Excerpt from Annual Report, for the Year Ending June 30, 1986 In the life of any great institution, there are years of progress and years of decline. In its one hundred thirty-four year history - the longest of any free municipal library in the world - the Boston Public Library has indeed experienced both. The contributions of many generations form a firm foundation for the resources and services of the Library, making possible the achievements of any particular ad ministration, but sustaining as well an ability to rebound after periods of adversity. The past decade has been such a period. Recovery will require a commitment of several years; but if magnitude of endeavor be any measure, this past year will stand out in the history of the Library as a time when the efforts of many individuals converged to insure the start of a renaissance. The effects on the Library of Proposition and other recent forces of fiscal retrenchment have been nothing less than devastating. A news headline in the early 1980's forecast the Death of a Library. The impact of books not acquired (or preserved), of reference or readers' advisory assistance not rendered, of school visits not undertaken, is not easily measured, for the role of the library in society is in large measure an intangible one. On the other hand, a library is a most tangible symbol of the values and aspirations of a community. When staff reductions reached a point requiring the actual closing of the famous Copley Square entrance, its giant chained gates became a haunting symbol of the plight within. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Annual Report of the Town Officers, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1986: And of the School District, for the Year Ending June 30, 1986 This year's annual report is dedicated to the memory of David Fillion. Dave was a dedicated School Board member whose terms included three years as Chairman and numerous times as vice-chairman and Clerk. Dave also served two terms as Chairman of the School Administrative Unit Thirty School Board. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.