State Library of Massachusetts

The State Library is now on Youtube!

2012-01-23T12:44:00.005-05:00

We now have two short videos on our Youtube channel, MAStateLibrary.

The first video is a slideshow highlighting some of the treasures in the State Library’s collection. These include Governor Bradford’s 17th century manuscript, the Haitian medal presented to Charles Sumner by the people of Haiti, as well as important photographs, maps and other items in the library’s collection.

The second video outlines the process of researching the legislative history, a common type of research among those coming to the library. The video describes the sources used when doing this sort of research and is a good introduction for those needing to research the history of a piece of legislation.

A special thanks to Libby Johnson, a reference intern last semester at the State Library, who produced these videos. Libby developed the storyboard, assembled the content and provided the voiceover for the legislative history video. Thank you also to Matthew Gamber, a former digitization intern, who photographed many of the objects in the treasures slideshow.

Brown bag on Health Care Reform

2012-01-18T13:54:00.015-05:00

Massachusetts: A Leader in Health Care Reform:
The Affordable Care Act And its Impact on Massachusetts

Join us for the first Brown Bag lunch of 2012 on
Thursday, January 19th
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and hear Celia Wcislo, a Massachusetts Health Connector board member. The Connector is an independent state agency charged with implementing elements of the 2006 Massachusetts Health Reform law. Ms. Wcislo will speak on how the national Affordable Care Act may impact the achievements of the 2006 state law, often referred to as “Chapter 58.”

To register, please go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7MNTQN3

You may also call the Reference Department at 617-727-2590 or e-mail to reference.department@state.ma.us to let us know you will attend.

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

Of Pertinacious Pirates and Pusillanimous Patriots...

2012-01-10T14:27:00.004-05:00

The job of a preservation intern is replete with tasks that don't necessarily sound very compelling. When asked what I did at my internship on a particular day, however, I don't pipe up with "I removed staples and plastic covers and cleaned and scanned legislative documents!" While technically true, I can always find a way to make it interesting and satisfying.

If nothing else, even setting out the tools of the trade for cleaning those legislative documents is somehow soothing – the crisp archival paper, a gentle eraser that nevertheless looks like a blue Scotch-Brite you'd use to scrub your kitchen sink, and a bamboo-handled sheep's-hair brush to sweep away the loosened soot particles and erasures.

Take these legislative documents I've been cleaning and scanning. You might not think that an 1811 report on the contested election of Belchertown would prove all that fascinating, but if nothing else, the names of the Belchertown voters – that is, men over the age of 16 and "not a pauper" – are not ones I come across every day. Titus and Archelaus evoke Classical images, and Gamaliel, Jephtha, Zebede, and Jedediah are but a few examples of the dozens of Old Testament names that appear.

Occasionally, a document really is interesting for its own sake. The thought, "how would these legislators or politicians have dealt with Twitter?" came to me the other day, as it often does when I am dealing with speeches or legislation from the early 1800s. These people were positively eager to use a 25-cent word, or several dozen of them, when five-cent ones would do, and I'm often silently urging them to get to the point. As I reached for a new document, I was fully prepared to do the same when the declaration of the War of 1812 leapt off the page. Sure, President James Madison's declaration didn't get his point across in 140 characters or less. To him, the British were predatory, plundering, polluting oppressors. The United States had been helpless victims of the "transcendent injustice" of British blockading along the coasts of America, as well as the boarding of American ships for the avowed purpose of looking for British deserters, in the process of which over 6,000 Americans were "forced or inveigled" from these ships and impressed to serve in British armies.

Great Britain had "arrogated the complete dominion of the oceans" due to a "mad ambition, lust of power, and commercial avarice." Meanwhile, the United States had sent multiple remonstrances, expressing displeasure that the British had done this, as the US and Great Britain were not enemies. But finally, in 1812, "forbearance became pusillanimity," and rather than allowing the British to force Americans into "an ignominious and slavish bondage," war was declared. Samuel Dana, in informing the Massachusetts Senate of this turn of events, said "He that is not for his country, is against it." I think I've heard that somewhere before.

Of course, the British had other views. The United States was populated by immoral, cunningly greedy, corrupt, irreligious, and sordid people – why, Congress actually included "one Sailor and one Weaver..., six or seven Tavern Keepers, four notorious Swindlers, one Butcher,...one Glazier, one Curer of Hams, several School Masters, and several Baptist Preachers," reported British diplomat George H. Rose.

The War of 1812 is often called a "forgotten war," although we owe "The Star-Spangled Banner " to it. A new leader in England, Lord Perceval, had issued a repeal of the British blockade of the United States on May 11, 1812, but as it took this proclamation several weeks to cross the Atlantic, it arrived well after James Madison's June 18, 1812 declaration of war. Ironically, the end of the war also arrived weeks late. News of the December 14, 1814 Treaty of Ghent came before Major General Andrew Jackson led troops in the most significant battle, at least for American morale, the January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans.

Although actually reading these papers while cleaning and digitizing them could be considered procrastinating, I would be prevaricating in a most calamitous fashion if I said that my vocabulary, and my knowledge of the "forgotten war" of 1812 hadn't improved. To perjure myself would be downright perfidious of me.

Colleen McGhee-French
Preservation Intern

Massachusetts Women in Politics Now on Flickr

2011-12-20T08:16:00.017-05:00

During the winter of 2010, the State Library displayed an exhibit on women in politics in Massachusetts. The exhibit profiled sixteen women politicians who have worked in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in such roles as Mayor, Representative, Senator, and Lieutenant Governor. The exhibit is now available for viewing on the State Library's Flickr site.

If you are interested in learning more about the women who have served in the Massachusetts Legislature, the State Library holds the legislative papers of fifteen women legislators, occupying approximately 200 linear feet. These materials are located in the Special Collections Department in Room 55 of the Massachusetts State House, open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.

The Massachusetts Women in Politics exhibit was co-presented by the State Library of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators during their 75th Anniversary year. Thanks to Bruce DiLoreto and Mark Kasianowicz for many of the photos and to Marietta Carr for her research.

- The Marketing Committee

State Library Receives National Endowment for the Humanities Grant

2011-12-19T15:02:00.005-05:00

The State Library is happy to announce that it has been awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities grant for 2012! The Preservation Assistance Grant provides funding for the continuation of the Massachusetts Room Preservation Project, a multi-year project that began in 2009.

A previous NEH Preservation Assistance Grant in 2010 supported the systematic repair and preservation of several important sub-categories of collections within the State Documents Collection (the Massachusetts Room, 20th Century Massachusetts maps, legislators' papers). The 2012 grant will continue this work, focusing on ephemeral materials housed in the Massachusetts Room.

For more information about the grant award, please see the National Endowment for the Humanities' press release. For more information about the preservation work performed as part of this multi-year project, please click on the "Massachusetts Room Preservation Project" label in the gray box at the bottom of this post.

- Lacy Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

Swift Action, Strong Bonds: the Origins of a Holiday Tradition in Boston

2011-12-01T12:02:00.034-05:00

Have you ever pondered the origins of Boston’s official Halifax Christmas tree tradition? The story behind the generously lit tree displayed in Boston Common, marking the beginning of the holiday season, is one that originates from the horrors of a devastating accident that shook Halifax, Nova Scotia one wintery morning in December, 1917.

On Thursday, December 6, 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia experienced a powerful explosion—one that is still considered the largest man-made, non-nuclear accidental explosion in history. A French munitions ship, the Mont Blanc, transporting 2,300 tons of pyric acid, 35 tons of benzene, 200 tons of dynamite, and other chemicals collided with the Belgian Relief steamer, Imo, as the steamer maneuvered down the wrong side of the Bedford Basin to avoid other vessels. The Mont Blanc caught fire immediately, and soon after the crew, aware of the extremely dangerous situation, was ordered to abandon the ship. As it drifted toward the piers and the city’s residential and industrial Northend, a series of small explosions drew the attention of Halifax citizens preparing for the day. A few minutes after 9:00am the Mont Blanc exploded entirely, causing a fiery mushroom cloud to rain hot iron fragments from the destroyed ship down onto the city. The force of the explosion sparked a series of chain reactions. A tidal wave crashed down over nearby neighborhoods; men, women, and children were swept from the lower streets into the harbor where they drowned. Fires raged uncontrollably, tremors could be felt as far away as Prince Edward Island, and blasts of wind caused by the explosion fractured and toppled buildings throughout.

A day after the accident the Halifax Herald vividly described the destruction:

“Buildings over a great area collapsed, burying men, women and children. Tug boats and smaller vessels were engulfed and then a great wave washed up over Campbell Road. Fires broke out and became uncontrollable, stopping the work and rescue. Not a house in Halifax escaped some damage, and the region bounded on the east by the harbor, south by North street (sic) and west by Windsor street (sic), is absolutely devastated. The wounded and homeless are in different institutions and homes over the city … Hundreds of the bodies which were taken from the ruins are unrecognizable and morgues have been opened in different parts of the city.” (Friday, December 7, 1917)

It is estimated that about 2,000 people died as a result of the explosion. A vast number of those who survived suffered injuries, many of which were disfiguring, and thousands were left homeless. Property damage climbed above $30,000,000.

The Massachusetts State House received news about the accident two hours later, at approximately 11:00am. Under the leadership of Governor Samuel W. McCall, Massachusetts, especially Boston, began immediate work to organize relief efforts. McCall sent a series of messages, including the following, to the Mayor of Halifax:

“Understand your city in danger from explosion and conflagration. Reports only fragmentary. Massachusetts ready to go the limit in rendering every assistance you may be in need of. Wire me immediately.”

“Since sending my telegram this morning offering unlimited assistance, an important meeting of citizens [Massachusetts Public Safety Committee] has been held and Massachusetts stands ready to offer aid in any way you can avail yourself of it. We are prepared to send forward immediately a special train with surgeons, nurses and other medical assistance, but await advices from you.”

With his previous messages left unanswered, and fully aware of Halifax’s urgent and dire need for medical assistance, McCall made the decision that Halifax could not afford any delay:

“Won’t you please call upon Mr. Ratshesky for every help that you need. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will stand back of Mr. Ratshesky in every way.
Respectfully yours,
Samuel W. McCall
Governor

P.S. Realizing that time is of the utmost importance we have not waited for your answer but have dispatched the train.”

A train carrying a corps of surgeons, doctors, nurses, and medical supplies pushed through blizzard conditions and reached Halifax on December 8th. In a report written for Governor McCall by A.C. Ratshesky, the Governor’s representative and Commissioner-in-Charge, he describes his first encounter upon arrival with C.A. Hayes, General Manager of the Canadian Government Railways and West Springfield, MA native:

“He was so affected that tears streamed down his cheeks. He arose and greeted me with: ‘Just like the people of good old Massachusetts. I am proud of them.’” (December 8, 1917)

A meeting was held by the Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee at Faneuil Hall, resulting in the establishment of a relief fund which raised $100,000 on the first day alone. Supply ships loaded with donated goods were sent from Boston to Halifax, and arrived at their destination 3 days later. Boston and other cities around Massachusetts continued to tirelessly pull together to raise money and collect provisions that were soon after delivered to the devastated city.

In 1918, Halifax gifted to the city of Boston a giant Christmas tree as a token of appreciation and remembrance for the immediate assistance that the Boston Red Cross, the Massachusetts Public Safety Committee, and the citizens of Boston provided during the most critical and darkest period after the 1917 explosion. In 1971, the practice was reinstated and has since continued as a yearly holiday tradition that signifies humanity and selflessness in times of disaster.

Two of the digitized images above were adapted from original photography that can be found in Manuscript Collection 90, located in the State Library’s Special Collections. Also included in this collection are reports prepared by the Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee and other officials, meeting minutes, records of aid distribution, letters, and photographs that document the damage in Halifax and efforts to rebuild.

Kaitlin Connolly
Library Technician, Reference Dept.

Kindle Downloads Now Available!

2011-11-15T15:23:00.000-05:00

The State Library of Massachusetts is pleased to announce that e-book downloads are now available for the Amazon Kindle through the C/W Mars consortium. Permanent state employees with a State Library card may borrow a book for their Kindle reader or another electronic device equipped with the free Kindle app.

Please visit the C/W Mars Digital Catalog to browse the titles available for the Kindle and the Kindle Help page to get started borrowing your first e-book today!

