Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-02
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

FREE IUBLlC LlBRAH1s
The circulating department of the free public
library contains about $500 volumes and is con-
stantlv being increased by the addition of rare
and valuable works Of art, science and literd.
ture, as well as the lighter reading for pleasure
seekers, as the means of the institution will
warrant. 1t has also been the recipient by va
nous donations during the year, of Ais vol
umes and 5l9 pamphlets and papers. Its adj
vantages are being awaited of by oar citizens to
an extent which shows how great a benefit this
provision for the il tellectua wants of our peo-
pie promises. Between Jan. 1, and Dec. 1, 1871,
the library has been open PSI days and there
have been given out 62,954 volumes, making a
daily average OF about PA volumes. The num-
Der of persons who have awaited themselves OF
this privilege has been 2,019 in eleven months,
against 1854 for the whole of the year 1870.
The Green library contains about 14G00 vol
umes. This is intended as a consulting library,
and having, as it does, an available annual in
come of more than S1500 for the purchase of
books, additions are being constantly made of
the most elaborate and substantial works.
The officers in charge of This department have
shown most Commcndable appreciation OF the
wants OF our busy working community of in
yentors artisans and mechanics by making a
liberal provision for their wants. To this nu-
merous and highly intelligent class of our com
munity, it will be a pleasure to know that ar
rangementS have been made for the receipt OF
the new weekly volumes of specifications and
drawings OF patents issued at the patent office
at Washington. These volumes are quite too
expensive for individual subscription, are very
elaborate in their drawings and specifications
and valuable for consultation and examination.
One feature Of the Green library, under its
present management, deserves the highest COM
mendation.
The librarian endeavors so to acquaint him.
self with the books of the library as to be able
to direct all inqurers to the sources of inlorma-
ton which they seek, thus furnishing a guide
TO the treasures of the collection. This is a
most valuable service, and its appreciation Is
attested by the great numbers who have occa-
sion TO avail themselves of it,
The valuable library of the Worcester district
medical society is also placed in the library
building and is accessible to all, under the came
rules which govern the use of the books of the
Green library. Probably more than 1000 per.
sons have sought information from the Green
library during the eleven months TO Dee. Isl
Certainly, this institution of individual and
municipal bounty commends itself to your con-
sideraton in the full appreciation which these
facts show il is held by great numbers of our
citizens. The financial condition OF tins insti-
tuition is as follows:
There are three funds, separate and distinct
from each other, from which the library is sup,
ported. The Green library fund, the reading
room fund and the city appropriations.
Income for 1871 Of Green fund. $3.50 80
4 Of income added to fund as
per provisions of will. ....,., 1857 50
Balance of income appropriated
for purchase Of books. ....... 1872 76
$3.50 a5
Cash in hands OF city treasurer
Jan. /, 1871 ......,..,........ 1857 90
Appropriated for purchase OF
book. ...,......,.s..,,3... 1872 76
1920 As
Expended for purchase OF books. 81 O06 80
Paid taxes on bank stock .....,. ITO 9S
silly "a
oneSpended balance IN treasury. Lib II