8 



CITY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 



similar features have served to make the buildings centers of interest 

 in their communities. 



Acknowledgments 



From the late M. Louisa Graves the library has received a bequest 

 of Japanese curios to be known as the Putnam-Graves collection. Cap- 

 tain J. Brewer Corcoran caused to be made and presented to the library 

 seventy enlargements of official photographs relating to the 104th regi- 

 ment in France, which are not only of great current interest, but also 

 of lasting historical value. Mrs. Frederick Harris and Mr. Frederic 

 M. Jones presented twenty-seven war posters, chiefly French, of great 

 artistic excellence as well as of historical significance. Mrs. James W. 

 Kirkham and Mrs. A. S. Martin have given welcome additions to the 

 music department; through the kindness of Mr. Oliver H. Dickinson, 

 487 volumes were received from the estate of the late Harriet S. Dickin- 

 son; Mrs Albert C. Starr gave current French books; Mr. Francke W. 

 Dickinson, a further installment of miscellaneous books; Mr. Albert P. 

 Lantry, thirteen reproductions of old Springfield maps; Mr. Frank 

 Farnsworth Starr, valuable genealogies; Mrs. Walter H. Wesson, a 

 set of the "Historians' History of the World" in twenty-five volumes; 

 and many other persons too numerous for separate mention have pre- 

 sented books and pamphlets and other articles, which have been duly 

 acknowledged and are deeply appreciated. 



Affiliated Societies 



The Poetry Society in its second season has met with continued suc- 

 cess. Its meetings in the library hall, which are entirely free to the 

 public, have afforded delightful opportunities for hearing distinguished 

 poets as well as for more intimate study and discussion. 



The Reading Circle of the Blind has completed its fifth season, with 

 weekly meetings on Saturday afternoons, conducted by Miss Ida F. 

 Farrar of the library staff, with the generous assistance of Miss Clara 

 M. Shurtleff. A score of the busiest people in Springfield have taken 

 time to address the Circle, and others have kindly lent their automo- 

 biles to transport the members to and from the library. Mrs. James 

 H. Van Sickle, Miss Josephine Smith, Mrs. H. H. Bowman, Mrs. J. R. 

 Lyman, the Misses Annie C. and M. Louise Stebbins, and Mrs. Charles 

 H. Barrows, have opened their homes for musicals and other meetings 

 which could not so advantageously be held in the library building. 

 The people who have given this generous assistance may be assured that 

 probably no work with which the library is concerned affords keener 

 enjoyment. 



Respectfully submitted, 



HILLER C. WELLMAN, Librarian. 



