It also came to the knowledge of the Board that persons had claimed and exercised a right to the privileges of the Athenæum, under a rather broad interpretation of the words "immediate families," in the 1st section of the By-Laws; and the question coming before the Board in the case of a claimant to such a right, it was decided in his favor by a majority of one. This difference of opinion in the Board suggests the possibility that some ambiguity may exist in these words. The matter of ventilation, which was alluded to in the last annual report, has been attended to. The two end divisions of the main roof skylight have been removed, and the Hayes pattern skylight, with ridge and base ventilators, have been substituted. After these skylights were placed in position, the flaps to close the ventilating openings were fitted with cords to operate from the attic. The sashes at the four corners of the flat ceiling skylight were also hung and fitted with chains to operate from the galleries in the main Library room, and are under control at all times; and when they are open, the air within the building is in constant gentle movement, and the result is a decidedly better ventilation. The cost of this improvement, including some slight repairs on the roof, was $401.51. The windows in the basement have also been fitted with wire screens, which permit them to remain open all day during warm weather with security. The damp atmosphere in the basement is thus corrected, and a more equable temperature between the upper and lower rooms is obtained. To this "detailed Report of the state of the Library and of the general concerns of the Institution," which the Constitution requires, the Board can add nothing, beyond what has been so frequently and so forcibly expressed in former Reports, in relation to the value of this Library, and the importance to this community of maintaining and increasing its influence. The Board regret to be obliged to repeat the statement, made in the last two Reports, that not a single new share has been sold during the year. It is certainly as surprising as it is lamentable, that as the Library increases from the avails of the taxes paid by the older shareholders, who have been contributing their five dollars each annually for so many years, there cannot be found in this large city more persons who are willing and ready, without any urging, to pay for a share in this large and annually increasing Library, the same sum which most of the present shareholders paid for a share in a Library of not half its size and value. Undoubtedly the demand for shares has been seriously affected by the wrong ideas which have prevailed with regard to the provisions of the Constitution and ByLaws as to the rights of shareholders and others, particularly as to the dividing a share and giving each part-owner a full right to all the privileges of the Athenæum. These ideas having been corrected by the circular before mentioned and embodied in this Report, the Board trust that at the next annual meeting some improvement in this respect will be reported. In behalf and by order of the Board of Directors. AUGUSTUS WOODBURY, President. W. M. BAILEY, JR., Secretary. September 24, 1883. TREASURER'S REPORT. Balance September 25, 1882. RECEIPTS. For tax of September 27, 1880, collected on one share. $5.00 60 00 3,155 00 10 00 $2,724 57 166 25 For fifteen rights to use library for one year, at $6.... 90 00 12 00 308 09 INVESTMENTS. 74 shares in Blackstone Canal National Bank, par... $1,850 00 3,150 00 10 Syracuse, Binghampton and New York Railroad registered bonds, par..... 10,000 00 Deposit in Rhode Island Hospital Trust Interest accrued from April 29, 1882. Carrington Hoppin Bequest in Rhode Island Balance of interest accrued to May 1, 1883. 60 60 1,560 60 3,000 00 202 74 3,202 74 .$1,500 00 Taxes unpaid on fifty-three shares. -$29,763 34 Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN H. ARNOLD, Treasurer. PROVIDENCE, September 24, 1883. LIST OF DONORS. Aldrich, Nelson W., "Congressional Record," and.... American Association for the Advancement of Science American Missionary Association, "American Missionary Arnold, James N., "Narragansett Historical Register Bailey, W. Whitman, New England Journal of Educa tion," and. 5 Beckwith, Daniel 15 Birmingham, England, Free Libraries... Beckwith, Henry T., "Newport Historical Magazine," and. Boston, City Messenger... 1 1 Boston Public Library. 4 Brighton, England, Mayor. 1 Brinley, Francis, Newport. 1 Brookline Public Library.. 1 Brooklyn Library... 2 Brown, Obadiah, Trustees of Benevolent Fund of. |