'C     B 

ft    "3     o     g     Pi     p<     ci< 

<1       1-3       O       1-3        '^       <1        <] 


CO         (D        00        (M 


=     a     3 


S<]-<!^-5q<)<1-5'-s!3[e 


C-)         r-(         1-H         rH 


■^        T-1        r-l        rt 


•        i 

1 

1 
? 

c 
c 

^ 

c 

• 

a  i^ 


<i^  o  a  1^  * 


M 

SB 

.  -9 
W 

05   o 
O  '=' 

cS 


•a 


o  :: 


o  ^  ^ 

•2"  a 

Oj    GJ    fe- 

e  ft"" 


«& 


ftjS 


,a    ^ 


.  ^  —  a  ^ 
g  P  a  g  l> 
■■£  a  I  i  -2 

2£  'a  ~      o 

i?  So  => 

a1-2r> 

*s  3  ^  s  a 

IE     "t;  a  ^ 


QJ  O 


a? 


a-l 


2  o 


g     « 


s;     u  a  00     " 


•a 


?  a 
«  2 
95 

a;  o 

si 

•3  2 

"  i 
9  ^^ 


1       ^ 


a^  o  CD 
a     ^ -a  S 2"S 

o     SiaO,    "" 

^  .•  °-''3 ,    "s  '-• 

.>>o  a,"S  °  n 

«  g<„  a-g  o  & 
Da  "i  n  i!  ==  S  ^ 

f^hJ  3  s  a'a  2 
2  aJ  s  -"S  i  ^  " 
a  ^  X  ^  —  TS 


3     ^1 

o  :sg 
5:2  §i 

o!  '^  i;  a 
•^  S  t-  a 

^  g-a^ 

atJ'Oja 
.^  o  a  -*j 

t»>a  «'■•- 

§23° 

1  a  » 


9Sl- 
o  =  "^  a 

•  &t-a  >■ 
j_2  oj  ?'  5  ra 

?  "^  S  ■"  fl 

(*    I    "    X    « 


76 


City  Document  No.  97. 


APPEIS^DIX  XXI. 


LIBRAEY   SEEVICE. 


{April  30, 1881.) 


Name. 


Mellen  Chamberlain  .  . 

James  L.  Whitney    .  .  .  . 
Jos6  F.  Garret 


Louis  F.  Gray     .  .  . 
Adelaide  A.  Nichols 
James  L.  Gethins  .  . 
Total 


?.v 


1878. 

1869. 
1875. 

1880. 
1868. 
1881. 


Position,  duties,  etc. 


Librarian  and  Clerk  of  the  Cor- 
poration      


PrinciiJal  Assistant  Librarian 

Register,  and  Curator  of  patents 
and  engravings 


Librarian's  Secretary 
Auditor  and  Cashier 
Librarian's  Runner    . 


a  u 


2t 


James  L.  Whitney 
William  H.  Foster  .  . 


Jo86  F.  Carret , 


Lindsay  Swift .  .  . 
Elizabeth  T.  Reed  , 


Roxanna  M.  Eastman   . 


Frank  C.  Blaisdell .  .  . 
Annie  C.  Miller  .  .   .   . 

Maria  C.  Otis 

Card  Catalogues. 
Harriet  E.  Green  . 
Carrie  K.  Burnell  .  .  . 
Ellen  F.  McCarthy  .  . 
Mary  F.  Osgood  .  .  .  . 
Harriet  C.  Blake  .  .  . 
Patrick  H.  CarroU  .  .  . 
Total 


1869. 
1860. 


1878. 
1873. 

1859. 

1876. 
1881. 
1880. 

1373. 

1S81. 
1872. 
1877. 
1880. 
1881. 


Principal  of  the  department   .  . 

Cataloguer  for  Branch  Libraries 
and  Proof  Reader 

Register,  Curator  of  patents  and 
engravings  and  Assistant     .   . 