-Libby Johnson, Reference & Outreach Intern

Seals of Massachusetts Cities and Towns

2011-11-02T09:38:00.006-04:00

One of the treasures in the Special Collections Department is a scrapbook titled Seals of Massachusetts Cities and Towns. The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture donated it in 1924 but it is not clear who originally began the collection. Alan Fox, an Assistant Librarian at the State Library, included additional seals in 1967. Seals in the first section are embossed and generally on white paper which makes it difficult to appreciate the amount of detail included. However there are some on metallic and colored papers that show details more clearly. The other section of the volume contains printed seals which generally include a white background and one other color for text and pictures.

These seals are used to authenticate official documents and all of them include the name of the city or town and the year it was incorporated. The majority also have, in the center space, a picture related to the city or town’s beginnings. A useful reference for understanding the significance of the depictions used for these seals is Town and City Seals of Massachusetts (State Street Trust Company, 1950-1951) which is available in the State Library.

This is a selection of seals used in Massachusetts since the 1600’s. Find the remainder of the collection at the State Library's Special Collections Department.

Kate Boutin, Special Collections Intern

The Halloween Storm of 1991

2011-10-27T14:02:00.000-04:00

Twenty years ago, the interaction of three meteorological events produced an extreme nor'easter that became known as the Halloween Storm of 1991. The subject of much media attention at the time, interest in the storm was renewed after the 1997 publication of of Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm. The book tells the story of the Andrea Gail, a swordfish boat that was lost at sea attempting to return to Gloucester in the midst of the storm. While the exact fate of the three men aboard is unknown, their story was later dramatized in the 2000 film adaptation of Junger's work.

Through the collections at the State Library of Massachusetts, one can revisit the history of this devastating storm from multiple perspectives. In addition to Junger's book, library patrons can also explore newspaper articles that report on the storm's destruction and process of recovery in coastal communities. Proquest is an excellent electronic resource for accessing full text articles from the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald is available via the Library's microfilm holdings. At the time, news reports drew the comparison between the Halloween Storm and the Blizzard of '78, an issue examined in a 1994 report by the Army Corps of Engineers. The report, titled Coastal Storm Evaluation Halloween Storm of 1991 offers a wealth of information about the storm itself, as well as the significant impact that it had from Nantucket to Portland, Maine. The damage experienced by each community is described in detail and illustrated in striking color photographs.

Combined, these State Library resources offer a depth of information on an event that touched the lives of many Massachusetts residents. Please contact the Library if you are interested in viewing these items or learning about what else the collection has to offer.

-Libby Johnson, Reference & Outreach Intern

One Large Exhibit, Two Small Cases

2011-10-12T11:58:00.040-04:00

With a dazzling array of binding colors, lettering styles, and subjects, the seven-case exhibit Decorated Publishers' Bindings 1840 to 1930: Collections from the State Library of Massachusetts was extraordinarily popular, but had to come down eventually to make way for the new exhibit, Worcester: Heart of the Commonwealth. Although the full bindings exhibit is still available digitally on the Library's Flickr site, the library wanted to continue to display a selection from this exhibit on a much smaller scale. The question was, how?

This is where I came in! As a preservation intern beginning in September, my first assignment was to help the Preservation Librarian, Lacy Stoneburner, take down the full exhibit and design a much smaller one using the same materials. First, I looked at the approximately eighty books from the original exhibit, knowing that I had to pare these down to about ten. I also realized that the large text panels that "told the story" were too large to keep with the books and fit in the smaller cases. So, what essence of the original exhibit could I retain?

While the two small display cases did not have enough room for one volume from each decade from 1840 through 1930, I wanted to maintain a wide range of publication dates, and to include one 1938 paper-covered book representing the end of the era of decorative publishers' bindings. I chose covers in cloth and wood veneer, in red, black, green, blue, and yellow, and many with eye-catching gilt lettering. Finally, I wanted the volumes to represent the wide variety of the books' subject matter, which included almanacs, histories of places or battles, and educational books covering topics from steam to nature studies.

How did I do? Come visit the two exhibit cases just inside the entrance to the State Library, Room 341 of the State House, and you can decide!

Posters of the original exhibit are available for $8 in both the library administration office (Room 341) and in the Special Collections department (Room 55). Shipping options are also available. Please let us know if you have any questions by calling (617) 727-2595.

-Colleen McGhee-French, Preservation Intern

A Celebration of Facial Hair in the Legislature

2011-10-06T09:30:00.001-04:00

Anyone who has been on a library tour I've given in the last four years will know that one of my favorite library collections is Photograph 361, which contains approximately 3,000 images of state legislators from 1855 through 1908. While my love for old photographs plays a part in my devotion to this collection, the anthropological study of facial hair trends presented in this collection is really the draw for me.

Changes in facial hair styles have a long history, and until recently were primarily guided by the ruling monarch or clergy, some even specifying in law or edict which class of men should shave and which should grow their beards. The last true heyday of facial hair in the United States occurred in the last half of the 19th century when, heavily influenced by European trends, men grew all styles of moustaches, sideburns and beards. In fact, from Abraham Lincoln's presidency (1861 - 1865) through Grover Cleveland's second term (1893 - 1897) only one President lacked some form of facial hair: the clean-shaven Andrew Johnson.

Members of the Massachusetts legislature did not escape these trends. For example, in the 1880 House of Representatives photograph album, 230 of the 244 representatives pictured wear some sort of facial hair! The diversity of styles worn is truly amazing and I highly recommend visiting the Special Collections department to look through these albums.

As shaving technology advanced (led by Massachusetts-based King C. Gillette) beards began to fall out of fashion. By the early 1900s a safety razor with disposable blade made it easier, safer and less expensive for men to shave regularly. The impact of this technology can be seen in the 1915 volume of Who's Who in State Politics. When facial hair is present, it is predominantly relegated to a well-trimmed moustache. Very dapper, but quite the contrast to the free-wheelin' 1880s styles.

Today there is a resurgence of men growing full and intricate moustaches and beards. With the second annual National Championships of Beard Team USA set for this weekend in Lancaster, Pennsylvania I thought it appropriate to comb our digital collection for a few fine examples of beards and moustaches from the past. Please click over to the State Library's newest Flickr set, "A Celebration of Facial Hair Trends in the Legislature" to see some amazing styles and learn a bit about the men who wore them so elegantly.

- Lacy Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

African Americans in the Massachusetts Legislature Exhibit Now on Flickr

2011-10-05T10:41:00.003-04:00

In the winter of 2009 the State Library displayed an exhibit called "African Americans in the Massachusetts Legislature." This exhibit is now available to view online as a set of images on the State Library's Flickr site.

The exhibit documented the lives and contributions of noteworthy people who have served the General Court of the Commonwealth and changed Massachusetts history. Legislators highlighted include Lewis Hayden, Royal Bolling, Sr., Royal Bolling, Jr., Bill Owens, Shirley Owens-Hicks and Mel King, among others.

Please visit the State Library (State House - Room 341) Monday through Friday, 9am to 5 pm to view the library's current exhibit, "Worcester: Heart of the Commonwealth," open though January 27, 2012.

- The Marketing Committee

State Polka Turns Thirteen

2011-10-01T16:04:00.002-04:00

Did you know that Massachusetts has an official polka song?

On October 1, 1998 acting governor Paul Cellucci signed “An Act Designating the Words and Music of "Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts” the Official Polka of the Commonwealth”. Paul E. Caron introduced the measure as H.B. 5472 and it was enacted by the House of Representatives on September 17, 1998 and the Senate on September 21. The words of the song are particularly fitting this time of year as the leaves start to change color:

“So they say you booked a flight and you’ll be leaving.
Is it business, is it pleasure, is it both.
And they say that you’ll be landing in New England,
What a perfect time of year you chose to go,
The weather’s fine out there, this time of year is lovely.
With all the color and the mountainside to view...”

From electronic resources like InstaTrac to our extensive print collection, the State Library of Massachusetts has a wealth of resources to offer individuals interested in legislative history. Please contact the Library if you think we can be of assistance with your research.

Worcester: Heart of the Commonwealth

2011-09-30T11:16:00.001-04:00

You are invited to visit the library's newest exhibit, Worcester: Heart of the Commonwealth.

In this exhibition, materials from the State Library of Massachusetts' collections highlight the history of Worcester and its contributions to Massachusetts and America.

The exhibit runs through January 27, 2012 and can be viewed outside of the library, room 341 of the State House. Can't make it to the library? View the digital exhibit on the library's Flickr site!

Image adapted from Birdseye View of Main Street, circa 1900.

Massachusetts Book Awards Must-Reads Arrive

2011-09-21T15:27:00.011-04:00

This was an exciting week for the bibliophiles at the State Library with the arrival of the Must-Read Books of 2011 from the Massachusetts Center for the Book. These books represent the best of the best of writing by Massachusetts authors or on a Massachusetts theme. With works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and even children's and young adult literature, there really is something for everyone. Please come by the library to see these wonderful additions on display or even check one out for your own leisure reading. Don't forget to stay tuned on October 20th when the winners in each category are announced at the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Center for the Book and Mass Book Awards Celebration, right here at the State House!

For more information about the Massachusetts Book Awards, please visit the Massachusetts Center for the Book.

-Libby Johnson, Reference & Outreach Intern

Decorated Bindings Exhibit Extended

2011-09-13T09:11:00.007-04:00

Due to popular demand, the Decorated Publishers' Bindings exhibit has been extended. The exhibit will remain open through Tuesday, September 20th.

Love the exhibit? Take home a memento! Posters are available for $8 in both the library administration office (room 341) and in the Special Collections department (room 55). Shipping options are also available.

Brown Bag with Noah Berger from Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center

2011-09-12T14:10:00.133-04:00

Brown Bag on the
Massachusetts
Budget and Policy
Center
The State Fiscal Crisis: Short Term and
Long-Term Causes, and the Consequences
Join us for a BROWN BAG LUNCH on
Tuesday, September 20th 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 noon until 1:30 PM
Bring your lunch and hear Noah Berger, President of The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget), provide in depth analysis on our state fiscal crisis examining the immediate and longer term causes.
The presentation will also examine how fiscal policies in Massachusetts compare to those in other states, and how the performance of our state economy stacks up.
MassBudget is widely viewed as a go-to resource for accessible, independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policy, as well as economic issues with particular attention to effects on low and moderate income people in Massachusetts.
The presentation will also include a short demonstration of MassBudget’s unique and user-friendly Budget Browser, an online interactive budget tool for searching state budget information from Fiscal Year 2001 to present.
Learn more about MassBudget before the Brown Bag Lunch by visiting http://www.massbudget.org/
To RSVP, please go to : http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2F5C2HY
You may also do so by calling the Reference Department at 617-727-2590 or by e-mailing Reference at reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Love that Dirty Water? Not Quite

2011-08-29T13:07:00.021-04:00

Earlier this year a library staff member brought me a badly water-damaged item. What follows is a photo essay of the preservation process. Here's how the item looked when it first arrived in the preservation lab:
It kind of looked like a topographic map had been added to the cover. The item was dry when I received it, and my best guess is it had been in the path of a periodic leak. The drying and subsequent wetting of the item could cause rings of varying sizes. A close up of the title and images:Sediment from the water was left at the edges of the puddles as the water dried, creating dark rings of hardened sediment. The rings from a slightly different angle:

The cover of the book has a glossy finish which both saved this item from being destroyed and allowed for cleaning. Using a cotton swab dipped in distilled water, I carefully tested one small area of the cover to see if it would come clean. This test showed positive results and I began slowly cleaning the entire cover. After a bit of cleaning, this was the result:

The top layer of dirt was removed from the majority of the cover and many cotton swabs were used in the process. Blotter paper was put on both sides of the front cover and the item was placed under weights overnight. This process helped to draw out any remaining dampness from the cover and help prevent further warping from water absorption.

After the remaining area of dirt had been cleaned, I was left with only the toughest areas of residue to clean.
The first layer of dirt had been easy to lift with just a damp cotton swab. However for this next phase of cleaning, I swabbed on a bit of distilled water and let it sit for about one minute before I began lifting the dirt with a damp cotton swab. This technique proved quite effective, though I was careful to keep the water used on the item to a minimum. If I had to leave the item for any substantial amount of time I would sandwich it between blotter paper and put it under weights.

