MR. LINDSAY SWIFT. The following minute regarding Mr. Lindsay Swift was adopted by the trustees on Friday, October 14, 1921. Lindsay Swift, an employee of the Public Library of the City of Boston for forty-three years, three months and fifteen days, died suddenly in Cambridge on September 11, 1921. Mr. Swift entered the service of the library in the Catalogue Department on May 27, 1878. On February 7, 1896, he became editor of library publications, which position he held at the time of his death. Under his direction and through his fine literary taste and judgment the publications of the Boston Public Library achieved an enviable position in the library world. Always a gentleman, combining the outlook and taste of a scholar with a keen sense of humor, sympathy and candor outspoken, he endeared himself to his associates. The Board of Trustees gratefully place on record their appreciation of his long, faithful and efficient service. PORTRAIT OF JOSIAH H. BENTON. For twenty-three years Mr. Benton served as a trustee of the library during nine years of which he was president of the Board. His interest in the library and his estimate of the value of its public service was made plain by the great bequest which he made to it, the second largest gift to the city in its history. Ever since Mr. Benton died, in February, 1917, the trustees have desired to recognize his eminent service and his great gift by placing on the walls of the library a suitable portrait of him. The Art Commission of the city is in sympathy with this desire. All that is necessary for the carrying out of this purpose is a suitable appropriation. TABLE OF TRUST FUNDS. A detailed statement of these funds, and the income therefrom, is contained in the report of the City Auditor but a condensed statement of them is as follows: REPORT OF THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE. The trustees desire to call special attention to the report of the Examining Committee which is appended hereto and included as a part of this report. The president of the Board of Trustees was chairman of the committee, and in common with the rest of the trustees was greatly impressed by the interest which was shown and by the painstaking service which was rendered by the members of the Examining Committee. It is hoped that citizens generally will read this report. They will note many recommendations and suggestions with most of which the trustees and the librarian find themselves in hearty sympathy, the carrying out of which however would necessarily require a much larger appropriation than can at present be hoped for Those who were appointed and who have served as members of the Examining Committee for the fiscal year are as follows: Mr. Henry Abrahams. Hubert F. Holland, M. D. Mr. Robert F. Waul. CONCLUSION. The trustees cannot close this report without calling attention to the loyal and efficient service of the librarian, assistant librarian and members of the staff during the past year When it is borne in mind that there has been a large increase in the amount of service in all departments of the system and that the home circulation of books has been over 223,000 in excess of the previous year, it will be readily understood what this has meant in the way of increased labor for a staff which has received but few additions to its number during the year. There is a limit to the number of books which can be made available for the use of the public without increasing the personnel of the library staff. The trustees desire to call the thoughtful attention of your Honor and through you, the citizens of the city, to the fact that generous appropriations for the purchase of new books must from now on carry with them sufficient money for the necessary increase in the staff if these books are to be made available for public use. ALEXANDER MANN. ARTHUR T. CONNOLLY |