Assistant 


Assistant     and     Cataloguer    of 
Lower  Hall  and  branch  books 

Extra  Assistant,  and  Cataloguer 
of  U.S.  documents 


Assistant 

Assistant 

Assistant  in  Patent  room,  etc. 


Curator 

Curator  of  official  card  catalogue 

Assistant 

Assistant 

Assistant 

Runner  . 


14 


Public  Library. 

LIBRARY   SERVICE.  —  Continued. 


11 


Name. 


Habreet  N.  Pike  .  . 
Edith  D.  Fuller  .  .  . 
Mary  A.  McG-rath  .  . 
Frederic  W.  Blaisdell 
Total 


1867. 
1879. 
1868. 
1880. 


Position,  duties,  etc. 


CMef  Clerk  .  . 
Associate  Clerk 
Assistant  .  .  . 
Runner  .... 


o  « 


Appleton  p.  C.  Griffin. 

William  Canny 

WilUamRoflfe    ...... 


George  K.  Merrill 
.      Total 


1865. 
1880. 
1881. 

1880. 


Custodian 
Assistant 


Assistant  in  charge  of  repairs, 
etc.,  of  books  on  the  shelves  . 


Arthur  Mason  Knapp 

Alice  M.  Poree 

Lydia  F.  Knowles  .  .  . 
Thomas  M.  Whyte  .  .  . 
Margaret  Doyle    .... 

Richard  Ray 

W.  MajTiard  L.  Young  , 


Daniel  Donovan  .  . 
Thomas  H.  O'Kane 
James  Johnson  .  .  . 
Harold  Smith  .  .  . 
Total 


1875. 
1866. 
1867. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1878. 

1880. 
1880. 
1881. 
ISSl. 


Librarian  of  Bates  Hall  . 

Assistant 

Delivery  Clerk        .... 
Receiving  Clerk  ..... 

Assistant 

Assistant  .' 


Assistant  in  charge  of  deliveries 
to  branches  


Runner 
Runner 
Runner 
Runner 


Edward  Tiffany  .  . 
William  F.  Robinson  . 
Mary  A.  Jenkins  .  .  . 
Thomas  H.  Cummings 

Caroline  E.  J.  Por6e  . 

Sarah  A.  Mack  .   .   .  . 

Eliza  J.  Mack    .  .  .  . 

Annie  M.  Kennedy  .  . 


1878. 
1872. 
lS'/7. 
1879. 

1859. 
1863. 
1863. 
1869. 


Librarian  of  Lower  Hall .... 
Clerk  for  registration  and  fines  . 
Assistant  Librarian 


Curator  of  Lower  Hall  card  cata- 
logue  


Reading  room  Clerk  .... 

Delivery  desk 

Receiving  desk 

Registration  and  As^stant . 


78 


City  Document  No.  97. 

LIBRARY   SERVICE.  —  Continued. 


Name. 


Ella  R.  Dillon  .  .  . 
Ellen  E.  Bresnahan 
Annie  G.  Shea  .  .  . 
Florence  Richards  . 
Margaret  Clifford  •  . 
Mary  A.  Doyle  .  .  . 
Mary  Anderson  .  . 
Mary  Sheridan  .  .  . 
Louisa  Twickler  .  . 
Edward  Moore  .  .  . 
Evening  Service. 
T.  P.  Bennett    .  .  . 


Robert  B.  Rosa  .  . 
Catherine  McGrath  , 
John  J.  Butler  .  .  , 
Samuel  Anderson  . 
P.  von  Olker  .  .  .  . 
Harry  Young  .  .  , 
Benjamin  F.  Latz  , 
Total 


13  o 


1876. 
1869. 
1874. 
1878. 
1877. 
1879. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1878. 

1879. 

1873. 
1873. 
1878. 
1880. 
1880. 
1880. 
1881. 


Position,  duties,  etc. 