The result of this detailed work is an item that looks remarkably beautiful when compared to its pre-preservation state:
There is still a bit of staining along the top edge where the water was able to migrate between the glossy top layer and the backing paper. Removal of a section of the glossy layer might aid in further cleaning, however I am reluctant to remove it as it includes the grid design seen throughout the cover. A custom phase box will be the last step in preserving this item. I leave you with one final shot of the title and images:

- Lacy Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

91st Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

2011-08-25T10:19:00.013-04:00

On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States constitution, granting women the right to vote, became law. Here in Massachusetts the state legislature had approved in June "An Act to Enable Women Voters to Vote at Primaries and Elections When Qualified." You can read the preamble to that Act on the right, and the full text of the Act is available through the State Library's website.

A celebration of Women's Equality Day will take place on Friday, August 26, from 11am to noon at the Swan Boats Pavilion of the Boston Public Garden. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino will be the guest speakers. You can find more information about this event at the Attorney General's website.

Happy Women's Equality Day!

Brown Bag on the Massachusetts State Archives

2011-08-22T09:55:00.065-04:00

Join us for a Brown Bag Lunch
On Thursday, August 25th, 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and join us to hear Dr. John Warner,
Archivist of the Commonwealth, speak about resources
and programs of this important division of the Secretary
of State’s office. He will provide handouts and will answer
questions about the historical documents available for researchers
at this Columbia Point, Boston, location.
To register, RSVP to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H2NTJXB
You may also let us know you will attend by calling the Reference
Department at 617-727-2590 of e-mailing to reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

A Slight Diversion

2011-08-04T11:54:00.004-04:00

Work on the Massachusetts Room Preservation Project is moving at a swift pace, with the lab preserving over 3,900 items in fiscal year 2011. One of the items that came across my workbench in this time was a series of four reading lists published in 1919 by the library of the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst (now UMass Amherst). Each card is approximately three and a half inches by five inches and includes numerous titles on a given subject. The reading list shown at left is on the topic of sports and recreation. Other topics in the reading list series include flower arranging, gardening and the domestic arts. These reading lists can be found in the Mass. Room under the call number 630.72M3J A27r. In these hazy days of August, I encourage you to heed the words of H. More:

The mind ought sometimes to be diverted, that it may return the better to thinking.

Lacy Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

World War I Scanning Project Completed

2011-08-02T15:22:00.007-04:00

As part of a long-term State Library project to make as many collections as possible available to the public through the web, we have been at work since late 2007 digitizing a collection of World War I portraits given to the State Library by the Boston Globe in 1935. With over 8,000 photographs and three times as many corresponding biographical cards, we have also created a database that includes basic information about each soldier – assignment, rank, merit awards, and sometimes even extra facts from newspaper clippings.

On July 20, scanning was finally completed—8,487 New England soldiers yielded over 11,000 images! The final photograph is of J.W. Zwinge, member of the 101^st Field Artillery, Battery A. Although the last photo scan suggests the end of an era, the database will continue to grow with over 25,000 biographical cards that have yet to be added. In addition, over the coming months these images will be added to our digital repository. To view a selection of photos from the collection, please visit the State Library's Flickr page.

Special Event at the State Library, Monday, July 18

2011-07-14T11:55:00.006-04:00

On Monday, July 18, 2011, the State Library of Massachusetts will commemorate the earliest public reading in Boston of the Declaration of Independence, first read from the balcony of the Old State House on July 18, 1776.

While we read the Declaration, we will have on display a document from the library’s Special Collections Department: a broadside printed in Salem in July 1776 that gives the full text of the Declaration.

This event is free and open to the public. Please note that the State Library is in the current State House, not the Old State House!

For more information, please call the Special Collections department: 617-727-2595.

Location: Reading Room of the State Library, State House, Room 341

Date: Monday, July 18, 2011

Time: 10am

Brown Bag with an Investigative Reporter

2011-07-07T18:40:00.047-04:00

“The scoop from
An Investigative
Reporter”

Join us for a Brown Bag Lunch
On Thursday, July 14th, 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and join us to hear, Sean Murphy,
Boston Globe reporter and professor at Suffolk
University discuss his work for the Boston newspaper.
He will answer questions about his work and some of the
noteworthy issues in state government he has researched
and chronicled.
To register, RSVP to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CXJZK57
You may also let us know you will attend by calling the Reference Department at
617-727-2590 of e-mailing to reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:

August 11th, 2011, Dr. John Warner, Archivist of the
Commonwealth, The Massachusetts State Archives

September, 2011, Noah Berger, Massachusetts
Budget and Policy Center (date to be announced)

October, 2011, Celia Wcislo, The Commonwealth
Connector (date to be announced) The Connector is the
independent state agency charged with implementing elements
of the Massachusetts 2006 Health Care Reform Law

Decorated Publishers’ Bindings 1840 to 1930: Collections from the State Library of Massachusetts

2011-06-27T08:27:00.004-04:00

The library is pleased to announce the opening of its new exhibit Decorated Publishers’ Bindings 1840 to 1930: Collections from the State Library of Massachusetts, on display June 27 through September 9, 2011 outside of the State Library, Room 341 of the State House.

Books were once the luxury of the wealthy, bound by hand in leather or silk to suit the individual. As the literate public and its appetite for books increased, publishers began to take on the task of binding, greatly reducing the need for independent bookbinders. The Industrial Revolution brought about several technological advances that turned the craft of hand bookbinding into a process that could produce books en masse. The invention of mechanical presses enabled the cloth bindings to be imprinted, stamped and gilded to resemble the fine bindings traditionally produced by hand.

Publishers’ bindings enjoyed popularity from 1830 to the end of the 1930s when they were replaced by decorative dust jackets. This exhibit explores the artistic development of publishers’ bindings, their styles and reflections upon the events of the time, with over seventy-five examples from the State Library of Massachusetts.

A digital version of the exhibit is available on the Library’s Flickr site. Click here to view the online exhibit.

For more information on the exhibition please contact the State Library’s Special Collections Department: special.collections@state.ma.us.

Special thanks to Ann-Katreen Hollon, Marissa Sorek, Krista Barresi, Kate Boutin, April Pierce and Angela White for their work on this exhibit.

- Lacy Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

Brown Bag on the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

2011-06-10T10:55:00.073-04:00

"The Funding Of Public Sector Benefits in an Era Of Limited Means”

Join us for a Brown Bag Lunch
On TUESDAY, June 14th 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and join us to hear Michael J. Widmer, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, speak about this prominent public policy organization. The MTF deals with state expenditures as they relate to such topics as health care, state government reform and capital spending among others. The State Library’s holdings include many materials published by the Foundation.
To register, RSVP to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2V68R9J
You may also let us know you will attend by calling the Reference Department at 617-727-2590 of e-mailing to reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:

July 14th, 2011- Sean Murphy, reporter, Boston
Globe, professor, Suffolk University

August 11th, 2011, Dr. John Warner, Archivist of the
Commonwealth, The Massachusetts State Archives

September, 2011, Noah Berger, Massachusetts
Budget and Policy Center (date to be announced)

October, 2011, Celia Wcislo, The Commonwealth
Connector (date to be announced) The Connector is the
independent state agency charged with implementing elements
of the Massachusetts 2006 Health Care Reform Law

Exhibit Preview

2011-06-08T11:36:00.006-04:00

The library's summer exhibit opens June 27th and I am happy to give you a sneak peek into the exhibit. Decorated Publishers' Bindings 1840 to 1930: Collections from the State Library of Massachusetts is an exhibition exploring the artistic development of publishers' bindings, their styles and reflections upon the events of the time, with examples from our collections.

At left is one example from the exhibit, which will include over sixty books spanning ninety years of publishing history. The subjects of the books vary widely, including Boston and New England history, the arts, farming, industry, society and travel writing.

Can't wait for the exhibit to open? Check out the library's Flickr set of Decorated Bindings. This set has grown over time, but only six of the books were chosen to be included in the exhibit. Additional images from the summer exhibit will be added to the Flickr set after the exhibit opening. Can you guess which six made the cut?

Image: Adams, John Coleman. Nature Studies in Berkshire. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1899.

- Lacy Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

Inaugural and State of the State Addresses of the Governors of the Commonwealth- Treasures of the State Library for June, 2011

2011-06-01T12:50:00.000-04:00

In the first year in office, the Governor of the Commonwealth delivers his or her Inaugural Address. Speeches given in a Governor's other years in office are called the "State of the State." These non-inaugural addresses have also been termed "Communication from His Excellency the Governor" or "Annual Message."

These special documents are all housed in the State Library. For the years before the legislature adopted a "two year session" (the first was 1995-1996) ,these were always found in the legislative documents of the Senate and were Senate bill number 1 of each year.

With the two year sessions, the Inaugural address is Senate 1 and the subsequent speeches by a Governor may have another Senate number.
The State Libary's collections include all petitions put forward in the legislature.

Pamela W. Schofield, State Library Reference

Electronic Repository Software Being Upgraded

2011-05-19T09:55:00.006-04:00

The library is in the process of upgrading DSpace, its electronic repository software. We expect this process to take 3-4 weeks. During this time, we will not be able to add new material to the repository and there may also be short periods of downtime.

Five Feet High and Rising

2011-05-17T10:52:00.014-04:00

On a rainy May 16, 1874, residents of Williamsburg and surrounding towns were struck by disaster. Early that morning the Mill River Dam, which harnessed over six hundred million gallons of water, gave way, wiping out four villages, destroying homes and factories, and taking 139 lives early that morning. The explosive wave of water ranged between 20 and 40 feet wide, and was the length of a football field. It only grew larger as it barreled down the river bed, ripping sediment and trees out of the ground as it gained momentum. Survivors of the flood described it as an enormous cloud of dirt and debris (including furniture, farm animals, and even people) speeding downstream.

There was a coroner’s inquest to discover who was at fault. It was apparent that the mill owners who commissioned the dam construction in 1865 had no formal engineering training. After consulting with engineers on the potential project, the mill owners felt the proposals ranging around $100,000 were beyond their $30,000 budget. They instead decided to consult with a railroad engineer to write up an inexpensive and flexible design, and found contractors to do the work for a mere $22,000. After construction was complete, there was much speculation among professional engineers as well as villagers living around the dam as to its safety. These accounts of concern are well documented in the interesting and engaging book, In The Shadow of the Dam: the Aftermath of the Mill River Flood of 1874 by Elizabeth M. Sharpe.

In 1875 the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed an Act which would hold builders of dams accountable for the first time. Plans for building would now have to be approved by county commissioners before construction began, and inspections would continue to take place even after construction was complete, in order to assure the safety of the structures. You can view the State Library's copy of An Act To Provide For The Supervision Of The Construction And Maintenance Of Reservoirs And Dams online.

-April Pierce, Special Collections intern

Newspaper image taken from Hartford Daily Courant, May 18, 1874, Hartford CT (courtesy of Newsbank and the American Antiquarian Society, 2004).

Brown Bag on the Massachusetts General Court

2011-05-16T13:36:00.206-04:00

Join us for a Brown Bag Lunch
On Thursday May 19th 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 until 1:30 PM
Bring your lunch and join us to hear Neil Savage, historian and author, speak about the Massachusetts legislature. He will focus on the origination of the Great and General Court of the Governor and the Company At the Massachusetts Bay in New England. His presentation will also include discussion of significant legislation and about some outstanding members.
To register, RSVP to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6CJMJTV
You may also let us know you will attend by calling the Reference Department at 617-727-2590 or e-mailing to reference.department@state.ma.us
Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:
June 14th, 2011- Michael Widmer, President, The Massachusetts Taxpayers Association
July 14th, 2011- Sean Murphy, reporter, Boston Globe, professor, Suffolk University
August 11th, 2011, Dr. John Warner, Archivist of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts State Archives
September, 2011, Noah Berger, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, (date to be announced)
October, 2011, Celia Wcislo, The Commonwealth Connector, (date to be announced)

Discovery of Five Brothers Serving in World War I

2011-05-05T13:52:00.009-04:00

In the Special Collections Department we are nearing the completion of a large scanning project to digitize a collection of photographs of World War I soldiers. The collection was given to the State Library by the Boston Globe in the 1930s and contains approximately 9,000 photographs. So far we have scanned 8,180 photographs. There is also a corresponding collection of about 30,000 index cards that contain biographical information on individual soldiers, often with newspaper clippings glued to the back. The data from these cards has been entered into a spreadsheet along with the information from the photographs and their envelopes. This spreadsheet contains a wealth of information on New England soldiers who served during World War I.

