OFFICERS OF THE ATHENÆUM. 1874-75. WILLIAM GAMMELL, PRESIDENT. CHARLES P. ROBINSON, SECRETARY. REPORT. IN submitting their annual report, in compliance with the constitution, the Directors cannot refrain from congratulating the stockholders upon the steady and continuous, if not rapid, growth of the institution. Eight and thirty years ago the Athenæum was formed by the combination of two weak and languishing public libraries. The first annual report of the Directors in 1837 showed that, at that time, the whole number of volumes belonging to the corporation was 4,162, that the total number of shareholders was 293, and that the library was accessible to the proprietors for two hours only each day, though a reading room, supplied with periodicals, was open in the evening. From such inconsiderable beginnings did our present thriving and vigorous institution spring. Encouraging as has been the past growth of the Athenæum, it cannot but be a matter of regret that in the richest city for its size in the Union, with a population of a hundred thousand inhabitants, only six hundred and fifty-three persons care to avail themselves of the privilege of becoming shareholders, for though not technically an absolutely free public library, yet the cost of a share is so moderate, and the annual tax is so light, compared with other institutions of a kindred character, that few persons, having a taste for books, would be deterred from owning shares for pecuniary reasons. The Board organized at the beginning of the past year by the re-election of Professor William Gammell as President, and Alexander Farnum, Esq., as Vice-President. Mr. J. Dunham Hedge was appointed Librarian, and Miss Mary M. Angell, Assistant Librarian. In April last Mr. Hedge completed twenty years of continuous service in his present position. Though a score of reelections is the most significant mark of appreciation of the Librarian, still, upon his rounding up so full a measure of official connection with the institution, we desire to add our testimony to that of numerous Boards of Directors that have preceded us, to the fidelity, ability and courtesy, with which he has discharged his duties; and we earnestly hope that his life may be spared for many years to come, and that the relations now so pleasantly existing, may long continue. The library has been closed the past year for two hours each day, from one to three, throughout the months of July and August, as during the preceding two years; a measure that has afforded great relief to the Librarians, and, it is believed, has resulted in no detriment to the institution. The Directors were authorized at a previous annual meeting to introduce Pawtuxet water into the library building, but it has not yet been done. Upon the introduction of water a drain pipe must be laid, and as such a pipe cannot be laid without great and unnecessary expense, until the new sewer on Benefit street, about to be constructed, shall have been completed, the Board deemed it the part of wisdom and economy to make no move in the matter, until they could push it to a rapid and satisfactory conclusion. Undoubtedly before the next return of the annual meeting, the long needed convenience of water will have been attained. су The Directors gratefully acknowledge the receipt of a lega of five hundred dollars under the will of the late Miss Lydia Carpenter, of Pawtucket, which sum has been added to the permanent investments of the corporation. It is with pleasure that the announcement of so substantial a mark of interest in the Athenæum is made, for generous as have been numerous friends in the past, yet it has often occasioned surprise that more of our wealthy and liberal citizens have not embraced the opportunity of assisting an institution, that could not fail to shed an elevating and refining influence over our city for all time to come. From the Treasurer's report for the past year, we obtain the following figures: |