Delivery  desk  and  Assistant .  . 
Assistant  in  reading  room  .  .  . 
Record  of  slips  and  Substitute  . 
Return  slips  and  Assistant .   .   . 

Desk  Assistant 

Runner 

Runner 

Runner 

Runner 

Care  of  shelves 


(  Registration  Clerk  and  Sun- 
(      day  service 


Reading  room  . 
Receiving  desk 
Runner  ;  .  .  . 
Runner  .  .  .  . 
Runner  .  .  .  . 
Runner  •  .  .  . 
Runner  .   .   •  . 


s  a 
o  « 

Eh 


William  E.  Fobd  .  .  .  , 

John  White , 

William  G.  Adams  .   ,  .  , 

Timothy  McCarthy  .   .   .   , 

Extra  daily  Assistants  . 

Tot;il 


1858. 
1880. 
1879. 
1881. 


Janitor 

Porter 

Night  Watchman 
Porter 


Andrew  M.  Blake 
Romeo  Cervi  .... 
P.  B.  Sanford  .  .  . 
Edward  M.  Roe  .  . 
Wm.  F.  Sampson  . 
Arthur  Siguere  ,  .  . 
Mary  E.  Austen    .  . 


1870. 
1874. 
1879. 
1876. 
1880. 
1881. 
1874. 


Foreman     .  .  .   , 
Extra  forwarder  , 

Finisher .   .  .  .   < 

Pressman  .  .  .  . 

Forwarder  .  .  i 

Forwarder  .  .  , 

Forewoman  .  .   , 


^Public  Libeaey. 

LIBRARY    SERVICE.  —  Continued. 


79 


1 
a 

Name. 

Position,  duties,  etc. 

c  « 
O 

o 

a  « 
O 

•6 

o 

—  "S* 
3  S 

Martha  M.  Wheeler     .   .   . 
Mary  G.  Moriarty    .... 

Sarah  E.  Bo  wen 

Sarah  Dumas 

Mary  J.  Morton 

Sam'l  Macconnell     .... 
Total 

1869. 
1875. 
1876. 
1881. 
1881. 
1877. 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
13 

'1 

13 

Sarah  C.  Godbold  .  .  . 

Mary  R.  Pray 

Alice  M.  Wing 

Mary  E.  Cathcart 

E.    L.    Lcnnon    (entered ) 
June  13) \ 

AdeUa  H.  Ghen 

Eva  D.  Merrill 

Grace  E.  Hahn 

Ada  J.  McConnell    .... 

George  H.  Hosea 

Total 

1871. 
1870. 
1872. 
1870. 
1881. 
1876. 
1879. 
1879. 
1881. 
1873. 

Librarian 

1 

1 
1 

1 

5 

< 

1 

Extra  Assistant 

e 

1 

GO 

Extra  Runner 

6^ 

Extra  Runner 

1 
5 

10 

Alice  J.  Bragdon    .  .  . 

Nora  MeCarty 

Ellen  A.  Eaton 

Emogene  C.  Davis  .... 

Idalene  Sami^son 

Cora  G.  Hale 

Minnie  E.  Sampson     .  .  . 

Mabel  Pond 

Mary  Watson 

Marguerite  Watson  .... 

Joseph  Baker 

Total 

1872. 
1872. 
1872. 
1873. 
1877. 
1877. 
1877. 
1879. 
1873. 
1877. 
1872. 

5 

Receiving  Clerk 

Registration  Clerk 

Delivery  Clerk 

g 

Extra  Assistant 

Extra  Assistant 

s 

^ 

Extra  Rimner 

1 

6 

11 

< 

Sarah  Bunker 

Mary  Bradley 

Dora  Puflfer 

Helen  M.BeU 

1876. 
1876. 
1878. 

1878. 

Librarian 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

Reading  room  and  registration 
Clerk 

1 

Assistant 

80 


City  Document  No.- 97. 

LIBRARY   SERVICE.  —  Continued. 


Name. 