Occasionally, when scanning the photographs, we come across interesting individuals and unique stories. A previous post by intern Samantha Westall describes the discovery of two men with the same last name who looked nearly identical. Just this past week, I came across the photographs of Paul G. Watts, Robert E. Watts, Seymour H. Watts, and William H. Watts, Jr., four brothers from South Boston who were all serving at the same time. In the folder for Seymour H. Watts' photograph there was also a newspaper clipping from the Boston Globe with the title "Five Sons in United States Army." The subtitle explains the story further: "Mr and Mrs William H. Watts of South Boston Have Another Boy Who Longs to Be of Draft Age." Besides the four sons whose photographs are in the collection, the newspaper clipping mentions another son in service and a 6th, a 16-year-old, who is waiting until he is old enough to join the army.

One might wonder how their mother feels knowing that she has six sons serving in the army. Having just one family member fighting in the war would be difficult to deal with, but according to the paper: "The mother is also very patriotic and did not hesitate to allow her sons to step forth to battle, knowing that the country expects every man, woman and child to do their bit." "Stand by Uncle Sam" is the motto of this family, according to the paper. I don't think anyone could doubt their patriotism!

This is just one of dozens of unique stories that have come to light through the World War I photographs digitization project. Stop by the Special Collections Department to view these amazing photographs for yourself!

- Katie Trexler, Special Collections Intern

Special Collections Department to Expand Hours for Research

2011-04-28T12:56:00.005-04:00

Starting on Monday, May 2, 2011, the State Library’s Special Collections Department will expand its hours to Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. The department is located in Room 55, on the basement level of the State House of Massachusetts.

Department staff members are available to answer questions about the collections at 617-727-2995, or at special.collections@state.ma.us.

Brown Bag on Preserving Family Papers

2011-04-26T11:02:00.014-04:00

Join us for a Brown Bag lunch
Thursday, April 28, 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and visit the State Library to learn how to apply preservation techniques used in the library to preserve your family papers. This program, presented by Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian, is offered in celebration of the American Library Association's National Preservation Week, April 24-30, 2011.

To register, please go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QR9JZYK

You may also sign up by calling Reference at 617.727.2590 or emailing reference.department@state.ma.us.

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Peer Violence Perpetration among Urban Youth

2011-04-22T16:24:00.002-04:00

Joanna Almeida, Associate Research Scientist at Northeastern's Institute of Urban Health Research, spoke at the State Library's Friends of the Library program earlier this month about findings from a survey that dispelled the myth of the violent immigrant. The results were based on an anonymous biannual survey of Boston high school students administered January - April, 2008 in homeroom classes. 1,348 9th - 12th graders took part in the questionnaire.

Topics included health behaviors, mental health and emphasized multiple types of violence. The students were asked if they had pushed, punched or kicked another student in the last 30 days. They were also asked whether they had lied or spread rumors about a peer.

The survey concluded that recently arrived immigrant youth are less likely to perpetrate physical peer violence than U.S.-born peers. Another finding was that non-physical, verbal violence toward peers does not vary by whether the student was first, second, or third generation or the amount of time in the U.S. A significant conclusion was that the protective effect of being foreign-born and less violent disappeared after 5 years in this country. In other words, it takes 5 years to assimilate and become prone to being violent as American-born youth.

The survey's report was co-authored by Renee M. Johnson, Mariah McNamara, Jhumka Gupta and was done with the cooperation of the City of Boston and Boston Youth Survey.

Statistics from previous studies led to these conclusions:

Violent crime decreased during historic waves of immigration to this country. (FBI statistics)

Foreign-born youth had half the likelihood of violence compared to those born in the U.S. (Sampson, et al., 2005)

A national study found children of immigrants are more apt to be involved in 3+ violent acts than immigrant youth. (Harris, 1999)

Latino men born in the U.S. are 7 times more likely to be incarcerated than their counterparts born abroad. (2000 US census)

Naomi Allen
Assistant Documents Librarian

Financial Crisis Inquiry Report

2011-04-20T16:15:00.002-04:00

The State Library recently received the federal document The Financial Crisis Inquiry Report: Final Report of the National Commission on the Causes of the Financial and Economic Crisis in the United States. More than two years after the crisis began, Americans are experiencing the aftershocks. People have lost their jobs. Many have lost their homes, and the economy is struggling to rebound. This report is intended to provide a historical accounting of the events and to help policy makers and the public to see how the calamity came into being.

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission was established as part of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (Public Law 111-21). According to the preface, the Commission was created to "examine the causes of the current financial and economic crisis in the United States" and to publish their conclusions.

The publication covers topics such as subprime lending, shadow lending, credit expansion, the mortgage machine and the bust. It also explains how the financial system worked, how the pieces fit together and how the crisis occurred. The financial institutions that played a part are discussed. The institutions include American International Group (AIG), Bear Stearns, Citigroup, Countrywide Financial, Fannie Mae, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Moody's and Wachovia.

The report can also be found at this web address: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-FCIC/pdf/GPO-FCIC.pdf

Naomi Allen
Assistant Government Documents Librarian

Library Closed for Patriot's Day

2011-04-13T16:38:00.002-04:00

The Library will be closed Monday, April 18 for Patriot's Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday. The main reading room (room 341) and the periodical balcony (room 442) are open
Monday through Friday from 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Special Collections' hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. and by appointment. To make an appointment, call 617.727.2590.

FDSYS -- Federal Digital System

2011-04-12T13:56:00.006-04:00

The Government Printing Office (GPO) offers electronic access to federal documents at a new web site: www.fdsys.gov. FDSYS offers the breadth of United States Government information.

Full text legislative documents are available such as: Congressional Bills, the Congressional Record, Public and Private Laws, the Code of Federal Regulations, Public Papers of the Presidents, Budget of the United States Government and many others.

Among the myriad of publications, there is also access to MEDLINE, the National Library of Medicine database and to Science.gov, publications from the scientific community.

See your government at work.

The Government Documents Staff

Campaign and Political Finance

2011-04-11T14:00:00.007-04:00

The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance is an independent state agency. Its focus is to administer the state's campaign finance laws and the limited public financing program for statewide candidates.

The State Library has many of their reports and their quarterly newsletter both in tangible copies (paper) and online. The tangible documents may be viewed in room 341 of the State House, Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 5. The call number for the quarterly report is: MR 353.21 M3 OI27. The collection starts with volume 1, no. 1 in 1995. The online version is available at http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/36800.

The agency has its own website where one can file reports that are required by candidates: www.mass.gov/ocpf

The Library is a repository for state documents and invites all to visit us in person or on line at www.mass.gov/lib

The Government Documents Staff

Vintage Postcards of the State House Now Available on Flickr

2011-04-06T10:09:00.006-04:00

The State Library has scanned and uploaded a selection of our postcard collection onto Flickr for your viewing pleasure. Ranging from the early 1900s to the mid 1920s, the postcards primarily depict the iconic golden dome and façade of the Massachusetts State House. Also included are the Shaw Memorial, the General Hooker Monument, the interior legislative chambers, Memorial Hall, and the Brewer Fountain in the Boston Commons.

Most of the collection consists of traditional souvenir postcards, but some are of a more promotional quality. While not available online due to copyright restrictions, there is a group of campaign postcards depicting Massachusetts politicians, such as Governor Frank Sargent and Lieutenant Governor Elliot Richardson. To view these campaign postcards and our complete collection of postcards ranging from the early 20th century to the 1990s, please visit the State Library Special Collections Department, Room 55.

The majority of our collection of nearly two hundred postcards can be found in Souvenir 68, a gift of former State Senator Edward L. Burke. Additional postcards have been recently donated by Beth Carroll-Horrocks.

-- Marissa Sorek, Special Collections Intern

Sculpted to Inspire: Caleb Tillinghast

2011-04-05T13:59:00.023-04:00

Caleb Tillinghast was born on April 3, 1843. When he was a child, the family moved to Windham County, Connecticut where Caleb worked on a farm when he was not attending the rural school. He walked five miles on Saturdays to get books from an association library to augment the instruction in the school room. His ancestors were Quakers.

At one time he held the office of school visitor in the town of Killingly, Connecticut. Similar to a school committee member, his job was to make rules and buy books. He held other minor offices. On Aug. 10, 1862 he married Ardelia Martin Wood. Their son, Linwood Morton Tillinghast, was born on July 4, 1865. In the spring of 1870, they moved to Boston, where Tillinghast found a position as a reporter on the Boston Journal. He soon rose to the position of editor.

In 1849, the legislature passed an act that made the Secretary of the Board of Education the State Librarian with the power to appoint an assistant librarian and clerk. This changed in 1893 when the legislature passed a statute that allowed the Governor to make the appointment of the Librarian. Tillinghast was appointed acting librarian by John W. Dickinson, who was secretary of the State Board of Education and State Librarian. In 1893, Governor Russell appointed Tillinghast State Librarian when the Office of the State Librarian was created.

Tillinghast was interested in methods of instruction for the "deaf, blind and feeble minded" and that those in country towns desiring to become teachers receive a suitable teacher's education. He had many friends who inspired him to belong to many societies including the Worcester Antiquarian Society, American Antiquarian Society, Old Colony Historical Society, Boston Art Club, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the General Theological Library and the Massachusetts Total Abstinence Club.

He also devoted time to the New England Historic Genealogical Society. As Vice-President for Massachusetts and chairman of the Committee on Publications, he encouraged plans to develop the Society's usefulness.

One passion of his was to search for biographical materials for the members of Massachusetts state government. He estimated he had written more than 75,000 letters in this quest. This collection of index cards in the State Library is known as the Legislative Biographical file.

His main interests were promoting education, creating libraries and advising officials in many subject areas. He received only a salary as a librarian even though he was offered other library jobs that paid better, such as the head of the Boston Public Library. He received an honorary degree of Master of Arts from Harvard University in June, 1897 and a Doctor of Literature from Tufts College in 1905.

Come view the sculpture of the state's first State Librarian in the main reading room, room 341, through April 15, 2011.

The Sculpted to Inspire series is sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

Inspector General Reports

2011-04-01T11:15:00.027-04:00

The Office of the Massachusetts Inspector General issues many pertinent reports, which are held in the State Library both in paper and online. The Library has over 100 reports in its collection.

The latest report is entitled Ongoing Analysis of the Health Safety Net Trust Fund and Other Health Care Issues. It was issued during March of 2011.

Another recently received title is Investigation into Vehicle Registration Abuse which is in the Library under the call number: MR 340.9m3 I584 2010. Also new to the collection is Experience of Massachusetts Public Agencies with Construction Management at Risk under M.G.L. c.149A. This report is available in the Library with the following call number: MR 340.9M3 E97 2009.

All the reports the Library has can be found in our online catalog at www.mass.gov/lib. Look for the icon that states "Search the Library Catalog".

The Government Documents Department

Program on Immigrant Youths Adopting the Norms of Peer Violence

2011-03-30T17:00:00.001-04:00

Joanna Almeida, Associate Research Scientist at Northeastern University's Institute of Urban Health Research, will speak about foreign born youths adopting this country's social norms that perpetrate violence.

Her study found that among a sample of Boston public high school students, recent immigrants had a significantly lower risk of perpetrating peer violence such as hitting, punching and kicking compared to immigrants in the U.S. here for more than 4 years and to youths born in the U.S. This pattern of violence among immigrant youth did not differ by race or ethnicity. The study's findings point to the idea that the social environment in this country contributes to foreign-born youth rapidly adopting the social norms that encourage violence.

This program will be held Tuesday, April 5 from noon until 1:00pm in room 442 of the State Library in the State House. Please join us to learn more about this important topic. To register, call 617.727.2590 or email us at Reference.Department@state.ma.us.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

CENSUS 2010

2011-03-24T14:00:00.001-04:00

The United States Census Bureau has released Massachusetts' 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race & Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting. The information is available on the website of the Secretary of State at www.sec.state.ma.us/census.

As a result of the population figures, Massachusetts will lose one seat in the United States House of Representatives. We will go from 10 to 9 U.S. Representatives. Each of the 9 districts should have approximately 727,514 inhabitants. The Massachusetts Legislature (General Court) has formed a Special Joint Redistricting Committee chaired by Senator Stanley C. Rosenberg and Representative Michael J. Moran.

The committee has scheduled hearings in Springfield, Brockton and Worcester among others (www.malegislature.gov).

The State Library has a display of redistricting maps from previous years outside of room 341.

The Library also has the results of previous U.S. Censuses dating back to the first Census in 1790. These volumes are at the Reference Desk in room 341.

