1899-23-09 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 09/23/1899
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: William R. Driver, Rev. Benjamin R. Bulkeley, Charles L. Dodge, Edward
L. Giddings, Joseph C. Kilham, Katharine P. Loring, and George E. Woodberry
Board members absent: Allen H. Bennett, and Elizabeth P. Soltier
Others present:
Recorder: Charles L. Dodge
Beverly Sep 23d 1899
A meeting of the Trustees was held on the above date.
Present Messrs. Driver, Giddings, Woodberry, Dodge, Bulkeley, Kilham & Miss Loring
The records of the last meeting were read and approved.
Voted That the recommendation of the committee on circulation for the purchase of 3 7 titles
presented and of 8 not presented be accepted.
Voted That the report on purchase of books by the committee on circulation out of the Wheelright
fund and its further disposal, as submitted, be referred to Miss Loring.
Voted That the committee on branches be authorized to employ Miss Ethel Dodge to re-arrange the
catalogue at the Farms Branch.
The committee authorized to prepare Rules and Regulations for the government of the
Library submitted the following, which were accepted and adopted.
Article I. The Board shall organize annually on the Saturday of the week next following confirmation
of the Aldermen of the newly appointed Trustees. Notice of such meeting may be given to
the Trustees of such meeting by the Secretary of the Board of the previous year at the
meeting for organization. The Board shall choose by ballot a Chairman and a Secretary or
in such a manner as a majority of the Trustees present may determine, the following named
committees of the Board.
A Committee on Branches of three members.
A Committee on Administration of three members.
A Committee on Circulation of three members and a Finance Committee of three
members, besides the Chairman of the Board, who shall be a member of the Committee by
reason of his office.
The Finance Committee shall have charge of the accounts of the Library. Every bill
for an expenditure on account of the Library must, before it is sent to the City Auditor for
payment, be approved by two members of the Committee.
The Committee on Branches shall keep an oversight of the stations of the Library that
are separated from the Central Library, reporting to the Board their needs and in cases of
emergency directing immediate action, reporting at the next meeting of the Board.
The Committee on Administration shall have an oversight of the rooms of the Central
Library, suggest such repairs and improvements as its members shall deem necessary or wise,
and superintend the execution of such as the Board shall authorize. In case of emergency this
Committee may direct immediate action, reporting at the next meeting of the Board.
The Committee on Circulation shall have oversight of the use and circulation of the
material of the Library and shall recommend to the Board for purchase or subscription such
books and periodicals as it may think proper.
Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on the last Saturday of each month. Four
Trustees shall constitute a quorum of the Board for the transaction of business.
Article II. The Library shall be open during such hours as the Trustees shall from time to time
determine.
The Librarian and Assistant Librarian shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees to
serve as such during its pleasure.
Article IH. The Librarian shall be in control of the Library and all employees during Library hours and
shall direct the work of employees at all times. She shall, subject to the direction of the
Trustees, engage all assistants. She shall keep a daily record of attendance of all employees
on which shall be shown absence, if any such and the reason therefor.
Article IV. All persons hereinafter specified shall have free right to take books from the Library so
long as they comply strictly with all its regulations.
First: any inhabitant of the City of Beverly who is of the age of twenty one years and
upward. Second: any inhabitant of the City of Beverly who is between the ages often and
twenty one years who shall present to the Librarian a certificate in the following form signed
by the parent or guardian of such person.
The subscriber requests that , a minor, may be allowed to borrow books from
the Public Library. The subscriber will be responsible for said minor' s observance of the rules
of the Library and for any damage or loss that may come to the Library in consequence of this
request.
Beverly
This request may be withdrawn at any time on application to the Librarian.
Article V. A book may be retained for the time specified upon the volume. For the retention beyond
that time a fine of one cent for each and every day shall be imposed. If a book be retained for
two weeks beyond the time so specified it may be sent for by the Librarian and the expense
incurred by so sending shall be paid by the borrower before they shall again be allowed the
privilege of the Library.
The Trustees may after reasonable public notice require all books to be returned at a
day fixed and may impose a fine of fiery cents for each book retained beyond the day so fixed.
Article VI. All injuries to books beyond reasonable wear and all losses shall be made good to the
satisfaction of the Trustees by the borrower.
Article VII. All persons visiting the Library are expected to demean themselves quietly. Any one
abusing the privileges of the Library by improper or offensive conduct will be denied
admittance to the rooms.
The public Statutes fix penalties for disorderly conduct as well as for wilful injury to the
property of the Library
(Signed) William R. Driver
Edward L. Giddings
George E. Woodberry
A vote was passed at this meeting authorizing the purchase of a typewriting machine.
Charles L. Dodge
Secretary