Margaret  E.  Blood  . 
Elizabeth  E.  Berry  . 
Florence  A.  Vose  . 
Emma  McGowan  .  . 
Charles  R.  Curtis  ,  . 
Total 


II 


1872. 
1877. 
1876. 
1880. 
1873. 


Poeition,  duties,  etc. 


Runner  .... 
Extra  Assistant 
Extra  Runner  . 
Extra  Runner  . 
Janitor    .... 


-2  © 
^  r. 


Db.  Cornelius  S.  Cart^e 

Annie  E.  Ehorle 

Mary  P.  Swain 

Annie  C.  Davis 

Aima  S.  Woodberry  .  .  . 
Sarah  E.  McConnell  .  .  . 
Susan  E.  Livermore  .  .  . 
Abbie  F.  Klnmartin    .  .  . 

Thomas  E.  Smith 

Total 


1870. 
1874. 
1878. 
1878. 
1878. 
1879. 
1879. 
1880. 
1874. 


Librarian  .  .  . 
Assistant  .  .  . 
Assistant  .  ,  . 
Runner  .... 
Extra  Assistant 
Extra  Assistant 
Extra  Assistant 
Extra  Runner  . 
Janitor    .... 


Mabt  E.  Brock 
Mary  F.  Grailey 
Sara  R.  Brock  . 
James  M.  Brock 
Total  .... 


1875. 
1880. 
1880. 
1878. 


Librarian  .  .  . 
Assistant  .  .  . 
Extra  Assistant 
Janitor    .... 


Mart  G.  Coffin  .  .  . 
Mary  J.  Sheridan  .  .  . 
Frances  Willard  Pike  . 
Lucy  Adelaide  Watson  , 
Edward  Davenport .  .  . 
Total , 


1874. 
1875. 
1881. 
1881. 
1874. 


Librarian  .  .  . 
Assistant  .  .  . 
Extra  Assistant 
Extra  Assistant 
Janitor  .... 


Grace  A.  De  Bobgbs  < 
Maude  M.  Morse  .  .  ,  . 
Margaret  A.  Sheridan 
Charles  H.  Renter    .  . 
Mary  Arkinson  .... 
Total 


1880. 

1877. 
1875. 
1879. 
1881. 


Librarian  .  . 
Assistant  .  . 
Assistant  .  . 
Runner  .  .  . 
Extra  Runner 


Public  Library. 

LIBRARY   SERVICE.  —  Concluded. 


81 


a 

a 

a 
t. 

0 

Name. 

T3§ 

a  "» 

Position,  duties,  etc. 

Is 

a  " 
O 

1 
1 

0) 

U 
a  « 
O 

1 
1 
1 

.1 

o  « 

Eliza  R.  Davis 

Anna  J.  Barton 

NelUe  F.Riley 

George  L.  Hargraves  .   .    . 

Harry  F.  Davis 

Timothy  Johnson    .... 
Total 

1877. 
1876. 
1878. 
1878. 
1879. 
1877. 

Assistant 

e 

c 
a 

Janitor 

1 
3 

e, 

Mary  A.  Hill 

Samuel  G.  Bowthorpe    .   . 

Marion  L.  Woodward  .  .   . 

Total 

1875. 
1878. 

1880. 

Custodian,  Lower  Mills  .... 

Custodian,  Roslindale 

Custodian,  West  Roxbury  .    .    . 

1 
1 
1 
3 

— 

?, 

SUMMARY. 

Librarian,  Register,  Secretary,  Auditor,  and 

Runner 

Catalogue  department  . 

Purchase  and  Entry  department  . 

Shelf  department  .... 

Bates  Hall  circulation  department 

Lower    Hall    circulation    department,    day 

evening,  and  Sunday  service 
Janitor's  department 
Bindery 

East  Boston  branch 
South  Boston  branch 
Roxbury  branch    . 
Charlestown  branch 
Brighton  branch    . 
Dorchester  branch 
South  End  branch 
Jamaica  Plain  branch 
Deliveries 


Totals 


Grand  total 


5 

13 

4 

4 

11 

18 
4 

13 
5 
6 
6 
5 
3 
3 
4 
3 
3 

110 
33 

143 


Central  Library. 
72  regulars. 
9  extras. 