Massachusetts took its own census in the years ending in 5.

The Census is an important series of documents that are used by the Federal Government in determining monies given to the states for various programs.

The Government Documents Staff

Celebrate Women's History Month with New Images in Flickr

2011-03-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

March is Women's History Month and the State Library is happy to present a new set of images on our Flickr site that celebrates five women politicians from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Cambridge Women In Politics set digitally recreates an exhibit installed at Cambridge City Hall in the Fall of 2009. The exhibit profiles three former mayors, E. Denise Simmons, Barbara Ackermann and Sheila Russell, and two current Massachusetts legislators, Martha Walz and Alice Wolf. The original exhibit was presented in collaboration with the Office of Mayor E. Denise Simmons and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators.

- The Marketing Committee

Image courtesy of E. Denise Simmons.

Children and Famillies

2011-03-18T10:30:00.000-04:00

The Department of Children and Families, formerly the Department of Social Services, issues a quarterly report on their activities.

Included in the report are placement statistics by race, age, Hispanic origin; foster home profiles; those entering placement and those leaving; those with a goal to adoption; and foster homes by type, race, marital status and Hispanic origin.

The report also delineates cases and information by the state and specific regions and includes charts.

The report is available in the Library (room 341) in paper under the call number MR 363M3 D76. It is also on line at: http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/37929.

The Government Documents Department

Library Open on Evacuation Day

2011-03-16T11:24:00.004-04:00

The Library will be open its usual hours on Evacuation Day. The hours of the main reading room in room 341 and the periodicals balcony in room 442 are 9:00 - 5:00. Materials in Special Collections can be accessed 9:00-1:00 and by appointment. To schedule an appointment, please call 617.727.2595.

Sculpted to Inspire: Caleb Tillinghast

2011-03-14T13:39:00.014-04:00

FROM NEWSPAPERS TO BOOKS!

What city editor of the Boston Journal became the first State Librarian?

Caleb B. Tillinghast was the Acting State Librarian starting in 1879.
In 1893 the Office of the State Librarian was created.
Mr. Tillinghast was appointed.

Please visit the Library in room 341 between
March 7, 2011-April 15, 2011
to see the State Library’s first State Librarian.

The “Sculpted to Inspire” series is sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

New Decorated Bindings Images Added to Flickr

2011-03-11T09:30:00.002-05:00

Recently I was walking through the stacks and came across a selection of books that have interesting cover images. The books turned out to be the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture. A description of the title from the USDA's website:

"The main purpose of the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture was to summarize USDA’s research developments. However, the Yearbook, which was published (with a couple of exceptions) annually from 1894 to 1992, has a broad appeal outside of the scientific community. In fact, Congress passed a law to provide for its publication as part of an effort to make agricultural information more readily available to farmers and other interested citizens."

The USDA has digitized the full run of the yearbook; however, it does not appear that they digitized the covers of the volumes. A selection of cover images can be found on the State Library's Flickr page. I highly recommend checking out the the digitized volumes on the USDA's site, as the title and introductory pages of the volumes also include wonderful mid-century graphics. Print copies of these yearbooks are accessible to the public in the State Library, room 341.

- Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

Brown Bag on the Federal Digital System

2011-03-07T10:30:00.003-05:00

Join us for a BROWN BAG LUNCH on
Thursday, March 10th , 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 noon until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and hear Bette L. Siegel, Government Documents Librarian in the library, explain and demonstrate this service, referred to as the provider of “America’s Authentic Government Information.”

To register for the Brown Bag, please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/STJRNPB
You may also do so by calling Reference directly at 617-727-2590 or by e-mailing us at reference.department@state.ma.us.

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:

April 28th, Lacy Crews Stoneburner, “Preservation of Family Materials”
May 19th, Neil Savage, “The History of the General Court”
June 14th, Michael Widmer, The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
July 14th, Sean Murphy, reporter, The Boston Globe
August 11th, Dr. John Warner, The Massachusetts State Archives

"Massachusetts Localities- A Finding Aid" : TREASURE OF THE STATE LIBRARY FOR MARCH 2011

2011-03-02T13:11:00.003-05:00

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is comprised of 351 cities and towns. These well-known areas are studied routinely here in the State Library. Whether one is researching the history of a town, the current demographics or trying to determine the dates of incorporation, for example, we can help researchers with such requests.

Less frequently, our users in person, via telephone or email are instead attempting to locate a railroad station, a village or a "lesser locality." Where is "Straw Hollow," for example or "Morningdale" or "Waverley?" Is it true there is an "Egypt" in the state? Are there really two "Bliss Corner" locations?

The little "treasure" noted above and published by the Department of Public Works in 1966, is kept in the reference area. The preface to the booklet states that although many of these localities are well-known entities in the municipalities where they "reside," their locations must often be researched by interested parties not familiar with the areas.

To see Massachusetts Localities: A Finding List of Massachusetts Cities and Towns; and of Villages, certain Lesser Localities, Railroad Stations, and Post Offices whose location is not localized within the appropriate cities and towns by their names; and other generally related material, please visit State Library Reference. You may, of course, also call us at 617-727-2590 or send an e-mail to reference.department@state.ma.us to find the answer to your inquiry.

Pamela W. Schofield
Reference Department
State Library of Massachusetts

Future Brown Bags in the State Library

2011-02-28T12:19:00.003-05:00

Brown Bag lunches held each month in the State Library have become popular programs. Topics have ranged from "Legislative History," to "Art in the State House," "Health Care Reform," and "The State House News Service."

Mark your calendars for a future visit to the Library to which you can bring your lunch (the hours are from 12 noon until 1:30 PM) and hear speakers, experts in their fields, share their knowledge. Details about each program will follow on this blog. The dates are:

March 10th, Bette L. Siegel, Documents Librarian, FDsys, Federal Digital System
April 28th, Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian, Preservation of Family Materials
May 19th, Neil Savage, historian and author, The History of the General Court.
June 14, Michael Widmer, President, The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
July 14, Sean Murphy, reporter, The Boston Globe
August 11th, Dr. John Warner, Archivist of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts State Archives

Pamela W. Schofield
Reference Department
State Library of Massachusetts

Treaties in Force

2011-02-24T15:00:00.000-05:00

The United States Department of State issues a publication, yearly, called TREATIES IN FORCE: A LIST OF TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN FORCE ON JANUARY 1, ----.

This publication is part of the State Library's Federal collection as the Library serves as a selective Federal depository. We hold the report in tangible (paper) format, call number S 9.14: year. It is also available online at: www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/tif/index.htm.

The report has 2 sections. The first includes bilateral treaties and international agreements. The second section lists multilateral treaties and international agreements to which the United States is a party.

The most recent edition of TREATIES IN FORCE is kept at the Reference Desk in room 341 of the State House. The State Library is open 9 to 5, Mondays through Fridays.

The Government Documents Staff

The First Beacon on Beacon Hill

2011-02-23T16:30:00.020-05:00

Earlier in the year the State Library received the program for the swearing in of the Senate members from the Office of the Senate President.

Besides the names of the Senators for the 2011-2012 session, it has pictures and descriptions of the Senate President's suite and the Coolidge Room, which had previously been the Senate President's office with a desk Calvin Coolidge used from 1914-1915. All Massachusetts Senate Presidents were located there from 1897-1970. Photographs reveal the grandeur of the room.

This Librarian's favorite section in the small publication is the History of Beacon Hill and its beacon. There were three hills that made up the area. This is how Tremont Street or trimountain, a hill with 3 peaks, got its name. Boston was also once called Trimountain. One hill was called West Hill, Copley Hill or Mt. Vernon Hill depending on the time period. Another hill was Cotton or Pemberton Hill. The third was Beacon Hill because it had a beacon to warn of attacks.

The first beacon on Beacon Hill was a mast with an iron frame erected in 1634-1635. It was 65 feet high holding a barrel of tar and was used to alert the country of invasion. The structure was located near the State House on the south-east corner of the reservoir on Temple Street. Winds blew down the beacon in 1789. A Revolutionary War monument with an eagle on top was put in its place. This is the beacon that is currently in back of the State House in Ashburton Park.

Naomi Allen
Reference Librarian

Cape Cod Commission Reporter

2011-02-22T15:00:00.002-05:00

The Cape Cod Commission is one of 13 Regional Planning Agencies in Massachusetts. Others are: Berkshire Regional Planning Commission; Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission; Franklin Regional Council of Government; Martha's Vineyard Commission; Merrimack Valley Planning Commission; Metropolitan Area Planning Council; Montachusetts Regional Planning Commission; Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission; Northern Middlesex Council of Governments; Old Colony Planning Council; Pioneer Valley Planning Commission; and the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District.

The Commissions/Councils guide growth and develop programs about housing, elderly services, economic development, coastal zone management, clean air, wetlands and all other areas of concern for each region.

The Cape Cod Commission serves 15 towns of Barnstable County. It was created in 1990. Between 1990 and 1999, Barnsable County was the fastest growing county in mainland Massachusetts.

The Cape Cod Commission Reporter is a publication that started in 1997. The State Library holds this publication in paper (call number MR 352.93 M3 C372) and recent editions are available on line at: www.archives.lib.state.ma/handle/2452/37580.

The Government Documents Staff

Noted Author to Speak about the Federal Stimulus Act and Jobs

2011-02-17T17:15:00.008-05:00

UMass Boston Offers First Demographic Analysis of Recovery Act Jobs

Carol Hardy-Fanta, Executive Director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, will speak on March 1 at noon in the State Library about the recently completed study examining which racial, ethnic, and gender groups have benefited from Recovery Act-supported jobs during the first two quarters of 2010.

The study found that 90 percent of communities in Massachusetts have at least someone whose job was created or retained by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. According to the report, people of color constituted more than 10 percent of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act job holders in the state in both quarters, while women held just over 55 percent of ARRA positions in the first quarter, and 49 percent in the second.

The report is based on Recovery and Reinvestment Act demographic data collected quarterly by the Massachusetts Recovery & Reinvestment Office (MRRO). It was conducted at the request of the MRRO by the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy and the Collins Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston and appears to be the first attempt in the nation to analyze the impact of ARRA jobs on racial, ethnic, and gender groups. The study was written by Carol Hardy-Fanta, Paige Ransford and Christian Weller.

The event will take place in Room 442 of the State House from noon until 1:00 and is open to the public. To register, please call 617.727.2590 or email reference.department@state.ma.us.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

Library Closed for President's Day

2011-02-16T14:15:00.003-05:00

The Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 21 in observance of President's Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday. The main reading room (Room 341) is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 - 5:00. The hours for Special Collections in Room 55 are Monday through Friday from 9:00 - 1:00 and by appointment. Please call 617.727.2595 to schedule an appointment.

Treasure of the State Library for February 2011- April 22, 1965 Address by the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. to the General Court

2011-02-15T15:05:00.000-05:00

On April 22nd, 1965, just six months after he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Boston, the city where he had attended university. He spoke to a JOINT CONVENTION of the Massachusetts General Court. During the address, which is available in the State Library as House legislative document no.4155 of 1965, Dr. King referred to Massachusetts' favorite son, the late President John F. Kennedy. He noted how President Kennedy had, in June of 1963, called the Civil Rights movement not just a political and sociological problem, but also a moral one. King spoke of the need for legislation to address discrimination in housing. He invoked the need to end segregation in the public schools. And, he reiterated that he would continue to "preach a doctrine of nonviolence." Known for his beautiful oratory including "I have A Dream" and "Beyond Vietnam," the address to the legislature is also a strong presence among the civil rights leader's inspiring words.

Here is the address from the State Library's digital collections.

Pamela W. Schofield
Reference Department
State Library of Massachusetts

When Paper Clips Go Bad

2011-02-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

As part of the Massachusetts Room Preservation Project I have been re-housing and boxing collections to protect from light, dust and other calamities. Recently I came across several items from the 1920s that had paper clips inside that had rusted.

The images at left show the extent to which rust can damage and discolor paper. All of the paper clips were carefully removed, along with the remaining specks of rust.

Aside from rust, paper clips can cause paper to warp and tear, so before you add one to your personal or professional archives, take a second and think of these photos.

- Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

Gulf Oil Disaster

2011-02-08T14:05:00.001-05:00

Deep Water: The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling.

The report and the recommendations to the President from the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling are now available in the State Library.

The Library's holds the 2 volume paper documents which are on our new book shelf in room 341.

