The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-03
Public Librarian.


The advantages offered by the Pub
Vic Library of the city Of Worcester are
largely due to the efficiency Of the
gentleman in charge Mr. Samuel
SWEET Green, who is the present incum-
bent of the Office Of public librarian.
AIR. Green is an authority on all mat
Sers pertaining to book lore, their ar
Yangement and proper use. He was
born in this city, Feb. 20, 1887, receiving
his early education in the public
and private schools of Worcester, later
attending Harvard College, from which
he graduated, class Of 1855 Then at
tending Harvard Divinity School, grad
uating in the class of 1864. Upon the
completion of his college career, Mr..
Green accepted a position as boOkkeep-
or in the Mechanics National Bank, re-
Snaining there but a few months, re-
Signing to accept the position of teller
Of the Worcester National Bank and
although he received other f}attcring Of
fers of positions in different banks, he
declined them all TO, accept his present
position, Jan. Is, 1871, Mr. Green haV-
sng been one of the directors of the
library from Jan. l, 1861 He has held
many positions of trust in various lit
erary and historical societies, his Opin
IONS ana IDEAS on dill lllStLLciS GO44IlCNN4t
with libraries being eagerly sought by
librians of other cities. He was one OF
the founders of the American Library
Association, which is today the prin-
cipal association of the librarians of
the United States, founded in 1876,
during the centennial in Philadelphia.
He was also a delegate to the interna
$ional congress of librarians held in
london In 1877, and was member of
the council of that body During that
congress the Library Association Of the
United Kingdom Great Britain and
Ireland) was formed, and Mr.. Green
IS an honorary member Of that aSso-
citation. In May, 1879, he was made
fellow of the Royal Historical Society
of Great Britain, and April 2S 1880,
was made a member Of the American
Antiquarian Society, having been since
Oct o. 1888 a member Of the council
of the latter society. Mr.. Green was
one Of the original members of the
American Historical Association; in
October, 1882 became a member Of the
board OF trustees of the Leicester
Academy, and one of the founders of
the Worcester High School Association,
also holding the honor Of being its
first president. He has been president
of the Worcester Art Society and was
one of the original incorporators of
the Worcester Art Museum, also act
ing as secretary of the art commission
of the Saint Wulstan Society Of this
city. During the winters Of the years
78s7-SS-S9 Mr.. Green gave courses OF
lectures at the School Of Library Econ
orny connected with Columbia College.
In October, 1850, he was appointed by
the governor Of the state an original
member Of the free public library COM
mission, and in 1894 was reappOinted
for full term of five years. On July
he ~ 1,raeiHGr1F 0f
the American Library Association and
presided at the convention Of that body
held in San Francisco, during the au-
tunn of the same year. In 1893 he was
one of the committee which prepared
for the international congress held in
Chicago during the exposition of 1898,
presiding one of the days of the con-
gress. He was vice-president of the
congress held in London in 1897, and
has upon many occasions read papers
written by him on questions Of library
economy, making addresses on similar
subjects in all parts of the country.
Mr.. Green is an author Of note, having
written many papers for the United
States bureau of education, foreign
and American magazines, couple of
books, besides a considerable number
of historical papers and pamphlets.
He is a member of the American Geo
graphical Society, an honorary mem
Der Of the Wisconsin Historical Society,
an active member Of the Archaeological
Institute of America and member Of
the committee on the American School
of Archaeology in Rome, Italy. Mr..
Green is also member Of the colonial
societies of Massachusetts. The Wor-
cester Free Library in December, 1859,
had but II 500 volumes, now having
Ill 900 volumes, increasing very rapidly
for the last 25 years. Under Mr..
Green's management the work done in
this library has attracted a great deal
of attention not only throughout this
country, but London, Paris and
Germany. It is generally known as
library that has become a great, popular
seducational institution, and Mr.. Green
has built up a great reference use Of
the library by citizens generally and
students in particular It has become
noted for its close connections with the
public schools and for the large amount
of valuable work it is doing in connec-
zion with them. The Worcester Free
Public Library was pioneer in doing
this kind Of work, but its example has
been generally followed everywhere
throughout the United States. 1t was
slso a pioneer in supplementary work
through the use of books, by making
extensive use Of pictures, It's work In
these directions attracting the atten-
ton of foreign librarians and munich
palities 1t would be utterly impos-
Bible to secure a man more competent
10 have charge of OUR library than Mr.
Green or one who is by nature more
naturally endowed for the duties befall-
ing upon him, he having not only made
g. study Of the subject Of library econ
Only and management, but possesses a
natural inclination and love for books.