81  in  all. 


5 
5 
3 

4 

U 
2 
1 
3 


33 


Branches. 
38  regulars. 
24  extras. 

62  in  all. 


AGENTS. 


Messrs.  Lee  and  Shepard,  Boston. 

Mr.  Edward  G.  Allen  (for  English  patents),  London. 

Messrs.  N.  Triibner  and  Co.,  London. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Christern,  and  M.  Charles  Reinwald,  New  Yorh  and  Paris. 

The  Deuerlich '  sche  Buchhandlung,  Gottingen. 

Signorina  Giulia  Alberi,  Florence. 

Senor  Don  Juan  F.  Riaiio,  Iladrid. 


APPENDIX     XXn. 

EXAMINATION     OF    THE    LIBRARY 


ItATR»t  nAI.I.. 

Lower  Hali,. 

East  Boston  Branch. 

aotjT) 

Boston 

Branch. 

UoXBURY  Branch.! 

I 

g 

S 

S 

s 

IS 

I 

s 

s 

I 

s 

t 

z 

\ 

2 

• 

e 

M 

» 

1 

1 

l> 

a 

s 

t 

5 

fri 

1 

e 

Not  on  BhelvpH 

8.612 

3.6(>3 

3,222 

3,205 

4,110 

4.611 

3,746 

7,001 

-.610 

8,063 

8.592 

8.344 

7,182 

6,491 

2,012 

2.022 

1,820 

1,831 

174 

2.188 

2.114 

2.396 

2,068 

2.047 

1,852 

&5 

1% 

2.560 

1,860 

2,441 

2.8.10 

3,300 

2.991 

3,139 

3,122 

3,061 

ilflhfuffounti  In  he 

\l 

I.illt 

1,070 

•J.Iiil 

1,091 

2,003 

2.436- 

2.607 

2,2»4 

6,254 

6,121 

6,808 

7.134 

7,431 

0,376 

5,508 

1.720 

1.811 

1,618 

1.609 

12 

1.893 

l.snl 

2,101 

1.870 

2.932 

1,739 

\^i 

2.417 

1.770 

2.283 

2.577 

3.017 

2.810 

2,984 

2,899 

2,815 

At  llu'  blndi'lli^" 

(KIT 

(120 

022 

707 

1,142 

1,303 

704 

622 

718 

081 

018 

216 

203 

283 

137 

73 

44 

37 

20 

67 

41 

l.i5 

141 

72 

88 

1  ^1 

90 

65 

144 

lOS 

253 

70 

77 

128 

41 

DtlicrwiBo  apcoinilfil  r..i- . 

r.yii 

M2 

f.73 

462 

403 

064 

633 

048 

636 

446 

448 

666 

512 

541 

146 

133 

153 

178 

132 

220 

271 

128 

50 

'43 

26 

ll  ^ 

..51 

34 

8 

98 

20 

103 

74 

87 

108 

Nol«ccount«lfor 

40 

30 

36 

33 

30 

37 

35 

117 

136 

60 

02 

132 

91 

99 

5 

6 

7 

10 

2 

1 

12 

I 

iji 

1 

0 

4 

2 

4 

8 

ClIARI.RHTOWN    RRANrll. 

Brighton  Branch. 

Dorchester  Branch. 

S. 

E.  Branch. 

,T.  P.  Branch. 