Both documents are available on line at:
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-OILCOMMISSION/pdf/GPO-OILCC

The State Library has been a selective federal depository since the 1800's. Our collection has, among other documents, the reports of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

The Government Documents Department

Sculpted to Inspire: Arthur Buckminster Fuller

2011-02-03T15:33:00.018-05:00

Arthur Buckminster Fuller (August 10, 1822 - December 11, 1862) was a Unitarian Clergyman who believed in liberal reforms. He was born in Boston, the child of Congressman Timothy Fuller, Jr. and Margaret Crane.

At the age of twelve, he spent one year at Leicester Academy and then studied with Mrs. Ripley, the wife of Rev. Samuel Ripley, of Waltham. His older sister Margaret helped raise him after his father died of cholera in 1835. She made certain Arthur received a proper education in Greek, Latin, literature, science and mathematics. In August, 1839 he entered Harvard College at the age of seventeen and graduated in 1843.

Fuller traveled to Illinois to run an academy but closed it 18 months later due to ill health. Between 1845 and 1847 he attended Harvard College of Divinity where he received his degree. Fuller preached in various churches including the Unitarian Church of Watertown, the New North Church of Boston, and the Unitarian Society of Manchester, New Hampshire.

He was selected by the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1854 to serve as their chaplain and in 1858 by the Massachusetts Senate to act as theirs. In 1857 he was nominated by the Republicans of Suffolk District No. 2 for the Massachusetts Senate but did not win the election since there were other candidates from his party in that district.

Fuller worked to advance a number of issues. He was active in the temperance and abolitionist movements and endorsed women pursuing a professional career. His belief in a free public education was shown by his serving on the Boston school board.

At the onset of the Civil War, Fuller resigned as a pastor in Watertown, MA to join the Sixteenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. When the Sixteenth Regiment went into battle in June, 1862, he participated on the battlefield as a chaplain with prayers and encouragement. After this he became so weak and ill that he returned to Massachusetts. He came back in October, 1862 but was soon declared unfit for service.

Fuller returned once again to give his farewell address on December 7, 1862 and was honorably discharged on December 10, 1862. The next morning as his own regiment was preparing to attack Fredericksburg, VA, he volunteered to go with the Nineteenth Regiment. Wearing the uniform of a staff officer, he was a special mark for the sharpshooters. Fuller crossed the river in a boat to join the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment on the other side. A few minutes later, he was shot dead after having only fired a few shots. It was speculated that Fuller risked his life to accompany the Nineteenth Massachusetts, because he believed the men deserved to have a chaplain by their side as they fought. The Nineteenth's chaplain had fled some time ago.

The Governor of Massachusetts attended his funeral where ministers of several faiths eulogized him. Among them was James Freemen Clarke who declared that "Arthur Fuller was, like most of us, a lover of peace, but he saw, as we have had to see, that sometimes true peace can only come through war…. Fuller served ordinary folk and related far better to farmers, artisans, shopkeepers, laborers and soldiers than he did to the intellectuals who preserved his sister's memory.”* He is buried in Mt Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

His grandson is R. Buckminster Fuller, a philosopher, mathematician and the inventor who invented the geodesic dome composed of triangular shaped spheres and coined the phrase “Spaceship Earth.”

His statue was given to the state in 1863 and is on view in the State Library's main reading room (Room 341) through February 18.

* Unitarian Universalist Association. “Arthur Buckminster Fuller” http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/arthurbuckminsterfuller.html (accessed December 30, 2010)

Brown Bag with Ken Gloss from the Brattle Book Shop

2011-01-31T13:52:00.019-05:00

Ken Gloss of the Brattle Book Shop on “What is an Old Book?”

Join us for a Brown Bag lunch on
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442, State House
12 noon until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and hear Ken Gloss, proprietor of the Brattle Book Shop, speak about rare books and materials. Mr. Gloss, whose family has owned and run the bookshop since 1949, can be heard often on the radio and is a frequent guest on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow. He promises to bring a “rare” treasure of particular interest to those working in the State House or the general political “arena.” He also extends an invitation to attendees to bring their own personal treasures for appraisal after his talk.

To register for the Brown Bag, please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZK5M7D6. You may also do so by telephoning Reference at 617-727-2590 or e-mailing reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:

March, 2011 - Bette L. Siegel, State Library, Federal Digital System
April, 2011 - Lacy Crews Stoneburner, State Library, Preservation
May, 2011 - Neil Savage, The History of the General Court

BUDGETS, BUDGETS, BUDGETS

2011-01-28T12:00:00.006-05:00

The State Library holds a large collection of state and federal budgets.

Commonly known as House 1, the Governor's budget, is on the shelf in the main reading room from 1939 on. Copies of the Senate and House budgets have been placed beside many of the Governor's budgets.

The Legislature's web site at www.malegislature.gov and the Governor's web site at www.mass.gov have additional information on budgets.

The BUDGET OF THE UNITED STATES is available in the Library. Documents included in this collection are: ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT; ECONOMIC INDICATORS; and ANALYSIS OF THE BUDGET. All the Federal documents are on line at www.fdsys.gov and in paper as part of the Library's federal collection.

Visit us in room 341 of the State House and find all you want and more about state and federal budgets.

The Government Documents Staff

Program Services at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Dept.

2011-01-24T15:40:00.007-05:00

Rachelle Steinberg will speak about programs in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Andrea Cabral’s office is dedicated to providing the inmates and detainees with as much programming as possible to make for a smooth transition back into our community. The goal is to have each individual that is released from its facilities leave with more than they came in with.

When: Thursday, Jan. 27
Time: noon - 1:00 pm
Where: State Library, Room 442 State House

Please join us to learn more about the role of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. This program is designed to provide information to assist state employees in their work, whether with the public or legislation.

Feel free to bring your lunch. To register please call 617.727.2590 or email reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

The Charles River Dam, James Storrow, Helen Storrow and Storrow Drive

2011-01-21T16:49:00.010-05:00

James Storrow was an investment banker who in 1901 spearheaded a campaign to have a dam built over the Charles River. He introduced a bill in 1901 to create a commission to study this. In 1903 the Legislature passed a law to construct the dam, which was erected between 1903 and 1910. It was located where the Science Museum is now.

James Storrow died in 1926. In 1929 Helen Storrow pledged to donate 1 million in her husband's memory to improve the Embankment as the Esplanade was known back then. According to The Charles River Esplanade: Our Boston Treasure by Linda Cox, the state of Massachusetts donated 2.3 million and the city of Boston donated $400,000. One condition was that the money be matched by the city or state. The second condition was that no roads be built between the Esplanade and the city in effect separating the city from this area. However two years after Helen died, Storrow Drive was built.

The State Library has the acts related to Storrow Drive and the Embankment. These are also accessible through the Library's web site at http://mass.gov/lib and include the following:
Storrow Memorial Embankment. Resolution 31 of 1937
Authorization to Erect a Memorial on Helen Osborne Storrow by MDC. Resolve 22 of 1948
James J. Storrow Memorial Drive, Embankment Rd. Chapter 262 of 1949, Chapter 828 of 1950
Fiedler Bridge (designating the foot bridge). Resolve 86 of 1953
A Statue Memorializing Arthur Fiedler. Chapter 567 of 1980

These publications are in the Library's collection:
Charles River Basin Commission, 1903 - 1910, MR 627 M415r
Report on the Committee on the Charles River Dam, 1903, MR 627 M414r
Evidence and Arguments before the Committee on the Charles River Dam, 1901 - 1903, MR 627 M414e

Naomi Allen
Reference Librarian

image: Charles River and Hereford Street Street Overflow, low water from Charles River Basin Report in 1905. MR 627 M415r

Holyoke Materials Now on Flickr

2011-01-18T14:04:00.003-05:00

In the fall of 2009 the State Library displayed an exhibit called "Holyoke, Queen of Industrial Cities." This exhibit, a joint project by the State Library of Massachusetts and the Holyoke Public Library, is now available to view online as a set of images on the State Library’s Flickr site.

The exhibit highlighted the items in both libraries' collections that document the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Included in the exhibit were books, maps, and photographs of Holyoke, which was one of the first planned industrial towns in the country. Most of the photographs in the exhibit were from the Holyoke Public Library’s Milan P. Warner Collection. Warner, a Holyoke photographer in the 1880s and 1890s, captured beautiful black and white images of the town during its first industrial boom.

Please visit the State Library Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, to view the library’s current exhibit, “Congressional Redistricting through the Years.”

-The Marketing Committee

Library Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2011-01-14T13:33:00.005-05:00

The Library will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday. The Main Reading Room and the Periodicals Balcony are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 until 5:00. The hours in Special Collections are Monday through Friday from 9:00 until 1:00 and by appointment. Please call 617.727.2595 if an appointment is needed.

BROWN BAG ON THE SOCIAL LAW LIBRARY

2011-01-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

The Social Law Library

Join us for our first 2011 Brown Bag Lunch
Thursday, January 13th
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 341 State House
12 until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and join us to hear Brian J. Harkins, Esq., Reference Librarian, The Social Law Library, speak about the library’s collection and services which include circulation, reference, document delivery and interlibrary loan. He will speak also about their database offering of case law and Massachusetts administrative law. Social Law does web hosting and web site design, and Brian will address those services as well.

To register, please go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8Y73M3J. You may also let us know you will attend by calling the Reference Department at 617-727-2590 or e-mailing to reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:
February 10th, 2011 - Ken Gloss, the Brattle Bookshop
March, 2011 - Bette L. Siegel, State Library, Federal Digital System
April, 2011 - Lacy Crews Stoneburner, State Library, Preservation
May, 2011 - Neil Savage, The History of the General Court

New Exhibit Now on Display

2011-01-05T16:29:00.008-05:00

Please visit the State Library to view the newest exhibit, Congressional Redistricting Through the Years. This exhibit highlights the changes in U.S. Congressional districts in response to population growth. Maps included in the exhibit range in date from 1842 to 2002. The exhibit can be viewed outside of the library, room 341 of the State House, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 2010

2011-01-04T11:55:00.007-05:00

The State and Metropolitan Data Area Book is a supplement to the Statistical Abstract of the United States. The last time this book was published was in 2006.

One can find statistics on social, economic, and metropolitan areas of the States.

This edition contains information about: 2007 North American Industry Classification System; 3 year tables (2005-2007) from the American Community Survey regarding population characteristics; results from the 2008 elections; social insurance programs and a total of 84 tables of information about the states.

The paper copy of the book is kept at the Reference desk in room 341 in the Federal Documents area. All of this information is also available on line at www.census.gov/compendia/databooks.

Government Documents Department
State Library

Restoration of Cape Cod Military Reservation

2011-01-04T11:20:00.009-05:00

The State Library holds over 500 documents and/or CD-ROMs from the Department of the Air Force, Installation Restoration Program at Otis Air National Guard Base. This program is a result of the Base being identified as a Superfund Site. The site is located in parts of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee and Sandwich.

You can access the pertinent information about the documents/CD-ROMs at www.mass.gov/lib. Click on the library catalog and enter the keywords Massachusetts Military Reservation.

The library is pleased to have this comprehensive collection which serves the Cape Cod community.

The Reservation also has a website at: http://www.mmr.org/. There are a host of frequently asked questions (FAQ's) including ones about cancer rates in the area; fishing in the waters near the area; use of chemicals in the cleanup; employment opportunities in the area; and responsibilities if the Government closes the base.

The Reference Department

Blizzards in the Northeast

2010-12-31T11:00:00.008-05:00

During the first blizzard of the 2010-2011 winter season, Boston received 18.2" of snow and wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour.

This storm met the 2 criteria set by the National Weather Service that define a blizzard. The first condition is that the snow has reduced visibility to less than a 1/4 of a mile. The second criteria is sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35 miles an hour or greater. These conditions must last 3 hours or longer.

Publications on this topic in the State Library's collection include the following:

1. Annual report. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
MR 355M3 M37 1996-

2. The blizzard of '88. Cable, Mary. QC 929 .S7 1988

3. Comprehensive emergency response plan. Massachusetts. Civil Defense Agency and Office of Emergency Preparedness, 1988. MR 355M3 .C65

4. Blizzard of 78 : after-action report to Governor Michael S. Dukakis . Massachusetts. Military Division. MR 355.6M3 B54 1978

Naomi Allen
Reference Librarian

image: Beacon Hill after the 1/23/2005 snow storm from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather service.

Freedom Trail Tapestry

2010-12-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

The Freedom Trail Tapestry is a unique piece of artwork that hangs in the State Library in Room 442 of the State House.

The tapestry was originally installed in the Senate Lobby. Eleven historic sites on the Freedom Trail are depicted; among these are the Old North Church, King's Chapel, the Old State House, the Boston Tea Party, the Bunker Hill Monument, Faneuil Hall, and the Old South Meeting House.

This was designed and sewn by members of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild in honor of the American Bicentennial in 1976. It is decorated with grasshoppers, chickadees and mayflowers.

The tapestry measures 11' x 5'. Next to it is a plaque recognizing the stitchers who created this beautiful handwork. It is on permanent loan to the State House from the Massachusetts Needlepoint Guild.

The Reference Department

Hours for Special Collections

2010-12-24T13:04:00.004-05:00

Special Collections will be closed Dec 24 - 31. For assistance, please go to the Main Reading Room in Room 341. Regular hours will resume Jan. 3. Special Collections is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 until 1:00 and by appointment. Please call 617.727.2595 to schedule an appointment.

Pictorial Maps Now on Flickr

2010-12-22T16:37:00.001-05:00

In the summer of 2009 the State Library presented the exhibit, Ernest Dudley Chase: A Worldview in Maps highlighting original, decorative maps created and published in the 1930s and 1940s by Ernest Dudley Chase, a graphic artist from Winchester, Mass. Select images from this exhibit are now available on the library’s Flickr website.

Born in Lowell, Ernest Dudley Chase (1878-1966) worked for Rust Craft Publishers, which printed greeting cards at its plant in Dedham. Chase was the acknowledged expert in the greeting card business in the United States with publication of his book The Romance of Greeting Cards (1926), the first complete history of the greeting card industry. Chase’s maps were an extension of his work as a graphic artist for Rust Craft and also reflected an international trend toward pictorial mapmaking. These decorative maps, which experienced a resurgence in public popularity after 1913, are a genre in which the cartography is animated with illustrations of buildings, people, and animals. Often including historical references, the maps also frequently depicted airplanes and other modes of transportation. Borrowing from typical Renaissance cartography, Chase and other pictorial mapmakers used embellishments like compass roses, ornate cartouches, and decorative borders.

Chase’s maps revel in a colorful, idiosyncratic, and whimsical view of the world. The exhibit of his original cartographic creations showcased maps of Boston, Massachusetts, New England, the United States, and the world.

Due to copyright restrictions, only vignettes from select maps are included in this set. Please visit the Special Collections department to view any of the twenty nine Chase maps in the library's collection.

- The Marketing Committee

Above image adapted from: Historic Massachusetts: a travel map to help you feel at home in the Bay State, 1964.

Sculpted to Inspire: John Davis Long

2010-12-17T10:46:00.019-05:00

This sculpture of John Davis Long by Pierre Millet is the featured piece of art work in the Library's Main Reading Room through Dec. 24.

Long was born October 27, 1838 in Buckfield, ME, which was then part of Massachusetts. He attended the common schools of Buckfield and Hebron Academy in Maine. In 1857 he graduated from Harvard University at the age of 19. For the next two years, he taught school and was the principal at Westford Academy.

Long studied law at Harvard Law School from 1860 to 1861 and in the private law offices of Sidney Bartlett, dividing his time between Boston and Maine. Admitted to the bar in 1861, he began practicing law in Buckfield, ME. In 1863 he moved to Boston and, in 1869, to Hingham.

He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1875 to 1878, serving as Speaker from 1876 to 1878. In 1879 he advanced to the office of Lieutenant Governor. Long was elected Governor on the Republican ticket and served from 1880 to1882 after winning by an overwhelming majority. During his term, Long shrank state government, reduced taxes on mortgages and local shipping, and opposed the Commonwealth’s capital punishment laws. He supported women’s suffrage and, as a lifelong abstainer of alcohol, advocated temperance legislation.

His political career continued in the U.S. Congress from March 1883 until March 1889 when he resigned to devote himself to the legal profession. Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt appointed him to serve in their Cabinets as Secretary of the Navy; he held this position from March 5, 1897 until May 1, 1902 leaving once again to resume his law practice.

Long delivered a speech to the men’s club at North Abington’s church after he retired from active life. This speech, noted in an Aug. 29, 1915 Boston Herald article, summarizes his simple philosophy. “Wealth alone does not make a man happy. It is not a necessity. The man with a dime in his pocket can be just as happy as the man with his pockets filled with golden coins.” As a member of the Unitarian Church, he believed in peace even though he was Secretary of the Navy during the Spanish American War.

Known to be prolific writer, he published a volume of poems entitled Bites of a Cherry, a memoir Reminiscences of my Seventy Years’ Education, and a treatise about the Navy in 1903 entitled The New American Navy. While serving as Lt. Governor, he translated Virgil’s Aeneid. He was President of the Overseers of Harvard University and the Authors’ Club of Boston. Long died in Hingham on August 28, 1915 and is buried in Hingham Cemetery.

His books:

America of Yesterday, as Reflected in the Journal of John Davis Long. B L848

Bites of a Cherry. 821 L84b

The New American Navy. 359.9 L84n

Reminiscences of my Seventy Years’ Education. 906 M41p 1908-1909

The Republican Party: its History, Principles and Policies. He was the editor of this volume of articles by leading U.S. Senators and Representatives. 329R421 L84r

Brown Bag on Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries

2010-12-10T13:00:00.006-05:00

WHAT CAN the LAW LIBRARIES
do for YOU?

Join us for a BROWN BAG LUNCH on
Thursday, December 16th, 2010
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 noon until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and hear Marnie Warner, Law Library Coordinator for the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries, speak about the seventeen public law libraries, their services and web site. The committed TCLL staff provide legal reference services and research to the public and legal community.

Marnie will be speaking about what the law libraries can do for you, asking the audience what they would like to see the law libraries provide and will also talk about the law.gov initiative and the Massachusetts Library Access to Justice program. The law.gov initiative ensures public access to the law and the Mass Library Access to Justice program facilitates access to legal information at public libraries.

If you would like to visit the Trial Court Libraries web site before the Brown Bag, please go to:
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/

To register for the Brown Bag, please
go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VYKB3QV

You may also do so by calling Reference directly at 617-727-2590 or by e-mailing us at reference.department@state.ma.us .

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:
January 13th, 2011 - Brian Harkins, the Social Law Library
February 10th, 2011 - Ken Gloss, the Brattle Bookshop
March, 2011 - Bette L. Siegel, State Library, Federal Digital System
April, 2011 - Lacy Crews Stoneburner, State Library, Preservation
May, 2011 - Neil Savage, The History of the General Court

Favorite Book Cover of 2010

2010-12-07T14:00:00.001-05:00

In the first year of the Mass. Room Preservation Project the preservation interns and I have preserved nearly 2,000 items. While the majority of these items have simple covers that include title and author details, every now and then an interesting title or cover art slips in. Some of my favorite titles have included:

The Cool Facts on Recycling Metalworking Coolants

Tire Piles in Massachusetts

Grow Your own Lobsters Commercially

By far my favorite cover seen this year is that of Measures of Water Pollution by the Water Resources Commission, pictured above. I love the cranky-looking octopus and all the little pictures of various types of pollution. Decorated bindings have their place, but I think there’s plenty of room to enjoy the more pedestrian of bindings too.

I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled in 2011 for a cover that tops this, but for 2010, the cranky octopus wins my award of favorite cover.

- Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

One-Stop Career Centers

2010-12-03T11:46:00.008-05:00

Alice Sweeney, Director of Special Initiatives and Customer Accountability, will speak about the Massachusetts Workforce Development System and the One-Stop Career Centers located in 37 cities and communities throughout the Commonwealth. Overseen by the Department of Workforce Development, services for job seekers include career counseling and workshops, job fairs, coaching, networking groups, referrals to jobs, online job listings, and the use of resume software. Special employment programs exist to meet the needs of veterans, recipients of Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), and others. To assist employers, the Centers provide access to qualified applicants, pre-screening, job postings, and the testing/assessment of applicants.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 7

Time: noon - 1:00 pm

Where: State Library, Room 442 State House

This program is designed for state employees to assist them in their work, whether with constituents or legislation. Please join us to learn more about the role of the Centers during these challenging economic times.

Feel free to bring your lunch. Refreshments served. To register please call 617.727.2590 or email reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

MANUAL FOR THE GENERAL COURT- Treasure of the State Library for December 2010

2010-11-30T12:00:00.002-05:00

Where does one go to find a listing of all members of the legislature or the names of all State Auditors who have served the Commonwealth? What are the names of the cities and towns in a particular county? How can one locate a list of the proclamations which must, by law, be done by the Governor or the rules of the Massachusetts House of Representatives or State Senate. Or the General Court's joint rules? Is there a list somewhere of where I can determine how long the legislative session of 1910 lasted? How may I find a seating chart for the House of Representatives during the Civil War?

Answers to these questions and to many many more can be found in a much-used "treasure" in the State Library, the Manual for the General Court. The library owns these "gems" starting with the year 1858 and they are available not only in the Library, but from our Digital Depository.

When you have an inquiry about Massachusetts state government, the State Library is the place to contact. And, it may happen that your question can be answered by referencing this wonderful source.

Pamela W. Schofield
Reference Department
State Library of Massachusetts

Ware Report

2010-11-26T11:04:00.017-05:00

The State Library is announcing the availability of the recently released WARE REPORT on the Probation Department. The full text document is online at http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/bitstream/handle/2452/54291/ocn682159342.pdf?sequence=1.

Attorney Paul F. Ware, Jr. of the law firm of Goodwin Procter LLP was appointed by the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court on May 24, 2010 "to conduct a prompt and thorough administrative inquiry into alleged improprieties with respect to the hiring and promotion of employees within the Probation Department, as well as other practices and management decisions within the Probation Department that have been called into question." (1)

The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court issued a statement relative to the Independent Counsel's report, which can be found at http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/54313

(1) Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court No. OE-123.

The Reference Department

Library closed for Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T10:19:00.013-05:00

The Library will be closed Thursday in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular hours in the Main Reading Room (Room 341) and the Periodical Balcony will resume Friday. Please come to the Main Reading Room first for access to Special Collections materials on Friday.

The Main Reading Room and the Periodicals Balcony are open Monday through Friday from 9:00AM until 5:00PM. Special Collections' usual hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00AM until 1:00PM and by appointment. Please call 617.727.2595 if an appointment is needed.

image: Thanksgiving in a camp during the U.S. Civil War on Nov. 28, 1861. Alfred Rudolph Waud, artist.

Sculpted to Inspire: John Davis Long

2010-11-16T15:30:00.007-05:00

Who was the 32nd Governor of Massachusetts

and

the 34th United States Secretary of the Navy
and

represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives
from the 2nd District in the late 1800’s?

JOHN DAVIS LONG

Please visit the State Library in Room 341 between
November 15 and December 24, 2010
to see the sculpture of this former Governor.

The “Sculpted to Inspire” series is sponsored by the
Friends of the State Library.

Bond Issues

2010-11-15T10:00:00.002-05:00

The Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, which issues bonds for cultural, educational and medical institutions in the Commonwealth, was recently merged into MassDevelopment by Chapter 240 of the Acts of 2010.

HEFA, as it was formerly known, has a pooled loan program and issues tax exempt revenue bonds.

The State Library has over 60 of these bond issues in both paper copies and on line . Examples of bond issues for hospitals and educational institutions that have recently been promulgated are: University of Massachusetts; Williams College; Wheaton College; Cape Cod Healthcare; Children's Hospital Catholic Health East System and Northeastern University. Bond issues help to strengthen the Massachusetts economy both privately and publically.

MassDevelopment is the Commonwealth's primary source of public financing for economic development projects.

Reference Dept.

Library Closed on Veterans' Day

2010-11-10T15:28:00.006-05:00

The Library will be closed Thursday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans' Day. Regular hours will resume Friday. The Main Reading Room and the Periodicals Balcony are open Monday through Friday from 9:00AM until 5:00PM. Special Collections' hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00AM until 1:00PM and by appointment. Please call 617.727.2595 if an appointment is needed.

BROWN BAG ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

2010-11-09T15:23:00.000-05:00

Health Care Reform---Is the dream within our grasp, or is it slipping through our fingers?