T0TA„„ 

I 

s 

« 

1 

■M 

i 

e 
<• 

n 

I 

X 

e 

e 

i 

e 

ge 

5 

1.756 

e 

1,704 

1,376 

a 

£ 

H 

1,344 

1 
1,320 

i 

1.201 

6 

10,098 

I 

s 

6 

• 

e 

Not  on  sholvee 

1,<36 

2.200 

2,002 

2.034 

1,071 

1.867 

2.01- 

728 

707 

820 

804 

680 

772 

1.835 

1.362 

1,341 

1.363 

1,458 

1.220 

22,876 

22,613 

22,676 

23,004 

26,681 

23,067 

Of  thtfx!  fonnil  in  he 

1.471 

2,010 

1,010 

1.777 

l.SOO 

1.632 

1,701 

591 

510 

620 

606 

022 

640 

1.662 

1.260 

1.261 

1.238 

1,2M 

1.121 

1,607 

1.673 

1,073 

1,236 

1,270 

1,234 

14.810 

18,816 

19,130 

18.068 

10,308 

22,473 

20.097 

At  llif  bI»(!iTlc« 

06 

03 

02 

03 

166 

133 

02 

91 

116 

41 

33 

34 

151 

52 

67 

84 

78 

64 

164 

122 

287 

04 

34 

40 

2,121 

2,200 

1,887 

2,096 

1,920 

2,212 

1.772 

OtluTwiflf  iiccomittd  for  . 

ei 

130 

101 

105 

77 

68 

02 

64 

90 

83 

98 

25 

08 

21 

39 

13 

41 

95 

46 

17 

6 

4 

12 

13 

13 

1.017 

1,560 

1.468 

1,477 

1,610 

1,747 

1.020 

Not  accounted  for 

, 

^ 

3 

oi 

I 

1 

2 

1 

17 

3 

12 

4 

244 

204 

128 

135 

200 

149 

150 

1 

1 

•  ThlB  examlnntion  took  place  whilp  the  Librarj'  waa  closed  for  repaln 


tInc-IudeH  FellowfB  Alhenajum  fxan^lnfttion. 


Public   Library. 


83 


appe:nt)ix  XXIII. 


WORK  IN   THE   LIBRARY   BINDERY. 


Character  of 
Work. 

H 
t» 

H 

« 

1 
« 

If 
t' 
1 
« 

ac 

H 

H 

6 

on 
t» 

H 

9 
l» 

1 
» 

aci 

H 

© 

9 

at) 

H 

H 
QC 
1 

© 

ao 

H 

Bates    Hall    books 
bound  aud  finished 

2,219 

2,008 

2,635 

2.613 

3,223 

4,759 

4,155 

4,272 

3,958 

5,839 

Books  of  the  Lower 
Hall  and  branches 

1,015 

744 

753 

1,508 

7,766 

8,743 

11,129 

10,084 

7,606 

2,752 

Books  repaired    .  . 

396 

430 

492 

444 

959 

873 

949 

1,371 

1,397 

1,201 

Catalogues      wired 
and    covered    for 
public      use      in 
Lower   Hall   and 
branches    .... 

490 

437 

287 

143' 

Maps  dissected  aud 
mounted     .... 

47 

28 

91 

109 
r 

Map    volumes     and 
shelf-lists  mounted 

212 

165 

493 

820 

2,712 

958 

3,014 

2,145 

3,205 

Pamphlet  cases    .   . 

546 

64 

24  1 

Portfolios 

5 

8 

8J 

. 

Removable     covers 
for  catalogues  and 
for  paper-covered 
books  

266 

263 

450 

1,520 

1,287 

1,271 

1,469 

1,970 

1,946 

1,032 

Maps         mounted, 
bound,   and    bor- 
dered   

54 

41 

8 

Hours     of    miscel- 
laneous work   .   . 

1,842 

2,297 

1,437 

2,486 

2,183 

2,586 

2,778 

2,615 

2,205 

1,959 

During  the  first  eight  mouths  of  the  year 
in  outside  binderies. 


0,354  Lower  Hall  aud  branch  books  were  bound 


BOSTON  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

llllllillilllllii      , 

3  9999  06314  632  6