Join us for a BROWN BAG LUNCH on
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 noon until 1:30 PM

One of the most debated issues in Massachusetts and in the country today is health care. The state’s program is in the forefront of discussions about this all-important subject.

Bring your lunch and hear Dolores Mitchell, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission and an expert in the field, speak about this omnipresent concern, about current trends and programs--- and about what the future might hold.

To register for the Brown Bag, please
go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TGHPHJP
You may also do so by calling Reference directly at 617-727-2590 or by e-mailing us at reference.department@state.ma.us.

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:
December 16th - Marnie Warner, Massachusetts Trial Court Libraries
January 13th 2011 - Brian Harkins, the Social Law Library
February 10th, 2011 - Ken Gloss, the Brattle Bookshop
March, 2011 - Bette L. Siegel, State Library, Federal Digital System
April, 2011 - Lacy Crews Stoneburner, State Library, Preservation
May, 2011 - Neil Savage, The History of the General Court

Pamela Schofield
Legislative Librarian

Election Day

2010-11-02T14:28:00.005-04:00

Today (Tuesday, November 2, 2010) is Election Day. Please don't forget to exercise your right to vote today. Polls are open from 7:00am to 8:00pm across the state.

Please visit the Secretary of State's website for information about the candidates who are up for election, the ballot questions, and where to vote.

Health Care Delivery

2010-11-01T12:19:00.021-04:00

Seena Carrington, Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer, will provide an overview of the key responsibilities of the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, an agency within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. She will highlight recent efforts to analyze health care cost trends in the Commonwealth and provide a brief description of upcoming initiatives.

When: Thursday, Nov. 4
Time: noon - 1:00 PM
Where: State Library, Room 442 State House

Please join us to learn more about the Division. This program is designed to provide information to assist state agency and legislative personnel in their work, whether with constituents or legislation.

Feel free to bring your lunch. Refreshments served. To register, please call 617.727.2590 or email reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

November 2010 Treasures of the State Library: Election Materials

2010-10-28T11:30:00.001-04:00

Whether one is researching ballot questions currently being considered or looking for those from years ago, the State Library is the place to do one's research. Copies of Massachusetts Information for Voters from the Office of the Massachusetts Secretary of State present pro and con arguments on ballot issues which have faced the electorate. Those available in the
library are biennial from 1976.

For the outcome of elections going back not just decades, but for the 20th century entirely, one can visit us in person or view "returns of voters" by using our Digital Collections online. This link to our digital repository for these Massachusetts Election Statistics includes results from 1890.

Election results, whether for the six constitutional offices in Massachusetts, (Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Auditor, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney- General) or for members of the General Court or Governors Council, are among the most sought-after holdings in the State Library. These volumes are sometimes referred to as PD (Public Document) 43.

Staff in the library's Reference Department often refer users to Election Statistics to help those wishing to trace a city, town or district to garner the names of those who held a particular office over the years.

Pamela W. Schofield
Reference Department
State Library of Massachusetts

Sculpted to Inspire: George Frisbie Hoar

2010-10-26T11:50:00.003-04:00

Do you know who George Frisbie Hoar is?

Do you know why his birthday is significant?

George Frisbie Hoar was born in Concord in 1826,

the same year the State Library was founded.

Please visit the Library in Room 341 between October 4 and November 12, 2010 to see the sculpture of George Frisbie Hoar.

The “Sculpted to Inspire” series is sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

Major Accomplishment Reached by Preservation Intern

2010-10-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

As part of a National Endowment for the Humanities grant, preservation intern Angela White has been working on surveying the library's 20th & 21st centuries map collection. This project aims to catch any existing damage to materials and to highlight materials where preservation efforts can be focused to avoid damage and deterioration into the future.

Angela has experience surveying several other library collections, and in June she began her survey work with the State Library's preservation lab. After four months of meticulous observation, she has recorded repairs and preservation actions needed on over 1,775 maps. Now Angela will begin the task of addressing the issues she found in the collection, starting with surface cleaning the most stable items. Keep an eye on the blog for more from Angela on her findings as she works through this rich and valuable library collection.

Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

Image: Map of the Street Railways of Massachusetts, 1913. Part of the 20th & 21st centuries map collection.

Plymouth Materials Now on Flickr

2010-10-15T10:09:00.006-04:00

In the fall of 2008 the State Library of Massachusetts displayed an exhibit on one of the most famous towns in the Commonwealth: Plymouth. Titled “Plymouth: People, Politics, and Primary Sources,” the exhibit highlighted the library’s wealth of resources about this town, including William Bradford’s manuscript “Of Plimoth Plantation,” which was written between 1630 and 1650. Also exhibited were items such as historic maps, tax valuations, town reports, photographs, legislative documents, historic newspapers, directories, and the personal papers of a state legislator who represented Plymouth.

The exhibit may now be viewed online as a set of images on the State Library’s Flickr page. This photo set digitally recreates the 2008 exhibit, including the original information panels as well as digital images of the primary sources displayed in the exhibit.

Please visit the library Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, to view the library’s current exhibit, “Butterflies of North America and Britain.”

-The Marketing Committee

Home and Community-based Services for Elders and Caregivers

2010-10-14T13:20:00.001-04:00

Nursing home stays have decreased in frequency over the years. As a result, community services and home care become more important as older people remain in their homes longer. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs plays an active role in helping people to navigate this system of care and to find resources. Erin Ferguson from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs will be in the Library to speak on this topic. This program is designed to provide information to assist legislative and state agency staff in their work, whether with citizens or legislation.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 19
Time: noon – 1:00pm
Where: Room 442 State House

Please bring a lunch and join us. Refreshments will be served. To register please call 617.727.2590 or email reference.department@state.ma.us

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

An Amazing Surprise

2010-10-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

Recently Assistant Library Director Alix Quan and I were in the library vault searching for historic supporting documentation for a recent digitization project. As Alix explored the shelves below where she was working, she found two volumes titled "Resolves and Orders Directing the Treasurer."

Obviously old, she pulled the first volume off of the shelf, only to discover that it covered the years 1787-1789, a period in which John Hancock was Governor. As we thumbed through the pages we realized that many resolves were signed by Governor Hancock, including the one on page 135, pictured at left. These resolves granted the treasurer permission to pay out state funds and each needed to be acknowledged by the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, the Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Working in Special Collections I sometimes take for granted the fact that I get to handle and care for so many amazing artifacts of our past, and am often unfazed by anything published after 1730. But standing in the vault holding a book that John Hancock held over 220 years ago, I'm pretty awestruck.

- Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

Library closed for Columbus Day

2010-10-08T14:27:00.009-04:00

The Library will be closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday. The Main Reading Room and the Periodicals Balcony are open Monday through Friday from 9:00AM until 5:00PM. Special Collections' hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00AM until 1:00PM and by appointment. Please call 617.727.2595 if an appointment is needed.

image: First Voyage, Departure for the New World, Aug. 3, 1492. Wikimedia Commons.

Brown Bag on the State House News Service

2010-10-04T13:17:00.044-04:00

The State House News Service From the 1950’s until 2010

Join us for a BROWN BAG LUNCH on
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 noon until 1:30 PM
Bring your lunch and hear Craig Sandler, General Manager of the State House News Service, speak about the origins of this vital news organization to its operation in today’s Massachusetts State House.

The State Library, along with a plethora of state agencies, officeholders and concerned groups and individuals, subscribes to the “service.” The library holds current materials and archives items back until the 1970’s. The online version is available in the library.

Craig will speak not only about all that the News Service does today, but also about how the “newspaper” field has changed over these decades. To register for the Brown Bag, please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WDRH97F
You may also do so by calling Reference directly at 617-727-2590 or by e-mailing us at reference.department@state.ma.us.

Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library

Future Brown Bags will include:
November 16th - Dolores Mitchell, Group Insurance Commission
December 16th - Marnie Warner, Massachusetts Trial Court Libraries
January 13th, 2011 - Brian Harkins, the Social Law Library
February 10th, 2011 - Ken Gloss, the Brattle Bookshop
March, 2011 - Bette Siegel, State Library, Federal Digital System
April, 2011 - Lacy Crews Stoneburner, State Library, Preservation

October 2010 Treasure of the State Library

2010-10-01T14:33:00.000-04:00

This gem, prepared by the Office of Secretary of State William Francis Galvin and published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, is of special value to historians and to genealogists, but is important for all Massachusetts residents.

This is where one can go to see the overall dates when "places" were founded by legislative action. It includes the story of how Massachusetts counties and cities and towns were developed over the years- of how areas were "annexed," their dates of annexation and which boundaries were set. This book includes section and village listings for municipalities and an index which begins with "A Praying Indian" town (Billerica, for instance) to Zylonite, a section of the town of Adams.

Massachusetts is comprised of 351 cities and towns. The guide is of great help to people researching any or all of these locations.

Located at the reference desk, there are also several copies in the library stacks. The call number is MR 353.3m3 H57 1997. There are earlier versions of the "treasure" from the years 1920, 1948, 1966 and 1975.

Pamela W. Schofield
Reference Department

Internal Revenue Bulletin

2010-09-30T11:00:00.007-04:00

The Internal Revenue Bulletin is a weekly publication of the Internal Revenue Service. It is divided into four parts: (1) the 1986 Internal Revenue Code; (2) Treaties and Tax Legislation; (3) Administrative, Procedural and Miscellaneous and (4) Items of General Interest.

The Bulletin is the "authoratative instrument" of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. As one can see from the four sections delineated above that official rulings, court decisions, Executive Orders, legislation and other general interest items are announced through the Bulletin.

The Bulletin can be accessed on line at: http://www.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/internalRevenueBulletins.html

The State Library holds an extensive cdollection of this material starting in 1921.

The Reference Dept.

Photographs of Legislators

2010-09-22T12:20:00.000-04:00

Did you know that the State Library has a collection of over 3,200 photographs of legislators?

The earliest photographs are from 1855 and the collection continues into the early 1900s. The photographs range in size from tiny tin type to oversize collages. All are housed in the climate-controlled library vault and are available for the public to view in the Special Collections department.

The collection is currently being digitized by a library intern and once complete, the images will be posted in the library's digital repository, DSpace. At left is one of the digitized images - Charles Dillingham (1821-1902). Mr. Dillingham was in the state Senate in 1861 and 1862, then in the state House of Representatives in 1886 and 1887, representing Sandwich during those periods. As you can see at the bottom of the image, this photograph was taken during his tenure in the Senate.

Images of legislators can also be found in several publications that the library has already digitized and are available online. Each book is listed on the Public Officers of the Commonwealth page of the library's web site. Click on any year and the digital version will open through the Internet Archive web site.

- Lacy Crews Stoneburner, Preservation Librarian

A Storm is Brewing: Storms in Massachusetts and New England History

2010-09-21T17:42:00.002-04:00

Hurricane season is upon us. According to Boston.com hurricanes are most common in the North Atlantic from August through October and that the busiest month for hurricanes is September. They also state that it must have winds of at least 74 mph to be classified as a hurricane.

The State Library has these books and resources on storms or hurricanes.

Well known storms and hurricanes:
Carol at 50 : remembering her fury : a historical and pictorial summary of Hurricane Carol
Orloff, Charles Talcott. [E. Milton, MA] : Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, 2004.

Erosion of Nantucket Island's eastern shore by the northeast storm of December 11-13, 1992
Reston, Va. : U.S. Geological Survey ; Denver, Colo. : Books and Open-File Reports Section [distributor], 1993. Videotape 81

Hurricane Bob, August 16-August 20, 1991 : a brief history
Minsinger, William Elliott. [Milton, Mass.] : Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, 1992.

Hurricane Bob, August, 1991, high water marks, eastern Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts.
[Waltham, Mass.] : U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England Division, 1992.

The 1938 hurricane : an historical and pictorial summary
Minsinger, William Elliott. East Milton, Mass. : Blue Hill Observatory (P.O. Box 101, East Milton, Mass. 02186), 1988.

A Winter storm:
An inventory of aerial photographs taken of the eastern New England shoreline following the storms of the 1977-1978 winter season
by Michael Goetz. Boston, Mass. : New England River Basins Commission, 1979.

General:
Natural hazards of North America
National Geographic Maps (Firm). Washington, D.C. : The Society, c1998. (Map)

New England's disastrous weather : hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, dark days, heat waves, cold snaps... and the human stories behind them
Camden, Me. : Yankee Books, c1990.

Naomi Allen
Reference Librarian

image: courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Center, Hurricane Center web site